Is Actress Kerry Washington Making A Mistake For Agreeing To Star in Quentin Tarantino’s Slave Film Django Unchanied?
According to the website Deadline.com, actress Kerry Washington has agreed to star in Quentin Tarantino’s controversial slavery film Django Unchained. Django Unchained will be released in December 2012.
Kerry’s character Broomhilda, will be raped by white men multiple times in the film. According to the Django Unchained script, there are suggestions that Broomhilda is “in love” with a white male slave master.
Is this really possible? Could a white slave master really fall in love with his female slave? The black female slaves had no choice they either slept with the white male slave master or they were murdered. I don’t think it was “love” at all.
Also, some black women during slavery wanted their slave children to obtain freedom so they slept with the white master.
In fact, Broomhilda will also appear nude in many scenes in the movie. I understand that interracial sex did occur during slavery because white men owned their black female slaves. I am not disputing that white men raped black women during slavery or had mixed race offspring.
However, I am concerned about Kerry’s decision to appear nude in the film and being raped multiple times by white men. Is Django Unchained just Quentin Tarantino’s racist sexual fantasy to treat the black female body as a sexual fetish for white men? I wonder, because Tarantino has a history of depicting black women in his movies in very sexualized and stereotypical roles.
Does Kerry really think appearing in a degrading film will launch her career to the A list? I wonder if Kerry has thought it through? Why would Kerry want to take on such a degrading role? Isn’t Kerry cognizant of how Hollywood stereotypes black female sexuality as licentious?
I also wonder, is a slave movie the best role a young black actress can get in Hollywood?
Leonardo Dicaprio & David Thewlis Gay Kiss scene from the 1995 film Total Eclipse.
I love this scene from the 1995 gay film Total Eclipse because Leonardo and David really gave everything in this scene. The gay kiss is powerful and very erotic.
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Check Out Gabrielle Union In The New Movie Cadillac Records
Check out Gabrielle Union in the film Cadillac Records Gabrielle has a decent sized role in the movie. A lot of people talk about Halle Berry and say she is the hottest black actresss in Hollywood but I disagree. One thing I noticed about Halle Berry she doesn’t have an ass her ass is flat. Now look at Gabrielle Union she obviously has it all the looks, the intelligence, and look at her ass just look at it. It is obvious Gabrielle is a million times more sexier then Halle. I really like Gabrielle Union she has a B.A. degree in sociology from U.C.L.A. and she also is a solid actress. I wish Gabrielle was getting bigger roles but since Hollywood is notorious for skin tone racism I am not surprised. Gabrielle Union should be a bigger star. I am still searching for her 2006 Indie Movie Neo Ned I hear it is on DVD now.
Racism, Misandry, & Homophobia The Real Reasons Noah’s Arc Wasn’t More Successful
Since the issue of same sex marriage is a hot button issue in the United States I believe the producers behind Noah’s Arc “should” of made sure this movie had gotten a “wider” release. The quandary for Noah’s Arc is the issue of marketing the movie. How can a movie about young gay black men be marketed beyond the boundaries of the gay community? Unfortnately, I feel the issue of racism needs to be explored into the reasons why Noah’s Arc wasn’t more successful.
Of course, Noah’s Arc is a success because the television show and movie has broken down so many barriers. However, I believe Noah’s Arc deserved better. The show should of been on HBO or Showtime but it was on the American fringe gay channel MTV LOGO a few years ago.
I just found out the Noah’s Arc movie was recently released in the United States last month. According to box office mojo www.boxofficemojo.com the domestic box office for Noah’s Arc was only $482,000 dollars. I think the number is impressive given the fact Noah’s Arc did not receive a lot of media attention. Also, the movie was only released in a few cities in America.
Also remember Noah’s Arc is groundbreaking it is the first black gay television show to ever air on American television. Noah’s Arc did not receive much media attention due to the intersection of racism, misandry, and homophobia. There is still a “fear” of gay black men in society and even within the North American gay communities. Black gay men we are often stereotyped as sex objects for white homosexual male desire or as drag queens. Was the issue a “fear” of black gay men loving each other?
It is rare in the media to see a movie about gay black men in love with “each other” and not in an interracial relationship with some white guy. It is very refreshing to see black gay love. It is a real eye opener for me because I rarely ever see gay black men or gay men of colour in love with each other.
Black gay men we encounter the deleterious hypocrisy and racism from white gays and homophobia from heterosexual black people. There is a constant tug of war with both communities wanting gay black men to “decide” which side we are on. However, race + gender + sexual orientation are all interconnected.
The television show and movie for Noah’s Arc placed black gay men in the center and no longer on the margins. Noah’s Arc demonstrates that young gay black men we are just like everyone else. The characters Noah his boyfriend Wade, and Noah’s friends Alex, Ricky, and Chance are best friends. I love Noah’s Arc because the gay male characters are not stereotypical bitchy queens or narcissistic gay men.
The black media ignored Noah’s Arc because the show deals with “black gay men”. Noah’s Arc has a special place in my heart because I feel the show relates to the life experiences of young black gay men. I give a lot of credit to Patrik Ian Polk the creator of Noah’s Arc he took the initiative to create his successful show. Patrik should be very proud of himself. I don’t know if Patrik Ian Polk knows this but he has helped so many young black gay men because we can see ourselves and not feel invisible.
Why wasn’t the cast of Noah’s Arc on Oprah? After all Oprah champions herself as being accepting of homosexuality. Noah’s Arc was an opportunity for Oprah to reach out to the heterosexual black commuinity and for a serious discussion about gay black men take place on her program. One argument is that the show Noah’s Arc wasn’t a huge hit and that’s why it did not receive Oprah’s attention. However, Oprah could of done a wonderful episode in raising awareness about gay black men. It appears Oprah only wants to have shows on gay black men when something negative occurs.
Why wasn’t the cast of Noah’s Arc on the Tyra Banks Show? After all, Tyra Banks has gay black men on her show America’s Next Top Model. The only gay black men Tyra Banks wants on her show are stereotypical queens like Miss J or Jay Manuel.
The question has to be asked why wasn’t the cast of Noah’s Arc on the cover of “Ebony Magazine”? After all, I think we are all tired of Beyonce or Rihanna or any of those other black celebrities that grace the cover of Ebony. Ebony Magazine has over 1 million readers why couldn’t Ebony publish an article about Noah’s Arc? Why wasn’t there an article about Noah’s Arc in the black youth culture magazine Vibe? Why wasn’t Noah’s Arc on BET? I contacted BET a few years ago and I only received lip service.
There are so many misconceptions about black gay men and Noah’s Arc. Noah’s Arc should be on mainstream television the show was just that good. Noah’s Arc also was not dirty or slutty like Queer As Folk. The love scenes on Noah’s Arc was very tender and not overtly sexual. I guess the “taboo” is the issue still the idea of black men being in “love” with each other. Maybe the thought of black men actually “kissing” each other is still so shocking for some people in society?
However, the Noah’s Arc movie had a limited release the question remains why? According to the information I have read the Noah’s Arc television show when it was on MTV LOGO a few years ago was a hit. I also learned that the DVD sales for Noah’s Arc was solid. Also, why wasn’t Noah’s Arc released in Toronto?
Why didn’t the Noah’s Arc movie receive an international release? I wish the movie was available in Toronto! Toronto is the most important city in Canada yet it was unavailable for Canadian fans of the show. I guess I will have to wait until February 2009 to purchase a DVD copy of the movie. Noah’s Arc was on MTV LOGO which is basically the white gay channel in the United States. The MTV LOGO promotions department obviously did not promote the program to reach a black audience. I remember when I purchased the first season of Noah’s Arc last year my sister was hooked. I also recall how “hard” it was to find the series. I basically had to investigate all across Toronto until I finally found the series. It is interesting that the white gay show “Queer As Folk” was given major media attention when it was on the American cable network Showtime. The cast of “Queer As Folk” was even on CNN Larry King. The cast of Queer As Folk have been on the cover of all the major gay magazines such as Out & Advocate. It is interesting that the gay media have basically ignored Noah’s Arc. The gay audience is a niche market.
Noah’s Arc “could” of been successful if the heterosexual black community was aware of the program. I believe Noah’s Arc might of been a real good educational tool to the heterosexual black community. Gay black men we may be gay but we are still black. We go through the exact same issues black straight people go through such as dealing with life’s struggles, the friendships, relationships, love, happiness, sadness, and pain.
I believe the producers behind Noah’s Arc should of attempted to reach the mainstream black community. Maybe the people behind Noah’s Arc did try to reach out to the black and mainstream media but were ignored? Maybe MTV LOGO did try to reach out to the black media but encountered homophobia? The issue of homophobia in black communities across North America is a very serious issue. Everyone knows about the gay preacher or the gay pianist in the black church. Everyone has a gay uncle or cousin. It is ignorant when some people say that black people don’t know about gay people. Of course we do.
I just think it is very sad that the Noah’s Arc movie did not receive a wider release! I wish the Noah’s Arc movie was released in Toronto. Noah’s Arc has a cult following and the television show and movie deserved better.
DVD Review Monster’s Ball: Is Halle Berry`s Sexually Explicit Movie Progress Or A Step Backwards For Black Women In Hollywood?
First, let me say congratulations to Halle Berry for having a successful delivery and giving birth to a healthy baby girl. Halle must be thrilled right now she’s always wanted to have a child. I am sure Halle will be a wonderful loving and caring mother. Although, some people think I don’t like Halle Berry this is simply not true. I believe Halle is a solid actress one of her performances was in the television film “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” for HBO.
Eighty three year old Ruby Dee, was nominated for her performance in the film “American Gangster” she didn’t win. I was shocked this was Ruby Dee’s first Oscar nomination for best supporting actress. I think it is such a disgrace that Ruby Dee wasn’t nominated for her electrifying performance in the 1961 classic film “A Raisin In The Sun.”
I started to think to myself what is Halle Berry’s appeal really all about? Obviously, Berry is a very attractive woman I’m not blind. My questions refer more about Halle Berry’s acting abilities. Halle Berry definitely takes risks in her roles more risks then other black actresses. I applaud Halle for taking challenging roles for pushing the conventional thinking about black woman. Halle Berry’s most controversial and perhaps the one she won an Oscar for was for Monster’s Ball. Halle’s acting in Monster’s Ball is superb you see the layers, the complexity the feelings of anguish, sadness, grief, regret, pain, and finally acceptance of her character’s circumstances.
I also believe Halle Berry benefited at being at the right place at the right time. Prior to winning the best actress Oscar, Berry was already the top actress of colour in Hollywood. The best actress Oscar win simply cemented Halle Berry’s A list status. The question is, will another black woman ever win best actress Oscar? Does it even matter? Should we care? Or is the bigger issue the lack of dramatic roles for black women? The Oscars appear to me to be more about politics then about the actual craft of acting.
In the year 2002, the Academy had heard for years that talented black actors weren’t winning Oscars. The Academy killed two birds with one stone giving the best actor and actress Oscars to Denzel Washington and Halle Berry. I cringe when people say this is progress. I am not so sure. Denzel’s character in “Training Day” was a crooked cop. Halle Berry’s character in Monster’s Ball comes across as a whore willing to do anything to move up the social ladder.
Some of the the criticism for Monster’s Ball, is the fact, many people believe Halle’s character Leticia Musgrove should of went to a less sexually attractive actress. I will admit seeing Halle even without make up on she still looks glamorous even though she’s not supposed to be. It makes sense that Billy Bob Thorton’s character the racist prison guard Hank would want to have sex with Leticia. Althoughm Hank is a racist he is still a red blooded man with raging hormones.
The part of Monster’s Ball I don’t believe, is how quickly Hank “falls in love” with Leticia it doesn’t make sense to me. Was it love or just lust? How can a man in middle age suddenly transform so quickly from being a racist bigot to falling in love with a black woman? Why did Hank send his racist father to the nursing home after insulting Leticia? I doubt this would occur in the real world.
After, Leticia’s husband is executed, she is struggling to pay her bills. Leticia she is forced to leave her apartment and Hank decides to help her. The question is why? What was Hank’s real motivation? I wondered why didn’t the movie explore this a bit more? Didn’t Leticia have any family or friends or any connection to the black community? Leticia appeared isolated from the black community?
Perhaps, this was the screenwriter’s true motivation the fantasy that a black woman needs to be saved by a white man in order to have a better life? The screenwriter’s real motivation also is to cheapen a black actress force her to perform in a degrading and racist sex scene for shock value. Hank doesn’t appear to me as a noble or nice man. He just looks like a racist old man that wanted to exploit a beautiful black woman since she was was vulnerable and in danger.
Heath Ledger has a small but important role in Monster’s Ball his character Sonny. Ledger’s character is a sensitive young man, he works with his father at the prison. Heath Ledger was an attractive guy he easily could of been Halle’s love interest in Monster’s Ball. I think Berry and Ledger becoming a romantic couple in this movie would of made more sense. Sonny is depressed, he feels unloved, he sleeps with prostitutes because he cannot make a connection to a woman in the mainstream world. Sonny also feels unloved by his racist father Hank. I think it would of made more sense if Heath Ledger’s character Sonny fell in love with Leticia because Sonny wasn’t a racist.
Billy Bob Thorton is simply too repugnant, unattractive, and old for the leading man role. It just didn’t seem right that Leticia would fall in love with such an unappealing old guy. Monster’s Ball would of been a more interesting movie if Sonny and Leticia fell in love because they are closer in age and Sonny appeared to to be more open about interracial romance. Sonny was just insecure and weak he followed his father Hank because he was desperate for his approval and love. Sonny wasn’t a racist. Sonny commits suicide right in front of his father Hank and his racist grandfather.
Leticia’s son also dies in a tragic accident. Next, the media and public focus shifts to the intense sex scene between Berry and Thorton. The sex scene seems to me purely for shock value a way to gain publicity for the film and it worked. I am sure millions of heterosexual men flocked to the movie theaters because they can see sex symbol Halle Berry naked in her full glory. Leticia Musgrove is reduced to the pernicious stereotype of being a whore. In Hollywood, black women are stereotyped two ways, the black woman is sterotyped as either the maid or the whore.
The quandary is, the sex scene reduces Berry’s character Leticia to a filthy whore. Leticia screeches the famous line “make me feel good” with a sneer. I can understand why some black men were so enraged with the sex scene. The question has to be asked, does a black woman have to reduce herself in a licentious nude sex scene to win Oscar? Is this really progress?
When was the last time you saw Angelina Jolie in an intense interracial sex scene with With Smith? Can a leading black male actor have an explicit sex scene with a top white actress and win an Oscar? Can Terrence Howard have an intense sexual scene with Jennifer Aniston or Julia Roberts and receive critical acclaim? The answer is never because that’s never going to happen. Hollywood is all about white male dominance and white heterosexual men will never allow leading white women to have black male love interests.
Would a white actress that is considered beautiful have an intense, nude sex scene, with a black man and receive critical acclaim? Charlize Theron and Will Smith have a movie coming out this year called Hancock and according to reports there is an interracial love theme in this movie. Hancock is going to be a comedy it is not a drama. Theron is an A list white actress actress she is considered to be one of the most beautiful and talented women in Hollywood. Will Smith is A list the most powerful man in Hollywood and he is black. The question is despite Will Smith’s crossover success will Hancock be a success with the black and white audiences? How intense will the movie’s interracial theme be?
The sex scene in Monster’s Ball was meant to be fractured to be awkward, to illustrate two anguished souls smashing together for comfort. At the same time, Halle Berry’s sex appeal was exploited to lure in the male audience and create a buzz for the movie. Monster’s Ball reduces Leticia Musgrove to being a prostitute. Angela Bassett slammed the character Leticia Musgrove in a famous interview with Newsweek magazine. Bassett said she was not impressed with the character Leticia Musgrove because she believes it stereotypes black female sexuality.
The relationship between Leticia and Hank is basically a transaction it is a form of prostitution. Hank, the older white man, wants Leticia’s body because she is young and pretty. Hank will allow Leticia to live with him if she has sex with him. Since Leticia has no money, she offers her body to Hank for shelter. Hank also has a higher social status then Leticia she benefits from this as well. But where is the love? I didn’t feel that either character truly loved each other. I will give Halle Berry credit for taking on a role that despite the controversy. Berry’s acting is very strong, you really do believe Leticia is in a lot of pain. Monster’s Ball was the last big dramatic movie role for a black actress and that was over seven years ago. The paucity of leading lady roles for black women is still very rare. Think about it, when was the last time you went to a movie theater and saw a black actress in a serious dramatic piece as the leading lady?
Jensen Atwood May Not Return For Noah’s Arc Movie?
I just heard that Jensen Atwood the gorgeous talented actor from Noah’s Arc may not return for the movie. According, to Jensen’s Myspace blog, he says that he isn’t certain if he will return for the film. The rumor is that Shemar Moore may replace Jensen. Isn’t Shemar Moore kind of old the guy is almost forty?
Of course, Shemar Moore is attractive , but he’s not very good at romantic comedies his acting comes across as stale, dry, lacking layers, complexity, and wooden.When people think of Shemar Moore, they think he’s an attractive man nobody thinks he’s a solid dramatic actor.
If Shemar doesn’t get his act together when his looks fade he may be out of work. Shemar has always been typecast in just about every movie he’s been in as the hot guy. Perhaps, Shemar wants to be in the Noah’s Arc movie to demonstrate he has range?
The character Wade, on Noah’s Arc, is a tough role in relation to acting. Wade has a strong masculinity yet he is also vulnerable. Shemar Moore never impressed me with his acting. I just don’t think Shemar has the range or talent to pull this performance off.
Also would Shemar be comfortable kissing another black man? Shouldn’t a younger actor such as Jensen Atwood be cast? Also, isn’t Shemar upset about the so called gay rumors? Wouldn’t the gay rumors just fuel the fire if Shemar was starring in the Noah’s Arc movie?
The quandary, for the Noah’s Arc movie, is how can the film reach a larger audience? LOGO wants the movie to make money but I am not sure Shemar Moore is “famous” enough anyway to attract a larger audience anyway. Shemar Moore has been on a few soaps, a few supporting roles in films, and on a CBS show “Criminal Intent” but he’s never been a leading man.
Gay people already know about Noah’s Arc and perhaps a few heterosexual women. However, the dilemma for the marketing team for the Noah’s Arc movie is how can the movie grow and reach other demographics? Can Noah’s Arc reach the lucrative heterosexual black audience such as the Tyler Perry crowd?
The dilemma, for black gay and lesbian entertainment are the barriers in relation to race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Race is an issue, because some people won’t watch the film because it has a black cast. The gender and sexual orientation is another issue because how many black heterosexual women want to watch a movie about black gay men falling in love? How many black heterosexual men would watch the film? Can some black females handle seeing gorgeous and sexy black males kissing on screen? Will it upset them?
I think since Jensen Atwood developed an audience with his character the sexy, mysterious Wade he should be cast in the film. Now of course, this is just my opinion but remember Hollywood is a business and it is profit driven.
Remember earlier this week Sean Combs ruined “A Raisin In The Sun” with his horrible acting? Well the ratings are in and despite Combs ludicrous performance the movie had a respectable ratings of 12.7 million viewers on ABC.
I will admit, I am sure some people tuned in just to see if Combs can act. LOGO doesn’t want the movie to be released in just a few hundred theaters and pull in a low box office. Also, how many people know about Noah’s Arc anyway?
Why Is Playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s Lesbianism Still A Secret In 2008?
The ABC television movie, “A Raisin In The Sun,” will be broadcast on February 25th 2008 at 8:00pm. The television film fulfills the black quota for “black history month”. Pop star Sean Combs. is the protagonist Walter Lee Younger. The title of the movie refers to black gay poet Langston Hughes poem “Harlem”.
African American lesbian playwright Lorraine Hansberry’s legendary play, once again, will be brought back to television to reach a new generation next week. Hansberry was the first black lesbian playwright to have a play produced on Broadway in 1959. “A Raisin In the Sun” was a huge success for Hansberry and launched her career.
The general public of course does not know that Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian due to homophobia. Why is black lesbianism considered “private” yet “heterosexuality” is a part of the public domain? Although Hansberry married a white Jewish man, Robert Nemiroff in 1953, the couple separated in 1957 and divorced in 1964.Hansberry was conscious of her lesbian identity and she negotiated between the public and private spheres. Black lesbians encountered racism from the mainstream, white gay culture, and also persecution from heterosexual blacks.
Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity emerges from the articles she wrote for the lesbian publication “The Ladder” in the late 1950s. Hansberry did not use her full name when she wrote articles for “The Ladder” she used her initials L.H. instead. In the 1950s, in America, gays and lesbians lived in fear due to witch hunts against homosexuals. Black lesbian women encountered a triple form of oppression in relation to their race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Can you imagine the difficulties black lesbians endured in the 1950s? Homosexuality was still considered a mental illness that can be cured. The topic of human sexuality was still taboo in the 1950s. America was sexually repressed due to heterosexual male domination and male supremacy. The racial and sexual apartheid existed in the United States and black lesbians lived in constant danger due to racism, sexism and homophobia. The civil rights and gay movements did not gather strength until the 1960s.
Black lesbians encountered racism from white lesbians and were barred from entering white lesbian bars and establishments during the 1950s. Black lesbians also endured gender discrimination due to being women and unwanted sexual advances of dangerous, violent, and hostile heterosexual men.
Hansberry was indeed a lesbian but this important component of black queer history should not be erased by the homophobic Occidental world. Heterosexual black publications always ignore the important fact Hansberry was a lesbian. I didn’t know Lorraine Hansberry was a lesbian until I read lesbian activist, feminist, poet, and writer Adrienne Rich’s incisive essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”. Rich’s analysis is correct society attempts to erase, diminish, and destroy the contributions of lesbians in many ways. I believe the silence about Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbianism is due to the negative attitude that still exists against homosexuals.
Why is the term lesbianism treated like a scatological word? One argument is some straights believe “it doesn’t matter” and if people discover that Lorraine Hansberry was a black lesbian it might “scare people off” from watching the movie. Why is there this invisible code and this silent barrier? If black lesbian emancipation is to occur why is black lesbianism still a social taboo? Society appears to have a love and hate relationship with lesbianism.
The political, cultural, social, and artistic merits of black lesbians such as Lorraine Hansberry must be celebrated and not treated as some shameful abhorrent secret. It is the year 2008 so why are we still reticent? Why hasn’t this final chasm been shattered and the truth still shrouded in silence? Lorraine Hansberry proves that black gay people care about the black community.
Often heterosexual blacks believe black gays and lesbians only focus on sexual orientation and ignore race. Lorraine Hansberry proves through art that she was cognizant of the racial, social and political polemics blacks endured during the civil rights era. “A Raisin In The Sun”, is about a fictional story about a black family struggling to survive in 1950s Chicago at a time when America’s social and racial apartheid was at full strength.
Virtually all the articles published about “A Raisin In The Sun” always mentions Lorraine Hansberry’s race and her gender but excludes her sexual orientation. The question is why? It appears in the year 2008 homophobia reigns supreme. Lesbianism is more then just a sexual act there is more to lesbianism then just sex. Lesbians are women that are not sexually attracted to men but there is an illogical fear of lesbianism in society that lesbians are anti male.
Lorraine Hansberry lived a double life a life where she constantly was in fear that the heterosexist matrix would discriminate against her since she was a black lesbian. The real Lorraine Hansberry is blurred between the printed lines of “A Raisin In The Sun”. The sentences, paragraphs, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and doubt, lives in Lorraine Hansberry’s groundbreaking play. “A Raisin In The Sun” is about emancipation and personal determination I believe this also relates to the struggles gays and lesbians encounter. Perhaps Hansberry used her play as a metaphor to explore the internal struggles she endured during her own life?
Lorraine Hansberry’s incredible groundbreaking play proves that black gay and lesbian people were cognizant of the struggles blacks endured in the mid 20th century. Hansberry wanted to bring a greater awareness to the incredible racism, sexism, and economic discrimination African Americans experienced in the United States.
Lorraine Hansberry is very important she shattered an artistic and cultural barrier in the performing arts. It is such a disservice to ignore Hansberry was a lesbian. Lorraine Hansberry’s lesbian identity should not be concealed in the shadows and be treated as an afterthought. I believe it is imperative, and crucial that there be a dialogue about how Hansberry’s play relates to her lesbian identity. It is simply disgraceful that the mainstream press to ignore and attempt to erase the importance of lesbianism in Lorraine Hansberry’s life and art.
The articles Lorraine Hansberry wrote for “The Ladder” are very passionate and powerful she wrote about the struggles she endured as a black lesbian woman in the mid 20th century. Legendary African American actors Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier were the stars of the original stage version of the play and the 1961 feature film. Sadly, Lorraine Hansberry died in her prime at the tender age of thirty four in 1965 due to pancreatic cancer. Lorraine Hansberry died at a very young age she was such an incredible talent.
The press have showered the movie with a lot of praise saying the three hour film is a testament of Hansberry’s incredible talent. The cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald, and the omnipotent Sean Combs. I will admit I might take a peek at the movie. However, I am not impressed that Sean Combs or P Diddy or whatever that guy calls himself is the star of the film. I wanted a younger black male actor to be the star of the movie.
The crisis in black Hollywood is the paucity of film roles available for young black actors. I am sure some black actors are seething right now that Sean Combs is the star of the film. In white Hollywood you rarely ever see a “singer” attain a prestigious movie role these days. Can you imagine Jon Bon Jovi as the star in a movie about Elvis? So why is there a double standard for black Hollywood? Why do untalented bottom feeders such as Sean Combs get to the be star of such an important movie?
I really feel for the talented young black male actors that are training hard at various universities, colleges, theater programs, across North America and the world. The only reason Sean Combs was hired is due to greed. The producers and director behind the television film believe Combs can generate huge ratings for ABC television. ABC television will hype this movie to the maximum I just believe a talented and much younger black actor should of chosen for the male lead.
The lead in “A Raisin In The Sun” Walter Lee Younger is a young black man and Sean Combs is thirty eight years old. Since Combs in thirty eight one argument is he can bring “maturity” to the role. However, I believe the feeling of naivety and optimism is diminished for the character Walter Lee Younger due to Combs advanced age.
A younger black male actor possibly someone between the ages of twenty five to perhaps thirty two should of been chosen for the role. Combs is simply not talented enough and too old for the part. Combs is also a rap artist he’s a wannabe actor he is not a serious dramatic actor. I have so much sympathy for the talented black actors that want to become stars in Hollywood but are not given the opportunity.
Why does Hollywood continue to insult the audience and cast these talentless flakes such as Sean Combs in such prestigious roles? The barriers for black actors in Hollywood are incredible there are limited opportunities to advance up the Hollywood star system. Twenty five years ago perhaps an unknown black male actor would of been chosen for the lead role. Hollywood is profit driven and the ideology is since Sean Combs already is successful in various demographics his fans will fans will flock to watch the movie. However, does talent not matter anymore?
Why do young blacks in Hollywood have to always be singers or dancers in order to breakthrough and get the big movie roles? Beyonce just won the lead role in a biopic about the legendary singer Etta James. I cringe because Beyonce is not an actress she needs acting lessons. Beyonce cannot act she requires an acting coach and numerous hours to learning the craft of acting.
Young talented unknown black actors are being disrespected and ignored. A young black male actor with talent would of been electrifying in the role of Walter Lee Younger. A young black actor could of brought pathos, complexity, sensitivity, and range to this very important role. Unfortunately, Hollywood is now all about profit margins, ratings, and the craft of acting is now secondary. The only glimmer of hope is that young people will learn more about Lorraine Hansberry and gain an appreciation for her incredible talent.
The Perfect Holiday Flops! Morris Chestnut Is Still A Hunk!!!
Well, I just checked www.boxofficemojo.com, The Perfect Holiday bombed big time. The movie only made $2, 930,138 at the box office. “The Perfect Holiday” is a flop and I am not surprised. I have to be honest, I am sick of seeing the same black actors in the same genre together. Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut have been typecast in the black romantic comedy genre. I think people just passed this movie because it’s the same recycled cast. I think Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut are good actors but my goodness don’t they realize they are typecast? I think the major issue is Hollywood’s myopic view of black culture. Hollywood thinks blacks can only “make money” in romantic comedies. Why not present another genre to the black film audience? Stop insulting us with this garbage.
Black movie fans want to see more then romantic comedies. Where are the dramatic films with young black actors under the age of thirty five? Where is the diversity, the deep layers, the complexity? I think most black people said “whatever” and just skipped this movie “The Perfect Holiday”. I can’t blame them either.
I wish Gabrielle’s dramatic film Neo Ned can finally be released. Go to www.neoned.com or visit You Tube and type Neo Ned in the search engine. It is so frustrating because Neo Ned is an incredible film. My goodness is Neo Ned ever going to be released or what? I have been waiting over two years to see that damn movie! Release Neo Ned damn it! Hollywood needs to realize where is the younger talent? We need newer and younger black actors to shine on the silver screen. Gabrielle needs to realize that if she wants to become a serious actress the time is now. Yes, I understand Gabrielle Union has bills to pay but girlfriend, “The Perfect Holiday” is like another “Honeymooners”. I wish Gabrielle would take more risks in her career like she did with “Neo Ned”? I think “Neo Ned” has got to be the strangest thing going on in Hollywood. How can a film with so much critical acclaim not be released? I mean my goodness release the damn movie!!!
Meanwhile, This Christmas continues to do well grossing over $46, 043,000. This Christmas had the advantage of being released during the very lucrative American Thanksgiving holiday. I think this should be a lesson for Hollywood perhaps?
I think the release date for “The Perfect Holiday” was wrong. I actually think a late December or perhaps a January release would of been better. Why release two black Christmas movies back to back? People are just going to choose one over the other. Oh well, Morris Chestnut is so cute he is still a hunk!!!! I wish he was getting more serious film roles.
Gayblackcanada 