July 3, 2025

The New Citizens Press

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Arts & Entertainment

Movie Review: Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds

Rina Risper06 mins

Studio:     Lionsgate (111 min)
Plot:     A wealthy businessman is forced to re-examine his life, when he meets a single mother who works on the cleaning crew in his office building.
Cast:     Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Gabrielle Union, Brian White, Rebecca Romijn, Jamie Kennedy, Phylicia Rashad, Beverly Johnson
Rating:     PG-13
Bottom Line:     **
 
By Samantha Ofole-Prince
 
Tyler Perry wants audiences to know that he’s tackling a new genre in his latest offering “Good Deeds.”
 
Perry, who has made twelve inspirational themed flicks in eight years, returns as actor, writer, director and producer in what he coins a “romantic movie.”

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Comfort Food for the Mind, Body, and Soul”: CROCKPOT CHEESECAKE!!

Rina Risper04 mins

Home cooking for a new generation. Easy and elegant recipes from the heart and soul created for today’s family.  Beef stew recipe included.

 

By Sharon Fox

 

Crust

– 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

… – 2 T brown sugar

– 3 T melted butter

 

Filling

– 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature, softened

– 3/4 cup white sugar

– 2 large eggs, room temperature

– 1/4 cup heavy cream

– 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or lemon)

– 1 tbsp. flour

 

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Ask Tamara:Facebook Breakup

Rina Risper06 mins

Dear Tamara:
 
My boyfriend and I recently had a heated argument. I was sure that after a few days things would cool off and we would go back to normal, like we always do. That was until a mutual friend told me that my boyfriend had changed his relationship status on Facebook. When I went to check, I found that he had “unfriended” me and completely blocked me from his page! Not only was I furious, I was embarrassed. 
 
We have a ton of mutual friends and he is friends with several members of my family. Needless to say, I have been getting a ton of phone calls and text messages from people wanting to know what’s going on and if I’m okay. I am not sure what to tell people; especially since I didn’t know that we had broken up. I hate that he put our business on blast. How should I respond to this? Should I change my relationship status as well?
 
Unfriended

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The Psychological War on Hip Hop?

Rina Risper06 mins

Professor Griff wrote The “Psychological Covert War on Hip Hop” and the brainwashing of a culture. 
Courtesy photo

 
By Nick Edmonds
 
Everyone who knows Public Enemy, knows what they they stand for. Their music was conscience and delivered a strong message that is still relevant in today’s society. Public Enemy delivered a positive and empowering message, opposite of what you would hear from the average rapper today who would tell you to make as much money as you can and then spend it all on cars, clothes, jewelry and women. Public Enemy’s  music was a lesson that needs to be taught over and over again.

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Movie Review: Safe House

Rina Risper04 mins

Studio: Universal Pictures (115 min)
Plot: A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, he finds himself on the run with the fugitive.
Cast:     Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard
Rating:     R
Bottom Line:     ***1/2
 
By Samantha Ofole-Prince
 
A thriller with grit and intrigue, Denzel Washington plays the CIA’s most dangerous traitor, Tobin Frost, who stuns the intelligence community when he surfaces in South Africa.
 
When the safe house to which he’s remanded is attacked by brutal mercenaries, a rookie (Ryan Reynolds) is forced to help him escape. It’s kill or be killed, so joining forces, the duo are forced to track down the mercenaries who want them dead.
 

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Celebrity Interviews: A Physically Exhausting Performance, David Oyelowo on “Red Tails”

Rina Risper08 mins

David Oyelowo
 
By Samantha Ofole-Prince
 
Audiences grooved to his energetic portrayal of blues man Muddy Waters in “Who Do You Love,” sympathized with his dilemma as Joseph Asagai in the television drama “A Raisin in the Sun” and applauded his character’s demise in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”

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Joyful Noise

Rina Risper04 mins

Studio: Warner Bros. (117 mins)
Plot: Two strong minded women clash over their choir group’s direction as they head into a national competition.
Cast: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton,  Keke Palmer, Jesse L. Martin, Dexter Darden, Courtney B. Vance
Rating:  PG-13
Bottom Line: ***1/2
 
By Samantha Ofole-Prince
 
An exhilarating musical with rousing gospel numbers, “Joyful Noise” is a likable drama with a touch of humor that’s fairly engaging even when no one is singing.
 
The story circles around two strong-minded women played by Dana Owens (aka Queen Latifah) and Dolly Parton, who are forced to cooperate when a budget cut threatens to shut down their small-town choir. Despite being at odds, both Vi Rose (Latifah) and G.G. (Parton) have one thing in common: they love the choir.

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Ask Tamara: Out of the Closet!

Rina Risper05 mins

Dear Tamara:
 
During a recent family gathering, my youngest brother announced that he is gay. The entire family was shocked, including me. I never suspected that my brother was gay. Growing up he had plenty of girlfriends and didn’t show any signs of being gay. I haven’t spoken to him since his big announcement and am really unsure about what to say or how to handle the situation. 
 
On one hand I want to support my brother and let him know that I still love him, but on the other I am really worried about him. Our family grew up in the church and this is not the way we were raised. I don’t agree with my brother choosing to live a gay lifestyle, I think homosexuality is a sin and I don’t want him to suffer. What can I do about this?
 
My Brother’s Keeper

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Best Flicks of 2011

Rina Risper07 mins

By Samantha Ofole-Prince
 
From fascinating franchises to thrilling new installments, film critic Samantha Ofole-Prince reviews the best 11 movies of 2011.
 
Like any other year, 2011 has had its fair share of turds and treats.
 
This was a year in which sequels had a huge presence on the big screen with two of the biggest successes at the movie box office being the final installment of the “Harry Potter” franchise and the “Twilight” sequel.
 
There were also unnecessary sequels to “Mission Impossible,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,”  “Sherlock Holmes,” numerous book adaptations, and a grand total of 40 3-D flicks released.

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The Reason Why I Smile

Rina Risper015 mins

By Soltreu
 
Life is a fascinating journey filled with lessons to be learned, love to be had, and wisdom to be gained. One thing I am learning from my journey of life is my experiences can be my triumph or downfall. My life’s story could have easily caused a negative turning point or an early end. I have had some embarrassing moments, but I choose to share them in hopes of helping others. I wrote a poem entitled, The Reason Why I Smile. It is my most personal piece where I share many tragedies I have been through and overcome. I am pretty open about things I have been through because I hope to be an inspiration. I desire for people to see there is a wonderful life even after a tragic moment. 

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