Quick Classic

Hey kids. Poppin to give you a nice golden nugget to keep you goin. Checked out Rififi last afternoon at the belcourt. It's a enjoyable exercise of a genre heist movie. It felt it was really born out of a apt directorial style which could at times be a little demonstrative and unsubtly. I liked it. It's basically about this badass dude who pulls one more heist with his crew after a stint in jail because he feels like it.

The focus of the piece is a little more interesting through because the crime isn't the centerpiece. It's just the means to what the film really want to explore, human aspect and fallout after the loot has been stolen. It genuinely surprised me as well as offering some thematic material to chew on about the "hood" element. Are they just little boys playing with toy guns. Anyway, before i delve too deep, for a good time call Rififi

Black Dynamite-ish

I tried. I really did try to love it. Black Dynamite is a loving send up of blaxploitation films of the 70's commonly associated with their shoddy production quality, their inevitable villain of "the man," and lots of breasts. There was a lot of stuff I liked about the filme, but it just fell flat for me. FLAT. And I totally know what they were going for. Blaxploitationn films are supposed to have that grainy look, that ridiculous plot contrivance, and sickening story exposition. And I can commend the filmmakers (dir. Scott Sanders, writers Sanders, Byron Minns, and Michael Jai White) on their aesthetic. It genuinely felt authentic and real, but this film managed only a couple of genuine chuckles. However, there were plenty of people (predominantly white) in the theater letting out voluminous belly laughter at some of the film's more broader comedic moments like when Black Dynamite busts down a door, sending an elderly woman flying across the screen.

For the most part, this movies just fell short of the mark for me. Cheifly, because I'm into more clever, less broad comedy. Still, what saved Black Dynamite from me hitting the old trail was Michael Jai White's performance. He was definitely entertaining. He plays it without winking at you; it's just straight up and down commitment to the character. And his violent explosions are too much fun not to guffaw over. Also, it's nice to see so many black people in one movie. Literally, I recognized every actor in here which is pretty sad I think. Well acted though and you can feel the amount of fun they had. Too bad the demographic of which this film reflects probably don't know of its existence. Bottom Line, it didn't do much for me, but comedy is so hit and miss. I don't share the same sense of humor as the filmmaker, but the movie is good enough for me to recommend to someone who does.

And in that tunnel, the only light they had, was inside of them

Been a long time. I shouldn't of left you w/o a cold film review to step to, step to. but seriously I figure it was about time for another movie review. After having watched Push or Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (i'd rather call it by its orginal name), I'm kinda at a lost for a worthy comparison. From the first trailer I saw back in April of last year, I knew it was going to be a brick of a film, as in much like being hit with one. It comes pretty close to describing the experience.

Precious is an illiterate teenager, pregnant with her 2nd child by her father. She lives with her welfare-laden mother while her grandmother takes care of her child with down syndrome who she calls mongo. It was entirely too easy for this film to become a sadfest. Melodrama is could've bogged this story down, but Lee Daniels brings some real grit and searing reality to this film. The world Precious lives in is embodied with a hopeless feeling and unrelenting circumstance. Her mother's apartment literally looks like a dungeon where Daniels reflects this poisonous atmosphere Precious inhabits. Her terrifying environment is anchored and intensified by a truly heartwrenching portrayal of the mother by Monique. Let it be known. Best Supporting Actress will go to Monique off the strength of that last scene. It was simply otherwordly, but grounded in a visceral honesty.



There is a lot to praise about the movie. Largely taking place from Precious' pov, I think it really serves itself well with the voice over because the arc of her character is represented in the her v.o. She starts with a somewhat self loathing weight in her voice, but as she begins to fight the circumstances in her life you feel the expression when her intones are more complex and knowing. I had a couple of problems with some of the editorial choices. I wished some moments had hung in the air instead of disappearing in a fade out like in the first fight between Precious and her mother. The dramatic last scene left me hanging a bit. It was so unbelievably powerful and saddening that i wished a bit more could have been fleshed out to balance. Still, I think Precious is a strong film. It's amazingly acted specfically Paula Patton, Monique of course and Gabourey Sidibet who's making her debut. This movie had such a strong heart. There is so much heart in this movie and I hope it continues to do so well.

On Perry

I never really sat down and decided my list of favorite directors. At some point, I'll make it official, but I can tell you now, as it stands, Scorsese, Tarrantino, Reitman, and def Spike are up there. Spike is just a guy who continues to astound me with his strength of voice, clarity in vision, and unflinching opinion. Although I may not always agree with what he says (re: Eastwood/Flags of our Fathers controversy), I'm intently interested in whatever he says and the conviction with which speaks.
I like Tyler Perry for completely different reasons. I dislike most of his movies, but I still have this desire to see him do well. Why? Because he's black? Well actually that's precisely why. There are so few black directors who are even mentioned in the film community that I want to see him create, author, and express whatever is on his heart. Maybe not whatever, which is precisely why I'm writing this blog post.



Now admittedly, I watched some Tyler Perry plays on bootleg in my preteenage years. They felt like a kept secret; some dude from Atlanta wrote these crazy plays about armed grandmothers and combined soap-operas with gospel. He really tapped into an underrepresented section of our community. His combination of baptist upbringing and theatricality felt natural and sharp. When I heard they, and when I say they I mean white folks, gave 'em money to actually produce and distribute his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, I was like lovely, another black storyteller telling HIS stories with his final say. Yet somewhere between him making that first 20 million opening and now I really can't spend money on his stuff.
It just doesn't sit right with me every time I see the same recycled gags about Madea cappin somebody or Brown shuffling around like it's the early 1900's. It feels like stereotypical nonsense. He kinda just plops these characters on screen and they just kinda sit there in these contrived situations screaming at each other. Now one may reply there are messages of redemption, love, and spirituality in all of his films. Granted. Yet they are muddled by the imagery of a minstrel show at times. Many people in the black community have come out against his films, Spike Lee in particular calls it buffoonery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciwhh3fB6vE). Honestly, I can't disagree.
Still, you can say I’m enamored with the idea of Tyler Perry more than his actual films. I want to love this guy. He represents the classic American Dream; He even named his production company Miracle on 34th street. That is precisely why I'm interested to see him get out of the canon his older films and stretch into For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.



With an amazing cast, including Kerry Washington, Anika Noni Rose, Whoopi, and Phylicia Rashad, I think this will be his first critically acclaimed forray. Combining his reverence for the stories of black woman and the sheer brilliance of the text, I think Perry can do some real damage. I’m an optimist.

I slept soundly...

Paranormal Activity is the scariest movie of all time! Well, that's what they would have you to believe anyway. By they I mean the marketing execs who have pushed this movie on the film-going public like a drug dealer in the Taj Mahal (veiled movie reference is somewhere in there). I give them their props in creating a cultish culture around this movie before it even releases properly. The thing was made in 2007, but it seems like people are all about some Paranormal Activity. It is good to see a fright-fest like PA garnering a bunch of attention especially since it is NOT in 3-d and had a micro-budget that I probably could have afforded. Truly reflective of the times, pre-fans had the oppurtunity to "demand" this movie online and bring it to their market. WHAT FRIGGIN CONCEPT! It taps into the I WANT IT NOT mentality of technology. You already can get your info, clothing, and music that way. Why not your theatrical releases? Very cool.

As for the movie, I enjoyed it. Aside from some parts that were mind-numbingly boring, the frights def delivered for some "oh sh*t" moments. I found it tough to get past the constant zooms and shitty exposure. Of course, it's supposed to be amature, but jeez it was like a thorn in my side. I founc it to be really uneven though. If i wasn't bored by their pseudo-investigation of this otherwordly phenomena I was tense at the prospect of what might occur. I'm being vague so as not to spoil, but once you get into it you'll know what I mean. I don't know if I can validate the hype for you all, but I def enjoyed it. The movie's finer points is its concept of home invasion. The fright lives in the most intimate of places, the darkness of your house and the depths of your sleep.

The Lovely Summer Films of 09

Sorry yo. Finally got some time to write. The last couple of months have been kinda ridic. Actually, no. I apologize for that excuse. Rule Number 76: No excuses play like a champion.

I'm just now getting to wrap-up my favorite time to watch movies, the summer. Admittedly, this season has its fair share of clunkers. Still, I love the mass amounts of press and promo, the glossy tv spots, and the atmosphere of the midnight showing or the new must-see film. There is just something incredibly cool in a movie that's going to be seen by the world and reacted to differently by each person. I know i'm waxing poetic about these movies, but at the same time of my top five movies of the summer, only a couple elicited that attention. Whatever. Stop judging me. In any case, I based my rankings off of my usual criteria. How did I feel initially after the first showing? Did I spend my weekend thinking about it? Was there enough to chew on thematically? Was it cool as shit? etc. Here goes:



1) Up

I almost wish they could make a film that isn't perfect. Even when their movie doesn't hit the mark for me 100% (Ratatouille), I still appreciate it for being a strong piece of work, miles above the fiels. Up is just a delight from start to finish beginning with a a sweet establishment of its characters and a gorgeous silent montage ellipsing a lifetime of a beautiful relationship between the main character and his ill fated wife. With sweeping visuals and a truly thought provoking 3rd Act choice I gotta say I'm all up on some Up.

2)Inglorious Basterds
Highly referential of the myriad of films Tarrantino is into, Basterds is just head to toe a work of art. Classic Tarrantino. I love it's structure so much because it is textbook storytelling. The scenes build, brimming with tension until WHAM! There's a huge payoff or it goes into a different direction then you thought. I'd recommend a cold viewing. Just don't go in expecting to see wall to wall brad pitt killing nazi. Expect a good old fashioned, well made, revenge flick.



3) The Hurt Locker
I saw this film w/o knowing too much about it. Admittedly I was kinda turned off since I wasn't up for another forray into the wonderful world of Iraq. Boy was I wrong. This movie is kinda badass, not just because Kathryn Bigelow's intimate camera yet epic scale, but because of the attention its truly provoking characters. Se makes Jeremy Runner's character look like a friggin rock star (and not in the stereotypically cool way, but the enigmatic and trainwreck kind). Oh and shoutout to Jeremy mackie for delivering the best perf I've seen him give as the slightly assholeish, but completely identifiable supporting lead.

4) Moon
Duncan Jones directed this gem of a sci fi pic. As little you know about this movie before stepping into this movie the better because it honestly rewards a surprise. I'm completely on board with Sam Rockwell after his perf in this film. I can't write too much because I'm afraid to spoil anything. Just know that the film will stick with you after the showing, meditating on some of the themes of being human and the the human expense of evolving technology.



5) Star Trek
2 tons of fun. This was the best way to kick off the Summer of '09. A glitzy, intense sci-fi pic with pretty people doing awesome things. The constant lens flare did kinda annoy in the beginning, but once Kirk gets on that ship, i got swept away. I know nothing about star trek, but I left wondering "Wow, why was I not on this?" Prolly won't be wathcing any episodes anytime soon, but JJ Abrams is batting 1.000 with me.

Honorable Mention: 500 Days of Summer

Worst Movies/Let Downs

I didn't really see many, but they were out there.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Public Enemies, Terminator Salvation

Sumthin, Sumthin, Sumthin Stack that cheese. Or Props to summer '09

Bored at work? Perfect time to publish some gems of celluloid delight. Summer '09 was pretty fantastic for a lot of reasons. For one, I went to LA trick (more on that later) where I was blessed to intern at Double Feature Films (Pulp Fiction, Garden State, Erin Brokovich)for a couple months. Also (for markedly less selfish one), it was the biggest summer at the box office since '07. Now, it's no surprise that accounting for inflation movies seem to get bigger and bigger w/ little increasing quality, but wow 4.17 billion? Mass amounts of bucks.

Another thing that causes pause for me is when i think about the quality of said films. '07's top money earners were Shrek 3, Pirates 3, and Spiderman 3. I saw them. Wasn't too impressed (maybe a bit for Pirates). Now let's compare. '08 had The Dark Knight (would it be the same w/o the Joker), Ironman (good plain fun and charisma), and Indiana Jones (don't care). '09 Transformers 2 (groan), Harry Potter 10 (I don't care), and Up (beast). I'll let you surmise what you will.