Movie to reconsider :::: 'Dead Presidents' a few scenes

Hollywood has many movies that have slid below the radar and deserves to be up front and center. However, it seems that for many reasons, that I do not wish to go into. Great films go under the radar after only seeing a week or two in the movies. MMMMGGHMM..Ethnic Films!

Allow me to proceed. I want to show you a scene from Dead Presidents Starring Larenz Tate, Keith David, Chris Tucker, Freddy Rodriguez, N'bushe Wright, and Bokeem Woodbine. This film will spark debate, and raise up within the deep questions of war and poverty.

Enjoy

Dead Presidents

American idle :::: Disecting the African American Audience

A while back I posted in a Movie to reconsider, my adornment for Love Jones. However I did not expand as much as I thought. I stated the nature of the film, along with the delight that it has brought to homes, and its legendary, highly classic representation of Love. Not only that, but African American Love. I focused far too much on comparisons. Instead this time around I will display some scenes and allow you to be the judge of this film.

I am doing this to dissect the movie going habits of the African American Community. Although many believe Love jones to be contrived and forced, the chemistry of the actors in this film goes without saying. Many films carry such chemistry and the leading characters Nina(Nia Long) and Darius( Larenz Tate), is fused with passion, and leads you to believe they almost had something off camera. It worked so well, and has gone unnoticed by many, many romance films fail where these two succeeded.



Before I move one, allow me to say that this film opened doors that have been shut. I have not seen such a magnificent piece of work come out of Hollywood since. There were movies that came close and were great, but they were as far under radar as Love Jones, it is as if they do not exist. Movies such as HAV PLENTY, Love come down, and this new one that we should add to the account Medicine for Melancholy. These three films are prime examples that the people are not paying attention, as they would to a comedy, or Gang Drama of African American Creativity. I do think that the audience is out there, but the problem is that the majority of the black communities that these films represent very rarely want to revisit these moments or do not have the time. They prefer to laugh off life or charge it back up with Gangster films so that they can survive the streets. This is a cycle that needs to be broken in order for African American films to grow in range. The offerings are low in terms of categories. Personally I am tired of comedy that is more slapstick than clever, and gangster films that is more cheese than creative. Its becoming embarrassing to watch and I honestly do not support them. I prefer a good plot that makes me think long before and long after it is over.




The Networks, the Studios, and the creative teams behind these vehicles are not sure if they should take the risk. The demand is there but the audience is smaller than the will of the studios risk capital. So we get these Hybrid love movies( i.e. Meet the browns, which is good but not enough) that do not make it beyond the first three weeks. Although the box office take is good in comparison to the productions cost they are not as complex as can be. Also these films are not reaching long term success at the movie house. So in turn they are not reaching a wide range of people. I understand that success is good when you are in the money. However it is not just about the money. It is about art going unnoticed in Hollywood.


I think instead of blaming just Hollywood, we need to look within ourselves as a racial group. The fact of the matter is that we went to see New Jack city, Boys in the Hood, and White Chicks. That list may run on, but my point is not to knock these films. However, is that all that you want to see? There has to be more than that to your movie going experience. Should the studios survey the African American Community to see what they want to see? Should the African American Community ask of the studios by petitions to produce the numbers to get the tape rolling? I do not think there is any one way. However a way must be found to make the next stage of Hollywood come to life.

Perhaps the African American community do not know how to portray these stories? Is it the people or is it the studio? I personally think it is both. So it time to look at product, producer, and consumers alike.

Here are the clips I promised for your entertainment and for your look over. Enjoy and get back to me.


Nina and Darius first date - Love Jones



Darius Hall ' Blues for Nina' - Love jones




Medicine for Melancholy

Movies to reconsider ::: Love Jones

Love Jones is a movie that needs to be reconsidered an reissued to the masses.With a complexing and eloquently played script, you will not be dissapointed. Love Jones is set against a Jazz backdrop with Droplets of poetic twist and turns. All the while exploring the passionate and intellectual side to love, it allows you vicarious survival instinct and means to loves exploration. The approach that the director has taken, give the characters depth and a unrelenting approach to the art form. Make no mistake -- this film offers elements of entertainment and political correctness in director Theodore Witcher's offering of multi-layered African-American characters. If comparisons must be made, Love Jones compares to the best in Woody Allen's Annie Hall and Manhattan, as those films explore desire and passion through words in addition to physical attractions. Recommend this film to the scores of film-goers who missed its limited theatrical release -- better yet, serve it up as a first course conversation starter during your next gathering with friends. It's sure to spark equally passionate discussion, and that's always a good thing. Also Staring: Isaiah Washington Lisa Nicole Carson Bill Bellamy Leonard Roberts Bernadette L. Clarke Khalil Kain