Barbershop: The Apology - Page 2

Bamboozled · #16 09-16-2002, 12:45 PM

I guess I'm in the minority here. I saw Barbershop this weekend, and I thought it was just okay. I guess I thought that because it was put out by the producers of Soul Food, it would be of the same caliber, only a comedy. Don't get me wrong, I'd recommend it and it's a good movie that you can take your children to, but it was just mediocre to me. Ced did have me CTFU throughout, though.

Did anybody else want to slap the isht out of ol' boy from Save the Last Dance? The entire movie, I was talking back to the screen telling him to SHUT UP!!!! Ugggh.

And yes, Michael Ealy (thanks for the name) does have a sexy-thug thing going on.

Blackwatch · #17 09-16-2002, 01:07 PM

I haven't seen it yet, and I will, but yesterday a couple of frat bruhs said that they felt the movie bashed educated "middle classed" blacks in it's portrayle of the college barber (I do not know the character's name). My wife pointed out that the same thing sould be said for Soul Food (the way Vanessa Williams' character is portrayed). I want to know what everyone who saw that movie thinks? Is this a pattern that we can expect from these guys (the producers)?

Blackwatch!!!!!

Bamboozled · #18 09-16-2002, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blackwatch
I haven't seen it yet, and I will, but yesterday a couple of frat bruhs said that they felt the movie bashed educated "middle classed" blacks in it's portrayle of the college barber (I do not know the character's name). My wife pointed out that the same thing sould be said for Soul Food (the way Vanessa Williams' character is portrayed). I want to know what everyone who saw that movie thinks? Is this a pattern that we can expect from these guys (the producers)?

See my above post about ol' boy from Save the Last Dance. That is the college barber your wife spoke of. I don't think the writers or producers used his character to bash "middle class" blacks at all. Ice Cube and his wife seemed to be educated and middle class and they were respectable characters. The college barber, however, was a know-it-all (even though he really didn't), got-something-to-say-about-everything, instigator. I can't stand people like that, no matter the educational level. I don't think that these characters are by any means commentary on "middle class" blacks. His character, along with Vanessa Williams' character, represent those blacks that subscribe to the notion that a little education makes you better than those with less, makes you an authority on all earthly things and gives you the power to dictate how others should live their lives. I know plenty of people like that. Don't you?

I also forgot to comment on people getting upset about what Ced said about Rosa, Jesse and Martin. LMAO at some folks. It amazes me how folks tend to just hand out "saint status" to others, regardless of their indiscretions. Truth be told, Rosa refused to get up because she was tired and not necesarily because she was a freedom fighter, Jesse is a hypocrite and an adulterer and Martin did have extramarital affairs. Truth hurts sometimes, don't it?

Blackwatch · #19 09-16-2002, 02:12 PM

If the Character (the college barber) is a dipstick, it is interesting to see that they choose to portray the only known college educated character that way. Ice Cube only appeared to be, rather than actually known for sure, "middle class-and college educated". It seems as though this could be a sentiment throughout the black community that college makes us less connected to our community. What do you think?
Blackwatch!!!!!

P.S. The Rosa Paks bus protest was planned before it actually happened by the Birmingham Freedom Commission or something or rather (the name of the group slips my mind), it was not a spur of the moment thing. She was with the commission that wanted to change the busing situation. I believe it was a group of women and all had planned to do the same thing, she was the one that got arrested though.

Bamboozled · #20 09-17-2002, 01:05 PM

I definitely see your point about the protrayal of some "middle class and educated" characters (specifically the two we're talking about), but I don't think that this characterization is widespread enough to call foul quite yet. There have been plenty of movies that portray so called "middle class and educated" black folks as down to earth, well rounded, humble individuals. I do think that it is fair to put these types of characters in movies because they do indeed exist. As you know, often times when someone decides to leave the community in which they were reared to pursue higher education, a dichotomy is created between them and those who stay and become complacent. Sometimes that dichotomy lends itself to a "holier-than-thou" attitude among the educated. I don't think any of us have watched either of these characters without thinking, "Dang, I know someone JUST like that." If it's not a member of your family, it's one of your friends and if it's neither of those, it may just be you (not you Blackwatch, but the collective you). It is a relevant phenomena in our community and I think it's a fair characterization to include in movies about us.

Now about Rosa Parks ... from most accounts that I've read, her refusal to give up her seat on the bus that day was not associated with a a larger plan until AFTER the fact. Her refusal was a catalyst for the NAACP to further their involvement in the city-wide bus boycott. But, I may be wrong. I'll have to investigate a little bit more.

*Edited to add* No matter what the reason was that Rosa refused to give up her seat, she was definitely a brave soul. I revere her for her strength and courage to uphold her inalienabe rights. I don't know if I'd be willing to risk possible beatings and jail in order to prove a point. So while I'm arguing the circumstances surrounding her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, I do acknowledge the fact that she played a significant role in obtaining the liberties we enjoy today.

RedefinedDiva · #21 09-17-2002, 04:40 PM

Bamboozled, you'll have to use your cat eye to find that info! It is a very little known fact that Rosa's refusal to give up her seat was part of a bigger plan. It was a plan put into place to prove how injust the transit system was towards African-Americans. I am sure that you may come across it if you search hard enough. I am a Black History buff, so I try to stay on top of things. I won't even go into other issues or persons of significance, such as MLK. I am a little to sleepy to pull out my militant card right now!

I have been hearing good reviews about the movie and I can't wait to see it. To all those who have yet to go, check those ticket stubs!! Make sure that they are giving our movies credit!

ClassyLady · #22 09-17-2002, 05:47 PM

I went to see this on opening night and it was definitely worth my five dollars. It was much better than I anticipated and actually had a really good storyline while still being funny.

On another note,

I go to school in Tallahassee where there normally isn't much going on. But, I didn't realize how boring the town could be until I went to see Barbershop. People actually showed up to the movie theater for the "let out." (For those who don't know, going to the let out is like when you don't pay to go to the club, but you show up about fifteen minutes before the party is over to see everyone leave.)

2DISCRETE4U · #23 09-17-2002, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
I went to see this on opening night and it was definitely worth my five dollars. It was much better than I anticipated and actually had a really good storyline while still being funny.

On another note,

I go to school in Tallahassee where there normally isn't much going on. But, I didn't realize how boring the town could be until I went to see Barbershop. People actually showed up to the movie theater for the "let out." (For those who don't know, going to the let out is like when you don't pay to go to the club, but you show up about fifteen minutes before the party is over to see everyone leave.)

Oh how I yearn for those days when the student tickets for the movies were $5! Dang! **sigh**

But best believe I pull out that Rattler card whenever I'm down in Tally!

Ok, so I'm upset at the let out at the MOVIE! I mean I get the club...but the movies! Now you know those are the cheap people who didn't want to put up their $5!

Professor · #24 09-18-2002, 04:52 PM

This movie was just ok. I mean it had a few laughs but it was not Trois. I wanna see our folk in movies with serious scripts and plots. Trois and the Brothers are two of the great black movies that I have seen - although they did not make any money. I think the movie had great success because nothing else is currently out.

Bamboozled · #25 09-18-2002, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Professor
...but it was not Trois.

Trois and the Brothers are two of the great black movies that I have seen - although they did not make any money.

See, I was totally feeling you and happy that someone agreed with me about the mediocrity of this movie, but alas, you mentioned Trois

. Well, at least we did agree on something.

lovelyivy84 · #26 09-18-2002, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bamboozled

See, I was totally feeling you and happy that someone agreed with me about the mediocrity of this movie, but alas, you mentioned Trois. Well, at least we did agree on something.

Good to know that I was not alone in thinking Trois was just AWFUL. The acting was aight, the plot was HORRENDOUS, the dialogue stilted and unreal.

I guess I can see why some men would like it though.

Steeltrap · #27 09-18-2002, 06:18 PM

And what was worse was that Blackstarz had it on in heavy rotation last month. Jeezuz, I wanted to see love jones or The Inkwell instead.

AKA2D '91 · #28 09-18-2002, 06:19 PM

You know, we will NEVER agree on EVERYTHING. If it's not one thing it's another.

Historically, peeps on the boards complain because WE are not represented. Then, there are complaints because WE do not put out quality movies, thus low budget, straight to video productions. What gives?

Okay, we have a movie that has made $20 million the first week and it didn't glorify gang-banging and the like. From what I've heard, it was put together well, besides the fact you could see a mic in one of the scenes. Still, folks are complaining. When will it end?

So what if they cracked on...? A joke is a joke is a joke. It was a COM-O-DEE. If you cannot stand comedy (too uptight), then why see the picture?

What did you expect? a documentary? an epic?

When I hear Cedric the Entertainers name for a film (esp. dressed like he was in the trailer) I didn't expect to see him giving a lecture on gene therapy.

I say, those with all the complaints....GO OUT AND MAKE YOUR "PERFECT" MOVIE.

And we'll see how well you do.

*DAYUM*

exquizit · #29 09-18-2002, 10:46 PM

THANK YOU!!

Believe me, I mean no harm to any of you and I respect one's opinion but GOOD LAWD!! It seems as though we all read into things a great deal.

On this.................I agree to disagree

Professor · #30 09-19-2002, 08:20 AM

Let me clarify - Trois was not a great movie but it was better than BarberShop. I do have an opinion and stated that I DID NOT LIKE BARBERSHOP. I don't normally care to see comedy but wanted to see the picture and did. So what - I supported a black picture and had a few laughs - it still was no great movie. As we all know quality does not always reflect price. Many of us hated Monsters Ball and look at the awards it received. As far as being satisfied, I say why settle when we can continue to strive for roles that other folk. I'm sure we don't just settle in our personal work lives or do we.