The Original Manhattanite : August 2019

Saturday, August 3, 2019

20th Anniversary of the Best Man coming up this fall 2019

I am a huge fan of the movie series because I love how they put took Black Love, African American friendships, community, weddings, and accomplishments on the map. I remember when this movie came out was literally right at the turn of the new century in the fall of 1999 so right before we even started the new millennium. It was a great time because we were seeing more romantic stories were being told in the film industry. More people were able to see themselves reflected and positive images of love, family, and commitment.

So when this movie came along I remember I was only 12 going on 13 but the story was something that I grasped quickly and fell in love with the characters right away. The characters of Harper Stewart (played by Taye Diggs), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan) , Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut), Mia Morgan (Monica Calhoun), Jordan Armstrong (Nia Long), Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), Quentin Spivey (Terrence Howard), Julian “Murch” Murchinson (Harold Perrineau) , and Candace “Candy” Sparks (Regina Hall) was a film that showed the power of black excellence and what a powerful bond, genuine love can form. One bond I love was how even after they attended college they continued to maintain their friendships. Which led eventually to the proposal of Lance and Mia’s engagement down the road. The film focuses on the wedding preparations and celebration of their wedding. Everyone is in town with their families and friends ready to celebrate their union and wedding. I loved this story because the characters were relatable, honest, and real. They had a way of making the characters easy to connect with. We all know someone who may have crossed our paths and see their personalities reflected in them.

The Best Man film was written, produced, directed by Malcolm D. Lee and co-written/co-produced with Spike Lee which was pretty incredible fact (I always thought maybe he was in on this film too for years) and he was actually. The story is one that African American modern day families can relate to right away. Our culture was definitely displayed but in a way that showed class, elegance, sophistication, and intelligence. This film is the one that lead to many beautiful black love stories that have been told in film, television, music, and the internet. All different genres and films have led to the stories being told. Movies like “Love & Basketball”, “Jumping the Broom”, “Baggage Claim”, Madea’s Family Reunion”, “Love Is…” all of these films and movies have led to beautiful, complex, creative stories being told with true reality, love, pain, joys, the challenges, and the many lessons we have all faced in life with who we choose to love and who chooses to love us too.

I am so excited to see what the final chapter of the Best Man chapter will be but I bet it’s going to be just as comedic, sweet, romantic, and beautiful just as all of the other 2 films have been. These films show African Americans in a gorgeous light and they show them when they are at their best. So when the final chapter of this story is written it will be one that will be special for the cast, the crew, writers, and the fans too. So let’s celebrate this fabulous, witty, funny, sexy, and suave movie. It’s a classic and love it. Please for the new generation watch this classic.

Some Creative Geniuses I love meet Jason Naylor, Jeff Cole, and Mark Brazil

Hello my amazing loyal readers I have missed you all. I have so much to write these days I am trying to keep up with everything going on it's so much for me to share and get out there. So I was inspired recently by some artists/businessmen who I think just get it. They have something special and I am sure some of you have heard and seen them around. I wanted to share this on my blog because they have that it factor. Please check it out thank you!

I don’t care where you come from, where you learned how to draw, design, paint, or where you love to create I love creative, talented, people who can “see” and imagine the world a bit differently. Someone said a quote to me that really stuck. She’s one of my recruiters for one of the agencies I work for actually. She said “Creative people they tend to see the world differently” it’s true especially when we are in that mode of making something amazing. It’s a different part of the brain that’s just a switch and it goes on and instantly you start making and creating something amazing. All of the stars align and come together.

I need motivation every single day sometimes to even get out of bed. I have a lot of inspiration now there’s so much going on right now that it’s pretty easy to seek and find that inspiration and motivation for people and myself that yes you can do this. You have to find your purpose and seek to find what just gets you going every day. For me what works is prayer, motivational videos, motivational quotes, and certain music is what gets me going every day. Then I came across an advertisement for Ikonick and was hooked right away. I have spotted two artists over the past two years since summer 2017 who just have a special something and these businessmen have that “je ne sais quoi” that magic it factor at this time. I saw a mural in New York City I love really cool murals especially with powerful messages. I spotted the first one in one of my favorite parts of New York City in the downtown Chelsea section which goes from about 28^th street down to 11^th street. It’s a small section but there’s so much creativity flowing through everyone. It’s been incredibly inspirational. In the summer of 2017 I spotted a huge mural that was black, neon green, pink, purples, yellows, and blues and the words said bold and loudly as if they could speak to every person walking by “Live Life Colorfully” there wasn’t a better time for me to hear that message. So I walked back down by West 16^th street and I knew you have to take a photo here this is something iconic and special. Street artist, Jason Naylor has created some incredible murals. I did exactly that I took the photo in a yellow cold-shoulder high neck collar dress. The dress I found as a steal in Ross Department stores for $14.00 dollars. This dress has kind of become my symbol for hope in a way. Naylor’s mural was the perfect backdrop to make the dress pop with its colors it matched my outfit, my purse, my Lucite and neon green sunglasses by Forever 21, and everything. It’s one photo I will cherish forever actually.

His work is amazing people respond to it well and he’s influenced many fashion companies an brands he was even picked up by Coach handbags a couple of years ago they did a whole Love Fall 2017 tribute to their handbags with his colorful designs. He also has worked Heineken, XBOX, and many other brands.

So his artwork has been purchased and inspiration by so many artists, musicians, writers, singers, and fashion designers. There’s no one else who I knew I would love to work with him in the near future. I know he’s here in Brooklyn, NY. So putting it out there Mr. Naylor I would love to team up with you! You can follow Jason Naylor’s art work and him on instagram as well. (@jasonnaylor)

The next artist I found who is not only an artist but actually an entrepreneurs, Mark Brazil (their instagram handles are both: @mark brazil and Jeff Cole @cole). He has created a pop canvas company called Ikonick it has been featured all over You Tube, and social media. His ex-girlfriend “Amy” was the one who first started him with this business. He was introduced to Jeff Cole and the rest was pretty much history. The two of them came together and created a pop art canvas business that has changed we receive motivation not just through listening and recorded messages or conversations. We can simply just look and memorize the words visually. The words have been in beautiful colorful iconic images, powerful creative words that just pop and make you pay attention right away. It’s something special about Ikonick that makes you feel sophisticated, classy, cool, and artistic too. I am loving every piece of work and cannot wait when I get my official first piece of real estate or my first apartment in my name. Other than a gorgeous balcony, French doors, a fireplace, a pino, a wall unit for my music equipment, yes I will have Ikonick’s beautiful photos displayed in my house. My family, friends, future visitors, and I will all be inspired. My favorite piece hands down is the Success Nutrition Facts, Expensive Taste, the Marilyn Monroe, Sade, Monopoly, and other pieces. I love them all and they’re pretty incredible. So to everyone out there jump on these three entrepreneurs who making our world a little brighter, colorful, hopeful, and more positive along the way.

For more information visit http://www.ikonick.com and follow them on social media. Visit Jason Naylor’s website at http://www.jasonnaylorcreative.com

For Artist, Jason Naylor visit his studio, his website, his amazing murals are all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. Check them out. Much love to all of you Besos, Bacios, Kisses, Hugs, and Thanks for stopping by I will have more to share coming very soon. -The Original Manhattanite,Chloe J. Riccardo