| Author |
Message |
    
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1471
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 11:53 pm: | 
|
Hello
I thought I'd seen every movie of any significance that had a black cast. How could I have missed a movie with the following cast: Jeffery Wright, Louis Gosset Jr. Rosie Perez, Jimmie Smit, Hill Harper, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Terrence Howard, Mos Def, Macy Gray and S. Epatha Merkinson.
This movie had the feel of Eve's Bayou but was much more rewarding. The acting was superb. Check this out, there were no scenes of violence and no cuss words hit the screen. Without a doubt, I would rank this as one of the best pictures I've seen in a long time and it came out over 2 years ago. Here's the catch, it didn't hit the big screen. It was produced by Halle Barry and aired on HBO. The name of the movie is Lackawanna Blues.
I have friends that share the same interests in movie and I was talking to one about Jeffery Wrights performance in Cadilac Records. She asked me what I thought of his performance in Lackawanna Blues. When I said that I had never heard of the movie you would have thought I'd slapped her mother. Anyway, she said she had it and that I should come over and she'd watch it with me. To shorten this long story, I watched it and I loved it. Without a doubt it has made it's way into my all time top 10 Black Movies. Now I just threw it into my top 10 because I know it fits but when I sit down and take a long look, it could eventually find it's way into my top 5. |
Cagedbird
Regular Poster
Username: Cagedbird
Post Number: 41
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2009 - 07:46 am: |
|
It is one of MY all-time favorites. Great acting, great cast! |
Zane
Veteran Poster
Username: Zane
Post Number: 101
Registered: 11-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 03:09 pm: |
|
Great movie. I watched it several times. |
Cagedbird
Regular Poster
Username: Cagedbird
Post Number: 51
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 03:32 pm: |
|
Carey, have you seen "Men Cry in the Dark????
I didn't like the ending, but overall, it was so enjoyable, I bought it! I don't buy a lot of movies, books, but not movies. I did buy 2day, "What's Done in the Dark." Anyone seen it?
Just got the book, "Not Easily Broken." (CAREY)
Btw, it is lovely here in the ATL. Just grilled chops and fixed collard greens with jowl bacon!
Have a nice weekend, ALL! |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1487
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 06:16 pm: |
|
Hello
Cagebird, I think I've seen both. But you will have to give me a little of the plot to refresh my mind. But I will tell you that I have find little pleasure in viewing low budget movies and I'll tell you why. My joys of watching a movie starts with great acting. Also, good directing is a must. I mean the director has to have the vision of the audience and not assume I am brainless and will accept anything he throws my way. Also, a good director has to have to the courage to "direct" an actor even though the actor may be the star of the movie. Some actors need to be told to tone it down (and stop "acting")or that they missing his vision of that role. Good movies do not happen by accident and if you look real close the same directors names will appear at the top.
I've also found that with low budget flicks they even cut back on props or location shots. Of course there has been big budget flops and that's another issue. However when the sound quality of a movie suffers or the screenplay is written by someones cousin to cut cost, those movies leave me behind.
Having said all that, the two movies that you mentioned don't jiggle memories of good. But I know for a fact that I owned "Men Cry In The Dark". Hit me with what you have and I might even say, that was a great movie and how could I have forgotten that one. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1489
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 07:09 pm: |
|
Hello
I recently watch "Changeling" and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. I will start by saying after viewing the latter I spent 2 hours on the phone discussing it. Should Brad Pitt receive a host of awards for his role? Absolutely not but oh buddy, this is a very good story. To "get" this movie might require 2 viewings and feedback from another. This is a love story but not a chick flick! I loved it.
I am compelled to give it 4.75 stars out of 5. |
Libralind2
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 12:06 am: |
|
I watched a wonderful movie about Earnie Davis. Look him up
LiLi...giving folks homework LOL |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13282
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 10:32 am: |
|
LiLi, we did briefly discuss this movie about the first black Heisman trophy winner and his tragic fate when it first came out. And, naturally, I had to mention that I remembered football star Ernie Davis back in his hey day, and how his good looks had captivated me almost as much as his steadfast courage and high character. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1490
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 12:54 pm: |
|
Hello
In a previuos post I mentioned my distaste for low budget flicks. Well, that's not to say that I don't watch them. I have a **cough** lady friend that does not require her movies to be very deep. They could be shot in someone's garage, she doesn't care. In fact, this week I watched a movie called Saving God, Ving Rhames and Dean McDermott had the leading roles. Ving Rhames is a decent actor but there wasn't much meat in this part. He was an ex-felon that had served 15 years in prison for murdering his best friend. Before he got out of prison he apparently found God. God must be more available in places like that because I've noticed that people find him in some of the most ugliest spot. Anyway, with God on his arm, Ving Rhames goes back to his old neighborhood to "Save God", one soul at a time. Ving's father, who had pasted away, was the pastor of a church that has fallen on bad times. It's in the heart of the neighborhood and nothing works and the walls are crumbling. Okay, you've seen this movie before. Well, maybe not this one but you get my drift. My friend said it was a good movie. I'll say it was good to fall asleep on.
Now that I've got that out of the way, let me get back to Brad Pitt's latest. I am not big on special affects and of course they had to use a few in this movie because Brad Pitt was a person that aged backwards. I'll tell you what, in the movie Forrest Gump, they did a great job with the special effects needed to pull that off. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button didn't do a bad job but if I had any problem with the movie it would be right there. Some of the scenes just didn't work for me. But that's a minor glitch, the rest of the movie was top notch. In my above post I also mentioned that this movie might require a second viewing. It's not that the movie is complicated, but since the story is told through Benjamin Button's diary, the movie is done using flashbacks. Plus, it gets deeper because the flashbacks are voiced by one of his lovers, who is presently dying. Yes, this gets thick. Here is the setup. don't worry, even if I wanted to, I can not give away to much because the movie is very long and there is so much going on. Benjamin Button is born at the end of his life. Yeah, that little piece of information is bit to digest but hold on. He meets the love of his life when she is about 5 years old. Of course they are not lovers at that time but they form a bond. Now as the movie moves on, she gets older and he starts getting younger. Okay, are you with me? Some of the things the viewer is required to do is figure the age of these individuals as the movie moves through time. The two meet as "children" in a home for seniors. Benjamin Button leaves that home at an age that I will not reveal because it's part of the plot. He steps out into the world, leaving his first love behind. Oh buddy, this movie starts to get thick. Before he starts his journey, the movie did a great job of setting the stage for the rest of the movie. See, although his road is in front of him and the movie is almost in it's second hour, the flashbacks serve to tell us about his family and how he got to the home he presently lived. I hesitate to call this a "message" movie but there are many thought provoking moments. I called this a love story but not a chick flick. Well, unlike the Titanic, which was a great love story, this story shows all the true elements of deep relationships. You know what I am talking about. For one, that feeling you get in your heart and gut when you see or think someone is entertaining your lover. How about that longing you have for someone that leaves your life because of things outside of your control and the two of you are still in love. This movie hits all the right cords of love affairs. In life there are peaks, valleys and death and this movie doesn't short change any of them. Although Brad Pitt is a major player in this movie there were several characters that spoke to my heart. If you've lived a little, you will find yourself in this movie. This is a goodie! I'll tell you what, ol'girl that played the part of Terrence Howard's lady in ...dang, what's the name of that movie "it's hard out here bing a pimp"? Anyway, she was also in "Smokin' Aces" with Common and Alica Keys. I won't mention her name because if you don't know who I am tallking about it doesn't make any difference anyway. But she has a hugh part in the movie. Some are saying she deserves a nod. I'll say she did a great job.
After viewing the movie I had so many questions. I am sure you will too. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1491
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 01:55 pm: |
|
Hello
Over the years Thump and I have had several discussion on the politics of Awards such as Emmys and Oscars. If you want to get Thumper started, ask him about the "negro trump card" *lol*. I won't go on about this because it only serves to piss me off. Not Thump, but some of the movies and actors that find their way to the top.
I have to mention the awards because Ms. Jolie didn't get a nod this year, but hold up. I'm not saying she did or didn't deserve one but I am curious to see who did. I have not taken the time to see who has been nominated for Golden Globe awards but I hear she has not. Having said that, I can't think of an actress that stood out last year and Ms. Jolie did a nice job in "Changeling".
Let me jump in here with Will Smith's 7 lbs. It was another Will Smith feel good movie. I will not spend any time on this one because it is just a "movie". By that I mean it's nothing I would champion. Will Smith is not a great actor. He is in good movies (they sell)that fit him. I wouldn't call this one a date flick but women might enjoy it.
The Changling is hard to describe. It's set in the 40's or early 50's and involves a mother whos son is kidnapped. It takes use on a journey of a mother that is desperately trying to find her son and has to fight forces that imped her progress. The legal system and corrupt police officers get in her way. Through Ms. Jolie we get to see the pain of a mother that loses her child. There are hints of a child murderer on the scale of the Atlanta child killings. Acting is a funny thang. Most can "do" angry, but to express all the elements of anger, ie, sadness, depression, frustration, doubt and fear, the actor has to reach down and move away from themselves and get into the pain of the role. Ms. Jolie did a fine job. This is not a bust out top 50 movie of all time but a very good movie. I would recommend it. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1492
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 02:36 pm: |
|
Hello Zane,
I don't know if everyone knows this but you've been coming to this board for several years. Even before you blewup to mega-mega land, you stopped by to share your opinion. Even though you do not get into exchanges as much as you used to, you practice what you preach and have never forgot who and where you came from. Plus, I have to throw a star your way because I've taken some shots at your writing genre and that hasn't stopped you from commenting on threads that you find of interest.
On that note, I am personally interested in your movie taste. I've been accused of being like an old refrigerator; "can't keep nothing in it" and maybe the following might fall into that catagory  . Anyway, as I've said you don't generally reply to many post but years ago you and I had a few e-mail exchanges. In part, I was probably begging for books but what about a time called now. Since I am a pawn in the big game, you may not remember that but since you have spoken up on movies that I loved, I will post my e-mail address and maybe you might find the time to share some of your other movie picks. But of course if you'd like to drop a few right here it would be greatly appreciated.
~Carey
Carey.m@mchsi.com |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13285
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 03:59 pm: |
|
Angelina Jolie did get The Critics Choice, The Golden Globe, and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominations for best actress in "The Changeling". The Oscar nominations haven't come out yet.
She didn't win the Critic's Choice one. The other ceremonies haven't been held yet. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1494
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 06:38 pm: |
|
I was wondering how that could be. My daughter said that Angelina looked disappointed after hearing someone elses name or something like that. I couldn't figure out where she would be that cameras would get a shot of her disappointment. Okay, I am glad she recieved all those nominations, she deserved them. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13288
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 01:33 am: |
|
Poor ol Angelina lost again. Kate Winslet who starred in "Reservation Road" beat her out for "best actress" at the Golden Globe awards tonight. |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3324
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 01:39 pm: |
|
I was not impressed at all by Jolie's performance in The Changeling. Perhaps she is just Too Big now for "small" roles like that--Never during the whole movie did I lose the notion that this was AJ, the actress, instead of whatever the character's name was. (At one point I was so bored that I imagined Jolie busting out in her "Tomb Raider" gear to go get her son back. LOL)
A lesser known actress would have been better suited for the role, IMO. But I recognize that in this day and age the assumption is that a big name is needed for a movie to be bankable--especially so when a movie stars a woman. |
Carey
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Carey
Post Number: 1506
Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 06:09 pm: |
|
It is a sign of a great performance when an actress moves you away from the "actor". Jamie Foxx come's to mind with his performance in "Ray". My admiration for Ms. Jolie's performance might be rooted in the fact that I liked the movie. Although it was somewhat predictable and at times corny (hanging scene & antics of the killer), I stayed with it. It could simply be a case of me wanting to find out if my predictions came true. Just like an old Perry Mason thang, I needed someone to stand up and say "yes, yes, I did it. I killed them because I never liked that crying hag".
Great performance ...nah. Worth viewing ...yep ...imo. |
|
Email This Page