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Atlanta / Culture / Entertainment / Movies / Music2 Min Read
The East Atlanta Santa is promising to gift the city with another one of his contributions. Local Rapper Gucci Mane says that he is bringing a feature-length film on his life to the big screen.
“#TheAutoBiographyOfGuccimane is coming to a theatre near you #DirectorGuccimane #1017Films,” he tweeted recently. The movie will be based on the book of the same name.
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane chronicles the rapper’s rise from local artist to mainstream phenom. The book goes into detail about the rapper’s struggle with drug abuse, especially lean (codeine). Here’s an excerpt:
“My own habits with the stuff had gotten bad. Over the years, there had been times when I’d gone too hard with the X pills, but that had always felt recreational. With the lean, I’d developed a dependence. It became something I needed. My life was moving fast, and this drink helped me slow everything down. I was now on the road nearly every weekend, which meant long bus rides of smoking weed and sipping lean to pass the time. I just wasn’t as outward with my usage as a lot of other rappers were with the Styrofoam cups because I was still on probation.
In the beginning, lean had been something special, a vice I enjoyed. An indulgence. Now it was something I required to operate. My fame was at an all-time high, and these pints helped me calm down and relax in situations where I would otherwise feel anxious, like a big performance or a radio interview where I knew I’d get asked about some shit I didn’t want to talk about.
Is that not the stuff of movie or what? Gucci will no doubt have to confront his demons in the film, such as his time in prison and checkered relationship with fellow rapper Waka Flaka Flame. But all of that should make the flick a bestseller, just like the book.
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Concerts / Entertainment / Events / Music1 Min Read
About three years ago, you simply couldn’t miss Scott Bradlee’s influence on modern music. His rendition of “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore put him on the collective radars of everyone looking for new music.
Since then, his ragtime twist on R&B standards as well as today’s pop music have been stretching the boundaries for what was audibly pleasing to downright funky.
Now he’s bringing that nostalgic style to Cobb County. On February 14, Bradlee and band will tear the roof off the sucka. The Postmodern Jukebox, Founded by Bradlee nine years ago, is big on social media as well, garnering more than 450 million YouTube views and over 2 million subscribers.
Here’s how to see them in Cobb’s Energy Centre.
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Atlanta / Business / Entertainment / Events / Movies1 Min Read
Udpate: The “Atlanta Black Panther Movie Festival” will take place on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Regal Cinemas located at Atlantic Station 261 19th Street NW Atlanta, GA at 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6 pm with activities for photos and award ceremony.
“Black Panther” is the biggest cultural in entertainment event of 2018, and Atlanta, which is where the majority of the film was produced, is front and center.
Celebrities have already held an exclusive screening of the Marvel film in Midtown but what about the people? How can the regular Joes and Janes and Jamals see the movie? Well, it’s selling out everywhere fast. But there are still some tickets to grab.
Rapper T.I. is giving away tickets on Monday evening at a local Walmart. The free screening will be at an undisclosed location.
According to the AJC: T.I. will join associates at the Walmart at 1105 Research Center Dr SW, Atlanta, GA 30331 (off Cascade Road )at 5 p.m. Monday to give away tickets, in the toy aisle. While you’re there, check out Walmart’s selection of exclusive “Black Panther” action figures, toys, merchandise, and apparel and take a selfie with the “Black Panther” signage.
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Casting Calls / Entertainment / Movies2 Min Read
Fresh off the success of his first Netflix venture, “Bright,” actor Will Smith is bringing his next movie to the red clay of Georgia. “Gemini Man” will film in Georgia, as we previously reported.
Now, the jobs are beginning to roll in. Casting directors are looking to hire models for photoshoots in Savannah, Georgia on February 14, 2018.
Here are the specs:
- MALE 1
Light skinned African American Male
6’2″
42″ Chest
Large tee
17×36 shirt
36 or 38 x 32 pant
size 13 shoe
.
. - MALE 2
Light skinned African American Male
6’2″
41″ Chest
Large tshirt
16×37 shirt
34×34 pant
12 shoe
.
. - MALE 3
Caucasian male
6’2″
41″ Chest
L tee
16 x34
34 x 34
9.5/10 shoe
.
. - MALE 4
Asian Male
5’11”
250 lbs
48″ chest
44×32 pant
12 shoe - WOMEN 1
Seeking light skinned African American women
Age 40-55
.
. - CHILD 1
Seeking Light skinned African American Male
Age 15-17
.
. - CHILD 2
Seeking Light skinned African American Male
Age 7-9
The film, which will be directed by Ang Lee, has been around Hollywood for more than a decade in various versions. It is about an assassin who finally meets his match, actually a younger clone of himself.
“Previous drafts were penned by a revolving door of scribes that included Brian Helgeland, Andrew Niccol and David Benioff. Previously, Tony Scott considered directing as well as Curtis Hanson,” according to Deadline.com. “Skydance acquired the project in 2016 with Jerry Bruckheimer attached to produce with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger and Don Murphy and Chad Oman executive producing.”
Smith is coming off the success of “Bright,” an alien-mystical-cop movie that has drawn a mixed reaction from critics, but garnered more than 11 million views in its first week.
“Gemini Man,” which is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and executive produced by Don Murphy, is set to hit theaters in October 2019.
- MALE 1
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Entertainment / Restaurants2 Min Read
SNL star and comedian Leslie Jones flew into Atlanta for some project and has not benefitted from the Southern hospitality that is commonplace in these parts.
First, Jones had a less-than-stellar experience at the Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead – and she took to social media to blast them on it.
“kO dam I wanted a nice meal and wow Atlanta Fish Market gave me the worse service I’ve EVER gotten,” she tweeted. “Then instead of the manager coming to make it better, he came and gave me the worse attitude EVER! I can’t believe this!”
The restaurant promptly responded to the accusation, saying: “Ms. Jones, we’re very sorry to hear that you had a negative experience at the Atlanta Fish Market. We’d appreciate the opportunity to learn what happened & hopefully make things right. Our guests’ experience is our top priority, & we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.”
But Jones was having none of it. “Ask your snobby manager who thought it was just black people trying to get out of paying instead of it being the bad service and terrible food,” she posted. “He actually said “no you just didn’t like what you ordered” um yea cause it’s nasty son!I just wanted to eat in Atlanta! Y’all ruin that.”
The exchange set off scores of comments on social media, with people siding with Jones and others supporting the eatery.
“Saw your rant on Atlanta Fish Market. I agree with you,” one commenter said. “My husband and I went there for our anniversary several years back. Valet parked our 2 wk old new vehicle and after having a horrible meal, with complaints and same reaction you got from manager, went outside for valet to bring our vehicle and they wrecked our new vehicle hitting another car.”
Another one said: “Again, another disgruntled Black celebrity who apparently feels she is due a better service then anyone else. Was it because she wanted a free meal now or was it that she wanted a meal at a reduced rate now and a free feast later? God only knows.”
Still, most of the interactions with the popular Buckhead restaurant have been positive. People have been uploading cheerful stories about the eatery since Jones’ post. Read about it here.
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Atlanta / Business / Culture / Entertainment / Movies2 Min Read
Actor Chadwick Boseman is living high off the hog these days thanks to his recent movie credits, including a star turn as James Brown, Thurgood Marshall and now “Black Panther.”
The actor said that when he stayed down South to film (largely in the Atlanta area) he was reminded of the progress the nation has made — and the lack thereof. He told culture website Mr. Porter that he witnessed firsthand a gathering of the Ku Klux Klan as he drove home to visit family in South Carolina.
“When I was shooting Black Panther in Atlanta, I used to drive back on off-days to go see my family in Anderson. It’s about two hours,” he told the website.
“And I would see the Klan holding rallies in a Walmart car park,” he added. “So it’s like we’re going forwards and backwards at the same time. People don’t want to experience change, they just want to wake up and it’s different. But this — shooting Black Panther and then driving past the Klan —that’s what change feels like.”
“Black Panther” has gotten super reviews since it screened for celebrities last week on the big screen. The film debuts Feb. 13 in select markets and opens up nationwide two days later.
During a special screening on Tuesday, Feb. 6 in Atlanta, MPAA Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin said that the film’s production has generated $83.9 Million to Georgia’s economy, according to Deadline.
At the 2018 Chicago Auto Show, a Lexus exec crushed over the fact that the automaker’s new LC 500 model is featured prominently in the movie.
“There is one scene I’m not happy about. There’s a scene when [King T’Challa] slid across the hood and left a huge scratch on the car,” said Koji Sato, the executive general manager of the Lexus LC 500, according to Thedrive.com. “What is wrong with you, that’s my baby! Why would you do that? You are crazy!”
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Casting Calls / Entertainment / Movies1 Min Read
Fox’s new drama “The Resident” is casting for patient-types for a hospital scene, according to a new casting call. The scenes will be filmed on Thursday, Feb 8:
THE RESIDENT | Fox’s Hit New Drama Series
Location: Conyers, GA
Works: Thursday | February 8, 2018
Rate: $64/8*/* NEW FACES ONLY!!! */*
** MUST BE REGISTERED WITH CENTRAL CASTING!! **Central Casting is seeking the following:
PATIENTS: Male and female actors to portray hospital patients; NEW FACES ONLY. Must be 18 or older. $64/8
VISITORS: Male and female actors to portray hospital visitors; NEW FACES ONLY. Must be 18 or older. $64/8
If you meet the above criteria and are available to work on the listed date(s), please send recent photos, measurements/sizes, and contact information (please include phone number) to resident@CentralCasting.com with the respective subject line (Patient 2/8) or (Visitor 2/8).
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Culture / Entertainment / Events / Music / Sports2 Min Read
Bruno Mars, the most celebrated artist in music these days, is giving a major assist to Atlanta’s hip-hop scene. In reference to the fact that the city will be hosting the Super Bowl next year, he tweeted Monday that the NFL should take advantage of Atlanta’s musical heritage by spotlighting the area’s rap talent.
“@NFL you have the opportunity to celebrate incredible Hip Hop Artist from Atlanta Next year,” he tweeted.
Atlanta is home to multiple hip-hop artists such as T.I., Big Boi and Andre 3000 of Outcast, Killer Mike, Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Young Yatchy, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, 21 Savage, B.o.B., Trinidad James, Lil Scrappy — and many, many more.
Also on Monday, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was literally handed the ball as the countdown to the Super Bowl began in earnest.
Atlanta is proud to host the world’s biggest sporting event in the amazing @MBStadium. Thank you @NFLCommish and the @NFL organization for the opportunity. We are ready to #RiseUp for @SuperBowl 53! pic.twitter.com/xYmmUR2kLv
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) February 5, 2018
Bottoms has a long list of logistical issues that she has to handle before tens of thousands of people descend upon the city for the 2019 Super Bowl.
Read more: Travis Scott, Maroon 5 to perform at Super Bowl halftime
Super Bowl Opening Night tickets go on sale
Migos, Ludacris to perform at Super Bowl 53 concert
Jermaine Dupri gives nod to ATL artists for Super Bowl Live concerts
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Lao restaurant Snackboxe Bistro has opened its doors in DeKalb County, AtlantaFi has learned. Snackoboxe opened Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 to such success that the establishment ran out of food and had to close.
The restaurant has been operating on a limited menu featuring several Asian hits such as khao poon, spicy thum and Lao sausage.
“Come one, come all!! Just in time for super bowl weekend, place your party platter orders with us 😁” the eatery posted on Facebook this weekend. #snackboxebistro #grandopening #laofood#laorestaurant
The restaurant is located at 6035 Peachtree St. Suite C-114, Doraville, GA. 30360.
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
Read more: The best soul food restaurants in Atlanta -
People around Atlanta are preparing for an arctic blast Friday evening. That means it’s going to be frigid temps for most of the weekend.
Forecasters said a wintry mix would be possible for metro Atlanta at some point. The center will open Friday February 2, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. and remain open until 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018.
The City of Atlanta has opened a warming center for those in need of a warm place to stay. It is located at the Old Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Lane NW, Atlanta, GA 30331.Central Park Recreation Center Grant Park Recreation Center Old Adamsville Recreation Center.
For more info, please call 404-330-6023.