Hey LoisLane...how about you stay in your lane? Just a suggestion.

Good point, LovelyIvy84. Additionally, all one has to do is to look at the trailer for the film and see how the main character comes out of a "gang culture" into fraternity life. Real or imagined, many people have a similar perception of Black Greek Life - like fraternities and sororities are legalized gangs. I would guess that no BGLO wants a film utilizing their symbols to be associated with anything that could potentially reinforce this negative perception.

Now, maybe I'm just getting old and conservative, but where is the balance? Drumline and Stomp The Yard even School Daze focused on the more "entertaining" aspects of Black college life but can we see somebody going to class, studying, or even graduating from college? I call this the "BET effect" - ever since BET went to Viacom, all of the educational and informative shows have been replaced with a Black man self-destructing (DMX: Soul of a Man), dysfunctional Black couples (The Christies), more of the same tired music videos being repeated over and over again and re-runs of The Wayans' Brothers. Where is the substance? Where are the inspiring stories and news about what's happening in our communities...I wonder if films like Stomp the Yard will further contribute to the stereotype that all Black folks are good for is tap dancing, cooning and showin' all our teefs. I know entertaining sells but we need some balance.

PhDiva

Unspoken, that was cute and kinda funny. LoisLane...stay in your lane! ;) But no one is answering the million dollar question. If the fraternity had come out and said we want a pay day, would you you still boycott this film? This lawsuit just ensures that the next time black filmmakers go to a studio with a script that involves BGLO's or similar story lines that the door will be shut in their face. And I'm not okay with that.

I saw a prelim screening of the movie. Do I believe that this film is the authority on BGLO's? NO, NO AND NO! Do I believe that this film disrupts or negatively impacts the image of BGLO's? NO! The fraternity (APA) has great power and resources. I just don't believe this film is the enemy.

I will wait on the DVD, $1.00 Redbox rental:)

Um, I just watched a trailer at http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movie...ml?v_id=358333

and all of the guys in black (or brown, can't tell) are in Theta Nu Theta (or something - couldn't tell) letters BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE SOME OF THE WOMEN WEARING COLORS THAT APPEAR TO BE RED AND WHITE ARE WEARING DELTA SIGMA THETA LETTERS AND NEAR THE END, THERE IS SHOWN A PICTURE OF WOMEN OF DELTA SIGMA THETA THROWING UP THE HANDSIGN.

This is just ridiculous. What are the writers doing?

SC

No.

But what do I know, I don't have a psychic friend like you apparently do. ;)

Damn! Just when we were about to put this film on the FBI list of terrorists. :rolleyes:

Correct. That is an actual Delta chapter because there was actually a stepshow competition. :)

A lot of BGLO members used to be in gangs. Some still are. That's life.

I don't see how this film would reinforce an image of Greeks as legalized gangs or sway potential members. I think political parties are legalized gangs but that hasn't stopped folks from affiliating.

My taste in movies is a little more discerning about what are considered classics. But then it could just be a generation gap.

That may be the situation in Alpha, but in my experience that is not an overeaching sentiment. My mother until she died at 84 always bought tickets to the step shows at our conventions and conferences. She and the rest of the "Delta Dears" clamored for the best seats, because they loved the step shows.

As an old head myself, I too, enjoy the shows. What I don't like are obscenity and sororities acting like frats, but that's a whole 'nother issue.

As for this issue. Again the fundamental issue is trademark infringement and folx feeling as if they can just represent our orgs without properapprovals. That to me is a no brainer. If you aren't willing to go through the proper channels, what are you hiding about the end product?

And again, if you really just wanted to make a point with the movie why not just fictionalize the names?

Hi DSTChaos, Oh ok. I posted that b/c I did not know if your organization was ok with being featured in the movie and no one had mentioned it so I was surprised when I saw it and thought I'd like to let someone know. :)

SC

Despite all the brew-ha-ha, I am going to see the movie and take my two boys as well. I have been trying to introduce them to fraternities early so that they will consider joining when they go to college. I think that this movie is an opportunity to educate the next generation about what is good and bad in BGLOs.

I don't know the logistics behind their appearance in it and haven't heard anything from NHQ regarding it.

Soror, check your PM. ;)

Akeelah and the Bee, domestic gross = $18,848,430
Drumline, domestic gross = $56,399,184

So basically filmmakers can make movies all day long about blacks going to class, studying and graduating but it's not their fault people aren't going out to see them. Instead of blaming filmmakers for the lack of depth in movies one should really be blaming their peers for not supporting the movies that do dig a little deeper.

And on that note, I'm a firm believer that movies should entertain and not be responsible for educating people. It's fiction, a chance to escape reality for a few hours. If you look at the top grossing movies of all time, not one of them mirror real-life... Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Shrek, Finding Nemo, etc... People clearly want to see movies that are far removed from real-life so I never understood why many people feel black movies are supposed to be some kind of education tool.