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ENCANTO

AT THE MOVIES

By Hollywood Hernandez

ENCANTO is the story of a Colombian family living together in a small town, named ENCANTO, and they all have magical powers except for one little girl in the house, Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz).They have superhuman strength, the ability to control the weather, and a sister with the ability to make flowers bloom all around her.

The story is more of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" in reverse with Mirabel being the only grandkid in the house without any superhuman power. The only grandchild who's been driven from the house is Bruno, played by John Leguizamo, because his ability is to see the future and no one wants to hear about it.

As always Disney delivers a beautiful world, this one steeped in Latin culture, that brings the screen to life. The colors, the characters and the music are crowd pleasers that my family really enjoyed.

ENCANTO shows us the sympathy and empathy that we should extend to someone less fortunate than ourselves and shows us that to love us is what makes a person whole. It's a valuable lesson for young children. It's a really sweet, tender film.

The music for the film was written by LinManuel Miranda who also wrote music for THE HEIGHTS, HAMILTON and MOANA. The music is catchy and will soon have you singing along. The movie lasts just over 90 minutes and is rated PG. On my "Hollywood Popcorn Scale" I rate ENCANTO a JUMBO.

TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE CASSI DAVIS PATTON as MATRIARCH ELLA PAYNE

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

By Valder Beebe

Tyler Perry’s House of Payne – the #1 rated comedy series on cable among African Americans for 2020 – tells the story of a multigenerational, working class family who experiences all of life’s struggles with faith, love and most importantly humor. Retired fire chief Curtis Payne and his wife Ella have their lives and home turned upside down when an unexpected event forces their nephew, CJ and his kids to move into the house, putting three generations under one roof.

The Paynes – now in their eighth season – are back Tuesday nights on BET and here to tell you about what’s in store for upcoming episodes is Cassi Davis Patton, who plays the matriarch of the family, Ella Payne.

Cassi has been a frequent collaborator with Tyler Perry for many years having appeared in several films and stage productions including Daddy’s Little Girls, Madea’s Big Happy Family, Boo! A Madea Halloween, Boo 2! A Madea Halloween, Madea Goes To Jail and Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Tour; to name just a few. Cassi talks with the Valder Beebe Show about her long-time working relationship with Tyler Perry and what’s in store for upcoming episodes of the hilarious House of Payne. Cassi Patton’s publicists provided text in conjunction with the Valder Beebe Show

VEB: Cassi, welcome to the Valder Beebe Show, I am so delighted you are here with me and my audience.

CDP: Hey Dallas! It’s a great day to be alive. It’s a great day, you know what? It’s another day to try to get it right. It’s another day that God honors.

VEB: Cassi, the wisdom that you hold, is that part of why you have worked with Tyler Perry on many, many projects?

CDP: I do know that it is wisdom on my part that has kept me connected to Tyler Perry and his multitude of productions. I have really

been a team player. My true power is that it has to be God. This is so amazing being a part of Tyler Perry productions. Let’s get real I am on the Valder Beebe Show in Dallas, come on now.

VEB: You have been with the House of Payne, you guys are coming back for your 8th season, and you are working with Tyler Perry. What role did God play in this adventure?

CDP: It’s a blessing to ……….

Cassi Davis Patton

Complete PODCAST interview: SoundCloud.com/kkvidfw; SoundCloud.com/valderbeebeshow; more interviews: ValdeBeebeShow. com; YouTube.com/valderbeebeshow;411RadioNetwork.com; broadcasting to a global audience on KKVI FM Radio,KRER 104.5 FM, Streaming TV, Social Media, Print Publications; I MESSENGER, Texas Metro News, and Garland Journal.

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM My Truth cont. from page 1

assaults from the perpetrator and his silent conspirators would never surface again.

Yes, Rev. Yvette felt the wrath of religious, not spiritual advisors, who shirked their responsibility to her as well as other ”victims.”

But she remained vigilant and she’s standing even taller today — a shining example!

Then there was Judge Tammy Kemp, who is fair and tough even though there are defense attorneys who resent her toughness when she is dealing with their clients. And then she presided over a case where after the verdict and sentencing she is addressing the family of Botham Jean and the convicted murderer, Amber Guyger, speaks to her and asks for a hug. You would have thought all hell broke loose, and mostly from people who go to church every Sunday and constantly say, “have a blessed day,” or “I’m saved.”

Ironically there were judges saying that Judge Kemp could have given a tougher sentence —although the verdict and sentence came from the jury and she couldn’t change either. Still you had all of the Facebook School of Law grads commenting. Sadly some were calling for her removal from the bench when prior to the “hug” folks were ready to put her on the Supreme Court! She started getting hate mail and threats.

But Judge Kemp stood in her truth and while she has been vilified by people who can’t recall the name of one of the many judges who have made BAD rulings to the detriment of Black people; she has been praised internationally by folks, including Mr. Jean’s mother!

Then there’s Roland Martin, who for all of his adult life, has used his platforms to be a voice for the voiceless, a beacon of light where there was only darkness. He was the light at the end of the tunnel that could be daylight, or a train coming straight at you!

In 2020 we saw the best-selling author and multi-media journalist reach newer heights with the growth of his digital program that he had launched, nurtured and grew into a respected news and information source that proved that people of all ages, persuasions, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, etc., were thirsting for truth and you could find it by tuning in to Roland Martin Unfiltered. Thousands were tuning in daily to hear from experts, Black experts; who somehow the so-called mainstream media could not find! His analytics were impressive and he was changing the game, leveling the playing field. Not only did he bring the experts, he brought the funk. And that’s a good thing!

Which brings me to my truth.

If you can’t stand up for people or things you believe in, what good are you?

And, if you have an opportunity, a bully pulpit, or a platform that can be used for good and you don’t do the right thing; you’ve wasted a precious gift.

Despite some disagreeing, I believe that journalists are historians and Texas Metro News wants to be on the right side of history. Then too, for far too long, there were those times of dancing to someone else’s drum beat.

It’s this griot’s time to set the pace by making those bold decisions that would make our ancestors and generations to come proud. We are naming the special person in the first issue of 2022.

I’d love to hear who you think the Person of 2021 should be. Email me at editor@texasmetronews.com

You’d better come strong tho!

Remembering my father, Joseph Smith March 2, 1927 - December 8, 2004, who has been “that person” since I entered this world!