Keepingitreal

Comcast accused of setting up Internet 'toll booth'

Comcast Corp. has begun imposing a fee on Internet middleman Level 3 Communications Inc., one of the companies that Netflix Inc. has hired to deliver movies and TV shows to Web customers.

Comcast, the largest U.S. cable TV company, has set up an Internet "toll booth," charging Level 3 whenever customers request content, the Colorado-based company said Monday.

Level 3 plans to complain to U.S. regulators who may enact so-called net-neutrality rules next month. The Federal Communications Commission is seeking to bar phone and cable providers from interfering with legal traffic on their networks. The rules are backed by President Barack Obama and companies led by Google Inc., EBay Inc. and IAC/InterActiveCorp. Phone and cable companies say rules aren't needed and may hurt investment.

"This action by Comcast threatens the open Internet and is a clear abuse of the dominant control that Comcast exerts in broadband access," Thomas Stortz, Level 3's chief legal officer, said in the statement. "With this action, Comcast is preventing competing content from ever being delivered to Comcast's subscribers at all, unless Comcast's unilaterally determined toll is paid."

Comcast, which is seeking regulatory approval to acquire majority ownership of NBC Universal, defended the fee in a statement, saying it is based on "long established and mutually acceptable commercial arrangements" with Level 3's peers.

Traffic Jam?

Level 3 is preparing to more than double the traffic it puts on the cable provider's network and has tried to pressure the company into accepting it for free, Joe Waz, Comcast's senior vice president for external affairs, said in an e-mailed statement.

Level 3 announced on Nov. 11 that it will carry films and TV shows for the Web streaming service offered by Netflix.

Netflix accounts for more than a fifth of the traffic downloaded during the peak hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in the U.S., according to a report from broadband network company Sandvine Inc. Level 3 has said it will add capacity to its network to handle the extra load from Netflix's movies.

Jen Howard, a spokeswoman at the FCC, and Steve Swasey, a spokesman for Netflix, declined to comment.

Comcast fell 27 cents to $19.94 at 9:38 a.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. Shares of the Philadelphia-based company had gained 20 percent this year before today. Level 3, down 35 percent this year, fell 2 cents to 98 cents. Netflix, based in Los Gatos, California, lost $1.86 to $197.06.

Genachowski

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, in proposing net neutrality rules last year, called for a principle of non- discrimination by Internet-service providers. The FCC will meet on Dec. 21.

"This means they cannot block or degrade lawful traffic over their networks," Genachowski said.

Public Knowledge and the Media Access Project, two Washington-based advocacy groups, backed Level 3 yesterday. The groups said the request for payment to carry Level 3 traffic shows the need for stronger net neutrality legislation and more scrutiny of Comcast's NBC deal.

Comcast is seeking to buy 51 percent of NBC from General Electric Co. and needs FCC and Justice Department approval to complete the deal, which was announced almost one year ago.

Critics, such as Representative Rick Boucher, a Virginia Democrat and head of a U.S. House panel on communications, are concerned that a merger would restrict customers' access to content, particularly programs available online.

Zoom's Complaint

Also yesterday, Boston-based Zoom Telephonics Inc. told the FCC that Comcast requires unreasonable tests of modems used to connect to the Internet. Zoom asked the FCC to set aside Comcast's testing regime.

Comcast didn't ask Zoom to submit to testing that is any different than what it asks of other cable modem manufacturers, Sena Fitzmaurice, a Washington-based spokeswoman for Comcast, said in an e-mailed message.

"Comcast wants to make sure devices our customers purchase at retail will work well and are safe," Fitzmaurice said.

California fines large health plans nearly $5 million for underpaying claims

State regulators on Monday announced nearly $5 million in fines against California's seven largest health plans for underpaying claims to thousands of doctors and hospitals.

The health insurers also will have to pay tens of millions of dollars in restitution to those who were underpaid, said Cindy Ehnes, director of the California Department of Managed Health Care.

The penalties are the result of an 18-month audit launched after providers complained about long-standing difficulties in getting reimbursed properly and on time.

The insurers will be required to submit plans for changing their payment practices to avoid such problems in the future.

"California's hospitals and physicians must be paid fairly and on time," Ehnes said. "Providers are struggling to stay afloat in a very difficult business environment. Improper payment of provider claims runs the risk that our health care delivery system could grind to a halt."

The fines, totaling $4.85 million, included $900,000 for Anthem Blue Cross, $900,000 for Blue Shield of California, $800,000 for United/ PacifiCare, $750,000 for HealthNet, $750,000 for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, $450,000 for Cigna, and $300,000 for Aetna.

A spokesman for the plans said they will collaborate with state officials.

"We have long recognized that the administrative side of health care coverage can take valuable time away from patient care, which is why the plans have been working to

streamline processes both at the health plan level and in doctors' offices," said Patrick Johnston, president and chief executive officer of the California Association of Health Plans.

"California health plans remain dedicated to these efforts and will continue to work to make our system more efficient and effective to help prevent errors, reduce costs and ensure resources are devoted to patient care," he said in a written statement.

The state allows a 5 percent error rate, but the audit found that on average, insurers failed to pay about 20 percent of claims properly, Ehnes said.

When the audit began, insurers were failing to pay some claims within the required 45 working days, said Lynne Randolph, spokeswoman for the Department of Managed Health Care. Since then, however, many of the plans are paying on time, but not always the proper amount, she added.

Ehnes said she decided to order the audit after one frustrated provider told her that submitting a bill for payment was little more than "a ticket to chase payment," instead of a guarantee of payment.

The fines drew praise from a consumer health advocate who worries about the time diverted when providers seek reimbursement.

"Consumers would rather that the time and resources of health providers go to patient care, rather than in fighting to get insurers to pay correctly," said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California.

Ehnes estimated that about 70 percent of the restitution payments will go to hospitals and about 30 percent to physicians.

The audit also found flaws in the appeals process that providers must use to protest an underpaid bill or claims denial. Ehnes noted that with some firms, the appeal goes directly to the same person or department that made the original decision, virtually guaranteeing the same result.

Five of the seven plans were found to have flawed dispute procedures. The exceptions were Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California, which met requirements, Ehnes said.

After insurers submit their corrective action plans, the Department of Managed Health Care will do a follow-up audit within 18 months to ensure that the changes are made, Ehnes said.

"Health plans have to know that you mean business and they have to know you will follow up," she said.

Nelly on his chart profile: 'I’m still looked at as the underdog'

Nelly is struggling to comprehend one particular title bestowed upon him in his 10-year career: the underdog.

Despite selling more than 20 million albums in the U.S., having nearly a dozen top 10 singles, being ranked as the third top overall artist of the 2000-2009 decade by Billboard magazine behind Eminem and Usher and snagging a mantle's worth of Grammys, American Music Awards, Video Music Awards and BET Awards, he still feels looked upon as the underdog, and that perplexes him.

“I think it's because you’ve had so much success," he reasons, while noshing on fried shrimp in a private dining room at a West Hollywood hotel. "When you’ve had so much, people are tired of rooting for you to win."

It doesn't take long for the frustration to appear on his face.

"It boggles me. I’m still looked at as the underdog. I mean, how is it, a ... sells 30 million records and be looked at as the underdog? For some reason, I get it," he chuckles as he shakes his head. "It’s a mystery to me. I feel like no matter what I do, it’s going to be something.”

He knows part of that is due to the performance of his last album, 2008's “Brass Knuckles,” which delivered first-week sales that paled in comparison to the storied blockbuster success of his previous albums. That slide resulted in his latest release, “5.0,” being pegged as a "comeback."

The disc, which debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 for the week of Nov. 24 after selling a relatively few 63,000 copies, rides on the strength of his platinum single “Just a Dream.”

The St. Louis native doesn’t mince words on how he feels -- including taking to Twitter recently to blast his label, Universal Motown, for not promoting the album enough and providing retailers with only a certain number of copies.

“It’s hard being compared to yourself. I ain’t never met a person that can beat themselves. For some strange reason, people hold me to myself. It’s just like, ‘Yeah, "Brass Knuckles" didn’t do Nelly numbers,’ but it damn near sold 800,000. If you look at 800,000, today’s top artists are selling that,” he says. “I sold 800,000 on my worst record. Some people wait on you to not succeed the way you did before to call it a failure, a brick, a flop, to call it what you want to call it. There’s nothing I can do with that.” [For the record: A representative for Universal Motown clarified that while the label shipped nearly 800,000 units of "Brass Knuckles," the rapper only sold 230,000 copies.]

Since his debut 10 years ago with “Country Grammar,” the rapper born Cornell Haynes  Jr. has cemented his pop crossover status with radio- -- and club- -- friendly hooks propelled by his Midwestern twang and sing-songy flow. He's the first hip-hop artist to debut at nos. 1 and 2 in the same week after putting out "Sweat" and "Suit" on the same day in 2004, and his single "Over and Over" with Tim McGraw made him the first rapper with a hit on the country chart.

No stranger to success, he almost walked away from it all after the death of his sister, Jackie, in 2005 following a battle with leukemia.

“After you lose someone that close to you it makes you reevaluate things. You look at yourself in a different perspective, and music was one thing,” he said. “It made me want to stay home and spend more time with my family, my mom, my kids [he adopted Jackie's two children after she died]. There was so much she wanted to do. Trips she wanted to do, places she wanted to see. I don’t know if I could’ve lived through [what she did] and ever smile again.” CONTINUE READING..

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Diary of a Single Mom: Season 1 Episode 1

Fall Issue Swagga Digital Magazine

Bieber wins 4 AMAs, including artist of year

Justin Bieber's first American Music Awards was perfection. The 16-year-old teen heartthrob went four-for-four on Sunday night, capturing every award he was nominated for, including the top award of the night, favorite artist. He beat a list that featured veterans Eminem and Usher, as well as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. Bieber became the youngest person to ever win the trophy. Bieber also won favorite pop/rock album, favorite pop/rock male, and the show's breakthrough artist award. "I can't stop smiling; this is amazing," Bieber said after he also beat Eminem and Usher for favorite pop/rock male. "Truly I don't know how this is possible because I've been singing Eminem since I was three and Usher is my mentor. So this is big." Eminem, along with Lady Antebellum, had been the leading nominee with five awards. He didn't come up empty handed though, winning two, along with Usher, who also nabbed a pair. Lady Antebellum took home one. Other winners included the Black Eyed Peas and Taylor Swift, but Sunday's ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles was as much a showcase for acts with new albums as it was a celebration of the biggest achievers of 2010. Rihanna, with her hair dyed a ruby red, gave the show a colorful and sexy start, performing a medley of songs from her just released album "Loud," including the No. 1 hit "What's My Name," wearing a bustier and what seemed like a scarf wrapped around her backside. "This is amazing!" said an exuberant Rihanna, who danced onstage later to receive her award — favorite soul/R&B female. She ended her speech by yelling, "Wassup! Thank you!" The Black Eyed Peas, winners for favorite pop/rock band, gave a levitating performance, singing from boxes atop the stage during part of their performance of their new single, "The Time." Yet some of the prime-time performances were given to acts who weren't nominated, but had albums to promote. Diddy's latest incarnation with the group Diddy-Dirty Money sang material from their upcoming album, while Kid Rock gave a stirring, acoustic performance of "Times Like These," his song lifting up his hometown of Detroit during its recent economic struggles, from his new CD, "Born Free." A pregnant Pink was among the evening's performance highlights. Unlike recent appearances marked by a high-wire act, she stayed close to the ground to perform her latest song, "Raise Your Glass," but thrilled nonetheless with a tightly choreographed, high-energy dance number. Katy Perry had the evening's most explosive performance as pyrotechnics accentuated the performance of her latest song, "Firework." Swift, last year's artist of the year, took home favorite country female. Sporting sleek blonde hair instead of her usual cascading curls, Swift said simply: "I just want to thank the fans." Swift later performed her new single, "Back to December," a song she also performed at the CMA Awards earlier in the month, but mixed things up by incorporating some of OneRepublic's "Apologize." Ke$ha, perhaps trying to make up for the absent Lady Gaga, had the night's most bizarre act: She performed her heavily Auto-Tuned hit "Take It Off" looking like something out of space, with beams of light for eyes and sporting a motorcycle helmet. She then stripped down to a mirrored outfit, segueing into the next song with a pack of male dancers dressed like her, complete with blond wigs and fishnet stockings. 

Online: http://abc.go.com/shows/american-music-awards/

Vanessa Williams 47 on cover of Ebony

Morning News 11.19.10

1. Obama Faces Off Against GOP Over Nuclear Treaty
   The president has embarked on a high-stakes gambit to push through a nuclear arms treaty with Russia in the face of Republican opposition.
   Read original story in The New York Times | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

2. Fed Chairman Cries Foul on the Global Economic Playground
   Ben Bernanke will unleash an academic diss-fest against rising economic powers that he says aren't playing fair.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

3. New Zealand Mine Explosion Traps 27 Miners
   The cause of the explosion and the fate of the miners is still unknown.
   Read original story in BBC | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

4. Ethics Panel Votes to Censure Rangel
   Rangel may be the first representative to be censured by the House of Representatives since the Congressional page sex scandal of 1983.
   Read original story in The Boston Globe | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

5. Fox Boss Apologizes for Calling NPR Execs "Nazis"
   News chief Roger Ailes said he should have called them "bigots" instead.
   Read original story in CBS | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

6. Republicans Extinguish Unemployment Benefits
   GOP rejection of a bill to extend benefits for three months means the unemployed will be without help starting Nov. 30.
   Read original story in The Wall Street Journal | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

7. Battle Tanks Roll into Afghanistan for First Time
   The sixteen jet-powered battle machines are part of a plan to "take the gloves off" in the war with the Taliban.
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

8. Russians Baffled by GOP Opposition to Nuclear Treaty
   "I really don't think Republicans want to kill arms control."
   Read original story in The Washington Post | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

9. Bugatti Found Rotting in Barn Prompts Auction Frenzy
   The 1926 collectable went for seven times its estimated $15,000 value to a mystery bidder.
   Read original story in The Daily Telegraph | Friday, Nov. 19, 2010

10. Indian Microlending Industry in Danger of Collapse
    Angered by huge profits being made by for-profit mircrolenders, millions of borrowers have defaulted on their loans, sometimes with the encouragement of local government leaders.
    Read original story in The New York Times | Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

11. American High Schools Improve, Barely
    Scores on national reading and math exams inched up last year, but the vast majority of kids still can't read good.
    Read original story in The Washington Post | Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

12. Should Everyone Give Willow Palin a Break?
    She called a kid a "faggot" on Facebook, but is that grounds for universal condemnation? Several commentators say 16-year-olds should be able to run their mouths online without being endlessly analyzed by a bunch of adults with blogs.
    Read original story in Outside the Beltway | Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

House GOP blocks extension of jobless benefits - latimes.com

House GOP blocks extension of jobless benefits - latimes.com.

Nicki Minaj on The Wendy Williams Show

Rihanna Opens Up About Brief Fling With Drake

The recent onscreen romance, between Rihanna and Drake, in her new video for "What's My Name?" has sparked rumors that the two are an item ... as they were rumored to be last year.

(Watch the video for Rihanna's "What My Name?" right here )

While these days, the pair's relationship is platonic -- she's currently dating Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp -- Rihanna opened up about their brief romance in the past during a recent interview with Hot 97's Angie Martinez.

In May 2009, reports surfaced that Rihanna and Drake were spotted making out during a night on the town in New York, while the pair were hanging with friends at Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge.

While Drake addressed the relationship in the song, "Fireworks" off his debut Thank Me Later, Rihanna never really spoke publicly until now.

"We weren't really sure what it was," Rihanna told Martinez when asked if they once dated. "We just went out -- my friends, his friends."

Although Rihanna says she was attracted to the young rap star, due to the recent break-up with Chris Brown, she wasn't ready to take on a new relationship. "I definitely was attracted to Drake, but I think it is what it is, like it was what it was," Rihanna explained. "We didn't want to take it any further. It was at a really fragile time in my life, so I just didn't want to get too serious with anything or anyone at that time."

She later explained that today, however, things between the two are great, but they are just friends.

As far as her athlete boyfriend, Rihanna says he saw her steamy new video with Drake and didn't seem to have a problem with it. "[He] never said it out loud, but I don't know what he's thinking," she laughs. "He watched it the other day and he was like, 'I love that video. It's a great video, babe.' I don't know how true that really was, but he seemed to like it."

Actress Eva Longoria Files For Divorce From Spurs' Star Tony Parker

Actress Eva Longoria has filed for divorce from San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker recently, citing "irreconcilable differences."

While Eva is the one who filed the legal documents, sources are saying she's "devastated," because word is, Parker was involved with another woman.

"Extra" host Mario Lopez told TMZ that the actress confirmed to him that she found hundreds of text messages from another woman on Parker's phone.

That woman is rumored to be Erin Barry, who is currently in the middle of a divorce from former Spurs player Brent Barry. Lopez said Eva confirmed that rumor to him.

Since the news, Longoria tweeted (@EvaLongoria) the following: "It is with great sadness that after 7 years together, Tony and I have decided to divorce. We love each other deeply and pray for each other’s happiness."

And Parker also publicly address the divorce, saying before his game on Wednesday (November 17) that "This is a difficult time right now for me and Eva."

As far as rumors of another woman, Parker responded: "Everything else is our private life. That's my private life."

According to the documents, Longoria and Parker entered into an prenup agreement prior to their wedding, and also signed a post-nuptial agreement back in 2009.

However, she is asking the court to restore her pre-marriage name and drop the "Parker" from her surname, is seeking spousal support from Parker.

The couple tied the knot on July 2007 in Paris.

El DeBarge - Lay With You ft. Faith Evans

Travelers disembark 'nightmare' cruise amid cheers

Raheem DeVaughn chops it up about Tabi's upcoming album Fresh (November 22, 2010) and what you can expect.

Warriors hang on to give Lee win in MSG return

David Lee scored a season-high 28 points in his return to New York, Dorell Wright made two huge baskets in the final two minutes, and the Golden State Warriors improved their best start in 16 years to 6-2 by beating the Knicks 122-117 on Wednesday night.

Stephen Curry added 25 points and Monta Ellis had 22 for the Warriors, who blew a 19-point lead in the second half but were bailed out by Wright, who hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:58 remaining and added an insurance basket a minute later.

Lee grabbed his 10th rebound after Wilson Chandler missed a tying 3-point attempt and sank two clinching free throws with 1.5 seconds left, and the longtime fan favorite later jogged off to cheers after completing some postgame interviews on the court.

Amare Stoudemire, who essentially replaced Lee over the summer, had a season-high 33 points for the Knicks, who lost their third straight. Chandler added 27 and Raymond Felton scored 20.

Lee's three-point play ignited a big Golden State run in the third quarter, and another basket started a second key spurt when the Knicks cut it to three early in the fourth. Things looked settled at that point, but New York took a 113-111 lead on Felton's free throws with 2:11 remaining.

Wright then drilled his 3-pointer, and recovered a loose ball after Chandler's block and put it back in for a 116-113 edge with 59 seconds left. A free throw by Lee gave the Warriors' a two-score advantage, but the Knicks were back within one when Stoudemire nailed a 3 with 14 seconds to play before the Warriors closed it out from the line.

It's Golden State's best start since opening 7-2 in 1994-95.

Lee was a late first-round pick in 2005 who got better every year, becoming an All-Star last season when he averaged 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds. But the Knicks were looking for something more last summer, hoping they could land two superstars from the free agency class.

Re-signing Lee would have jeopardized that, so Lee said he realized by the end of the season that he would probably be moving on. The Knicks at least helped him get richer, arranging a sign-and-trade with the Warriors that allowed him to earn a more lucrative contract that will pay him $80 million over six years. CONTINUE READING...

Swagga Digital Magazine Fall Issue

Power Shift in U.S. Stirs Economic Worries Overseas

As Republicans prepare to assert new authority in Congress, America’s overseas trading partners worry that Washington’s political upheaval may pose fresh challenges to the global economy.

Despite pledges to curb government spending and the huge United States budget deficit, Republicans are expected to address anxiety over unemployment and flagging growth by pushing for an extension of the income tax cuts passed during the presidency of George W. Bush — a move that would add to the deficit and, by extension, further weaken the dollar.

“The rest of the world, including Asia, is looking at the United States and seeing no real effective policy measures in bringing the economy back on track,” said Bart van Ark, the chief economist at the Conference Board, which measures American economic indicators. “That is making the U.S. lose its legitimacy in the global economic community as a leader in terms of providing solutions.”

Maintaining taxes at their current relatively low rates could help lift consumer spending in the United States, while a cheaper dollar would make American exports more competitive. But analysts said those fixes would be only temporary and would be unlikely to reverse the waning of the United States economic clout, as emerging markets — led by China, India and Brazil — outpace industrial nations as drivers of global growth.

A weaker dollar, by making European exports priced in euros more expensive, may also damp efforts at an export-led recovery in European countries like Britain, Greece and Ireland that have adopted harsh austerity measures to rein in their excessive debts.

After the Obama administration pushed through changes to health care and to the financial system, voters signaled that they wanted reductions in federal spending. Representative John A. Boehner, the Ohio Republican set to become the next speaker of the House, reiterated a pledge after the elections to reduce the size of government, create jobs and change the way Congress does business.

That is no easy task. Voters also want to keep expensive entitlements and are hoping Republicans can reverse cuts to the Medicare program and extend the Bush tax cuts set to expire at year’s end. CONTINUE READING...

Review: Cast elevates 'For Colored Girls' from soap opera territory

By Randy Myers - YOU'VE GOT to admire Tyler Perry's gumption. The popular but critically lambasted king of such melodramas as "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" deserves credit for stepping out of his success zone.

If only his filmmaking talent matched his well-intentioned ambition.

Perry confronts a daunting challenge with "For Colored Girls," an update of the 1977 Tony Award-nominated theatrical drama "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf."

No question, Perry's "Girls" is compelling and powerful. But it's also a missed opportunity, one that fails to fully capitalize on mostly terrific performances and the story's timeless message about the resiliency of black sisterhood.

Stirring narratives

Perry's version of Ntozake Shange's landmark play interweaves nine stirring narratives of New Yorkers facing devastating personal crises including rape, murder, abortion, infidelity and betrayal.

The characters are portrayed by a who's who of African-American actresses. There's sassy Loretta Devine entertainingly hamming it up as big-hearted Juanita, a health-clinic do-gooder addicted to a fickle guy. Mercurial Thandie Newton is explosive as sexaholic bartender Tangie, while captivating Tessa Thompson plays her kinder, younger sister, who undergoes a horrifying medical procedure.

Kimberly Elise, so sensational in Perry's "Diary

of a Mad Black Woman," is electrifying as Crystal, a closed-off mom who unwisely stays in an abusive relationship with an alcoholic war veteran (Michael Ealy, overplaying the role). Hers is an honest and perfectly pitched performance, especially when she burrows deep into the soul of her final soliloquy.

Vivacious Anika Noni Rose is heartbreaking as dance instructor Yasmine, who gets cruelly robbed of her passion, and regal Phylicia Rashad nails the part of Gilda, the nosy but knowing building manager. Kerry Washington is radiant and convincing as Kelly, a social worker with a good man and the inability to conceive children, and trippy singer Macy Gray is frightening in the small supporting role of Rose, a drunken abortionist.

Unfortunately, two of the most recognizable stars come off as distractions. Janet Jackson channels Meryl Streep from "The Devil Wears Prada" too liberally for her icy Jo, an unhappy magazine fashion editor whose emotions are tightly boxed in because of a dishonest marriage. Jackson finally punches out of caricature in a bedroom confrontation scene that Perry makes too theatrical. Then there's Whoopi Goldberg, who never comes up with a satisfying tone for Alice, a disturbed religious zealot with questionable motives. Goldberg treads too lightly at the start, making Alice humorously eccentric.

It's places like this where we see Perry's weakness as a director. In telling their stories, Perry shoots more for soap opera than drama, an approach that denies "Girls" its full measure of grit, a crucial element given the circumstances facing the characters.

Explicit scenes

In a departure from his previous films, Perry also gives "Girls" a more serrated edge -- including an explicit, overly long rape scene and a sequence in which children's lives are imperiled. But these are choppily executed; the violent sexual violation is ineffectively intercut with an opera.

So instead of making us weep -- which we should -- we become distracted by the overly symbolic wardrobe, the cold color scheme in Jackson's character's apartment and the Adonis physiques of shirt-challenged male actors. The stagy sets don't help much, either, making us feel emotionally disconnected from it.

Provocative art like this requires tremendous finesse, someone who can mix subtlety with the toughness. Watching these characters survive tragic events, you can't help but wonder what a more visceral and polished director such as Lee Daniels ("Precious") might have accomplished.

'FOR COLORED GIRLS'

GRADE: B-
RATING: R (for some disturbing violence including a rape, sexual content and language)
CAST: Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Whoopi Goldberg
DIRECTOR: Tyler Perry
RUNNING TIME: 2 hours