Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 January 2003 — Page 19

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2003

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

PAGE C3

Queen Latifah reigns supreme in 'Chicago'

By KARU F. DANIELS Electronic Urban Report

Though mainstream media outlets are overflowing with exposure about “Chicago” stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger, they should not sleep on the contribution that hip-hop superstar Queen Latifah has made to the filmed version of the hit Kander & Ebb Broadway musical. In the Rob Marshall-directed film, which opened Christmas week to critical acclaim, Queen Latifah (born Dana Owens) plays Matron Mama Morton, a crooked, no-holds barred diva that oversees the inmates at the Cook County Correctional Facility for Women. And she brings much gusto to the role. “Queen Latifah is an amazing actress,” says “Chicago” executive producer Neil Meron. “It’s putting a spin on the role, and reinventing it, and not disrupting the period. She’s incredibly believable, and she brings her own spirit, talent, and brilliance to the role of Mama Morton.” Queen Latifah’s spirit is what audiences have grown to know since she first stepped on the scene as an Afro-centric, femaleliberating rap goddess in 1989 with her debut album, “All Hail to the Queen.” Numerous accolades, a Grammy award, gold and platinum records, a critically-ac-claimed TV sitcom that made it into syndication soon followed, along with Hollywood cache. Her star power even shines more with her endorsement deal with Cover Girl cosmetics. Her breakout role in the gritty urban heist drama, “Set It Off,” made Tinsel Town take notice of the Newark-bred home girl. The former syndicated talk-show host and best-selling author (“Ladies First”) has worked alongside Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes (“Jungle Fever”), Jada PinkettSmith, VivicaA. Fox (“Set It Off”), Danny Devito, Holly Hunter (“Living Out Loud”), Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie (“The Bone Collector”), Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs and Mos Def

(“Brown Sugar”), to date. Queen Latifah, while doing publicity chores for the “Chicago" film, shared iier thoughts and feelings on other subjects, including: • Teaching the girls the ropes. “Well, I just inspired them a bit, you know. I told them to watch me and see how I do it. Actually, there was a guy from Miramax whose sole job was to make sure we got the lip synch right. So, if anything, he drove my ass crazy'. I was like, “Damned, I missed that word?” It wasn’t too bad because we all sang it so it wasn’t like we were trying to mimic someone's music. It was us doing ourselves. For the most part, you had to because if you didn’t, it wouldn’t look right. I’m not going to lie. I tried to get over once, but it didn’t work out. So I belted out every single time, but it got more fun as we did it. Even with atmosphere, and I have to give the extras props, because they had a good time. They were sitting there and enjoying this good thing like we are.” ***** • “Chicago” confidence. “I always believed in me. I never take a job I don’t feel like I can do. Some people take jobs for the money or some take it for the opportunity, but I don’t on things I don’t think I give a 100 percent to. I felt I could give 100 percent to this movie. I was delightfully surprised at everybody's reaction. I was actually paying homage to everyone else. Catherine ZetaJones was dancing her ass off and I didn’t know she could do that. John C. Reilly got me with his song number. I was like, ‘Wow, I’m part of something special.’ And some of the dancers that are in this movie are from the Broadway production. The things that men and women can do with their bodies amazes me, so I was sort of in awe throughout the whole process and really proud of how director Rob Marshall was handling this whole thing. “It could be a big undertaking in his first picture. This guy was rock steady and you trusted yourself in his hands because he was cool about everything and so was his whole team. He’s the director

and at the same time he could have you work with one of his assistants and you know’ that they will do just a good of a job as Rob. He has good people working with him and that was cool. We had a lot of fun doing this movie. It was work, but wehad fun." ***** • The return of the movie musical. “I grew up watching this stuff. I don’t even understand why they stopped making musicals. That’s one of the things I’m most happy about with this movie. (Miramax Pictures head honcho) Harvey (Weinstein) loves this movie. He’s passionate about it. He’s not trying to go out and sell it to make $100 million on this thing. If it does that, then that would be great. But it’s more about the love to make this movie happen and the passion behind it, and I’m enjoying that. “Like they really care about the movie itself not so much about the money. I’m hoping that with success of ‘Moulin Rogue’ and I thanked Nicole Kidman just recently for doing their thing because she and Baz Luhrman made it a lot easier for us to do this. And if this film can be successful, then more people can make more musicals.” *****

for jobs.” ***** • An album of straight singing, not rapping. " I'm going to one day. I may do a jazz standard album. Just for fun. Not before I turn 35.1 need something to look forward to. I have to have these little goals. Give me a few’ years and I’ll be ready. I have to make sure I do it right.” ***** • Staying grounded... ”1 shoveled the driveway at my mother‘s house when it snowed recently. That’s how’ you stay grounded. She makes me walk the dog and take out the trash, so how can I get a big head?"

I N W

hIivt

• Taking on Hollywood. ’You know me. I’m kind of one of those people who loves the opportunity to work and do creative things and do a film that’s different from the last one which is different from the one before that. I’m one of those people who feel like they can do anything if I put my mind to. So you’ll never catch me doing one kind of movie, that’s just my thing. Or stay in one kind of music, or just do film not TV or just do TV and not do film. I just love the opportunity’ to just do different things and try’ to be creative. I’m not into “R” stuff. I’m not good at peddling myself if that makes sense. Some people are great at selling themselves. I’mtoohumble for that. I’m still trying to learn. I enjoy it. I feel like it’sablessinglike it’s a one in a million shot and you have to respect it because there are actors out there who are dying

STIIItmillLSI'KIAIS

Ladies & Mens Suits & Stacy Adams For Men and Boys!! All Colors & All Sizes Solids & Two Tones High Tops, Low Tops & Slip Ons Great Selection, Great Prices

JULIA SAMS Hours: Mon.-Sal 10-6

SAMS SHOES 5211 East 38th SI. 546-7267 All Major Credit Cards Accepted

Get the latest news and information from our website. Check us out at www.indianapolisrecorder.com

W 1430 XNT

“Sistah Talk” The# 1 Show To Empower Women of Color Hosted by Radio/TV Talk Show Host

Linda “LC” Clemons

TOPICS • Relationships • Beauty’ • Celebrity Interviews • Spirituality • Current Events • Entrepreneurship • Finance Join the Sistah Fosse Trips • Prizes • Contest • Give-a ways New Day-New Time Sunday 10:00AM -12 Noon • Live and Interactive

(317) 239-1430

/Aw annual fftea/'f o/V/olc/ Mall Saving lives has never been this much fun!

January 31, 2003 6p.m.-midnight Indianapolis Marriott Downtown White-tie, black-tie optional $ 200 per person Call 873-3640 to reserve your corporate table or to purchase tickets. All guests must be at least 21. No refunds.

Party like your life depends on it. It actually could. American I Icart Association funded research has led to the development of CPR, bypass surgery, implantable defibrillators, pacemakers, microsurgery and other medical advances Come to a party with a heart!

American Heart Association*^^ Fighting Heart Disease and Strone American Stroke Association

I ML U.AKIAN CARDIOVASCULAR Presented by: CENTER ^7 III! HOSPITM I OK All YOUR heA*U NEIDS rwi .’i.TT <**.’»• mmkkm id Wav

! ll \U i ■id

mil iv\11

A Division ot American H»Mrt Assnmtinn