Anniversary of Geronimo Pratt's Death

“I want to remind all Africans, please come to Africa. It’s right across the water. Come look at yourselves. Momma is waiting” _Geronimo Pratt

(Geronimo Pratt)

Geronimo Pratt was born as Elmer Pratt on September 13th, 1947 in Morgan City, Louisiana, USA. In high school he was a star quarterback. He then served 2 tours in the Vietnam war. He reached the rank of sergeant and earned two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.

(Pratt in the military)

He then moved to Los Angeles, CA. He attended UCLA. He then joined the Black Panther Party.  He rose to be Minister of Defense of the local organization. He then changed his name to “Geronimo Ji Jaga”.

(Ji Jaga in the Black Panther Party)

In 1970 Ji Jaga was targeted by the FBI for COINTELPRO. Also in 1970 Jaga was wrongfully arrested for murder and kidnapping. In 1972 he was convicted of the crimes. While in prison he studied law. In 1997 his conviction was vacated.

(Ji Jaga in 1997)

In 1999 he was freed from prison.

(Ji Jaga in 1999)

Ji Jaga received $4.5 million as settlement for false imprisonment. Ji Jaga continued to work on behalf of men and women believed to be wrongfully incarcerated, including participation in rallies in support of Mumia Abu Jamal.

(Ji Jaga giving a speech at Johnnie Cochran’s funeral)

On June 2nd, 2011 Ji Jaga died of a heart attack in Tanzania. He was 63 years old.

(Ji Jaga’s memorial service)

Today is the 6th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great revolutionary today.

Videos of Geronimo Pratt

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgS3tqFT6Tk  “Geronimo Pratt is Free”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs1bgQ7DKzg  “Geronimo Pratt (Tupac's Godfather) - Rest In Peace - 1997 Release From Jail [CNN]”

(P.S. sorry for the late post)

Anniversary of Gil Scott-Heron's Death

“The way you get to know yourself is by the expression on other people's faces” - Gill Scott-Heron

(Gil Scott-Heron)

Gil Scott-Heron was born as Gilbert Scott-Heron on April 1st, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. When Scott-Heron was 12 he moved with his mother to The Bronx, NY. Scott-Heron then attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Scott-Heron started writing music in 1970.

(Scott-Heron in 1970)

Bob Thiele of Flying Dutchman Records produced Scott-Heron’s 1st  album titled “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox” in 1970. In 1971 Scott-Heron released “Pieces of a man”.

(Gil Scott-Heron in 1971)

In 1972 he released his 3rd album “Free Will”. From 1974 to 1976 Scott-Heron released the albums “Winter In America” (1974), “Midnight Band: The First Minute of a New Day” (1975), and the live album “It's Your World” (1976). In 1975 he released the song “Johannesburg” which addressed the issue of apartheid in South Africa.

(Scott-Heron performing in 1975)

In 1978 his song “Angel Dust” reached No.15 on the R&B charts. Scott-Heron recorded and released four albums during the 1980s: “1980” (1980), “Real Eyes” (1980), “Reflections” (1981) and “Moving Target” (1982). In 1985 he stopped recording but continued to tour.

(Scott-Heron in 1985)

In 1993 Scott-Heron signed to TVT Records and released “Spirits” (1993). In 2001 Scott-Heron was sentenced one to three years in a New York state prison for possession of cocaine. He was released from jail in 2002 and released from parole in 2003. In October of 2003 during the editing of his film Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised he was arrested for the possession of a crack pipe and was sentenced 6 months in prison.

(Scott-Heron in 2003)

He was given parole on May 23, 2007 for leaving a drug rehabilitation center. He began to perform live again after being released from parole. On February, 9, 2010 Scott-Heron released “I'm New Here” under XL recordings.

(Scott-Heron performing in 2010)

On May 27th, 2011 Gil Scott-Heron died from HIV in New York City. He was 62 years old.

(Scott-Heron’s obituary)

Today is the 6th anniversary of his death. Take time to remember this great musical artist today.

Albums by Gil Scott-Heron

• “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox” (1970)
• “Pieces of a Man” (1971)
• “Free Will” (1972)
• “Winter in America” (1974)
• “The First Minute of a New Day” (1975)
• “From South Africa to South Carolina” (1976)
• “It’s Your World” (1976)
• “Bridges” (1977)
• “Secrets” (1978)
• “1980” (1980)
• “Real Eyes” (1980)
• “Reflections” (1981)
• “Moving Target” (1982)
• “Spirits” (1994)
• “I’m New Here” (2010)
• “We’re New Here” (2011)
• “Nothing New” (2014)

Videos of Gil Scott-Heron

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZvWt29OG0s  “"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" - Gil Scott-Heron”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvHFuJX2Ock  “Gil Scott-Heron -Johannesburg -Live 1976 Old Grey Whistle Test”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEU2P33fcYI  “Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces of a Man (live)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmuJbGW4sYI  “Winter in America - Gil Scott Heron”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnOVbMFiGVg  “Gil Scott Heron The Bottle”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfy6ig4koPM  “Gil Scott Heron - Angel dust”

Happy Birthday Gil Scott Heron

“The way you get to know yourself is by the expression on other people's faces” - Gill Scott-Heron

(Gil Scott-Heron)

Gil Scott-Heron was born as Gilbert Scott-Heron on April 1st, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois. When Scott-Heron was 12 he moved with his mother to The Bronx, NY. Scott-Heron then attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Scott-Heron started writing music in 1970.

(Scott-Heron in 1970)

Bob Thiele of Flying Dutchman Records produced Scott-Heron’s 1st  album titled “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox” in 1970. In 1971 Scott-Heron released “Pieces of a man”.

(Gil Scott-Heron in 1971)

In 1972 he released his 3rd album “Free Will”. From 1974 to 1976 Scott-Heron released the albums “Winter In America” (1974), “Midnight Band: The First Minute of a New Day” (1975), and the live album “It's Your World” (1976). In 1975 he released the song “Johannesburg” which addressed the issue of apartheid in South Africa.

(Scott-Heron performing in 1975)

In 1978 his song “Angel Dust” reached No.15 on the R&B charts. Scott-Heron recorded and released four albums during the 1980s: “1980” (1980), “Real Eyes” (1980), “Reflections” (1981) and “Moving Target” (1982). In 1985 he stopped recording but continued to tour.

(Scott-Heron in 1985)

In 1993 Scott-Heron signed to TVT Records and released “Spirits” (1993). In 2001 Scott-Heron was sentenced one to three years in a New York state prison for possession of cocaine. He was released from jail in 2002 and released from parole in 2003. In October of 2003 during the editing of his film Gil Scott-Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised he was arrested for the possession of a crack pipe and was sentenced 6 months in prison.

(Scott-Heron in 2003)

He was given parole on May 23, 2007 for leaving a drug rehabilitation center. He began to perform live again after being released from parole. On February, 9, 2010 Scott-Heron released “I'm New Here” under XL recordings.

(Scott-Heron performing in 2010)

On May 27th, 2011 Gil Scott-Heron died from HIV in New York City. He was 62 years old.

(Scott-Heron’s obituary)

Today is his 68th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Gil Scott-Heron.

Albums by Gil Scott-Heron

• “Small Talk at 125th and Lenox” (1970)
• “Pieces of a Man” (1971)
• “Free Will” (1972)
• “Winter in America” (1974)
• “The First Minute of a New Day” (1975)
• “From South Africa to South Carolina” (1976)
• “It’s Your World” (1976)
• “Bridges” (1977)
• “Secrets” (1978)
• “1980” (1980)
• “Real Eyes” (1980)
• “Reflections” (1981)
• “Moving Target” (1982)
• “Spirits” (1994)
• “I’m New Here” (2010)
• “We’re New Here” (2011)
• “Nothing New” (2014)

Videos of Gil Scott-Heron

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZvWt29OG0s  “"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" - Gil Scott-Heron”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvHFuJX2Ock  “Gil Scott-Heron -Johannesburg -Live 1976 Old Grey Whistle Test”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEU2P33fcYI  “Gil Scott-Heron - Pieces of a Man (live)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmuJbGW4sYI  “Winter in America - Gil Scott Heron”

Movie Review: Thor (2011)

“I never wanted the throne, I only ever wanted to be your equal!” - Loki

Title: Thor

Release Date (U.S.): May 6th, 2011

Movie Studio/s: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Lead Role: Chris Hemsworth

Genre/s: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi

Rating: PG-13

Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office (Worldwide): $449,300,000

Movie Series: Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

Number Appeared in Series: 4

Plot Synopsis

This film is an indirect sequel to Iron Man 2 (2010). Thor (2011) follows the story of 1 of the princes of Asgard Thor (Chris Hemsworth) who is banished from his home due to disrespecting his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and being sent to Earth without his powers. While Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is learning lessons in humility on Earth, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the 2nd prince of Asgard is planning to take control of the throne. Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) main goal is to regain his powers and stop his brother from taking control of Asgard.

Scoring (Out of 9)

• How Well the Movie Did (More the 500% profit 10/10, 400% 9/10, 300% 8/10, 200% 7/10, 100% 6/10, Break Even 5/10, Less than Break Even <5/10): 299%, 7.9/10
• How Well is the Lead Role’s Acting: 7.5/10
• How Well are the Supporting Role’s Acting: 8/10
• How Well is the Plot: 7/10
• How Appealing are the Special Effects: 9.5/10
• How Creative are the Special Effects (Practical EFX mixing with CGI EFX): 8/10
• How Relevant is the Movie 10+ Years After Release: N/A
• How Much did it Revolutionize its Genre of Film: 4/10
• How Well is the Music Score: 7.5/10
• How Well is the Writing: 7.5/10

Number of Likes (Each Like Adds 0.01 Points): 106,1.06

Number of Dislikes (Each Dislike Subtracts 0.01 Points): 48,0.48

Total Score: 7.43 +0.58 = 8.01/10

Percentage: 80.1%

What I Think

I saw this movie in theaters when I was 13 years old. I believe this film was better than the previous Iron Man 2 (2010) but not as good as Iron Man (2008). My favorite part of the movie is where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is confronting Loki (Tom Hiddleston) about what he has done and there was so much emotion in their fight between each other. This is my 11th favorite MCU movie as of this date, above Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor: The Dark World (2013) and The Incredible Hulk (2008).

Trailer for the film

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOddp-nlNvQ  “Thor - Trailer (OFFICIAL)”

Comment what you think of this movie and if you agree with me or not and stay tuned for my next movie review which will be Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).

Happy Birthday Geronimo Pratt

“I want to remind all Africans, please come to Africa. It’s right across the water. Come look at yourselves. Momma is waiting” -Geronimo Pratt

(Geronimo Pratt)

Geronimo Pratt was born as Elmer Pratt on September 13th, 1947 in Morgan City, Louisiana, USA. In high school he was a star quarterback. He then served 2 tours in the Vietnam war. He reached the rank of sergeant and earned two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.

(Pratt in the military)

He then moved to Los Angeles, CA. He attended UCLA. He then joined the Black Panther Party.  He rose to be Minister of Defense of the local organization. He then changed his name to “Geronimo Ji Jaga”.

(Ji Jaga in the Black Panther Party)

In 1970 Ji Jaga was targeted by the FBI for COINTELPRO. Also in 1970 Jaga was wrongfully arrested for murder and kidnapping. In 1972 he was convicted of the crimes. While in prison he studied law. In 1997 his conviction was vacated.

(Ji Jaga in 1997)

In 1999 he was freed from prison.

(Ji Jaga in 1999)

Ji Jaga received $4.5 million as settlement for false imprisonment. Ji Jaga continued to work on behalf of men and women believed to be wrongfully incarcerated, including participation in rallies in support of Mumia Abu Jamal.

(Ji Jaga giving a speech at Johnnie Cochran’s funeral)

On June 2nd, 2011 Ji Jaga died of a heart attack in Tanzania. He was 63 years old.

(Ji Jaga’s memorial service)

Today is his 69th birthday and we would all like to say happy birthday and rest in peace Geronimo Pratt.

Videos of Geronimo Pratt

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgS3tqFT6Tk  “Geronimo Pratt is Free”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs1bgQ7DKzg  “Geronimo Pratt (Tupac's Godfather) - Rest In Peace - 1997 Release From Jail [CNN]”