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Bleekindigo
Regular Poster
Username: Bleekindigo
Post Number: 34
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 11:24 am: | 
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Spike can get my support all day everyday. He's never disappointed me.
I've been wondering, as of late, if his artistic investment into homosexuality as part of his theme will put off more viewers than it will put on and if it will put off supporters who have always been spike supporters-and if it will matter at all.
Wednesday, July 28.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 521
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 12:12 pm: |
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Bleekindigo,
Spike Lee will suffer little, if any, castigation of his film.
Heck! Considering that lesbianism and down-low love is (apparently) running rampant throughout our culture, it seems, it anything, that (the usually treadsetting) Lee is being TARDY in presenting his cinematic take on the subject of homosexuality. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 447
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 12:16 pm: |
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Bleek and Abm:
Wha? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 523
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 12:30 pm: |
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Chris,
Spike Lee next film is reputed to (in part) be about homosexuality. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 448
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 01:30 pm: |
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Abm:
Where is there some info on it? Will he take a part in it, like he does in most of his films (I can see him as a fey, lisping hairdresser with a blond boufant wig)
This isn't the first one, though. I mean he did that film, "He Got Gay" |
Bleekindigo
Regular Poster
Username: Bleekindigo
Post Number: 37
Registered: 06-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 03:05 pm: |
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Chrishayden:
You don't like Spike Lee films? |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 449
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 04:15 pm: |
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Bleek:
I love Spike Lee films. I just wish he would not act in them is all. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 531
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 12:36 pm: |
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Chris,
DITTO. I find it cheesy of him to act in his films. I have the feeling that he’s trying to score cheep acting credits that he would not have otherwise garnered if he had to audition for other filmmakers. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 455
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 01:10 pm: |
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Abm:
He did it in She's Gotta Have It because frankly he didn't have the money to hire an actor. Cool.
He was good as the pledge in School Daze--what Half pint.
He was good as Mookie, though he could have given that to a real actor. Then it was all downhill to the crowning insult, inflating the role of Shorty in Malcolm X.
I hate half ass atrocities--he should have gone all out and played Malcolm X |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 536
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 01:53 pm: |
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Yeah. He really needs to chill.
Because every time I see him act in one of his movies, I get the feeling we are watching a guy who's thumbing his nose up at his childhood homies who quipped that someone who is a short and funny looking as he would never start in a movie. |
A_womon
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: A_womon
Post Number: 351
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 10:51 pm: |
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Chris, ABM
And you thought only women could hate on each other for no good reason............hmmmmmmmmmmm??????mrrrrrrrrraw! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 548
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 12:30 am: |
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A_womon,
If you have read other things I have recently written about Spike Lee, you would know that I am a great admirer of him, as a director and producer...but NOT as an actor. I just find it a bit self-serving for a director to perform in his films, unless of course he is himself an accomplished and charismatic actor and star (ala Mel Gibson staring in his great "Braveheart"). |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 94
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 09:51 am: |
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Visit http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0384533/ for more information about "She Hate Me". b.t.w. the Internet Movie Database is my only source for information on movies.
I doubt spike acted in She's Gota Have It in order to pay one less actor -- often actors are willing to work for free or be paid on the backend on these types of projects.
I always thought Spike was trying to emmulate Woodie Allen by acting and staring in his own movies.
Spike is as good an actor as P-Ditty and if any of his movies suffered it was not because of his acting. The Mars Blackmon character helped make "Shes Gotta Have It". I agree with Chris about Spike performance is "School Daze" as well.
If Spike was really self-serving he'd write a one of thoese retro pimp flicks. He could cast Sanaa Lathan, Halley Berry, Vivica Fox, et al to be in his harem. He could play the pimp that turns them out, then he could play a white john (ala the "White Chicks" makeup magic) and do some real freaky things with them, then he could play strong Black man that shows them real love for the first time... Now that would be self-servering and fun to boot!
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 580
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 11:19 am: |
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Troy,
I agree that Spike is emulating Woody. I am not much of a fan of Allen. His earlier work was good (humorously neurotic insights of the mundanely urbane...ala a pre-Senfield), but he’s been mailing-in most of his recent projects. But at least Allen, unlike Spike, had some history of having been a successful performer (comedian) prior to do most of his directing.
I understand you've gottah 'represent' your homies from the NYC. But saying Spike as good as performer as P-Diddy hardly qualifies as a valid endorsement of his acting. If anything, such a comparison does Spike more harm than good. Because if there were ‘rap cops’, mumbled rappin’ P-D would have been locked up A LONG time ago.
I should admit though my view is slightly biased. I have many friends and relatives who are professional actors. I know they have it pretty tough with respect of scoring good roles. So I just think that Spike, with the power he wields, would do a greater service to the Black acting community by featuring some fine, undiscovered talent instead of sating his own selfish interests.
I mean, come on already. On virtually all of his "Joints" he’s the director, producer, writer, composer, manager, 'best boy'...hell!...'garbage collector'.
JEEZ! How many gigs does dude need?
But having said all of that, I still am an ardent fan and supporter of Spike Lee. Because even though I have not appreciated all of his work, I still would argue that he has done more to open up the world of cinema to people of color than anyone else in the last 20 years.
Don’t get me started! You should know by now it is not a good idea to mention to me ANY kind of "harem" project that features together ("the luscious") Lathan, ("the juicy") Berry and ("she’s some kinda") Fox.
("Dang! All of a sudden, I can’t stop my mouth from watering.")
What are you trynah do? Get me in trouble with ("Big House") Thumper? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 902
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 12:46 pm: |
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And Woody may have been emulating famous director Alfred Hitchcock who always made a cameo appearance in his movies for luck. |
Mike_e
Newbie Poster
Username: Mike_e
Post Number: 9
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 04:51 am: |
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Spike Lee acts in his movies because many times the people putting up the money insist [probably based on the popularity of his Mars Blackmon character]. If you have noticed he has not appeared in his last several movies.
I've heard that She Hate Me is not a very good movie. Armond White has a review in The NY Press. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 947
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 11:37 am: |
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The film critic in Entertainment Weekly Magazine really trashed this movie and gave it an "F." One of his complaints had to do with its stereotypical portrayal of black men as baby-making, sex-machines. BTW, the critic was Jewish and apparently wasn't impressed with Spike's attempt at satire. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 642
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 12:17 pm: |
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Mike_e,
I could buy your explanation of Lee being compelled to appear in his movie if some version of his Blackmon character was made manifest in ALL of his acting performances, which to my recollection has not been the case.
I too read White's scathing critique of S.H.M. Since I have myself not seen the movie, I must abstain from either confirming or rebutting White's commentary. I will, however, say that the tone of White’s article suggests he probably was not much a fan of Lee's work even PRIOR to having seen his latest movie. Therefore, no disrespect intended to White, but I will attempt to view the movie sans his perspective.
Cynique,
The critic White mentioned by Mike_e is Black and he also wasn't impressed by what Spike apparently was attempting to do. So maybe the views of both critics are less a product of background and more the result of their sincere objective viewpoint. Still, I will wait until I have seen the film to judge for myself.
But I find it funny how inconsistent and hypocritical our sense of moral outrage can be.
Honestly, I don't get why anyone would have much of a problem with the sex machine, babymaking element of this film. Many (Hell! most.) guys no matter their race - would under certain situations and if they could get away with it - knockboots with almost any chick that struck his fancy. So to me, it seems Spike is trying to simply make manifest what WE ALL to some degree fantasizing about (and perhaps even partake of).
And why is it offensive that Lee's lead character would casually impregnate assorted females when it is okay for a man to donate his sperm to a facilities where his seed can be randomly used to impregnate innumerable anonymous females?
In fact, if you think about, in at least one Lee's scenario is preferable to that of the sperm bank: Because everyone knows who the father is, the mothers can help steer his/their children away from becoming intimately involved with each other. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 948
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 04:39 pm: |
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I haven't seen the picture either so I can't answer your probing questions, Abm. Aii I know is know that the male lead in this picture impregnated lesbians who wanted to have babies, and charged them for his services. |
Lambd
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Lambd
Post Number: 284
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 08:20 am: |
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Thank you, Abm, for saying that you would go see the film BEFORE making any commentary on it. Making comments about the subject matter in the film is one thing, but to critique the film without seeing it or based solely upon what a 'critic' says is quite another. Time and again, I've heard people downgrade a performance based on someone else's opinion rather than judging for themselves or simply shutting the f**&&^^ up. I don't mind when someone quotes a critic, but when someone says, "that book, or that movie, or that performance probably isn't any good because Joe Blow from the Chicago Sun Enquirer gave it a bad review" that sucks. Catwoman got bad reviews, and I am definitely not a Halle Berry fan, but I will see it for myself and judge. I feel the same about Spike's movie and I am definitely a Spike Lee fan. Most of his films are thought provoking and fun. I thought Malcolm X was not quite as accurate as it could have been, but it was great cinema. The camera angles were great. The story was excellent. Denzel and Spike were very good in it. School Daze had a very strange ending, but it was one wild romp, and a twisted view at fraternity life at black college. Do The Right Thing, She's Gotta Have It, all were a testament to this man's vision. Knock this movie if you want, I know that I am an honest man and I will give it an honest judgement based on my honest opinion of the movie, WHEN I GO SEE IT FOR MYSELF.
thank you for the opportunity to get this off my chest. That is all. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 653
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 10:56 am: |
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Thanks, Lambd. Though to be fair/honest, I probably have spoken more about the Lee’s film than I should have considering that I have not seen it. My comments above are simply based on my (biased) rebuts to critics of the S.H.M.
I will probably always be a fan of Spike’s because even though his stuff doesn’t always work at least he is one the few (if any) people in Hollywood who consistently tries to educate as much entertain.
BTW: In my experience, Spike’s turn on fraternity life at a Historically Black College in School Daze was wickedly truer than most people (especially Greeks) would care to admit. Believe me, there are indeed a few 'Big Brother AlmightEE’s' out there. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 97
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 02:53 pm: |
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Hi ABM:
I was actually attempting to be a little sarcasic by comparing Spike's acting ability to P-Ditty's. In reality, I find the fact that we have the opportunity to make the comparsion rather absurd.
I don't doubt your actor friends have difficulty getting good roles -- those roles seem to be going to rap artists and comics.
If a movie like a Solder's Story was made today, it would feature DMX, LL Cool J, Cedric the Entertainer, and similiar personalities.
But I recognize everything has a price and the revenue lost by castng a real actor over a rapper in a movie or even a play, nowadays must be quite significant
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 659
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 03:51 pm: |
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Troy,
HAHA!
I should have know you were pulling my leg with the Spike-Diddy comparison.
Actually, I don’t hate on the rapper/comedians getting the acting gigs partly because I think that many of the opportunities they are receiving would not have necessarily been availble to others. I just hope they can actually act and they cherish and fully/broadly utilize the rare opportunity and good fortune they enjoy. Because if they are true to the craft of acting/directing/producing motion pictures, their fame can help expand the opportunities of a myriad other actors who don’t have prior record deals (ala Ice Cube’s Barbershop series).
And DMX actually has an interesting screen presense, though I suppose it is a bit post-Tupac (sans ‘Pac’s Baltimore School of the Arts training). I could see us 5 - 10 years now forgetting that was a rapper. How many of us remember that actor Mark Walberg is also the former rapper Markie Mark? |
Carey
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 124
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 04:36 pm: |
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Hello ABM
As usual, you bring to light an interesting point. To add to your list I submit the name of the one and only Queen Latifa (sp). And the brother that appears in "my lusts" video about "he doesn't even know her name. He is getting more and more parts as the day goes by. btw, Man, I just can't help myself when I see that women. Yeah, I can wish can't I. I would just love to sit in her company and be in all that she is. I mean, she wouldn't have to do anything but just smile. Yeah, I can wish can't I. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 665
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 05:09 pm: |
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Carey,
Don’t get me started on Queen Latifah. That chick just reeks of charisma, doesn’t she? Talking about someone who lives her namesake.
Believe me, she is so powerful that she is going to win an Oscar just because we all know she’s suppose to have one.
I didn’t quite follow what you were saying about "lusts" and some brother (actually, you got me kinda concerned there pal...hehe!) and some women you can’t help yourself about. Seriously though, can you sorta re-write what you said so I can understand/respond. |
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 105
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 12:11 am: |
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Yeah I can't help but hating on the rappers who act. Because in reality they crowd out the pure actors.
See ABM, your friends bemoan the dearth of quality roles; if the few roles out there are taken by rappers, there will be a greater shortage of good parts available for the "professional actor".
Speaking of rapper/actors I just saw iRobot over the weekend starring rapper/actor The Fresh Prince (admittedly Smith has been acting long enough to be considered an "actor" at this point).
Why did I drag my wife to go see this movie -- it sucked. I kid you not the best performance in the movie was by one of the of the freaking robots -- seriously!
Now the movie did not suck just cause Will Smith was in it. It seemed to lack direction, there were unncessary charcters and scenes -- oh I hate thing about the $21.00 I paid for two tickets! But I digress...
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 666
Registered: 04-2004
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 11:41 am: |
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Troy,
I hear ya. But I don't sweat the rappin' actors because I doubt that many of the opportunities they are granted would not be offer to others. Movie bigwigs/flunkies look at a DMX and say, "Hey, if dude can sell +20M records (mostly to punk suburban White kids) at least SOMEONE going to be interested in seeing his movie "Cradle to the Grave" (which DMX actually did a very credible job in). But if you are just an unknown schmoe from Yale School of Drama, Julliard or some local theatre troupe, it is doubtful you will be given a starring role opposite Jet ("good, but not quite 'Bruce' ") Li and (the delectable) Gabrielle Union.
Besides, you gottah admit: Some of these hip-hop cats are doin' it.
Russell Simmons is so immensely skilled at creating a business around virtually any concept that were he White he'd likely be wealthier than Bill Gates. P. Diddy is proving to be a better fashion designer than a record producer (and don't even mention rapper). And; again; O'Shay "Ice Cube" Jackson, Mark Walberg, Will Smith and others are proving to be charismatic and credible; if not superior; actors.
So I ain't gonna knock them for have the ability (& cajones) to exact the full benefit of their diverse talents.
Besides, there are A LOT of guys whose primary gig is acting (e.g., Ben Affleck, Ashton Kulcher, Keanu Reeves, Sylvester Stallone, etc.) who can barely, if at all, get even THAT right.
I thought that I, Robot would be a stinker. Besides, I think I sort of max-out of the man v machine genre after the last 2 (disappointing) installments of The Matrix. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 498
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 11:42 am: |
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I like the character Queen Latifah portrays but she is not an actor. She is always Queen Latifah no matter the role.
Troy--$21.00 for two tickets? Man! How much is it to rent a video? If it is less than $10.50 I never would go to the movie in NYC! |
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 107
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 01:08 pm: |
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Chris, the $10.50 is the midtown prime time price. You can get cheaper tickets in the local theater, the nearby burbs or at a matinee, but we decided around 10PM, to see a flick, and simply picked the closest theater with the nearest starting time. Man if I wanted I could have brought the bootlegged version for 5 bucks; alas, even at $2.50 a person I would have still be disappointed with irobot.
I plan to see "Predator versus Alien". Yeah I know I'm a glutton for punishment -- this time I'll check out a matinee.
No doubt, the rappers are doing it. Don't get me wrong I'm not knocking rappers for exacting "the full benefit of their diverse talents. this is a good thing from an individual perspective.
However as a movie goer I would prefer seeing the best available actor in a given role -- typically this is not going to be the rap artist.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 674
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 02:49 pm: |
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Troy,
Okay "Roger Ebert". So tell me: Who among the current crop of known NON-rappin', under-35 year old actors would you consider to be decidedly better thespians than most if not all of the DMX, Smith, Cube, Eminem, etc. crowd? |
Troy
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 113
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 10, 2004 - 07:13 pm: |
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ABM, you've made my point. I can't name any cause they are all relative unknowns. Now lets go back 20 years well before the influx of rapping actors and I can name terriffic actors like Howard Rollins, Denzel Washington, Dorian Harewood, Paul Winfield, Cicely Tyson, etc.
It is not like non acting celebrities have never encroached upon the acting world. It used to be football players. Who can forget the amazing acting skills of Jim Brown and OJ Simpson.
The problem today is that virtually all the black roles are going to rappers. Few big ticket movies invest in unknown Black actors even if they are quite skilled.
Spike Lee is a noteable exception.
ABM I have to believe too much talent is going to waste, languishing in obscurity simply because Ice Cube, Ice Tee and even Vanilla Ice (for gods sake) are getting the roles.
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 678
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 02:33 pm: |
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Troy,
I don't think we are disagreeing. I just think I am, perhaps, more appreciative and acknowledging what of has caused the advent of the rapper-actor.
I agree with your point that a generation ago there appeared to be evident a better class of Black actors than there appear now. And I agree that a lot of good actors are not getting good roles. But I think it is more complicated than simply blaming it on acting rappers.
Let me ask you a question: How many Pacino's, De Niro's and/or Streep's has LaLa Land churned out lately? Not many. And they ain't even trying to replenish them. Moreover, do you honestly think the average pimply-faced moviegoer would know and/or even care whether a Tom Cruise would look sick trying to act next to Pacino in The Godfather?
This ain't just about Black rappers taking from roles other more deserving Blacks. It is a broader issue about Hollywood choosing to make a product that 'sells', even if it does not necessarily 'good'.
For example, why does a wooden Ben Affleck get to headline many crappy films and a myriad better White male actors are denied even an opportunity to audition for a supporting role in even ONE movie? It certainly ain't about art these days?
I say box office potential is far more important to movie distributors/producers than acting. And rappers are perceived to capable of garnering greater box office. Frankly, were it not rappers getting those gigs, it would be jocks, singers, comedians, circus performers...Hell!...anyone else who can register a blip on a Q-rating scale.
See, I guess where we part company in what we expect. You to view acting to be a vitally important part of the filmmaking business when I (only HALF jokingly) think it is just slightly more important than who caters the post-production cast party.
Simply, I think many films are made via a movie producer pursing a DMX because he is very popular among those of the moviegoing demographic. And after the services of DMX are procured, the producer then creates a project (including funding/story/director/casting) that he/she thinks would best embellish and capitalize upon those elements of DMX's charisma/persona that would sell best to moviegoers. And who cares whether dude can actually act? The producers will cleverly disguise whatever shortcoming he has (e.g., limit his dialog, use smaller co-stars to obfuscate how short DMX is, amp-up the special effects, etc.).
Frankly, these days I am more surprised by than expectant of really good acting.
Spike is brilliant, no doubt. Not only has be made fine films. He has created a process that almost guarantees his ability to continue to make films his way, no matter the current/popular filmmaking fad. |
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