Movies/TV
Can We Cheer Our Heroes?
Why no Internet buzz about Denzel as a Black hero in "The Book of Eli"? Are we Black film goers conditioned to not see our heroes? Or conditioned to see and cheer only Black stereotypical heroes? If Neytiri of the Na'vi (played by Zoe Saldana) in “Avatar” was not a hero, then I don’t know what a hero is.
By Esther Iverem
Feb 4, 2010,
19:46
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Movies/TV
SB's Best 2009 Films
In terms of the directors and producers included, this is surely the �whitest� best Black film list ever created by SeeingBlack.com. Because even fewer Black filmmakers are finding opportunities to have their work produced and distributed, there are fewer movies by us or about us on the big screen in 2009. But here are my bright spots, with excerpts from my reviews.
By Esther Iverem
Dec 24, 2009,
11:03
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Movies/TV
'Avatar'--Fight the Power!
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| Zoe Saldana as Neytiri in "Avatar." |
Who would have thought that "Avatar," this year's computer-generated masterpiece, would be a narrative taken from real-world conflict? Or that the stars would be a "people of color"?
By Esther Iverem
Dec 22, 2009,
14:36
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Movies/TV
Post-Modern Mammy?: The Oprah Legacy
Oprah Winfrey announced that she will be ending her popular talk show in 2011, after 25 years on the air. Though the program made Winfrey one of the most visible and wealthy women in the world, some thought her little more than a post-modern �mammy.�
By Mark Anthony Neal
Dec 18, 2009,
10:45
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Movies/TV
Invictus Needs to Get Real
Despite the regal performance by Morgan Freeman, it may be difficult for those who fought for a free South Africa to see the narrative presented by "Invictus" as anything other than a diversion from the true gravity of South African history.
By Esther Iverem
Dec 11, 2009,
12:15
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Movies/TV
Seeing 'The Blind Side'
Truth is what gives “The Blind Side” its teeth and bite. Enough of the realities of race, class and gender disparities in Memphis, Tenn. are laid bare to steer the narrative away from the typical: magnanimous, wealthy Whites help poor, hapless Blacks.
By Esther Iverem
Nov 25, 2009,
13:30
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Movies/TV
'Precious' and Painful
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| Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibi in the title role in "Precious" |
In "Precious," Lee Daniels returns to the formula that won him acclaim and won Halle Berry an Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball"—poor Black women are pathetic, sick and incapable of caring for themselves or their children.
By Esther Iverem
Nov 13, 2009,
10:51
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Movies/TV
NEW TO DVD!
“American Violet,” is a raw and honest movie based on the true story of how a wide swath of a Black community in Texas was arrested one day in a massive drug raid.
Nov 9, 2009,
15:39
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Movies/TV
The "It" Man
“This Is It” is a poignant snapshot of Michael Jackson’s work in the weeks before his death. It may be selected viewing but it still offers insight into Jackson’s creative process and energy.
By Esther Iverem
Oct 30, 2009,
00:32
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Movies/TV
Relax and Get "Good Hair"
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| A young girl gets her hair relaxed in "Good Hair." |
In his new film, "Good Hair," Chris Rock approaches the subject of Black women's hair—all at once—like a man, like a novice, like a voyeur, and like a comedian in his investigation of hair weaves and hair straightening relaxers. In this world, natural hair is not an option.
By Esther Iverem
Oct 9, 2009,
11:18
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Movies/TV
Bombing Capitalism
In his documentary masterpiece, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” Michael Moore explodes some serious myths: One myth is that people of color, who bought houses that they couldn’t afford, caused the U.S. financial meltdown. Another myth is that mainly Blacks and Hispanics are losing their homes to foreclosure.
By Esther Iverem
Oct 2, 2009,
14:27
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Movies/TV
Why Tyler Perry Matters—and Why We Should Be Concerned
Tyler Perry’s take on Black gender politics—not much different than the everyday rapper we are so willing to label as misogynistic—is not something marginal to the Black community.
By Mark Anthony Neal
Sep 14, 2009,
14:27
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Movies/TV
The Everyday Hero
On the other end of the telephone line is a man who has just hijacked a New York City subway car. Our man Denzel Washington takes the call.
Esther Iverem
Jun 12, 2009,
14:33
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Movies/TV
A Revved Up 'Star Trek'
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| The new cast of 'Star Trek.' |
Despite some annoyances, the new “Star Trek” succeeds where few other movie remakes or re-imaginings have in the past. For one, Zoe Saldana as Uhura pushes the envelope and updates the image and persona of the Black, sexy techie.
By Esther Iverem
May 8, 2009,
11:06
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Movies/TV
Claws and Heart
When I first thought about writing about Wolverine, I toyed around with the idea of posing the question of whether Wolverine is Black but there wasn’t much evidence, material or jokes for me to work with. (In contrast, for example, the Hulk can at least be referred to legitimately as a person of color.)
By Esther Iverem
May 1, 2009,
11:21
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Movies/TV
Music and Madness
“The Soloist” tells the true story of one homeless man, Nathaniel Ayers, a talented but mentally disturbed musician who is discovered by a newspaper journalist.
By Esther Iverem
Apr 28, 2009,
10:50
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Movies/TV
American Just-Us
“American Violet,” is a raw and honest movie based in part on the true story of how a wide swath of the Black community in Tulia, Texas was arrested one day in a massive drug raid in 1999.
By Esther Iverem
Apr 16, 2009,
18:03
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Movies/TV
Broadcasting While Black
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| A scene from the intro of "Say Brother." |
A new PBS online project emphasizes how African Americans have taken control of media to move communities and culture forward.
By Mark Anthony Neal
Mar 13, 2009,
10:52
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Movies/TV
Those Brutish 'Watchmen'
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| The Comedian is a not-so-funny, brutish superhero in "Watchmen." |
Do cynics need superheroes too? The movie "Watchmen" says yes. And what happened to the Black character who is included in the book?
By Esther Iverem
Mar 6, 2009,
12:23
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Movies/TV
Oscar Love and Hate
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| The cast and crew of "Slumdog Millionaire" accept the Oscar for Best Picture. |
Let’s face it. It’s easy to have a love-hate relationship with the Oscars and this year is no exception.
By Esther Iverem
Feb 23, 2009,
12:52
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Movies/TV
Energetic and "Notorious"
“Notorious,” the biopic about rapper Biggie Smalls, captures the energy and raw talent of a defining era in hip-hop.
By Esther Iverem
Jan 16, 2009,
10:18
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Movies/TV
Marking An Era of Hip-Hop
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| Voletta Wallace and Wayne Barrow, producers of the film "Notorious," face the media outside the apartment building where Wallace raised her son, known to the world as the Notorious B.I.G. Photo by Esther Iverem |
"Notorious," the new biopic on The Notorious B.I.G., also recreates what was for many the end of an era in hip-hop, when the streets became the most promoted affirmation of the music and its artists.
By Esther Iverem
Jan 15, 2009,
08:56
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Movies/TV
Not Easily Broken
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| Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson in "Not Easily Broken." |
Even though “Not Easily Broken” could easily be described as a predictable morality play or soap opera, it has a few elements working highly in its favor. By Esther Iverem
Jan 9, 2009,
11:30
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Movies/TV
TV One's "Unsung" Heroes
Fresh off of their live coverage of the Democratic National Convention, TV-One unveiled what is perhaps its first legitimate original hit, the music documentary series "Unsung."
By Mark Anthony Neal
Dec 24, 2008,
11:27
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