World War II’s extensive on-screen history is being expanded even more with Star Wars creator George Lucas’ latest visual in Red Tails. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first corp of African-American fighter pilots in the United States military and a competent bunch despite the racial tension they faced in the 1940s. Read the rest of this entry »

The Wire has rapidly become my cultural litmus test for people I meet.

If you’re into it, I’m with you. If you’re not, I’ll convert you. And if, heaven forbid, you’ve seen it and you’re not into it, you’re my sworn enemy. Sworn enemy. Forever, forever ever, forever ever © Andre Benjamin.

So when I learned that I would be able to interview Andre Royo, I was ecstatic. Royo’s portrayal of a drug addict named Bubbles was one of the most unidealized and haunting in any medium. To get the chance to pick his brain was a special privilege. We spoke about everything, ranging from The Wire to rap, race to poverty and politics to Omar Little. Read the rest of this entry »