| Author | Message | ||
     Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1647 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: |
I just came from my local Magic Johnson theater, where you can "watch movies in your own community"; I just checked out The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. This was a damn good movie. Certainly the best movie I'm seen in several years. The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has named “The Dark Knight” as the Best Picture of 2008. http://reviews.aalbc.com/black_film_critics_picks_2008.htm. Dark Knight was really good and Heath Ledger was great, but in my opinion Button was even better. I just came off seeing Cadillac Records (http://aalbc.com/reviews/cadillac_records.htm) which I thought was good Benjamin Button blows Cadillac out of the water. Seven Pounds was decent I just felt grimy afterwards. Read Kam's Review http://reviews.aalbc.com/the_curious_case_of_benjamin_button.htm there is also a link to the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story on which the movie was very loosely based. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13284 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I've heard nothing but good things about "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". From what I can discern, I would say that the reason people are moved by this film is because it takes an impossible situation to demonstrate the possibility of true love. Guess Angelina Jolie has been a positive force in Brad Pitt's career, inspiring him to stretch out and prove that he's more than just a pretty face. His comedic turn in "Burn After Reading" was also a change of pace role for him which garnered praise. Brad's ex-wife Jennifer Aniston's movie "Marley and Me" is also receiving rave reviews, and it is ironically another love story about the bonding between a man and his dog. ...and this is your pop-culture vulture signing off for now. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1493 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Well Troy, it seems like we are on the same page. In another thread I expressed my love of this movie. I too greatly enjoyed Cadillac Records yet again, would agree with your opinion that "Benjamen Button" comes in first. Hey Troy, as I mentioned in my other post, I was left with several questions after viewing Benjamin Button. I can assume you have a few too. Do you think we can discuss this movie without giving away too much? | ||
| A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon Post Number: 2489 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yes everyone is saying that Taraji Henson should win the academy award for her performance. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1495 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
I don't know about that one, A_womon. Again, I don't know who is up for the award but her performance wasn't anythang special. Don't get me wrong, she did her thang, her acting is solid but the character that she played was your steroetypical black servant that loves er'bodys babies. Even when she had to play the part of an aging black women, there was nothing knew. In fact, that might have been the low point of her performance. But of course her character is one the whites love to embrace. She was obedient and she lived in the basement. Give me a break, she did her job but this is not a breakout performance. | ||
| A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon Post Number: 2491 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Well Carey, I hate to tell you this, but uh ruh, It's de black folks that I hear buzzing about oscar. And if Taraji played that type of role and made you believe it then that's just more proof she deserves an oscar since acting is all about being who you ain't up on the screen! | ||
| A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon Post Number: 2492 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
correction: "just more proof that she MAY deserve the oscar..." | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 507 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: |
Carey: Your comments remind me of the discussion around Denzel ("Training Day") and Hallie's ("Monster's Ball) Oscar wins (and around just about every one of Whoopi Goldberg's performances). How to separate the acting job from the nature of the character? Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for "Silence of the Lambs", and his character was beyond despicable, but no complaints about that. For black folks who had a problem with Denzel and Hallie's wins, the complaint seemed to be that blacks are only rewarded/awarded when they are playing stereotypical, "bad guy", or other "make white folks feel comfortable" roles. Oh, and of course Terence Howard was nominated for his turn as a pimp in "Hustle and Flow". I've heard a similar complaint about national book awards: blacks only when win they write about slavery ("Beloved", "The Known World"). I feel there are two separate issues, but I do feel conflicted at times. As much as I lament stereotypical roles for black actors, I feel that a solid performance is a solid performance. If the work is good, it should be recognized as such. Can we hate the character, but love the performance? Not always easy. The overarching problem, imo, is the lack of quality roles for black actors. They don't all have to be good guy roles, but if there was more variety, then there's a greater chance a black actor would win an Oscar for a role other than that of pimp, for example. But who am I anyway? It's not my career, not my award. From what I've read, neither Hallie nor Denzel publicly suggested that the win was diminished somehow because of the nature of the characters they portrayed. Many (perhaps Denzel included?) felt that his award was for his body of work and previous oversights, and not just because "Training Day" was such an about-face role and at the same time, a super-authentic portrayal for him. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1496 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
That's my point, Kitty. The role is one that charms the hearts of the voters. A_womon, I don't think you understood my position. Although you may have heard the buzz from black folk, there are only a small number of blacks the have a vote. Furthermore, whites are not the only ones that feel comfortable with the roles of mammy. I feel your post, Kitty. But, not only was I pointing out the nature of the character/role, Taraji Henson's performance was nothing to shout about ...imo. But when it's all said and done, it is only my opinion. This discussion is much like that of the book awards. There are those that demand quality in their reading and then there are others that do not even understand what the word means ...and don't care. Therefore, no one is wrong it. It will always boil down to a matter of taste. Moreover, the taste of the judges. There will always be ways to judge others and their work. I've looked at boxing matches that I just knew what the judges would say but low and behold, they didn't see it my way and the beat goes on. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3325 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Anthony Hopkins won an Oscar for "Silence of the Lambs", and his character was beyond despicable, but no complaints about that. FK, Lecter was simply one of the most complex, intriguing and oddly "likable" characters ever to be on the big screen. The original from the novel was also interesting, IMO, but clearly Hopkins brought him to life. NPR had an interesting piece on the character a while back: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89472698 Often, "bad guy" and anti-hero characters are written with more layers than typical heroes and actors often talk about the fun they have stretching and plumbing their own psyches to play them. There are many movies I can think of in which the bad guy steals the movie. Part of this is probably my own life-long affinity for monster movies. (Every Saturday afternoon as a child saw me glued to my small B&W set watching Sammy Terry monster theater!) But I think there is some merit in the idea that most people have a strange attraction to people who embrace their darker sides and like to explore that at a safe distance, like from a movie theater seat. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 511 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for the link, Yvette. The darker the character, the more I seem to like it. Maybe that's why traditional action/hero movies do nothing for me, lol. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1648 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
When I saw Hopkins take on Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs". I knew immediately he would win an academy award for that performance. He was terrific. Interesting enough the next installments of that charatcer were not nearly as compeling. The cinematography in "Silence" certainly added to the performance. Taraji Henson performance, in "Benjamin", was certainly beyond "wasn't anythang special". In fact, I have a lot more respect for Taraji's acting ability, as a result of seeing her performance in "Benjamin". Taraji is very talented. I also have new found respect for Columbus Short after seeing him in "Cadillac Records" another talented young man. I'm glad to see more Black actors in movies rather than less talented ex rappers and comedians. Why are major black roles filled by comedians and rappers; while major white roles are filled by actors? Now I defintely do not think that Denzel perfomance in "Training Day" or Hallie's in "Monster's Ball" was an Oscar wining performance. This is the real issue: Hallie and Denzel turned in better performances in other movies; however they were "rewarded" for average performances while playing a sociopathic cop and turing in a degrading sex scene. If those performances were great few would have an issue with the Oscar being bestowed for the characters they portrayed -- I certainly would not. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1503 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Troy, I most certainally agree with this: "This is the real issue: Hallie and Denzel turned in better performances in other movies; however they were "rewarded" for average performances while playing a sociopathic cop and turing in a degrading sex scene. If those performances were great few would have an issue with the Oscar being bestowed for the characters they portrayed -- I certainly would not." Okay, my use of the words, "nothing special" might have been a little strong, but I saw nothing special in her performance, what did you see? I mean, specifically, what did she do to make you believe that this was a standout performance. What emotions did she have to convey? How did her performance differ from those of other actors that have played similar roles. Tell me, point to a scene in which she moved you like that of a good sermon. Speak of a scene in which you looked at the person sitting next to you trying to see if they received the same joy as you. Give me a memorable line that she breathed air into. I'll tell you what, she reached down in 2 other movies that I've spoke of and I would put them ahead of this performance. Are we not back to your opinion of past performance of Denzel's that were better than the one that he won the actor for. For me, we are right smack dab in the middle of "let's give a black person a nod in this weak field of canditates". Again, it was not a weak performance but it was nothing to write home about. Check game, don't run from my questions. Maybe there was something I didn't see. Pull my coat, I need a different perspective. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13291 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I think that, ideally, an actor should become the character as opposed to the character becoming the actor. We all know that some actors just play themself no matter what the role, as in the case of the legendary John Wayne. To me, in "Monster's Ball", Halle Berry was self-consciously playing Halle Berry interpreting a one dimensional character and she didn't really pull it off, which is why I'll always look upon her Oscar as a token. In "Training Day", Denzel's intense performance was impressive because although his persona came through, it was a side of him that we didn't know existed. He was in effect, playing his street-wise evil twin and doing what I considered an Oscar-worthy job of it. I don't think there are many actors who could have been more effective as the ruthless rogue cop he portrayed. I agree that villains are always mesmerizing especially when they are suave and charming. Relating to "evil incarnate" can be a guilty pleasure. Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter gave an acting clinic. Most of the actors who portray the sinister Dracula always make females want a bite on the neck. Like Troy says, acting awards are a lot about industry politics. It looks like "Slum Dog Millionaire" is going to neutralize the popular favorite "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" because it's India's year. | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1650 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey Carey, You agree that you words "nothing special" might have been a little strong that is where I disagreed. Every scene Taraji was in was done well. Taraji also have to portray a character whose age spanned perhaps 50 years. I believe the subtle differences in character, temperment, speech and behavior were pulled off very well by Taraji. When you consider the roles she played in other movies you realize Taraji has a quite a range. Unlike say an Ice Cube who protrays the same character no matter what movie he is in... I'll also admit that Taraji's performance was elevated "The Curious Case" was simply a great movie. What questions did you have about the movie? | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1505 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
*lol* Yeah, we've beat that one up, we will agree to sort of disagree. She did a good job. Man, I wrote a post that took me nearly 30 minutes to write asking all sorts of questions because they were fresh in my mind. someone knocked on the door and I thought I was sending it but I somehow lost it. But let me try this again. Boy, you are working me today *lol*. Lets start with the age thang. How old was Benjamin Button when he left his daughters life and how old was she? what time period do you think that was. Since the movie made reference to Katrina, we can rightfully assume that the hospital scenes were taking place in the present. So, the dying women was approximately 83 years old. How old was the daughter and do you think the actor fit that age? In the movie, I got a message of it's never to late in life. In essence, Benjamin Button's life didn't begin until he was an old man. This theme was championed by his lover's dashed dream of swimming the channel. A dream she decided to try again when she was 64. What were some of the other messages you recieved from the movie? How about unconditional love and the sense of responsiblities. A scene that touched my heart was the one in which Benjamin Button took his father to the pier and sat behind him. Oh man, what did that say to you? I think Benjamins life evolved or aged just like you or I. By that I mean, if a person lives to be 80, his midpoint is 40. How old was Benjamin when he died. In his diary, I think the daughter said something about 1985. But since he was still of strong mind and intelligence when he wrote it, how old was he WHEN he stopped writng and how old was he when he died? It said he wanted to complete his thoughts while he still had time. So, although it was a journal, spanning many years, he stopped at some point. What am I missing? Remember, the journal was found with him. He died long before the women in the hospital because she was much younger looking when he "came home". If it's true that his aging process was linear, we can assume it took a few years after writing his diary and him being found and then later "leaving", for all this to take place? What was the significance of the clock? Was it just symbolic of what was about to happen? How about his father throughout the movie, what was he feeling? Was it regret, guilt or the love of a father for a son. Even his first action, what do you think propelled that decision? How about the message of, "when it's your time, it's your time". I think the movie was saying when you've accepted the fact that it's your time, there is peace and it might be time to make amends. Did you feel that? I loved the fact that they showed that Benjamin was not absent of pain. He showed disdain for his father and said to him that he was going back home. Do you think he forgave his father? Ouuuu weeeee, what about that whole scene that suggested everything happens for a reason. You know the one in which someone got hit by a car. What did that do for you? Let me touch on love and the message that it's an inward thang. Some characters were outwardly beatiful and then they were not. Some were ugly and again, they were not. but through it all, real love stood strong. I liked that one. Will you love me when I don't look and have the thangs I used to have? So many questions, I'll stop. Maybe you or others have some of your own? | ||
| A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon Post Number: 2495 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Quit telling the movie yall! Dang! I haven't seen it YET! | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1507 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Move around, don't come back here. Don't you see grown folks are talking. Go see the movie with your cheap self. Then come back; you might learn a little something. | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 219 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey Everyone Boy, Carey....so many questions. But, I too was trying to figure out the clock. I know it was made for the second hand to turn counter-clock wise. But, after the maker disappeared was the significance that Benjamin was born on the day he left or years later? I might need to go back and look at it again or listen better. Somehow I missed the point. I believe he left when the daughter was around three or four and returned when she was thirteen. I'm guessing. Maybe, I'll wait until more of the board see it...don't want to spoil it for them now do we. Hahahaha! | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1510 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
LINDA!!!! What's up babe? Yeah, I did and do have so many questions about the movie. I love this kind of drama. I thought I was being discrete with my questions but I nevertheless might be giving away to much. But then again the title of the post is Benjamin Button so forget what A_womon says. Yet having said that, one individual said that they didn't even know that ol'girl played the role of a servant and that I somewhat spoiled it for her. But dang, you find out that little tidbit in the first minute. Anyway, I going to hold my tongue for a second but you know I am the old refrigerator. But see, you done messed up. Who said anythang about a clock going backwards  . It's nice to see that you are still kickin' and have made it through a storm. Before I go (since you peaked my interests), you think the daughter was thirteen on his second visit ...uuuummmm. Okay, if so, why? And, then how old was Benjamin? Now here we go ****warning*** ****if you haven't seen the movie turn your head**** So, if she was thirteen, the mother had to be 58 at that time. You do know how I got that number ...right? I still want someone to tell me what year he died? | ||
| Libralind2 AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Libralind2 Post Number: 1145 Registered: 09-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, I agree with you 100% LiLi | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 514 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
Hey, LiLi...long time no cyber-see. ;-) Who are some of your favorite "dark" characters, "dark" movies? | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10250 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, I loved Denzel in Training Day. I know he was a bad guy, but there was something about that Alonzo that was skrait muh nigga. I like D a lot more in that movie than I did his almost LISTLESS performance in American Gangster. I don't really feel like boring you and myself about what I loathe about Halle's Monster Ball, except I will say she just blatantly made herself prime masturbatory material for every White dude alive in THAT particular joint. Whether or not Denzel and Halle deserved Oscars for those movies is neither here nor there. The Oscars is LITTERED with MANY instances where the most deserving were denied and the least deserving was congratulated. And as long as we're talking about something where human beings being made to judge something that is as inherently subjective as an acting performance, mishaps will surely occur. | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 220 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hey Carey If I remember correctly the diary was found when Benjamin was returned to his old home and had turned infantile and experiencing dementia. The mother of his daughter returned to care for him until his death. She was not that much younger in age than Benjamin. He was seven or eight when they met and she was five. Benjamin left home when 17 and stayed away ten years before they got together. Remember the scene....write me from every where. She was a teenager herself when he left. Now he is 27. The accident happened and she stayed away a few more years to heal, then they got together and it took about 3 or 4 more years before they had a baby. This was somewhere in the late sixties, early seventies. The mother was already in her fourties. I believe Benjamin was around 67 or so when he died. But, I'm guessing. I will watch it again this weekend to see if I am right. I still have a lot of questions myself. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 515 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: |
ABM, At one black movie-fan site, the debate raged so badly about Halle and Monster's Ball after she won that Oscar, that to this day, if you go over there and post "Halle" on the boards, I think they might just burst into flames. People were so polarized: either she was the best actor there was and ever would be, or she was the Whore of Babylon who couldn't act to save her life and only got the Oscar cuz she was light-skinded-ed. I didn't care as much about the "white boy/whore" stuff--though, I know somewhere Lisa Bonet was fuming, like, "I did it first and better in 'Angel Heart'!"--but I've just rarely been impressed by Halle as an actress since her turn as a crackhead in "Jungle Fever." Ever since, I've consistently watched her play a character, never felt like I've seen her become the character. That said, my hat goes off to black actresses playing and surviving the Hollywood Game--with their dignity in tact--because I can't imagine that that's an easy task. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1513 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hello Okay Linda, I am with you to a degree. Lets slow down. There are some things that we know for sure. Benjamen was born in 1919, the film told us that. Now, I will agree that his age and that of the dying women (babie's momma) was only a few years apart. So, to make things simple, we can say that she was at least 80 when she was telling the story. You are also correct when you said that you believe she was in her forties when the child was born. In fact, she said it. In an insecure manner, she said to Benjamin that she was 45, implying that she was too old for him. So, this is what we know. Give or take a few years, it was about 1968 when the child was born (1920 + 45yrs+ 3yrs rolling in the hay). But this is where it gets a little fuzzy and I am not sure if the movie didn't take a little liberty with time sequences. If I am correct in assuming that Benjamin didn't age any faster in reverse than you or I would normally age as we do, he died after living 72 years. Although I said this is fuzzy, this formula fits because 1968 (year of birth) + 27 (his age) = 1995 (year he died). This formula continues to fit ( I think) because he was about 8-10 years old when he was brought back to the home with the diary that was found with him. Again, 1995 minus 8-10 years = 1985. In the opening scene, when the daughter started to read the diary, there was reference made to the year 1985. I think this is the year that he stopped writing. This also fits because he was still of sound mind. Yes, his body was young, but his mind was still full of all his memories until his mind started to drift. So, the daughter would be around 34 when she was reading the diary. I am not sure the actress looked the part. But what fools sit around and try to figures out ages like we are doing *lol*. Hey, what can I say, I am tough on movies. Don't bring me no bad news. That's my theory and I am stickin' with it . | ||
| Troy AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Troy Post Number: 1656 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey, you hit the nail on the head with "what fools sit around and try to figures out ages like we are doing...". If you focus too much on the time frames and relative ages of the characters you'll miss the whole point of the movie. Seriously, if you can get past the fact that the main character is aging in reverse why would a few potential age discrepancies even be a consideration? The movie was about about love plain and simple. If you get that the stuff you are focusing on is really inconsequential. Don't you think? | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1515 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Oh Troy, you got jokes . No man, you got me messed up. I by no means missed the flavor of the movie. My orignal posts were filled with questions of love and human behavior. Who made the assumption that I was only looking at time line ...YOU did. Check it out now, my fine friend. I opened with my opinion that it was a love story. I talked about the peaks and vallys of love affairs and relationships. I mentioned pain, anger and resentments. I said the movie did not short change very many elements of unconditional love and lasting love. Maybe you were just being a heckler and can relate to many of the elements of love. Then again, some find many issues hard to talk about because they don't know anythang about it. I did read Kam's review and he called it Melancholy. I don't know if I totally agree with that opinion but it does show that we all view movie in a different manner. I was surprised to see that the guy that did Forrest Gump, did this movie. Although I saw similarities, I didn't know he was involved until after I read Kam's review. I don't know what you focused on in my posts but check yourself and step to the plate. You wanna talk about the clock ...it's on the floor. You wanna talk about a father's love ...come on. There were many scenes in which decisions were made by fathers that beg for discussion. If the love between Benjamen and his lady friends is better for you ...I'm open? If you'd like to hit on the theme of "love the one you're with", it was in the movie. Do you think the special affects were tight? I asked for the dance but I'll follow your lead. "What's love got to do with it" come on Troy, you have the floor. You said it was plain and simply a love story. Splain dat to us ... this simple love story. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10253 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, I have also OFTEN bore witnessed (via the Internet and IRL) to some virulent debates about the relative merits or lack their of Halle’s acting talents. And while I too admire her ability to succeed in a industry that has NOT been kind to females who are NOT considered 100% Caucasian, I too remain less than impressed with her acting talents and skills. And I think I would agree her cameo 'crackho' turn in Jungle Fever remains (alas, for her) the highwater mark of Halle's acting career. But, to be fair, I do not think Halle is the WORST acting movie star. That zombie-like Keanu Reeves can make Halle look almost like Merle Streep...Hahahahaha!!! Btw: Given that she’s done what is generally believed to be her best (or at least, most convincing) performance under Spike Lee’s direction, I wonder why she (I think) has not acted in any of his other movies. When you think about it, that is unusually because foks who’ve started or boosted their acting careers via Spike Lee Joints – even those who’ve become BIG movie stars like Denzel Washington and John Tuturro - have tended to remain quite active with and loyal to Spike. Did Halle and Spike somehow fall out of favor with each other or something? | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4813 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: |
Halle's greatest performance was in "Losing Isaiah." And please....she's not as bad as you guys are making her out to be. Even though I like Angela Bassett more, why is it that no one ever mentions the fact that Angela SOMETIMES OVER-ACTS and gives melodramatic flamboyant performances. All actors have their crutches. The only "Pitch-Perfect" actress I've seen is Viola Davis and she's relegated to character parts. One thing I don't like about Angela Bassett is that she isnt' willing to take "risks" or "chances" the way that Halle is willing to tackle anything that they let her. Angela Bassett is more like Joan Crawford (acting-wise) than like Bette Davis or Katharine Hepburn--two daring women who loved doing the most egregious roles. Halle agreeing to do "Monster's Ball," the crackhead in "Jungle Fever" and "Storm in X-Men" (a role that should have went to Angela Bassett or Grace Jones) is the equivalent of Bette Davis agreeing to play the monstrous Baby Jane Hudson and Mildred the whore in "Of Human Bondage". It's risk-taking and it's what endears Halle to me. If I see Angela Bassett play one more STRONG BLACK WOMAN with a cadre of self- righteous PREDICTABLE lines I'm going to puke. UGH! Angela's such a gifted actress, she should be playing the type of roles that Anna Magnani used to play. But anyway, Halle Berry brought "Dorothy Dandridge" to life--some of the best work of her career is in that movie. I can think of several scenes in "Dot Dandridge" where Halle really moved me. --the scene she had to put her little girl in a mental ward. ---the scenes with her mom, Loretta Devine at the kitchen table with Mom teaching her how to be "sexy" at the audition were to die for. ---BOTH rape scenes, first by her husband and then later with her mom's lesbian lover were expertly acted by Halle. ---her singing (lip synch) scenes weren't exactly chopped liver either. ---most of all, the death scene made me cry. Halle isn't Bette Davis, but SHE IS as good as Charlize Theron or Demi Moore or any of the rest of these overrated mug-and-blink modern day Lana Turners. Halle plays her roles very naturally and she's good at conveying thoughts with subtle intelligence. I didn't find her role in "Monster's Ball" degrading at all! She simply did what legions of Black Men do in movies every day of the week. And yes--she did receive her Oscar because (a) she sold out to White men's sexual fantasies (and what's wrong with that? Somebody's got to love her, shit.) and (b) she's Biracial. On "Best Actress"-- Whoopi was robbed for "Color Purple", Diana Ross was robbed for "Lady Sings the Blues" Angela Bassett was robbed for playing Tina. Giving it to Halle for "MB" was a slap in the face to those other totally deserving performances. (But could you imagine the establishment AFFIRMING a goddess-like black image like Diana Ross or a dignified dark one like Angela's? The female of any race is the power source ---kill the Queen; the nest will die. So their strategy has always been to ISOLATE the Black man, teach him that it's "natural" to reject his own mother's image and pair him with a FACIMILE of his mother--but one belonging to Whiteness so that later on ---he, too, can be watered down and eliminated.) So yes, on the color issue, that did play a big part in why Halle won and more deserving women didn't. But still...Halle Berry is a good actress and I'm a huge fan. Whenever a Halle Berry movie comes out--I go on Friday to make sure she gets credit for Opening Weekend Boxoffice. . | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13303 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
I agree, Kola. Halle gets a bad rap. To give a blanket condemnatin of her body of work is nothing more than a personal attack. Although her acting in Monster's Ball left something to be desired, there have been many roles where Halle proved herself to be as competenet an actress as any other ingenue out there, - black or white. I just saw her in "Perfect Stranger", the movie she starred in with Bruce Willis which is now appearing on cable, and she gave a very convincing performance. Angela Basset seems to take up the slack in her career by accepting supporting roles that cast her as somebody's mother, as will be the case in The Notorious B.I.G. movie opening this week-end. | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4814 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
Cynique, thanks. I love Halle. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10256 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Diff'rent strokes... | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1517 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
That's what I am talking about, Kola. What do some of these actresses really do with the parts they are given. I've questioned the performance of the "mammy" in The Curious Case Of Benjamen Button. Not because she played the part of a mammy but what flavor did she bring to the role. Truth be told, I wouldn't go as far to say that she blew the part of the aging black women but that portion of her performance was lacking. I agree with you assesments of Halle and Angela Basset. Angela did a wonderful job in "What's love Got To do With It" but even in that role I didn't see a range of emotions. I've said this before, most actors can play the part of someone being mad or angry. It's an emotion that's easy to recall. But the sign of a good actor (performance) if one in which the actor has to reach outside themselves and develope a range of emotions that they have not experienced or may not be comfortable with. Halle was the lead in a movie called "Things We Lost In a Fire". Many have not seen the movie. In fact, I stumbled across it, not even knowing she was in it. Her performance was very good. I did not like Monster's Ball because of the same popular arguments but I don't think I've ever said her performance was not a worthy one. Even in "Losing Isaiah" she didn't play it safe. She dropped the makeup and let her acting speak for itself. Angela Basset is fortunate. Some would consider her beautiful. I'd tell her to keep the makeup close by and stop playing roles that you face can't cover. She played opposite Martin Lawrence (yes, MARTIN) in a role that required her to be this vixen type sex kitten. Give me a break, she didn't fit the role and the movie was terrible. Btw, Bobby Brown was also in that one ....yeah, BOBBY BROWN. Oh lawd, Angela was also in that one (The Brown's Thanksgiving or some mess)in which she was the love interest of a retired basketball player, played by Vanessa William's ex-husband. Again, she looked like an older women trying to be young. It didn't work. I'll take Halle any day. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10257 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Btw: Hi Kola!!! Seriously, though. I WANT to like and appreciate Halle's acting. I really do. And, to be fair, I think I liked her in What We Lost In The Fire about as much I did have anything she's recently done (although I likely was as much to do with Bernico Del Toro's involvement with the movie). But there's just something about her that does NOT register to me as being AUTHENTIC with me. (Although, btw, I would AGREE Halle's at least as good an actress as Demi Moore is, though, honestly, that does not from MY perspective speak especially well of EITHER of them.) And, hey, I have NOOOO problem with sista a being the featured treat of jerk-off material for White dudes. But for a 'sista' to win an OSCAR via doing the sheht. Come the fluk on now, already! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10259 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey, I wonder if you're confusing Angela Bassett with Lynn Whitfield in Martin Lawrence's "A Thin Line Between Love & Hate." | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1518 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yep, I blew that one. Dang, I wonder if I've been doing this for some time. Okay, who played in this latest movie about a black women that was the owner of a small struggling diner. The owner's daughter got hooked up with a white dude who kicked her to the curb. I called it Driving Miss White Daisy. | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4815 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
ABM I miss you so much, King. You remain my HERO and my Comic Relief. One of my goals someday...is to get you and your Wife to come visit me and my sons at our new home and see us for who we really are. I finally got my ranch in Mississippi and it's going to take me about 3 years to build it up how I want it. Did you know there's a Kola, Mississippi? Anyway... I value your opinion and your "mind" so much ABM--and I've hated not being able to chat with you. You will always be one of my favorite people in the world, CHAL. . | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4816 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
Hi Carey. I know what you're saying, King. And you are SOOOOOO Funny. I read your "Super Sunday" lowdown. LMAO!!!! | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1519 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hi Kola, You ain't to bad yourself. I remember that greasy pig face you put on me in your series *LOL*. That was some funny S**t. But we don't want to talk about THOSE days . Please, I chose my battles very carefully and I ain't ready to rumble with you *smile*. Bet? | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4818 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
Carey, thanks for not jabbing me right away. You're such a class act. I see ABM is shy as ever. Speechless that I popped in. ABM, did you read my message? Where are you? .... ABM?  | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 516 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
ABM: To answer your question, I believe Halle and Spike dated at some point, but I don't know if that had anything to do with her not starring in any of his films after a certain point. I do recall her cameo in Girl 6. Speaking of black actresses...Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine...I haven't seen them in a mainstream flick in a while. LD's voice and eyes get me every time. Jennifer Lewis is another actress that I've enjoyed in pretty much everything I've seen her in. I haven't seen "Benjamin Button", but I have enjoyed other performances by Taraji P. Henson. I also like Sanaa Lathan and Kerry Washington. I really liked KW in "Lift", and that film had the added bonus of Lonette McKee who I think is really underrated. LOL @ the "zombie-like" Keanu Reeves. I think the black female equivalent might be Lisa Raye. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 517 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
Carey: Are you thinking of Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys? That's got a lot of folks: Alfre Woodard (love her), Sanaa Lathah, Taraji P. Henson. Back to Spike, he wrote a pretty candid memoir a while back and included reflections on actresses that worked with him--and not fond reflections either. Even his sister Joie had beef with him. And it turns out it wasn't his idea to include Halle in Girl 6. http://www.islandmix.com/backchat/f6/actresses-still-steaming-about-sex-scenes-s pike-lee-s-movies-107651/ | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1521 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Kitty, Yeah, it must be all the snow and the wind chills of -30 degrees. Yep, I jacked up a few things. Now how did I get Angela Bassit in Tyler Perry's movie. Gee-wiz, what a goofball. You were doing fine until you mentioned loretta devine. Her crying voice drive me nuts! I loved Rochon's part in Harlem Night's. She worked her magic on ol'boy. Made him say, "hey son, tell your mother I'm not coming home" ...classic line. | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3332 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
FK, wow--I never knew all these details about Spike and his female actors. It does not really surprise me. I love him, but it has been clear for some time that he has some complex issues with women. Re: Keanu--I think the key is that he has been able to pick movie roles where his zombie-like acting style is a perfect fit and an asset. In general, these roles are probably easier/more readily available for men than women--let alone Black actresses. Still, there are plenty of White actresses who only need show up on the set, be lit in soft light, and look beautiful and they get paid so why should it be otherwise with Halle? I give her some credit for at least trying to stretch. Interestingly, I thought she had a potentially good role with the (supposed) Bond spin-off. Whatever happened with that? | ||
| Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep Post Number: 3333 Registered: 01-2005 Rating: N/A |
Hey, Kola! Happy 2009. Nice to "hear" your voice again! You, too, ABM! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10261 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, I vaguely recall something about Halle dating Spike. But then, wasn't she at some point also dating Wesley Snipes? If so, that makes me wonder whether there was some, uh, 'overlap' while they made Jungle Fever that resulted in the rumor of Wesley being the fool permanently injured one of her ears. I think Rochon went the homemaking housewife route after she married Black movie director Antoine Fuqua (who, coincidentally, directed Denzel's Oscar-winning performance in Training Day). But when last I heard, Rochon was divorcing Fuqua. Perhaps it did NOT helped their marriage that Fuqua (I think) has NOT featured Lela in any of his recent high-profiled films. But I've actually seen the (perpetually delightful and ebullient) Loretta Devine in lots of recent stuff. She was Dream Girls and was in the even more recent This Christmas, which included a BIG cast of entertaining (and strikingly attractive) Black actors and actresses. Devine is just one of those performers and spirits who almost INSTANTLY bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart. Everytime I see her, I wish I can just hug and kiss all over her. I generally like Lewis, although she ALWAYS plays the same character (sassy, savvy elder mother/aunt/sistagurl) in EVERYTHING she's in. I too haven't seen "Benjamin Buttons", though I look forward to seeing what some have termed a 'starmaking' turn for the lovely and talented Taraji P. Henson. I have enjoyed her ever since I first saw her in Baby Boy (directed by John Singleton, starring Tyrese and Snoop Dogg). Taraji appears to be quite a versatile performer, and she's got an intensity in her EYES I find to be almost utterly captivating. I don't know if I'd call Lisa Raye zombie-like. But we'd probably agree that Lisa's NEXT truly credible acting performance will surely be her FIRST one. But, to her credit and given her age, Lisa can STILL work a lusciously bootylicious photo op.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10262 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Hi Kola, I really miss chatting with you as well. You remain – with, of course, the exception of my wife - as UNIQUE and POTENT a spirit any I have encountered. And it's funny you mention my wife. Because she recently asked whether I had recently chatted with your African ‘girlfriend’. I think she remains paradoxically intrigued and bemused by our association. I am delighted you fulfilled your dream to relocate to Mississippi. If there is ever geographical muse for someone of YOUR august literary talents, Mississippi is such. You must (I hope) be scaring the sheht out of good White foks down in Good Ol' Dixie Land. Maybe one day (perhaps even sooner rather than later), I – and my wife – will surprise you with a visit down there. But until then, seeyah Babe! | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10263 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey, Carey: "Yep, I blew that one. Dang, I wonder if I've been doing this for some time. Okay, who played in this latest movie about a black women that was the owner of a small struggling diner. The owner's daughter got hooked up with a white dude who kicked her to the curb. I called it Driving Miss White Daisy." Honest and understandable mistake, bruh. Angela Basset and Lynn Whitfield could EASILY pass for blood sisters. I think the movie you’re referring to is Ruby’s Bucket of Blood. And while I LOVE me some Angela Basset, I too thought that was a rather ODD choice for her. But if I recall correctly, the White dude was shot dead in that movie. So as crummy as Ruby’s... otherwise was, at least it had its HIGH points. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Btw: Did you see Bernie Mack’s Mr. 3000? If not, check it out. I though Mack and Angela has some pretty good chemistry in that movie. | ||
| Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique Post Number: 13311 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
 How can the "vertically challenged" Spike Lee not have issues with both women and men? And when it comes to her personal life Halle, admittedly, because of her complicated relationship with the father who abused her mother and sister and subsequently abandoned the family, has problems with men? Both of her ex-husbands have noted how eccentric she became, once she married them. Guess that's why she's decided not to wed that Fabio-esque pimp she now has in tow. His sole purpose seems to be to make babies especially since Halle confessed that the only time she ever really felt sexy was when she became pregnant. meooooooow. As for the stultifying Keanu, there were always rumors swirling around in regard to his sexual orientation. Maybe he's so uptight about this that he keeps himself in check, afraid to loosen up.  | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 520 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: |
Yvette wrote: Still, there are plenty of White actresses who only need show up on the set, be lit in soft light, and look beautiful and they get paid so why should it be otherwise with Halle? I give her some credit for at least trying to stretch. Oh, I don't think Halle phones it in at all. The woman does put in work. This reminds me of Michelle Pfeiffer whom some critics find so beautiful, it distracts from her performance. Um, whatev! When she was in "Dangerous Minds" one such critic actually said that the film wasn't believable because in reality if someone that beautiful walked into the classroom, those kids would have done whatever she wanted them to do, such was the power of her beauty. *vomit* Carey: Lela Rochon will forever be "Sunshine" to me. ;-) I know some find Loretta Devine's cry-voice to be grating, lol. But I believe I find a comfort in it because she reminds me of several women from my childhood. ABM: Halle has also dated Wesley Snipes. He is rumored to have been the one who beat her to the point of deafness in one ear. Others say it was Christopher Williams (he's publicly denied it). Thanks for the updates on Rochon and Devine. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 521 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
ABM wrote: I think the movie you’re referring to is Ruby’s Bucket of Blood. My turn to say "duh", Carey. I just read "black women", "daughter" and "diner", and thought about the Tyler Perry movie. Thanks, ABM. | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 522 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
ABM wrote: Taraji appears to be quite a versatile performer, and she's got an intensity in her EYES I find to be almost utterly captivating. What did you think of her performance in Hustle and Flow? | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10264 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, My guess is that if Michelle Pfeiffer were to step her bony, malnourished a$s into the classroom of a REAL tuff schools sans the equivalent of a Secret Service detail in tow, the young FEMALES in there would be taking turns putting their feet up her frail BEE-hind. I recall Williams publicly denying assaulting Halle. But I have yet to witness any such denunciation from the tax-dodging Snipes. I’m NOT saying that means anything...but um jes saying... Btw: Williams and Snipes possibly sharing Halle's affections (which, coincidently, might have ALSO been around the time she had been seeing Spike) might also explain what appear to be some REAL resentment by Snipes' Nino Brown character for Williams's Kareem Arkbar in the (still quite memorable) "New Jack City". You might Nino takes his disappointment of his right hand man Gee Money (Allen Payne) out on Kareem via stabbing Kareem in the hand and then tells his stunned cohorts "I never liked that PRETTY muthafucka, anyway!". Then later, while testifying in court, Nino falsely fingers Kareem as being the ringleader of their drugdealing outfit. Maybe all that hostility between Snipes (Nino) and Williams (Kareem) was NOT all just acting. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4819 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
YVETTE, HI sis, You're somebody else I really miss. Just as sweet and "academic-afflicted" as ever. LOL! One thing I love about your humor is that you're not corny in the least... which frankly, is surprising. And with great taste in jazz music too. (remind me of myself). Thanks so much for always being so kind to people, Yvette. That's part of what makes any person beautiful, I've learned. ABM, Your response has made my year, kiddo. Hope you got my telepathic memo (?)  I can't WAIT for your wife to see how much I love her and that I'm not Mata Hari by a long shot. YES---Mississippi is very challenging. The Whites AND the Blacks! But I have so many acres...and my kids and I live so deep in our own world...that we honestly don't feel the misery that everyone's predicting yet. We also haven't completely moved yet. We're still back and forth. I'm in Cali right now. Troy Johnson warned me not to move down there. He was extremely adamant about it. He said he's from Arkansas and you can't pay him to go back. So I can't wait to get him and his wife and girls to come visit me too. People don't understand.... Being a single mother and a career diva in need of financial "INDEPENDENCE"---- it was the only place I could afford to own land and have a farm bigger than the one I had. I was also sick of "California culture." I really hate it there. I'm also shocked to find that the White people in Missy are much friendlier and more likeable than the ones in Cali. Many of the Blacks here are so beautiful and deep dark black like back home in Sudan---it's very comforting to me. My "girl helper" that I've hired is very light skinned though--peach colored--and has the prettiest lilting accent and just so much grace, charm and wit. She knows EVERYTHING about this place! I have a lot of family between here and Memphis, Tennessee via my adoptive family. (My brother, the one who's a doctor, lives here with his wife and kids.) Did you realize that Jax, Mississippi is one of the world's centers for BRAIN SURGERY? It's true! My boys are really happy that they now have access to their favorite cousins and the other kids at school look like them (you remember they were the only blacks and what I went through at the other school). I LOVE trees so I'm in heaven! Once I put in a lake and build the main house (a 3 year project), it will be one of the most beautiful and arresting show places you ever saw. Creating the lake is the most fun, because my great gift to myself is to grow old fishing with complete serenity, SHADE and quiet. I want peace so much, King. I'm only putting 100 catfish in the lake, because that's they love down here--they're everywhere, so I'm having African Gorilla Bass flown in and of course blue gill and red ears. I've also put up signs saying: NO HUNTING ON THIS PROPERTY OR MISS KOLA WILL BITE YOUR DICK OFF AND EAT IT! *Dead serious I did.  | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4820 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
And yes, I did get a permit for the African Gorilla Bass. They're raised in America, actually. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1523 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
This a fine example of the limitations of the Internet. ABM came back with some good information (movies I haven't seen) but I was talking about Tyler Perry's movie. I am a little jealous and upset. First, why do some men hit on women. I could never understand that one. Maybe it's because of something my father told me. He said only punks hit on women or children. Maybe it's an anger issue or some type of insecurity thang but I have no love for men that resort to violence against someone they profess to love. Even if they do not love them, they thought enough of them to share moments of time. Now, if a women lets Spike even sniff it, he should be grateful. Really, I do not think I am an expert on what women need or like but come on. I don't know, again, I can't look through the eyes of a women but I doubt if many would call him sexy. It must be charm and money. Maybe that's what it is. But damn, I'd let Halle smack the shit out of me if that is what she wanted to do. Then again, whenever the sheets are turned by someone other than you, it could bring out the worst in you ...I think. I have a cousin that's big into the issues of spouse abuse. In fact, she has a traveling show that tells the stories of women who have been the victims of a mate. Each woman in the short "plays" tells the story of another cast member(yes, tears flow). It gets deep and you'd be surprised at the reasons why some women stay in the relationships. It's compelling drama, I wish you all could see these perfomances ....very moving and inspirational. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10265 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Ferociouskitty, You know, I hardly recall much of Hustle & Flow, including even Taraji's performance. The Black pimp, Black and White hooker and now (frickin) RAPPER thing was just MORE than I could much tolerate. Frankly, I have on at least 3 different occassions, tried and failed to watch Hustle & Flow from beginning to end. My overall view of Taraji's involvement with that film is her talents and beauty was WASTED there. And I remain profoundly PISSED that of ALL the wonderous music and artists to have been born of the genre of Hip-Hop, the only H-H music The Academy Awards has honored with Oscars feature the musings of a (former) trailer trash WHITE boy and a song about it being ~"...hard out there for [gotdayam] pimp"~... | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10266 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey, Perhaps I should apologize. I have NOT seen the Tyler Perry movie Angela Bassett starred in. So, may be, my prior reference to Ruby's Bucket of Blood was in error. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10267 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey, I generally agree that men should NOT strike women. I do, however, allow for a man a hitting a woman if such is in defense of his own life and/or she struck FIRST and she did such in a way he found severely painful and/or injurious, especially he were startled and surprised by her actions, thus, his response was much a reflex as it was his willful intent to harm her. For example, if totally UNPROVOKED by me a chick were to kick me dead, hard and square in the NUTS, I PROBABLY would slap FIRE from dat a$s. And if my response results in my somehow been disqualified as being a ‘man’, well then, I (AND especially my MANHOOD) will live with that. | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4822 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
I agree with you, ABM. I wouldn't want my sons allowing a woman to beat on them---which actually happens nowadays. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1524 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
ABM, I think it's me man. Let me back up. Okay, there was a recently released movie about a black family that owned a diner. I think Kitty was correct in saying Alfre Woodard was the lead. My mind is slow today so bare with me. One of the stars was Kathy Bates of "Misery". One of the daughters got pregnant by a rich white boy who was married. He didn't get killed in this movie. Now another movie was about a father who had died and the family gathered together to read his will. There were jokes about the fathers love of women. I believe one of the daughters, who was a stepsister, was given an old beat up house. Now again, I could be mixing a few movies together. The other movie (which might be the same movie) had to do with a son of the actress in question. There was this coach played by Vanessa William's ex-husband, that was trying to tudor the kid and the two adults fell in love. Now, I have another movie in mind that had Angela Basset and her husband (I believe) in the lead roles. In the movie, they went back home to visit her mother who was about to be evicted because of a proposed zoning change. I could have this thang all screwed up. But I've meet Angela in person ...and her husband, Courtney(I think). Didn't she play opposite Danny Glover in a movie that came out several years ago? Only a few real Glover fans saw that one. It wasn't bad but it didn't get much press because basically it was a 2 person movie. Anyway, like I've said, I have all these pictures in my head with all these faces and my central processing unit is in need of an overhaul ...I need help. I wonder if I can call ghost busters. | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1525 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
ABM, I hear what you are saying on the reflex thang. But I still have to stand on "there is no excuse" (in my mind) to hit a women. Because, for the most part, if their actions were because of an argry outburst, I need to vacate that spot. Yeah, to strike back would be the normal response by many, but I don't think most women have a chance of defending themselves if a man allows himself to be moved into anger that displays itself by violence. Now, if this assault by this women was not an isolated incident then I think the both of them need to check themselves and see what's really going on. There are reasons and excuses that many use to explain why some men think it's okay to hit a women and I can understand them but not condone them. Hey, if she did her job well enough (kicking my nut sack) I wouldn't be able to strike back. Come on now, that thang has a glass jaw *lol*. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10268 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Kola, As of late, we’ve been hanging out a lot more with Africa foks (directly from West Africa and their immigrants to Europe) and I think we’re BOTH enjoying that A LOT. So I’m sure if and when the Missus meets you, you and she will become like old friends. My prior secrecy about our chatting is probably MOST responsible for her suspicious thoughts about you. I think she thought that you were going to somehow cast some sort of African charm or jui jui over me that compels me to abandon everything to run away to be your starstruck, worshipping love slave or something. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I’m figuring the Blacks down there are as perplexed by you as the Whites. And I agree southern White are often the very NICEST foks you’ll meet. I suspect that’s largely because there usually has been a lot more HONESTY (BAD and GOOD) down there than in other parts of the country, where foks are generally MORE apt to keep quiet how they REALLY feel (about dem niggras). Troy’s feeling are very COMMON to those of former Black residents of Dixie. My grandmother (who is also from Troy’s native Arkansas) had not ONCE visited Arkansas since she and her family fled the possibility of their being HUNG when she was only 12 years old. And her grandmother lived to be NINETY FOUR. To many Blacks, the South still appears to be a veritable hell kneegrows should NEVER seek to return to. But you do NOT have the baggage that many native Blacks have of good ol’ Dixie. So MS would represents something quite DIFFERENT from what we’re inclined to think of the South. I’m sure for you it does evokes many of the elements of Africa – including, as you describe, the look of many of it people – that you enjoy and sorely miss. And there certainly is a ways, flavor and texture to Black women of the American South that is like none other on the planet. *sigh* So I am happy for you and your sons that you’re happy being there in the state in which I was born. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10269 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey, Well, I qualified what I thought about hitting a woman to include the possibility of man having been startled and/or surprised by what happen. Because I probably would agree that if a man saw it coming, he probably could and should avoid striking back. But if the man is surprised by what she's done, I think you have to allow for the defense reflex to kick-in in a way where a human beings FIRST response is protect him/herself in a way that will NOT necessarily be chivalrous. My view of this issue is somewhat informed by my have a friend who supervises assistant public defenders (APD's) who defend (mostly poor Black and Hispanic) men who've often been falsely accused of committing domestic violence. When I hear so many tales of how women will often not only get away with initiating violence against men but THEN use the men response as a means to incarerate and take all the men own (especially their children), I think there's room for nuance and debate of this issue. And, btw, the friend who supervises APD's is a Black WOMAN. But I agree with you that a man very likely will be unable to immediately strike a woman who's kicked him in the sack... | ||
| Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty Post Number: 524 Registered: 02-2008 Rating: N/A |
One of the stars was Kathy Bates of "Misery". Okay, then you were referring to the Tyler Perry movie, "The Family That Preys". | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1526 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Yeah, ABM, I agree that here is room for nuance and debate of this issue. In fact, tonight I'll be moving around and I think the topic will come up. But let me make myself perfectly clear. Look, if a women decided to put her hands or me or assault me in any way, I am going to tell her not to do that. If it even looks like she is going to continue, I am then going to warn her to think about her actions a possible repercusions. Now, if the fool raises her hand, I can only assume that she wants something. Okay, I said I didn't believe in hitting a women but I am not into letting anyone beat on me either. So, just short of striking her dumb ass, she will know to never take kindness for weakness. If she then wants to go downtown and put the law on me ...am ready. But she'll not be able to tell anyone how she called me all kinds of b**ch mf'ers and PunkA** sissy while kicking me in my ass while I did nothing ... OH NO! I might as well put on lipstick and pink panties, cause I am going to get Fk'ed on the daily. having said that I have honestly had to literally throw a women out of my house. I ain't trying to tell my business but the fool wouldn't leave AND she was talking tough. I finally had enough and said "woman, if you don't get the Fk away from me, I will throw your ass through the door" ..."not out the door, through the door". She said, "you're crazy if you think you can throw me out this door". I said, "you're crazy if you think I won't, keep runnin your mouth". Let me get to the end of this story. The end saw her pants all stuck up in her behind because of me grabbing them from behind as I tosed her ass out the door. Oh yeah, I grabbed her by the back of her pants and the back of her shirt while she wiggled like a worm on a hook. Now this wasn't no little women so I had to break it down. You here me, I had to come with purpose. Shit, I thought if I didn't win this battle, my ass was in trouble, cause this women was big and black and could fight. Anyway, I tossed her big ass out onto the lawn like a dirty welcome mat. She had on a liitle hair piece too. That thang flew off her head as if it thought I was about to get in his ass. One of her shoes, her hair piece and her purse, all found themselves in a heap as she tried to get her pants out of her ass. Now I ain't saying I liked all this drama because I had never had to do that and have never done it since but I'm just saying; be careful what you ask for. Somebody might buy that ticket. . Whew ...what a night. | ||
| Abm "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Abm Post Number: 10270 Registered: 04-2004 Rating: |
Carey, Now, see, didn't I warn you about the inherent dangers of screwing around with chicks you meet via Thumper's Corner? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! | ||
| Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof Post Number: 4824 Registered: 02-2005 Rating: N/A |
But ABM...you got my email? (Not that I want to discuss it here.) | ||
| Linda Veteran Poster Username: Linda Post Number: 221 Registered: 01-2004 Rating: N/A |
Carey I watched the movie again and Benjamin died in the spring of 2003 at the age of 85. He was 49 and the mother 43 when she became pregnant. They were six years apart in age. The last time he saw his daughter she was twelve. So you were almost correct and I was off. But, thats what happens when someone is talking through the movie. (hahahahaha) Now that I have watched it a second time, alone and really listened to the story it was all right there in the narrative. I even learned a little more about the clock! Hope I have not spoiled it for those who have not seen it yet. But, it is such a good movie it's hard not to want to discuss it. When everyone catches up, I'll tell you what I found out about the clock and see if everyone else caught it. Ciao | ||
| Carey AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Carey Post Number: 1528 Registered: 05-2004 Rating: N/A |
Linda I'll have to look at the movie one more time. 6 years apart huh? ***peeking around Corner,*** Is Troy around? But didn't I see "Katrina" on the hospital television. So, you are saying that Benjamen died close to the year the women was in the hospital? Also, the daughter seemed surprised at the whole deal as if she'd never been around her mother during the time that she was caring for Benjamin. Now you have me thinking, but lord knows I don't want Troy slapping me upside my head . I know what you mean about people talking while the movie is playing. Anyway, it's good to hear from you and we'll have to get back to this one. I am going to watch it one more time ...by myself. |
