Disappearing Acts

[MsAnn]

Is anyone planning to watch the HBO premiere of Terry McMillan's "Disappearing Acts?" It airs this Saturday, December 9th at 9:00 Eastern time. It's starring Wesley Snipes and Sanna Lathan. I have only read one of her books, but I read this one because I want to compare the movie to the book. I like to do that kind of stuff.

[Ideal08]

I read the book back in '93 and have always thought that it was her best work. I think this one should've been made into a movie before Waiting to Exhale. I am going to re-read the book since it's been so long.

[LadyAKA]

I don't pick up Mrs. McMillan's books to learn anything, I like to get lost in the fantasies that she puts forth and I think she does a good job at it. As I have heard it some/most of her books are in some way shape or form about her own life and to me that puts a bit of a twist on how I read it. Like I said I like her books, I think I have read them all. I need to reread Disappearing Acts, cause I am sure the movie will disappointment, movies made from books usually do. I think it is because in a book you picture how someone looks and you picture the scenery etc, and then a movie goes and mucks up the whole thing.
In short I think we should chat about this once we all watch it, I am going to get the book tonight from the library.

[AKA2D '91]

I was disappointed in THE MOVIE, WATING TO EXHALE, especially with WHITNEY! With ALL the REAL black actresses out there, WHY DID THEY CHOOSE HER?
***What else? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Anyway, I called my cable provider last night to add HBO to my line-up since Sex and the City was off on hiatus. So my trap will be off Thursday night in time for the show. I guess I will tape it and call my provider BACK to tell them I changed my mind about HBO! isn't that too cheeky? LOL

[blu_theatrics]

I will be watching it, but I am also hoping not to be disappointed. Like others said, I was really disapointed with waiting to exhale tothe movie after reading the book and the same with how stella got her groove back.

I was so mad with that movie because the character that whoppis goldberg played was supposed to be dead before the book even stated not walking around Jamaca, but that's a nother story...lol

I read disappearing acts back in the early nineties and I haven't really re-read it, but
I know I loved it then and I hope that they do it justice with this movie

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by blu_theatrics:
I was so mad with that movie because the character that whoppis goldberg played was supposed to be dead before the book even stated not walking around Jamaca, but that's a nother story...lol

I read disappearing acts back in the early nineties and I haven't really re-read it, but
I know I loved it then and I hope that they do it justice with this movie

YEP, YEP...I AGREE...
I found the book in my closet and plan on completing it before the movie comes on....

[nikki25]

I agree with everyone else who posted about Waiting to Exhale. The book was a lot better than the movie. Angela Bassett was truly that movie's saving grace!!!!

I felt the movie was a very poor representation of what I read. I think that will always be the case because of the superiority of our distinct imaginations over another persons. Whitney was definitely not the right lead. Savannah was far too complex of a character for a newer actress, such as Whitney, to play.

Now, I am sort of looking forward to Disappearing Acts because of those playing in it. I loved Sanaa Lathan in Love and Basketball. I think that she is a compelling actress. I don't think that Wesley has reached his acting pique...he just hasn't done enough drama for me...perhaps this will get his career in that direction. I would have preferred to see Brother Morris Chestnut opposite Sanaa...since he's the kind of man I pictured in my head when I read Disappearing Acts.

I think that Disappearing Acts was definitely McMillan's best work. (I hope that they do justice to the THANKSGIVING scene in the movie)

The only movie I've seen that wasn't a far cry from the book was To Kill A Mockingbird. Gregory Peck did a fantastic job playing Atticus, and it was so real.


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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)

[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited December 06, 2000).]

[AKAtude]

I read this one because I want to compare the movie to the book. I like to do that kind of stuff.

MsAnn, I do the same thing. I read "Waiting to Exhale" right before the movie came out. I was disappointed in both.

[MsAnn]

I did not read "Waiting to Exhale," but I did see the movie. Even without reading the book, I thought the movie was kind of weak, especially Whitney's acting. There is an article about "Disappearing Acts" in this month's Jet magazine and in it the director stated that one of the hardest things was not being able to put more of the book into the script. I thought, "Uh-oh! Red flag!!" It will be interesting to see just how well they did follow the book. It also mentioned that Wesley Snipes is the films executive producer and that the deal to produce the movie was struck between HBO and Snipes's production company Amen Ra Films. I didn't know he had a production company.

[Ideal08]

I am so glad I'm not the only one who wanted to see Morris SexyFine Chesnutt in that movie!! Wesley is just too short for the part, if I remember correctly. But then again, Morris isn't rough enough around the edges, either. But I would still much rather see him that Wesley's . . . well, I'm not going to get into that. Let's just say, if it wasn't on cable, I wouldn't even be going to see it.

[kiml122]

Hello Ladies,

I hope you don't mind me posting to this. I think Disappearing Acts is Terri McMillan's best book, then Mama. I am going to watch the movie but I hope I am not let down because 1)Wesley Snipes is playing Franklin and I am not feeling him in that roll. 2) Waiting to Exhale was the pits. (the movie)

In another forum I brought up maybe Morris Chestnut in the lead roll, but he isn't rough enuf or old enuf for the roll. But what about that fine A$$ Richard T. Jones. He was in the movie "The Wood", he played slim. oooohhhh let me stop because I am starting to get over heated just thinking about him!!


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Peace
KL

[nikki25]

You all really don't think Morris Chestnut is chiseled enough to play Franklin? I don't believe that! He was cut in "The Best Man" and in "Boys in the Hood"!!!!

At any rate, Wesley just isn't the man for that role, he's more the action flick guy. No drama experience at all---and Sugar Hill really doesn't count. (That movie was poor). But, perhaps I haven't seen all of the Wesley flicks---ya'll correct me if I'm off on the brotha's drama "expertise".

In reality, there really can't be a perfect Franklin. Why? I revert to my earlier point, our distinct imaginations are superior to Hollywood's. I truly envisioned a more average, yet muscular guy (that I can see as a construction worker) playing Franklin, not Passenger 57/Demolition Man playing Wesley. And in my mind's eye...it was MORRIS CHESTNUT.


But, that's all water under the proverbial bridge...Wesley has the role, and now we can elect to watch it.

Lady Nikki

[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited December 08, 2000).]