Many reports mention the weather, because one has too. It was Oct.19th 2007 but felt like Austin Aug.11th 2000, just add rain. Not a good hair day unless you had cement in it!
  
The Apollo was very organized in its set-up for getting your ticket's and the staff and security people we're all very polite both inside and out of the theatre. Many people did not know it was in fact assigned seating until you got inside. The Apollo itself was beautiful. The seats left a bit to be desired and they were roomy compared to the bathroom! Even though we were in the 'nose bleeder' seats there was no problem seeing the enormous screen and the arrivals outside.
 
The film was pure Ridley, music, story and most of all his magnificent visuals. He never forgets the visual experience of seeing a film. It's those moment that stick in your head years later. He has frames in his films AND this one too that are like mini masterpieces you can hang on your wall. He got down to the nitty gritty in the film, no glorified or sugar coating, you got real people. I think Ruby Dee as Frank's mother has the best supporting actress oscar in her pocket this year. Denzel was commanding in his role and Russell yet again gives a subtle and layered performance. Having seen Richie Roberts, you saw him in Russell, body wise etc. just as you saw Jeffrey Wigand in The Insider.
  
The party afterward was nice, but crowded and quite hot in a lot of areas. They played great R&B music and had a ton of food. Dani looked beautiful, like a porcelain doll. Russell sporting that beautiful mane of hair. Bruno and Keith were charming as always. And it was nice to be able to sit and chat with Murph and Mary Beth, even though we had to scream over the music lol. I do feel that their table could have been placed elsewhere as they had to go through that crowd as well in order to get around. I don't know if Denzel was there for that part of the evening as his table, which was next to the Crowes was empty, but good on the Crowes for braving that crowd! it was a wonderful evening. Here is the program we received when entering the theatre.