Free Republic

In an interview published November 25, actress Angela Bassett suggested some Chicago leaders are having trouble with Spike Lee’s film Chi-Raq because they are embarrassed by the gun violence in their city. “Chi-Raq” is a nickname given to Chicago because the violence in parts of the city is reminiscent of a war-zone like Iraq. According to The Wrap, Bassett said the “bloodshed” in Chicago’s black communities is “completely and utterly wasteful, shameful, hurtful to the core.” She said that Lee is trying to use his movie “to just bring some awareness….It’s a good picture, it’s very positive.” Bassett said she...

Robert De Niro has signed up to host a cocktail reception -- featuring first lady Michelle Obama -- to raise money for President Obama's re-election campaign, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The event, scheduled for March 19 at the Greenwich Hotel in New York, will be co-hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Star Jones, Angela Bassett and Tina Knowles, among others. For $5,000, guests will get one ticket to the reception plus a photo with the first lady. For $25,000, guests will be allowed to attend a private "greet" session with Obama.