Okay, y'all. I get it. Looking at the comment threads from this series -- we have highlighted four films thus far -- I'm thinking folkses want me to talk about some of Halle Berry's more outstanding and credible work.
I had intended to do this, but I've been selecting films in no particular order. Sooooooooooo...
Ima look at the pics in the pipeline and for the next few pics for the Dissecting Halle series, I will select pics which highlight some of Halle Berry's better work.
I already have GOTHIKA in the pipeline for the next article.
But after that article, we'll talk about Things We Lost in the Fire. And after that, I promise we'll talk about, say two more of her other critically-aclaimed pics, and then we'll go back to random selections.
A one-sided series (though this was not my intent) would get boring quickly (if it hasn't already), so we will mix it up a bit.
I have to say, I am quite dissappointed with the attitude you have towards Ms. Berry. You are entitled to have whatever opinions of her acting as you like. But to refer to her in such derogatory names and in such a rude manner, like 'bitch', is just crass. Even if you write it as bi---. It is still downright rude.
I come to this site because I wanted to read about black actors/actresses in a way I couldn't get on many of these other black blogs, so this is a dissappointment. I've seen you do this before, but I chose to ignore it, but now I had to speak up.
It's funny, seeing as you only reserve this 'righteous' indignation for the black actresses. When you critique the actors, you never refer to them in derogatory names. In fact, the only time you insult any of the actors is when you are talking about a white male actor(e.g. all those your ridiculously ignorant whitlis matlis rants, or whatever they were).
Sister, get some class. Yes I know this is a black blog, but most of us black folk have no problem understanding coherent english. There is no rule that states that for you to be able to communicate with a black person, you have to throw in some unneccessary expletives.
I know that most won't have the same view, seeing as it is Halle you reffered to as a 'bi---', (and you know that woman has plenty jealous haters), but I wonder if it would have gone as unnoticed if you had done the same on the Regina King post?
Halle is a hard working sister and I do not appreciate someone else expecting that eeryone will be okay with her being called such names. Yes as black women we may be used to it, but it doesn't make it right. Even if you don't like her because you think she is undeserving of her fame/fortune (or the tired excuse that there is some other black actress out there that is 'more' deserving), or because she acts in films with white men, had a baby with her white boyfriend (alot of people had on this blog had issues with this, even though it had nothing whatsoever to do with her acting), is attractive (so you feel that she only got to where she is 'cuz of her looks), is biracial (so you feel that the 'top' black actress should be a 'real' sister), or 'cuz you think she should only appear in movies with black men, or if she must be fu**ed in a movie it should be with a black man, or the first time she shows her tits on screen it should be to a black male character (as you tba obviously felt),or if you just think she is a talentless hack, or whatever other reason you have for hating her, it IS NOT a reason to refer to a black woman in such a derogatory manner.
Whatever your flimsy excuse. You have dissappointed me, I hoped it was a thing of the past, but it seems you really are of that ilk tba. If you think it's ok, I guess you shouldn't have a problem with someone refferrin to you as a bitch, or to you mother as a bitch.
Is this what black women have come to? That we even insult each other? Well everyone else does, so why not, eh?!
Posted by: JaliliMaster | April 26, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Ignore the typos.
Posted by: JaliliMaster | April 26, 2008 at 08:47 PM
@ Jalilmaster
Actually, I used the term facetiously. I regret you are disappointed Jalilmaster; but it is ineveitable that you or someone else will be since this blog can't please everyone all the time. If you don't like the "voice" on the blog, it's cool.
Posted by: theblackactor.com | April 27, 2008 at 07:47 AM
@ Jalilmaster
I didn't even notice them. We don't concern ourselves with that kinda stuff here. Comments -- especially passionate ones such as yours -- often come with a typo or mispelling.
Posted by: theblackactor.com | April 27, 2008 at 07:49 AM
@ Jalilimaster
"I guess you shouldn't have a problem with someone refferrin to you as a bitch, or to you mother as a bitch."
Would you then be pleased, Jalilimaster if I felt this way? By the way, my mother passed some time ago.
"Is this what black women have come to? That we even insult each other?"
I feel confident you know the answer to this question and that you need not ask me.
It seems unlikely you will return to this blog. But I know you have been a long time reader and supporter, Jalilimaster. And for that, I do thank you.
Best.
Posted by: theblackactor.com | April 27, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I didn't say I wouldn't come back, afterall, there was a reason I prefferred your's to the other black actor blogs out there. It's just that I thought it was uneccessary.
Don't get me wrong. If someone uses that word to describe someone like, say, Karrine Steffans (Supa Head), even if I don't agree with it, you won't catch me defending her. In Halle's case, I just feel that most times she get's called names, it has nothing to do with anything about her/her character etc., but purely to do with the race of the men she's appeared with in movies or the race of her present partner.
As much as I would love to believe this is not the case, everytime someone critiques ms. Berry, the issue always has a way of rearing it's head in. And frankly, if I wanted to read about such things, I'd go to the black gossip blogs. I guess I just thought this site was about their careers. I only got two points from your summary of Halle's career:
1. You felt she took off her clothes too much and had an affinity for 'black things'.
2. You felt she appeared in too many fims with white males and not enough with black males.
I just don't get how these can be the main opinions you can form over this woman's career. And ofcourse, top it off with that 'bitch' comment.
It's your blog so you can write whatever you want. I just thought it was inappropriate! I see no reason why I become numb to seeing my sisters being called derogatory names, even if by a fello sister.
That not withstanding, I still enjoy your blog.
Posted by: JaliliMaster | April 30, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Typo:
1. You felt she took off her clothes too much and had an affinity for 'black things'.
Should read: black thongs.
Posted by: JaliliMaster | April 30, 2008 at 07:48 PM
@ Jalilimaster
Jalilimaster: You said:
"I only got two points from your summary of Halle's career: 1. You felt she took off her clothes too much and had an affinity for 'black things'. 2. You felt she appeared in too many fims with white males and not enough with black males."
But Jalilimaster: I haven't summarized Halle Berry's career. I have talked about four films in which she has appeared. Only four. Only four.
I also believe you have misunderstood some things that I have said. In any event, it's water under the bridge.
There's lots of Halle to talk about. As far as the bitch thing you refer to, I urge to to recognize the vain in which the statement was (1) written; and (2) the intent.
Anyhoo, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by: theblackactor.com | May 01, 2008 at 01:54 PM
The Black Actor is entitled to her views and opinions about Halle Berry after all it is HER BLOG! Now personally speaking I think it is refreshing that Theblackactor a black woman is giving her OPINIONS on Halle Berry.
I question why Berry is more successful then Angela Bassett or Sanaa Lathan? It seems to me Hollywood only allows one or two black women to reach the top in a decade or generation. Berry is going to play Vanita Gupta a South Asian woman in her next movie and I don't agree with this. Berry complains about how hard she's got it yet she doesn't mind stealing a role from another actress of colour.
Halle Berry has been hyped to the max by the mainstream media and black heterosexual men. I just got to say I think Berry is a good actress but I don't think she's all that. Berry has done some questionable things in her career acting all slutty in some movies and demeaning black female sexuality. Monster's Ball, Swordfish, I can go on and on but I won't.
Also, I notice Berry is very SELFISH she acts like she is the ONLY BLACK ACTRESS in HOLLYWOOD. Another issue I have with Berry is she likes to play with race. Yes, Berry is mixed but she refuses to acknowledge being PART WHITE and having the white features is an ADVANTAGE IN HER CAREER.
Posted by: Orville | May 02, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Another thing Berry seemed to want to crossover to white Hollywood for a long time now. Berry always mentions that she's mixed but I don't see Jennifer Beals, Pam Grier, Wentworth Miller, Dwayne Johnson, making a big deal about being mixed. Berry is playing a game she wants white Americans to know she's "part of them" but not a "part" of black culture. If you've been paying attention once Berry won the Oscar she's crossed right over into white Hollywood. I just don't see Berry as this groundbreaking black actress. I see Berry as an opportunist that used the black community to advance her career. Berry is all about Berry.
Now Angela Bassett this woman is a Yale Masters graduate along with Sanaa Lathan she also has a Masters degree in acting. Sanaa and Angela they believe in the CRAFT OF ACTING they work hard yet where is their payoff? A big deal of Berry's success is black heterosexual men are so obsessed with women that have white features. Now Beyonce she's a horrible actress but she looks almost white and Hollywood is trying to make Beyonce the next Halle Berry.
Posted by: Orville | May 02, 2008 at 07:59 PM
"I question why Berry is more successful then Angela Bassett or Sanaa Lathan? It seems to me Hollywood only allows one or two black women to reach the top in a decade or generation."
-It all comes down to 'she "deserves" it less than some other black actress'. You might as well question why she's more successful than some other white actress and why there are so many other white actresses out there with so much fame and wealth who couldn't act their way out of a paper bag.
"Halle Berry has been hyped to the max by the mainstream media and black heterosexual men."
-Then blame those 'black heterosexual men' not Halle. It is not her fault that so many find her attractive.
"Berry has done some questionable things in her career acting all slutty in some movies and demeaning black female sexuality. Monster's Ball, Swordfish, I can go on and on but I won't."
-The guy who made monsters ball is a black, gay man, so will you also send any hateration his way? The only thing Halle did 'wrong' was getting it on with a WHITE dude.
"Also, I notice Berry is very SELFISH she acts like she is the ONLY BLACK ACTRESS in HOLLYWOOD."
-I completely disagree with this statement. It is Hollywood that acts as if she is the only black actress in hollywood. And until recently, Halle posters were on the wall of almost every straight black male in America. So asl them why they didn't give the other actresses any love.
"Another issue I have with Berry is she likes to play with race. Yes, Berry is mixed but she refuses to acknowledge being PART WHITE and having the white features is an ADVANTAGE IN HER CAREER."
-How is she supposed to acknowledge that? Hold a press conference? I've seen you(Orville) on your site get angry that Halle complains about the lack of roles for black actresses, now you are getting angry at her for being half-white?
"Another thing Berry seemed to want to crossover to white Hollywood for a long time now."
-There is no such thing as white hollywood. There is just hollywood. Hollywood IS white. And you'll struggle to find an unknown black actor/actress who doesn't want mainstream (white) success. Not pleasant, but it's the truth!
"Berry always mentions that she's mixed but I don't see Jennifer Beals, Pam Grier, Wentworth Miller, Dwayne Johnson, making a big deal about being mixed."
-Jennifer Beals has played a white woman, a latina woman and a bi-racial woman passing for white. Every other role that didn't involve these, she was racially ambiguous. She makes a point of NOT being called black, so using her as an example kind of defeats your argument. Pam Grier? Dude, she's of a generation when things were different so it would not be very fair for me to apply today's situation to her. As much as Wentworth Miller has said that he would love to play a black character, it is, unfortunately, not feasible. Hollywood sees him as white, whether or not anyone of us likes it, so he plays those roles. Dwayne Johnson is Samoan, so allows whites to 'forget' that he is black. Three of the examples you gave are of people who are not immediately thought of as black by your average white moviegoer. Seeing as at present, they are still the primary consumers, these three actors actually 'play down' they're blackness, and that is something you expect me to applaud? Okay, if u say so!
"Berry is playing a game she wants white Americans to know she's "part of them" but not a "part" of black culture. If you've been paying attention once Berry won the Oscar she's crossed right over into white Hollywood."
-The fact that she is chased by paparazzi that usually only cares for white celebs doesn't mean she has 'crossed-over' inot anything. Hollywood still view her as black. Always will.
"I just don't see Berry as this groundbreaking black actress. I see Berry as an opportunist that used the black community to advance her career. Berry is all about Berry."
-Opportunist? I'm assuming you mean that she used the bc, then abandoned us when she achieved success. I've seen you make a similar statement on another site, and you implied 'abandoned' as in her choice of partner, so I'll assume that is also what you mean here, and ignore it.
"Now Angela Bassett this woman is a Yale Masters graduate along with Sanaa Lathan she also has a Masters degree in acting. Sanaa and Angela they believe in the CRAFT OF ACTING they work hard yet where is their payoff?"
-You cannot begrudge Halle her well earned success because another black actress didn't get it. I begrudg the fact that Wesley snipes, Chris Tucker and all these other c**nish creatures (can I use that on this site?)in Hollyweird can get $20 mil to make nonsense, and a sister can't even get $10 mil without receiving so much bile.
"A big deal of Berry's success is black heterosexual men are so obsessed with women that have white features."
-Once again, go tell it to those men. Take a look at all these music videos, the women aren't even black, not to talk of just having white features. Am I supposed to hate on them as well?
"Now Beyonce she's a horrible actress but she looks almost white and Hollywood is trying to make Beyonce the next Halle Berry."
-Beyonce will NEVER be the 'next' Halle Berry. Mark my words. The next big black actress are Kerry Washington, Zoe Saldana, Dania Ramirez and Naomie Harris. Beyonce will never smell an acting accolade, moreover recaive one! And remember, Beyonce never used to get so much love from black men, until ofcourse she started appearing lighter on the cover of mags and her nose 'miraculously' go narrower. It ain't white hollywood that started calin her sexy, so end it!
Posted by: JaliliMaster | May 02, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Some typos, but can't be bothered to correct them. Sorry.
Posted by: JaliliMaster | May 02, 2008 at 08:43 PM
We agree to disagree I don't see Halle Berry as this great actress. I don't care if Berry's partner is white. My beef with Berry is the fact I do see her as an opportunist. She acts like she is the ONLY black actress struggling for roles in Hollywood.
The thing is though in Hollywood Halle Berry is always going to have FIRST CHOICE over EVERY OTHER black actress. Its hard to feel sorry for a woman that makes $14 million per movie and her multi million dollar endorsements. Kimberly Elise, Sanaa Lathan are BETTER actresses then Berry but they don't have her white features. Berry certainly doesn't mind hogging all the leading lady roles for black women yet she always plays the victim wanting the public to feel sorry for her. Next, Berry is going to take on the role of Vanita Gupta in the movie Tulia even though she is not SOUTH ASIAN. It is offensive and racist that Berry is stealing a role meant for a South Asian woman. You would think Berry would have more sensitivity. All Halle Berry cares about is Halle Berry she is such a selfish individual.
I think Berry is a good actress but I also think her Eurocentric features helped her big time in her career. Hollywood is shallow and its based on looks. Berry has the "white appeal" to attract a white mainstream audience that's part of the reason she has advanced in the Hollywood ladder. Angela Bassett and Sanaa Lathan are better actresses then Berry but they don't have her Eurocentric features.
Berry definitely plays with race she always mentions the fact she's "mixed" every second she gets. I never said Berry shouldn't talk about her heritage I do think Berry is definitely marketing herself to white America though. I also feel that Berry
Posted by: Orville | May 02, 2008 at 11:19 PM
is extremely overrated compared to Angela Bassett. Berry certainly doesn't mind exploiting her sexuality playing a slut and a whore in order to make a dollar. Angela Bassett should of won an Oscar by now but Angela. I respect Angela Bassett because she is a black woman with CLASS AND DIGNITY and that's better then some of the crap Halle Berry has starred in such as Swordfish.
Posted by: Orville | May 02, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Wow -- and here I thought it was all just entertainment.
Posted by: Kimbrough | June 18, 2009 at 10:47 PM
@ Kimbrough
That was what was wonderful about this blog -- THE COMMENTERS
Posted by: theblackactor.com | June 24, 2009 at 06:13 PM