“Rachel Getting Married’s” Colorful Twist January 15, 2010

I finally watched “Rachel Getting Married” on DVD the other night, starring Anne Hathaway, who received an Oscar nomination for her lead role in the film last year.  Now, I didn’t get the memo that it had a very nice black presence.  Anne actually stars as Kym, who gets out of rehab just in time to wreak havoc on her sister Rachel’s wedding.  Rachel is marrying a black man – who knew?  Kym and Rachel’s stepmother is played by Ana Deveare Smith, who is also black -who knew?  There were also sprinklings of  Asian Americans and others just having a grand ole time.  While watching the film, I did some quick research by reading various user reviews on a popular movie website and many were complaining that such a diverse atmosphere in Connecticut  (where it was set) is highly unlikely.  Some said that the film was purposely trying to be politically correct.  It really bothers me when people say that.  If we see people of different races and backgrounds getting together, why can’t we celebrate that?  Isn’t it a good thing. Does it happen all the time? Maybe not! But, if it happens sometimes then isn’t that a good thing?  It should be a good thing.  It is a good thing. The more we say it’s impossible the less likely it will become the norm!

Now as for the actual film, as I mentioned earlier, Anne’s performance was much ballyhooed but the film in itself was not.  It has been criticized for having a bad script, a slow pace, having a film student feel and shoddy camera work.  Well, in my humble opinion, the film was just okay.  It’s more of a character study that people will either take to or not.  And, it was good to see Anne transform herself from “Princess Diaries” fame, to “Devil Wears Prada’s” passive aggressive victim to a messed up addict trying to get a grip on life.

Props to ‘Precious?’ January 15, 2010

Props to “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire” for receiving major Golden Globe and Screen Actors guild nominations as well as NAACP Image Awards nods.  But it begs the question – can only stories about the trials of the inner-city and or pain of the black community receive praise?  While many say that this film is wrapped tight with all of the stereotyping one can imagine about black people – poor, illiterate, overweight, welfare queens – others say it’s a rise through pain to get to redemption.  I’m still on the fence about this.  I still want to see films for us that go beyond the grain – where’s our “Devil Wears Prada?”  Where’s our “It’s Complicated?”  “The Proposal?”

What About Black Hollywood? June 20, 2009

I recently volunteered at the Hollywood Black Film Festival, which took place in Beverly Hills, California. There were over a hundred full length features, shorts, and documentaries to view. Additionally, you could listen to panel discussions on various topics such as financing a film, distribution, and the state of film. I listened to one panel, the Producer’s Roundtable, and walked away a bit disturbed and perturbed by the message.

The panel discussion featured top television and film executives, who were surrounded by mostly eager black screenwriters, directors and actors. Soon, their eagerness turned to sadness as they were promptly told, in a nutshell, that films (feature and straight-to-video) are all about female-driven urban dramas (Beyonce’s “Obsessed”), and that if you want a film made it needs to have someone in it with name recognition to make it happen.

As for television, listen up folks, according to a CW programming executive, you can forget about telling “black stories” because the trend now is creating teeny-bopper dramas. But, not to worry, the African American woman exec warned that black writers/directors should learn how to write for all types of shows – you know, don’t limit yourself.

The CW exec also addressed the controversial cancellations of “The Game” and “Girlfriends.” She assured the audience that it had nothing to do with the CW not wanting black programming, but that it’s all about the green, as in money. She said that the shows were canceled due to low ratings and without those ratings the network can’t get those all important advertising dollars.

Needless to say, throughout the over-hour panel, the room turned sullen and there were several moans and groans, me included, upon hearing the dismal news.

What message does this send to up-and-coming black writers, directors, and actors? Oh, just push aside your dream and work on some silly show about snotty teens? Of course, it could be argued that working on such shows could lead to connections that could lead to a pet project, right? Or, maybe we should start our own thing and put out our own stuff, right? Well, we have that with TV One and BET, right? And, how about Tyler Perry with his own studio and all, right? And, what about the straight-to-video black companies (we know who they are), who put out all of those wonderful movies, right? And, what about the actors, who dream of being stars? Should they just be content playing the best friend roles? What are we complaining about? Shouldn’t we be satisfied?

Hmmm, I wonder what Spike Lee and Bill Cosby would have told the panel crowd? Remember, Spike Lee came out at a time when he was told that people wouldn’t watch his films. “The Cosby Show” became a hit when many told Bill Cosby that people wouldn’t want to watch a successful black family on TV.

To all those black writers, directors, actors – just keep on keepin’ on!

Have A Happy Period? May 15, 2009

To the folks who came up with the slogan, “Have a Happy Period” for feminine products – uh, is this a joke or what?  Periods are not happy nor do they make us smile! And they surely don’t make us want to turn into superheroes or get on a rollercoaster – as some commercials would have you believe.  We are mad, mad, mad!

Mini-Movers Stay off the Road May 15, 2009

I realize that the economy is bad and that gas is still a bit high for some, but people, please stop using your compact cars like moving trucks. It’s dangerous. I was driving down the freeway the other day when this person driving a compact car with four mattresses, stacked on top, was on the road. Yes, times are hard! Yes, you traded in your SUV for a mini-car but please don’t endanger the rest of us. Rent a truck!

Hurricane Katrina Rant May 13, 2009

Recently, I took my daughter to a birthday party at a laser tag facility, and I planned on having a nice time, I really did.  But, wouldn’t you know it someone had to spoil it by bringing up New Orleans.  A parent told me that he was just in New Orleans and that he was impressed with how much it has been built up since Hurricane Katrina.  I said calmly, at first, ‘It’s not that built up.’  The parent went on to say, “Oh yes it is.  I stayed by the river and went to the Jazz Fest and had a great time.” 

Well, that did it. I reminded him that he was in a tourist area and of course those areas (Superdome and the convention center) have been repaired.  I also reminded him that the French Quarter was never really damaged.  Then, I asked him did he dare to venture outside the tourist area and he did not.  I told him that that is where he should have gone to see the real deal. 

I then reminded him that my parents and one of my brother’s still live there, so, I know what was/is going on!  Needless to say, he finally backed off. 

Speaking of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina, whenever I am asked about the devastation and what happened, I always add an extra element – one that no one probably wants to hear.  I tell them (black, white, brown, etc.), that not just poor blacks were affected by the hurricane.   I tell them that everyone from all walks of life and areas of the city were and continue to be affected by the hurricane’s aftermath.

One thing that has not been mentioned, or I should say I have not heard it, is that many who lived in the Lower 9th Ward owned their homes, which had been passed down from generation to generation.  Media reports have painted the place, and basically the whole city for that matter, as a wasteland of poor, uneducated folks, with no teeth, running around.  You would think that the main media coverage could have found just one black person, who could actually string two words together.  Are there poor people there?  Why of course.  Are there uneducated people there?  Why yes! 

Another area that was devastated but hardly mentioned is the Upper 9th Ward.  The Upper 9 is where my parents lived and where I grew up during late middle school, high school, and college.  While my parents were blue collar, we moved into a neighborhood where professional blacks thrived.  Where were these people during the media coverage? 

Oh, did I mention that many media reports would have you believe that we, mostly presumably poor, uneducated blacks, who could not put a sentence together to save our lives, were too dumb to leave while the water was rising.  Apparently, we just stood around saying, “Oh lawd, the watah comin’ to get us, what we gon do?”  The reality IS is that many New Orleanians did leave the area before the hurricane hit.  But, guess what?  They could not hitch their houses and other belongings on the back of their cars and leave. 

Yes, my parents left in time and went to Houston.  The rising waters would go on to destroy anything in its way devastating areas that touched us all.

My family lost everything, except for the cars they took with them and literally the clothes on their backs. 

Although, I left New Orleans in 1989, I never bothered to take much with me because I figured that home would always be home and my stuff (prom dress, baby clothes, toys, mementos, pictures, etc.,) would always be there.  It was a good thing I grabbed some yearbooks and family photos (the only photos left) during my many visits years, months before the dreaded Hurricane Katrina hit.

Many New Orleanians, especially black natives, are afraid to admit that they are from the city.  But, I admit it and am proud to do so.  I proudly display fleur-de-lis and Xavier University of Louisiana stickers on my car.  In fact, right before the hurricane hit, I ordered a license-plate frame that said, “New Orleans Natives Adore The Skin We’re In” and proudly displayed it.  I will always be proud of my city!  

Now, when you see reports of Hurricane Katrina with crazy-looking and crazy-talking black folks, please note that there is a different side!