theblackactor.com

Blackfolk - TV, Movies - She talks about it, too

Since blogging on the topic I blog on, and as I have visited blogs over the last several months, I have been pleasantly surprised to learn just how many people are passionate, opinionated and highly interested in and vocal about this topic.  This was unexpected.  I’m happy that people care about this so much.

There are several black bloggers who, instead of focusing on one topic, discuss a variety of issues pertinent to the black experience in the United States (and abroad, for that matter). Though they may not talk about black cinema regularly, these bloggers are very much active, passionate participants in this discussion and when they talk about it, they talk about it – many of them delivering interesting and thoughtful perspectives.   

Because these black bloggers not “black film bloggers,” people interested in this topic may be unaware of their voices; accordingly, they may only know of the more popular blogs devoted to this topic. These other voices are worthy of our attention, I believe.

I highlight one here. 

Charcoal Ink – Aulelia

Aulelia talks about many things, including black cinema and blacks on television. I’ve attached a few of her links.

Wilhelmina in Ugly Betty and the Image of the Power Bitch

Black Actresses: Symbols of Our Femininity

The Art of Nuance

The Art of Nuance - Part II

I think you'll enjoy Aulelia's site.  Please pay her a visit.

Black Cinema, Black Actors, Other Voices

Since blogging on the topic I blog on, and visiting as many blogs as I have over the last several months, I have been pleasantly surprised to learn just how many people are passionate, opinionated and highly interested in and vocal about this topic. This was unexpected. 

Unlike those bloggers who devote their blogs entirely to issues of black cinema, there are several black bloggers who don’t blog on one topic, but rather discuss a variety of issues pertinent to the black experience in the United States (and abroad, for that matter). Though they may not talk about it regularly, they are very much active participants in the discussion of black cinema.

Because these black bloggers are not “black film bloggers” per se, the participants in this discourse may be unaware of these voices. People may only know about the more popular blogs devoted to this theme. But these voices are worthy of our attention, I believe.

I highlight one here. 

Orville is a very good writer and I think you will enjoy reading his blog.

Gayblackcanadianman

Check him out.

The Obenson Report Podcast - Episode 31

Yikes!!  LOL @ me. I was nervous. The Obenson Report Podcast, Episode 31 was a great show. Tune in and hear what the actresses had to say.

Nedra Mcclyde - http://www.nedramcclyde.com/    

Esosa Edoscomwan - http://www.sosae.com/    

Lisa Strum

Leslie Jones    

Tambay will be providing the links to all the actresses on his blog. Pay them a visit.  See who they are.

These women are clear on what they want and the state of affairs of black actresses in the business. They know what the industry is. And they see a future with positive possibilities. Hear it yourself -- from the source.

A Podcast. A Question.

Happy New Year, everyone!

I was listening to an Obenson Report Podcast –- Episode 29 to be exact -– and one of the callers made an EXCELLENT point... one that’s worth repeating.

He was talking about all the yapping about Will Smith’s I am Legend (2007). The pic broke box office records for the month of December by opening at $76 million. The caller posits, “What has this done for black cinema?”   

When Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? (2007) opened at $21 million it was such big news -- huge news, in fact. There was a lot of chatter about the money the film brought in.   

Both films are highly praised because of this financial feat -– the generation of revenue –- and lots of it. I don't dismiss the significance of this kind of revenue for these two men of color, but I want to highlight what isn’t being talked about as much. Even if the films are artistic and commercial successes, I ask -- and the caller asks -- does this mean anything more than two black moguls making a lot of money?

Are our cinematic interests preserved or forwarded in these films? This is a valid question worth examining. Are our humanistic interests being advanced in these films? In the interests of black cinema, I believe It is imperative that we examine the bigger picture [no pun intended] and reject the Hollywood edict that mandates that a film’s value is based solely on its box office performance.

Black Hollywood: It's almost 2008 - NOT 1938!!!

Since I started this blog, I’ve come across many wonderful black blogs. I’m so glad the afrosphere (cute, huh?  :) I read that somewhere.) exists. I feel very fortunate to be in the company of clever, intelligent black minds. It’s a beautiful thing.

From time to time, I will be highlighting some of these other voices.

I figure, if you know my blog exists, you are more than likely know of this other blog, Invisible Woman: Black Cinema at Large. The Invisible Woman runs a wonderful blog. 

She published an insightful, thought provoking post last week.  In it, she highlights the “Top 10 Worst Black Films of 2007.”  Check it out.

IW said something that was particularly interesting. Actually, it’s more than particularly interesting. It’s a BIG DEAL. She wrote:

“… I was going to do one of those standard end of the year "Top 10 Best Films of 2007" lists for black film, but guess what? Surprise, surprise, I couldn't think of ten. The really sad part is I couldn't even think of five.”

She went on to mention she had no problem coming up with her “Top 10 Worst films.” 

We should marinate on this people, and consider what it really means. This is not the 1930s!