Merry Christmas from Courtside

Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance took their twins, Bronwyn and Slater (they'll be 5 next month), to the Lakers vs. Heat game on Christmas Day. Angela went dressy casual in a gray blazer, cropped drawstring pants, and wedge heels. Definitely the flyest mom I've ever seen!

Ang isnt happy about the Lakers' loss to the Heat. 80-96

2011 promises to be a great year for Angela Bassett. She's got 3 films set to release and a television series in the works with ABC. We've been waiting for the Acting Queen's big return and without further ado; here is what we can expect next year in Angie B News:

Jumping the Broom - May 6, 2011



A wedding comedy that follows two African-American families from two different socio-economic backgrounds as they come together for a weekend wedding in Martha's vineyard. Paula Patton and Laz Alonso play the lead couple. Angela plays Patton's mother, a heiress and pillar of the Washington elite. This would be a different type of matriarch; uppity and bougie. Should be interesting! Jumping the Broom also marks the first reunion of Angela and Loretta Devine, who plays Alonso's mother, since 1995's Waiting to Exhale. Expect some intense scenes between these two as they fight for the HBIC title come Spring!


Green Lantern - June 17, 2011



Green Lantern is the first comic book action themed film for Angela and if rumors are true, this wont be the last. Angie B plays Amanda "The Wall" Waller, a character famous for her intimidating, steely demeanor and fearless leadership of a group of supervillains. The Wall is usually the villain in DC comics but she has been known to switch sides if it benefits her. She has no superpowers but instead is a highly intelligent, government specialist who is so bad ass, shes even shaken up Batman from time to time. Angela's Waller character has many connections in the DC universe and could easily be intertwined in follow up films.


This Means War - TBA

Angela Bassett has decided to join the cast of Fox's new film 'This Means War'. Produced by Will Smith and starring Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon.

The film centers on two best friends who happen to be international spies. But when they fall in love with the same woman, they declare war on each other.

Bassett will play the boss of Pine and Hardy's characters, a woman who has dedicated her life to the spy business and has no life outside the CIA.

Source: [BVonMovies.com]

Angie's TV pilot, One Police Plaza, will most likely begin production after the holidays, during the first quarter of 2011 to premiere with ABC's fall lineup. To stay up to date on all AB news, make sure to follow us on twitter: [@AngieBNews]

Also look out for the release of Of Boys & Men with Robert Townsend on DVD, January 25, 2011. [Amazon.com]

Happy New Year, BassettHounds!

Thanksgiving fit for a Queen

One thing for sure about Angela Bassett; she is a thankful person. She's a woman who, during the My Black is Beautiful panel discussion back in 2008 proclaimed, "My Black is Grateful." It's one of the reasons why when receiving an award Angela, in all her humility, is the first to mention her fellow nominees or her co-stars that she worked with during filming. As gracious as Angela is, the Thanksgiving holiday must be especially meaningful.

This year Angela and Courtney are sending out holiday cards and called up one of their good friends Matthew Jordan Smith, who happens to be a celebrity photographer, to photograph them for the occasion. Matthew even graced us with a blog about the all day shoot:

Photo by: Matthew Jordan Smith

Bringing ideas to life can be a challenge but it is also a lot of fun. A month ago I got a call from two good friends who wanted me to photograph them for a holiday card. They had no idea of what they wanted and asked if I had any cool idea's. I jumped at the opportunity and my girlfriend and I talked about ideas. After we decided on the idea to present she put a pdf presentation together to send them and they loved it right away.

My friends are Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney Vance and my idea was to bring old famous paintings to life but with a modern twist. I told them my idea would take a full day of shooting and after working through our schedule we finally made it happen today. The day started by shooting at my place at 8:30 a.m. and working until noon, then the entire crew changed locations and went to their house and worked until 8:00 p.m. this evening. It was a very long day but an extremely fun day for everyone involved. I am so excited about the images I can't wait to edit. That said it's time for me to start the editing process now.

Source: [MatthewJordanSmith.blogspot.com]

Photo by: Terrell Mullin

Photo by: Terrell Mullin

Terrell Mullin, was Angela's make up artist for the shoot and he found time to tweet this last night:

@Kalefe: On set with the stunning Angela Bassett ,,, can u say Drop Dead Gorgeous !!!!

This Thanksgiving, remember Angela is coming back with a vengeance in 2011 (two films and a series strong). So when someone asks you what you're thankful for, turn to them and say, "the Queen is back." Happy Thanksgiving, BassettHounds!

Angela Bassett's Back...and so are we!

We, here at Angie B News, are coming out of blogging hiatus and with good reason. It's been over a year since Angela Bassett finished the final season of ER and even longer since we last updated you with any Angie B News, but we all go through our slumps and only something big can bring us out of it. Remember Bernadine in Waiting to Exhale, sulking around her house before she took a cigarette and gasoline to the BMW? Yes, of course you do.


Plenty has happened this past year: two of the BassettHounds met and talked with the Queen herself and let's just say we're even more in awe of her in person.

Simonique and Natacia with Angela (Jan 2010)

Angela filmed two movies that kept her busy through summer, the Green Lantern and Jumping the Broom, respectively (more on those later). We've even stayed current and opened a new twitter and facebook page for Angie B fans to connect but, like I said, only something big could bring us out of the blogging slump that we always experience every time Angela takes a break from us. Courtney and the twins have had her all to themselves for the past year but now we get to have a little bit of Angie, for one hour each week, in fact.

Angela Bassett to star in ABC's cop drama, "One Police Plaza"

Actress Angela Bassett has signed on to star in a cop drama for ABC.

Bassett is set to star in "One Police Plaza," an hour-long in development from "Criminal Minds"/ "Grey's Anatomy" exec producer Mark Gordon.

Should the drama go forward, Bassett would star as the first-ever female New York police commissioner. Project had already been set up at the Alphabet net (Daily Variety, Nov. 2), but the deal with Bassett has just now been finalized.

Crime novelist Linda Fairstein and Kenneth Solarz ("CSI: NY") are writing and exec producing the show. Gordon will also exec produce with his production partner Deb Spera.

"One Police Plaza" -- the name of the NYPD's headquarters, near City Hall -- would rep the first series role for Bassett since the final season of "ER," where she played chief of emergency medicine Dr. Catherine Banfield.

Source: [Variety.com]

I'm personally very proud of Angela for making the huge commitment to a television series. As the leading lady of One Police Plaza, Angela is going to be carrying her own series and in some ways the success of the show is dependent on her. Angela Bassett will be to One Police Plaza what Glenn Close is to Damages, what Kyra Sedgwick is to The Closer, or what, I hate to say it, Holly Hunter was to Saving Grace.

Ultimately, this a project worthy of her talent, worthy of her return; blog worthy, even.

Angie B's Upcoming Appearances

Angie is making plenty of appearances in the coming months before beginning production in Chicago on her directorial debut with "United States," the independent film shes co-producing with husband, Courtney B. Vance. The Court Court man is also keeping busy with film and TV projects including the new ABC pilot, FlashForward, and the Harrison Ford vehicle, Crowley, shooting this month in Oregon.

Important AB Dates:

• April 21 [Amazon.com]
  Notorious DVD Release
  
  
• April 26 (Hollywood)
  Mother's Day WordTheatre
  
  
• April 26 TV Land Awards
  TV Land Prime 8pm
  
  
• April 28 [Amazon.com]
  Nothing But the Truth DVD Release
  
  
• April 28 (Chicago)
  Depaul University honors Angela Bassett
  
  
• May 30 (Chicago)
  My Black is Beautiful Tour
  
  
• Summer 2009 (Chicago)
  Directing "United States"

Celebrating Series Finale of ER!

The final episode of ER is airing this Thursday, April 2nd. With a 1 hour retrospective starting at 8pm and a 2 hour series finale at 9m on NBC. I'm looking forward to a happy ending for Cate and Russell Banfield. They deserve it and the abandoned baby boy is too adorable.

Angela yesterday in Los Angeles at the ER Wrap Party! Check out more photos from the celebration at Social night club here.

Sight Seeing:
Angela and Courtney were in Chicago last weekend lunching and laughing at a local restaurant. They were in town scouting for locations to film the Percival Everett adaptation of Erasure this summer. The film, titled "United States", will be their first film under Bassett/Vance Productions and marks Angela's directorial debut.

Cookie Johnson introduces her brand of jeans, CJ Denim, with friends Pauletta Washington and Angela Bassett.







What should Angela's next move be? Check out the new AB poll to the right and let us know! -->

The BassettHounds: Our Hair Inspiration

Simonique's Inspiration: "The Short Cut"


Whether its spiky, curly, or pixie cut; a short hairstyle does wonders for defining the face. This style is fun, flirty, and fiesty. When we see Angela with a fresh cut we cant help but notice her high cheekbones, almond eyes, and plump lips. The short hairstyle perfectly flaunts Angela's distinct facial features and all while giving new meaning to the word, "fierce."







Natacia's Inspiration: "The Long Mane"


Whether its bone straight, big and curly, or pulled back in a formal updo; a long hairstyle provides plenty of options. A lengthy hairdo (plus lots of volume) makes a bold statement and still gives Angela the freedom to change her look when playing a character. The fuller, longer style also complements Angela's intense persona onscreen, making her even more intriguing to watch, and who isn't inspired by that?







Amanda's Inspiration: "The Natural Look"


Whether its in twisties, pressed out, or curled under; a natural hairstyle brings out the genuine, no-frills side of us. This do is classic and effortless. A natural style gives Angela an understated simplicity to her look and makes her seem all the more relatable. When we see her sporting her natural locks, we know we're getting "the real Angela Bassett."

Angie Promotes Notorious in London and Berlin!

Angela Bassett gets righteous in England:

In an interview with Guardian Daily's Hannah Pool, Ang tells it like it is, takes us to church, and reminds us why we love her so.

"Even though we're free on paper and in laws, I'm not going to allow you to enslave me on film for the world to see. It becomes a bigger thing than me just being a movie star. Its about educating minds."

Listen and download the entire interview here! The interview starts 22:37 minutes in...

Jawn Murray of BlackVoices.com talks to Angie about Movies, Motherhood & Making New Moves:

You are directing your first film. Tell me about that.

The film is based on a book by Percival Everett called 'Erasure.' I always thought that I had a third eye, but it's frightening and I always wonder if I can pull it off. That's what's exciting; you don't want to get too comfortable. It's still a challenge. That's what this movie was starting out. You don't know how it's gonna turn out, you just know that it's gonna pan out. This is something that keeps you alive, wakes you up and keeps you guessing. It's a good story. I've had opportunities in the past to direct smaller, independent movies and television shows. I never want to do it just for the heck of it. As much time and attention as I play a character, imagine doing that for all of the characters, all the sets, all the lighting, all the music and all of the executives who are not creative. I cannot go through all of that if I'm not passionate about it and don't mind talking about it all the time and don't mind having that conversation over and over again. I hadn't found that script.

You are working on 'E.R.' now, which is your return to TV. Why did you decide to take on a TV acting part?

Times have changed. There used to be such a separation between TV and film acting. Now you have people moving back and forth between the two. It's no longer like film actors are better that television actors or stage actors are better than television actors. I'm glad that 'ER' is an ensemble show because with a one hour episode in drama seems to never end and it's three, four or six months before it finally comes to an end. I can't imagine doing a two hander or a show that really stars one person because your life is not your own all year long except for maybe five weeks and if it's a drama it's so emotional because you're doing that 16 hours a day nonstop. It's like trying to hold on to a moving train; it never slows down. Even on the weekends, you work on Friday night until four in the morning, you have Sunday and then Monday morning you hit it again. You're doing one scene and trying to memorize the next scene and it'Angela Bassetts like the only thing you know for sure is your name. I would think that it could get to be too much where you fake it unless you have a photographic memory. That ain't me.

How do you and your husband balance both being working actors and having children?

When the kids came along, he finished 'Law & Order' so he was home. Our lives are blessed, but it's not to the point where I know my next projects for the next five years. It's still very much like the life of most actors. You're doing this one; it comes to an end, what's the next one? It's worked out that we've both been there and he's been there. It was great that I did 'E.R.' and he was asked to come on as my husband. It was supposed to be for three episodes and then it got stretched to maybe five because it's working so it's been extended. So far it's working out. At the end of this, he just got a new pilot so he'll start with that. The ebb and flow of this life has worked out. I think the hardest part for me is that I work 15 minutes from home, but if you're on location for a film, you go away and it's so tough. I was talking to another actress who came back to the show, Alex Kingston, and she went to to do a TV show for five months and her child stayed in . She came home every six weeks or once a month for a couple of days. I was like, 'Let's not even talk about it because I can't imagine.' I'm 15 minutes from work, but their schedule is their schedule. On Monday, I have to be there at 6:00 am which means I have to get up at five, but they're not up at 5:00 am. They're not up until 7:00 am. I have to do a 12 to a 16 hour day and when I get home at 8:00 pm, they're sleep because they go to bed at 7:30. Then, on Fridays we might work until 3:00 in the morning so that's the hard part. I'm in the house with them- the husband and the children- and I haven't seen you all day or I haven't seen you for two days.

Read the full interview at [BlackVoices.com]

For Your Information:

• Make sure to catch the NAACP Image Awards tonight at 8PM on FOX! Ang is nominated for two awards and you know shes walking away with at least one.

• Plus Gospel Hill is now available on DVD! Both Amazon.com and Walmart have the award winning film starring Angela, Danny Glover, Nia Long, Samuel L. Jackson, and Giancarlo Esposito in stock.

• The release date for Nothing But the Truth is postponed since the distribution company for the film went bankrupt in January but, the political thriller is available for free download here!

Alonzo Bodden: He's Got Jokes!

Check out this comedy clip 0:27 seconds in!

Quick AB News: TV Dates!

Be on the look out for Angie B on TV next month!

Gospel Hill Feb. 10
Available on DVD [Amazon.com]

The BET Honors Awards Feb. 9 BET 9PM
Angela will be presenting an award to Judith Jamison

The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards Feb. 12 FOX 8PM
Angela is nominated for two awards

ER Thursdays NBC 10pm
Angela Bassett stars every week! Series finale is April 2nd.

Angela Bassett Brought Sister Along to See Obama Sworn In!

YES WE CAN!!!

YES WE DID!!!

Angela and Sister D'Nette in attendance at Tuesday's HISTORICAL inauguration of our 44th President- Barack Obama!!




Tickets: Pricey. Expression on their faces: Priceless ! Only ones missing--The Bassetthounds lol. Words can't even come close to describing what it means to have such an honor bestowed on a more worthy man in OUR lifetime!

Along with her little sis, Angie attended Barack Obama's inauguration with friends Samuel L. Jackson and Denzel Washington, while Oprah snapped pictures of the three leading black actors in D.C. Angela B also was witness to the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln center with fellow actors Marisa Tomei and Forest Whitaker backstage.

Angie B: Carnivore or Vegan?

Its been a long and arduous debate for us BassettHounds on the true identity of Angela Bassett's eating habits. Some of us say she is a vegetarian who likes raw food over meat. Where did we get this idea? In every one of the many interviews we read while BassettHounding, she is always quoted as snacking on items like grapes, broccoli sticks, and tofu. Does that sound like a carnivore to you? No, I thought not, but then some of us BassettHounds refer to Angela's upbringing in the fried bacon and meat lovin' south and her previous films when attempting to prove her meat eating habits. In the film Mr. 3000 starring the late Bernie Mac, Angela no less than devours a nice big slab of steak. Now unless they started making vegan steaks, Angela is a carnivore, right? No. We finally decided to look at the facts of the matter:

• Fact 1: Angela Bassett's skin says it all. Glowing, flawless, not one hint of greasy meat stains in sight.

• Fact 2: Much like fact 1, Angela takes real good care of herself. Poisoning her body with yummy Big Mac's doesnt fit well with the queen's desire to keep her shape.

• Fact 3: And this is a good one...Angela Bassett herself said in one informative interview this week that she "loves vegan choices, raw food choices" and she'll eat whatever shes has to in order to get in shape "for any one particular role."

If I sound saddened by this newly found Angie B News, its because I am. My money was on her being a meat eating carnivore seeing as shes from the deep south and well...Angela was getting down on that steak in Mr. 3000. But looking back, it was probably because she hadnt eaten meat in so long. :) The only good news on this front is that Angie wont judge us if we get in to some good ol' bacon and eggs now and again. She says, "I try to eat healthy, but I won't get on other people's nerves about it. If you want to eat bacon, I'm OK with that."

So for those of you who were still wondering, our queen Angela Bassett is in fact a vegan. A raw food, celery stick munching, vegan.

Read more on Angie's favorite LA hotspots for facials, spas, outings with the twins, and restaurants where she frequently doesnt eat meat. [LATimes.com]