In Defense Of Cuba Gooding....

Yep, you read it right. I will be the first one to lay into Cuba when he's cooning it up with drivel such as Snow Dogs, Boat Trip, and Daddy Day Camp. Horrible! But when he's doing drama? Not so much.

I started this blog because of the film "Shadowboxer" (I reviewed it HERE-my very first post, and with zero comments!), and despite what most folks say, I saw what he was trying to do in it. His performance was understated, thought provoking, and powerful--which is extremely hard to do when you barely say 2 words for most of the movie. We all know he was great in Boyz N' The Hood, a dramatic role that was his break-out.

Now I came upon a film called "Linewatch", which I posted about a year ago, and thought would be a feature film, but seems to have ended up in the DVD bin. It co-stars Sharon Leal and Evan "La Michael" Ross. It is about a border patrolman (Gooding), who leads a quiet, non-consequential existence in a non-descript small bordertown. His life is turned upside down when his former shady "associates" show up to ask for a favor.

To say more than that would reveal spoilers, and I want you guys to rent it. It may start off a bit slow for some, but it gets progressively better as the movie goes on and more is revealed. Cuba doesn't say much in this film either, but all of his emotions--anger, pain, frustration, compassion, all show on his face plainly, and in a way most actors would be lucky to do. It is hard to imagine him after viewing this in his cooning roles, just as it's hard to imagine him in a film like "Linewatch" when he's cooning. How does he do that? Hopefully I wasn't just sucked in, cause my favorite genre is action/suspense thrillers, and it really was a Saturday afternoon movie, which is when I watched it. I say rent it, and watch it on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon.



Which brings me to my next point; do some movies seem better when we watch them at home?


I am not a big fan of going to the theater. At all. Unless it is for a film festival or an advanced movie preview, as the audiences there are pretty intent on being there just to watch and be quiet, and are pretty well behaved. At a general theater however, there are folks talking over the movie (sometimes yelling), kicking the back of your chair, showing up all kinds of late and blocking the screen, and sometimes sounding like a small zoo with all of the crunching, slurping, and everything else that goes along with eating a bunch of overpriced garbage from the snack bar. It is also sometimes as cold a a frozen tundra, with the AC on full blast--not to mention spending $10 for a matinee, and $13/14 dollars for a night show (at least in my neck of the woods--no dollar theaters here!)

At home you can fully focus on the movie, and depending on who you like to spend your time with, will probably have none of the distractions of the theater going experience. Does that absence of annoyance and grouchiness make us more generous to the film we are watching?

Case in point Linewatch, and two other non-Black films I saw over the past few days; "Burn After Reading" and "Ghost Rider" (yeah I know I'm late). Despite what the critics say (I am barely listening to them at all anymore) I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, and recommend that you see them too, if you haven't already. Burn After Reading is a study that so-called "smart" people can be just as dumb as "dumb" people, and that most folks are living their lives purely based on how the world affects them, and only them. It also shows that a little paranoia can go a looooong way (is that a Cohen Brothers political analogy?). Ghost Rider was just pure dumb, exhilarating comic book fun, if you are willing to leave all of your expectations at the door. And I have always loved Nicholas Cage.

Would I feel the same way if I saw any of these movies at the theater? When I think about it, to be honest, probably not--but see them anyway!



Here is the trailer for "Linewatch":

Today In B'Days

January 2nd must be the sacred holy all saints day of cornballs......

Taye Diggs is 37.

Cuba Gooding Jr. is 40. Did you know he turned down "Ray"? If anyone needs a new agent it's him....does he even have one? And if he does, are they breathing?

Here is an excerpt from a Toronto newspaper interview he did:

What would be your dream role? I thought it might be musical, given your background.

CG: I know! But - no. Because if that was the case I would've said yes to all these things. I passed on Ray, I passed on the Louis Armstrong story they wanted to do.

No Louis? That sounds like a good one.

CG: It's gotta be the right script. I read the script and it wasn't really about anything. The other one that I was attached to for ever and I didn't even know I was attached to it was a film about Otis Redding. Oh my goodness. People were like, "Hey, you doing Otis Redding?" I was like no! No! That happened for a few years, but it finally went away. I mean, if I'm gonna do that, I want to do Bob Marley. Or Sly and the Family Stone. I wanna do a way-out character.

From IW: And here I was thinking comedy wasn't his genre....ha! Gotta be the right script? Play Bob Marley or Sly Stone? That is wrong on so many levels it would take me all day to post about it.

And Taye, I say you guys are corny not because your wives are white, but because it's just a well known fact. Get it?

In other Black Hollywood fluffery and puffery. Paula Patton and her husband Robin Thicke are expecting a baby. How could that happen if they were never, ever seen together? I guess they must have slipped that in somewhere. Hopefully she has already shot the film in which she is supposed to be playing a female pimp.

Top 10 Worst Black Films Of 2007

Alrighty then. Hope you guys had an awesome day yesterday, no matter what you chose to do. I was going to do one of those standard end of the year "Top 10 Best Films of 2007" lists for black film, but guess what? Surprise, surprise, I couldn't think of ten. The really sad part is I couldn't even think of five. Damn.

The big ticket black films of the year, "Why Did I Get Married?" and "American Gangster" were amusing to watch, but nothing more. The fact that they are considering Denzel's performance for a Golden Globe and other such awards just underscores how bare our cupboards are to me.

Here is to hoping 2008 will be a banner year for Black Cinema.....

Anyhoo, I did however have enough fodder for a "Top 10 Worst Black Films of 2007". Surprise, surprise, again (not). These are in no particular order, as I think they were all pretty much equally atrocious. Some of them kinda walk the line for "Black Cinema", but I included them because of their casts, their hype, and high visibility in the Black Blogosphere:

#1

I Think I Love My Wife

When, when, when is Chris Rock finally going to get it that he does not need to ever be in a film of his own making? Just produce (and for heaven's sake no more directing!), or star in a movie that someone, anyone else, wrote. This was a remake of a non-black film that I've seen called "Chloe In The Afternoon", and it was so mangled in it's interpretation that I didn't even know it until I read that fact yesterday.....so he can't even translate someone else's material. Here is a short clip of him talking about how he came to make this film...LMBAO acting like there was some kind of artistic thought/process behind this bulls--t:

#2

Code Name: The Cleaner

The whole time I was watching this (and for the life of me I don't know why I watched it till the end) I kept saying to myself "Why would Cedric make this movie?". It'll be a happy day when Cedric The Entertainer finds a film or a T.V. show that matches his hilarious abilities in his stand-up. As of now--not even close. This is a clip of the one kinda (operative word kinda) funny scene in the movie. If this is the best it had to offer, you can just imagine how dismal the rest was if you haven't seen it:

#3

The Salon

One of the most stock, stereotypical, lazy black films in quite some time, and that's saying a lot. I wrote about it here. They could've had robots make this movie and no one would have noticed the difference. Some foolio named Mike Brooks had a short clip on "youtube" and it looks like he has a very, very small part as "Street Vendor" in the film, and used this scene for his acting reel/resume. It is a perfect snapshot of everything that is wrong in this movie:

#4

Daddy Day Camp

Cuba Gooding. A script even Eddie Murphy wouldn't touch. An already worn to death premise. 'Nuff said. Here is some New York guido with a clip called "What's Going On Cuba?" The ish is low budget and unscripted, but dude is funny as hayell and completely on point:

#5

Confessions Of A Call Girl

Tho this one had an extremely limited release (with good reason) and zero hype, I included it anyway cause Tamala Jones was in it, as was Lynn Whitfield, who must have absolutely nothing else going on whatsoever. This movie was supposed to be a drama, but was so freakin' laughable that I think they need to rethink the genre and make it comedy. I wrote about all the painful details here. I tried to find a clip of this movie, but all that kept coming up was this tired picture, but in a way it's apropos, so here you go....for those of you who don't know, this is Karinne "Superhead" Stefans, infamous groupie, hoe, and bubblehead:

#6

Who's Your Caddy?

What can I say about this movie that hasn't already been said? It came from the "Our Stories" production company that is supposed to be our savior, and make "wholesome, family oriented films that are a reflection of us and our community" (their words). If this movie is a reflection of us, we might as well pack it in right now. The fact that this film, after all of it's extensive hype, only made $2.9 million in it's opening weekend spoke volumes. Here is a clip of some of the actors and Tracey Edmonds talking about some of the scenes like this crapfest was "Goodfellas" or something---SMH. At the end, Tracey says "This summer, there is nothing like our film coming out". Truer words were never spoken.

#7

Perfect Stranger

Halle Berry continues to make horrible film after horrible film, but is still considered A-List. In fact, has she ever, ever, starred in a great film? In a good one? Even a decent one? I'm talking a theatrical release, not television. The state of mainstream acting seems to be that your acting abilities equate to how the public views your face. The more beautiful the perception is, the better actress you are. Makes perfect sense to me (insert sarcasm). Nicole Kidman and Keira Knightly, anyone? Here is a clever mash-up of Halle's movie and the sitcom "Perfect Strangers" with Balki:

#9

Are We Done Yet?

Admittedly, I haven't seen this film, but the Good Lord knows I don't have to to include it on this list. Here is a so-called "Blooper Reel", which is ironic, as this is what this whole film seems to be. It also shows off Nia Long's super-amazing acting abilities:

#9

Smokin' Aces

Not technically "Black Cinema", but a large portion of the main cast was. After the huge hype of Alicia Keys, Common, and Taraji P. Henson being in it, it was a HUGE letdown, from the beginning to the closing credits. I kept waiting for it to get better, and it never did. I didn't even feel like looking for something interesting associated with this movie, so here is the trailer:

#10

First Sunday

I know it hasn't come out yet, but let's just get it over with to make more room for next year's list, kay? Since I posted the trailer the other day, here it is with some super dramatic music some funny genius uploaded on youtube. It changes the tone and context entirely....kinda goes back with what I say sometimes about how important a soundtrack can be to a film:

Btw, "Rush Hour 3" might've taken spots 1 through 6 if it was considered Black Cinema and not a mainstream summer blockbuster. Congrats to Ice Cube, who made this list twice.

WOW!!!

Spotted on C&D:

On the heels of announcing that Keke Palmer has been cast as rapper Roxanne Shante in the upcoming film on the Juice Crew called 'The Vapors', blackfilm.com is reporting that the following have also been cast for various roles. Cuba Gooding Jr. will be playing Marley Marl, rapper-actor David Banner will play the part of Biz Markie, Evan Ross will play MC Shan, Jackie Long as Big Daddy Kane, and Idris Elba as Tyrone Williams aka Fly Ty.

Clifton Powell was previously announced as playing the part of hip hop DJ and radio host Mr. Magic. [source]

From IW: Oh. My. God. Please let this be done well...it will be a gift from heaven, tho I think Idris shoulda played Kane.

trivia: my real is roxane (shhhh) and only a project like this would make me reveal that. i heard the "roxanne" song sung to me a million times over....keke palmer represent!

The Other Heroin Dealer....

When I get new readers, they may sometimes think I'm on the late train with a current movie that I haven't really mentioned...the truth is, I might have talked about it a couple of months ago, i.e. "American Gangster".

By now everyone knows about the film, but what about the man the movie is based on, Frank Lucas (along with Bumpy Johnson and Nicky Barnes)? cgwhc from Colored Girls Who Have Considered forwarded me a link to an absorbing biographical article on him that appeared in New York Magazine entitled "The Return Of Superfly" (which the movie is supposedly based on). And unlike Nicky Barnes, he actually seems like he might have learned something from his experiences. If you'd like to read the article click here.

trivia: cuba gooding is playing nicky barnes in american gangster. also, the original title of the movie was going to be "the return of superfly" thank goodness for that change.

Black Hollywood Bringing You The Word....

Wow. While snooping around, I came upon a list of the cast of the Bible Experience (which Simo from Angie B. News informed me Wesley Snipes couldn't join cause of his "issues").

Tisha is on this, as well as these others:

Blair Underwood

Denzel Washington

Angela Bassett

Common

Tatyana Ali

Samuel Jackson (of course)

Mo'Nique

Faith Evans

Meagan Good

Cuba Gooding

The "Bible Experience" is described as this:

The Bible Experience is an inspiring audio Bible that features an unprecedented cast of nearly 200 of today's distinguished Hollywood actors, actresses, and musicians. It also features movie-quality sound effects and background music. This fully dramatized version of the TNIV New Testament was developed by entertainment veterans, and is a ground-breaking undertaking. The phenomenal quality draws you into Scripture and makes the Bible come alive in a new way you have never experienced before.

Damn.

I knew it was gonna be bad, but this was even worse than even I would have predicted..."Daddy Day Camp" made on $3.5 million at the box office this weekend....people spend more than that on popcorn at a summer movie opening!

A loooong way from those Eddie Murphy/"Daddy Daycare" films, eh, Cuba? Hopefully this will make you sit down and actually read your scripts before doing them.

Oh My Damn.

There is a post from a brother from another mother out there....I found it quite arresting. It is from J.J., a former Hollywood publicist who is now a blogger (he also happens to be gay). He keeps it completely real, posting things that others would surely put out as a bitch-ass blind item. But the fact that no one contests him or tries to sue him says a lot. Namely that he speaks the truth. Many of the major gossip blogs flock to him for material, cause believe me, he is on the inside.

He posted this little ditty about Cuba Gooding, and all I could say was 'damn'. And from what I know about Cuba, I don't find it hard to believe. If you'd like to read, click here. There's just too much tang from Terrence today to post this one on my blog. It is very interesting reading, trust.

An Open Letter To Cuba Gooding

Dear Cuba.


Please stop making crappy movies.


That is all.

Invisible Woman.

La Michael is La Zesty....

"Zesty" favorite Evan "La Michael" Ross ("Pride", "ATL") will star opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. in Kevin Bray's ("All About the Benjamins") Mexican border-patrol indie drama "Linewatch". Ross, the son of Diana Ross, plays Little Boy, the nephew of border patrol agent and one-time Los Angeles gang member Michael Dixon (Gooding).

Good premise, hope Bray can handle it, as all of his directing experience is TV based, save for "All About The Benjamins" (and we all know how that one turned out).

if you need to know what zesty means, shoot me an email-but you can probably guess it

My Honorary First Posting Goes To........."Shadowboxer"

It is only fitting as it was my motivation for creating this blog to begin with. The unfairness of how this movie was treated was compelling. It blends together so many unlikely story elements, that at worst, it is intensely interesting.

It is the tale of 2 hired hit people, Cuba Gooding and Helen Mirren (?!) that also happen to be lovers, that also happen to be mother and step-son. They are hired to kill the wife of a nut ball mob boss (Stephen Dorff, who actually does the hiring) and the body guards that are protecting her. While spraying the guards goes smoothly, Helen Mirren, about to kill the wife, discovers that she is in the last stages of pregnancy as her water breaks as she is about to shoot. Helen promptly delivers the baby on the bed, and decides to save them, perhaps trying to atone for the fact that she has made a career of killing and is dying of cancer. Cuba, who also shadowboxes as a hobby, all the while gives his intense silent disapproval during the course of events. All of this by the way, happens in the first 15 minutes of the film and are not spoilers.

What happens next is a journey of major proportions for Cuba, Helen, and the mob wife. I have to say, with as many films as I have seen, some of the imagery is quite fascinating. To see a 38 year old Cuba (who in this movie has a body of total chiseled perfection) naked and having soft core sex in the open woods with a sixtyish Helen Mirren is.....how shall we say......wow.

Sure the story is a bit far fetched (most films these days are), but I think it was this image of the violation of the sacred alter of St. Mirren of England that was this film's undoing, and caused the critics to tear it to shreds. They, should we say, were just not ready. In a world of big screen television remakes and threequels (i.e. Spiderman 3, Shrek 3, and Pirates of the Caribbean 3, all of which I have absolutely no desire to see) it is obvious that Hollywood is completely and utterly creatively bankrupt. If anything, it should welcome a film of formerly unseen imagery and viewer challenges, like water to a thirsty man in the desert. Macy Gray has a role as the wife's best friend, and steals every scene she's in. It is also the first time I have gotten into a performance by Cuba since.....well....ever. It is actually very nuanced, powerful, and affecting. But, dear reader, it is a perfect example of how far we still have to go in Hollywood, and the reason for the existence of this very blog; to point these things out to you.

This film is a first time direction for Lee Daniels, who produced "Monster's Ball" and the seriously criminally overlooked and ignored "The Woodsman". BTW, "The Woodsman" and "Shadowboxer" were also produced by Damon Dash, former cohort of Jay-Z. Who woulda thunk? All due props to Lee Daniels, but honestly, bro, what's up with the hair?