You can see the salivating at the mere mention of a biblical story being told on the big screen (cue the violins and insert a major eyeroll here).
Christians love when Hollywood decides to spread the gospel of Jesus, but what they fail to realize is that Hollywood is in the business of dollars and cents, and if doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense!
And just like with Son of God, God is Not Dead, and countless other films, they just knew Noah was going to bring thousands to Christ (insert another eyeroll here).
Have you ever seen a movie that made you want to run to the altar and be saved? (Nope, and chances are this one wasn't going to either).
But instead of doing research, Christians hyped this movie, and when they find out that not only does the story veer totally off the course of the original Bible story (which is an interpretation also, but I won't go there right now), the director is also an atheist (their heads roll like something out of a Poltergeist movie), and they begin a social media campaign to discredit the movie and ask other good Christians to boycott the movie (which is total waste of time because the movie is already made and is on course to be the top grossing film for the weekend). And how did social media campaigning work for you when you supported the CEO of Chik-Fil-A or Phil Robertson? It made you look like fools and anything but the "Christians" that you proclaim to be.
Did Jesus ever boycott anything? Did Jesus beat anyone over the head with his message full of judgment and scorn? Nope, he lived by example: he taught love and tolerance). Maybe, you should try it some time. After all, being a Christian is being Christ like correct?
So the next time a "religious" movie comes out, do your research. Scale back your Bible thumping and your Superman on your chest way of letting everyone know that you are a good Christian, and try to actually live like Christ, and show some compassion, some love, some tolerance, and then maybe you can lead more people to him that way, because clearly your current way is not working and making you look bad in the name of Jesus!
Until next time....
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Tyler Perry Is Not For Everyone, and I Don't Think He Cares, and I Am Okay With That!
I just returned from viewing, The Single Mom's Club, and like most of Tyler's films, I left inspired, emotionally moved. Good art speaks to the soul, makes you feel differently about the human condition, and should be something that you can relate to in some way. This movie did all of those things for me, especially as someone who was reared in a single parent home.
Just the mere mention of Tyler's name and his work causes most people to feel some type of way.
There are his supporters, that regardless of what he makes or produces for public consumption, who will support, and I am among that group.
There are the fellow filmmakers who are possibly jealous of his success, and who have been in the film industry far longer, but can't seem to capitalize on his success (i.e. John Singleton and Spike Lee, and yes, I am naming names).
There are the college educated black people, who have deemed themselves the "gods" of all that is sacred among African Americans, who try to tell the rest of us what we should or should not support.
There are the men who are bothered by the fact that Mr. Perry sometimes wears a dress (like Mr. Perry wearing a dress is a threat to your personal manhood (I am still scratching my head over that foolishness).
There are the feminists. You know who they are. The small segment of the female population who, unless every female character is a successful CEO, married to the most handsome rich man who treats her like a queen, shaped like Coca-Cola bottle, and is the epitome of class and grace, then you are a hater of women. When the truth is, these "feminists" hate men, so Mr. Perry doesn't stand a chance.
Yes, I am a supporter. I don't apologize for it. I support for three reasons, and I will elaborate here.
For one, noone gave Mr. Perry anything! He had a dream, was homeless as a result of trying to pursue this dream, but never gave up despite bleak circumstances. This is the formula for being successful in our society, never giving up!
He refuses to change. Critics can wag their tongues all they want, but Mr. Perry is remaining true to himself. He tells the kinds of stories that are important to him, and that are true to his artistry and personal values. You have to respect that!
Finally, he keeps people employed. I hadn't seen Phylicia Rashad on my television or movie screen in years before she did two films with Tyler. I even recently saw Lisa Whelchel (Blair from Facts of Life). Not only does he revive the careers of established actors, but he gives opportunities to newcomers who otherwise would not get the opportunity.
So like him or hate him, I don't think he cares, and I am okay with that!
Until next time......
Just the mere mention of Tyler's name and his work causes most people to feel some type of way.
There are his supporters, that regardless of what he makes or produces for public consumption, who will support, and I am among that group.
There are the fellow filmmakers who are possibly jealous of his success, and who have been in the film industry far longer, but can't seem to capitalize on his success (i.e. John Singleton and Spike Lee, and yes, I am naming names).
There are the college educated black people, who have deemed themselves the "gods" of all that is sacred among African Americans, who try to tell the rest of us what we should or should not support.
There are the men who are bothered by the fact that Mr. Perry sometimes wears a dress (like Mr. Perry wearing a dress is a threat to your personal manhood (I am still scratching my head over that foolishness).
There are the feminists. You know who they are. The small segment of the female population who, unless every female character is a successful CEO, married to the most handsome rich man who treats her like a queen, shaped like Coca-Cola bottle, and is the epitome of class and grace, then you are a hater of women. When the truth is, these "feminists" hate men, so Mr. Perry doesn't stand a chance.
Yes, I am a supporter. I don't apologize for it. I support for three reasons, and I will elaborate here.
For one, noone gave Mr. Perry anything! He had a dream, was homeless as a result of trying to pursue this dream, but never gave up despite bleak circumstances. This is the formula for being successful in our society, never giving up!
He refuses to change. Critics can wag their tongues all they want, but Mr. Perry is remaining true to himself. He tells the kinds of stories that are important to him, and that are true to his artistry and personal values. You have to respect that!
Finally, he keeps people employed. I hadn't seen Phylicia Rashad on my television or movie screen in years before she did two films with Tyler. I even recently saw Lisa Whelchel (Blair from Facts of Life). Not only does he revive the careers of established actors, but he gives opportunities to newcomers who otherwise would not get the opportunity.
So like him or hate him, I don't think he cares, and I am okay with that!
Until next time......
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Nick Cannon: You need to have several seats also bro!
I saw the most crazy thing via the internet: Nick Cannon in white face! First of all, when did mimicking another race's skin tone become the thing to do? In this post racial society, where African Americans are quick to label something racism, you can't be an offending party also.
Mr. Cannon claims he did it to "spark" conversations about race....regardless of his intent, it is racist, insensitive, and in this post racial society, we need to promote healing, not divisive behavior.
And for those of you running to his defense, because of celeb worship or because he is black, or because you feel as African Americans that we have been wronged for hundreds of years, you need to have several seats too!
I am sure if Nick Cannon wanted to spark a real conversation about race, with his money and his celeb status, he can find other ways.
There was a part of me that says nobody takes him seriously anyway, and this is no big deal...but then I thought about the fact that this man makes millions, has a huge amount of followers, and if this was an offense against black people, I would be mad.
Part of the reason that race relations do not improve is that we try to "sweep" what we consider little things under the rug, or when it doesn't affect our specific group or interests, we tend not to care.
We can't be selective or prejudicial in our outrage.
Whether a person is black or white, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian, if anyone is being targeted, mistreated, or disrespected, we have to speak up, and then and only then can real healing begin!
Until next time.....
Mr. Cannon claims he did it to "spark" conversations about race....regardless of his intent, it is racist, insensitive, and in this post racial society, we need to promote healing, not divisive behavior.
And for those of you running to his defense, because of celeb worship or because he is black, or because you feel as African Americans that we have been wronged for hundreds of years, you need to have several seats too!
I am sure if Nick Cannon wanted to spark a real conversation about race, with his money and his celeb status, he can find other ways.
There was a part of me that says nobody takes him seriously anyway, and this is no big deal...but then I thought about the fact that this man makes millions, has a huge amount of followers, and if this was an offense against black people, I would be mad.
Part of the reason that race relations do not improve is that we try to "sweep" what we consider little things under the rug, or when it doesn't affect our specific group or interests, we tend not to care.
We can't be selective or prejudicial in our outrage.
Whether a person is black or white, gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian, if anyone is being targeted, mistreated, or disrespected, we have to speak up, and then and only then can real healing begin!
Until next time.....
Kobe: You are a great basketball player, but a horrible person...have several seats bro!
There are some times when you hear things that are so outrageous, that you not only scratch your head, you want to really just shake the shit out of that individual saying the outrageous things.
This is how I feel about Kobe Bryant's latest remarks. First of all, he used a very racially charged, and very important historical moment, not to mention a beautiful family's worst nightmare, to make such an idiotic statement.
I will not go into his comments here, because to even give attention or energy to it, would make me upset all over again, and Kobe is an attention whore, and the best way to deal with attention whores is to ignore them.
But if I had Kobe in front of me right now, I would say this to him: Just because you make millions, can live anywhere you choose, are respected by millions (who don't know better and worship people more than decency), you are still black! Which means you can be profiled, wrongfully accused, called a nigger, beaten, murdered....your skin color matters to some people. Regardless of where you were raised, no matter how great you think your basketball skills are, you are still black! And the next time you get the "idea" to speak on a topic of anything beyond sports, how about educating yourself first?
By the way, did you feel the same over 10 years ago when you were accused of rape? Take away your celebrity, your money, and the fact that millions of misguided people worship you, and guess what? You would be doing a 10-20 year bid right now.
And today, he tries to backtrack after he received backlash for his insensitive comments, and all of you know how I feel about backpedaling.
I do know one thing, the next time this mofo comes on my television for anything, I will be changing the channel.
Until next time.....
This is how I feel about Kobe Bryant's latest remarks. First of all, he used a very racially charged, and very important historical moment, not to mention a beautiful family's worst nightmare, to make such an idiotic statement.
I will not go into his comments here, because to even give attention or energy to it, would make me upset all over again, and Kobe is an attention whore, and the best way to deal with attention whores is to ignore them.
But if I had Kobe in front of me right now, I would say this to him: Just because you make millions, can live anywhere you choose, are respected by millions (who don't know better and worship people more than decency), you are still black! Which means you can be profiled, wrongfully accused, called a nigger, beaten, murdered....your skin color matters to some people. Regardless of where you were raised, no matter how great you think your basketball skills are, you are still black! And the next time you get the "idea" to speak on a topic of anything beyond sports, how about educating yourself first?
By the way, did you feel the same over 10 years ago when you were accused of rape? Take away your celebrity, your money, and the fact that millions of misguided people worship you, and guess what? You would be doing a 10-20 year bid right now.
And today, he tries to backtrack after he received backlash for his insensitive comments, and all of you know how I feel about backpedaling.
I do know one thing, the next time this mofo comes on my television for anything, I will be changing the channel.
Until next time.....
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Why Do You Watch?
Each week, I get on social media after an episode of Scandal or Being Mary Jane air, and I just shake my head at the comments. Newsflash, as much as we may enjoy the shows, THEY ARE NOT REAL! Do I need to repeat that? lol
For those of you who do not watch, both protagonists are involved in affairs with married men, which sets off a firestorm of its own. For any woman who has ever been done wrong by a man, or had her man taken, it becomes a moment to live vicariously through the main characters.
For those holier than thou types (You know the ones, who spend half their time in church, and the other half quoting scriptures and judging others), it gives a platform for them to spew more religious rhetoric on the evils of "sin", and a way to put others under a microscope, while forgetting about their own glass houses and various sins.
And then are the sensible people, like me and countless others, who just enjoy the great monologues, the never ending plot twists, the incredibly, stellar acting, and the awesome writing talent of Shonda Rhimes and Ms. Akil,
It is refreshing to watch shows where you can't always guess where the story will go next, and to have multi-layered characters, who do not always do the predictable thing....and did I mention the music on both of these shows is phenomenal?
To those of you who enjoy the shows as much as I do, keep watching and keep supporting, as I believe both shows have a long shelf life.
For those of you with "issues" that do not allow you to separate real life from fiction or who are so heavenly focused, that you are no earthly good....I have a recommendation for a few psychiatrists who can help you with those issues!
Until next time.....
For those of you who do not watch, both protagonists are involved in affairs with married men, which sets off a firestorm of its own. For any woman who has ever been done wrong by a man, or had her man taken, it becomes a moment to live vicariously through the main characters.
For those holier than thou types (You know the ones, who spend half their time in church, and the other half quoting scriptures and judging others), it gives a platform for them to spew more religious rhetoric on the evils of "sin", and a way to put others under a microscope, while forgetting about their own glass houses and various sins.
And then are the sensible people, like me and countless others, who just enjoy the great monologues, the never ending plot twists, the incredibly, stellar acting, and the awesome writing talent of Shonda Rhimes and Ms. Akil,
It is refreshing to watch shows where you can't always guess where the story will go next, and to have multi-layered characters, who do not always do the predictable thing....and did I mention the music on both of these shows is phenomenal?
To those of you who enjoy the shows as much as I do, keep watching and keep supporting, as I believe both shows have a long shelf life.
For those of you with "issues" that do not allow you to separate real life from fiction or who are so heavenly focused, that you are no earthly good....I have a recommendation for a few psychiatrists who can help you with those issues!
Until next time.....
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