Day 19: Black Movie Month "The Inkwell"

Today's Black Movie Month spotlight is that of the 1994 romantic comedy/drama film The Inkwell. It would star Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Suzzanne Douglass, Glynn Turman, and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Here is a classic "coming of age" tale of a 16-year old boy on Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 1976. This was a movie that I think was not supported as much as it could have been, and it screams "real life story".  The main character Drew is drawn out in such a vivid way that his character becomes a bit complex, and you almost forget that he is just a teenager. This film will definitely having you wanting more.

For me it had a vintage feel to it that made it very eye-cathing and engaging. I'm sure we all had a summer just like this one or very close!

Day 15 of Black Movie Month "Hollywood Shuffle"

It is Day 15 of Black Movie Month!! Today's highlight will be the 1987 classic, Hollywood Shuffle. It would star Robert Townsend, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Anne-Marie Johnson, John Witherspoon, Helen Martin, Roy Fegan, and Dom Irrera.

The film tracks the attempts of Bobby Taylor to become a successful actor and the mental and external roadblocks he encounters, represented through a series of interspersed vignettes and fantasies. The film is semi-autobiographical in that it reflects Townsend's experience as a black actor when he was told he was "not black enough" for certain roles.

Hollywood Shuffle brings into light the lack of substantial roles for black actors and the misrepresentation of people of color in film and television. Through satire, the film is able to use negative stereotypes put out by mass media and turn them against Hollywood. The film's plot reveals the perceived racism behind the camera that has relegated black actors to take demeaning roles for money and a chance at stardom. This point is personified in the casting director's constant demand for actors to “be more black.”

The script also levels some criticism towards black actors who are willing to take demeaning roles. This is highlighted in the protest skit, when an NAACP spokesman (played by Paul Mooney) states at a press conference, "they'll never play the Rambos until they stop playing the Sambos." The film also offers an authentic glimpse into real middle-class African Americans in stark contrast to the roles they are offered in the film industry, and Bobby Taylor's final words in the movie's final scene can be seen as encouraging pride and respect in the community. With a budget of $100,000, of which $60,000 was funded from Robert Townsend's own credit cards, and grossing over $5 million over the first ten months of release, the film was a resounding independent success, propelling Townsend into stardom.*

Hollywood Shuffle is the quintessential film that inspired a generation of filmmakers both through its use of satire and messages of racial stereotypes about African Americans in film and television. It would also showcase the "DIY" independent style of filmmaking.

The humor in this film is so gripping and relevant that it truly shows off the skills of Townsend's in such a way that it is almost genius. And interestingly enough today this issue is still rampant and relevant in today's Black Hollywood. If only there were more directors like Townsend!

Any chance you get to support a film such as this one and others you should jump on it like "white on rice" folks. Movies like Hollywood Shuffle help to get the message across that so many would like to push to the side and forget about them. 

At the close of Black Movie Month will be the Hollywood Black Film Festival, which will feature "Chicken and Beef Presents: Monkey Gang, The Mockumentary" a movie that was heavily influenced by Hollywood Shuffle in its satire and parody of negative stereotypes, as well as its style of independent filming. 

As a special treat check out this clip with the creators of Hollywood Shuffle, talking to the creators of "Monkey Gang" about independent Black film.

**The Hollywood Black Film Festival, founded by industry insider, Tanya Kersey, will happen in Los Angeles, California from October 27th-30th. For more information go to www. hbff.org .

Day 14 of Black Movie Month "The Mighty Quinn"

Today's Black Movie Month spotlight Day 14 is that of the 1989 thriller film The Mighty Quinn. Here was a film that would easily become one of my favorite Denzel Washington films.

When police officer Xavier Quinn's childhood friend, Maubee, becomes associated with murder and a briefcase full of ten thousand dollar bills, The Mighty Quinn must clear his name. Or try to catch him, which could be even trickier.

A highlight for this film was Roger Ebert's 4-star critique...
"The film stars Denzel Washington in one of those roles that creates a movie star overnight. You might have imagined that would have happened to Washington after he starred in "Cry Freedom" as the South African hero Steven Biko. He got an Oscar nomination for that performance, but it didn't even begin to hint at his reserves of charm, sexiness and offbeat humor. In an effortless way that reminds me of Robert Mitchum, Michael Caine or Sean Connery in the best of the Bond pictures, he is able to be tough and gentle at the same time, able to play a hero and yet not take himself too seriously."


Check out this film folks I guarantee you will never think the same way about the Jamaican accent!! (wink) This is one of those movies you catch late night on HBO, but trust me you will not fall asleep!

Day 13: Black Movie Month: Top Black Movies That Need a Sequel"

Earlier on today Essence Online featured an article about some of the top Black Movies that needed a sequel, or already have one in the works. Well I had to take a look at this list and see what they came up with, and they had some great ones and then some that well, should have been reconsidered. So I kept some of the films from the list to give you a condensed version.

Already in the Works

 *The Best Man (1999): Luckily as we saw earlier this week this one will actually happen!!

 *Sparkle (1976): Here is another one that will be coming back to the screen! This 70s classic sequel will be starring Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter.

 *Waiting to Exhale (1995): This one will be a definite MUST SEE!!

Would Be Nice

 *Set It Off (1996): What happens after Lida escapes? That has always been a mystery to me...

 *How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998): Now this one would definitely be interesting and I am sure we can think of the perfect folks to be cast in their roles.

*Harlem Nights (1989): Three names Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart

*Love Jones (1997): This would be #1 on my list of sequels no questions asked!

*Love & Basketball (2000): Will the basketball genes flow to the child?

*Eve's Bayou (1997): Even 14 years later this story would resonate in our minds...Just that deep

 *Deliver Us From Eva (2003): Not too sure about whether this one is really needed, but maybe someone else might see something that I don't see

*Coming to America (1988): Just because we wanna laugh!!

 *Brown Sugar (2002): Just to see the story all over again...

 *Juice (1992): It's a classic tale, why not?

 *Crooklyn (1994): Gotta love a good family story

*School Daze (1988): I would be curious to see Spike Lee take on this project with an up-to-date look of the HBCU life and culture

 *Precious (2009): This just might happen, considering the success of its predecessor

 *New Jack City (1991): "This story of money, power, and respect never gets old."

 *Boyz In the Hood (1991): What happened after Tre (Cuba Gooding, Jr) and Brandi (Nia Long) went to college?

Now every single movie on this list may not need a sequel but just the idea of it maybe happening is all that matters here. So what do you think? Any to add or delete? Share your thoughts...

Day 12 Black Movie Month Spotlight: "Soul Food Junkies"

Today's spotlight is just a little bit different. I wanted to spot the upcoming film Soul Food Junkies from award-winning filmmaker Byron Hurt. It doesn't hurt to get a heads up on some new and innovative films.

In Soul Food Junkies, Hurt will explore the health advantages and disadvantages of soul food, a quintessential American cuisine.

Hurt is also known for his thought-provoking and provocative films I Am A Man: Black Masculinity in America and Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes. 

Soul Food Junkies is set to be released in 2012.

Day 11 Black Movie Month: "The Best Man" and a SEQUEL

Day 11 of Black Movie Month!! Today's spotlight is special because not only are we featuring the film The Best Man but it is official there will be a SEQUEL!!!

And to top it off our dreams have come true folks, after some speculations began when the cast the cast met up for a reunion a few months ago, director Malcolm Lee has decided to make it a reality.

Universal Pictures has officially signed on to be the studio home of Best Man 2! Deadline Hollywood reports reports the original director, Malcolm Lee, will return to the helm. And he's working on locking down the original YBF cast featuring Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Moore, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Morris Chestnut, and plenty more:

Universal has set Malcolm D. Lee to write, direct and produce Best Man 2, a sequel to the 1999 film. Lee wrote and directed the original, a comedy in which a writer (Taye Diggs) is preparing to be the best man for his football player buddy (Morris Chestnut), but the timing is bad because the writer’s autobiographical novel is about to pop and it describes how the best man bedded the bride. Terrence Howard, Harold Perrineau, Nia Long and Sanaa Lathan also starred. The original grossed $35 million. Lee’s plan is to ask the original cast to reprise; in fact, I’m told the whole idea came out of a reunion dinner he held with most of the cast members, and they sparked to the idea of a re-team and so did the studio.

I am usually not a fan of certain sequels happening, but this is definitely the exception to the rule! Check out the trailer for The Best Man and look back on the memory of a classic black film!!

Black Movie Month Day 10: "He Got Game"

Now today's Black Movie Month spotlight is an interesting pick. I remember watching this movie like it was yesterday. What is it you ask...Spike Lee's 1998 sports-drama film He Got Game. Starring Denzel Washington, Milla Jovovich, John Turturo, Jim Brown, and a young, budding NBA star Ray Allen. It definitely has a powerful message behind it with a great supporting cast. It's an interesting pick because I am a huge fan of just about every single movie that Denzel Washington is in, but this one is definitely not one of my favorites. However, a special request was put in so I wanted to make sure I give the fans what they want!!

Jesus Shuttlesworth (Ray Allen), an extremely talented high school basketball player from Brooklyn, New York is being pursued by the top college programs in the nation. His father, Jake (Denzel Washington), is a convicted felon serving time at Attica Correctional Facility for accidentally killing his wife (Jesus's mother) by pushing her while arguing with Jesus at the age of 12. The father is temporarily released by the governor, an influential alum of "Big State", one of the colleges Jesus is considering, so that he might direct his son to sign with the governor's college in return for an early release.

Here is a film that truly has a voice with regards to making the right choice. In particular I think this movie speaks to every father-son relationship and every black male in the sport of basketball. All can appreciate the message that Lee is trying to convey especially now with increased amount of athletes making that huge transition from high school to NBA. He Got Game had the huge promise of showcasing the intersections of patriarchy, economic injustice, and racism, that was one of the things that I wish Lee had developed just a little more!!

If nothing else is gained from this film its that  in real life, there is a bigger benefit to forgiving, and sometimes just being able to let go and release.

Black Movie Month Triple Header Oct 7-9

Just so you get a taste of Black Cinema over the weekend, I got a triple header for you...

Day 7: Belly

The 1998 film would be the directorial debut of music video director Hype Williams. Belly would be filmed in New York City as an urban drama. The film stars hip-hop artists DMX and Nas, alongside with Taral Hicks, Method Man dancehall artist Louie Rankin, R&B singer T-Boz. In addition to starring in the film, Nas also narrates and collaborated with Hype Williams on the screenplay.

Tommy Brown and his friend Sincere are gangsters who have learned how to make a good living by dealing drugs and pulling armed robberies. Tommy and Sincere have been able to move out of the ghetto in Queens where they were raised and relocate to an upscale section of Manhattan; they would seem to have it made, but both realize that their lives are headed toward a dead end. Sincere begins getting in touch with his African roots and tries to convince his girlfriend Tionne that they should emigrate to the Motherland, while Tommy has a religious awakening and joins the Nation of Islam.

Some have said that it has a weak plot however I beg to differ, I think the film deals with some critical issues of manhood, family, self-identification, spiritual renewal, and balance just to name a few things. I'd like to think that there is a spiritual awakening that occurs within the film.

Belly is a brilliant "noir-type" film that provides a powerful and visual message. Just think the title alone "Belly" speaks volumes..."A belly is what a pregnant woman has; it is the external shape of soon-to-be-born child. It is the womb, the source of life. It is the promise of what is to be, as well as the origins of what is. If you abstract it, it's shape will be that of a circle - the symbol of wholeness, of the journey to individuation."

And that house....wow!! Nice!!


Day 8: Beloved

 This 1998 film is one that will always be remembered in my book!! If you know anything about the novel that it is based on, it is very intense and that is to be expected of the movie also. Many critics would say it was too long and very emotional, but that's what the book is about....welp can't please them all.

Beloved is a complete package deal that does not just hammer any one particular message home. It covers everything from motherhood, race, brutality, the dangers of love and commitment, and freedom. It's in there folks!! Such a beautiful, twisted story that will definitely pull at your heart.

Oprah Winfrey would buy the rights to Toni Morrison's novel in 1987, even before it won the Pulitzer Prize. And to think it took her ten years to bring the novel to the screen.


Day 9: Drumline
What is there not to like about watching a good ol' HBCU band do their thang on the football field!! Drumline is the 2002 film about a young drummer from New York, played by Nick Cannon, who enters the fictional Atlanta A&T University and bumps heads with the leader of his new school's drum section. The screenplay, which was inspired by The Southwest Dekalb High School Drumline (SWD), was written by Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps.

What I liked about Drumline, was that its central focus was about Black College Marching Bands (the ins and outs) a subject that is not really discussed within the movie sector. These folks in a sense are like athletes in that they shed blood, sweat, and tears and compete with the best of them!! Drumline is a good wholesome family movie that any and everyone can watch and enjoy!!

Special SHOUT OUT to my ALMA MATER CAU!!!

NBAF Partners with IFC Films to present "The Black Power Mixtape"

If you are in ATL you will not want to miss this opportunity!!

Day 6 of Black Movie Month "Hav Plenty"

Some time ago I did a feature today's Black Movie Month spotlight so I figured why not showcase it again. I mean it is that good!! Today's post is on the 1997 film, Hav Plenty.

Based on an eventful New Year's Eve weekend in the life of Lee Plenty (Christopher Scott Cherot). Lee Plenty is an almost broke would-be novelist and Havilland Savage is rich and very beautiful woman and his friend. When she invites him to her home for New Year's Eve, they start to build up a romance.

Based on the true story of Cherot's unrequited romance with Def Jam A&R executive, Drew Dixon. This film takes a look into love and what can come of it if you act on it or if you let it go. Its one of those movies that makes you think about life and the many choices that one must make all in the name of love.

In June 1997, Hav Plenty would be the opening night film at the inaugural Acapulco Black Film Festival (now the American Black Film Festival), it would also be the first film at the first festival. After seeing Hav Plenty at the Acapulco Black Film Festival, Tracey Edmonds and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds offered to attach their names to the film and record a new soundtrack, consequently attracting an intense amount of media attention to what was previously a small, obscure independent movie.

 
Some might would call this film a "low-budget goodie" and that actually kind of works too! Something interesting that I would learn about the production of this movie was that financing for the film came from Cherot's time as a New York City cab driver and a third mortgage on his mother's home. Principal photography took eighteen days in and around New York City and New Jersey.

"With his self-deflating cool and amused insight into the shallowness of the buppie world in which he drifts, Lee is one of the most original and likable characters to pop up in a movie in quite a while." ~Stephen Holden of the New York Times

Check out one of my favorite songs from the soundtrack...

Day 5 of Black Movie Month "Daughters of the Dust"

It's Day 5 and we are full steam ahead...

Today's Black Movie Month spotlight is that of the1991 independent film Daughters of the Dust which was written, directed and produced by Julie Dash.

It tells the story of three generations of Gullah women at the turn of the 20th century and focuses on the family's migration from the Sea Islands to the American mainland.

What was unique about this film was the unusual narrative device, Daughters of the Dust is told by an unborn child. The movie gained critical praise, for both its rich language and use of song, and for its use of imagery.

And as a treat check out the first segment of this conversation on Left of Black * with host Duke University Professor Mark Anthony Neal talking with filmmaker Julie Dash. 

This year marks the 20^th Anniversary of the release of Dash’s ground-breaking film Daughters of the Dust which was the first feature by an African-American woman to gain national theatrical release.   The film draws on Dash's South Carolina heritage and focuses on three generations of women with roots in the Sea Islands and Gullah culture. Dash discusses how she became a filmmaker and the challenges she faced along the way. (There's a little bit 


In 2004, Daughters of the Dust was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

*Left of Black is a weekly Webcast hosted by Mark Anthony Neal and produced in collaboration with the John Hope Franklin Center at Duke University.