Quote:
Originally Posted by DrPhil
LOL. I see your point, Drolefille.
I used to slam Tyler Perry plays and movies because they were reminiscent of the "Chittlin' Circuit" and the confining of Black entertainers to "Black movies," etc. My perspective was an historical and social one and I made good arguments...until people realized that I hadn't actually seen any of his plays and movies. LOL. I was protesting them and cringed when people mentioned them, but that holds no weight when I can't speak beyond generalities on the matter.
Then I got over myself and watched some of his plays and movies years ago. I like some of his plays and LOVE some of his movies. I'm sure some GCers know which TP movies I'm obsessed with and watch nonstop. This shaped my perspective and let me know that it isn't what I assumed that it was. That doesn't change the historical and social perspective I had previously expressed but it highlighted how Tyler Perry (and even the original "Chittlin Circuit") holds a liberating interpretation if we get beyond the discriminatory and restrictive connotations. The discriminatory and restrictive connotations don't disappear but they are placed within another context. I no longer believe that Black folks who like TP are overall clueless and ignorant about the reality of Blackness. 
ETA: American History X is one of my favs. I own the video. I guess Drolefille and I wouldn't get along during movie nights. LOL.
Damn, this thread was hijacked.  |
I liked AHX, I just don't want to watch it again!
I really know anything about TP except that he puts his name on everything he's in
I just think there's a difference between complaining about the movie itself and how it is talked about. Just like I think Twilight is stupid (and I've read 3.2 of those books as some sort of masochistic test) but it's ok to like it. When people talk about how emosparklepire boy is the most perfect guy ever is when I say something. I'm sure I'd learn more about GWTW itself if I watched it, but I don't feel like I should have to subject myself to it to know what's problematic about the idealization of the era.
But I'm also pretty sure I'm repeating myself multiple times now but that's because the Cylons are distracting me.