Recently, Shadow and Act writer Sergio Mims pondered on the whereabouts of the manly man in film:

“It started with a conversation I had once with one of my friends, and she brought to my attention an article by the African American film critic Wesley Morris, while he was writing for The Boston Globe (and who is now writing reviews for the website Grantland) about the lack of real, genuine, masculine men in movies nowadays, that are both American and under 40.

Think about it. Practically all male movie stars that are both American and under 40 are really just over-sized boys who maybe haven’t really grown any pubic hair yet. They seem to lack a solid presence and, what I like to call, that “masculine weight”. So my friend and I started to think about what well-known established Black American actors could fill that bill, and I’m afraid, we couldn’t.”

My favorite black action star is Michael Jai White. He is not just my favorite because his body is straight-ridiculous and makes me think scandalous thoughts. He is also my favorite because he is a kick-a** professional martial artist in real life and does all of his stunts in his movies. If you have Netflix or access to YouTube, you can catch some of his handy work in the film, Blood and Bones. The film itself is kind of campy and the dialog is at times laughable, but White’s fight scenes are pure magic. However, despite how awesome White’s kick-a** persona is, his type of flare is no longer wanted in Hollywood. Oh sure, action films are still big, however, the action stars themselves are much smaller, younger, and not really “into” the whole violence thing.

The new visual era of masculinity marks the rise of the anti-hero. Gone are the days of the hyper-masculine, thick-necked Neanderthal drop-kicking a villain through the wall. Instead, we are in a new, more gentle era of manhood, particularly heroism, where ingenuity and creativity outweighs brawn. If anything, the new image of a “manly man” is kind of reflective of what is happening in society today. Today’s modern men are all becoming more vain than ever. In addition to personal grooming habits like manicures, haircuts and pedicures, men today have become more concerned about their personal emotional growth and well-being. You know, the guys that are all about their feelings and can have something to talk about and other interests outside of meat-headed topics like sports and farts? We are talking about men that are less about thug-loving à la Bobby Brown, and more about sitting around in silk pajamas discussing our days, in the vein of Ralph Tresvant.

As such, this new masculinity is reflected back to us in our sub-cultures, including music and television. No longer do He-Man like figures get the girls in the movies; today’s heartthrobs are scrawny and awkward nerds, who use their brain to ward off danger rather than their muscles. Hollywood is no longer about Wesley Snipes in Blade, but instead, our vampires are more akin to the soft-skinned boys in films like Twilight. This new age of the beta man is the reason why actors like Seth Rogen, Jesse Eisenberg and Zac Efron even have careers right now. And we see this more emotionally nuanced man in other areas of popular culture, including in hip hop. Big Daddy Kane, with his chiseled build, street savvy grit and bedroom eyes used to be the epitome of bad playboy swag. Nowadays, that image belongs to rappers like Drake, who while not physically intoxicating, are emotionally expressive enough to talk you right out of your panties.

I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with this new version of the “manly man.” I also like seeing more nuanced versions of manhood on television too. As much as I would like to see more Michael Jai White, bare-chested, karate kicking dudes all across the screen, I kind of like him in the roles where he has his shirt on too. I just hope that pop culture, and society in general, doesn’t decide to move past the beta male and embrace the omega male. That’s when we should begin to worry.

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The phrase “The only thing that’s certain is death and taxes” is very true. And with taxes on the rise many people are attempting to find ways to avoid coughing up cash to the federal government, the wealthy included. According to The New York Times, new legislation for 2013 has raised the marginal income tax rate from 39.6 percent from 35 percent for individuals with income over $400,000 and for couples with income over $450,000 and deductions can start to phase out on income of around $250,000.

Some rich people are on board with the tax increases like Warren Buffett and Russell Simmons, but others are struggling to pay their rapidly growing tax debt.

Other wealthy people are having issues paying their tax bill. We recently talked about how the Queen of R&B, Ms. Mary J, was hit with a $900,000 tax lien and now another entertainer has joined the list. This week Perez Hilton reported that rapper Snoop Dogg is not on good terms with the IRS owing $546,000 in back taxes from 2009 and 2011. This isn’t the first time the “Gin and Juice” rapper has been in trouble with the IRS. He had this same issue back in 2008.

The list of celebrities that have experienced tax problems in the past include Wesley Snipes, Nicholas Cage, Toni Braxton, Lindsey Lohan and the goes on and on. However, you don’t have to be rich to get into tax trouble. StatisticsBrain.com reports on a study conducted by Pew Research, showing that 44 percent of audited individuals make under $25,000 per year. So although the rich folks are what we read about in the papers, there are millions of ordinary people who get audited that don’t make the front page.

Filing your taxes late, substantial understatements, disregarding tax rules and regulations, and bounced checks are just some things that could get you into trouble with the tax man. In most cases if you are found to have dabbled in tax evasion you may just get hit with a fine. However in other cases you could face criminal imprisonment for up to five years.

Now when it comes to taxes it’s important to make sure you reduce your tax burden as much as possible through legal practices spelled out by the IRS. This is called “tax avoidance” and is encouraged by the federal government. This includes, for example, finding all of your deductions and getting any credits you qualify for.

However you don’t want to reduce your tax burden by lying or being deceitful, which is tax evasion. The biggest difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion: one is illegal.

With the tax deadline approaching it’s important to keep your morals at the forefront. If you don’t feel qualified to do your own taxes then hire a professional. At least in that case, if you have been truthful with providing information and things hit the fan, you have a preparer to help clean it up. Income taxes aren’t going anywhere. It just makes since to be truthful and pay your tax bill instead of wondering if the tax man will come knocking at your door.

You’d think that celebs wouldn’t be half interested in any type of martial arts, especially considering the fact that all celebrities have a bodyguard crew to keep them save at all times. However, there are some stars who have ventured out into the martial arts world; some do it to stay in shape while others do it for self-defense. In any case, here are 15 celebs who could hold their own if needed.

WENN.com

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba is a pretty face that could knock you off your feet with her taekwondo moves.

bossip.com

Hey loves! Hopefully, you all have been enjoying the weekend and staying out of trouble (at least the “bad” kind of trouble).  The celebs tried to have quiet weekends but I found some very interesting things.  Let’s see what we came up with!

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Source: gbreezysdirectorcut.blogspot.com

“Sit yo five dollar azz down before I make change.”  There’s no way we can talk about this movie without that line coming up. Mario Van Peebles, in his directorial debut, struck gold. New Jack City was a cult and commercial classic, becoming the highest grossing independent feature of 1991. You know the story, you quote the lines but we bet you didn’t these behind the scenes secrets about the film. Check them out.

Source: eddieonfilm.blogspot.com

You know when you go to see a Spike Lee film you’re going to be watching a true piece of art. It’s beautifully shot. There’s a serious message about the nature of society but it’s often lightened with moments of humor. Whether you liked the movie or not, you’ll definitely have something to talk about, sometimes for years to come. Which is the reason why we’re exploring Lee’s classic, Jungle Fever.

Every once in a while I like to take a trip on the wild side, and add some animal instinct to my wardrobe. Whether its an accessory, a shoe or a bag it always looks fierce!

Check out the items I selected for your own jungle fever…

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Source: Eurweb.com

So Wesley Snipes doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to black women. (He said a thing or two about our attitudes…) But really that doesn’t stop me from feeling some major sympathy for him and his tax situation.

Three years in prison for taxes is really rough. Especially if you’re not guilty, like Snipes claims he isn’t.

Either way, Spike Lee, who directed Snipes in “Jungle Fever”, just visited Snipes in prison.

Find out what he had to say about Snipes’ condition and what we can do to uplift his spirits at EurWeb.com.

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One of two things happen when an actor steps outside of him or herself: they either win an Oscar or find it hard to work in Hollywood ever again. Film is a powerful medium and your favorite actors’ on-screen portrayal are exciting, entrenching, and even uncomfortable at times.

Maybe that’s the mark of a good story and stellar portrayal but drama is drama. It’s easy for real emotions to get all wrapped up and influenced by people on screen as if they aren’t fictional characters. You may hate them, love them or simply wish they’d never existed but for the length of the film, make believe personas become flesh and blood thanks to actor portrayals.

The following screen stars dug deep, transforming themselves into characters that couldn’t be further from the truth of who they really are. Case in point:

You smell that girl? This movie stinks!

Halle Berry

More than once, Halle has hit the nail on the head as a crackhead (Jungle Fever, Saving Isaiah) and it’s hard to forget her over-the-top homegirl role in B.A.P.S. No, none of these roles are how anyone would most like to remember Halle Berry.

(Wall Street Journal) — Roll out the red carpet. The 2010 tax season will probably introduce a star-studded cast of tax evaders, many of whom are already on the IRS’s blacklist.  These celeb tax dodgers help contribute (at least in a small way) to what the IRS estimates to be a $290 billion tax gap—the difference between what’s reported and what’s owed, according to latest data.  Check out who among the elite of the silver screen, television screen and radio waves is hiding from Uncle Sam in the limelight…Nas: The IRS hopes the latest $6.46 million lien against the hip-hop star will put a wrap on his deadbeat filing habits. Beyond the bad blood he’s established with the IRS, the rapper is widely known for his years-long feud with rival hip-hop artist Jay-Z. Nas’s hefty bill adds three separate liens filed since 2009, the oldest of which is filed against a Georgia home. Even the rapper’s Queens condominium association has smacked the artist with a $3,860 lien for failing to pay his $420 monthly assessment since last January.

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