Hey good peoples Beth here!
I’m just going to jump right in this quick movie review.
Went to see Alex Cross this weekend, against my better judgement!
Anyway, was it a bad movie? Good Lord yes! Was it Tyler Perry’s fault? Good Lord NO!
Now I’m not the typical crab in the barrel type black person. I don’t see the point in or the need in tearing Tyler Perry down and blaming him for the lack of quality black films. I happen to like Tyler and what he’s done in his career. I will not be the typical black person and try to tear him down. As my mentor would say you don’t have to tear a person down so that you can shine.
But anyway, lets talk about this horrid movie!
First of all what the hell was James Patterson thinking!?
Oh I know he was thinking about the dolla dolla bills y’all!
More specifically (or pacifically for the ebonic speaking folks out there) GM’s money!
When I first heard they moved the story to Detroit (the entire series is based in DC) I was angry and confused.
Well until I saw GM all up in through the movie. From the sexy ass caddy the villain was driving, to the proposed new Detroit Downtown that had GM as the center of it. Even the parked cars were GM cars.
Watching this movie was like watching a really bad Lifetime movie!
Everyone’s acting was bad in this movie. EVERYONE! Even Cicely Tyson couldn’t do right in this movie.
The truly sad part about it is how butchered the storyline is, James Patterson should be ashamed of himself for doing this to his own book series. It was just sad and you could tell it was all about the money. He didn’t give 2 damns or 3 fuggs about the integrity of the books.
When we (my niece and I) walked out of the theater we both said the only good thing about this movie was the car Matthew Fox drove. Lawd that Cadillac was so damn sexy! I’d eff the ish out of that car!
Anyway, how was your weekend?
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the funny thing about that movie too was. That "Downtown Detroit" scene was partly done in Cleveland! LOL
I was looking at that scene like, "Hey that's Cleveland's City Hall / Police dept / Mariott….. "
The movie was way better than I expected. Matthew Fox was a great Bad guy. It could have been a little longer but hey.. To tell you the truth, Alex Cross was wayyyy Better than sinister, and that dreadful paranormal activity. I saw TAKEN 2 and that was a rushed movie with no purpose.
Again, ALEX CROSS was serving its purpose: Entertaining.
Thanks for the heads up on this,I was gonna spend my money to see it,but I think I shall get the bootleg version instead.James Patterson at the start of shooting gave his blessing which made me believe that it would stay pretty true to the books.They were going to Put my future ex-husband Idris in the lead roll,but now I'm glad they didn't.
Sorry… can't reply yet. That cadillac got me fapping.
DAMN i love some damn Detroit made autos.
You know, 90% of my friends who identify themselves as Black intellectuals, LOVE to tear down Tyler Perry movies. Love it. As if they get a orgasm from it all. They tear his movies down so damn vociferously that AS a so-called Black intellectual, I had to actually see one of his movies in order to find out what all the "Coon" talk was.
Now maybe it's because I grew up in a small michigan town(pontiac) where there wasn't reallya middle class, or.. maybe because i'm not as bourgoise as i've been told I am. But…. I thoroughly and completely have enjoyed the three tyler perry movies I've seen. Sorry… but in our neighbourhood back in pontiac, we had a "Madea", we had an Uncle Brown…. and many of the other characters we see in those movies.
I've never found his movies to be Coonish at ALL. Matter of fact, there is always a message of self reliance, humility, family, overcoming adversity and self responsibility. Everything we so-called Black intellectuals and upper-echelon negroes swear up and down we wished our "less educated" brethren would realize.
So… what is the problem?
I'm glad I didn't join in with my fellow SSBN members in demonizing Tyler Perry because I would have been loud and wrong.
he may not always be my cup of tea and I have never seen his plays…. but I don't see what is so horrible about his movies. Other than a Man dressed up as a woman, what IS the problem with him?
I've never had a single black person be able to intelligently articulate their beef with him that could stand up to rebuttal
jealousy
they mad cause they didn't think of it first I guess…
his formula for movie making is so very simple!
and it's making him millions!
so they hatin'
*shrugs*
I don't think it's hating. I wonder if it's more the fact that Black Intellectuals pride ourselves on not being like "the others". We socalled have excelled "in spite of being Black" and we don't do the things stereotypical blacks do. Our lives are filled with actively going against the grain to what mainstream society stereptypes us to be. We don't dare eat Friend chicken in public… we don't care if the ceo of the company herself offers us a plate, we wont eat watermelon in front of 'other folks".
We work HARD to debunk stereotypes.
Then tyler perry comes along and builds an empire from allegedly reinforcing all the stereotypes we THINK are in his productions.
over half the people I know who Loathe tyler perry, have actually never seen one of his movies.
They are going off of what they THINK is in them.
: shrugs : and you know how I feel on the subject. If you haven't read, watched and or listened to something, don't act like you've got an intelligent stance on the issue… you'e only got an opinion. And whether that opinion is strong or not, an opinion not based off fact is just bullshyt
I eat my watermelon with a fork and knife. And that ish better be organic!
I like my watermelon infused with vodka or champaign.
I wish I wasn't on my phone typing, but…
The ONLY TP movie I "enjoyed" was Why Did I Get Married. The first one. NOT part 2. I've tried watching the plays, I've sat through several movies. I don't like Madea, and I end up disappointed at the end of most movies.
Why? Well, his movies all feel like a made for tv, grown up after school special. All of them. It's the same story. How many times can you tell the same story?
As for Madea – no, I didn't have a Madea in my life, or a Mr. Brown, so I just really can't relate. And I grew up poorer than most in public housing in the high-rise projects. No Madea.
I was hoping Alex Cross would be great. I really was.
So, it's definitely not any of the above reasons you mentioned for me, his style is just mot for me.
Exactly, Les. All movies aren't for everybody, even if you are Black. You just don't care for TPs brand of comedy.
" It's the same story. How many times can you tell the same story? "
Let me introduce you to a place called Hollywood….
so why is TP's following of a formula so much different than a Michael Bay…. a seth rogan…
… Adam Sandler, Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller… yup, got tired of them, too. But one difference was they weren't as bad. Some were, but not as many as TP.
I think his movies are formulaic & kinda pandering. They upwardly mobile Black women can't find love & happiness with her also upwardly mobile (often dark-skinned) man, so she has to be broken down to see that the best things in life are free – and comes in the form of the (often light-skinndeded) working class brother who doesn't have much, but he loves the Lord. Add in Madea & some jokes – copy, paste, print. And I've seen a couple TP movies. He's basically put his plays to celluloid. In the end, it feels good, so that's what people go for – escapism that you can watch w/your kids or parents & get a few chuckles.
When he writes his own stuff (this is based off Why Did I Get Married Too), it's just sadly predictable…of course, that could be the actors too. I'm not seeing For Colored Girls – it looks depressing & (I've read that) he chopped up the book & 'Tyler'd' it.
Like most of Hollywood, he's found his formula & strays not far from it. I admire that he's made it on his own & now can dictate terms, and that he seems loyal to his circle (the same people invariably show up in his work). My biggest beef is that with all his clout & money, why not show different stories? Why not help up & coming writers, directors, etc.? He knows how hard it is to do it from scratch. He doesn't HAVE to write, direct, produce, edit, star, film, cast, cook, work the food truck, etc.
Even Oprah launched Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Suze, Nate, Iyanla…
"I think his movies are formulaic & kinda pandering. They upwardly mobile Black women can't find love & happiness with her also upwardly mobile (often dark-skinned) man, so she has to be broken down to see that the best things in life are free – and comes in the form of the (often light-skinndeded) working class brother who doesn't have much, but he loves the Lord. Add in Madea & some jokes – copy, paste, print. And I've seen a couple TP movies. He's basically put his plays to celluloid. In the end, it feels good, so that's what people go for – escapism that you can watch w/your kids or parents & get a few chuckles."
OMG, you took the words out of my mouth. Also, TP, brought the movies to the church folk and they loved it. I love how he got the old ladies to watch his movies, but the same plot and same story just doesn't move me.
How is this formula different from any movie in hollywood.
Romantic Comedy – girl meets guy, girl can;t stand guy. guy is an egomaniac. Woman can't stand him but is very attracted to him. Woman spends movie trying not to like him. Has sassy fat or sassy black friend trying to talk sense into her. She evenetually sees guy is vulnerable or guy begins falling for her and realises he has been an ass and then just when you think they wont ever get together… they do. [ every romcom featuring katherine heigel and jennifer aniston]
every genre in hollywood these days are completely formulaic. You want interesting varied story telling, do what i do and watch independent films.
So why exactly is Tyler perry's formula so offensive and laughable as opposed to others.
I'm curious.
But I don't like many romcoms, either, foe that reason. And thise two… no.
I like the stories beyond the story. Most good movies have a good original story beyond the "formula". That's what keeps me coming back.
Tyler Perry movies usually lack this.
I don't find it offensive as much as boring/repetitive. I barely watch some actors/movies for the same reason.
Even tyler perry created: The family that preys, Why did I get married……
how is this not the same?
Slaus its because he is black. Blacks can/should do better. Everyone has to be the Huxtables *eye rolls* All black roles must be of positive blacks. No stereotypes EVER!…. Even though stereotypes stem from reality. Dont air out dirty laundry because we arent just people but BLACK people! *sigh*
don't get me wrong… i don't care if anyone here likes TP or not. My life will not be made better or worse in ANY way if Ido or do not see a TP movie again in my life.
Or any movie to that matter.
All i'm saying.. is that every point you guys have presented as to why you don't like TP, is kind of funny and incites a "duh". Because all of your complaints… can be said about 90% of hollywood's directors.
I'm not saying your feelings aren't justified… but I think hitting TP with the hammer over it is just kind of meh.
I get you. I was just voicing my opinion as a non TP fan because it's not based on any of the issues you pointed out.
I've seen a good number of Tyler Perry movies and his plays and I don't like them. I find the characters to be one dimensional and the plot too formulaic. But every time I watch these movies with my mother (because her almost dying to bring me into the world deserves something) I notice that she finds something new that she enjoys about his movies. I believe it all comes down to I don't find enough of a universality in his "truth" to find the movies enjoyable. I say "truth" not as a factual representation of the world but as his creative representation of his perception. He's a storyteller that is influenced by how he see's the world and a businessman that understands that his perception of his world is going to make him a lot of money.
Do I find it tiring that he doesn't include other perceptions in his creative process, seek out other "truths" to showcase, yes, but I don't have to give him my money (unless I'm being a good daughter).
Thank you! I've said this about Tyler all along! His movies have a good message, he employs black actors, and he built his OWN DAYUM STUDIO so that he would have to play the Hollywood game. He does it all on his terms. Does he do it right every time? No, but he only has to answer to himself.
We don't dare eat Friend chicken in public… we don't care if the ceo of the company herself offers us a plate, we wont eat watermelon in front of 'other folks".
THIS.
All my people come from Mississippi….. I cannot TELL you how much THIS was beat into us; "talk proper".. don't wear "hoochie" clothing (my sis and I had to fight like demons to get a jheri curl 'cuz it was way too "ghetto")…
THESE are the people who are spittin' blood that Perry would DARE put our business out there for white people to laugh at—- its the comedification of all the stereotypes….
"Everyone’s acting was bad in this movie. EVERYONE! Even Cicely Tyson couldn’t do right in this movie."
if the great cicely tyson couldn't get right in the movie, i think i might have to save my money. then again, i haven't paid for a movie ticket since the expendables.
i like tyler perry, i am happy for his successes, but i'm not biased (or deluded) enough to say that he's the best because he looks like me. after the first few movies and plays, the same story does kind of get worn out. even if you find different ways to tell it, it gets predictable. that's why i think he's hit a plateau for me. however, it is nice to see that he's being cast by someone else other than himself because it's a chance for him to diversify his repertoire. i'm assuming that alex cross is action (never read or heard of the series outside of it being mentioned here), so i'm happy on that respect that he's in an action film.
I actually enjoyed the movie and I have read all the Alex Cross books from James P. I was a little confused by the Detroit start, BUT it was nice to see they followed the whole wife plot line. *Yes being nice and not being a spoiler here* But the ONE thing that pissed me off is the white boy that was his best friend. I wanted to see who they was gonna cast as Sampson and was hella mad they went this other way. Other then that, I really enjoyed the movie and I hope that Tyler P takes this as a franchise role and does more of the Alex Cross stories. I think his carried his own and would like to see more.
Thank you Smuv,I was going to ask if they at least kept Sampson Black.
oh yeah. and that caddy is SMOKIN!!
Well, for my weekend, I didn't give one green thought to Tyler Perry. I was in Sunriver, OR which is a vacation resort about 20 mins from Bend, OR. I went down with about a dozen other people where we shared a big ass house for a few days. It was really nice, especially since I got down a day early with another friend and there were only 5 of us in the house. The wine was flowing, lots of laughter was had and Cards Against Humanity was played (if you don't know…now you know).
Add in some awesome deer sightings, brown sugar and pecan crusted bacon, glorious bike riding, lava rock walking at the Newberry Volcanic monument, brilliant star gazing, inadvertent cuddling, copious amounts of food and drink, and you kinda forget that you had to drive through Romney/Ryan country to get to such a beautiful location.
The boys and I planted the spring bulbs in my mother's memorial garden so that come this spring, i'm hoping to have some gawjus tulips and assorted flowers.
Whilst i was in the yard gardening, some of my neighbours stopped by to see what I was up to and they helped out with what is known as the "julia garden" and we kicked it and were out there acting up for awhile whilst the kids ran about acting up throughout the yard.. looked like a lil block party.. Til everyone's wives and partners came looking for them talking about: We should have known you were all down here doing shenanigans with Stan.
folks gonna stop treating me like the cause of chaos and foolishness.
folks gonna stop treating me like the cause of chaos and foolishness.
*looks around at OHN site, & FB page* You wanna try that again, sir?
Haven't seen Alex Cross, probably won't (may check out Argo or Looper – yeah, I'm late – so what?). But Nov 2? I'm there:
[youtube a7l3okIqnCg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7l3okIqnCg youtube]
no f**ks given how bad this is, i am seeing it!!
Saw this commercial yesterday and got really excited! Even if I have to go see this by myself, I will go see it!
yes!!!! I am there, no questions asked.
I crocheted: a cowl, fingerless gloves, and an earflap hat set. Sent it shamelessly to school with my daughter who has lots of rich friends to get orders.
Watched lots of football, made Sunday dinner, and met with a couple to sign my event planning contract.
Today – all about the Remicade (getting infused as I type).
There is no shame in honest hustling. Make that money!
Yesterday was my 35th birthday and I spent the entirety of it in bed. I made the mistake of walking around downtown Charlotte last weekend (where I ran into Michael Jai White, who is disappointingly short in person) with no jacket on , and my body is paying for it now. I've tried juicing all sorts of citrus and high vitamin C fruits, but it doesn't seem to be helping the congestion, but I'm happy to announce I've lost another 7 lbs. I treated myself to a cup of pineapple upside down cake yogurt as opposed to the customary strawberry angel food cake with whipped cream or turtle cheesecake I always request for my birthday. The remainder of this week will be spent waiting til all the congestion clears so I can hit the gym again and starting on my Christmas shopping.
Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and get well soon!!!!!
Thank you!
Happy birthday and may you have a speedy recovery!
Happy Birthday!
Did we talk about living in Charlotte before? We could have, but names change around here, soo…
Happy belated birthday and I hope you feel better.
happy belated birthday!
Thanks to everyone!
happy belated birthday!!! i hope you had a lovely one!
(sn: michael jai white is short? he looks so tall on the telly. oh well, the man has seven black belts in various martial arts. i won't feel too sad lol. he still fine!)
This weekend was kinda sad.My Best Friend lost her Mom yesterday,so I went up to the nursing home(my Dad's there too)to give her hugs and to let Her know I have her back .But why oh why in the middle of me comforting her Did this Girl make me promise not to bust out with my famous''C-walk'' during her Mom's home going celebration like I did at a friend of mines visitation a few years ago?I told her she was safe as long as they didn't have tupac playing in the background.I'm glad I could at least make her laugh.lol..That's why I love that pale heffa,even in her darkest Moments,she checked my nuts…lol..
H-Wood being so repetitive-ass repetitive is why I haven't bought a ticket in a looooooooooong time. Anyway, moving on.
This weekend? Held down the fort while the rest of the family went to the planting, er, funeral of an aunt's (finally) dead husband. Since the man wasn't worth .01 of a damn in his life, I didn't feel like going to church and joining in the b.s.ing of what a 'great man' he was. Sorry, I don't abide by the whole 'don't speak ill of the dead' mantra. If you were a p.o.s. in life, I'm not going to pretty your memory up because you're now worm food. Anyway, my Aunt is free and she can live the rest of her golden years in peace and quiet.
I saw the movie……………It did what a movie is supposed to do–> ENTERTAIN!!