Ain't It Time For Tyler Perry And Black Folks To Move Past Madea?
This movie might be good, but damn, is this all we have going in black Hollywood? I'm just saying. And ain't this a step backward for Tyler Perry?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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25 comments:
I don't "get" Tyler Perry and have never seen any of his films.
*Shrug* But there's lots of things I don't get...
some people just cannot see the forest for the trees!
i am just disappointed at how he is using his gifts and talents. i know that the display he serves us IS portion of the black community--but lets get real--his movies seem to give people a permission to keep living and acting this way.
He is justifying their actions and thinking. Keeping them slaves bound by mind first then the body is bound.
The people seek to be entertained a bit too much for me.
he is very creative-but i just don't find it funny to watch him put so many on neative display. they see examples of themselves and laugh and don't see how it is wrong.
i experienced soooo many people like this when i taught--and they come in many skin colors-not just black people.
tearing down instead of building up.
as i said in the new post i wrote, are you a repairer of the breach? will you be prepared when you are Called to step forward?
i did not even know he had a new movie--they sorta blend and mesh together to me--all the same.
Aunt Jemima I'm going to speak elitist blasphemy here. I could talk abotu money, Hollywood's aversion to taking educated risks, blah blah.
No.
The bottom line is that despite Barack and Michelle, or Susan Rice or Skip Gates, the vast majority of black folks are either northern ghettofab or Dirty South bammas, not Ingmar Bergman fans! The dumbest-ass brain candy always sells. Such is true for white folks as well. The problem is that there are too many black folks who indeed have sense, sophistication and perspective who still think this stuff is some kind of art just because "we" have to "support" a "successful" black man.
I am not a Tyler Perry Madeia movie fan, however..I applaud his efforts. He found a niche and he is working it for all it is worth. That is the American way. Sometimes we only get 15 minutes. He is branching out in other areas of film and you can see some progression.
He seems to the the ONLY black film maker right now that can get to screen. Usually imitation is the best form of flattery, but the studios are not evening trying to imitate or offer a choice to his film or TV efforts which is puzzeling to me, as these ventures are money makers.
Now Oprah is gong to HBO films - we will see what comes out of this. If Robert Townsen and Tyler Perry can make movies from credit cards and loans to start their careers - the questions is why aren't more BLACK people in hollywood making their own films more reguaraly...The smiths, blythwood, freeman, berry, jackson, wayans(err) etc.???
As long as it's making paper and we go see them..... YES.
Unfortunate - but true. Our church folk alone will keep that going.
I honestly don't find his plays, shows, movies..etc all that funny. But Madea made him rich so I guess that's what he's gonna stick to. LOL
Ashley
bbgcmac said ="Unfortunate - but true. Our church folk alone will keep that going."
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now that is truth! many people i hear speak about his movies are 'church folks' - and then some of they complain because they can't get ahead or don't have enough money for the rest of the month or a number of other complaints that do not point toward their thinking, actions, non-actions or heart condition
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and many of them think every opportunity available to them is for them. he chose to take this slot to sit in and make money off the people--like a numbers runner, a pimp, a drug dealer and a street loan officer. he is not trying to uplift the people---if he helped to do that--he would not make the money he is making from their ignorance.
and everybody sitting in church on sundays or any other day talking about heaven Ain't going!
The comments everyone has said it is so true, and the problem is, there are different types of black people instead of thinking there is one type.
I've never seen any nor do I have any desire to fill his bank account.
His themes are tired, a step backwards and keep people trapped in these excuses for behaving like idiots.
We as a people love to support the foolishness.
Tyler Perry is laughing all the way to the bank.
I dont even want to address how many church people are 'okay' with the negative anti sensible ignorant collard green eating role he plays...as if a man could ever have an authenic clue to our lives.
***sigh***
You should have posted the pic that had Tyler wearing the blond wig. I don't this is movies aren't half as bad as that TV show though. That TV show is the most mediocre show that I have ever seen. The writing is so amature.
Tyler creeps me out.
I never thought Vicki Lawrence's Mama's Family "thelma harper" was that amusing either --
tho I did enjoy watching crazy Eunice (Carol Burnett) disrupt the family functions. LOL
@bbgcmac: you took the words right out of my mouth!
it's like ok we get it with the Madea romps and his other films are decent but the formula needs major tweaking. but what else would he be able to do otherwise?
PS- I was through with him once Meet the Browns became a tv show
Tyler Perry's keg of Medea-juice is tapped out.
In today's environment the historical television series Roots could never be made, or even retain a fifth of the audience it had back then.
I'm not an elitist either. I saw Eve's Bayou: I didn't like or understand it. I don't like church, hood, thug, mob, and ganster/gansta films.
I'd love to support black film. I get a bit mad when I see sucky, really bad all-white movies. Why are the studios so stingy with distributing and supporting a couple of decent black (or diverse cast) films?
Oh by the way, 50 Cent started a movie production company, and he already has one coming out with Nicolas Cage. I'm not promoting the unnamed flick, but I am curious as to how easy it is for some people to get films made.
I know my opinion is but one in a bucket of many but I'm going to state it anyway.
I know that the "intellectual" faction of black folks who also frown on soul food, and read French, Russian, and European literature voraciously, and have great debates about foreign policy, and the state of our union etc. can not possibly understand nor comprehend how misguided black folks can still go see a black man in a dress.
If I am to understand it clearly many of the "intellectual's" haven't seen any of Mr. Perry's movies but sit in high criticism of them. I know that we now have a president of African origin in the white house that was built with slave labor but that does not mean its isn't still an old boys club in the united states of America. It's still very hard for African-American actors to get quality parts, some just take what they can get so they can keep money rolling in but I digress.
Black people come from all kinds of experiences not just one and I know that the "intellectual" sect has moved beyond religion and lean heavily on science and reason and frown on those that still hold onto religious beliefs. How dare these "po black religious" fools go support a man that puts their stories on the big screen, how dare they support someone who holds up a mirror to their faces, or does these movies as a means of changing, reaching, and teaching the masses.
Why don't these same black religious folk just go and get a job and some education right??? How dare they use the little money they earn at their menial jobs on a movie at the end of the week. If I didn't know any better I would think that my own hated their own people. Maybe we have moved beyond identifying with each other, maybe the "intellectual" sect has truly found the cure for being black in America, and if so you can keep it I don't need it nor want it. Just my thoughts on the matter carry on "intellectuals" and God bless.
I see what everybody is saying in regard to him dressing like a woman in his plays. But I honestly believe everyone is TOTALLY missing the basis behind these plays: THE MESSAGE. If any of you would take the time to watch the movie and see the message that's being sent across, you wouldn't be saying what you are saying. Everybody is so caught up in him acting a fool (aka "bafoonery" to most), but you let the message go over your head and you miss EVERYTHING that was needed to be said in the play or movie.
The problem is everybody is minding everybody's business, and not attending to your own. Don't hate this man, because he used a character inspired by his mother and aunts, to get ahead. If you were busy finding a way to make a living and become wealthy, you wouldn't be sitting here talking down about him. Here's a better idea: since there is so much to be said about what he's doing, how about address HIM with what you are saying instead of addressing it to the masses.
@untouched jewel
What message is that? What message does the Madea character send about black women to all kinds of folks watching his movies? Throw hot grits on your man? Use domestic violence to solve your problems? Talk about your family like dogs?
And you can't separate the "stereotype" of Madea from the so-called message. It's the stereotype that sells. If you like this kind of movie fine, but don't get an attitude with black folks who want more than mammy stereotypes.
And please spare me the childish "hate" argument. This is a blog for grown-ups having grown-up discussions. I don't know Tyler Perry, I don't have to talk to him directly. He makes products for the open marketplace, which means his work can be openly criticized and questioned.
This blog gave you the opportunity to express your view. Now you want to turn around and tell others how to express themselves and who to express it too? That ain't gonna work here.
@The 78' Ms. J -
I welcome your opinion, but I'm not sure who you are talking about. Who said anything about intellectual? And why do black discussions always have to boil down to a us versus them debate?
I've seen several of Tyler Perry's films, some I liked, some I didn't. How is black film going to grow and change, if we always make excuses for black filmmakers. White filmmakers have their work discussed, critiqued, and examined, is Tyler Perry's work so fragile that we can't do the same for his work? Come on, we have to be better than that.
And I am concerned with the belief that somehow Tyler Perry is telling black folks stories as if there is only one. Black folks have multiple stories and I would love to have those stories told.
It worries me that the endless and repetitive formula of Perry's films gives an impression of black folk that is stereotypical, narrow, and at times false to a black audience that does not often see themselves portrayed on the screen, but think they are laughing at black folks not like them.
If it was true that black folks like films about themselves, then there are tons of other black films about poor, uneducated, black folks out there - serious films with the clown show. I think it's a perfectly reasonably question to ask why the lowest type of expression about black people sells so well.
Not as long as his stuff is profitable. Why should he? If folks are supporting his mess by going to it & giving money towards it.
He's done a few projects without Madea. I guess he knows what makes the most money for them. I'll take Madea is cool in moderation. He needs to learn that the things that worked in his stage plays don't translate well on tv or the big screen.
Alot of Tyler Hate here...Tyler brought his minstrel show from the chitlin circuit. Bottom line is Black Folks like you intellectuals are waiting for the colour version of Michael Clayton.
Black folks rather watch fodder than Eves Bayou, Great Debaters, or Cavemans Valentine!
I beleive Chris Chambers said it best on his blog, there is junk food and nutrious diet, you just need to balance them out!
@Lincoln Perry and Everyone else --
I'll say it again. Tyler Perry makes products for the public. We have the right to question, critique, and dislike these products. He does not get a pass because he is black. It's not "hate" to discuss or debate the quality of these films.
Come on black people, let's move to a 21st century form of discussion! Just like the white folks. We don't all have to agree!
I like his plays and movies. Most to me have been good but there have been some that weren't to hot.
Madea is suppose to represent the motherly figure that everyone went to in their families for advice. That one person older female that seemed to have all the wisdom. Granted if he had a women playing this part, IMO, I don't think there would be that much dislike for him in the black community. I do agree with the person that said the underlying message is at times missed. You don't have to take abuse, you can do good on your own or a man or women doesn't make you. You can achieve. I don't agree with the person that said," the vast majority of black folks are either northern ghettofab or Dirty South bammas". That's completely off based and really just saying majority or black folks act ignorant with no sense. Everyone is entitled to do them, like what they want and so on. I think for Mr. Perry if he feel his Madea message can reach and encourage one person, he's done his job and will continue it. And it does touch and encourage people.
We definitely need to encourage different genre in the black film industry, but here is a devil's advocate thought...
It's a free world and we have the right to say and criticize whatever we want. But what if that one young black film maker who could be the next Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, etc. feels discourage because they see and hear all the criticism and don't wanna take that chance for the fear of the same?
Also I think we go through stages in our films.
We had the '80s 'early 90's Spike Lee we're all about race topics phase. '90's - John Singleton lets talk about the hood phase and may we're in our 00's - its all about the church comedy phase. Maybe the next ten years will be our educational phase. More Akeelah's, and Great Debators.
...I think it's a perfectly reasonably question to ask why the lowest type of expression about black people sells so well.
Real Talk Prof T, real talk!
Why must there always be this expectation of increased tolerance when Blacks discussed things/people that affect our culture. No one gets a free pass. I respect the priviledge of everyone to express their opinions, to debate constructively and at the end of it all respectfully agree to disagree.
There is nothing wrong with Tyler Perry that not going to see his movies or plays won't fix. I like him, his films, movies for WHAT IS IS. PURE ENTERTAINMENT AND LIKE OPRAH.. HE IS A FREE MAN... A FREE MAN.
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