Review: "PAUL MOONEY: Know Your History - Jesus is Black and So is Cleopatra"

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 59 (of 2007) by Leroy Douresseaux

Paul Mooney: Know Your History – Jesus is Black and so is Cleopatra (2007) – video
Running time:  83 minutes (1 hour, 23 minutes)
DIRECTOR:  Bart Phillips
WRITER:  Paul Mooney
PRODUCERS:  Shane Mooney and Malik Levy, Adrian Z. Sosebee, and Shawn Ullman
EDITOR:  Donnie Leapheart

CONCERT - Comedy

Starring:  Paul Mooney

Paul Mooney (August 4, 1941 – May 19, 2021) was an African-American comedian, writer, social critic, and actor.  Mooney was best known for his association with legendary comedian Richard Pryor, writing for and with Pryor.  Later, Mooney gained fame for his appearances on comedian Dave Chappelle's television sketch comedy series, “Chappelle's Show.”

Mooney was a comedian who seemingly loved controversy.  After all, he was also the creator of the character, “Homey the Clown,” for the early 1990’s TV sketch comedy series, “In Living Color.”  Mooney returned to the small screen with the DVD release of his stand-up comedy film, Paul Mooney: Know Your History – Jesus is Black and So is Cleopatra.  Mooney took center stage at Hollywood’s Laugh Factory for a stand-up comedy performance, which was recorded and became this film.

In Paul Mooney: Know Your History – Jesus is Black and So is Cleopatra, Mooney delivered his incendiary brand of comedy.  From the opening moments, he charged into his fiery subjects, which usually included racism, white people, racial tension, and, in this performance, the finer points of Black History.  He talked about divas, living in White America, President George W. Bush, Scientology, and various social and political topics.

Know Your History is edgier, darker, and perhaps a bit more mean-spirited than a previous Mooney DVD release, Paul Mooney: Analyzing White America (2004).  I am sure Analyzing White America was once known as Paul Mooney Live, and it was much funnier than Know Your History...  Still, in this second film, Mooney discussed racism and racial issues in America like no one else, and did so with the passion and honesty that most mainstream American political and social commentators could never match.  For all his bluntness, Know Your History... still had me doubled over with laughter.  Know Your History... is funny, but white people, the politically correct, and the sensitive are warned.  Professor Mooney’s history lesson might burn your mind to a crisp.

The stand-up is interspersed with some documentary footage and also testimonials from a number of celebrities including David Alan Grier, Lori Petty, and Sandra Bernhard, whom Mooney once mentored.  In light of his recent passing (as of this writing), I recommend that you seek out Paul Mooney: Know Your History – Jesus is Black and So is Cleopatra, dear readers.  If you don't know him, Mooney, as sharp social critic, is worth discovering, and if you only know his TV work, here a chance to discover Mooney at his best.

7 of 10
A-

Saturday, March 31, 2007 / Revised Wednesday, May 19, 2021


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: "The Original Kings of Comedy" - Remembering Bernie Mac

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 3 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
Running time:  115 minutes (1 hour, 55 minutes)
MPAA – R for language and sex related humor
DIRECTOR:  Spike Lee
PRODUCERS:  David Gale, Walter Latham, and Spike Lee
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Malik Sayeed
EDITOR:  Barry Alexander Brown
Image Award nominee

CONCERT/DOCUMENTARY

Starring:  Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac

The subject of this movie review is The Original Kings of Comedy, a 2000 concert film and documentary from director Spike Lee.  This stand-up comedy film featured Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac, who at the time, were probably the four major African-American stand-up comedians.

First, I must note that I liked half this movie – the half with Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer.  I like D.L. Hughley as a political and social commentator, but not so much as a stand-up comic.  I have mixed feelings about Steve Harvey, and I’ll leave it at that.

For two years in the late 90’s into early 2000, comedians Steve Harvey, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, and Bernie Mac toured the United States in a comedy show called “The Original Kings of Comedy.”  Director Spike Lee (Malcolm X) captured a two-night performance by the “Kings” in Charlotte, North Carolina on digital film, which became the documentary/concert film, The Original Kings of Comedy.

All four of the performances have film and television backgrounds in addition to their stage work, but they are best known to and most liked by urban i.e. African-American audiences.  In fact, the huge success of the concert tour so surprised mainstream i.e. white news media that the tour was the subject of numerous stories.  Those writers expressed shock at how the Kings played to packed houses, but there wasn’t really a secret to their success.  Tickets prices were cheap (usually around 10 bucks), and tours of King’s were kind of geared toward the so-called urban audience are rare.  Some concert venues consider large gatherings of African-Americans a security risk and demand exorbitant insurance coverage from tour promoters.

I can only hope that the Charlotte shows were not indicative of the tour as a whole.  Much of the performances were thoroughly dry and not funny.  It’s hard to chose between who was worse - tour “host” Steve Harvey (of TV’s “The Steve Harvey Show”) or D.L. Hughley (of TV’s “The Hughleys”).  The audience seemed to like them.  Maybe it was a black thing, or perhaps a certain “class” of black thing – not so monolithic, after all, eh?

Cedric the Entertainer and Bernie Mac were hilarious, especially Mac.  They are gifted both as comedians and storytellers, something that is important for all the Richard Pryor wannabees to remember.  Pryor just didn’t tell jokes; he told hilarious, often uproarious, stories.  Many of the profanity junkies that currently pass for comedians would do best to understand what made Pryor so funny and why he enormously crossed over to white audiences.  Cedric and Mac are funny storytellers, and their humor, laced with tales about black folks, actually reaches to a larger segment of the black population.  In fact, a lot of people from different backgrounds can relate to Bernie’s tales, which is why he has the most diverse work history as an entertainer of all the “Kings.”

Much of the comedy here deals with black culture, black folks, black people’s habits, black people who grew up in the 70’s versus young blacks of the 90’s, old school versus hip hop, and, of course white people.  And they deal with white people rather stiffly.  It’s telling that many of the white faces in the audience were not smiling.  Some of the barbs against white folks were mean, and mostly not funny.  When Redd Foxx, Pryor, and Eddie Murphy joked about whites, it was funny and dead on true.  Mac approaches their touch.  The rest of these guys act as if they’d never met a white person.

Lee covers the stage, the audience, and to a lesser extent, the backstage very well – just enough directing not to take away from the main show.  The performances don’t live up to the hype.  I will recommend this to people who want to see the work of a fine entertainer, and that’s Bernie Mac.

5 of 10
C+

NOTES:
2001 Image Awards:  1 nomination: “Outstanding Motion Picture”

Updated:  Friday, August 09, 2013

Bruce Springsteen Concert Doc Arrives July 2013

“Springsteen and I” to Make Fans’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Dreams Come True in U.S. Cinemas this Summer

NCM Fathom Events and Arts Alliance Media Present Inspiring Documentary Celebrating Bruce Springsteen in Select Movie Theaters Nationwide on July 22 & 30

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With more than 120 million albums sold worldwide and numerous awards, including a staggering 20 Grammy Awards®, Bruce Springsteen’s music defines a generation. In celebration of 40 years of iconic music, NCM Fathom Events and Arts Alliance Media present “Springsteen and I” in select U.S. movie theaters on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. local time. “Springsteen and I” will take audiences on an emotional journey through the personal insights and reflections of their fellow Springsteen fans. Directed by Baillie Walsh and produced by Ridley Scott Associates and Mr. Wolf, “Springsteen and I” incorporates the efforts of more than 2,000 fans around the world who submitted personal video clips to make the ultimate collective filmmaking experience about how Springsteen and his music became the soundtrack to so many lives.

Including Springsteen performing some of his greatest hits and exclusive never-before-seen archival concert footage, the cinema event features unreleased big-screen performance highlights from the London Hard Rock Calling Wrecking Ball tour and a behind-the-scenes fan meet-and-greet with their hero.

“This beautifully crafted film provides a unique insight into the powerful bond between a recording artist and those who connect so profoundly with his music,” said Ridley Scott.

“Springsteen and I” will be presented in nearly 500 select movie theaters around the country through NCM’s exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.fathomevents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, visit the NCM Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

‘Springsteen and I’ is totally unique – audiences have never seen Bruce and his influence presented like this before,” said Dan Diamond, senior vice president of Business Development for Fathom Events. “This Fathom Event is a rare opportunity for fans to gather together in movie theaters, experience and share their love of all things ‘Bruce’ – as it was produced by the fans, for the fans.”

For more information about “Springsteen & I,” please visit the website, Facebook, Twitter or You Tube.


About National CineMedia (NCM)
National CineMedia (NCM) operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom Events present cinema advertising and events across the nation’s largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM’s theater advertising network covers 183 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 19,300 screens (over 18,400 digital). During 2012, approximately 710 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters in which NCM currently has exclusive, cinema advertising agreements in place. The NCM Fathom Events live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is comprised of over 740 locations in 172 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 41 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 46.9% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com. (NCMI-E)

About Mr. Wolf
Founded in 2012 by Alfred Chubb with Arts Alliance Ventures, Mr. Wolf produces and finances live events and music based feature films for worldwide distribution on all formats. Mr. Wolf launched with the release of Andrea Bocelli: Love in Portofino on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, produced by PBS, Universal Music and Sugar Entertainment and is following up with the release of Springsteen & I, the Ridley Scott Agency-produced Bruce Springsteen feature, in July 2013.

About Ridley Scott Associates
Founded by Ridley and Tony Scott in 1968, RSA Films has, for more than 40 years, been one of the world's leading commercial production companies. Headed by President Jules Daly, RSA is at the forefront of creating innovative groundbreaking advertising campaigns for some of the world's most recognized brands. Headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in New York, London, and Shanghai, RSA has a roster of over 80 directors, including Kathryn Bigelow, Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Joe Carnahan, Steven Klein and Neill Blomkamp. RSA has received numerous Golden Lion, Emmy, BAFTA, AICP, Cleo, MTV and MVPA Awards since its inception.

About Arts Alliance Media
Arts Alliance Media, based in London with offices in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Oslo, Milan and Berlin, is the worldwide leader in digital cinema, offering a complete range of services, as well as VPF financing solutions for digital conversion.

These services include installation, maintenance and support for digital cinema systems; world-class software solutions; management and delivery of content to cinemas; and alternative content and live events. AAM has European Virtual Print Fee (VPF) agreements in place with all six Hollywood studios and has signed over 3,850 VPF screens in multiple territories, including with many leading exhibitors. The company recently activated its Latin American VPF programme with a raft of exhibitor signings in the past weeks. AAM's digital cinema software currently touches approximately 15,000 screens worldwide.

The London-based Network Operations Centre supports over 5,500 digital screens around the world, and the company’s digital cinema lab has mastered over 2500 titles to date, and shipped hundreds of thousands of DCPs. AAM’s strategic partnership with Arqiva allows exhibitors to benefit from satellite delivery of content to cinemas. Arts Alliance Media was founded in 2003 by Thomas Høegh.

"20 Feet from Stardom" Arriving in June 2013

Radius/TWC Presents

20 FEET FROM STARDOM

IN THEATRES JUNE 14TH

Starring: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill, AND Tata Vega

A film by Morgan Neville

Synopsis: Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. In his compelling new film TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM, award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others.

These gifted artists span a range of styles, genres and eras of popular music, but each has a uniquely fascinating and personal story to share of life spent in the shadows of superstardom. Along with rare archival footage and a peerless soundtrack, TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM boasts intimate interviews with Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger and Sting to name just a few. However, these world-famous figures take a backseat to the diverse array of backup singers whose lives and stories take center stage in the film.

Rated: PG-13

Download the Trailer for TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM here: www.youtube.com/radiustwc

Review: "DysFunktional Family" is Foul and Funny (Happy B'day, Eddie Griffin)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 57 (of 2003) by Leroy Douresseaux

DysFunktional Family (2003)
Running time: 89 minutes (1 hour, 29 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong sexual content, language and drug-related humor
DIRECTOR: George Gallo
WRITER: Eddie Griffin (head writer)
PRODUCERS: Paul Brooks, Eddie Griffin, and David Permut
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Theo van de Sande
EDITOR: Michael R. Miller
COMPOSER: Andrew Gross

DOCUMENTARY/CONCERT

Starring: Eddie Griffin

The subject of this movie review is DysFunktional Family, a 2003 documentary film, concert movie, and stand-up comedy film starring actor and comedian, Eddie Griffin.

I’ve actually gone to a theatre on five occasions to see a concert film; four of movies were concert films by comedians (the fifth was Prince’s brilliant documentary Sign ‘o’ the Times, chronicling his concert tour of the same name across Europe). I’ve seen two hilarious Richard Pryor films, Richard Pryor Live on Sunset Strip and Richard Pryor Here and Now, brilliant works that showcased the flourishes that made him the funniest man on the planet and that revealed his personal tragedies in poignant, yet humorous stories. Along the same lines was Eddie Murphy Raw (currently the most successful concert film at the box office in film history), which was very funny and very revealing about Eddie Murphy’s family and his personal views on relationships. Martin Lawrence’s You So Crazy dismayed me; it was partly funny, but mostly just long, boring, and vain.

Comedian Eddie (Undercover Brother) Griffin’s DysFunktional Family is quite similar to those four works in several ways. Griffin is stylistically similar to Richard Pryor in his delivery and his storytelling and in the kind of stories he chooses to tell. Like Eddie Murphy, Griffin brings a harder and meaner edge to the kind of family and personal storytelling that makes up his act than even the very blue Pryor brought to his. However, like Martin Lawrence, Griffin’s act is filled with too many dry spots were the comedy isn’t humorous; it’s just vulgar and strained, but I have to say that Family is far funnier than I remember You So Crazy to be.

Griffin’s material is quite vulgar, not just in the explicitness of the language, but also in the harshness of the subject matter. Family was filmed during Griffin’s return trip to his hometown, Kansas City, Missouri for a concert. The film mixes concert footage with documentary footage of various members of Griffin’s family and of childhood landmarks. Director George Gallo uses footage from family get-togethers to introduce each subject or topic in Griffin’s act. For instance, film footage about a particular uncle would lead into Griffin’s routine about that uncle.

Griffin’s family is, as the say, “something else.” I found myself both laughing at and being repulsed by his family’s behavior, but I guess that we all have bone yards in our respective family closets. I know that my closet doesn’t include my mother trying to run me down in the street with her car, an uncle who directs and films homemade pornographic movies, or a junkie uncle who shoots up in front of me; still, none of us are perfect.

Griffin, at times, is absolutely hilarious. Some of the stories are quite entertaining, and some of his impersonations are dead on. Some of his social commentary is succinct, while much of it is dated and has been said before by lesser talents, especially the observations about white people. A lot the concert was just hardcore vulgar, and Griffin uses the words “nigga” and “nigger” so much that he literally takes way the impact of those two words. In fact, he states that he thinks the more you say those words, the less power they have. I can understand that using harsh language might represent the natural flow of his speech, but when he’s trying to entertain, he has to be able to communicate his message or story to his audience. Sometimes the overuse of profane and vulgar language just gets in the way. The listener just can’t capture the essence of the story if he has to spend all his time picking through the foulness.

For the most part, I like what Griffin brought to the stage. He just doesn’t seem to have much control over his material. It’s like both he and his act are forces of nature that clash against each other and what results is the cacophony of a potty-mouthed man in need of therapy, perhaps because he allegedly improvises on stage instead of having a prepared script. There’s some funny stuff here, even some belly laughs, but the delivery is so foul that I’m not sure if the end results justify the means. DysFunktional Family is for people who like it raw and shitty.

5 of 10
B-

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The Artist Fafi Creates Limited Edition "Katy Perry: Part of Me" Poster

Katy Perry and the artist known as "Fafi" have teamed up to produce the poster you see above this text for her new documentary and concert movie Katy Perry: Part of Me.  Apparently, fans who sign up for early screenings of the movie will receive this limited edition poster when they attend. The movie will reportedly screen in 100 locations around the United States and Canada before its full release date, July 5, 2012.

For more information, visit www.katyperrypartofme.com/Sneak.  On his website, Perez Hilton posted that by putting the hash tag, #KP3D Movie Sneak, in your tweets, you will get an alert about signing up for screenings of the Katy Perry movie.

New Images from "Katy Perry: Part of Me" - Katy Eats!

Katy Perry does a pizza chow down.

Katy Perry live and in candy-coated living color.

http://www.katyperrypartofme.com/sneak

Brian Grazer and Craig Brewer Guide Katy Perry Doc to Big Screen

“KATY PERRY: PART OF ME” FROM PRODUCERS KATY PERRY, DIRECT MANAGEMENT, IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT, AEG AND EMI WILL BE RELEASED ON JULY 5, 2012

THE 3D FEATURE FILM FROM PARAMOUNT INSURGE WILL REVEAL KATY’S LIFE ON-AND OFF-STAGE

Academy Award®-Winner Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment Will Produce the Film, Along With Katy and Her Team at Direct Management Group

Boarding the Project as an Executive Producer is “Hustle & Flow” Director Craig Brewer

Paramount’s Insurge Pictures today announced they have partnered with Katy Perry, Direct Management, Imagine Entertainment, AEG and co-financing partner EMI on a 3D feature film starring Katy. To be released on July 5, 2012, KATY PERRY: PART OF ME will be a first-ever big-screen look at the international superstar’s life both on- and off-stage.

Said Katy, "I am so excited to paint the silver screen in 3D color with help from our friends at Paramount and Imagine. For the last year and a half, I have intimately documented my life both on and off the stage of The California Dreams Tour. I want to take you behind the cotton candy clouds and reveal the highs and lows and nuts of bolts of this extraordinary ride. I promise you, after seeing this film, you will truly know me."

President of Paramount Film Group, Adam Goodman, said, “Katy’s one-of-a-kind story, and our unique ability at Insurge to create equally unique movie going experiences, was a natural fit. We’re beyond excited to offer her fans, who inspired this movie, and moviegoers everywhere, this once-in-a-lifetime look into her world and capture a moment in time.”

"This has been a milestone year for Katy. She is emblematic of the culturally forward thinking artists that we endeavor to highlight at Insurge, so when the opportunity came about to work with her on this film, Adam and I immediately jumped at the chance," said Amy Powell, President, Paramount Insurge.

Katy began documenting her California Dreams Tour, consisting of 124 performances, over a year ago. Her management team, Direct Management, soon after brought AEG into the project to film the artist's two shows at Staples Center in LA in 3D. A partnership with Imagine Entertainment followed.

Directed by the Magical Elves team of Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth (JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER), KATY PERRY: PART OF ME is produced by Katy, along with Martin Kirkup, Bradford Cobb, and Steven Jensen of Direct Management; and Academy Award®-winner Brian Grazer (8 MILE, A BEAUTIFUL MIND) of Imagine Entertainment. The film’s executive producers include Craig Brewer (FOOTLOOSE, HUSTLE & FLOW), Randy Phillips of AEG, Erica Huggins and Michael Rosenberg of Imagine Entertainment; and Ed Lovelace and James Hall of Pulse Films. Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald and Max Martin, who co-wrote the title song with Perry, will serve as co-producers, along with Nanette Bernstein (AMERICAN TEEN), Thomas Benski and Dan Bowen of Pulse Films, Anna Culp of Imagine Entertainment, and Archie Gips of Magical Elves.

Katy's new single, "Part Of Me" debuted in the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 on February 22nd, making it the first in a year, and only the 20th in 53 years, to debut at #1. Since the 2008 release of “One of the Boys,” Perry has topped the charts in more than 25 countries and has sold more than 50 million digital tracks and mobile products, as well as 10 million albums worldwide. Her hits include “I Kissed a Girl,” “Hot N Cold,” “Thinking Of You,” “Waking Up in Vegas,” as well as "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream," "Firework," "E.T.," "Last Friday Night," and "The One That Got Away," all from the "Teenage Dream" album. A special edition of Katy’s double platinum album “Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection," was released on March 26th.

An EMI artist, Katy is represented by managers Bradford Cobb, Martin Kirkup, Steven Jensen and Ngoc Hoang of Direct Management Group, Inc.

For more information, go to KatyPerryPartOfMe.com or follow Katy Perry on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/KatyPerry. #KP3D


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

Fans Invited to Be Part of Katy Perry

PARAMOUNT’S INSURGE PICTURES AND TWITTER INVITE KATY PERRY’S FANS TO BE A PART OF THE UPCOMING 3D FEATURE FILM KATY PERRY: PART OF ME

In A First of its Kind Partnership, Katy Perry’s Millions of Twitter Fans Have an Opportunity to be Integrated into the Movie, Releasing this Summer

Paramount’s Insurge Pictures and Twitter announced today they have partnered to give Katy Perry’s fans on Twitter an exclusive opportunity to be a part of her upcoming feature film, KATY PERRY: PART OF ME, releasing this summer.

Over the next several months, Twitter and Paramount will jointly offer unprecedented access to one of the world’s most famous pop stars by offering multiple opportunities for Katy’s millions of Twitter fans to play a role in helping to shape the final film. From helping to choose which songs Katy will sing, to weighing in on her always exciting wardrobe options, this first-of-its kind interactive experience will set a new precedent for engaging movie going audiences on Twitter.

Fans can visit www.Twitter.com/KatyPerry to get involved. They can also follow Katy on Twitter to see exclusive behind-the-scenes content of the movie, which will provide fans a first-ever big-screen look at the international superstar’s life both on and off-stage.

"Kate Perry: Part of Me" is a really fun and engaging movie that celebrates every aspect of Katy’s life including her relationship with fans,” said Amy Powell, President of Insurge Pictures. “What better way to kick start the filmmaking process than by inviting her millions of fans on Twitter into her world.”

“Millions of Katy’s most passionate fans use Twitter every day to hear directly from her and get a unique glimpse into the life of one of music’s biggest stars,” said Dick Costolo, Twitter CEO. “With this new approach to filmmaking, Paramount is taking the connections forged on Twitter one step further by empowering people to take part in the movie.”

Fans can use the hashtag #KP3D to connect with each other and share on Twitter.

For more information, go to http://www.katyperrypartofme.com/, http://www.katyperry.com/ or follow Katy Perry on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/KatyPerry.


About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Television & Digital Distribution.

Virtual Pop Idol "Hatsune Miku" Concert Film in November 2011

LIVE VIEWING JAPAN PRESENTS A SPECIAL HATSUNE MIKU EVENT FOR ONE-NIGHT-ONLY IN 9 MAJOR U.S. CITIES IN NOVEMEBER

World’s First Virtual Pop Idol Has Become An International Music Sensation And Will Be Featured In A Special Concert Film For Fans

Live Viewing Japan, a distribution company focused on bringing Japanese entertainment media to an international audience, has announced that it will stage a very special one-night-only Hatsune Miku event simultaneously in nine major U.S. cities on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00pm (local time). Hatsune Miku Live Party 2011 39's LIVE in SAPPORO (originally organized by 5bp Inc. in August, 2011) will screen a live concert performance of Hatsune Miku in movie theaters in select markets. More information about this exclusive one-night-only event is available at:
http://www.liveviewing.jp/contents/009_mikupa.html.

The cities that will host the Hatsune Miku event include:
Baltimore, MD
Boston (Manchester), MA
Chicago, IL
Houston, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Orange, CA
New York, NY – Two locations
San Francisco/Bay Area, CA
Seattle, WA

“We’re very excited to present this unique Hatsune Miku experience for her U.S. fans,” says Live Viewing Japan Exective Director Hiroki Kotani. “Miku has captivated a global audience with a mix of catchy pop music and captivating technology-inspired visuals. Her popularity has opened an entirely new range of possibilities to blend a cute pop idol persona with technology and computer-created graphics. We invite fans to visit the Live Viewing Japan web link for more information and for specific movie theater event locations. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Hatsune Miku perform!”

Pop idol Hatsune Miku, whose name means, “first sound of the future,” is a Vocaloid (meaning machine-made vocals) digital female avatar and the most popular of the Vocaloid Character Series software originally created by Crypton Future Media, Inc. using Yamaha’s Vocaloid 2 engine to create organic-sounding synthesized vocal tracks.

In Japan, Hatsune Miku is a major national phenomenon and has appeared in numerous popular video games and music videos. She’s also played several enthusiastic “concerts,” where she performs on stage projected as a 3D hologram and backed by a live band. Miku recently played her first live concert in the U.S. called, “MIKUNOPOLIS in LOS ANGELES,” at the Nokia Theatre for the 2011 Anime Expo, held this past July in Los Angeles, CA. The show sold out in only 4 hours, further underscoring the growing popularity she enjoys in North America. Hatsune Miku was also recently featured in a T.V. commercial for the Toyota Corolla.

Live Viewing Japan has seized on the growing global popularity of Hatsune Miku and has plans to screen her live concert film in several countries including France, Thailand and Brazil.


About Live Viewing Japan:
Live Viewing Japan is a Japanese-based media distribution company focused on bringing a variety of entertainment properties to a global theatre-going audience. More information on the company and its projects is available at: http://www.liveviewing.jp/.