Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
I support strongly both Precious and Tyler Perry's films. The former is painful to watch, and I get that some blacks are upset that its overall negative portrayals will reinforce the mainstream idea of what we are as a people. I get that, but it's an unfortunate truth: too many young black people deal with abuse, broken homes, etc. So i celebrate its unblinking (though admittedly extreme) look at that part of the world. By the same token, I strongly supported Boyz in Da Hood and Menace 2 Society as tough but necessary looks at one aspect of black life. What I don't support is that part of black life become the only thing shown on screen. After a while, the glut of in da hood flicks became too much and too one-sided. That's one reason I support Tyler Perry. Yeah, his stuff is cartoonish and predictable. Yeah, his villains are so bad they need Snidley Whiplash mustaches to twirl. But he also conveys a strong sense of family, and that there's nothing wrong with having a spiritual life. He also tackles in his own way the very negative images of blacks: showing in one film that for all the negative stereotypes of us that exist (which he showcases), there are many more positive ones. So that drug dealer or wife beater or child abuser is shown as only one jacked up aspect of black life, and the aunts, uncles, best friends, and cousins are shown as the positive side that are often overlooked. The broken family isn't the all, if only the hapless man or woman can find the strength to lean on that good family just waiting to embrace him or her. The fancy player is shown to be a fool, and the good, steady guy is shown to not only be desirable, but more importantly, present, if only black women (and white producers) would look for him. His skills as a writer are arguable, but Perry shows movies in which black people have morals, strong families, jobs, a strong, positive spiritual life, and don't have to lean on or marry white people to be successful. Indeed, one reason Perry had to do his own thing is because the Hollywood suits doubted his movies would have widespread appeal. He has whites in his cast, true, but the movies still center around black-on-black love, which is still too lacking in H'wood. I'm wondering what else is needed for black directors to go through the door as you mentioned. We've had Spike Lee, the Hughes and Hudlin brothers, and Tyler Perry. We've had Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, and and a host of other black actors and actresses. So why is black love still rare on the big screen? Why is H'Wood still focusing on white male fantasies of getting black women, while ignoring black male love interests? Why are the only black movies that show black romantic love things like Brown Sugar. Love Jones, etc., with actors that sometimes are considered B-listers? - Original Message - From: Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:00:52 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born The diaspora has space for positive and negative movies. I think Precious is great film and everyone did a great job regardless of the subject matter. Cause a Tyler Perry pic is all we seen to get these days and we are not talking about any real topics. So I hope Precious allows other blk directors a foot in the door. Cause it seems we have all disappeared. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:36 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: You're right, but that goes back to my whole original point: H'Wood caters to prejudices and blacks suffer. At some point, doing what's easy and quickly profitable turns into stagnation and resistance to change. It's why in 2010 we still have major discussions about why Precious gets all the raves, but the mainstream ignores movies with blacks in more positive roles. Sorry, off my soapbox now! :) I wanna go read up on your quantum entanglement post. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:13:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
Because it is a subtle manipulation of the audience. I think the last movie like that I saw was Eraser with Ahnald and Vanessa Williams. On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 6:47 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Why is that? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:33:20 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born That's automatic for me. I never watch movies like that. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.comwrote: I'm gonna have to Boycott this pic. It just sounds like they are going for too much. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.comwrote: Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowe http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowe looks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncé http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyonce in the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Get Social and Follow Me: Join me on Facebook http://facebook.com/mikestreet Follow me on Twitter Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 Join the Harlem NY Community http://www.facebook.com/harlemny and at http://HarlemSocial.com -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
About Tyler Perry: Yeah, his stuff is cartoonish and predictable. Yeah, his villains are so bad they need Snidley Whiplash mustaches to twirl. YES! Ha halarious! Gerald Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry -Original Message- From: Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:31:11 To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born I support strongly both Precious and Tyler Perry's films. The former is painful to watch, and I get that some blacks are upset that its overall negative portrayals will reinforce the mainstream idea of what we are as a people. I get that, but it's an unfortunate truth: too many young black people deal with abuse, broken homes, etc. So i celebrate its unblinking (though admittedly extreme) look at that part of the world. By the same token, I strongly supported Boyz in Da Hood and Menace 2 Society as tough but necessary looks at one aspect of black life. What I don't support is that part of black life become the only thing shown on screen. After a while, the glut of in da hood flicks became too much and too one-sided. That's one reason I support Tyler Perry. Yeah, his stuff is cartoonish and predictable. Yeah, his villains are so bad they need Snidley Whiplash mustaches to twirl. But he also conveys a strong sense of family, and that there's nothing wrong with having a spiritual life. He also tackles in his own way the very negative images of blacks: showing in one film that for all the negative stereotypes of us that exist (which he showcases), there are many more positive ones. So that drug dealer or wife beater or child abuser is shown as only one jacked up aspect of black life, and the aunts, uncles, best friends, and cousins are shown as the positive side that are often overlooked. The broken family isn't the all, if only the hapless man or woman can find the strength to lean on that good family just waiting to embrace him or her. The fancy player is shown to be a fool, and the good, steady guy is shown to not only be desirable, but more importantly, present, if only black women (and white producers) would look for him. His skills as a writer are arguable, but Perry shows movies in which black people have morals, strong families, jobs, a strong, positive spiritual life, and don't have to lean on or marry white people to be successful. Indeed, one reason Perry had to do his own thing is because the Hollywood suits doubted his movies would have widespread appeal. He has whites in his cast, true, but the movies still center around black-on-black love, which is still too lacking in H'wood. I'm wondering what else is needed for black directors to go through the door as you mentioned. We've had Spike Lee, the Hughes and Hudlin brothers, and Tyler Perry. We've had Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, and and a host of other black actors and actresses. So why is black love still rare on the big screen? Why is H'Wood still focusing on white male fantasies of getting black women, while ignoring black male love interests? Why are the only black movies that show black romantic love things like Brown Sugar. Love Jones, etc., with actors that sometimes are considered B-listers? - Original Message - From: Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:00:52 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born The diaspora has space for positive and negative movies. I think Precious is great film and everyone did a great job regardless of the subject matter. Cause a Tyler Perry pic is all we seen to get these days and we are not talking about any real topics. So I hope Precious allows other blk directors a foot in the door. Cause it seems we have all disappeared. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:36 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: You're right, but that goes back to my whole original point: H'Wood caters to prejudices and blacks suffer. At some point, doing what's easy and quickly profitable turns into stagnation and resistance to change. It's why in 2010 we still have major discussions about why Precious gets all the raves, but the mainstream ignores movies with blacks in more positive roles. Sorry, off my soapbox now! :) I wanna go read up on your quantum entanglement post. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:13:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue,
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
But Eraser wasn't a romance, was it? I don't recall them getting together as a couple. And let's be clear: i'm not fighting against interracial relationships. They exist, and should not be overlooked. But do the math: from TV to film, for decades, Hollywood has either ignored black love (which is still the majority of black relationships), or put black women with white men, or, as in Hitch, put black men with non-white women. This despite the fact that the vast majority of blacks in America still marry other blacks--NBA players notwithstanding! :) Now a movie dealing with the topic I did like, and do watch all the time, is Something New. That's the one where Sanaa Lathan plays an uptight lawyer who ends up falling in love with a white guy. I like the movie because it wasn't something put together to draw in white people: it had no A-listers to appeal to the mass audiences, and thus, was more honest. It was straight up with discussions of inter racial relationships and the hurdles they bring, both minor and major. It had the courage to have the black woman ask Are you one of those white guys who just get off dating black women?. It made me laugh when the white dude asked innocently why Sanaa's character needed to wear a weave. What's wrong with your real hair?, he asks all wide-eyed, not having a clue as to the storm he'd just unleashed. It had realistic conversations where her black female friends said It's okay to have fun with him for a while, but you're not actually going to *marry* a white man are you? It also dealt with issues of class: Sanaa's character's main problem is that she's trying to live a certain type of life, to be the proper type of upper class person, but she's not happy. The dude she falls in love with is a guy who's very happy, who just happens to be white. Thus, it didn't sugarcoat things the way mainstream films do. And, I like the fact that her friends all had black men, and were happy, especially the judge who had to learn she could love a black man who wasn't quite on her financial/social level. Of course, Sanaa Lathan being in it didn't hurt. I could watch her read the dictionary and still be transfixed! Again, curious that a movie dealing with the issues of black/white love honestly was not a big budget release, and had no A-listers. And note that the only movies we get that show realistic black romance in a positive manner are those starring the likes of LL Cool J, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Tamala Jones, etc. Guess that's the FUBU scene eh? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 10:35:18 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Because it is a subtle manipulation of the audience. I think the last movie like that I saw was Eraser with Ahnald and Vanessa Williams. On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 6:47 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Why is that? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:33:20 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born That's automatic for me. I never watch movies like that. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com wrote: I'm gonna have to Boycott this pic. It just sounds like they are going for too much. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowe looks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncé in the Warner Bros
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
You know I did see Something new, but not in the theater. I think I was watching it with my sister and her friend a while back. It was an pretty good film. The problem I have with white guys in the role is the fetishism of black women that goes on. For example, swordfish and the whole aura around halle. Love and basketball was another good black love film. They are far and few between though. We only see Perry's movie on wide release because he has an overwhelming track record. If you think about it, there are no white directors that are even close to him on the prolific amount of material that he pumps out every year for the last 10+ years. On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 12:09 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: But Eraser wasn't a romance, was it? I don't recall them getting together as a couple. And let's be clear: i'm not fighting against interracial relationships. They exist, and should not be overlooked. But do the math: from TV to film, for decades, Hollywood has either ignored black love (which is still the majority of black relationships), or put black women with white men, or, as in Hitch, put black men with non-white women. This despite the fact that the vast majority of blacks in America still marry other blacks--NBA players notwithstanding! :) Now a movie dealing with the topic I did like, and do watch all the time, is Something New. That's the one where Sanaa Lathan plays an uptight lawyer who ends up falling in love with a white guy. I like the movie because it wasn't something put together to draw in white people: it had no A-listers to appeal to the mass audiences, and thus, was more honest. It was straight up with discussions of inter racial relationships and the hurdles they bring, both minor and major. It had the courage to have the black woman ask Are you one of those white guys who just get off dating black women?. It made me laugh when the white dude asked innocently why Sanaa's character needed to wear a weave. What's wrong with your real hair?, he asks all wide-eyed, not having a clue as to the storm he'd just unleashed. It had realistic conversations where her black female friends said It's okay to have fun with him for a while, but you're not actually going to *marry* a white man are you? It also dealt with issues of class: Sanaa's character's main problem is that she's trying to live a certain type of life, to be the proper type of upper class person, but she's not happy. The dude she falls in love with is a guy who's very happy, who just happens to be white. Thus, it didn't sugarcoat things the way mainstream films do. And, I like the fact that her friends all had black men, and were happy, especially the judge who had to learn she could love a black man who wasn't quite on her financial/social level. Of course, Sanaa Lathan being in it didn't hurt. I could watch her read the dictionary and still be transfixed! Again, curious that a movie dealing with the issues of black/white love honestly was not a big budget release, and had no A-listers. And note that the only movies we get that show realistic black romance in a positive manner are those starring the likes of LL Cool J, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Tamala Jones, etc. Guess that's the FUBU scene eh? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 10:35:18 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Because it is a subtle manipulation of the audience. I think the last movie like that I saw was Eraser with Ahnald and Vanessa Williams. On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 6:47 AM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Why is that? - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:33:20 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born That's automatic for me. I never watch movies like that. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.comwrote: I'm gonna have to Boycott this pic. It just sounds like they are going for too much. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.comwrote: Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowelooks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncéhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyoncein the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
I'm gonna have to Boycott this pic. It just sounds like they are going for too much. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowelooks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncéhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyoncein the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Get Social and Follow Me: Join me on Facebook http://facebook.com/mikestreet Follow me on Twitter Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 Join the Harlem NY Community http://www.facebook.com/harlemny and at http://HarlemSocial.com
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
You're right, but that goes back to my whole original point: H'Wood caters to prejudices and blacks suffer. At some point, doing what's easy and quickly profitable turns into stagnation and resistance to change. It's why in 2010 we still have major discussions about why Precious gets all the raves, but the mainstream ignores movies with blacks in more positive roles. Sorry, off my soapbox now! :) I wanna go read up on your quantum entanglement post. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:13:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.net wrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowe looks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncé in the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hood . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
That's automatic for me. I never watch movies like that. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:24 PM, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com wrote: I'm gonna have to Boycott this pic. It just sounds like they are going for too much. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:13 PM, Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com wrote: Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowelooks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncéhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyoncein the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Get Social and Follow Me: Join me on Facebook http://facebook.com/mikestreet Follow me on Twitter Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 Join the Harlem NY Community http://www.facebook.com/harlemny and at http://HarlemSocial.com -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
I totally agree. The worst is having a black actor and he or she is cast as a thin support character or comic relief. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 8:36 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: You're right, but that goes back to my whole original point: H'Wood caters to prejudices and blacks suffer. At some point, doing what's easy and quickly profitable turns into stagnation and resistance to change. It's why in 2010 we still have major discussions about why Precious gets all the raves, but the mainstream ignores movies with blacks in more positive roles. Sorry, off my soapbox now! :) I wanna go read up on your quantum entanglement post. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:13:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowelooks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncéhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyoncein the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
The diaspora has space for positive and negative movies. I think Precious is great film and everyone did a great job regardless of the subject matter. Cause a Tyler Perry pic is all we seen to get these days and we are not talking about any real topics. So I hope Precious allows other blk directors a foot in the door. Cause it seems we have all disappeared. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:36 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: You're right, but that goes back to my whole original point: H'Wood caters to prejudices and blacks suffer. At some point, doing what's easy and quickly profitable turns into stagnation and resistance to change. It's why in 2010 we still have major discussions about why Precious gets all the raves, but the mainstream ignores movies with blacks in more positive roles. Sorry, off my soapbox now! :) I wanna go read up on your quantum entanglement post. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:13:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowelooks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncéhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyoncein the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Get Social and Follow Me: Join me on Facebook http://facebook.com/mikestreet Follow me on Twitter Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 Join the Harlem NY Community http://www.facebook.com/harlemny and at http://HarlemSocial.com
Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born
I don't think Hollywood thinks like that anymore. I don't think that they really are looking for great new directors. They are looking for entertainment makers that will churn out more of the same. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 9:00 PM, Mike Street streetfor...@gmail.com wrote: The diaspora has space for positive and negative movies. I think Precious is great film and everyone did a great job regardless of the subject matter. Cause a Tyler Perry pic is all we seen to get these days and we are not talking about any real topics. So I hope Precious allows other blk directors a foot in the door. Cause it seems we have all disappeared. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:36 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: You're right, but that goes back to my whole original point: H'Wood caters to prejudices and blacks suffer. At some point, doing what's easy and quickly profitable turns into stagnation and resistance to change. It's why in 2010 we still have major discussions about why Precious gets all the raves, but the mainstream ignores movies with blacks in more positive roles. Sorry, off my soapbox now! :) I wanna go read up on your quantum entanglement post. - Original Message - From: Mr. Worf hellomahog...@gmail.com To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:13:03 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Knowles, Crowe to Star in A Star is Born Movie making isn't reality. They are shooting for stars that will have a big draw. If it wasn't Russell Crowe it would have been Depp, or some other white guy. Two black people in the roles would equal a BLACK MOVIE. Having one of each equals a cross over. On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Keith Johnson keithbjohn...@comcast.netwrote: Worf, case in point (although i know you weren't arguing against prejudice in H'Wood). With all the people out there who could be cast opposite Knowles, they skip all the potential black men to pair her up with a white dude? I'm already reading some stuff hailing the bold move of the interracial relationship. Got nothing against that, but again, in a world where black-on-black love doesn't get much play on the big screen... Yes indeed, we must make our own stuff... ** http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/09/russell-crowe-beyonce-star-is-born In what may strike cynics as a case of life imitating art, Russell Crowehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/russellcrowelooks set to take a leading role in A Star Is Born, a remake of the classic Hollywood melodrama about a fading, drunken superstar who finds himself eclipsed by a younger model. The former Gladiator star is reportedly in talks to appear alongside Beyoncéhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/music/beyoncein the Warner Bros production. The original 1937 version starred Fredric March and Janet Gaynor as an aging Hollywood actor and the bright young ingenue he takes under his wing. The film was remade in 1954 with James Mason and Judy Garland. The hugely successful 1976 version cast Barbra Streisand alongside Kris Kristoffersson and re-routed the story from the film industry to the music business. Elvis Presley was initially approached to take the Kristoffersson role but reportedly bailed out after he was refused top billing. The latest overhaul apparently casts Crowe as a down-on-his-luck musician who embarks on an affair with a rising young singer. Nick Cassavetes is pencilled in to direct, while the supporting cast will be fleshed out by the likes of Mad Men mainstay John Hamm and singers Alicia Keys and Rihanna. Crowe, now 45, won a best actor Oscar for his role in Gladiator. His recent films include Cinderella Man, American Gangster, Body of Lies and State of Play. He will next be seen as the hero in Ridley Scott's revisionist take on Robin Hoodhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/dec/23/robin-hood-russell-crowe-trailer-review . -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/ -- Get Social and Follow Me: Join me on Facebook http://facebook.com/mikestreet Follow me on Twitter Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/streetforce1 Join the Harlem NY Community http://www.facebook.com/harlemny and at http://HarlemSocial.com -- Celebrating 10 years of bringing diversity to perversity! Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/
