2010 movies you will want to see

As 2009 is ending it's time to look forward to what movies will be coming in 2010. Like in many years recently past there will be a decent number of remakes and revisioned films, several conversion films, and more than a few major movies that have huge anticipation.

Instead of trying to list every film that will be in theaters in 2010 I will instead hit on some of the best, and worst, ideas that Hollywood has to offer us. I'm sure that I will be as right and wrong on these films as most movie reviewers always are.

The films you might want to see include:

Legion - Though it is a January film - normally an indication of a horrible film - this looks like it has potential. I think this might be a film that will appeal to those who enjoyed the original The Prophesy movie.

The Book of Eli - Denzel Washington is known for his ability to act and to pick quality films to appear in. Which surprises me as this film is slated (last I noticed) for the graveyard of January. I have high expectations for this film, I hope to not be disappointed.

The Wolfman - Benicio Del Toro is a great actor and should be perfect in this remake. The addition of Sir Anthony Hopkins adds to the potential of this being a quality film. The moderating thing is that the film is a remake, which in Hollywood these days is a 70/30 proposition against a quality film. But so far the movie trailers say it will beat the odds.

Death at a Funeral - A remake of a British film of the same name, subject and likely everything else except the color of the cast. That's a good thing as Hollywood writers seem to be the laziest and least creative in the movie making world these days. From the movie trailers I've seen this should be a hit for Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence. Thank you England.

Iron Man 2 - War Machine. That says it all.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time - A risky bet, but the effects look great. If the Hollywood writers kept the storyline from the video game intact this should be a great video game to movie conversion. If not, which is likely, this will be a revisionist waste of time to capitalize on fans pocket money. But it should be worth finding out in theaters.

The Expendables - There is no lack of hype for this film filled with former 80's (action) stars. Sylvester Stallone, Mickey Rourke, and Dolph Lundgren get to flex their old muscles against relatively younger jet Li and Jason Statham. For action movie junkies this is a must see.

MegaMind - Yes this is an animated film. Yes it's meant for kids. Even so I think this will be The Incredibles of 2010. The concept seems great even though it will feature Will Ferrell and was created by Ben Stiller. If nothing else it will rake in cash.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 - It's a Harry Potter movie, how can you not see it. Honestly, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have really grown into solid actors and this should be very entertaining. Hype aside, this should be the big hit (box office) of the year.

And that's the list of the good. Now comes the bad.

Movie Preview: Death at a Funeral

One of the more interesting films to be coming out in 2010 is something that no one expected. It's a Black film - not by Tyler Perry - about a family dealing with the death of the patriach of the family. This is a comedy, so don't think you can't see it. And oddly enough it's a remake (in parts word for word) of a British film of the same name that you probably never heard of.

Death at a Funeral is a film starring some of the best Black comedic actors (and comedians) around now. But don't think this is a film only for African Americans. This looks to be a film that everyone can see and laugh at.

Chris Rock looks to be making a strong showing in this film as the son trying to keep his family from imploding, or exploding, or getting exposed (literally), at the funeral of his father. Martin Lawrence is his single, womanizing, more successful brother, and favorite of his mother. These 2 men are at the center of a whirlwind of events that make it clear why tragedy is the mirror twin of comedy.

When I saw this tralier I was just laughing out loud. The timing looks to be superb. The jokes are just spot on. The acting looks like everyone wanted to make this work.

The film also stars Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover, James Marsden, Regina Hall, Loretta Devine, Zoë Saldaña, Kevin Hart, Luke Wilson, and Ron Glass. And as I mentioned this is a remake, but in an odd twist on things Peter Dinklage who starred in the original British film will also be in this version.



Now as I mentioned this is a remake. Which sets it apart from the ususal Hollywood trend of revisioning a film. Thus it does not suffer from the pain a revision inevitably creates for an audience. This is also the 2nd remake of the film as there was a Bollywood version of it as well, which again is odd (since the film came out in 2007) but also is a clear indication of the comedy in the film.

Even though the American version contains numerous scenes that are verbatim of the original, the differences between the English stiff upper lip culture and a more animated African American culture makes this copy fresh. Still I want you to know where the ideas come from. Here is a movie trailer from the original



Either way, a film touching on the taboo of homosexuality in the Black community, while injecting the humor of the dysfunction that is family, and including the cast that it does is worth the time. I have to say the thing that really sold me on this film was the following line that is at 2:18 on the movie trailer

"Let me get this straight. Our father was romantically involved with a guy that could fit in his pocket... And you're mad because he's White?!" - Chris Rock to Martin Lawrence

Bill Cosby to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

There is no doubt that Bill Cosby is a standout among his peers. For nearly 5 decades he has made people laugh across the globe. He created the beloved cartoon Fat Albert, he broke racial barriers in television, and he created and starred in one of the most beloved shows on television since the 1980's (The Cosby Show). He is so well loved that he is often referred to as "America's Dad".

So there really should be no surprise that he will be receiving the 2009 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. In 2002 he received the highest civillian award possible, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And then there are the three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series he received for I Spy in the 1960's (a breakthru for the racial attitudes of the nation at the time), 2003 Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.

How well loved is Bill Cosby? Here is the announced list of enertainers that will appear at the awards ceremony:

Dick Gregory, Sinbad, Carl Reiner, George Lopez, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Willie Nelson, Len Chandler, symphonic orchestra conductor James DePreist, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Rita Moreno, Danny Glover, Jerry Seinfeld, and Chris Rock.

Talk about a line-up of the who's who in entertainment.

Of course Dr. Cosby (it is often forgotten that he did drop out of school, but returned and earned a doctotrate) is not without his own controversies. Most notable is his outspoken stance on "problems prevalent in underprivileged urban communities such as taking part in illegal drugs, teenage pregnancy, Black Entertainment Television, high school dropouts, anti-intellectualism, gangsta rap, vulgarity, thievery, offensive clothing, vanity, parental alienation, single parenting and failing to live up to the ideals of Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African American ancestors that preceded Generation X".

I personally find most of his views dead-on.

So I suggest that everyone keep an eye on PBS in November. The award will be televized Nov 4th 2009, though the ceremony will happen on October 26th.

American Idol is for pikers, Harlem is for talent

With all the people that go out to American Idol each year I have to wonder why those that are serious actually show up there. Because when you think about it, it is one of the least successful avenues an entertainer can take to get recognized.

I came to this understanding the second I saw something most probably skipped over today. The announcement of the 75th year of the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night. For longer than any of the judges on American Idol have been alive this one venue has been grooming and introducing talent to the nation. And many of those that have gotten their start at the Apollo have become bigger stars than all of the American Idol contestants (and judges) combined.

The Apollo was the start for:

Women –

India.Arie
Pearl Bailey
Josephine Baker
Mary J. Blige
Brandy
Blu Cantrell
Diahann Carroll
Faith Evans
Eve
Ella Fitzgerald
Celia Cruz
Roberta Flack
Aretha Franklin
Billie Holiday
Lauryn Hill
Lena Horne
Etta James
Alicia Keys
Eartha Kitt
Stephanie Mills
Chante Moore
Nina Simone
Jessica Simpson
Angie Stone
Leslie Uggams
Sarah Vaughan
Dionne Warwick
Dinah Washington
Ethel Waters

Men –

Harry Belafonte
Tony Bennett
Chuck Berry
Ruben Blades
James Brown
David Byrne
Ray Charles
Chubby Checker
Nat “King” Cole
Sean ”P. Diddy” Combs
Sam Cooke
D’Angelo
Chico DeBarge
Bo Diddley
Fats Domino
DMX
Marvin Gaye
Ginuwine
Al Green
Isaac Hayes
John Lee Hooker
Ja Rule
Michael Jackson
Jay-Z
Jadakiss
Jaheim
B.B. King
Ludacris
Johnny Mathis
Maxwell
Brian McKnight
Prince
Lou Rawls
Otis Redding
Busta Rhymes
Sisqo
Keith Sweat
Muddy Waters
Barry White
Jackie Wilson
Stevie Wonder

Groups –

Bob Marley & the Wailers
Buddy Holly and the Crickets
Dru Hill
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
Fugees
George Clinton &
Parliament/Funkadelic
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Isley Brothers
Jackson Five
Jagged Edge
Korn
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Martha Reeves & the Vandellas
O’Jays
Patti Labelle & the Bluebelles

Musicians –

Louis Armstrong
Charlie Barnet
Count Basie
Cab Calloway
John Coltrane
Miles Davis
Duke Ellington
Dizzy Gillespie
Benny Goodman
Thelonius Monk
Charlie Parker
Louis Prima
Tito Puente
Buddy Rich
Max Roach

And others –

Sammy Davis Jr.
Bill Cosby
Redd Foxx
Whoopi Goldberg
Dick Gregory
Steve Harvey
Jackie “Moms” Mabley
Richard Pryor
Chris Rock
Sinbad
Flip Wilson
Ossie Davis
Ruby Dee
Kid Capri
Doug E. Fresh
Sidney Poitier
Paul Robeson

And I have cut the list down massively. Yet if you are between the ages of 25 to 80 you know names on this list. In fact you probably know a couple of dozen of them.

Now with all that talent focused from one source you might think that the Apollo Theater would be the biggest thing out there. The proving ground for up and coming entertainers. That American Idol would make homage for a legend, and that someone would be highlighting the importance of the place. But you know that won’t happen.

American Idol is a great gimmick. The purpose is not to find great lasting talent, but to make a quick profit off of manipulated fame. William Hung never deserved fame, yet Idol gave it to him, and we were the worse for it. Thousands of performers that might have a shot at some kind of career in entertainment have their spirits crushed on national TV and never go forward. It’s a shame.

Now I don’t know the numbers, but considering American Idol has 2 winners a season out of tens of thousands, compared to several categories of entertainers numbering in the hundreds competing at Apollo (dance, groups, individual singers, comedians, ect) each week; I don’t need rocket science to tell me where the better odds are. And looking at the ultimate success of the Idol winners versus the Apollo again Harlem wins.

So if you want to see the future superstar entertainers of America, I suggest you turn off the television and take a trip to Harlem. Because that’s where the real talent will be.

A lie said by millions

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." - Inigo Montoya - Princess Bride

Yesterday I was speaking about Good Hair, the upcoming documentary by Chris Rock. After having written about this subject I was brought back to an old pet peeve of mine. A common saying that is obtuse and an oxymoron. And everyone has heard it.

In countless films, emails, books, and nowadays internet dating sites you have seen

“Tall, dark, and handsome”

Now because of the conditioning of the media most will imagine Cary Grant, Mel Gibson, Leonardo DiCaprio or some other famous White guy. But that is completely counter-intuitive. It just is stupid.

Dark defined as:

Black, shadowed or black, having a dark hue, colored: having skin rich in melanin pigments

Since the meaning of the word is definitive, and in no application equating to white, light, pink or pale, I am at a loss of how the hell anyone can take that phrase to mean a White male of any sort.

It is solely through the manipulation of the media and Hollywood that anyone might confuse what the hell is being said. Such that “tall, dark, and handsome” should in reality bring up thoughts of Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx , Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman, or Michael Clarke Duncan and so on.

It is so absurd as to be absolutely common. And I doubt many non-people of color ever thing twice about how stupid that statement is.

Is this a big deal? No, not in a change of life sense. But it does say something about long-term depictions of people of color and subtle unconscious preferences in the nation. At least I think so.

Billions are spent every year for people to go and “get some color”. Tens of millions travel the globe to have their skin darken, though temporarily, and gain a “healthy tone”. And the search for eternal love is often filled with the above statement. At every turn it is a statement of the beauty of people of color.

Yet to consciously state such in public is abominable. Instead we get so much media influence that the obvious is now the wrong answer. Talk about love and hate. No wonder western society is so screwed up.

And before I get the hate-mail, or those trying to justify the phrase, those from Mediterranean backgrounds are not dark. When I stand next to an Italian man, he does not look like me. He is not confused as Black. He may be more pink or tan than some, especially after being out in the sun, but there is no question as to whether he is Black.

Look this is not about race as much as it is about language and the meanings American society places in those words. It is a wake up call that some things are just too stupid for intelligent people in the 21st century to do. It is a reminder that if we allow such obvious blatant falsehoods to continue unabated and unquestioned, we equally allow the breeding grounds for racism and prejudice to grow,

So it’s obvious. The next time you use that phrase indicate that you are speaking about a Black person. And if you overhear a friend use the term incorrectly, remind them how dumb they are being. Because I really am beyond annoyed at hearing it used as it has been.

Chris Rock is on a quest of Good Hair

Here is a question that few ever ask. Do you like your hair?

The question has a multitude of answers depending on whom you ask. For many aging men, the answer may be no since many are losing their hair and facing being bald. And there are tens of millions made to make those men feel better by giving them more hair. Ask men that are going grey and the answer provided accounts for tens of millions on coloring additives.

But when you ask women it starts to get really tricky. And then if you are speaking to Black women, you might just get slapped.

Black women are very particular about their hair. Whether its getting it straightened, adding a weave (never ask a Black woman if she has a weave), getting braids, coloring, or maintaining a natural look a majority of Black women have difficulty with their hair. And that adds up to roughly 2 billion dollars every year.

Black women spend between 2 – 6 times as much on their hair as any other group of women. They are the single largest group that the hair care industry caters to. The majority of that money flows out of Black communities and never returns, though you can always find several hair care shops near and in every Black community across America.

Because every Black woman wants “good hair”. Whatever that means to the individual woman.

It’s a subject that Black men rarely address, and most other non-African Americans inevitably end up insulting when they bring it up. Because most do not understand what they are speaking about, nor do they respect the differences they find.

Perhaps this is why when Chris Rock’s daughter asked him about having good hair, he was inspired to make a movie about the industry.



Now I admit I am no expert on the subject. In fact I am saying so little because I know better. But I am interested in seeing this documentary. Because I am fascinated at how so many women are driven to seek out “good hair” to extreme.

In reflecting on the thought I have to say that the media has a coup in this arena. Because it has completely sold the idea that a Black woman should have hair that is reflective of genetics they don’t have. And the rest of us just assume that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Which is stupid not ignorant, because we should all know better at a glance.

The more I think of the topic, the more I want to see what Chris Rock has made. He already is clear that this is his best film work ever. While Puttie Tang is not hard to top (why did anyone let you make that?) it is quite a statement for someone in the industry for over 20 years and 31 films not including this documentary or his stand-up comedy.

I have not seen the film yet, nor any trailer footage. But in general I would say that whatever your hair, it is good. Whether you are going salt-and-pepper, with a bit of thinning, like me or braids, or whatever. The question women, and men, of whatever race ask should never be ‘how do I get good hair’ but ‘why can’t others see how beautiful (handsome) I am regardless of my hair’.

Can Rev. Jesse Jackson define "acting white" - 9.20.2007.1

In my post Rev. Jesse Jackson throws stones at Senator Barack Obama - 9.20.2007.1, I mentioned that Rev. Jesse Jackson is alleged to have said that Sen. Barack Obama acts “white”. This accusation was leveled in reference to the relatively little that Senator Obama has said about the Jena 6.

I’ve already discussed the equally little said by Rev. Jackson on the Jena 6 case, which has been widely covered and discussed by a multitude of Black bloggers for months. Don’t let the major news media fool you, this is not a new thing. And while Sen. Obama has said virtually nothing, neither has Rev. Sharpton, Jackson, or any of the Presidential candidates. They have all failed to even acknowledge the existence of the case until yesterday, and all their surprise and posturing is annoying.

[I admit that I have not covered the issue either, as I felt many other bloggers had covered every angle of this far better than myself for far longer. Check the archives of African American Opinion and you will see what I mean. In my opinion to cover what had already been said would have been pandering and I try to never do so.]

But the point of this is the “acting white” accusation. Among African Americans such an accusation is a vicious attack. It is a massive insult that does not have a match in other racial groups in America, to my knowledge. It’s a verbal low blow, and in this case totally unfair.

The implication that Rev. Jackson makes, and he is a supposed supporter of Sen. Obama, is that Senator Obama is a sell-out. The reason is that the Senator has not acted on a controversial case to the liking of Rev. Jackson. Point of fact is that Rev. Jackson hasn’t done anything either. As I mentioned before many Black bloggers have, but Black “leaders”, like Rev. Jackson and Al Sharpton have said nothing to my knowledge.

But why is Senator Obama “acting White”? Why does he constantly have to defend himself from claims on one hand that he is not Black enough, and that he is too Black on the other. That is he is Black and thus scary to some (who have very small minds in my opinion).

In the African American community though, some (with equally small minds) feel that Sen. Obama does not portray the race well. I’m reminded of a Mr. Chris Rock comedy routine. I’ll paraphrase

“They call Colin Powell articulate. They say he speaks well. What do they expect him to say ‘Yo yo, Imma bout ta drop sum bombs ova heya!’”

I’m so tired of the bar existing that says you are only African American if you act like X and dress in Y. What the Hell does that have to do with my heritage or the color of my skin? When I walk down the street I’ve never heard anyone wait to see my clothing tags or my resume before calling me N***** (and not in a manner that the hip-hop community thinks is positive).

Why do we need to continue to define what is Black by the material mannerisms one has? I’ve commented often that to be Black in America is becoming more of a commodity than a fact of birth. Let me correct that. To be what the media portrays, and music videos glorify, as their impression of Black is a commodity. The facts are quite different.

Let’s take a moment to remember the spectrum here.

Blacks have been in America since roughly the early 1600’s. Blacks built the infrastructure of America, and were the key part of the agricultural economy that allowed the nation to grow. White Americans have mixed with African slaves and African Americans of later centuries and decades constantly, partially accounting for the different shade we all come in. Add to that the mix of Native American Indians, Latinos, Hispanics, Asians and various Europeans and you get all the shades and backgrounds that make up many African American families today.

An example is that my family tree reaches into Italy, Ireland, Spain, Puerto Rico, Taino and Native American Indians as well as Africa. And that’s just the parts I can name off the top of my head.

Beyond the mix of ancestry, African Americans don’t all live in the ghetto or speak eubonics. While watching any major news media, especially if you see the news internationally, you may not realize it but not all African Americans are poor. [I realize that those who are Black reading this will say “I know that”, but I reach 62 nations on average every month and not everyone reading this is Black or American]

Many African Americans are quite educated. We are doctors, lawyers, businessmen and women, professors and a multitude of other professions. Few of these professionals, if any, speak like JJ from Good Times or Snoop Dogg. But the media would liken us all to a rapper far faster than Secretary of State Condellezza Rice. [I’m not saying that all rappers are uneducated, but I will say I’m only aware of 2 that actually graduated college since the inception of rap. There may be more but it’s not spoken about much and seen little in their public personas.]

So given all that, what is “acting white”? Is being successful now restricted to that one particular race? Speaking our collective native language well is a racial preference? Dressing in clothing that both compliments and stands out well in any social occasion is betrayal to a race?

Doesn’t that sound stupid? Perhaps if you look at it conversely.

If Reverend Jackson said that Senator Obama could act more Black by ‘speak with smaller syllable words, misuse the meanings of those words or just make them up, dress in baggy ill-fitting clothing that are more appropriate for an 18 year old in a dance club, lose several jobs by being late or not showing up, take drugs in public, and walk around eating fried chicken.’

Doesn’t sound white does it? Doesn’t sound Black either. It just sounds foolish. Acting like a grown man (or woman) should be enough. The color of the skin is just a birthright and that conveys no obligations to any corporate ideology, no matter how many music videos and commercials are made saying so.

This is what I think, what do you think?

BET and it's new program line-up Part 4 - 7.4.2007.4

Continued from BET and it's new program line-up Part 3...

Am I angry? HELL YES. BET is apparently using the guise of comedy to insult us and profit from that insult. It’s exactly what has happened with the promotion of gangsta rap over any other form of the music genre. It’s finding a way to get someone to call me the N-word, which they can’t do without an issue, and get paid for it. And the meaning is exactly the same one that has been used in this nation for 400 years. Doesn’t that get you upset?

Now I could be wrong. This may be a serious program, addressing the issue in a serious manner. Of course I don’t know why they couldn’t get a Dr. Cornelius West or other noted figure to host a serious program discussing the issues affecting African Americans. Then again to say this is serious kind of flies in the face of their own description of

“…like the traffic accident you can’t look away from. Viewers will laugh.”

I could be wrong, it might be funny. I’m sure someone will find the booty shaking they promise to provide to be funny. Very likely those that like the music videos made by rappers. Then again it’s been stated often that for rap music today 4 out of 5 buyers of rap are reportedly white suburban males. So the question might be who is Viacom trying to entertain?

So as I sit and think about this whole post I have to wonder something. Who watches BET. I don’t, and I’m unaware of anyone that does. Well that’s not true, I am aware of 3 people. Each of them are ultra-African Americans. I know this will piss some off, but here me out.

When I say Ultra-Balck I’m speaking about the caricature that you can see in Mr. Chris Rocks film CB-4. The character that sings the song, I’m Blacker Than Black. I am refering to those peole that want to prove they are so African American that anything that relates to Black culture is a must. They will see every film starring a African American entertainer 3x, no matter if it is bad or not. They will support anything that has to do with Africa and African Americans, even if they have no idea what it is. They criticize anyone who speaks without slang, who doesn’t own and can recite every recent rap song, who wears anything but FUBU as a sell-out. I mean people who are so polar opposites of sell-outs that they are so Black a blackhole in space looks like a shining star against their ass.

That doesn’t mean everyone who watches BET is like that. This is the experience I have had. It’s not universal. Neither is being Black, or a Black Puerto Rican. African Americans run the gamut from one extreme to the other with everything inbetween.

But I can’t escape the seeming fact that Viacom doesn’t recognize that diversity. That they believe there is only one type of African American consumer, and that they need to feed the lowest forms of entertainment down our throats. Viacom, especially with this new program – HOT GHETTO MESS (do you think they were making a play on hot ‘ghettoness’ and figured it was close enough? Black enough?), seems to believe that people will drink sand if you don’t offer them a choice.

I disagree. I’d rather buy a DVD of Passenger 57, or play a CD of Mr. Lenny Kravitz, or read Ms. Robin Roberts book From the Heart. There is no starvation for good entertainment. There is no reason to bolster a corporation that wants to say they want to improve the community and culture, yet profits from it’s deterioration.

Maybe I’m not black enough. But when I wake up every morning, that Black Puerto Rican man looks back at me. When I go out and deal with society, I’m as Black as anyone else. When a cop or anyone else calls me the N-word, I’m definitely Black. But I’m not African American enough to accept the sand Viacom is offering. I’ll find water instead.

This is what I think, what do you think?

**To be fair I will be contacting BET to find out their thoughts and justification for this program. I will be writting back shortly on this matter.

Comments on Stanley Crouch's Opinion Part 2 - 7.2.2007.2

Continued from Comments on Stanley Crouch's Opinion Part 1...

And we must recognize that this is not just something that is limited to rap. Far beyond the music entertainment industry, there is video and television and movies. They have all promoted and molded the culture to be a commodity that is sold daily. I recall Mr. Chris Rock saying in one of his stand-up shows, ‘Not one of you white people out there want to tade places with me. You could be a one-legger dishwasher, and you won’t change places with me. And I’m rich!’ I believe it went just like that. But that same person that wouldn’t change places with Mr. Rock, and definitely not with somone of more moderate means like yourself or I, is happy to purchase a piece of our lifestyle by owning some FUBU or Rockawear, listening to Snoop Dogg and watching a music video on BET. That’s not an example of a person selling out, it’s a culture as a commodity.

And I want to focus on BET for a second. A television network that is known for it’s singular targeting of African Americans. What does the Viacom corporation think we are interested in? Well loking at today’s line-up, music videos, the Wayan’s brothers show, In Livin Color and gospel. Oh I forgot the 3rd rate blaxploitation film, Leprauchan: Back 2 Tha Hood. Of all the movies, television programs and media that could be provided by Viacom, that’s the best we get.

BET has promoted the rapper image, and music video exploitation of women, more than any other cable channel. Under the guise of giving the community what it wants. Of course several of the shows by Mr. Bill Cosby (beyond the last 2 most are familiar with), Mr Will Smith and those with notable African American leads didn’t make the cut. Not even the original Mission Impossiblwe series, which was one of the first to have a permanent Black supporting character that had a purpose and intelligence. Thanks BET.

I have no comment on the Real World rip-off College Hill. I find the concept unfathomable. S.O.B. is a Candid Camera rip-off that seeks to add in a touch of Punk’d, just enough racial tension to get a laugh I suppose. And Hot Ghetto Mess I will have to dedicate an entire post to seperately.

BET may have sponsored the town hall meeting, but it has promoted and been a part of the problem as much as rappers themselves.

Mr. Crouch has a great point. The town hall meeting is a good step. The growing awareness is fantastic. But we cannot forget what has contributed to the state of the community today and the hurdles that need to be surmounted tomorrow.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Hollywood movie bias, the reality - 1.25.2007.1

Sometimes you have to wonder what people are thinking. I mean that I can see a point being made, yet I think the extreme view being posed is just gratuitous. If you wonder what I am referring to, it’s a new report by the Islamic Human Rights Commission in Britain on how movies portray Muslims.

I will give this report the fact that since 9/11 Muslims are the ‘bad guy’ choice du jour. More than any other group they are the favored group to be seen losing to the good guys and that of course is due to the current political and social environment in the world. I can see how that can annoy the tens of millions of Muslims that live quiet lives, being productive citizens of their respective countries.

While the emphasis is on Muslims, today, there continues to be the re-enforcement of the African American as a negative image in every medium in America. Long before Arabs and Muslims were picked on, Black Americans (particularly males) were the only pimps, dealers, petty criminals and poor in movies. While Black Americans were the first minorities to be included in American films, the roles were even worse with portrayals as slaves or complete caricatures. This negative image is no less consistent now, with 60% of all images in news of poverty or lack of education or violence being matched with images of Black Americans.

While I admit this is not a fact I have seen quoted, it is something that is often commented on. Some may recall the Mr. Carlos Mencia Comedy Central episode that provided 2 news reports focusing on images of people in waist deep water right after Hurricane Katrina. One image had a Black American in holding a bad, the caption accusing him of being a looter. The other image had 2 White Americans in similar water each holding a bag, the caption reading that they were trying to scrounge for food. Neither image included any background buildings or any indication that either of the people had food or goods in their bags. Some may recall my post where Yahoo News placed an image of Mr. Chris Rock along side a completely unrelated article dealing with investigation by the government on the mob. [Chris Rock, Andy Garcia, M:I3 and Snoop Dogg] The people in the article were all white. Watch the evening news and any time there is a mention of unemployment, welfare, government aide, and similar stories you will see a predominance of images of Black Americans – regardless of where in the nation you live or the fact that since African Americans only make up ~14% of the nation it’s impossible for us to be the only, or even major, cause or recipients of these items.

So I can appreciate the feeling by Muslims that it is now their turn on the negative public image machine that is Hollywood, movies and other media. Still to carry the extreme to say that movies such as Disney’s Aladdin were negative is silly in my opinion. They are shooting themselves in their own foot with such an accusation. All the characters in that movie were Arabic, and yes the architecture, timeframe, and clothing indicate they are all Muslim. But I cannot agree that this movie was done in bad faith. Equally off-base to me is the claim that Raiders of the Lost Ark made a similar negative portrayal. As I recall one of the leading supports is an Egyptian Arab character, and a good guy. Virtually all the bad guys are White and Nazi’s. Perhaps I am naïve, but I do not recall any stereotypes that were not balanced by other characters that were neutral if not positive. And any negative images were minor compared to the positive main characters in both movies.

American media and Hollywood in particular, love to portray all minorities in a horrible light. That is a fact. Minorities are excluded from having major impact in front of and behind the camera to this day, though it is incredibly slowly changing. Addressing the fact of this imbalance, and its consequences, is a positive for change. To go to an extreme, claiming insult where none was seen for literally decades does not help but hurt such a cause.

Muslims should not be unfairly judged. Neither should Black Americans, Latino/Hispanic Americans and other minorities. But at the same time it should be noted that some leeway must be given when a nation is at war. Much as the Germans, Italians, Japanese and others have been made objects of anger for a time during conflict against America so will be any other group. That’s just human nature. Rather than place a blanket on all things ever done, seek the positives and note the negatives. Your cause will be better helped I think.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Dennis Miller, Yvonne De Carlo, and Golf changes - 1.10.2007.1

A mixed day of information today. I’ll get into my further thoughts on the debacle that is Mr. Donald Trump vs. Ms. Rosie O’Donnell in a subsequent post. I’ll simply state that at this point it has more attention than it ever deserved.

On a higher note, there is news that Mr. Dennis Miller will be starting a radio show soon. This is a great thing as I find him talented. While I connect more with, and find funnier, Mr. Chris Rock there is no question of the abilities of Mr. Miller. He hits the high ground in an arena of comedy that generally goes for the low-brow. There’s nothing wrong with the comedy of Mr. Ron White (who I think is also funny), or Larry the cable guy. I just like to enjoy a conversation that has a bit more depth from time to time.

Similar to the aforementioned Mr. Rock, and Mr. Steven Wright, having to think about the joke isn’t a bad thing. I like that some comedians respect and expect that there is an audience that can grasp a complex subject and the jokes about it. Those comedians are few these days. Mr. Wright is unseen these days, Mr. Rock is working on other projects more than his stand-up, and Mr. George Carlin is getting up there in age. Mr. Miller is the only choice and it’s not a bad one. If you haven’t seen his work before, you may want to get a tape of his early work on Saturday Night Live. Or just listen to his radio show once it hits the air.

In sad news, which there has been too much of lately, I send condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Yvonne De Carlo. Many of the younger readers may not realize who this is, but I think TVland or Nick at Nite carries a show that they may recognize her face from. Ms. De Carlo played the character Lilly Munster on the show The Munsters. While this may be her most immediately recognizable role she had many others. Ms. De Carlo was a Canadian that played a Hebrew wife to Moses (Mr. Charleston Heston) in the classic and impressive The Ten Commandments. Her career started in 1941 and continued until 1995 including many roles in westerns including a favorite of mine McLintock! [Yes I am a fan of Mr. John Wayne] I’m sorry to know that she has passed but glad that she has a body of work that will live on for many more generations to come.

For the golfers out there some news that may have been missed. It seems the PGA thinks that instituting a points program similar to the one in NASCAR will help draw more interest to the game. It seems that the 4 big majors are not enough of a draw, and the multiple other matches are not interesting enough. It’s pure money talking, which will screw up the game without a question in my mind. Going for the ratings may be great for physical competition sports but I don’t see it for golf. It’s a sport of individuals, with the majors being the reward. A points competition should not be more important than a major, nor equal to it. If joe average isn’t watching I doubt if a 37 match scoreboard will be a draw. It may help Vegas, a whole new thing to put odds on, but that’s about it.

Some things shouldn’t be about the profit. Profit is a good thing and it’s great as a secondary goal, but it shouldn’t be the drive. Mr. Tiger Woods is after the legacy of a legend, not the money. Many newer or younger players are out to become Mr. Woods or try to surpass him. It’s not about money. When kids say they “want to be like Mike” they mean the ability of Mr. Jordan, not his money.
The focus on money always trickles down to the players. It always dilutes the game and lessens the quality. Baseball used to be a game of greats, now I find it a battle of businesses. The same can be said of basketball, players forsaking educations and self-discipline for a grab at the cash. Golf would be unwatchable if it forgets it’s a gentlemen’s game. Even worse it could be unplayable as etiquette-less players storm courses with dreams of cash. Profit isn’t worth that to me.

This is what I think, what do you think?

What does Eddie Murphy make you think of? - 12.22.2006.1

As Christmas and the new year approach, and I watch Mr. Eddie Murphy on Inside the Actors Studio I come upon several thoughts. First I am caught by the poise that Mr. Murphy presents in the program, and how quiet and reserved he his. It’s not quite the same as the mental image I have for the man though he obviously is not the same as the 20-something that burst into movies and stand-up and national attention.

I am also drawn to the movie Dreamgirls, the play of which I saw back during high school. I’ll speak on the movie later, but the clips of Mr. Murphy singing (yes it’s his voice) and doing his Motown-esque routine are captivating and well done. The movie allows a great range to be displayed and from what can be seen of the non-performance clips it delivers.

But I am also drawn to another thought. I believe that no actor (with the exception of perhaps Mr. Frank Oz and Mr. Jim Henson – though muppets are not quite actors) has ever played so many roles in one film, or has been in as many movies portraying separate characters. I’m not talking about playing a twin, like Mr. Jeremy Irons did so well, but completely separate and realistic characters. In 5 films he has played a total of 24 characters, I don’t think anyone else has ever played more multiple characters. To his credit, these were not knock off characters or bad acting roles. Each of the Klumps, or the old men in Coming to America, or any other character was a real and well done role. Some done so well as to seem like a completely different person was that actor.

While there are those who have asked about the potential of Mr. Murphy to go into dramatic roles, I think his portrayal in Dreamgirls will answer that. Some have questioned his efforts to help break African Americans into the Hollywood machine. I think he has, though not in the way that was requested. Mr. Murphy has inspired many who are stars today including Mr. Martin Lawrence and Mr. Chris Rock. The cumulative effect of his presence and ability should not be overlooked. Inspiration is a powerful tool for those that wish to achieve a thing.

The inspiration that he provides is not limited to his stand-up or comedic roles. Mr. Murphy has directed (Harlem Nights), produced (13 films including Life and the upcoming Johnny Blaze), written (10 productions not including the various skits for Saturday Night Live), and sang (10 including Shrek and Dreamgirls) as well as being a recording artist. He was the first novice movie star to receive 1 million dollars in his first film and he is perhaps the most successful SNL star (Mr. John Belushi may have been if he lived, Mr. Dan Ackroyd has not been as successful, and Mr. Will Ferrell may get there in time but is not currently). That is quite inspiring from any actor.

I have to say I just never thought about it till I saw this episode of Inside the Actor’s Studio. Reflection brings interesting revelations sometimes.

This is what I think, what do you think?