Angela at 39th NAACP Image Awards

Angela presented outstanding actor at the 39th NAACP Image Awards alongside costar of the upcoming film "Meet the Browns", Rick Fox.



Angela was looking gorgeous as always, which maybe the reason D.L. Hughley decided to confess his love for her. Check out the video.

Exclusive New Movie Photos!

Gospel Hill

Movie Poster for the Giancarlo Esposito flick, "Gospel Hill"!

Gospel Hill is already a success overseas where they've screened the film in Berlin. More news on this movie coming!

Of Boys and Men

Angela with Jasmyne Cannick at the Pan African Film Festival premiere for "Of Boy and Men"

Angela Bassett in the car scene from Robert Townsend's "Of Boys and Men"

Meet the Browns

This is definitely the best MTB poster yet! Meet the Browns on March 21st, 2008!

Angela in MTB Movie Trailer!

Angela Bassett is the leading lady of Tyler Perry's newest film, "Meet the Browns", sure to be a classic for all the BassettHounds. Here is the official movie trailer for the film that features our Angie B. We cant say this enough: "Meet the Browns" hits theaters March 21st, 2008. All 3 of us can say we know where we'll be that friday. Keep Hounding!

More Angie B Videos
Interview:
Angie celebrated her MLK day in Cleveland!
Angela and Courtney B. Vance on Morris Cerullo's Helpline!

Angie's New Role

BLACKVOICES.COM just revealed the very first cast member to officially sign on to the upcoming Biggie Smalls movie. We are still waiting for confirmation of this latest bit of Angie B News but we'll share what we know so far:

Sources close to the forthcoming biopic, 'Notorious,' the life story of late rapper The Notorious B.I.G. (real name: Christopher Wallace), tell me that Oscar-nominated actress Angela Bassett ('What's Love Got To Do With It') has been cast to play the late rapper's mother Voletta Wallace. Bassett, who'll next star in 'Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns,' is apparently the first officially person cast in the George Tillman Jr.-directed feature film.

What the BassettHounds Have to Say:

"I'm more of a Tupac fan myself but this'll be worth seeing just to hear Angela speaking with Voletta's Jamaican accent! I trust Angela and her choices. If she signed on to this project then it must have something going for it." -Simonique

"Why not? After Katherine, Betty, Tina, and Rosa, let's just add Voletta to the list. I don't think [Angela] is going to have a problem with the accent. I am just glad to see she is constantly working now. Although, the twins do need their momma around." -Amanda

"I can see why they would cast [Angela] as Big's mom because it follows a pattern of women that she has played in the past. I think she can definitely convey all the many emotions that his mother has felt - the love, tenderness, hurt, pain and anger of it all." -Natacia

This is the "teaser poster" for Meet the Browns via Lionsgate.com The movie trailer will be coming soon so keep checking back!

Angie snagging up the trendiest toys for her two kiddies at the celebrity giveaway hotspot, "The Boom Boom Room"! Go visit Mommy Needs a Cocktail to see more pictures of Angie shopping for the twins.

Whats That Got to Do WIth It?

Random Angie B News!

I'm getting more and more excited about "Meet the Browns" the movie and heres the source of my excitement:

Two New Movie Stills of Angela Bassett in MTB

*Ever since I've seen these pictures I've been trying to get that wavy haired look Angie's got in this movie. But my version isnt as well done. Anybody know the secret to Angela's waves? Email me!*

Tyler Perry disclosed (via his email updates at tylerperry.com) that he'll be releasing the movie trailer for "Meet the Browns" very soon. So I'll be posting the trailer as soon as its available.

Heres a radio interview Angela did just last month in Memphis while filming "Nothing But the Truth"

In anticipation of the release of "Of Boys & Men" next month herea a picture of Angela on the set of the film last March 2007:

"Meet the Browns" Movie Poster / Angela & Courtney Set to Tell 'Truth'

Thanks to a fellow BassettHound named Aaron, we've got the first look at the official "Meet the Browns" Movie Poster! According to Aaron, you can find the poster in the back of the program when you see Tyler Perry's currently touring play, "Whats Done in the Dark". They're playing in Chicago now.

You can expect to "Meet the Browns" next year, March 21st 2008. Lionsgate, the distribution company behind all of Tyler Perry's films, stated recently that they'll be releasing Tyler's latest movies (including 'Browns') internationally instead of soley in the States thanks to the success of "Why Did I Get Married".

Quick AB Newsflash: The Bible Experience (The Old Testament Version) is now available on CD or MP3 format. I bought The New Testament version via Amazon.com but any mainstream online store will get you The Bible Experience.
To listen to a clip of Angela Bassett as Esther go to [Zondervan.com] Thanks to Jean at Zondervan!

Angela isnt the only one set to tell the "Truth"
According to CommercialAppeal.com, Courtney "Brown Eyes" Vance is also making an appearance in the upcoming film "Nothing But the Truth" along with his wife of 10 years. This marks the very first feature film the couple have collorborated on (excluding 1995's Panther). We have yet to find out which character Courtney is playing in the film but if Angela is "playing" the boss of a major newspaper then it wouldnt be a stretch if Courtney were her partner in deligating.


Excerpts from "Cast and Costume" by Barbara Bradley

A cap sleeve black dress Angela Bassett wears in "Nothing But the Truth" spotlights her toned arms, lending a subtle physical authority to her role as editor of the fictitious Washington newspaper, The Capital Sun-Times. Was that intentional?

"If you have to show something, it's better than your belly button," said Bassett, smiling, as she waited between scenes shot recently in The Commercial Appeal newsroom on Union Avenue.

But no. The Ellen Tracy belted dress was chosen for its sophistication, which may also account for Bassett's four-inch, stack heels, perhaps the tallest that ever traversed the real newsroom's ink-stained carpet.

Print journalists, never known for sartorial chic, may smile at the stylish duds worn by actors who portray them. (Actors get more beauty help too. At one point, Bassett snapped her fingers and someone rushed over and buffed her arms.) But so many considerations influence costume selection, it's a wonder actors ever emerge from their dressing rooms at all.

The cast includes Kate Beckinsale as the ill-fated reporter; Noah Wyle as a lawyer for the newspaper; Vera Farmiga as the outed agent; and Alan Alda as a high profile, smooth-talking attorney defending Beckinsale's character. Rounding out the stellar cast are Matt Dillon, David Schwimmer and Bassett's real-life husband Courtney B. Vance.

"I get to weigh in with my idea of the character," said Bassett. "I do have power suits, (for Bonnie Benjamin, the editor she portrays), but I felt she shouldn't be mannish. She's strong enough to express her feminine side."

Sometimes actors get to keep the clothes they wear in the film, said Bassett, which can make choosing what is right for the character painful. "Angela loves that!" said Bassett, breaking into a wide smile as she recalled a proposed outfit she had felt it necessary to discard. "But that is going," she told herself. "It's not Bonnie. Bonnie wouldn't wear that."

Read the entire article at [CommercialAppeal.com]

Doesnt it look like celebrity stylist, Philip Bloch, just told a naughty joke?

New Movie: "Nothing But the Truth"

Nope, we're not joking, Angie is attached to her 5th feature film this year (can you hear the joy in my voice?). Its a political thriller with an ensemble cast titled "Nothing But the Truth." Rod Lurie wrote and directs the film about a female newspaper reporter who outs a CIA agent and is imprisoned for refusing to reveal her source. Angela will play Bonnie Brillstein, filming for "Nothing But the Truth" began last wednesday (Oct. 10th) and the movie is set to hit theaters September 19th 2008. We'll keep you updated on Angela's role in this movie and for more details visit [Hollywood.com].

According to Beliefnet.com Angela is the 6th Most Powerful Christian in Hollywood!


She's played such iconic women as Rosa Parks, Betty Shabazz (Malcolm X's wife), and Tina Turner, and voiced Queen Esther in the audio "The Bible Experience." Along the way, Angela Bassett has picked up a Golden Globe and been nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy, and many other major awards. Like Denzel Washington, Bassett is a longtime worshipper at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Though she rarely speaks to the media about her faith, Bassett recently told the L.A. Times, "When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much he loved you. That he, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you...you just weep." She added, "Loving God is like my being black. I just am. [No one says] 'You know what? I'm gonna be blacker today!' It's my culture. It's not something I put on or take off or show more. You just communicate that in the way you live your life."

Check out the other 11 Powerful Christians in Hollywood at [Beliefnet.com]

Angie & Courtney Sitting in a Tree...

K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love then comes marriage...


Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance celebrate their 10th year wedding anniversary today. It was 10 years ago today Angela was dressed in a white Escada gown and Courtney in a tux and they were saying their vows in the late Lou Rawls' home in front of family and friends. Angela and Courtney Vance have become that inspiring power couple, the couple to model your own relationship after. The BassettHounds know "the best is yet to come" for this two-some and after 10 years we dont imagine these two asking "Why Did I Get Married?" but maybe "Why Didnt We Get Married Sooner?"

Happy Anniversary Angela and Courtney Vance!

The Bassett Body/ Our Friend Fred

The Bassett Body

We all know Angela Bassett is amazing at what she does. She can act like a beaten down singer, a mad ex-wife, a civil rights leader. Shoot she could act like a 10 year old with a mild case of amnesia if she wanted to. But never mind all that, have you seen her body?

If you havent, Stella lost her groove, go watch how she got it back. If you have, you've probably thought to yourself, "how do I get a body like that?" Well Chasity Johnson of Blackdoctor.org tells us exactly how to get the toned arms, the six-pack abs, and the defined legs that are better known as "The Bassett Body." Isuggest you continue reading but dont be surprised if you feel the urge to head to the gym afterwards:

According to Harley Pasternak, author and former personal trainer of Bassett, he keeps his clients, including Halle Berry and Eve, fit on his patented 5-Factor Diet. The 5-Factor Diet consists of working out 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week and eating 5 meals a day.

Eating five meals a day raises your metabolism and provides a steady stream of vital nutrients, including protein, which helps your body develop a toned and fit physique. Pasternak encourages his clients to eat foods that include low fat, quality protein(chicken, turkey, fish, and shellfish), moderate carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats(like omega-3 found in salmon), and drink sugar free beverages.


Now that we’ve covered how to eat like Bassett, let’s move on to working out like her and getting that fab body. Paternak suggests working out 5 days a week for 25 minutes a day, incorporating strength training and cardio in 5-minute intervals. Bassett’s extraordinary physique is extremely toned and sculpted. You can’t achieve a look like this without incorporating some kind of weight training in your workout routine.

To get those killer Bassett legs while satisfying the cardio portion of Paternak’s 5-Factor Diet, try walking. Don’t forget to always stretch thoroughly before you start exercising. When walking be sure to stand erect and tall. Do not lean forward or backwards, this places unnecessary strain on your muscles. Use the heel to toe technique. Start out by walking for 15 minutes a day 3x a week, during your first week. Try to walk on the same days every week for consistency. Every week add 5 minutes until you get to 30 minutes a day. It is fine to stay at 30 minutes a day, but if you feel up for it you can add additional increments of 5 until you reach a time limit you are comfortable with.

Now you have the tools to getting that Bassett Body, but don’t forget it takes more than knowledge it takes motivation. Bassett told writer Cheryl Johnson fear is her biggest motivator to stay fit. She credits the physicality of the roles she plays as a motivating factor to keeping in shape. Fear may not be your motivation, but whatever it is keep it in mind during your quest for the Bassett Body. It’s what will keep you moving and take you closer and closer to your goal.

If you want more AB workout tips visit [BlackVoices.com]

Our Friend Fred


Fredrick Johnson is a friend of The BassettHounds and a friend to Angela and Courtney, but hes also the head honcho of his business Affluent Techonolgy that caters to celebrities' computer-based needs. If you're famous and you think a "Megabyte" is what a shark does when he smells food, then Fred is your guy!

Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney B. Vance are one of Hollywood's power couples, but to Frederick Johnson, they're also a small business -- and an opportunity.

He started Affluent Technology in late 2004 as a spin-off from his day job as president and CIO of Ross-Tek, a 10-year-old solution provider based in Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up, his parents worked for Don King's boxing promotion company and he had some access to boxers and other VIPs. A few years ago, he sought to find a way to meld his IT background with his celebrity connections. Affluent Technology was born.

For example, Affluent Technology has helped the Oscar-nominated ("What's Love Got to Do With It") Bassett and "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" star Vance with their personal IT needs as well as the needs of their production company Bassett/Vance Productions.

"Courtney and Angela are independent, successful celebrities. But they also have a company, a staff. We're responsible for the assessment, procurement and implementation of the [technology]: mobile devices, servers," Johnson said.

The couple is moving into a new home and Johnson is working with the builders to ensure their personal and professional IT needs can be met efficiently and economically, Johnson said. "We introduced Windows Home Server so they could have better segementation of the work stuff and the personal things like photos, music and household-related data," he said.

Fred has plenty more tips on how to win star business at [CRN.com]

In Random News... Danny Glover's Toussaint film is rescheduled to shoot Spring 2008. I guess all the protesting worked. [source]

Sidewalks TV

Here is a cool interview for 'Friends' from Sidewalk TV. I'm sure most of you, including ME missed this rare treat. Enjoy!