Akeelah and the Bee

[Reds6]

Akeelah and the Bee is a great movie! If you have children this is a movie you must take them to see. I took my 9 year old son and we talked about the message after the movie.

[NUPE4LIFE]

I can't say that I'm surprised. We won't go support movies like this. I remember going to see a movie the same weekend that ATL came out and the AMC here was packed. There were people buying tickets for Saturday shows because all the Friday night shows were sold out. The larger problems is also that Black Hollywood doesn't support each other either. Tyler Perry should have been out helping to support this movie. At some point Madea can only be done so many times. Unless Madea is gonna live as long as Miss Jane Pittman. Mr. Perry doesn't understand that Madea doesn't give him carte blanche to do other types of movies and projects unless projects like 'Akeelah' are able to do well.

Hopefully for those of us who have seen this movie we can help encourage others to see this movie as well. 'Eve's Bayou' was a very good movie, but how many of us actually saw that movie when it was in the theater? Our movies are also not nominated for anything either unless they are a financial success. Why? Studios won't market and campaign for movies doing awards season if our movies don't do well during it's initial release. Akeelah not doing well just greenlighted ATLl 2, or the next 50 cent vehicle. And while 'Hustle and Flow' was a pretty decent movie do we really need another story about a Pimp who's trying to get of the game?

[ladylike]

The movie was cute, yet predictable.

The camera angles and music gave it a heightened sense of melodrama that was extremely unnneccessary. Keke Palmer who played Akeelah appears to have enough experience and poise to carry such a role without all the "extra." I also give kudos to the actors who played "Javier" and "Georgia" (Akeelah's best friend). At times the movie was sickeningly sweet and the plot was predictable enough that you could leave your seat for popcorn, return and not feel lost.

I applaud Laurence Fishburne for producing such a positive piece and it's my hope that children see themselves in Akeelah (her tenacity, strength and intelligence).

After that movie, I know I found myself looking up some of those words.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by NUPE4LIFE
The larger problems is also that Black Hollywood doesn't support each other either. Tyler Perry should have been out helping to support this movie. At some point Madea can only be done so many times. Unless Madea is gonna live as long as Miss Jane Pittman. Mr. Perry doesn't understand that Madea doesn't give him carte blanche to do other types of movies and projects unless projects like 'Akeelah' are able to do well.

He did support the film. He sent 2 e-mails to those on his fan club urging us to go see the movie and support the movie. He said he liked the movie and believed that we should go see it.

Steve Harvey did the same and even had Angela on the show last week for an interview about the movie.

[Miss. Mocha]

I took my Girl Scout troop to see this movie on Saturday morning. I made the parents get them up early, so we could make the first showing. I just knew the theater would be packed (as it was for Madea). Sadly, it was not. It was about 3/4 full, but there was definitely no lack of seating.

My girls (who are 11,12 & 13) LOVED the movie. A parent who attended was brought to tears.

While I thought that there were some cliches in the movie, I really enjoyed the fact that the older brother & sister were so supportive of Akeelah.

[Wolfman]

I agree with NUPE4LIFE. We don't take matters of intellectual formation seriously, thus this movie would not be taken as seriously as a raucous comedy or hip hop-themed movie. When I went to see this movie in my town about 90% of the audience was caucasian. Although it was a bit formulaic, it was a good positive movie, especially good was the chemistry amongst the children (viz. Akeelah and Javier).

[CrimsonTide4]

On the fear of Excellence

Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant,
or gorgeous
or talented
or fabulous?


Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God.
You playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in every one of us.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear of our own excellence,
our presence automatically liberates others.

And excellence becomes the standard of all our lives.



From A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson

[CrimsonTide4]

ABC to Broadcast the National Spelling Bee on June 1

[SKEEphistAKAte]

I took my munchkin to see it this afternoon. I enjoyed the film. It was really positive. When we left my daughter (4 y/o) said "Well, I can spell cat, C-A-T....and dog, D-O-G..." I guess she felt inspired

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by SKEEphistAKAte
I took my munchkin to see it this afternoon. I enjoyed the film. It was really positive. When we left my daughter (4 y/o) said "Well, I can spell cat, C-A-T....and dog, D-O-G..." I guess she felt inspired

How precious. I am surprised she does not know how to spell Alpha Kappa Alpha. You slipping, Skee.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
How precious. I am surprised she does not know how to spell Alpha Kappa Alpha. You slipping, Skee.

We are working on it

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by Wolfman
I agree with NUPE4LIFE. We don't take matters of intellectual formation seriously, thus this movie would not be taken as seriously as a raucous comedy or hip hop-themed movie. When I went to see this movie in my town about 90% of the audience was caucasian. Although it was a bit formulaic, it was a good positive movie, especially good was the chemistry amongst the children (viz. Akeelah and Javier).

I took my 9 year old daughter to see the movie last night and we both enjoyed it very much. I especially enjoyed the chemistry between the Akeelah and Javier. I was pleasantly surprised at how the movie ended, it was quite moving and had me shedding some tears. I will definitely purchase it when it comes out on DVD.

[CrimsonTide4]

http://www.wsbtv.com/education/9192955/detail.html


That's good isht.

[BlueReign]

Yeah! I saw it last weekend with my daughter and a group of her 11 year old friends. We loved it. I almost cried at the end. I was really feeling Angela Basset's character.

I was really disappointed that the theater was not full. Many of my students still have not seen this. I think a protest for a field trip is in order!!!

[f8nacn]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
http://www.wsbtv.com/education/9192955/detail.html


That's good isht.

No Fair ....There isn't an AMC in the Richmond area! I know plenty of teachers who would love to see this!