We Know He Did It, Should We Care?
Fracture

Just as Fun the Second Time Around
Agent Cody Banks 2 Destination London

Your Friendly Neighborhood Serial Killer
Dexter

American Gangster - Missing in Action Black Actress

So, where did all the black actresses go? For all the films I've watched in the theaters this year, I don't recall seeing a black actress as one of the main characters.

I know Hollywood doesn't need to put a quota together to please me. Black women make up a small part of the US population, about 6-7% or something. It is not as though blacks are the intended audience of any of the crap Hollywood or the Cable / Television Networks produce. Just because the spending power of black America is roughly around $700 billion shouldn't mean that Hollywood needs to pay any attention to this group. Right? They've got billions of Chinese and Indians in overseas markets to curry favor with.

But, wait! India and China already produce their own films. And why would they turn out to see films that don't address them culturally, socially, and ethnically?

So, why is Hollywood ignoring black American actresses?

I saw American Gangster. It is not a black film. Although it has a very large black and white cast - it's mostly all male. Think peacocks and roosters. This film was a Hollywood re-appraisal of the black exploitation movies of the 1970s. Aside from Afros, wide collar jackets, and old cars there was very little about it that smacked of that period. The movie lacked the vibe, the anger, and slang of that time.

Jack - Not Your Ordinary Desk Jockey
24 Season 1

Brilliant idea for a television series; take 24 hours and make each hour an episode.

Summary: Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) in Los Angeles, headed by director Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland) is called into work. At the same time his daughter sneaks out to hang out with her friend.

And that's when the multi-layered action begins.

I would watch about 2 DVDs per night. This show is heart poundingly fantanstic.

What Big Eyes You Have Grandmother
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade

During one raid something goes wrong when a little girl, Agawa, decides to blow herself up instead of getting caught. It disturbs the officer, Fuse, who tried to bring her in.

Fuse goes back for re-training, constantly haunted by the little girl’s image.

Did Billy Die a Virgin?
Battlestar Galactica

The survivors have re-formed their original society politically and militarily. Issues endure, which afflict all peoples: religious interpretation and freedom, love, sex, drugs, prostitution, murder, rebellion, and the desire for peace and dialogue with an unyielding, indifferent enemy. The enemy are Cylon, deadly intelligent robots, disparaged as "toasters".

There's a minor storyline with Billy Keikeya (Paul Campbell), aide to unelected President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell). She was Secretary of Education before disaster struck. Roslin is a such a steely moral woman it's hard to root for her: It's one thing to do what's right, it's another to believe that her way is the only way.

Pulpy Fiction and the Dead Shall Rise Again, or Stay Dead
Gungrave

Beginning in the middle, Pulp Fiction style, Gungrave saves a young girl and a scientist from strange screeching monsters. He is the undead, gun wielding, one-eyed, gray haired man who sits in stasis, waiting to be revived.

It's Jack the Ripper with a Silk Fetish
Sherlock Holmes and The Case of the Silk Stocking

Memphis Gets His Hot Wheels
Gone in 60 Seconds

Oh yeah, Memphis Raines, played by Nicolas Cage must save little brother, Ribisi, from a nasty British ganster. Aren't all the bad guys Brits? Jolie is the hot blonde ex-girlfriend.

The title says it all: that's all you need to know. You will see the film and forget it 60 seconds after it ends.

And that's the way it should be.