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Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 159
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:45 am: | 
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Perhaps based on the fact that Forrest Whitaker just won the Globe for best actor, this film opened nationwide on Friday. His was a brilliant performance. Even though the story was not told from his perspective (but that of a visiting Scot) the cast was mostly black. I saw the film opening day. Though the theatre was packed, I noticed that there were 2 blacks in the audience including myself. The same was the case when I saw Hotel Rwanda opening day and at most African films I go to. Films of this type open in small, independent theatres here in New York so I could clearly see the audience.
There was a recent thread about the lack of black leading characters in African movies. Black Americans are not supporting these movies and I forgot to mention that. I will not venture to say that black Americans should support these movies but my question is why should they then expect to see more black people in title roles? |
Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 4128
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 11:33 am: |
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Watching a cast of traditional looking blacks on screen - especially "The Big Screen" - is just as abnormal and repulsive to Black Americans as it is to whites. What if they kiss, what if they try to do something human? Our perspective of Black people (ourselves) is no different from the dominate culture’s perspective, because they control everything we see and learn. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3090
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 12:21 pm: |
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I don't think that Black Americans are interested in the life story of Idi Amin nor has Forrest Whitaker ever been considered a leading man. These two factors are the reasons that this film has not been warmly received within the Black community. The Golden Globe award might help to change that, but it doesn't do anything for me.
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Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 457
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 01:10 pm: |
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When I saw Dreamgirls the audience was 80% white. Black folks have issues. AND if you think not..read ANY thread on this board..whew (still thinking about Lil Ze's comments)
LiLi |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3091
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 01:37 pm: |
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Black folks have issues because they don't go to movies? Perhaps people are tired of wasting their time and money on LaLaLand.
My monthly cable bill is around $150 and that doesn't even include internet connection or telephone. And although I can easily afford it, I don't see the point of spending $25-50 on a movie date when whatever's showing can be seen on PPV or HBO in a few months anyway.
Think about the money that is spent by people who run to the movie house every time a new movie comes out. I would venture to say that if the average person invested the money they spend on "entertainment" over a lifetime, it would amount to a substantial dollar amount.
I've seen enough crummy movies to last a lifetime and we Black people don't need to spend our hard-earned dollars trying to keep Denzel, Halle, and Brangelina in champagne and caviar.
People need to wake the •••• up.
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Yukio
Veteran Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1636
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 02:02 pm: |
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To be honest, the argument for more black actors [read men and women] in movies, is not about black consumers but a issue of work for black actors.
With that said, black people, like all people, are fickle. Black people in mass will go to see black comedies and rap and r&b concerts. Then you must look at it along political, gender, and class lines.
political: in general, especially, the young folk, they don't know shit about Africans or black people in general. Only the so-called conscious black folk will attend movies about Africans or even African Americans, yes....African Americans.
black women, I suspect, go to the movies more than black men. And, they may go and see Denzel but thats about it regarding. They see Halle B. and Angela B.
Generation: Grown folk, those in the 40s and up are more likely to go than the younger.
Class, as I see it, plays a big part. this doesn't mean that poor folk are not conscious of black folk issues, btw. The college educated more than those not college educated. Those in the humanities and liberal arts in general more so than those in the hard sciences. What happens then is, you have more educated, generally grown black people going to these movies about Africans and black people, and mostly black women.
Finally, as a New Yorker, we aint but 10 percent of a movie, so you aint gonna see huges numbers anyways...unless its a comedy...which is a whole other conversation. |
Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 458
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 02:04 pm: |
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No Mzuri..Im saying Black folks have issues. SO clearly you think we dont. Dont make either of us wrong. I just see it from a different view. Someone made the comment we dont support movies the weekend that come out and we also kill movies we have never viewed. I agree with that. I would also say we do a lot of dysfunction shyet..this is one of many. Thats nice about your ability to watch movies on cable. I dont have the movie channels. I get mine from blockbuster and when I lived in Ohio I get many first runs after they hit DVD from the library.
LiLi |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3094
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 02:12 pm: |
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Y - Higher income people generally make up movie audiences. I was reading about that in a business magazine in reference of advertising to movie audiences. My own personal opinion is this - if your household income doesn't exceed $100K per year, you can't afford to waste your money (or your time) at the movies.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3095
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 02:22 pm: |
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LiLi - By my post above I'm asserting that I believe that Black people don't have issues? Odd that you would make that determination. Obviously I think Black people have issues otherwise I wouldn't keep preaching.
I actually don't watch very many movies. Since I have a short attention span, whenever I start watching anything, after about fifteen minutes I either start reading a book, writing about whatever my project is at the time, walk to another part of the house, get on the computer or fall asleep. The money that I spend on cable is a total waste. Shame on me for wasting $150 a month. LOLOL!
Then there's my two separate cell phones with two separate cell phone providers. Shame.
Thank You Jehovah For The People That Buy My Furniture!!!
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Kola_boof
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4239
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 02:27 pm: |
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Well, at least she admits
that she has a short attention
span.
And we can live off that knowledge
forever.
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3097
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 02:31 pm: |
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Yes, Kola Spoof. I have a short attention span. Which is why your foolish mulatto ass never captured my interest, other than to contradict your endless bullshit which doesn't take much time at all.
Anything else, smart ass???
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Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 463
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 03:19 pm: |
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Hey Mzuri..you have a website..that shows your furniture..
LiLi who aint gonna be broke and po forever..SURELY the Lord wouldnt punish me like that..LOL |
Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 464
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 03:20 pm: |
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Oh and I misread your comment about the issues of black folks..my bad
LiLi |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6848
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 05:04 pm: |
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I'm like you, Mzuri. I wait for movies to come out on Cable, so I can control when and where I watch them, stop and start them and rewind them whenever I choose, something you can do on ComCast's "On Demand" feature. To me, movies, like sports or the different types of music, are the domain of fans, and fans are people who support what they like, and movie fans are those who actively seek escapist entertainment, be it comedy or drama or action or horror or animation. Word of mouth is also a big factor in movies being a success because many people check out films recommended by others. Some movies are esoteric and only appeal to a certain segment of fandom, such as people who prefer artistic films or off-beat ones. People can't dictate what movies others should see, because it all about paying your money and taking your choice. Everybody talks about BET, but they do run a lot of made-for-tv black movies that reflect all aspects of black life including the romantic one.
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Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 474
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 05:23 pm: |
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Yea cause I really enjoyed Soul Plane.
LiLi running behind Ms Cynique |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 160
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:07 pm: |
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I agree Tonya. By the way if anyone is interested in going to West Africa the biennial film festival will take place in Burkina Faso in February of this year....
http://www.fespaco.bf/index_en.html
I love African films and will be there in 2009. |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 161
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:10 pm: |
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Libralind2 lol yes all people have issues but when Lil_ze was conceived I think the craziest ancestors jumped for joy at the prospect of their rebirth. There is typical self-hate and then there is his brand which is often called insanity. |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 162
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:13 pm: |
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Mzuri I understand your comment on Forrest Whitaker. I have only seen a few of his movies myself and certainly not for him but anytime I see an African movie or even an African concert for that matter I'm often the only black person there. That is unless it is a visit from someone who is known particularly only amongst West Africans like Viviane Ndour ....then there are plenty of black people there. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3098
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:14 pm: |
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Cynique - Last time we went to the movies was a while back. The movie was awful and there was a woman sitting next to us that ran her mouth talking about nothing the whole entire time. That's another reason I prefer to watch movies at home, I don't have those sorts of unwelcome distractions.
Yes LiLi - I have a website (I have more than one actually). I sell the majority of my furniture thru eBay, since that's where all the traffic is. And I sell other stuff besides furniture - I've mentioned that before so I won't repeat myself.
You and I were in contact a few months ago and one of my domain names is that of the e-mail address that I contacted you with - that is also my eBay name. If you can't find it or recall it, let me know and I'll look thru my old e-mails and find your contact information.
And BTW, I don't seek to profit from any of my friends. If you should need some furniture, I would be happy to send it to you at my wholesale cost and I'd also pass along the shipping discount that my freight carrier extends to me. But since we're both in Texas I'd be required to collect sales tax at whatever your local rate is. Okay.
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Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 163
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:19 pm: |
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Yukio,
I do agree with what you are saying about education. The audiences in independent/international films tends to be more formally educated and that is probably why there are fewer black people. One time I did see a relatively large black turnout was during an African film festival where Danny Glover appeared to introduce Ousmane Sembene, a prolific Senegalese director.
Sadly, I was dragged (ok, begged) to see Black Christmas in Manhattan. About 25% of the audience was black. Maybe horror can be grouped with comedy. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 3100
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 07:31 pm: |
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D - I'm just amazed that white people are coming out to see Black films at all. Things may be slowly starting to change.
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Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 476
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 08:51 pm: |
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Mzuri..I havent forgotten and really appreciated your support. I wish I could do the same program here in Texas but at this time I have other concerns. I will keep that in mind if I decide to stay in Texas. Thank you very much
LiLi |
Yukio
Veteran Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1647
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 08:58 pm: |
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Dahomeyahosi:...LOL! Naw, horror is horror...but i think african americans, are black american sometimes...that some of us show, at times, no qualities of what I call culturall African Americans, and some of us just like diverse genres like other people...but yes, I think it is usually older, educated, black women who will see African movies...
I have gone, but I am often a bit reluctant because of I'm suspicious of the white director and the white star, such as in the case of Black Diamonds...I'm am very fickle. I will not see movies where its a story bout black people and the white person is playing the savior...can't do it...and oftentimes, this is the case! |
Kola_boof
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4253
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 09:38 pm: |
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What about all the African films released in NY where you live Yukio that are directed by AFRICAN DIRECTORS and Black Stars---such as the films by Ousmane Sembene?
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Yukio
Veteran Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1648
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 01:43 am: |
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I dont live in nyc anymore; in fact, not for a long, long time...when I did, I was a teenager, and my circles only included discussions of basketball stats, basketball practice, and trying to get some...I learned about Ousmane Sembene first through his literature about the railways workers strike in Senegal [from Frederick Cooper's historical work], but I have yet watched any of his films. BUt this too in on my agenda, when I get some time....I am actually on your side of the tracks on the w. coast.
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Kola_boof
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4257
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 02:41 am: |
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UGH!
No wonder.
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Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 165
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 10:13 am: |
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Mzuri here in New York whites are by and large the audience at most African films and concerts by artists popular enough to be grouped in the "world music" pile including Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N'Dour, Ndiaye Rose, and others. They make up the overwhelming part of the crowd. |
Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 3430
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 11:32 am: |
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Black people did not make that movie. Black people are not the focus of the movie. Why should they care?
My stance is that Black people should not want white people to make more movies with black people in them.
Almost all of them screw it up and have us complaining. Black people need to be the people behind the camera.
They only like us when we is grinnin and dancin. |
Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 491
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 11:42 am: |
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MOST Black people do not support black people who make movies and the box office numbers prove it. So what is your suggestion to get black folks to support movies produced by black folks..?
LiLi |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 316
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 08:16 pm: |
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"Stomp the Yard" is about Black Americans, and Black Americans are supporting it in droves. The critically acclaimed film is currently raking in major box office. (My eldest kids saw it over the weekend).
Whites only support Foreign Film to appear "cultured," not because they give a damn about the plight or issues affecting Africans, Asians, etc. I'm sure after viewing these films, and seeing how "the other half" lives, they go home and thank God they're White.
Forest Whitaker, while a brilliant actor, is not a leading man. He's overweight and has a lazy eye. NOBODY goes to see a movie just because Forest Whitaker's in it. |
Libralind2
Regular Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 496
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 10:05 pm: |
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Im planning to see that as well..since I like that stepping stuff..being a AKA..LOL My comment should have been that black folks dont support the type of black movies produced by black folks that have substance to them and the box office numbers prove it.
We KNOW movies produced by white folks SOME blacks will support in droves. You right about that..
LiLi |
Yukio
Veteran Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1657
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 11:03 pm: |
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I know Kola...i miss the eastcoast, not so much nyc... |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1612
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 02:52 pm: |
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"NOBODY goes to see a movie just because Forest Whitaker's in it."
Uhhhhhhh.....that's not exactly true US. Although I agree with your physical assessment and your comment about his acting abilities, there are people who specifically go to see him. I know of two such people. They are big fans of his. Believe it or not, such pathetic actors as David Duchovny, Keanu Reeeves and Harrison Ford actually have fans. And believe it or not, I was in a video store one day and I actually heard a a woman say; "Oh, I just love Melanie Griffith. I watch all her movies". I was speechless....!!!!!
Melony Griffin. |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 366
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 4 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 04:13 pm: |
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U_S: Forest Whitaker, while a brilliant actor, is not a leading man. He's overweight and has a lazy eye. NOBODY goes to see a movie just because Forest Whitaker's in it.
I do.
And did you see his acceptance speech on the Golden Globes ? Whittaker has trimmed down quite a bit. He looked fabulous ! More power to the brotha ! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1622
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 09:59 pm: |
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"And did you see his acceptance speech on the Golden Globes ? Whittaker has trimmed down quite a bit."
This is very true! In fact, I hardly recognized him. Glad you brought that up. I forgot about it. But he has lost a lot of weight! I hope it was by choice.
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