For Colored Girls

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Happy birthday weekend! I'm excited to see everyone except Janet Jackson. I tolerated her in WDIGM but she annoyed me to no end on WDIGM2.

Thanks!! I enjoyed myself this weekend (shout out to dreamseeker) but didn't make it to the movies. Will have to try for later on this week.

[DrPhil]

For months my significant other and I planned on seeing this on opening weekend so we will probably see it tomorrow.

My pals just planned a women's evening out for Sunday in which we see this movie and go out for coffee (or something stronger).

Seeing this movie twice in one weekend will only happen if it's just that awesome. We shall see.

[knight_shadow]

Looks like I'm seeing it on Monday night.

[Proverbs31]

I hadn't planned on seeing this but one of my friends texted me last night and said it's the best movie she's seen in a long time. I guess I'll go sometime this week.

[DrPhil]

The movie was exactly what I expected and I guess those who saw the play and read the book could've predicted that. The moments of laughter and cheer in the audience were far outweighted by the other stuff. You have to be in a certain "mood" to see this movie.

Despite missing parts of the movie when I saw it yesterday, I have decided not to see it in its entirety today.

I agree with what this reviewer said about the movie (not with what the reviewer said about T.P.): http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-c...colored-girls/

It isn't miserable like Precious because you can be easily distracted by For Colored Girls' star appeal because the actresses are awesome. And despite how much I love Janet's hair and her red dress, I do NOT like her acting.

[Proverbs31]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

The movie was exactly what I expected and I guess those who saw the play and read the book could've predicted that. The moments of laughter and cheer in the audience were far outweighted by the other stuff. You have to be in a certain "mood" to see this movie.

Despite missing parts of the movie when I saw it yesterday, I have decided not to see it in its entirety today.

I agree with what this reviewer said about the movie (not with what the reviewer said about T.P.): http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-c...colored-girls/

It isn't miserable like Precious because you can be easily distracted by For Colored Girls' star appeal because the actresses are awesome. And despite how much I love Janet's hair and her red dress, I do NOT like her acting.

I just read the review - Ouch! (especially what was written about his directing skills).

[Elephant Walk]

Wasn't very good.

[IlovemyAKA]

I haven't seen it yet. I'll probably check it out after work one day this week.

[knight_shadow]

It was better than I thought it'd be. Standard man-hating and empowered women that you'd expect from a TP film, but the amazing actors (and the lack of TP/Madea in the film) made it enjoyable.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Standard man-hating and empowered women

This is a thread in itself. I always say that we have enough miserable Black folks movies and I wish there was more balance. The balance song is the same song we've been singing for generations.

In the larger sense, I don't see it as man-hating or empowered women. I think his movies are a microcosm that is directed at a particular demographic that can relate to aspects of his plays and movies. All of his movies and plays have had at least one good man to highlight the good man vs. bad man dichotomy.

As much as I love some of his movies and say "get it, girl" during some scenes, I don't see the women's empowerment that some people see. True empowerment and liberation do not come at the hands of a man but that's what his plays and movies portray. Needing a shitty man to help you realize your power to overcome; or needing a good man to help you realize your potential keeps women in the same patriarchal structure. Show me a woman who realizes all of this without a man (or a woman for the lesbians) and I'll call her an empowered woman.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This is a thread in itself. I always say that we have enough miserable Black folks movies and I wish there was more balance. The balance song is the same song we've been singing for generations.

In the larger sense, I don't see it as man-hating or empowered women. I think his movies are a microcosm that is directed at a particular demographic that can relate to aspects of his plays and movies. All of his movies and plays have had at least one good man to highlight the good man vs. bad man dichotomy.

As much as I love some of his movies and say "get it, girl" during some scenes, I don't see the women's empowerment that some people see. True empowerment and liberation do not come at the hands of a man but that's what his plays and movies portray. Needing a shitty man to help you realize your power to overcome; or needing a good man to help you realize your potential keeps women in the same patriarchal structure. Show me a woman who realizes all of this without a man (or a woman for the lesbians) and I'll call her an empowered woman.

I see what you're saying.

TP is notorious for the "Giiiiiiiiirl, my man hits/cheats/yells/etc but as long as I have my girls, I'm OK! And when I least expect it, I'm gonna catch that one good man that I deserve!" sensibilities. That's what I was referring to.

It wasn't as blatant as, say, DOAMBWoman, but I attribute that to the cast.

[Ch2tf]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This is a thread in itself. I always say that we have enough miserable Black folks movies and I wish there was more balance. The balance song is the same song we've been singing for generations.

In the larger sense, I don't see it as man-hating or empowered women. I think his movies are a microcosm that is directed at a particular demographic that can relate to aspects of his plays and movies. All of his movies and plays have had at least one good man to highlight the good man vs. bad man dichotomy.

As much as I love some of his movies and say "get it, girl" during some scenes, I don't see the women's empowerment that some people see. True empowerment and liberation do not come at the hands of a man but that's what his plays and movies portray. Needing a shitty man to help you realize your power to overcome; or needing a good man to help you realize your potential keeps women in the same patriarchal structure. Show me a woman who realizes all of this without a man (or a woman for the lesbians) and I'll call her an empowered woman.

Snaaaaaaping my fingers to this!!

[abaici]

I'm still conflicted. Love Shange's play. I've read the poem and seen the play many times. LOVE IT! Yes, IT is very empowering as the focus in on black female identity. His addition of Janet Jackson and her entire storyline were ANNOYING. Ugh. Also, he only included a snippet of one of my favorite pieces. It just didn't fit in with the story he was telling. However, the piece about Toussaint ended on a very sweet note. *sigh* Oh well. I just hope this encourages more people to go out and buy the book.

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by Ch2tf

Thanks!! I enjoyed myself this weekend (shout out to dreamseeker) but didn't make it to the movies. Will have to try for later on this week.

[Still BLUTANG]

Originally Posted by abaici

Oh well. I just hope this encourages more people to go out and buy the book.

this is where i am. i'm happy we have people interested in the original work. i saw the movie yesterday (after MUCH reservation) and it wasn't as bad as i expected. the theater and people... now that's another thread

Anyway, a lot of my younger girlfriends are only tangentially familiar with the original work and now there's discussion of people reading it, seeing the play, etc. thumbs up to TP on that.

as far as the movie itself, i can only laugh when i hear the brothers say "it's a male bashing movie." sweeties, it's not about you. thanks.