Idris Elba: Upcoming Film as Mandela

I just heard about the upcoming Mandela film starring Idris Elba.
Not only is the sexy British actor headlining Guillermo del Toro‘s latest sci-fi epic Pacific Rim, he will be also playing Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-baity biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. His performance as the legendary South African leader is already generating tremendous buzz.
Elba himself has not been shy about touting his upcoming movie.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Elba called his version of Mandela “hands down the best.”

He went on to clarify, “Not in terms of performance…but my film’s about his entire life. Anyone wanting to understand who Mandela was should go and watch my film.”  The film chronicles his 27-year prison term and work to rebuild South Africa's segregated society.

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Hidden Gems - Volume VI: The Wire (Season One)

The Wire is one of those television shows that's like a secret society. To the outside world, The Wire seems like any other show about a police unit assigned to investigate crime. The title implies that at one point, an undercover detective is going to infiltrate an underground crime syndicate and eventually have his shirt ripped off to expose a small microphone duct taped to his chest, while a henchman observantly exclaims to the crime boss; "HE'S WEARING A WIRE"!

To those of us in the know, The Wire is a subtle masterpiece of story telling, that pulls no punches and allows you to witness both sides of the struggle. On one side, you have a rag tag unit of cops; each with their own vices. On the opposite side, you have an organized crime family that runs like a well oiled machine. 

Oh, and let's not forget about Omar.

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Hidden Gems - Volume III: Luther

In the 70's and 80's it was Billy Dee. In the 90's and the 2K's it was Denzel. As the sun sets on Mr. Washington's reign as "Mr. Grown And Sexy", there are only a few candidates capable of inheriting the throne. Judging by the response from the women in my family, one merely has to utter the name "Idris" and they begin to swoon like an extra from the "A Heart is a House for Love" concert scene from the 1991 urban classic - The Five Heartbeats. Which brings me to the topic at hand; the BBC TV crime drama, Luther.

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TV Faves Suited Up

October 13, 2011 was National Suit Up Day. Entertainment Weekly highlighted 22 actors for their fashion sense which made them tailor-made for the celebration. They included some of my TV faves. Here they are showcased and all suited up:

JON HAMM as Don Draper on Mad Men

Hamm's '60s ad man may have single-handedly revived an interest in the classic two-button suit with a look that men aspire to and women swoon over.

MATT BOMER as Neal Caffrey on White Collar

This con man/art thief may have plenty of substance to go along with his style, but it doesn't make his Dapper Dan act any harder on the eyes.

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On The Record: Idris Elba

British actor Idris Elba made his initial mark playing gangster Stringer Bell in “The Wire”, acclaimed as one of the best police shows America has ever produced. Elba loved portraying the cold-blooded character, but was glad to see him come to a bad end.

Idris was born in East London to African parents. His father was from Sierra Leone and his mother from Ghana. At the age of 14, he worked with his uncle, a DJ who played music at Sierra Leonean weddings and christenings. By 15, he was a DJ in his own right. In his early twenties he started trying out for parts on British television. After playing several supporting characters, he got a steady part on “Family Affairs” in 1997.

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