10 year movie review: Bamboozled

When I read about the fried chicken served at NBC I was immediately reminded of something. A movie that disturbed me. A movie that moved me. A movie that I think should be shown on broadcast television, uncut, every time the nation celebrates Black History Month.

Bamboozled.

I'm sure most of my readers have not seen this film by Spike Lee. It wasn't popular when it came out, and it still isn't. It may well never become so. Which is a testament to the images and meaning the film embodies.

This is a difficult film to watch. It strikes me with anger and shame in equal parts. It upsets me for what I see on the screen, and what those images mean in relation to the real world. It infuriates me with it's reflection of the real world and the societal norms in the nation.

The more I hear of acts like that in NBC, the more I find stories like that of Megan Williams, Oscar Grant, Mauricia Grant and so many more the closer I believe we get to Mantan and the new millienium minstrel show. The more I see Snoop Dogg and the horde of rappers that are excused and praised for their disrespect of women and themselves, the glorification of drugs and violence, the more I see Mantan. The more I hear talk of a post racial America, while States like North Carolina make decisions to edit American history (starting just AFTER the civil war and slavery) the more I see the potential to fall back to the norms of 1950 or 1920, or 1850.

But Bamboozled is not just a movie about African Americans, it's about America. It's not just painful to see what is possible, but what is happening. It's Chris Matthews proud President Obama can be "in a room full of White people" and still be "unaffected". It's the unreported 19% unemployment rate among African Americans. It's the accusations that to disagree with policy is to be a racist. It's the concept that an African American MUST love President Obama and cannot deviate from supporting him.

Bamboozled came out in 2000, and 10 years later it is even more accurate and troubling than when it was made. Yet it is a movie that is unspoken, unwatched and even less fully understood as a statement of right now.

Here are parts of the film, but it hardly is the complete context.







If you don't get Bamboozled, you don't know American history - current or past. If you aren't angry and uncomfortable watching this film, you can't see the world around you. But see this film you should, for many I would even say must.

Will Smith and Jay-z put Afrobeats on Broadway

Are you familiar with Afrobeat music? Well Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Jay-Z hope that you want to find out.

Afrobeat is a style of music that originated from Nigeria in the 1970's. It was created by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who traveled the world introducing this music to various artists and fans. Fela Kuti was so influential that when he died in 1997 a million people came to the funeral, literally.

But the influence of Fela Kuti did not end with his death. An Off-Broadway play, called Fela!, has carried on the music and inspiration of the man. It also provides a honest look at who he was, including his simultaneous marriage to 27 women and his problems with the Nigerian authorities.

The play has done well enough that it will be opening on Broadway in a week. But it was lacking producers and financial backing. That is where Jay-z and the Smith's come in. They have now signed on as co-producers of the play. Which I call putting your money where your heart is.

Given the star power of Jay-z and the Smith's, it is likely that the play will gain a big boost to it's publicity and probably to the revenues and ticket sales. But the question of the play making back the money the celebrities invested is unknown as no details of how much they have put in has been stated. Considering the business successes of the celebrities, I have to believe that whatever the amount they will make it back.

If you are wondering what Afrobeat music sounds like and who Fela Kuti was, I found this on youtube. It's a video of Fela Kuti performing in 1971. It kind of reminds me of James Brown mixed with jazz.

Jada Pinkett Smith's real life role: education provider

I know that when most people think of Jada Pinkett Smith, they think of the Matrix, or Will Smith her husband. Some might even recall her in early movies like A Lowdown Dirty Shame. But such thoughts only scratch the surface of what this actress mother and entrepreneur is.


Last year, without much national fanfare the Smith’s opened the New Village Leadership Academy. Located in the Los Angeles area, this school has 60 students ranging from pre-school to 6th grade. The goal of the school is to have each child attain 100% mastery, meaning they re-take tests until they achieve 100%. It’s a different approach, but when compared to the quality and results of public education across the nation a different approach is definitely needed.

For those wondering, the school is not just a rich Hollywood celebrity school. It is diversified in both the economic backgrounds and ethnicity of the students.

This is a major achievement for any person or couple. The creation of a school that helps children further their minds, and in my opinion therefore their lives, is a task few can attain. But Jada Pinkett Smith is reaching further. Even with the economic crisis, which affects every American to some degree, she is planning to open a sister school to accept students in the higher grades.

“My plan is to eventually have a high school," Pinkett Smith said. "I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm just trying to make it through this year."

I love to discuss stories like this. Whether it’s a major celebrity, entertainer, or just someone that cares and makes an effort. We don’t hear enough about these kinds of acts.

Right now, the focus is on Chris Brown. Before that the news media was focused on the 'octomom', Coolio, or Snoop Dogg and so on. There is no end of the insignificant gossip and trash that fills the media airwaves these days. But the cost of such refuse is the paltry attention given to substance and class.

How many people were aware that the Smith family had started a school? Where else might you have heard about the potential of additional schools being opened? I truly doubt most entertainment gossip rags will cover it. And there is no good reason not to.

I know that my own blog is not perfect. On occasion I too delve into the bowels of what passes for information on entertainers and celebrities. But I try to stick to the important news.

I commend Jada Pickett Smith and the Smith family. Their commitment deserves more attention, especially as they are doing these things in a troubling economic time. If only more celebrities and entertainers could try to do half as much.

Regin Over Me, Pride, Shooter - 3.9.2007.1

Time to talk a bit about movies. I’ve spoken about the upcoming remake 300 (300 Spartans at Thermoplye - 10.07.2006.1) which I hope will be good. Knowing that the backgrounds and much of the movie has been done via CGI effects is not the most motivating thought to me. But that does not preclude the film from being done well. We will see.

Going a bit forward there are a few that seem like interesting films. So far the previews look quite good for Reign Over Me, Pride, and Shooter. Going in order Reign Over Me seems the most powerful. The cast stars Mr. Don Cheadle, who I think is overlooked far too much. His performance in Hotel Rawanda was acclaimed though the film did not get the recognition it deserved. More likely most recall his supporting roles in movies such as Hamburger Hill, Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve, Devil in a Blue Dress, Rosewood, Operation Swordfish and Out of Sight. You will also see him in Ocean’s Thirteen. I feel he is a rising star, and I have no doubt that his name will gain more attention in the near future. So that is a big positive for the film. The other leading star of the film is Mr. Adam Sandler in another dramatic performance. Mr. Sandler has made the transition to dramatic roles quite well and has had several solid performances in this genre.

Given the power of these two men, and Mrs. Jada Pinkett-Smith who is no mere window dressing, the stage is set. The storyline is one that many can relate to, this is especially true for those of us from NYC. It is the story of 2 old friends, one of which lost his family in a plane crash. As they reconnect they get a chance to see life from a different perspective and everything changes from there. This doesn’t appear to be a sappy movie, just a real story about the trial of life and what it takes and gives us each. Expect to hear a lot more about it.

The movie Pride stars another favorite of mine, Mr. Terence Howard. Mr. Bernie Mac is also in the film taking a more serious role than his previous films. This is another film in the growing trend of biopics, that touch on the past achievements made by various African Americans that have previously been given little recognition. I always enjoy a well-done story of an underdog surpassing expectations, as do most people. I also find it important to see films that remind us all that blatant racism is hardly a thing of the far past, and that the human spirit can overcome any obstacle.

There is no question that Mr. Howard is capable enough to perform the lead in this type of film, and that alone is enough for me. The fact that this is based on a true story, and it depicts the emergence of youths thought beyond hope to a point of self-awareness and self-respect that they did not think possible. This is a positive image that needs to be seen more. Counter to the media fueled images of Black Americans as criminals and drug dealers (I’m speaking of the music videos and cheaply made, poorly scripted, rap or hip hop starred ‘ghetto’ films) it’s important to see the true images of African Americans as regular people capable of surmounting obstacles. Perhaps this film will ring similar to Mr. Denzel Washington’s Remember The Titans, and in many ways that’s a good thing. We shall see.

As to the film Shooter, well it’s not a serious drama. At least the theatrical and television film clips don’t present it as such. It’s an action film starring Mr. Mark Wahlberg, with a supporting role by Mr. Danny Glover. Mr. Wahlberg has become a reliable and consistent action-based actor, his roles in The Italian Job and The Big Hit been obvious examples of his success. He’s picked his roles quite well, and had solid performances in each role, even in the badly done remake Planet of the Apes. While the theme of this movie has been done multiple times, recently by Mr. Wesley Snipes and Mr. Tommy Lee Jones in U.S. Marshals and Mr. Keenen Ivory Wayans in Most Wanted, it’s a good plotline. The trailer clips seem to show a film that is balanced with enough explosions and shoot-outs to entertain action fans, but enough of a plot to let it make sense.

Well those are my thoughts on the upcoming movies to hit theaters soon. I’m sure you will let me know how close to the mark I am.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Fear Master Shake, and who is most desirable - 1.31.2007.1

Well there were a few things that caught my eye today. One item, was the sad reminder that large amounts of wealth and a strong dash of fame rarely mixes well with friends and family. In this case it’s the signal of perhaps the end of a long friendship for Mr. Bruce Willis. While the lawsuit was settled, the fact that it had been made may be the breaking point between Mr. Willis and his friend. I’m always sorry to hear of stories like this. There are never any winners in this kind of situation.

Speaking of a no-win situation, imagine that you are just coming home after a particularly stressful day. Your only thought is to get home and relax watching television in that massage chair you got over Christmas. You sit down, turn it on, and after a few minutes you pop up wondering what you left on the stove that was burning. Sadly you realize that it’s actually your chair on fire. Not a good day at all. Luckily for most of my readers it’s not an issue, the massage chairs made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd, are sold in Japan and Asia (and are being recalled). So perhaps your day here is not as bad as you might have first thought.

In terms of relaxing, it seems that there are quite a few men that daydream about a few stars. A list was made by AskMen.com on the 99 most desirable women of 2007 [why 99? And isn’t it a bit early to be doing this kind of list in January?] had Ms. Beyonce Knowles at number 1. A good choice I think.

Who didn’t make the list? Well I think Ms. Alicia Keys should have made it. Talented and good looking, but the low profile she had in 2006 kept her out. That’s a shame. On the other end of the spectrum Mrs. Britney Spears (is she still married?) didn’t make it either. Thank goodness. I’m so tired of seeing her face. Limited talent, not really that pretty, no class – why do people still talk about her? And where was Mrs. Jada Pinkett-Smith? She is classy and sexy and deserves to be on the list, married or not. I have to add a long time favorite of Ms. Claudia Black. [Ayrn Sun rules! I don’t give a frell if you don’t agree. My fellow ‘Scapers know what I mean.]

Now as for the other women on the most desirable list, Ms. Gabrielle Union is far too low at 94. Ms. Rosario Dawson made it to 77, Ms. Jennifer Esposito got 69 (higher than Ms. Dawson?), Fergie is 60, Mrs. Gwen Stefani hit 56, Ms. Mandy Moore ranked 53, Ms. Tyra Banks was what to high at 26. Ms. Charlize Theron could have been higher at 24, Ms. Angalina Jolie caught 9, and Ms. Jessica Alba was far too high at 3. There are a huge number of women I have never seen before (but I’m not big on basic television or low quality programming so that could be a factor). And why are most of the women so thin that they have little or no curves? Face it, they may say that Ms. Knowles is number 1 because of abilities, but her sex appeal didn’t hurt either. That sex appeal is in no small part the fact that she has curves. Why most forms of entertainment are afraid of women with curves I have no idea. If models were shaped more like Ms. Knowles or Ms. Mayra Veronica I’m sure Top Model or runway shows would be far more interesting, for men and women. But that’s my take on the list you can check it out and make your on decision. [Ms. Hilary Duff, Ms. Jennifer Aniston, Ms. Lindsay Lohan, Ms. Penelope Cruz, Ms. Jessica Simpson, Ms. Eva Longoria all made the list and I have no idea why.]

Lastly, I hope that the actions or guerilla marketers in Boston will not adversely affect the programming at Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. You may have heard how the various images of Err, and Master Shake shoke-up the city with fears of a terrorist scare or bombing hoax. It actually was just advertising that went wrong. It seems similar marketing ploys are in 9 other cities, and have been for weeks. I have to wonder though, that since these items were around for a couple of weeks (as was reported), did someone from the parent network decide to get some extra attention and called in the first couple of bomb reportings? Maybe an exec with a desire to get more traction since some poll showed the marketing wasn’t getting enough attention? I have to admit that I thought something was up when Err was pictured on screen and reporters fumbled to figure out who he was and the name of the show. They couldn’t even get the Moonites name right at first. Watching them describe the Aqua Teen Hunger Force show broke up the tension a lot! The apology at 7:59pm on Fox News, for screwing up the details, was classic!

This is what I think, what do you think?