(image found here @ king-of-gossip)
I went to see ‘American Gangster’ last night with some of my friends as it has finally premiered in England and I enjoyed the film. It was slow burning but eventually was a cracker of a film. Washington – just burning and brilliant as usual, Crowe – no surprises her, his character was very likeable and felt real (this man has a good future if he STARTS taking good roles). Chiwetel Ejiofor was in this film and so was Idris Elba, 2 Black British actors who are rising stars in Hollywood. Ejiofor is particularly talented so I hope he gets some shine. As for the musical luminaries, they don’t get that much shine but that is not a problem because it’s not like you miss them anyway. In the company of so many talented actors, they don’t steal the show. But I liked RZA — I think he could be on his way; he had a small part but he seemed the most natural in front of the lense compared to the others. T.I was good too — he has improved and I also think he has a good future if he sticks to expanding his range and picks a good role. Don’t get me started on Common – I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble!
This film was enjoyable but problematic as most films are. The problems arised in the characterisation of the female characters. The women were foils to the men as opposed to having their own feelings and auras. I suppose I had a feeling this would happen anyway but it would have been nice for the women to have fleshier roles. On a positive note, there were plenty of Afros in the film and I was pleased with that since I was rocking one too so I felt like I was connected with the natural film sisters lol.
Now, I will be the first to admit that I am a Denzel fan-a-tic. I really am an avid follower of his work despite him being old enough to be my father lol. He is a supreme talent and just jumps out of the screen. It is almost like you can feel him in the room with you. His performance was cool and calculated and had the trademark Denzelness. Love it! I think he is one of the few figures in the public eye that still has kept it real. Sure, his roles are ‘safe’ but he delivers them with such credibility.
One thing that annoys me a lot though LOL is why don’t the celebrities just get their real names on the credits? Seeing RZA at the end credits is just lame. Put your real name lol!
My question is, when will we see Denzel or any prominent black actor in another biopic? I think black actors are supreme in biopics! Look at Will Smith in ALI and My Man aka Denzel in Malcolm X. Just brilliant. If you could see a biopic of anyone who would it be and who would you like to play the person?
I would like to see a feature length film of Frantz Fanon. Hands down my top choice. The choice for who is a harder question.
-A-
You always have such great topics Aulelia! I saw the movie as well. It was okay. Denzel was good. I was extremely pleased about how the film showed that the U.S. government and local police departments were involved in the smuggling of drugs into this country. Though I think it could have been emphasized more, I’m glad it was included. (I also attended a screening of Denzel’s latest movie – The Great Debaters. I’d be interested to hear your take on it as well.)
Also – I think that Afrikan Scholars are worthy of great attention no matter where the MAAFA has placed them. Let’s keep in mind that no matter where we are in the world we are as connected as the branches of the same tree.
Finally – as for a biopic that I would love to see. I choose Assata Shakur, Ella Baker, George Jackson, Fred Hampton, Marcus Garvey, and the Edmondson Sisters. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10103500)
P.S. – sorry for not sending you my responses to those questions you asked waaaay back when. They were great questions that demanded thorough responses and I just was caught up with work then. Maybe I’ll get a chance to type out my thoughts and email them to you over the break just in case you ever want to use them for anything.
Happy Holidays!
Frank lucas , dated willie mays step daughter , and this was not in the film so i heard . She was supposed to very beautiful and a real character.
also the film is flawed , because ” ITS DEALING WITH GLAMORIZING DRUGS”.
I love denzel , but I will not support this movie , i will see the bootleg copy or wait to video . I cannot glorify drugs which keep us back . It’s like genocide!.. But I do think Denzel has charisma all the way around , where as frank was missing in the looks department .
I would like to see a movie based on Elizabeth Keckley , Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker …. I have read the book many times and each time i come away with a different view.
Orvillelloyddouglas
I think your point is interesting re “only focusing on african american scholars!” Could it be because of Slavery ? The united states was founded by the dregs of european society , whereas slavery in Martinque/ haiti , was controlled by the french , dominican republic was by spanish and so on …. While I do feel that all works of the diaspora should be studied, I can possibly understand why the emphasis is on African American writers/ phillosphers, actually the states is a mini diaspora within the diaspora .
Last but not least movie of a strong female : Valaida Snow , she was a trumpet player who worked with louis armstrong , she was playing in europe right b/4 the nazi occupation , when all went down , she was arrested and put in a concentration camp about 2-5 years….
How do you feel about the portrayal of women in the film? I didn’t like his wife for some odd reason…she was so bland. I wish they gave her character a bit more depth.
I have to say his mother had soul though…
Zora Neale Hurtson – Queen Latifah
Cheryl Linn Glass – Anjanue Ellis should play her (she the ONLY black female race car driver in the US, was a member of the communist party and jumped – or was pushed to her death over a bridge in 1997.)
@Baby Please — Thanks for the link!
@Orville, I must admit, I am a huge fan of his work as you can tell lol.
I think you should read ‘Black Skin, White Masks’ first and then the Wretched of the Earth. The latter book deals more with violence as a means of freedom. Black Skin, White Masks is such a CLASSIC book. I cannot stress that enough. It is one of the most powerful books I have ever read in my life and it really makes you think.
Fanon was a complex character who struggled with race a lot but the way he writes, you can literally feel the words jumping out from you on the page. He does have issues with women but again, it is indicative of the time he was growing up. He was very aware of blackness and not willing to shy away from it and I think that is why I respect him so much.
There are so many fantastic non-African-American scholars who are black you are right. It is about giving them shine.
It would definitely have to be someone younger than both those actors. If the biopic was going to be like a flashback thing then they could use someone young. I think it would be good if they used a Martinican or a Francophone West Indian but if it was going to be a Hollywood movie, an anglophone person would be chosen.
I have a question Aulelia, I have taken courses in university and I’ve heard a lot about you talking about Fanon. Which book should I read first “Black Skin White Mask” Or “The Wretched Of The Earth”? I swear, I’m going to just go to the used book stores in Toronto and search for these books. I’ve heard a lot about Fanon I kind of wonder why we focus so much on just the African American thinkings and scholars? There were other scholars in the African Diaspora whose work needs to be brought to the masses.
I think for the Frantz Fanon biopic it would have to be somebody YOUNGER then Washington or Will Smith. Remember Fanon died at an extremely young age of 36.
Chiwetel is definitely sexy. I think so, too. Such a fine, fine actor. I will watch him in anything. I talk about him on a previous post on theblackactor.
http://www.theblackactor.com/2007/10/chiwetel-ejiofo.html
Baby Pleas — Cheers for your input!! I appreciate it. The portrayal of women wasn’t kind and of course the bare breasts on delay will have pleased many men lol but it was still a solid effort. I know it will be a commercial success cos even in this small city of england, the cinema was pretty packed so the star power of denzel & crowe is working abroad.
The afros were HOT
I can’t think of who actually could play Fanon. I think an unknown actor would be good. a francophone one too to add authenticity
Guerreiranigeriana — I know right, ejiofor is gorgeous!! really sexy man. i wouldn’t be shy either.
For fanon, someone with serious writing credentials would have to write it. maybe alice walker? Nkrumah would be amazing too.
wow, frantz fanon!!…that would be an interesting film indeed…now, who’s going to write it?…i’d like to see one about: kwame nkrumah, walter rodney, carlinhos brown…to name a few…haven’t seen american gangster yet…looking forward to denzel, of course and ejiofor…wowser!!..don’t let me catch him on the street somewhere…i’m a shy girl too…but oooweee…i won’t be shy when i see him…yum:)…
And yes… the afros were cool!
http://www.theblackactor.com/
Hi Ink!
Well, I just came home from seeing AG. My basic thought about the whole thing is pretty much indifference. I thought the movie was entertaining and that the performances were good. That’s it.
Here in the U.S., for several weeks leading up to the film, there was quite a lot of hype surrounding it. This hype was on large legitimate U.S. news sites, as well as blogs. I didn’t read it and didn’t really know what was going on. I just knew it was being presented as a must-see film.
I liked it and I liked Denzel and Russell Crowe in the film.
I was cool with the portrayal of the drug bunny women in the film. I never thought twice about that portrayal. I thought there was a place for it. I thought it was legitimate.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, too.
Who doesn’t love Denzel? I have yet to see the movie but appreciate your feedback. And Rza, in my opinion, is the most talented member of Wu-Tang. He is the music director/coordinator for many movies that I wouldn’t have guessed, like Kill Bill.