The Breaking Point Cast Speaks

There Are No Words...

I have come to realize that there is not enough breath in my body to thank God enough for all the things that He has done for me.

Over the past few months, He has revealed Himself to me in ways that can only be referred to as miracles.  And within these amazing experiences that I have had, I have had to learn how to trust Him through the good and bad.  I have also had to learn that once I give something to Him that I cannot take it back, I have to trust Him to see it through to the end.  Because after all...He is God and He doesn't need my help.

Through my recent experiences I have also learned that possessing the ability to bridle one's tongue is of paramount importance. (Thanks mom!) All too often I find myself getting too comfortable with speaking about things pertaining to other people and their situations that I don't always realize that the words that I am speaking may be adversely affecting them in ways that I could never imagine, thereby blocking my own blessings.

Case and point: My mom and I were having a conversation about Bishop Eddie Long and I began to talk about my thoughts on the situation and why I felt the way I did in a very negative way. My mother immediately stopped me and reminded me that no one knows for sure yet what went on in the situation. We can only speculate. She also reminded me that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and that it was not for me or anyone else to judge that situation because only God can do that. But by all means the man should get his day in court.

She then pointed out that in the not to far future that I would be going before a judge for my own personal situation and asked me how I would feel if my whole case was played out and judged in the media by people who knew nothing about my circumstances and had no evidence.


There was nothing I could say, because I knew that in my personal situation I was being lied on and unfairly accused of things that I know I didn't do. So right then and there, we prayed together and I asked for forgiveness. But the kicker is that before she explained her point of view, I felt totally justified in my opinion because Bishop Long is a "celebrity" and it's common practice for society to talk about them just because.

Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Death and life are in your words! Do you know how powerful that statement is?

And James 3:6 goes on to say, "And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
 
So when we speak negativity in our lives, that's what manifests. The same thing goes with positivity. When you are going through trials and tribulations, stop and take a moment to think about the things you've been saying about yourself and others.  It really does matter.

For the sons and daughters of God, what is bound and loosed on Earth is bound and loosed in Heaven. And when you think about it in those terms it's a pretty heavy thing, so think about that the next time you are tempted to speak in anger toward or about someone.

I personally know that taming the tongue is a very hard thing to practice, but if you pray for me...I'll pray for you.

Just some food for thought...until next time!

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2011 NEXT Bash Commercial

The Real Tank

After a long hiatus, sexy R&B crooner Tank is back to making sex music.

Known and loved for his velvety voice and suave lyrical word play, "Mr. Please Don't Go" is back with a new single and a new vibe.

The latest release, Sex Music, from his upcoming album Now or Never, is a more up tempo vibe than what we're used to from Tank, but from the looks of things, it seems to be working out pretty well for him.

Fresh on the heels of a successful movie debut, Tank is now focused on doing what he does best: making bedroom bangers.

I got a chance to sit down with him to find out what he's been up to, what it's like playing the villain, what he likes in a lady and what we can expect from his latest project.

JB: What do you have going on right now?

Tank: I have a new single out right now called Sex Music and it's taking off. It's taking sexy and throwing a little bit of groove on it and making your bedroom move a little bit. You know what I mean? Like, just kind of shaking up the atmosphere a little bit. Not just the slow [jam], which everybody kind of expects from me, but we put some tempo on it and it's working pretty good for us.

JB: When can we expect the album to come out?

Tank: For the album, we're looking at around September, maybe a little later. We want to set it up and make sure we come out and that our first week is good and let everybody know that Tank is really back with new energy and everything.


JB: How much control did you have over this project?

Tank: Me and my company, we made the whole album the way we wanted to make it. We did pretty much most of it, but we went to some good friends of ours; Jim Jones, Rico Love, Danja, Stereo Types, Harvey Nixon, Jr. and we collaborated and got some good material from them. So, it wasn't like it was a selfish project, but it was just a project that we wanted to make and we used it and we put all the pieces together to make it work.

JB: How do you feel about it? What's the excitement level and what should fans expect?

Tank: Well, it's progress from my last album Sex, Love and Pain, which was nominated for two Grammys. And then being nominated with Pleasure P, Keri and Jamie and winning one with Jennifer Hudson, I've learned a lot over those years of producing and writing and in the things that I do for myself and the things I do for other people. Now I kind of get it. I kind of see the magic that works for me and the way that I can progress into a more powerful artist, a more powerful singer/songwriter, producer...the whole nine yards. So, I'm super excited about it because I feel like everything has met together at this point in time for a reason and that's why I titled the album Now or Never, because it's the pressure I put on myself. Number one, based on what we've been able to accomplish and where I feel like we are right now and based on what R&B is. And I feel like I'll join the war in taking a stance to make sure that R&B has a platform and not just place in somebody's small club, but in somebody's arena. That's what R&B deserves; that's where it was and that's where it should always be. So that's the fight. That's the gear I'm taking; now or never.

JB: So you don't feel pressure to keep up with the "Joneses"? You still feel like you're able to do what you do and stay true to yourself?

Tank: There's no pressure for me because the great part about what I do is that I help the Joneses keep up with the Joneses. I do the writing and producing for your Chris Brown's and for all these other people who are still very relevant, so it keeps me relevant and it keeps me current to do my own project. It just falls in line.

JB: You mentioned Chris Brown, how do you feel about the rap he's getting with not being able to get his just due as being an artist because of the past stuff that he's been through?

Tank: Well, you know it's some of everything, especially the things that end up being great. I think that he's just going through some things as a result of some things that he's been through and time heals all wounds. So in time he'll serve his debt to society and prayerfully the people will feel served and they'll get back to seeing him for what he is: a very talented young man and just appreciating him in that light.

JB: Ok, so let's talk about your acting career. You were recently in a movie, what was that like for you?

Tank: Yeah, I had the movie The Preacher's Kid with me and LeToya Luckett and a host of others, which was very awesome for me. We were like the only artists on set as far as singers and we were the lead so it was tough for me.


JB: You were playing a bad guy, right?

Tank: Yeah! We were around all of these good actors so we had to pull it together. So we had some great help on set to help us do all of that and it was a stretch for me because I'm like the villain. I'm used to being the guy that's consoling the ladies and helping them through everything, and now I'm actually putting them through it. So, it was neat because I never really et to express those feeling so that gave me a chance to say things I wouldn't normally say and probably thinking. Like stuff I'd mumble under my breath, I actually got to say out loud and it was real fun doing that.


JB: What was it like watching yourself play a role like that?

Tank: It was weird. It was just weird watching myself on film period because I'm my worst critic. So everything I'm watching like, "I could have did this. Oh, I wish I would have did that." So it was tough, but I think for the time I did everything I could to prayerfully be great in that movie. So hopefully everybody will check it out and like it.


JB: What's going on with the movie now?

Tank: It's on DVD. You can get it on iTunes, Blockbuster and all that stuff. Go check it out, it's a really good movie, really good message, the whole nine, so people should go check that out.

JB: Do you plan to do more movies?

Tank: Yeah, I'm doing more movies. I want to do some action movies and stuff like that, so we're working on all of that. My management team is helping me progress in that area to make sure that when we pop there, I want to be the best in that too. So, I've got a lot of work to do; there're a lot of people ahead of me in that game.


JB: What is the craziest thing that's ever happened to you on tour?

Tank: (laughing) I can' t say the craziest thing, but I've had fans almost tip over a limo.

JB: Wow.

Tank: I mean like literally rocking it to a point where it's off the ground. At first it's funny because you're like, "My fans love me!" Then it goes to, "Ahhh, we're gonna die!" (laughing) That was my craziest thing.


JB: For the ladies, what does Tank look for in a lady and are you single, looking or what?

Tank: I'm single. I don't know if time allows me to look, but what I do like in a woman...I guess the first thing is physical attraction; for me anyway. And I like a smile. I like a woman that takes care of herself, and you can tell that when you look at a woman from her hair to her fingernails, to her feet. You know, you can tell a lot from those things.

And then in getting to know a person, of course spirituality, a sense of God being present somewhere in her life, and a sense of humor. I like to laugh and have fun. I'm a big kid. So...yeah. An you can cook a little bit at least! Some bacon and eggs or something! (laughing) Get the stomach together!

JB: For all the women who think they know you based on what they see of you on TV, what is the biggest no-no for you?

Tank: I can't say that they would get this from me from watching me, but I guess the biggest no-no just to answer the question is: I don't like easy. I've always been attracted to the woman that really isn't rushing to get into VIP. Then it's like who is that? She's secure in her own things. You know what I mean? And she doesn't need me to validate that and that's the thing that's attractive to me.


JB: Wasn't there a point where you were doing a collabo with Tyrese and Ginuwine?

Tank: Yes.

JB: What happened with that?

Tank: We tried it and we had a little bit of success with it and at the end of the day when it came to actual business time it just didn't work out.

JB: Any collabos on the album you want to mention?

Tank: We're still keeping it a secret because we're still putting the finishing touches on the album. We've got some people that are coming to the table, thank God, and they are making this project colossal. I'm going to keep a lid on that for now. Nothing's ever done until it's mixed...so until it's mixed I'm not saying anything.

To keep up with Tank follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/therealtank.

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Lottery Ticket Movie Review

Bow Wow is back in his third big screen starring role in Ice Cube's new movie Lottery Ticket. This all-star cast production takes a comedic look at how people's lives can change when money gets involved.

In Lottery Ticket, Bow Wow plays Kevin Carson, a high school graduate, who by all practical appearances seems to be a responsible young man who is focused on working to help keep the bills paid at his grandmother's house. Until one day as luck would have it, what seemed to be the worst day of his life turns out to be the best day of his life when his number falls in the $370 million lottery.

Due to the fact that the day he goes to claim his winnings falls at the beginning of a long holiday weekend, Kevin is faced with the task of trying to figure out how he's going to hold on to the winning ticket, and his life, until the claims office reopens on Monday. And in midst of all this, somehow the entire neighborhood, including the neighborhood thug Lorenzo, finds out about his winnings and now everybody wants a piece.

With stars like Ice Cube, Brandon T. Jackson, Loretta Devine, Terry Crews, Mike Epps and Charlie Murphy one would walk into this movie expecting to be doubled-over from side-splitting laughter but unfortunately that wasn't the case; for me anyway.

While Lottery Ticket did have it's funny moments, I still left the theater a little disappointed that it wasn't as funny as I thought it was going to be. And for some reason when it came to the comedy relief, it just always seemed like Brandon T. Jackson tried way too hard to be "that guy".

Even though the overall message was endearing and the acting was believable, there was really nothing memorable about the film. I would have been totally cool waiting to see this one on video from the comfort of my own home.

So, at the end of the day I give Lottery Ticket a solid B-.


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Necessary Intolerance

Before I begin this tirade you have to watch the video to fully appreciate everything I am about to say.



When I first saw this video my jaw almost hit the floor. I was disgusted, appalled and saddened by the fact that anyone would find this behavior appropriate for a child, and worse yet, that they would find it funny enough to post on the Internet.

Kids do not need to watch any and everything that comes on TV. With all the sexual predators and perverts that are teeming in our neighborhoods, is it really a good idea to have a little girl posted on the web for the world to see how well she can "ride it"? Come on! Be serious!

It's really sad that the world we live in has become so desensitized to any and everything that goes on anymore, and it's a shame that the people who actually stand up and speak out about these things are called "intolerant" and "judgmental". 

Well sometimes intolerance is needed. It seems that the more we "tolerate" the worse things get.

We tolerated them taking God out of the schools. Now the kids are killing each other at staggering rates, drop outs have increased exponentially and  we don't even blink at teen pregnancy anymore.

We have allowed society to minimalize the sanctity of marriage and now divorce rates at an all time high, gay marriage has made a mockery of God's plan for the union between men and women, and we wonder why young men have no concept of what the word "family" really means or what it takes to maintain one.

Video games show people getting their heads chopped off with demonic figures plastered all over the place, while stealing cars is rewarded with money, women and prestige. They even have a game on the market overseas that allows people to simulate rapping young girls. Then we wonder why the same kids have no problem robbing, raping and killing people in real life.



It's way past time for some intolerance. Everything is not ok and saying so doesn't mean you're being judgmental; it just means that you're standing up for what's right.

Things are on a downward spiral; you only need to turn on the news to see that for yourself. If people, the church especially, doesn't speak out then what hope do we have?

We have to do better. Education is key...when we know better we do better. If you know better then reach out and teach somebody else. Be the change you want to see.

Be blessed and stay prayerful.

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Inception Review

Inception...where do I begin?

I'll start off by saying that Leonardo Dicaprio did a great job in this movie, but the problem is I still don't know whether to make heads or tales of the film itself. The best way to describe this film is complex.

Inception is essentially about a band of thieves who possess a very special skill: They can go into people's dreams and steal their ideas. Dom Cobb (played by Dicaprio) is the leader of the pack, and he is on the run from the U.S. government for murder and is desperately trying to find a way to get back home to his two children.

In the midst of being a fugitive, Cobb takes on various corporate espionage jobs with his partner Arthur (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) to keep his head above water. But after a job gone bad due to the fact that Cobb's deranged late wife likes to randomly show up and blow his cover, unable to continue on business-as-usual for fear that his disgruntled employers will end his life, Cobb is given an offer that he can't refuse by the man that he failed to steal the idea from.

The offer: Use Inception to plant an idea into the competitions mind. The reward: Criminal record disappears and Cobb gets to go home to his family.

It seems simple enough, but we all know that making it that simple would make for a very boring movie. Needless to say, the crew takes the job and everything that can go wrong does and the audience is left on the edge of their seats waiting to see if the hero will save the day.

I applaud this film for the creativity that went into the storyline and the artistry behind the cinematography, but at the end of the day this movie was very cerebral. There was very in depth talk about the subconscious mind, it's various levels and how traumatic occurrences in dreams can affect the brain in real life, along with a lot of other psychiatric mambo jumbo.  Not only was there the talk, but as a viewer you actually have to pay attention to it if you truly expect to understand what's going on in the movie. So, this is definitely not a film to go see while you're drunk or high.

Overall, Inception was a pretty good movie. For those who thrive on explosions, high speed car chases and highly choreographed fight scenes, there was plenty of that, but make no mistake- you're going to have to use your brain for this one.

So at the end of the day, I give this movie a solid B+. If you like going to the movies for mindless entertainment this is not the movie for you to spend theater money on. Wait until it comes out on DVD. But if you enjoy a good mind-boggler, then by all means knock yourself out with this one.