Happy Holidays!!!

Infinite Magazine wishes you a Happy Holiday and a great New Year! Be sure to check out http://www.infinitemag.net/ in the year 2008!!!


Infinite MagaZine

Literary Review- Keeping Misery Company

Author: Michelle Larks
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Cost: $14.95
Pages: 358
ISBN: 978-1-60162-948-7



Old secrets, lies, drama, and faith are put into one book called Keeping Misery Company by Michelle Larks. Michelle takes you into the lives of an ordinary looking Christian family and demonstrates just how out of order they are but the power of faith keeps them together.

Ruth Wilcox is the daughter of Chicago minister, Reverend Isaiah Clayton and Queen Esther, a wife to Daniel Wilcox, a mother, and grandmother. Ruth grew up knowing one world and that was the church. She looked up to her mother and father and only went against their wishes once and that’s when she married Daniel who was a bus driver and a player.

Daniel thought that he could mold Ruth into the woman that he wanted her to be and it didn’t hurt that church girls were supposed to be freaks in bed. However, Daniel married a minister’s daughter who was not your average church girl. Ruth is a woman who had family values and believes in being righteous everyday. Daniel’s main issue with Ruth was that she seemed to be more involved with their children than their fastly dwindling relationship. Ruth cooked and cleaned for her husband, but she didn’t do what he wanted the most and that was to spend time with him in and out of the bed.

Ruth and Daniel begin to sleep in separate rooms and live separate lives. Ruth feels like the marriage could be repaired but Daniel thinks that it’s just too late, especially when he meets Lenora, a young sexy lady that fulfills Daniel needs and desires.

After an emotional divorce Ruth has to look towards her faith and move on with her life but that is not as easy as it sounds because old secrets within the family begin to surface and Ruth is left to repair everyone’s faith, thus Keeping Misery Company.

I think that this book was well written and it definitely shows that there is good and bad in family relationships. The one thing that bothered me as a reader is in the beginning, Ruth knows that she is the main cause to her husband staying out late and his infidelity because she admits to letting go of her looks and paying more attention to the kids.
Daniel asked her on plenty of occasions to spend time with him. Ruth promised that when their youngest child went to college that she would make that commitment but she did not follow through leaving Daniel no other choice but to feel that he has to get the attention from elsewhere.

Why is he considered the bad guy for asking for what he wants from his wife? Was he or was he not deserving of the attention that he wanted from Ruth? Wouldn’t a woman ask for the same thing and expect to receive it?
Daniel did do some dumb things but I don’t think he should have been made out to be a bad person throughout the story. If Ruth had been performing her wifely duties then Daniel wouldn’t have left.

Check out the book and tell me what you think…

Agasa Elitou- Book Reviewer

Music Review- LaFonda Go Hard or Go Home

Lafonda is the Bronx Bombshell making waves up in the NYC. We all know that the industry is hurting for something real and this sister as a positive force is ready to heal. With the new kids on the block that seem to be afraid to speak or sing words of encouragement and upliftment on their CD’s, Lafonda gives us a vision of a real woman with her lady like style. Not to mention that she is a true talent that has a nicely toned and funky today sound.

Her smash single, “Ooh Ahh” which comes from her latest CD, "Go Hard or Go Home" has been well received in the clubs, and has become one of iMAG's faves. Out of all the CD’s, that were sent to iMAG within the week, Lafonda’s "Go Hard or Go Home" received the most attention because it was pleasing to hear an artist with the courage to be real-- reminiscent of Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and others that precede her.

Although her image does not particularly match that of her message, don't let her sassy look fool you, and don’t let that stop you from checking her mix CD out.

More About Lafonda

• Performed on BET’s 106 & Park- “Wild Out Wednesdays”
• Featured on various website and print publications
• Featured on several mixtapes

Visit and listen to her sounds at her myspace: www.myspace.com/lafondaforever.com

Share your thoughts on the CD...

Aalim Elitou- Reviewer

More Drama After the Sopranos!!!

One of the most talked about and followed shows that ever hit the (originally aired on) HBO network has to be The Sopranos, an award-winning American television drama series created by David Chase. It is a show that gives you an inside glimpse on the life and times of a crime family that is connected with other crime families and the stress that goes along with holding down an empire.

Tony Soprano is a regular guy with the irregular responsibility of keeping the violent less violent than they truly are with seemingly fairly little success. He suffers from violent outburst which is less than a good role model for non-violence. Throughout the seasons we have learned that there is truth to the old saying, “there is no honor among thieves”.

If you watch the news that’s being broadcast on major networks worldwide you know that the creator David Chase of the popular mob drama is being sued by a former New Jersey municipal court judge Robert Baer's who claims his ideas helped Chase create The Sopranos plot and he is seeking both credit and compensation in a twice dismissed five-year legal battle.

Mr. Baer claims that in 1995 he had an idea for a TV show about organized crime in New Jersey years before the show was even brought to the TV screen. He suggested it to Mr. Chase and gave him a crash course on the North Jersey mob. Baer says that he arranged meetings with police detectives and other experts and escorted him around mob sites in the Newark-Elizabeth area of north New Jersey.

Chase called the claims "grossly distorted, petulant and self-aggrandizing", and said Mr. Baer provided a "modest service", arranging to introduce him to individuals who were experienced in certain facets of organized crime.

It is true that certain people in the movie industry aren’t exactly pay friendly and there is a lot of hocus pocus in the business. It could be for this reason that despite the fact that his lawsuit has been twice dismissed he has managed to get those dismissals overturned and a jury at the federal court in Trenton, New Jersey, has been sworn in.

What do you think the outcome will be? Will three be the charm or will this be the third dismissal? Tell us what you think just hit the comment button and reply.

By Aalim Elitou

On the Set of I Am Legend

Finally the movie is here! The crew at iMAG was on the set as people tried to escape New York. I Am Legend, has become one of the most anticipated movies of 2007. The movie is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film directed by Francis Lawrence that stars none other than Philly’s own Will Smith. Smith plays Robert Neville, possibly Earth's only survivor of a man-made virus. He works to create a cure but is stalked by nocturnal mutant survivors of the plague.

It is the fourth film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend; following 1964's The Last Man on Earth, 1971's The Omega Man and 2007 direct-to-video I Am Omega. Warner Bros. Pictures began developing I Am Legend in 1994, and various actors and directors were attached to the project, though it did not enter production due to budgetary concerns. I Am Legend entered production in 2006 in New York City. Filming for I Am Legend was mainly on location in the city including a $5 million scene at the Brooklyn Bridge is the most expensive scene filmed in the city to date. (wikipedia.org)

I Am Legend was released December 14, 2007 in the United States and it brought back fond memories. We first began to film when the many people of NYC were trying to escape the island because of the plague that was vastly spreading. As we reached the Brooklyn Bridge, we had to wait for rescue helicopters that were suppose to help everyone evacuate but to our surprise no one was leaving.

Helicopters and the waterfront piers are blown up in order to keep people back as the risk of infection is too easy to spread and leaving the civilians seemed to be in the best interests to the government.

There were more than 1,000 extras who endured the weather just to be a part of this mass production and interestingly enough, the movie American Gangster, the film featuring Denzel Washington which was released close to the end of the year was being filmed at the same time in Harlem. There were many people who were a part of both movies that week.

We had the opportunity to meet with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith (who is not featured in the film). Will Smith is a showman and a great lover of his fans and the people that he works with. He performed and joked for more than an hour. His showmanship lifted the moods of the people who had to get ready for more long hours in the very cold weather.

This movie thus far is a must see and the reviews have been nothing but positive from the performance of Will Smith to the overall production of the film. When you go to check it out, let us know if you spotted the iMAG team!!!

What did you think of the movie???

By Aalim Elitou

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

The New Bonnie and Clyde Learn the Art of Cheating

The new Bonnie and Clyde darlings (named by Philly police) of credit card and fraudulent identity theft have made international news with their recent arrest after stealing a great deal (close to $100,000) of money from their neighbors who live in the upscale condominium complex in Philadelphia, PA.

How did they do it?
According to investigators, Jocelyn Kirsch, 22, a Drexel University student and Edward Anderton, 25, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, obtained most of the mailbox and door keys of their neighbors. That allegedly allowed them to get personal information and steal their neighbors' identities. Police said they don't know how the couple was able to obtain all of the keys to the mailboxes and condo units. "What they may have done with the keys is maybe enter and place that software on unknowing parties computers, and then wait to recoup whatever information they could from that software," Sweeney said.

They were living the high life. They vacationed in Europe, the Caribbean and North America.
But police said their high living was financed with other people's money -- that of several of their neighbors at the upscale Belgravia Condos in Center City.

"These are two young people who have been given substantial gifts in life," said Philadelphia police Detective Terry Sweeney. "They're like a parasite that infested themselves in the building and then, basically, spread throughout the building," Sweeney said.

Authorities became aware of the alleged operation which they said had been on-going for about a year when a woman in the condo building was called by a UPS store about a package she said she didn't ordered. When Anderton and Kirsch came to pick it up, the police were waiting.

Police confiscated real and fake drivers' licenses, credit cards, nearly $18,000 in cash, ID-making machines, a book titled 'The Art of Cheating' and software that can be used to get information from a computer.

They were arrested on some charges and released on bail but are expected to face additional counts soon. But there is more bad news for the couple. It appears they're the focus of multiple federal investigations as well.

The most interesting thing about this story for iMAG was that the book, “The Art of Cheating” came across our desk in October for review. This little book has ways of cheating listed from how to fake an orgasm, cheating on a diet, getting away with perjury, calling in sick at work, getting away with tax fraud, getting away with office theft, and getting out of paying your way.

What would make a person write such a book?
Well according to the author, Jessica Dorfman Jones, “Whether we want to admit it or not cheating is an inescapable part of the human condition.” And although most may agree, others feel that her book contributes to the weakened society that is built on “fake it till you make it” and “good guys finish last”. Whether it be your career or just finish first in a contest, this little book is suppose to assist you in being the best in cheating that you will ever be. There are many people that are looking for ways to get the upper hand because of the benefits that await those that get to the top.

Who would buy this book?
That would depend on the individual. From employee to employer; student to teacher; if a person is looking to lie and connive their way to the top then this book is a great how-to guide. If a person is looking for the best way to get out of work then they will purchase the book for the best schemes but keep in mind that the boss may be reading it also. The book becomes valuable to not only the con but also the one that is the possible victim because they are ahead of the game.

Is the author condoning cheating?
From the title you would think that the author is praising the art of cheating and to some point this writer would agree but it is very interesting to note that she has added a section for those who may be conned to look out for particular signs so that they would know when they are bait on a hook. In addition, there is a section within each chapter in which she gives you the downfall of the potential crime which should make a person think before they commit to their plans and “Would I Lie” tells of cheaters who were caught and the consequences of their actions. Therefore it is truly hard to determine if she is on the side of the criminal or the victim, but one thing is for sure and that the person reading this book has an option and they will come out a either a great asset to society or a menace.

Overall, this book will certainly bring awareness to everyone who reads it just ask the new Bonnie and Clyde of the 21st century, and karma is definitely a kick in the ass.

What do you think of the book? Do you think that a book on cheating is wrong? Do you think that the book is a benefit or a curse? Share your thoughts...

Heather Elitou- Reviewer