The Follwing movie is the film that brought us such a natural. I do not know if many remember but this guy was just looking for a job. Hopped into a booth for instant photos, passed it off to Spike Lee, and the rest was History. Now that is what the American Dream is all about.
When you think of Kick ass Kung fu and Afros, two women come to mind,Pam Grier and Tamara Dobson. In the early 70's somewhere between 1973 and 1976 you got the thrills and the sass that was Cleopatra Jones. A slim, long legged, take no prisoners cop, that portrayed something that many attempted to emulate on the streets of NY all the way to the Bay Area.
Although we see the Blaxploitation era as something we will never plan on repeating in the arts. We must remember that it gave Black Hollywood the opportunity to work. These roles may have been lined with stereotype after stereotype, causing a delay in hollywood to give those of Afircan decent, roles that displayed range, but they displayed something that could not be replaced. A willingness to work in an art form no matter that cost. This is something that must be remembered and never forgotten.
So without further ado. I would like to present to you another fine example that came out of an era of pimp portrayals, Gangster swagger, gold teeth, and bad lines. I give you Cleopatra Jones and the clips that should not be forgotten.
Cleopatra Jones
Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold - Post-shower attack.
There are many films that grab you attention over time and many that leaves you high and dry with the feeling that you have wasted two hours of you time. Some films stay with your so long that you are unable to forget them, and some how end up replaying certain scenes over and over again in you mind. At some point in you forget that you are your own person, and begin to emulate every aspect or at least some small part of the film. Sometime this is done in hopes that you will be able to achieve the outcome, such as one in the film. However this is not always the case. However say that to say this. Some films have such a strong impact on the watcher that it no longer is a film and become a sacred work of some sort.
One such film is 'She Hate Me', a film by often militant, but critically acclaimed director Spike Lee. A director that never passes on the opportunity to share his view on the current status of our generation. Often tapping in the the past and the future as a backdrop to his point.
A few years ago Spike did 'She Hate Me', a film that earned much attention in terms of true movie goes, but thinned out to the masses. A film that deserves a second glance, if not a permanent replay in ones home.
So what I am going to do for you today is drop in you a missing scene and a few clips in hopes that you will find yourself deep in its essence.
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.
Actor/Director Laurence Fishburne will join the cast of the hit TV show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. William Petersen does not have to worry his replacement is in.
It was stated that Fishburne has been battling for this spot for some time now against the great John Malkovich. Although for me either or would do, but I must say I am happy to have a powerhouse such as Fishburne on show. He is in my top 20 of all time greats. So this is a great moment in news for me.
It is great to see such a veteran with so much range under his belt to join the cast. Having him return to television is great. I think the last time we saw him on television he was dressed as a cowboy, in Pee Wees playhouse.
COWBOY & THE COWNTESS - Pee-wee's Playhouse
Learn from Fishburne
Now for a second to listen to the man as himself.
Charlie Rose - Laurence Fishburne / Panel on poet...
Laurence Fishburne on Craig Ferguson 2008.03.24
Laurence Fishburne in Thurgood
King Of New York - Jimmy Jump Goes Food Shopping
Othello directed by Alan Parker
Bobby(2006) - Once and Future King (Edward & Jose)
The Matrix Fight Scene Video Part I
Morpheus - Born To Be Alive HD
If you made it this far you deserved to laugh thanks for reading and let me know what you think.
If ever there was a movie that would make you sick to your stomach from the truth that crept up on you days after watching it. Jimmy and Judy would be that movie. In no way am I saying that this movie is not cool, it has lots of cool, and it vibe with the youthfulness of today. What the problem is with this film, is it raw uncut nature of delivering a message of troubled youth.
Although the critics rather focus on it being the film that "Natural born killers wanted to be." I prefer to focus on the nature of the full meal. This film is what America does not want to be seen as. It is showing you the behind the scenes look into Middle Class and Upper Middle Class America, naked and true. Revealing how this part of America has affected the youth that it produces, also to show you that it is no different than the inner city, when it comes to teenage desire and misguided lifestyle.
So what do you do when you are faced with such choices as a teenager? Do you throw it all away? Do you seek help with an honest heart? Do you open up to adults that have a positive message? Or do you just throw in the towel and go on a rampage? Those questions are posed in this film, but it will take you on a journey before you can answer them.
In saying all of this I recommend that you head out and grab a copy of this film. Whether it be rented or purchased. You will not be disappointed.
With Edward Furlong of "Terminator 2" and Rachael Bella and William Sadler, you will be sure to have a wild ride and be educated at the same time. The woes of Americas Youth should not go unnoticed. Are you one to judge and ignore its need for you attention? If so it is time for you to rethink that idea, as they will be the ones playing with your kids one day or the ones to pass on the ideas to their own children, which means someone in your offspring can be affected by this thinking pattern.
For once you have a movie that takes on the task of asking the question of love, from both male and female perspective. This is not your average date movie, but one that will answer many questions that I am sure, reached into the mindset of both sexes over the years. The movie that would answer the preliminary questions of love and its often confusing interactions, has arrived.
This move is a crash course in getting a better understanding of the opposite sex from both sexes points of view. “What Love Is” tries to answer the question the title asks by cramming emotionally diverse men and women on a small set. A witty spin on romantic comedy, “What Love Is” was an enjoyable exception to the rule of answering that age old question, does he or she feel what I feel or are they just as confused as we are?
Once you accept the varied temperaments of the characters in the film you will find the character that suits you just right. This is not a self righteous undertaking, but a trip in the right direction of film making. Although it has a stage play feel to it, you will enjoy the extended monologues of poignant banter from each character. This film is Crash and Babel, for love wrapped up in an easy to digest play brought to you on screen in the form of a romantic comedy, that will actually breed more romantic films showing you both aspects of love, doing away with the patronizing nature of romantic films past.
If you can get past a one act film made up of dialogue you will enjoy this for years to come and perhaps even with its faults use it as a point of reference. Cuba Gooding Jr., seems to be the only actor in this film who required multiple takes. It is as if he does not own the character and he is just a name on the marquee. However Matthew Lillard, Sean Astin, Anne Heche, Mars Callahan, Tamala Jones,Andrew Daly, Gina Gershon, and Jud Tylor, all own the film and made it memorable.
So grab your main squeeze, huge bag of popcorn, and a note pad. I am sure you will take notes on this one. If you don't you don't have nor own a pulse.
After watching the film let me know what you think. Comments are coveted.
Cuba Godding Jr. ; rips the screen apart in this California; good cop, bad cop, portrayal. It is reminiscent of Training say, however with all of its twist and turns it keeps you at the edge of you seat and is by no means a knockoff of the critically acclaimed Denzel Washington, Award winning film. It is the next chapter in a book on Los Angeles and the police forces that has sworn to server and protect it.
Dirty stands on it own two feet and delivers a wallop that you will feel for weeks. It sticks with you like ribs from Crenshaw Blvd on a hot Saturday afternoon, and you will love every minute of it. With Clifton Collins Jr, who is one of Hollywood hidden gems that you can always count on to deliver a solid performance, within the boundaries of Dirty, he deliver a powerful one, and I do not use this term loosely.
With a supporting cast that delivers the grit all that way to the end. Keith David, one of Hollywood's solid supporters, you can always count on him to add the realism to the screen that very few supporting actors can. Keith David brings the grit and and the subtle edge you need to fill out the story with elements that leaves a lack to question.
This film is a must see if you love cop films with edge and twist that keep you in suspense long enough to lose any surety that you may have about the directions the plot is taking you.
Enjoy this clip :
This scene is really interesting once you know how it began and what the kid is about to do next.
Here is another clip:
I am not a movie spoiler so dust off your DVD player and take a look at this fine film that slid under the radar.
JOHN ROCKINS UNIVERSITY has been brought into existence do to a silent demand for representation. A representation in the media of Ethnic American Films, music, books, and plays. Although this blog is not singular in a focus solely on Ethnic American art, it allows the reader to see that it fits into a full spectrum of works, across the entire industry.
With the exposure JRU's hopes to be a piece of a large pie. An integral part that can be shared at all tables involved and with all who take an interest in the art of our modern day as well as past, and leaping towards a greater future.
No longer should Americans or the America we love, have a split down the center. If in art that continues it will forever bring out the underlying mistrust, and misunderstanding that we face in reality.
I hope to bring all races together with this blog and to bring about a change within our work in the media as well as the art forms of entertainment that we love.
