August 9, 2014 - August 15, 2014, The Afro-American
B3
ARTS & CULTURE
Season of the tWitch By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO
Stephen “tWitch” Boss is a “So You Think You Can Dance” All-Star and fan favorite who continues to make a splash with his multitude of talents. He was also the first dancer endorsed by Gatorade, officially recognizing dance as a sport. Boss is a recurring guest DJ on “Ellen,” serving as Ellen DeGeneres’ sidekick on the show multiple times per week. In that role, he leads the audience in dance competitions and entertains them with comedic skits throughout the show. He also competes against guests in on-air games. A featured dancer in the films Blades of Glory and Hairspray, Boss teamed up with Paramount and Funnyordie.com to film several viral videos for the dance spoof film Dance Flick (2009). And he co-starred in Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming and guest-starred on such television series as “Drop Dead Diva,” “Bones” and “Touch,” too. Boss originally found fame when he won over critics and fans alike with his amazing performances on Season 4 of “So You Think You Can Dance,” earning the runner-up title. In addition, his memorable performance in “Mercy” alongside Katee Shean was nominated for a 2009 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. In 2010, Boss was invited back for a special All-Star Season 7. This would prove to be a very important year in his life, as he met fellow All-Star dancer Allison Holker and they would ultimately marry. Boss’ passion for dancing goes back to childhood. He was born and raised in Montgomery, Ala., where, he mastered “popping and ticking,” a popular hip-hop style that resembles a twitch, earning him the nickname “tWitch.” Boss and his wife currently reside in Los Angeles where, in his free time, he serves on the board of the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a charity which affords access to dance
doubt, dance it out!
education for the underprivileged. Here, he talks about reprising the role of Jason in Step Up: All In, the fifth installment in the dance flick franchise.
KW: What’s more fun, making a movie about a dance competition or participating in a dance contest on a reality show? StB: Definitely making a movie, because no one is in fear of being voted off and going home early.
Kam Williams: Hi tWitch, thanks for the interview. Stephen “tWitch” Boss: Thanks for having me. KW: Congratulations on the fifth installment in the franchise. How do you explain the Step Up series’ enduring popularity? StB: Dancing is one of the purest forms of expression! So when you bring top-of-theline dancers, top-of-the-line choreography, amazing music, and incredible cameras you can’t help but get an awesome and infectious product. KW: How do you keep your character, Jason, fresh? StB: My character, Jason, is an everevolving individual. We have seen Jason evolve since the third installation of Step Up. He lived in New York where he struggled to make ends meet, then went back home to Miami to help out his family. Since then he has moved to Los Angeles to yet again pursue a dream. I tap into Jason and keep him fresh by paralleling his real-life with mine because my dreams are still evolving as well. KW: Which do you enjoy more, acting or dancing? StB: That’s actually a very hard question to answer. They are both avenues and mediums of performance, and it is performance that I am most passionate about. There is nothing like the feeling I get when I step out on the dance floor and dance to my favorite song. And at the same time there’s nothing like the feeling of doing homework on a character and stepping onto the stage or camera and being another person.
KW: Do you ever worry about being typecast as just a dancer? StB: All the time. But with that I recognize that I work so hard to establish myself in the field of dance. It just takes that one time, that one person that will give you a chance to deliver on something that is unknown, and that will be my launching point.
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Stephen “tWitch” Boss reprises the role of Jason in Step Up: All In. KW: What message do you think people will take away from the film? StB: I think people will take away the message of family and perseverance. Perseverance in the face of perceived defeat is absolutely essential. And while everyone’s journey is different, completely alienating yourself in the pursuit of your dreams could be somewhat harmful. Therefore, having family or loved ones around you to keep you grounded could be a very good look. Oh yeah… and when in
‘Web Junkie’ Film Review
Cold Turkey Exposé Examines Internet Addiction in China By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO How long do you think you could you survive without access to a cell phone or computer? A few hours? A day? A week? How about three months? That’s the degree of deprivation awaiting adolescents diagnosed as addicted to the internet over in China, the first country to officially recognize the burgeoning malady as a clinical disorder. The Rx for the afflicted is 90 days of rehab at one of 400 paramilitary boot camps where one must adhere to a Spartan daily regimen sans any electronic stimuli. Going cold turkey is not an easy thing to adjust to for kids used to playing video games for hours on end. But that is precisely the goal of the shrinks in Web Junkie, a cautionary tale making one wonder whether America might not be far behind. The documentary was directed by Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia who were afforded extraordinary access to the intervention and treatment of a trio of teenage boys whose exasperated parents sought help from a facility in Beijing. The film traces the transformation of Hope, Hacker and Nicky from insufferable, anti-social jerks who barely communicate with their families, teachers and classmates into sensitive souls
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An adolescent, diagnosed as addicted to the internet, in the documentary Web Junkie truly changed by therapy and the period offline. It’s nothing short of miraculous to see the same kid who couldn’t be bothered to talk to his
father eventually melt into a touchy-feely hugger who upon reuniting tearfully says, “I love you, Dad.” Overall, the movie makes
KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see? StB: I see me. That is the culmination of all the decisions and paths I have decided to take thus far. There are times I see power, struggle, uncertainty, and art; souvenirs from my life journey that remind me where I’ve been.
KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for? StB: An unwavering agreement of peace and love all over the globe. KW: Thanks again for the time, tWitch, and best of luck with the film. StB: Thank you so much, Kam.
Hey Adults and Youth!
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a convincing case that cell phone use ought to be limited during a child’s formative years when the social part of the brain is still developing. For, the subjects of this telling expose certainly seem to suffer from stunted development due to too much time spent playing computer games and surfing the ‘net. A tough love remedy from the Orient designed for impressionable young minds which prefer virtual reality to relating in the flesh.
INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO SEE
Excellent HHHH Unrated In Mandarin with subtitles Running time: 76 minutes
For your complimentary tickets to a special advance screening in Baltimore on Wednesday, August 13th visit www.LionsgateScreenings.com and enter the following code: AAN2468
No purchase necessary. Passes are available while supplies last. one (admit two) pass per winner. No phone calls please. Seating at theater is limited to available capacity and theater discretion. This film is rated PG-13
IN THEATERS AUGUST 15TH
WWW.THEEXPENDABLES3FILM.COM • FACEBOOK.COM/THEEXPENDABLES3MOVIE • @EXPENDABLES3 • #EX3