"The Karate Kid!"

Young Jaden Smith, the 11 year-old son of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith stars along with Jackie Chan in "The Karate Kid" which premieres tomorrow at movie theatres. The movie is produced by Smith's parents as an Overbrook Entertainment vehicle and is tracking to have a decent opening weekend projected to be in the $30 million plus range according to the Hollywood Reporter. The young Smith and his sister Willow have been thrust into the family business at young ages, and it will be interesting to see how their careers progress over time. When your father is the biggest box office in the world, that's a heavy burden to carry for anyone.

Now We Will Find Out If Avery Johnson Can Really Coach!

Avery Johnson will be named the new head coach of the New Jersey Nets as early as tomorrow, eventually signing what is believed to be a 3 year contract. Johnson has the best winning percentage of any coach in N.B.A. history, but that was with the Dallas Mavericks and with Johnson blowing a championship opportunity at the hands of Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Johnson hasn't even won a championship, so I hope that the Nets aren't expecting a savior.

Avery Johnson will probably survive long enough for the Nets to become respectable and then head back to the analyst booth at ESPN. No one in their right mind will turn away millions of dollars to babysit millionaire athletes on a mediocre basketball team.

Kanye West Returns To Chicago For A Good Cause!

Superstar producer and hip-hop artist Kanye West returned from his self imposed exile with performances at 3 Chicago schools in which he recognized the students' improvement in the areas of grades, behavior and attendance as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The 3 schools:Farragut Career Academy, John Marshall Metropolitan and Percy L. Julian High School were also treated to performances by Chicago products Common and Lupe Fiasco.

The Kanye West Foundation's third annual Stay In School Event shows that Kanye West still has his head on straight, and the fact that he celebrated his 33rd birthday with the performances shows his humility.

R.I.P. Marvin Isley!

Marvin Isley died yesterday at the age of 56. Marvin was the bassist for the Isley Brothers on their many hits after he joined the group in early 70s. When I was listening the to the incomparable Isley Brothers during the 70s and 80s, Marvin's brother Ronald's fluid voice lead the vocals on all of their hits. The one thing about groups and music back then was that the groups were self contained units that flourished because of many moving parts. Marvin's bass playing can be heard on hits such as "Voyage to Atlantis" and "For The Love of You." In his later years Marvin suffered from diabetes which resulted in both of his legs being amputated.

Marvin Isley leaves a lasting legacy of family music for all of us to enjoy, may he rest in peace.

Is President Obama Tough Enough!

President Barack Obama is being hammered right now during this BP oil fiasco. Even supporters of the President from Spike Lee to James Carville have criticized the Commander and Chief on what appears to be his lax handling of the crisis. When pictures began to appear last week of oil soaked birds, the perceived effects of the oil spill became a reality. Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News writes about how it's time for the president to hammer BP.

President Obama was elected to run our country, but his handling of the BP oil spill is raising red flags. New reports of the oil spill being fully fixed by late summer isn't acceptable. The President does need to get tougher with the company and restore the confidence in the people of our country that we showed him when we elected him as President.