I watched the Oscars last night at work (on the big screen, closed-captioned of course). Looks like it was a pretty good program. It appeared that the musical numbers were awesome, based on all of the visual fanfare, but my mom says that the musical numbers weren't all that great. I am online now trying to find out if anyone was able to upload them.
'Slumdog Millionaire' won many awards last night. My co-workers that have seen the movie said that it was pretty good. I'd like to check it out, but I barely have time to watch the movies that I already have! ('Fireproof' is still in the plastic, so is 'Crash' and 'Monster!' LOL).
I remember two instances, one where I listened to someone else's opinion about a movie, and another where I was swept away with cinematic history being made, and wound up watching two movies that greatly disturbed me.
The first movie was "Pulp Fiction." One of the ladies I worked with in New Orleans told me that the movie was really, really good. All of the reviewers were pretty hyped about it, so I rented it and watched it. First off, I don't know how any of these film critics were able to get past all of the violence long enough to grasp the concept of Quentin Tarantino's project. Then there was a scene in there with Ving Rhames and a cop that shocked and upset me, to say the least. Of course, NO ONE bothered to tell me anything about this! I promptly took that movie back to Blockbuster (or whatever place I rented it from) and asked for another movie to see. I hadn't watched that movie since.
The other one was 'Monster's Ball.' Now, don't get me wrong, I am still a fan of Halle's. But I believe that accepting that role showed just how much Halle is out of touch with African-American history, and the culture as a whole. She can make all of the arguments she wants to support her choice. Yes, she is probably seen as fearless, and a great actress, for not being afraid to show her "dark" side. But at what cost, Halle? There's not a day that goes by that I don't actually overhear or read some comment on the web that some filthy, greasy piece of a man who's not worth any one's salt makes about her concerning what he would do to her if he had the chance, or how delicious her tits look, or how he would 'tear that up.' And I am tired of having to hide the fact that this woman, who was in 'X-Men' and 'Catwoman', two movies that my girls love, by the way, would choose such a demeaning role to play. And when I say 'demeaning' I feel the need to explain what I mean. I am all for 'sex for sex's sake' in such a situation. I get that, okay? What I don't get is.....why, with this man, at that time? A woman who has lived in a small town all her life knows who she can and can't trust. For us, sometimes, that knowledge can become a matter of life or death! So the sex scene didn't make any sense at all to me. I find it hard to believe that a scenario like that would have happened, in LOUISIANA, in real life. Sorry, folks. And if it would have, trust me, it wouldn't have been consensual unless there was some money involved in the deal. I don't care HOW desperately these souls needed to be comforted. Trust me, this kind of stuff JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. This.........this is the legacy that she claims she is 'working so hard' to leave for all of the aspiring African-American actresses that are coming behind her? This was a bad decision, in my opinion. I believe that she didn't think this over long enough. Great, she won the statue. But sometimes, winning isn't everything.
Soooooooo........anyone out here seen 'Slumdog Millionaire?' Is it a good movie? Is it 'safe?' LOL Let me know!
Adrian
2 comments:
I haven't seen slumdog Millionaire yet but will wait until the DVD comes out. I agree with your points about Halle Berry although I have the film Monsters Ball but have not watched it yet, however I recently Watched "Queenie" the story of Alex Haley's Great grandmother and although the story was great and very watchable but for me Halle did not have the depth to play that role.
Hope the New Job is going well
Yasmin
xx
After reading this post, I can vouch comfortably for 'Slumdog'. Saw it in Royal Oak at the Main.
'Pulp Fiction' is one my favourite movies, and while I liked it, I certainly can understand your discomfort with it.
Did NOT see 'Monster's Ball' much for the reasons that you have voiced. Mind, I have never regarded Halle as anything, mainly because I am not someone who lets the media dictate to me.
I don't think that it meant anything as far as her 'image' goes, because again, my girls could care less. That it demeans women and black women in particular speaks more about the wider society than it does anything else.
The subject matter wasn't intriguing enough to merit a watch.
Post a Comment