Need something to do this weekend? I, ahem, humbly submit that you check out my cover story on the Red Tails, the George Lucas-produced and Anthony Hemingway-directed story of the Tuskegee Airmen. I got to hang out with the entire cast (Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Nate Parker, Michael B. Jordan, Leslie Odom, Tristan Wilds, Method Man, Elijah Kelley, David Oyelowo and many, many more, including Lucas and Hemingway.) I had a ton of fun too – and learned a lot in the process.
Lucas spent $93 million of his own money to make sure this film was made. Read more about that in February’s EBONY right here. (The movie opened this weekend, so I hope that you see the movie as well as buy the magazine to supplement the movie-going experience.)
Two weeks ago, the guys of Red Tails came to Chicago for a special screening at the AMC River East downtown. It was a swanky affair – sponsored by some of the city’s largest financial firms, and of course, Ebony mag. The read Red Tails came too, and they were given a tearful standing ovation at the end of the movie. Most of them are in wheel chairs and are so very happy to finally see this movie made. To celebrate the occasion, I donned a zebra-print dress and toasted with a lemon drop with my two favorite guys Anthony Hemingway (who also directs Treme) and Cuba Gooding Jr. (Yes, that’s Cuba below kissing me on the forehead.) Fun times.
We're at Lucky Strike after the movie and Cuba, for some reason, grabbed my purse. Fun Times.
Also, here is a slide show of what it was like to be at the Ebony photo shoot.
And, here’s another one! I really enjoyed talking with Tristan Wilds, Leslie Odom Jr., Nate Parker, Method Man and Michael B. Jordan. Of course, interviewing George Lucas wasn’t too shabby either.
Now… Even though there is a snow storm in Chicago, I know a ton of people who have already seen the movie. Have you? Hit me back with your thoughts.
