Harry Lennix Starts Kickstater Campaign For his 'H4' Film Project

13 Comments

• | Reply

• Donella | June 28, 2012 9:45 PMReply

  Also a Harry Lennix fan, but in the movie poster, he looks like Barack Obama might have if he hadn't met Michelle.

• Dankwa Brooks | June 28, 2012 8:46 AMReply

  I screened Mr. Lennix's MR. SOPHISTICATION (IMDb it) and it was great! Y'all ain't never seen Harry like this. Really good performance by Lennix especially "the videotape scene", that's all I can say right now. Looking forward to more Leading roles from him! Good Luck with the campaign!

• CareyCarey | June 28, 2012 4:30 AMReply

  Okay, I have to admit I am not a kickstarter kind of guy. I am not anti-kickstarter, I'm just not in the habit of giving away portions of my measly morsels of money. I believe that's a habit I acquired years ago. My mother would give each of us 5 pennies to put in the church collection plate. Well, I deduced that the church was doing just fine before I got there, so my 5 copper pennies probably wouldn't put a dent in God's plan. Now listen, since I knew momma couldn't stand lying, yet if I wanted some of those 3 for a penny red cherries and 2 pieces caramel, I had to do a little creative accounting. One for the basket and four for my pocket. If my mother asked me if that money made it to the basket, I could look her straight in the eye while I said, "Reverend Collins smiled when I threw mine in the basket". I didn't exactly lie, the church got their fair share, the pastor did smile and everybody was happy. But you know what's strange (well my lady thinks it's strange) I have no problem giving money to those guys holding signs at busy street intersections. "I will work for food" always tugs at my heart. But those feed the children tv programs always ignites my remote control index finger into warp speed... zap-zap... they're outta there. And truth be told, I've never even read one of those "kickstarter campaign" posts. Heck, I knew Whoopie wasn't getting any of my money because any fool would know that Whoopie don't need my scrapplings. However, the name Harry Lennix caught my eye, so here I am. I remember the post on him speaking at -- if my memory serves me well -- Arizona State University? Or was it Oregon State? Anyway, it was about an hour long. It was so insightful, fulfilling and pleasingly plump. I saved it in my "favorites". And Lennix -- can straightup -- act his ass off. Personally, I would put him in the category of Jefferey Wright, Andre Braugher, Lawrence Fishburn and Forest Whitaker. I can honestly say I have never seen one of his performances that did not "wow" me ( I don't give my wows away to any ol' black actor). I loved him in Ray(many scenes and many ways). If I was interviewing him, I'd ask him to introduce Ray Charles one more time, especially in a foreign language. And I don't know how many saw "Keep the Faith, Baby", but in my opinion, he killed the role of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Maybe squeezing on Miss America had something to do with that? I don't know, but even in his smaller roles, he's always steady as a rock. That reminds me, I have not seen Matthew Cherry's The Last Fall but since Lennix is it, I know I'm gonna get something good to talk about. Now, am I going to kick something in the Kickstarter Campaign? Weeeell, I am going to pull out my copy of Love & Basketball. This post has inspired me to revisit Lennix and all the wonderful black actors in that film. After I do that, I am going to pop in Ray, one mo time. Him and Clifton Powell in any scenes together are classic black entertainment.

• CareyCarey | June 28, 2012 12:11 PM

  @ Helluva, you've pushed me out on a slippery slope. But who am I to suggest we're venturing off topic :-). Anyway, we've moved from "kickstarter", through Terrence Howard & Jamie Fox, pass Tookie and back to Mr. Lennix. Well, maybe it's time I play our trump card "Even a dollar (or a good thought) indicates a direction. Your comment and Sergio's linking here is just such a thought" ~ Harry Lennix. So Helluva, we're adding to the discussion, which I believe is a good thang. But what a tangled web we weave when we add Terrence Howard's name to the the conversation of "great performances". Don't get me wrong, I believe he is a quality actor, however, some roles he should simply walk away from. Jamie Fox WAS Ray Charles and Harry Lennix had the acting chops (and looks) to handle the role of Adam Clayton Powell. But Terrence as Nelson Mandela? Nevertheless, in regards to Howard's performance in "Crash", I have to disagree. I liked it. He and Thandie Newton had a few compelling scenes. Now.... Jamie as "Tookie"? Okay, first of all, I have not seen "Tookie". But I believe I've seen all the rest of Jamie's films. So now I'm wondering -- why not Tookie -- and do I really want to see it? Somebody will have to help me answer that question. Until they do, Jamie Fox as Stanley Tookie Williams III, leader of the Crips, a notorious American street gang which had its roots in South Central Los Angeles.... huuuuuummm? That smells like Terrence Howard trying to capture the essence of the powerful Nelson Mandela. Listen, Adam Clayton Powell was a larger than life figure in American politics, specifically Harlem. I believe Harry possessed all the essential elements (i.e, looks, swag, charm, acting chops, etc.) to do justice to that role. But Fox as Tookie and Terrence as Mandela? Well, as Les McCann said in his LP "Talk To The People", maybe they should have "Let It Lay". And if you've never heard it, here's a sample of McCann's "voice"... jazzy, smooth and introspective --> www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIxYMsoV22Q

• Helluva | June 28, 2012 7:20 AM

  I agree, Lennix is the goods. I remember thinking that Terrence Howard, who I also consider a quality actor, was actually miscast for that role in "Crash," and that Lennix would've brought a greater nuance to it. But '05 was Howard's "year" in the same way the Academy over-praised Jamie for his performances in "Collateral" and as 'Tookie' in '04, rather than allowing his great work in "Ray" stand on its own. As Adam suggests, good luck to Mr. Lennix in this & all of his endeavors...

• Harry Lennix | June 27, 2012 9:33 PMReply

  Thank you, Sergio, for posting. You are a mensch. To SHEBABY, and those who are in her situation, I understand the fatigue. Even a positive thought is helpful. This is less about the money, than it is an idea. We will finish this film and get it out there. Money is only an expression of intention. Lots of projects and people are in need of good intention. Even a dollar (or a good thought) indicates a direction. Your comment and Sergio's linking here is just such a thought.
  
  Every good,
  
  Harry

• Shebababy | June 29, 2012 6:22 AM

  Respect Mr. Lennix

• Arron Day | June 27, 2012 8:05 PMReply

  Didn't Ted Lange direct an Othello film with an all-black cast?

• Donella | June 28, 2012 9:43 PM

  I think Mekhi Pfeiffer portrayed an updated Othello in O.

• Harry Lennix | June 28, 2012 2:04 AM

  Ted directed an Othello, which I saw and enjoyed. He is, to my knowledge, the first black Othello on film (Laurence Fishburne is the second having starred in the Oliver Parker film with Kenneth Branagh). There is a black Iago in Lange's cast as well--the terrific Hawthorne James. Also, a black Emilia--my friend Dawn Comer with who I attended university. However, these are the only principal black characters in it, if I recall correctly. What we mean by first "black" Shakespeare film is that the POV of the film is from the perspective of the Black Experience. The Othellos (those using Shakespeare's language, in any case) are both set in the traditional Venice. Insofar as Othello is a play about race, it can be seen as "black" in any iteration. It is, though, a story of a black man in a white world. The world of H4 is by any definition indicative of the African American experience. However, it is not exclusively black, and we believe that to be a true and accurate description of Black American life.

• SHEBABABY | June 27, 2012 7:19 PMReply

  I love me some Harry Lennix but I am really suffering from Kickstarter/Indiegogo fatigue.

• LeonRaymond | June 27, 2012 7:56 PM

  @ SHEBABABY- LOL! For real, I am not joking, but I think they (Kickstarter/Indiegogo) really need some kind of coinbox drop off type thing otherwise you can get fatigue cause like you folks want to donate but you get kind of worn out- it is starting to remind me of the folks who walk through the subway cars begging one after another after another. But it's truly the only viable alternative from "You ain't getting Jack shit from us, Negro Please" White Hollywood!!!!

• Adam Scott Thompson | June 27, 2012 7:13 PMReply

  I've been waiting to see stuff like this -- tales from The Bard but with black casts and (to an extent) black sensibilities. Orson Welles produced an all-black MacBeth; I want us to do something like that on our own. I thoroughly enjoyed Lennix's performance as Aaron the Moor in Taymor's film adaptation of "Titus Andronicus." Good luck to him.