It Sure Rains In Southern California

Who made that song "It Never Rains In Southern California"? Well, you go figure that one out because I'm not in the mood to trace it all the way back when Tony, Toni Tone, the Oakland-based group had it going on in the nineties cracking us up that no rain in Southern Cali. They sure brought the rain and ever since it's rain, rain, rain. Now we are all like, rain, rain go away.

It's been pouring here like crazy and the City of Angels is all wet. Since Monday, December 15, the rain would not just go away and driving is not pleasant under the rain. It has slowed me down and I'm not doing much to catch up with my schedules. But don't get me wrong though; I love the rain and it seems to be the best weather at this time of year when the spirit of Christmas is all over and the feel of winter gives us hope that life is just good never minding all that's been going on with the Global economy as a turmoil Christmas approaches.

Oh, Christmas is just eight days away and I'm writing as if I'm done with my Christmas or Holidays shopping, whatever that means. The markdowns have seen its lowest in years and it's quite interesting shoppers are not even excited for the woes a bad economy brought to their families coupled with the shenanigans at Wall Street. Wall Street shenanigans have made the third world countries, especially Naija, look like saints.

Anyways, the rain in Los Angeles will probably soften our hearts and we'll probably kind of take different meassures on how we do stuff and how things could come up better. And that is strategy. The point of making life meaningful by loving, sharing and caring.

Not much has been going on these days except this week's predicted rain and my tailing of filmmaker Pascal Atuma whose agents are on the trail for a lead male role in his upcoming movie "No More Bloodshed" about to start shooting here in Los Angeles beginning March 2009. I also spoke briefly with the style guy, Ike Ude who should be hitting my neck of the hood soon. There are series of stuffs coming up, too. Interviews and interesting episodes of my line -- I am not going to say what it would be looking like; just keep watching out -- and not anything close to the hood rats who did change the way things are done. Is it called popular culture? I like "them" hippie era and all that stuff that changed our world.

However, the rain is here and we should do the best out of it as the spirit of Christmas comes along with it the spirit of good feelings in a troubled world and economic mess.

Filmmaker Pascal Atuma, Actress Taraji P. Henson and "No More Bloodshed"

Filmmaker and actor Pascal Atuma had had a chat with me over the phone just as he arrived Los Angeles from Toronto, Canada, where he had co-hosted the 10th anniversary of the Miss Africa Canada with Ghana's BET Michael Blackson which was held on Saturday, November 8; and Ghanaian Helen Obeng, a student at Ryerson University was crowned the new Miss Africa Canada 2008. The electrified event was held at the Toronto Metro Convention Center.

On the phone Pascal sounded very optimistic as he insinuates some leads are about to unfold and that another breakthrough in his career would soon be making news. The press release on Taraji P. Henson playing the lead female role on the set of "No More Bloodshed" has gone up already and scheduled to commence shooting sometime in March 2009. The movie, a Los Angeles street thriller will be produced by Pascal Atuma Productions.

Pascal who said being an actor can be challenging in many ways had told me the casting crew and all the finishing touches to the call sheet by Robi Reed & Associates would be made known as soon as the lead male character is found. Henson, who was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Howard University also studied electrical engineering at North Carolina A&T University but decided acting's where her talent lies.

But Henson is no newcomer to the big screen and her character had that of going with the flow which she credits to optimism and how Hollywood opens up to such characters. She's just one busy woman who will be appearing in many movies before 2009 runs out. Among them: an all star cast with Forrest Whitaker, Lil' Wayne in "Hurricane Season" and opposite Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Burton" which opens next month.

Pascal Atuma Productions to produce a dramatic street thriller starring award-winning actress Taraji Henson.

Press Release from MINC Media & EMedia Wire

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) October 29, 2008 -- Award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson is set to star in the upcoming thriller ''No More Bloodshed.'' The independent feature film about a paroled hit man determined to change his life and reclaim the son he's never known will be directed by Emmy winner Michael Ajakwe Jr., and was written by Ajakwe and Pascal Atuma for Pascal Atuma Productions (''My American Nurse'', ''Only in America'', ''Hurricane in the Rose Garden'').

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the dramatic tale of sin and salvation follows the story of a freed convicted felon who vows never to go back to prison. After spending years behind bars and gaining a new perspective, he swears he's a different man. But in many ways, he hasn't finished doing his time.

Henson, who recently starred in ''Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys'' and alongside Brad Pitt in the upcoming Oscar contender ''The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,'' was recently named by ''Variety'' as one of ''10 Actors to Watch'' in its annual spotlight on emerging new talents. The announcement was made at the 12th Annual Hollywood Film Festival's Hollywood Awards. The award-winning actress will star as the female lead in ''No More Bloodshed,'' playing Beverly -- the ex-girlfriend of the ex-con with whom she shares a son.

Henson will be joined in the gritty street drama by TV and film stars Jason George (''Eli Stone'', ''Barbershop''), Mark Christopher Lawrence (''Chuck'', ''The Pursuit of Happyness''), and Tommy Ford (''Martin'', ''New York Undercover''). Grammy-winning R&B legend Deniece Williams will portray Henson's mother in the film. A search is ongoing for the male lead, with Emmy-winning casting director Robi Reed of Robi Reed & Associates heading up casting. Production on ''No More Bloodshed'' is scheduled to begin in March 2009 in Los Angeles.

Media Contact:
Ngozi Mba
MINC Media for Pascal Atuma Productions
323.544.1450