21
Sunday, April 27, 2008

Saw this film last night. I had to get out of the house, and this seemed to be the only interesting thing available.

The title of this movie, 21, has two meanings. Our protagonist, Ben Campbell portrayed by Jim Sturgess (Gosh, he is so cute), turns 21 and gets the education of his life at the game of 21 (and life). This movie is brought to you by Bret Ratner, director of Rush Hour and final of the recent X-Men franchise, X-Men: The Last Stand.

Synopsis of movie: a brilliant math-whiz at MIT is lured into a card counting scheme by his professor (Kevin Spacey), and another student (Kate Bosworth). Based on a true story by Ben Mezrich, author of Bringing Down the House.

The real genius is actually an Asian guy. Jeff Ma is the original blackjack card counter. I guess Hollywood figured we would only come out to see the movie if it's about an attractive, really smart, white guy.

Alrighty, then. It's a fun film, expect the usual Hollywood spin, a bit of a happy ending with a bit of reality tossed in. It is not Good Will Hunting and certainly isn't trying to be.

The film is a great advertisement for Las Vegas. I ain't mad at 'em. It makes me want to go, whenever I see anything about that city. Being a high roller is a great fringe benefit, but one can be broke and still enjoy the place.

The only thing that irked me about the movie was the idea that the girl Ben was interested in was "pretty." It's an emaciated Kate Bosworth! She looks like she's been under the knife a few times. I could tell that she was sporting blue contact lens. But hey, an actress has to do what she has to do.

As always Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne turn in stellar performances. I bet a director never has to work too hard with these guys. Just aim the camera and let 'em rip.

Did I mention that Jim Sturgess is cute?

Labels: 21, Ben Mezrich, black jack, Bret Ratner, card games, Good Will Hunting, Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Las Vegas, Laurence Fishburne

posted by GoldenAh
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Final Destination 3
Wednesday, April 23, 2008


I watched this movie with a vague memory of the original two.

Midway through the film one of the lead actors spells out the plot: a teenager has a very detailed vision of an impending disaster. Said teen freaks out. Everyone that follows this teenager out or off gets to live. Except that, they don't. They all die one by one as they would have during the disaster.

The fun of the first two was watching them try to beat fate or death. If I remember correctly these films came out during a good run on teen horror films by Hollywood. Scream probably touched off the return of this mini-trend.

I enjoy good slasher, ghost, phantom menace / phenomenon, monster, and other type of horror flick.

This film was produced by the people that produced X-Files: Glen Morgan and James Wong.

As for the quality of this movie: there are very few surprises. It's mildly entertaining. It starts off rather well: I found the roller coaster scenarios plausible. People have fallen off of rides. Aside from that it's s'okay. One doesn't have to pay much attention to follow what's going on.

Labels: Final Destination, Final Destination 3, Glen Morgan, Hollywood, horror, James Wong, X-Files

posted by GoldenAh
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The Media and Stereotypes of Black Women
Thursday, April 10, 2008

No Educational Material in Films

I watch television shows and movies solely for entertainment, not education or a sense of "Oh, so that's what they're like." I don't view films by Jackie Chan, Jet Li or Akira Kurosawa (this guy is awesome) to be educational. Interesting, yes, but nothing I'd use as historical fact.

Fanciful Suburban Drama-Comedies

I've enjoyed Parenthood, Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride 2 with Steve Martin. (Loved him in The Jerk.) Even if they are all thematically the same movie, I've never held the impression that any of them are real. (So, that's how all whites in all white suburbia live!)

One standout for me - the kitchen(s). Oh boy, talk about real estate porn! In these films, the homes are always chock full of awesome kitchen accessories. I couldn't stand my kitchen full of stuff, but I do admire these clutter nests.

What Seems True

What is true in these films is the affluent, take it all for granted, privileged nature of the characters. Those self-involved narcissists exist; I've encountered them. There's no hesitation that checks these characters. They are not inhibited by the reality that something evil and external is going to block their paths, dreams, or desires due to race and sex.

It is a great escape to watch movies and television dramas where whites in all white environment worry about mundane stuff.

Oh, if only life could be that uncomplicated for black women in America.

I liked Bringing Down the House, with Queen Latifah and Steve Martin. Queen Latifah was executive producer. I'm sure something in the script spoke to her. I winced throughout the film.

Yet what may be entertainment to me, is taken as gospel among some other groups.

Let me say this in plain English: I've met people who feel they can only relate to me based on media images of black women. I'd be really really rich if I received money for every time I heard, saw, or read what other groups in America, or the world for that matter, believed about black women. Most, if not all, of their ridiculous notions come from the Media: general entertainment (video games, books, etc), Hollywood and the advertising industry.

How it Relates to Me, A Black Woman

When I tell people I can't dance, they respond with shock. I elaborate: I can't remember dances like the Electric Slide or Bus Stop. Or any dance steps for that matter.

When I travel I get questions, which probe: What do I do for a living? We're all drug dealers and entertainers, don't cha know?

How can I afford to travel? I mugged an old white woman to get on this trip.

I've been complimented, with a note of surprise, as to how well I speak. I've even been told at different times that I "sound like a white girl."

People cross the street, clutch their purse (and babies too!), avoid my presence, and do all other wonderful sorts of things, because I am a black woman.

People who befriend me actually assume that at some point in time, I'll turn into a sassy, bossy and hotheaded sistah, and give someone a peace of my mind. Talk about a let down when I do not get mad or huffy.

What's worse are people who assume that I'm going to be their all-knowing wisdom dispensing black female wise-ass protector. Not gonna happen.

And my all time favorite: "I don't know any black women except for the [fill in the blank] show. I really liked that program." And what does that have to do with me?

Thanks For The Stereotypes!

Where else are these stupid impressions coming from, but the Media? (insert ominous music here)

Hey, I'd prefer it if the Media ignored my existence than continue to perpetrate false images masquerading as reality. Then, I can go back to watching my all white entertainment, and everyone else can too.

Labels: black women, Hollywood, media, Queen Latifah, stereotypes, Steve Martin

posted by GoldenAh
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The Brood
Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The Brood starts with Dr. Raglan (Oliver Reed) helping one of his patients in front of an audience. At first I thought they were doing the re-enactment of a play, but it turns out that the patient needs this role playing to get healed.

The Brood is about a woman, Nola, whose marriage has ended. She's insane, by the way. Her husband, Frank (Art Kindle), share custody with their kindergarten age daughter, Candice. The child is left with Nola, over the weekend, at the clinic she's getting psychiatric treatment at.

The plot begins to move forward when Frank finds bruises, scratches and bite marks on Candice's back. He demands to know what is going on at the clinic. He threatens to take full custody of Candice. From then on, we get glimpses of what Nola's problems are with everyone in her life. Especially her mother and father.

She is an angry woman. Very angry.

Dr. Raglan is no ordinary therapist. His work with this particular patient, Nola, gives 'birth' to a whole host of murderous problems.

It's such a quiet soft-core horror movie. There are no special effects, no screaming and no hysterics that's usual in this genre. It has some interesting shock value moments: glimpses of weird flesh sacks and skin deformities.

This is a David Cronenberg movie, and rated R. However, I think today's R rated films makes this one a very tame PG. There was a bit of blood, but nothing compared to today's gore-festivals.

Labels: Art Kindle, David Cronenberg, Oliver Reed, Samantha Egger, The Brood

posted by GoldenAh
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Online TV: fancast.com and New Amsterdam
Saturday, April 5, 2008

Fancast.com is awesome. I think it merged with Hulu.com. I am not certain, but I do see some ghosting on broadcasts that say Hulu. Pardon my ignorance, this channel seems like AOL's website, but it does have shows I haven't seen there.

Shows that I am happy to watch: Monk, Pysch, Bones (David Boreanaz, yeah!).

I've been watching New Amsterdam, and I love that show already. However, based on my research the writer's strike or Fox has killed it already. Shows like these never last. It was an intelligent crime drama based on a Heroes / Highlander type theme.

The story is about John Amsterdam, a 300+ year old Dutch soldier. He's an immortal who knows almost everything. He's a walking fact book. In my eyes he's a stud too (63 kids and over 600 wives and girlfriends - funny).

The actor who plays John Amsterdam is Nikolaj Coster Waldau.

This guy is hot.

The best episode of this show so far is Golden Boy.

I don't know how long this show will be available online. The networks are so cruel with good programming these days. It's sick.

Labels: AOL, Bones, David Boreanaz, fancast.com, Heroes, Highlander, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolaj Coster Waldau, Monk, New Amsterdam, Pysch

posted by GoldenAh
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