Book Vs Movie: “One Night in Miami” (2021)
The Kemp Powers Play Vs. the Regina King Movie
True story--on the night of Tuesday, February 25, 1964, four men who were (or will soon be) involved in the African American Civil Rights movement hung out together to celebrate one of the participant’s big wins--boxer Cassius Clay becoming the world heavyweight champion.
The four men included Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke, and NFL superstar Jim Brown. Clay would become one of the most beloved athletes of the 20th Century as Muhammad Ali under the direct influence of Malcolm X (who was getting ready to leave the nation of Islam. Sam Cooke had a string of pop hits but wanted to create music that reflected the challenging times in the 60s. And Brown was tired of being revered as a football player but having reporters ignore his pleas for social justice.
In 2013, writer Kemp Powers created a fictional account of the famous evening where these famous men talked about religion, politics, racism, women, and how they can make their mark on the world. He adapted the screenplay that is directed by Regina King.
The film is playing now on Amazon prime and includes the fates of all the key players.
So between the play & movie--which did we like better? Have a listen to find out!
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The Civil Rights Movement in the early 60s
- The backstory of author Kemp Powers
- The cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir (Malcolm X,) Elie Goree (Cassius Clay,) Aldis Hodge (Jim Brown,) Leslie Odom Jr. (Sam Cooke,) Lance Reddick (Brother Kareem,) Christian Magby (Jamaal,) Joaquina Kaukango (Betty X,) Nicolette Robinson (Barbara Cooke,) Michael Imperioli (Angelo Dundee,) and Beau Bridges (Mr. Carlton.)
Clips used:
- One Night in Maimi trailer
- The four main characters on the roof of the hotel
- Cassius Clay becomes Heavyweight World Champion
- Sam Cooke sings “Working on a Chain Gang”
- Music: Speak Now by Leslie Odom Jr. and Sam Ashworth
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Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine
Book Vs Movie: “What’s Love Got to Do With It” (1993)
Tina Turner’s 1986 Autobiography “I, Tina” Vs the Angela Bassett Film
With Tina Turner finally being nominated for a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nomination as a solo artist--the Margos decided now was the time to take a look at her life story (up to the age of 46) with her 80s bestselling autobiography (co-written by Kurt Loder!) “I, Tina” and compare it with the hit 1993 film “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Anna Mae Bullock of Natbush, Tennessee began her life sticking out in her baptist choirs as a child and grew up to be one of the biggest stars in the world. From the moment she met Ike Turner--her life went on a trajectory of fame, struggle, acclaim, and abuse to reaching the Guinness World Book Of Records for the World’s Largest Playing Audience at 180,000.
The movie based on “I, Tina,” was directed by Brian Gibson and stars Angela Bassett and Tina Turner and Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner with the main focus on their marriage and career highlights. Both actors were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances and the film was a financial and critical success at the time.
So between the autobiography & movie--which did we like better?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The life story of Tina Turner
- How Hollywood changed the narrative to fit a more conventional telling of the rock biopic.
- The cast: Angela Bassett (Tina Turner,) Laurence Fishburne (Ike Turner,) Phyllis Yvonne Stickney (Alline Bullock,) Sherman Augustus (Reggie,) Vanessa Bell Calloway (Jackie,) Khandi Alexander (Darlene,) Penny Johnson Jerald (Lorraine Taylor,) and Rob LaBelle (Phil Spector.)
Clips used:
- What’s Love Got to Do With It trailer
- Tina escapes to another hotel
- “Rolling on the River”
- Music by Tina Turner
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Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
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Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine
Book Vs Movie: “The Princess & The Frog” (2009)
The last traditionally made Disney animation film is the subject of this episode which explores New Orleans in the 1920s
The Margos are feeling like sipping some sweet tea and exploring one of America’s most sous cities for food, culture, music, and architecture---New Orleans.
The Princess and the Frog originated with the Brother Grimm’s fairytale “The Frog Prince” (which we are not really discussing today) and “The Frog Princess” by E.D. Baker. Writers/directors Ron Clements and John Musker who previously worked on “The Great Mouse Detective” and “The Little Mermaid.”
In this story, the action takes place in New Orleans in the 1920s but in the early 2000s there were very critical notes on how the city should be treated (this was just after Hurricane Katrina) and the lead character went from being a chambermaid to a woman looking to open her own restaurant. None of than Oprah Winfrey herself was hired as a consultant in 2007 and she voices the character of Tiana’s mother Eudora.
Tiana is a hard worker who was raised by parents who taught her an excellent work ethic. She dreams of opening her own restaurant. After kissing a frog (who was a prince but a Cajun witch doctor put a spell on him)Tiana and her new frog friend Prince Naveen navigate the waters of the Bayou before true love prevails.
The film was one of the first big release animated films that featured a largely African American cast and it made over $270 million worldwide. It was released the same year as Pixar’s “Up” so it did not win the big awards at the time but it still has its big fans.
So between the original story & movie--which did we like better?
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The origins of The Princess Frog
- The changes Disney made to make Tiana a new kind of princess
- The cast: Anika Noni Rose (Tiana,) Bruno Campos (Prince Naveen,) Keith David (Dr. Facilier,) Micheal-Leon Wooley (Louis,) Jennifer Cody (Charlotte La Bouff,) Jim Cummings (Ray,) Oprah Winfrey (Eudora,) Terrence Howard (James,) and John Goodman (“Big Daddy La Bouff.”)
Clips used:
- The Princess and the Frog trailer
- Prince Naveen meets Dr. Facilier
- Tiana meets the Prince as a frog
- Tiana and Charlotte as kids (with Elizabeth Dampier, Breanna Brooks, and Oprah!)
- Tiana confronts “the Shadowman”
- Music by Randy Newman “Down in New Orleans”
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Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine
Book Vs Movie: “Jolene” (2019)
Dolly Parton’s 1973 Hit Song & the 2019 Adaptation from Netflix “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings”
The Margos have opened up our adaptations to include plays, novellas, magazine articles, and (for this particular episode) songs. Specifically Jolene by the amazing Dolly Parton.
Dolly’s life has been an amazing journey from poverty in the mountains of Tennessee to her career as one of the most prolific singer/songwriters of the last 50+ years. Her music goes across several genres from country to rock to pop to gospel and she has written over 3,000 songs.
Jolene holds a special distinction as one of her most-covered tunes and the story is based on a true story about the early years of her marriage to Carl Thomas Dean.
Netflix took the concept and created the show Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings which had one episode devoted to the interpretation of Jolene with Julienne Hough playing the title character.
So between the song & movie--which did we like better? (Is it even going to be close?)
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The incredible life story of Dolly Parton
- The various interpretations of Jolene over the last 50 years
- Our wish that we had TV movies like this when we were young
- The cast: Julianne Hough (Jolene,) Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Emily,) Dallas Roberts (Aaron,) Dolly Parton (Babe,) Braxton Bjerken (Jed,) Wynn Everett (Willa,) and Scott Reeves as Hugh.
Clips used:
- Jolene trailer
- Dish Nation interview with Dolly
- Jolene introduces Babe to Emily
- Music by Pentatonix
Join our Patreon page to help support the show! https://www.patreon.com/bookversusmovie
Book Vs. Movie podcast https://www.facebook.com/bookversusmovie/
Twitter @bookversusmovie www.bookversusmovie.com
Email us at bookversusmoviepodcast@gmail.com
Brought to you by Audible.com You can sign up for a FREE 30-day trial here http://www.audible.com/?source_code=PDTGBPD060314004R
Margo D. @BrooklynFitChik www.brooklynfitchick.com brooklynfitchick@gmail.com
Margo P. @ShesNachoMama https://coloniabook.weebly.com/
Our logo was designed by Madeleine Gainey/Studio 39 Marketing Follow on Instagram @Studio39Marketing & @musicalmadeleine