An Obama effect in Hollywood is insulting

There is something that’s been nagging at me for months. The Obama effect on media and television. The very statement is an insult. Let me explain why.

An effect is a reaction to a stimulus. As long as the stimulus is around the effect continues. Once it is gone the effect fades. An Obama effect is a temporary shift in a long held belief system. And I don’t want to accept that as good enough.

Since before, and massively since, the election President Obama has been used as a reason for media to remember that African Americans have been a vital part of this nation since inception, are a rather large part of the population, and an enormous factor to the prosperity of the economy.

Television and movies have long ignored all of that. With the exception of the Cosby Show and a few programs that were on broadcast television at that same time, the small screen in everyone’s living room is devoid of people of color. In fact, once the Cosby Show went off-air (ending the Cosby effect), the executives in Hollywood seemingly scrambled to eliminate what they had created. Proof that Americans will watch a good program no matter the color of the stars.

At this point, the 9th year in a row, the line-up of television features 2 programs with Black actors as lead. They are on the smallest and least seen public television broadcast network, and hold the worst time-slot possible. Beyond this, there are 2 prominent Black actors in drama ensembles. And then there are 2 programs on cable television that feature Black casts. That’s it, out of over 120 programs just looking at broadcast television alone.

But President Obama will cause all that to change. Kiss my ass.

I do not need, nor should it take, the leader of our nation to be Black to make me aware of the abilities of tens of millions of Americans. There have long prior been examples of success in front of and behind cameras. There has long prior been proof of our viability. And to claim that only now people can see or accept this is insulting to generations of African Americans and the American public at large. To say nothing of the even less acknowledge or seen Latino/Hispanic and Asian communities.

Back in November of 2008

“It may say something about the state of American television that there is one more black president-elect of the United States than there are black actors with individual lead roles in a network television drama.”

Recently Bill Cosby had this to say about the supposed Obama effect and television

“No, because these people are stupid," he says, referring to network bosses. "Look at how NBC is struggling. You would think they would make some changes and be talking about trying to get another 'Cosby' kind of show. But they would probably die before putting another show on about a black family and black pride."

And Bishop T.D. Jakes stated

“I think sometimes the only images we see of people of color are the images that Hollywood projects: the hip-hop, the gangs, the street life. Now, it would be wonderful for them to recognize what has always existed in the African-American community and what Obama's presidency suggests: middle-class African-Americans who are articulate, intelligent and thoughtful."

And that is the issue. Hollywood wants African Americans to be limited to gangsta rappers or such ilk. President or not, African Americans are supposed to be bad guys, poor, uneducated and in need of a hand-out. Adding more African Americans because of President Obama is just that. And once he is out of office, just like with the Cosby effect, they can go back on message.

That is insulting. I don’t want laws to tell me that I am equal. I don’t want executives in Hollywood to portray African Americans in a movie or program because they want to enlighten me to success. These things should be obvious to anyone that looks around or reads more than a high school book on history.

America does not need an effect. We need respect. For those that work everyday, that contribute to the prosperity of the economy, of those that aren’t living the commoditization of Black culture. We need to acknowledge that without African Americans, America would have failed before it could have started. And that right this second, there are tens of thousands that are qualified and capable but overlooked because they have a permanent tan.

Jaime Foxx, Denzel Washington, Laurence Fishburne, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Sidney Poitier, Angela Bassett, Terrance Howard, Gabrielle Union, Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Bill Duke, and so many others are not an Obama effect. They are not an effect at all. They are representatives of a far larger, more diverse community that has been right here for as long as America has been around – they have just been mostly ignored.

Trying to placate this vital segment of America with insincere transitional leftovers is not the answer. Though it does answer a sincere question that often is asked and I think best stated in the movie The Tuskegee Airmen.

“Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. – Andre Braugher -
…I ask myself the most difficult question everyday. How do I feel about my country… and how does my country feel about me.”

War Machine no more - Terence Howard out, Don Cheadle in

What the hell was Marvel thinking? If you are like me, you are unaware of the news that apparently came out last week in Hollywood. This news deals with the sequel to the hit film Iron Man.

The cast of Iron Man included Robert Downey Jr. and Oscar-nominee Terence Howard. This film has been a massive hit in theaters and the DVD sales have been brisk. Expectations for the obviously hinted sequel have been high. In fact, Iron Man and the Tony Stark character play prominently into the upcoming Avengers and other Marvel comic book film adaptations.

Marvel did a great job of conveying the character flaws from written form to movie. And the acting of Robert Downey Jr. was instrumental. But as important was the acting of Terence Howard as Stark’s best friend Jim Rhodes. It is the Rhodes character that Stark relies upon throughout the comic book, and is the only person he is willing to entrust his upgraded technology to. That new armor suit is called War machine, and it lives up to its name well.

In the movie Howard looks to the new armor and mentions “next time”. But it seems that it will never come as he has now been dropped from the sequel. I find that to be horrendous. Howard is an exceptional actor, and capable of a range of roles as his career shows.

Not only has Howard been replaced, by the equally talented – but far too short – Don Cheadle, Marvel did not have the balls to tell Howard beforehand. According to reports the excuse is a failure to come to terms on pay. But according to Howard

“…And I read something in the trades that implicated it was about money... but apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren't worth the paper that they're printed on sometimes. And promises aren't kept, and good faith negotiations aren't always held up.”

I like Don Cheadle. He is a great actor. But I don’t see him as Rhodes. It just doesn’t work for me. And now the new dynamic of the actors is very different than what was expected or as existed in the first film. There is a chance that Marvel may have shot themselves in the foot as it seemed that the second film was going to focus on War Machine and Rhodes.

It appears that Marvel is going the route of Disney, which is reported to be a tightwad and miserable to work for. The actions of Disney cost it an animation department and hundreds of millions in animated film revenues. Marvel seems ready to follow that same path, which was also the cause of the creation of Imagine Comics, and gave growth to several underground comics that ate away a large portion of their readership in the 1990’s.

Perhaps the next Iron Man movie will be fine. All the actors are phenomenal so you wouldn’t expect different. But I think that the future comic book adaptations may be in danger of failure. And just before Captain America can make it to the silver screen. It would be a shame.

Hollywood has its issues, and they are seeping into Marvel apparently. The loss of Terence Howard is a bad sign, hopefully it just remains that. And I hope that Marvel comes back to Howard with a sweetheart deal to make up for this public and unwarranted slap in the face.

And I really hope this does not cause a fued between Howard and Cheadle. They are too good, and there are too few quality roles for African Americans for that to happen.

Review Iron Man

I was wrong about Iron Man. The movie isn’t good. It’s a great movie, made all the better by Robert Downey Jr.’s acting and Jon Faverau’s directing vision. Seriously I think this film is the best in the superhero comic book to movie genre to date.

So why is it so good?

Well they stick greatly to the wealth of the storylines of the comicbook to start with. Tony Stark is a multi-billionaire genius with a penchant for women and liquor. He is a selfish, self-centered cad. And Downey embodies the character perfectly. You can easily relate to Stark’s wild lavish lifestyle of private jets with retractable stripper poles and stewardesses to match. You can also believe his staunch commitment to creating weapons for the protection of America.

At many points in the movie it’s the transition that gets you. Whether its physical, emotional or moral. And unlike failure films like the Ang Lee Hulk (thank god a superior version is about to come to the movies) the morale content is not spoon-fed to you, but allowed to develop in the movie.

Pacifists and ultra-liberals will enjoy the movie and take away an ant-war feel. Which isn’t exactly right. The goal is anti-abuse of the weapons needed to make the world better. And it’s about one man finding his own way to improve the world, growing beyond the shadow of his father.

The visuals in the film are spot on. The suit is believable and stylish. With just enough ostentation to fit a former billionaire will-o-wisp. Many feared this movie wouldn’t connect with moviegoers because you can’t see Downey behind the mask. Well several closeups ‘within the mask’ are more than enough to keep you in touch with the humanity of Stark, and his movements is the suits are anything but robotic.

And I think you just have to love the handy but bumbling helper robot of Stark’s. Never fear a fire when he is near. Though lighting a cigarette or falling down may also get the same result.

The supporting cast include Terrence Howard in a small but beneficial role of Randy Rhodes. He is the second closest person to Stark besides Pepper Potts. He is Stark’s longtime friend and military liason. He is also the man that may one day (in the movies) become the 2nd man in the iron suit – War Machine. Terrence Howard portrays a high ranking Air Force pilot with respect and authority.

Gwenneth Paltrow is the ever present and consistent Pepper Potts. Whether it’s “taking out the garbage” or blowing up the corporate office she is the woman you want. And Paltrow is very good at being dutiful. Thankfully her character gets about the same kind of emotional release as does Evey from V For Vendetta.

In terms of the music, well there is one song you just want to hear from the previews – but on that you will be disappointed. Otherwise the music, and sound is well done.

I’m trying hard not to give away anything more than the basics that you can see in a preview or from a casual perusal on Google of Iron Man. You want to see this film. I want to see it again. I want the DVD.

One of the best things about the film may be the fact that there just has to be a sequel, and Downey will be in it. Or perhaps that this one superhero is the only one that every single one of us could imagine being able to do, and having a hell of a rush doing it.

Expect crowds to see this film, unless you live in a small town like Binghamton and are in the theater at 4ish.

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?

Minorities, Television and 27 percent

27. That number is a huge statement. It represents the percentage of the population of this nation that is Black/African American and Hispanic combined. That is a large number. Many of the people this number represents are concentrated in metropolitan areas throughout the nation. Those population centers, such as NYC, L.A., Washington D.C., Gary Indiana, and others are huge hubs for broadcasting and help determine what gets on television.

Yet it is interesting that broadcast television, and the cable networks overall, seem to believe that portraying the nation as virtually all white is more accurate. This is only slightly better than the portrayal found in movies in general. Why?

Not only is the lack of diversity to be found on the screens but behind them as well. As noted by the Multi-Ethnic Media Coalition, changes have been made but it could be much better. Minority writers, directors and other support for the shows pale in comparison to the national figures. In 2003 the NAACP reported that only 41.8 million dollars was spent on minority provided services and goods by the reporting broadcasters (the next announcement by the NAACP is in Juanuary and the only data I could find was from '03). That number is for 3 major broadcasters who spend over a million dollars per episode for strongly rated shows, or significantly more depending on how much each lead actor recieves (ie. each member of Friends, Seinfeld, and as I recall the lead of Fraiser recieving 1 million per show). Why?

All of these figures and data fail to include the impact of television commercials in this data. Part of my views on television commercials targeted to minorities can be seen in my comments on Burger King. The virtual absense of hispanics and asians is absurd. The way that I feel, Black/African Americans are given second class status in commercials and it is maddening.

The facts taken in total make a profound statement, that is seen and felt not only in the US but also throughout the world. Broadcasters appear, in my opinion, to state that any non-white is relatively unimportant. That no attempt at providing quality programming targeted to these groups is required or of practical use. Perhaps it could be summarized as 'the less seen the better'? That offends me.

The characters portrayed on television are more than just mindless figures. They are, in the best of shows, figures of inspiration and mirror feelings we have ourselves. How many young girls are inspired by seeing Ms. Geena Davis as the president of the United States? How many 'geeky' or 'nerdy' kids are motivated by the actions of Mr. William L. Petersen's Gil Grissom? And what motivation or inspiration is being given to non-white children/adults?

Who are the women, and the show, of Desperate Housewives trying to connect with? I mean that as a fantasy what are men to think? And how are women to feel? That only white slender women can be sexy? (Sex and the City also comes to mind on this point) I haven't seen the show {I only watch the original CSI, Law and Order, and the West Wing} but this is what I get just from television commercials and news releases.

Movies are even worse. Only white males can be leads in complex, quality, widely distributed movies. While Mr. Terrence Howard proves this wrong, take a moment and count the total number of major studio films {and probably independant films can be included} released this year. Take out the number of movies with black leads. I doubt the comparision will be anything close to 27% or even 12.9% (percentage of Black/African Americans). So what is Hollywood also saying to the world, that will see an even more narrowly targeted group of these movies. This is interesting when it can be estimated that Whites [defined as Non-African, non-middle eastern individuals that are catagoriezed as Caucasian, and includes Spain] are not the world majority, nor close to it.

Basically I am annoyed. Annoyed that broadcasters and movie studios continue to ignore and shun "minorities" in all aspects. That television commercials treat non-whites as immaterial, and yet expect us to purchase their goods. That the attempt to reach for more in life is not an idea to promote to non-whites. And most of all, too few even notice that this is happening and say nothing when its told to them.

This is what I think, what about you?

Award shows

So I am just getting ready to go to bed when I recalled something that I though was worthy of note. Yes I get ideas at odd times, I'm a nite owl. I can't take credit for this, David Spade on his show The Showbiz Show had spoken about the plethora of Black/African American themed Award shows.

He did hit a cord on that one as he is right. With the Oscars, finally, acceptance of the fact that there are a number of Black actors worthy of recognition, such as Denzel Washington (though not for that role in my opinion) and Jamie Foxx (definiately for that role), is this the time to splinter off and have exclusive Awards?

Yes, 30 or more years ago, even 10ish years ago I could see the need. But now after making strides and getting the confirmation of peers long overdue, what's the point. Do movies like the remakes of the Honeymooners, Who's Coming Home to Dinner or original movies such as whatever Friday is the latest or Soul Plane really deserve to be given awards? Yes, the oversights (or slap in the face if you preffer) to movies like Spike Lee's Malcolm X are hard to forget, but where have the serious films worth consideration gone.

I doubt if any of the rappers-can-act-too-I-think movies are anywhere above a bad rating, and far from an Oscar caliber performance. The actors who deserve the opportunity to shine, like Morgan Freeman, Queen Latifah (a rare exception to the rapper rule) and others shouldn't be bogged down by the drive of major studios to cash in on the "If it stars Black actors we have to see it and support" attitude prevalent today.

Increasing the number of Award shows (which now includes Black Movie Awards, BET Awards, Source Hip Hop Awards and Vibe Awards - yes not all movies but the point still stands) does not help increase the quality of movies made, nor the ability of good actors getting the roles they deserve. I think it hinders them by reinforcing the notion in the public eye that Black actors can't pull off leading roles in non-Black oriented movies. If the public fails to see these movies the actors, directors and everyone else involved just had their chances drop precipitously[sp? not sure if its a word].

I mean to say that there aren't alot of movies for these Award show to present, of truely high caliber just as there aren't many for the Oscars. I mean a show where the Honeymooners lead is compared to Don Cheadle in Crash or Terence Howard in Hustle and Flow is sad.

And what does it say to the masses? That the best that can be offered is the occasional stand out actor - (I'm not forgetting the women, the list would be too long) like Mr. Howard, Foxx, Washington, Cheadle, Jasckson (Samuel) and Freeman - in the occassionaly stand out movie... but the meat and potatoes of black acting is Get Rich or Die Trying, Beauty Shop, or Guess Who?

I think we should expect more. I think that putting out Award shows, or movies for that matter, with the only goal of making quick cash from a cheap production because it's known that the culture wants to support and nurture and grow its talented people is sad.

What do you think?