Katt Williams is BET family. He has been on various BET shows such as Comic View, 106 & Park and The BET Awards.  Katt’s new DVD, Pimpadelic, is currently in stores now. The 90-minute DVD is filmed documentary-style and features his sold-out show in Washington, D.C. and candid interviews.  Also, special features include five bonus clips of lost concert footage.

Williams talks the funny with topics like bad credit, DMX, marriage and  smoking weed with Snoop Dogg.  However, on a serious note, Williams opens up about the sadness most comedians have, how he prepares for a show, going from broke to rich, and spirituality.  Williams exposes a side of himself that is rarely seen, which gives the hilarious, but delivers some emotionality.  As Katt says, “Life is a business of pimps and hos.”

Katt Williams’ Pimpadelic is in stores now.  Click here to purchase and check out the clip below!

The amazing American Violet hits DVD today.  Based on a true story, a single mother of three, Dee Roberts, is randomly arrested on bogus drug charges. Forced with the choice to either give in or to fight, she challenges an archaic, corrupt and racist Texas legal system, risking the freedom of herself and her family.

During the press for American Violet, where I interviewed Nicole Beharie and Xzibit, I also had a chance to sit down with the legendary Oscar nominee and Emmy winner, Alfre Woodard.  One of the most interesting quotes she gave me was on advice for aspiring actors and telling video vixens with names like “Chocolata” to keep those legs closed.

You’ve been in this industry for a long time. Is there anything you had to work for that the young actresses of today take for granted?
“What I would say that exists now, with the 24-hour news cycle and just the rabid, insatiable appetite for being in people’s business — people are famous for total bullsh*t reasons now! But, those are the images that are flashed all the time. That person might get a role over a person who is actually gifted and trained like Nicole Beharie — she is being considered in the same breath as a video vixen is.  Some studio says, ‘Well, more people will watch it if ‘Chocolata’ plays Sojourner Truth!’ [Laughs] Most of us who are over 40, maybe even over 30 — people may know things about us, but they don’t know when we ovulate. We learned how to close our legs when we get out of limos — whether you had your panties on or not.

“I would say to young actors, you really have to find – not even backdoor ways – windows, which haven’t been closed tight to get yourself in the room. People head off looking for people to act as leads in their movies to places where people are singing and dancing, but yet you’ve spent all this time preparing yourself. I would tell them don’t come to this hedonistic ball unless you come with training. All that other stuff will die away, it will fall and you just persevere. You have to know that you define who you are, you declare yourself an actor. You don’t wait for a magazine, newspaper or awards; you know who you are. Sometimes they might turn to you and recognize you, but don’t wait on it and certainly don’t depend on it.”

Tell it like it is, Alfre!  Quick — email blast this to… well, you fill in the blank.

To gear up for Fame, which is in theaters September 25th and stars Naturi Naughton, you might want to brush up on your history and pick up the first two seasons of the television series on DVD.

The series was a spin off from the Oscar winning movie of the same name.  It ran for six seasons from 1982 to 1986, following the lives of talented students at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts, based on Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. The 38 episodes are packed onto nine discs with seasons 1 (16 episodes) and 2 (22 episodes). Debbie Allen, who was also in the film, transitioned to the television series and so did Gene Anthony Ray, who played Leroy.

The DVD also includes “Fame: Then and Now” featurette. You can pick it up in stores today!

Check out what hits DVD this week!

Nicholas Cage gets a tip from 50 years ago that the world is going to end in a few days. However, there is a code to break. After some liquor, Google searches and jotting of numbers—he “knows.” Of course no one believes Nick. So, it is up to him to save himself and his family.  Read the review here!

From Amazon.com: MARTIJN (Ryan Phillippe), an idealistic Dutch pianist, travels to Morocco to help start a food program for malnourished children. Within moments of his arrival, however, Martijn is abducted by a group of terrorists, injected with a debilitating drug, and imprisoned. Under threat of death, the young man engages in a mental chess match with AHMAT (Laurence Fishburne), trying to learn his captor’s true objective and avoid a horrible fate.

A psychic action thriller that tells the story of psychics (at some point they become superheroes) who are being stalked and controlled by the government. It is a battle of the bad psychics versus the good psychics.  Read the review here!

From AxelMusic.com: Bad blood between two urban crime families explodes into an all-out turf war in this gritty, hard-hitting drama set to rap and starring music legend Sticky Fingaz. Stick (Fingaz) has plans to leave the mean street life behind, but when two members of his Family are gunned down by a rival gang, he’s forced to choose between a new life for himself and his girlfriend – or loyalty to his blood brothers. Also starring Omar Epps, Mekhi Phifer, and Michael Rapaport.

Superhead is back and this time she is coming to DVD in Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jump Off.  According to Amazon.com:

Go deep into the underworld of hip-hop groupies and video vixens where sex is the backstage pass and young ladies use their bodies as a way to promote themselves and further their own careers. Narrated by top talk radio personality Wendy Williams, Kiss and Tail: Hollwood Jump Off takes a provocative look at the seedy side of the music business where hip-hop groupies pay a high price to get a taste of the celebrity lifestyle. Hear the real, raw truth about the groupie lifestyle from the scene’s biggest stars, including Ja Rule, Big Boi, Akon, Juelz Santana, Twista and more, and get the inside story from one of hip-hop’s most notorious femmes, Karrine: Superhead Steffens. Reenactments show how Karrine sexed her way through the hip-hop world, climbing her way up the ladder before crashing to the bottom. Now a bestselling author, she’s still kissing and telling, but the huge stars she allegedly bedded are telling their side of the story.

Wendy Williams narrating?  Reenactments?  I wonder if the reenactments will be as realistic as the days of Rescue 911?   I digress.. Karrine “Superhead” Steffens is milking this gig for everything that it’s worth.  Well, if you didn’t get enough of the books, interviews, TV specials and more — you can pick up the DVD on Tuesday, July 14th.

Jason is back and he hits DVD today. The legendary teen slasher flick franchise released a “remake” this year of the 1980 original. Basically, Jason Voorhees is back to inflict his wrath on anyone who steps in a ten mile radius of Crystal Lake, where he accidentally drowned 29 years ago, due to lazy camp counselors.

Special Features
Rebirth of Jason Voorhees
Additional Scenes

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For the Dough Boys, every day is a struggle to survive. Determined to make something of their lives, these four friends work any hustle no matter how risky. But when they bite off more than they can chew, their loyal bond is tested as they fight to stay alive. Now the rules of the streets that they live by are the very rules that could destroy them. Written by Preston Whitmore, who was behind This Christmas, the BET movie stars Wood Harris, who was also in Benny Boom’s Next Day Air, which was released in May. Also, includes Sticky Fingaz from Blade and Doing Hard Time. Pick up Dough Boys today!

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After an epic long rap sheet, Madea is finally locked up. Somewhere in between, a drug-addicted prostitute needs to be rescued by her former college classmate, who is now a successful lawyer. The movie stars Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Viola Davis and Keshia Knight Pulliam.

Special Features
Madea Is Back
Leroy Law Brown
Looking For The Big House
You Have The Right To Remain Silent!
Bringing In The Heavy Hitters

These DVDs are all available today!

Check out the DVD releases for this week…

The award winning “Doubt” is on DVD today, which stars Meryl Streep and Viola Davis, who received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.

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Keanu Reeves‘ end of the world thriller is available today.  Although bashed by critics, this DVD includes three discs, packed with bonus features.

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Mike Epps‘ stand up DVD, “Funny-Bidness,” hits the streets.  His raunchy but charismatic style is packed in this 90-minute special, which includes behind the scenes footage of Epps on the road.

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Written by T.D. Jakes, Not Easily Broken is officially available on DVD.  The movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Morris Chestnut and Jenifer Lewis.  Click here for our interviews with Chestnut and Lewis.

Check out the new releases on DVD this week!

Slumdog Millionaire is on DVD today.  The Oscar-winning film captured the world, opening a new era of diversity in Hollywood.

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For dog lovers, Marley & Me is available on DVD today.  The films stars Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, who are bonded through a dog.

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You can never get enough of President Obama.  “Frontline” releases their DVD on our 44th President, which chronicles his journey to the White House.

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Seven Pounds hits DVD and Blu-Ray today.  The movie stars Rosario Dawson and of course Will Smith.  A downtrodden man does good deeds for others to make up for the voids in his life.  Michael Ealy is also in the movie — check out our interview with him here!

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s there were many music movements taking over the world. Grunge rock, “gangsta’” rap and one movement that was just as important, yet didn’t receive mainstream attention: The Good Lifers movement. They were a group of talented Los Angeles teens giving a different option for hip hop from the popularized west coast gangsta style.  Communing at The Good Life Health Food store from 1989 to 1995 for open mic night, their talents attracted attention from Lenny Kravitz, Fat Joe, Ice Cube and even Shannen Doherty of “90210” fame. Many artists were signed, all on the verge of massive success—however, it never happened.

The documentary about the Good Lifers, “This Is The Life,” hits DVD today. Critically acclaimed, the film, directed by Ava DuVernay, was the winner of Audience Awards in Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle. At first, one might think, “Another documentary on hip hop?” But, “This is The Life” gives a fresh, introspective look at teenagers who challenged the pop standard all through creativity, talent and passion. This little-known musical movement is humanized with the stories of artists and groups like Medusa, Figure of Speech, Pigeon John and Freestyle Fellowship; artists who never got their respect in the music industry.

“This Is The Life” includes vintage footage from the days of The Good Life, which is interesting to watch and hear. But, the real truth is when you hear the personal stories of the artists. One rapper, Peace, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, which put a halt to his career with the group Freestyle Fellowship. There is insight from the female artists such as Medusa and Figure of Speech, who gave sharp takes on gender. Most surprisingly, are the accusations that artists like Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and groups like Bones Thugs N Harmony allegedly stole ideas from The Good Lifers crew.

The documentary skillfully and honestly answers the question, “Why didn’t they make it?” Several artists were signed to labels, graced the covers of magazines, and had music videos, but still fell short of the glory. As one person explained, The Good Lifers were more concerned with just being artists rather than businesspeople. In trying to answer the question, DuVernay reveals a vicious, seedy and manipulative side of the music industry that every aspiring artist from rock to hip hop should know.

While there have been countless documentaries on hip hop, this is a story that needs to be told. After the film’s 97 minutes end, “This Is The Life” manages to restore your faith in the art form of hip hop. Maybe hip hop isn’t dead.

“This Is The Life” is available on DVD today. You can purchase at www.goodlifelove.com and it’s also available on Netflix and Indie Flix.

Check out the trailer!