"Anyone who saw Keke Palmer in "Akeelah and the Bee" knew the young actress was a find, but "Longshots" establishes her as a star-to-be and one of the more beautiful young faces around. She makes Jasmine so mournfully alone - so wounded when she’s picked on by other students, and so easily taking an escape route into a world of books - that her eventual joy is cathartic, and not just for her. "  (John Anderson - Newsday)

"Akeelah and the Bee’s Keke Palmer plays Jasmine and saves this feel-good sports dramedy from veering too sharply into sappy territory. Her low-key style is appealing and appropriate to the part, and she appears to be growing up into a talented natural actress." (Claudia Puig, USA TODAY)

"The Longshots" was filmed in Louisiana, and it has the faded, used-up, lived-in look of a good 1970s movie. The characters have an equally realistic appearance that’s rarely seen in Hollywood productions these days. Palmer ("Akeelah and the Bee") is believable and charming, and Ice Cube doesn’t try to upstage her. For the most part, they underplay the big emotional moments, and the film is all the more effective for that restraint." (Mike Mayo -Washington Post)

"The movie’s more predictable moments - the town’s reenergized spirit, the reverend (Garrett Morris) rallying folks to the cause, Curtis’ ascension to team coach - don’t distract from Cube’s surly, burly performance, or from Palmer ("Akeelah and the Bee"), who is so sweet and genuine and whose acting style is so open she makes Jasmine a truly courageous heroine."  (Joe Neumaier - New York Daily News)

"And that is all the more impressive because Jasmine is played by Keke Palmer, who seems absolutely convincing in the role. Yet consider that this is the same actress (13 when the movie was shot) who played Queen Latifah’s niece in "Barbershop 2," held her own in an exchange with Cedric the Entertainer in that film, starred in many Medea projects by Tyler Perry, and was the youngest actress ever nominated for best actress by the Screen Actors Guild. That means this is real acting." (Roger Ebert - Chicago Sun-Times)

"The best thing about "Longshots" is Palmer, a talented young actor who brings more delicacy and depth to the material than it deserves—for instance, during a stiffly choreographed scene in which a popular girl mocks her name by offering her a toilet plunger, Palmer’s vulnerable coltishness is the only convincing thing on-screen."  (Tasha Robinson - Chicago Tribune)

"Cube fills the bill as the shaggy, aimless Curtis, a veritable ghost of glories past. It’s not a particularly layered performance, but it works. As Jasmine, Palmer, so memorable in the underappreciated "Akeelah and the Bee," strikes a nice balance between self-conscious loner and eager team player" (Gary Goldstein - Los Angeles Times)

"Ice Cube turns in a likable performance as the bum turned role model, and Keke Palmer impresses mightily as a young actress with a genuine talent. The fact that she spent several weeks training with an actual football clearly shows in her gameplay scenes."  (John P. Meyer - Pegasus News)

"The best thing about "Longshots" is Palmer, a talented young actor who brings more delicacy and depth to the material than it deserves—for instance, during a stiffly choreographed scene in which a popular girl mocks her name by offering her a toilet plunger, Palmer’s vulnerable coltishness is the only convincing thing on-screen. Next to the sadly short-lived “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” and the phenomenal “Wall-E,” “The Longshots,” although slow-moving at first, is a great family film. It’s the eye of the relentless summer hurricane of blockbusters."  (Kurt Anthony Krug - Kalamazoo Gazette)

by Jette Kernion Aug 22nd 2008 // 12:03PM
"Keke Palmer, whom you might remember in the title role of Akeelah and the Bee, is delightful to watch — I especially enjoyed the scenes in which she learns to throw passes to posters of Beyonce and Tyra Banks."  (Jette Kernion - Cinematical.com)

"Director Fred Durst (yes, the Limp Bizkit frontman) and screenwriter Nick Santora pile on the schmaltz, but Cube and Palmer tackle the predictable drama with gusto. Their likable performances make "The Longshots" a good bet for moviegoing youngsters and the adults who want them to live their dreams."  (Betsy Pickle - Knoxville News Sentinel)

"The stars, though, add some life to things. Ice Cube, who has successfully reinvented himself as a sort of Oscar the Grouch from the hood, brings his patented act to the part of Curtis, making this down-and-outer strangely likable. Keke Palmer — last seen as the spelling champ in "Akeelah and the Bee" — is lovely as Jasmine, particularly when, thinking herself unwatched, she drops the sullen teen act for a moment."  (Stephen Whitty - New Jersey Star-Ledger)

"It’s interesting to see Ice Cube take on a more serious role with this film. The part fits him well and he turns in a solid performance. Fourteen-year-old Palmer also shines as the young football star Jasmine, even managing to portray the mechanics of football convincingly. Her true-life counterpart would be proud."  (Belinda Elliott - CBN.com)

"But director Durst is good with actors, especially Cube and Matt Craven as the team‘s stricken coach, and most especially. the terrific young Keke Palmer (of The Wool Cap, Barbershop and Akeelah and the Bee) as Jasmine. She‘s fresh and full of feeling, she convinces you she can play — and she holds the screen like few younger actresses ever have. Despite myself, the film moved me — and a lot of that was due to Palmer too. Never mind Pop Warner championships; she’ll be winning movie audiences for quite a while. "  (Wilmington News- On Movies Section)

"Director Fred Durst has truly surprised me with ‘The Longshots’. It’s not the fanciest film, nor is it going to redefine any aspect of filmmaking … but, Durst has managed to make one very solid film with a lot of heart and a good story. Palmer does an excellent job as Jasmine, providing a convincing and honest portrayal of the young woman who made history as the first female to play football in the Pop Warner Super Bowl. Ice Cube does a decent job of being humorous when called for and sincere when needed for the dramatic elements of his character’s story. I predict this film could become a favorite amongst sports movie enthusiasts, bringing football in the movies back down to Earth."  (Movie Geeks)

"The refreshingly natural Keke Palmer (title character in "Akeelah and the Bee") portrays Jasmine as a child of one such fractured support system. Palmer’s Jasmine is a tough girl, and there’s tough love on display that makes the film more honest and intriguing than many such efforts. Some may wish the story’s sentiment made room for more light humor, but all victories are hard-earned in a place like Minden. But the story, the message and the performances are what make "The Longshots" a winner in the category of family entertainment. " (Michael Smith - World Scene)

"Palmer, of Akeelah and the Bee, is a pretty, earnest young actress who lets us see the wheels turning. But she clicks with Ice Cube"  (Roger Moore - Orlando Sentinel)

"Ice Cube is a likable screen presence who knows how to handle himself. He delivers a fine performance here, and when you combine his work with that of Keke Palmer you have a strong emotional core. The relationship develops organically and they really work well together. If not for them, the enjoyment factor of this film would drop."  (Chris Beaumont - BC News)

First is one from Access Hollywood at the premiere of The Longshots:  CLICK HERE for the video.

Next is me visiting the offices of ESPN to talk about football:  CLICK HERE for the video.

From the review:  "Jasmine is played by Keke Palmer, who seems absolutely convincing in the role. Yet consider that this is the same actress (13 when the movie was shot) who played Queen Latifah’s niece in Barbershop 2, held her own in an exchange with Cedric the Entertainer in that film, has starred in Medea projects by Tyler Perry, and was the youngest actress ever nominated for best actress by the Screen Actors Guild.  That means this is real acting."

CLICK HERE to read the entire review!

CLICK HERE to see the video!

McNair Students Enjoy Star-Studded Assembly

It’s Cool to Be Smart hosts Back-to-School Event at McNair MS

It was a star-studded afternoon for students at DeKalb’s Ronald E. McNair, Sr. Middle School on Thursday. The sixth, seventh and eighth grade students had an hour of face-to-face time with two well-known young actors they would normally only see on television.

Actress Keke Palmer and Actor Doc Shaw dropped-in on the students yesterday afternoon for a special assembly hosted by It’s Cool to Be Smart non-profit organization. Yesterday’s event at McNair was one of the organization’s first back-to-school rap sessions organized to help metropolitan youth understand the value of education and encourage them to be persistent in their pursuits of success.

Moderated by Rashan Ali, host of the Hot 107.9FM ‘A-Team’ Morning Show, the assembly allowed the students to hear from the young actors and ask questions of Keke Palmer, who is the national spokesperson for It’s Cool to Be Smart. Both Shaw and Palmer emphasized the importance of determination, staying positive, and self-respect when working to reach set goals.

“Even if there is no one cheering you on, as long as you believe in yourself, you can do nothing else but excel,” Palmer told the students.

The event also brought out DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson who, through a proclamation, declared it ‘KeKe Palmer Day’ in DeKalb County’s District 3 and presented Palmer with a key to the county. Other attendees included
Laureen Lamb of the United Way of metro Atlanta; Terry Moore, Executive Director of George Washington Carver Boys & Girls Club; and Dr. Ralph Simpson, Area Assistant Superintendent, Region IV.

“This type of community platform was the first of its kind to bring in a young film star during the first week of school to come speak to a student body of this size,” said Curtis Benjamin, Executive Director and Founder of It’s Cool To Be Smart.

Keke Palmer is most known for her starring roles in films such as Akeelah and the Bee, Madea’s Family Reunion, and Disney’s Jump In! She will also star in her own show on Nickelodeon and has been awarded a NAACP Image Award for her portrayal of positive on-film characters. Doc Shaw, a 16-year old Atlanta native, currently stars on the TBS comedy show, Tyler Perry’s ‘House of Payne’ and is a spokesperson for It’s Cool to Be Smart.

Along with the special visits, each student received a promotional t-shirt from KeKe Palmer’s upcoming film The Longshots, set to be released later this month.

It’s Cool to Be Smart is non-profit music mentoring program that “strives to enrich the lives of undeserved and underprivileged youth by providing access to role models, music artists, and positive messages that encourage success in education.” Founded by Curtis Benjamin in 1997, the program currently facilitates free after-school courses for Towers High School’s female students.

August 11th- Houston, TX. look for me on tv, in newspapers, listen for radio, will let you know if there is a community appearance

August 13th-Miami, FL. look for me on tv,listen for radio, in newspapers, also a 2:30pm appearance at Beacon Hill School in Hollywood, FL.

August 14th- Atlanta, GA -look for me on morning tv, listen for radio, in newspapers, also a 1pm appearance at McNair Middle School in Decatur, GA

August 15th-Detroit, MI -look for me on tv, listen for  radio, in newspapers, will let you know if there is a community appearance

August 18th- Chicago, IL,  look for me on tv, listen for radio, in newspapers, and at a special screening of The Longshots, with me and the REAL Jasmine Plummer at 6:00pm at the Ice Chatham 14 Movie Theater, 210 W. 87th Street, tickets for the event can be obtained by calling into WPWX Power 92 FM, they will be giving tickets away as well as hosting the event, so keep listening to that station for details…

August 20th-Hollywood, CA - look for me at the Hollywood Premier of THE LONGSHOTS!!! Ice Cube will be there, and so will the entire cast, some of us have not seen each other for a while so it will be fun to meet up again to watch the movie together! Jasmine and her family will fly in from Chicago for the big event.

Here is some trivia: Jasmine and I were born in the same hospital in Harvey , IL., only one year apart, she is 1 year older, that is so cool!!!!!

AUGUST 22nd, OPENING DAY, PLEASE GO OUT AND SUPPORT THIS FUNNY, UPLIFTING, GREAT MOVIE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY !!!!!! ICE CUBE IS GREAT IN THIS MOVIE, AND I AM NOT TOO BAD MYSELF, LOL, THANK YOU TO ALL OF MY FANS…………

CLICK HERE for a list of all the first place finalists, my personal message to the winners, and some pictures!

The show is broadcast LIVE on BET at 6 p.m. Eastern time.  CLICK HERE for more information and to find out your local time.