Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls
Photo by Quantrell Colbert
Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls is an admirable attempt to translate the popular stage play’s message of black female pain and empowerment to the big screen. But is the “T.P.” treatment the best approach for this complex material?
If we could forget for a moment that Tyler Perry’s latest film is a less-than-stellar re-envisioning of Ntozake Shange’s highly lauded, Obie-award winning 1970s choreopoem, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, we might catch a glimpse of the brilliance that initially made Perry so successful. Though he’s made over 20 films, a filmmaker he is not — but oh, I bet the man could pen an engaging play.
Our Princess Has Come
Hi All!
I know it may feel like I’ve been MIA for a spell, but rest assured that I’ve been busily writing at some of my other camps online. Be sure to check out my latest review of Disney’s new film The Princess and the Frog, out in theaters this weekend. Here’s a sneak peek, but be sure to head over to UrbanFaith.com to read the full review:
Months before the film officially hit theaters, black women everywhere were already referring to Princess Tiana of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog like her last name was Obama. That’s how momentous the arrival of Disney’s first black princess felt to us. And while we could compare this landmark animated character to the decade’s other cultural trailblazer, I think Tiana is less President Barack Obama and more Will Smith. I imagine that somewhere in the land of happily ever after, she’s saying to Cinderella, tiara fully cocked to the side while sliding on a pair of black Ray Bans like Smith in Men in Black, “You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good.”
I’ll admit I went to The Princess and the Frog fist-clenched, fully prepared to hate it based on the speculative criticism of multiple writers over the past year leading up to the film’s release and my own angst about the cartoon. I’ve waited 26 years to see myself reflected onscreen by Disney, longing to break through the negative self-image the lack of a black princess has reinforced in my life. With only Oprah and a few others to latch onto as a high-profile black woman in America who is the star of the show, I’ve often thrown myself into playing the role of strong, supportive best friend or faithful employee rather than the leading lady in my own life. Black women are never leading ladies; that plotline isn’t available to us. We don’t get the prince or live happily ever after; we don’t get swept up in fairytales. At least that’s the implied message Hollywood traditionally has sent to us.
‘I Can Do Bad’ Is Just Fine With Pastor Marvin Winans
The results are in, and Tyler Perry has done it again. This past weekend I Can Do Bad All By Myself, the latest release from the Atlanta filmmaker, topped the box office, bringing in over $24 million. This is the second-highest grossing opening week for Perry, following his last hit film, Madea Goes to Jail.
Starring Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, the film centers on Henson as April — a boozy nightclub singer forced to reevaluate her dead-end lifestyle when her delinquent niece and nephews show up at her doorstep. Henson’s stellar performance is accented by appearances from Adam Rodriguez, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, and noteworthy newcomer Hope Olaide Wilson.
Also making his major motion picture debut is Pastor Marvin Winans, who captured Tyler Perry’s attention after the filmmaker listened to “Just Don’t Wanna Know” from Winans’ latest album, Alone But Not Alone. The pastor of the Perfecting Church in Detroit appears in the film as April’s minister to deliver a stirring musical performance and gospel message. (You can view a brief clip of Pastor Winans’s message here).
On the day of the film’s release, we spoke with Pastor Winans about his experience on the set of I Can Do Bad All By Myself, and why he’s not apologizing if the movie feels too preachy
Pop & Circumstance: Are You Kidding Me?
For the past week I’ve been stuck in Mad Men mania, pondering at length the intricacies of Don Draper’s genius and trying to see how many cupcakes I can eat to successfully get Joan Holloway’s curves. However, I did take a brief break during commercials to poke my head out and survey the lay of the pop culture land. Let me tell you–I was dumbfounded by the latest pop culture news.
Head on over to UrbanFaith.com to check out my latest installment of Pop & Circumstance. This week I’m throwing out all the tough questions I’ve been pondering, like the hype over R. Kelly and the sleeper hit District 9. As always, be sure to leave a comment.
Quote Wall: Lauren Graham on Actors and Faith
Lauren Graham, star of The Answer Man, a new film about a self-help author and his personal battles with spirituality, recently sat down with Newsweek to share her thoughts on finding faith in Hollywood. Here’s what she had to say:
Newsweek: Do you think it’s possible to be spiritual and an actress in Hollywood?
Lauren Graham: Of course. I think it’s possible to be spiritual and an anything. There is no job that would take that away. I think, in fact, being an actor or any kind of an artist you’re thinking more about why people do what they do and kind of what it all means because it’s your job to relate to different life experiences.
To watch the video of Lauren talking about faith and the film, click here.
Pop & Circumstance
This week’s Pop & Circumstance is now live at UrbanFaith.com. Check out the latest on Vickie Winans new comedy show on BET, Steve Harvey’s Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man…the movie, American Idol after Paula Abdul, and megachurch leader Rick Warren’s new book.
Disney Drama
Be sure to swing by UrbanFaith.com to find out what all the Pop & Circumstance is about. This week I’m talking about the drama of Disney’s first black princess, Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog. There’s also a sneak peek of the new season of “Run’s House” and an update on Miss California Carrie Prejean.
Slummin’ It After Hollywood
Have you been reading the controversy over the child star of Slumdog Millionaire whose home in the slums of Mumbai was bulldozed a couple of weeks ago? Head over to UrbanFaith.com to get my take on Hollywood’s responsibility to ongoing support for the stars of its films living in depressed areas of the world.
Also, in this week’s installment of Pop & Circumstance, I’m talking about the rumors flying over the possible fall of Ebony and Jet, my hesitations on the new cast of The Real Housewives Washington, D.C. and Ashanti’s role in the revival of urban classic “The Wiz.”
Film Review: Not Easily Broken
I have two new reviews up for your reading pleasure on the new film based on the novel by T.D. Jakes, Not Easily Broken.
The first on Christianity Today includes a candid interview with the star and executive producer Morris Chestnut on the joy of working with Oscar-nominated Taraji P. Henson.
The second on Urban Faith provides a strong critique of the film as well as an interesting statement from Chestnut on his own thoughts of faith in the African-American community. Enjoy!
Bill Maher Picks Fight with Jesus, Joseph Smith, and Others
Religious? Well, get ready to get your feathers ruffled. On October 3rd, political humorist Bill Maher hits theaters with his new documentary “Religulous.” The film, directed by Larry Charles (“Borat“), stays true to the man on the street formula that brought Sasha Baron Cohen success by catching unsuspecting people in candid interviews. Taking on everyone from homosexual Muslims to a theme park Jesus, Maher goes on an all out, no holds barred attack on religion.
The jabs are cheap, but it could be an interesting survey of faith in America.
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