This Week at the Movies

Living in a small town means that there are not many opportunities for extra-curricular activities. Put another way, that means a sister goes to the movies a lot. Last week, I saw Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys Together. Though certainly not an Oscar-worthy flick, it was a definite improvement from that drivel that wasted two hours of my life, Meet the Browns. How bad a writer/director can you be to have Angela Bassett act poorly? It was a hot mess.

Family that Preys did not offer any profundity, but the lighting was good, the acting was decent (with especially strong performances by Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, and Robin Givens, of all people), and I was entertained the whole time. Not a bad way to spend a Friday evening. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

But yesterday afternoon I saw a veritable cinematic tour-de-force, Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna. I'm all about supporting black film, but I often have my reservations. Tyler Perry is often technically inept and heavy handed in his religious myopia. Spike Lee often takes bold steps in his films that are technically savvy, sharp stylistically, and visually interesting. He also makes it his business to consistently call folks out on their racist complacency, whether it be in mainstream film, independent film, documentary, or what have you. However, Spike's sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia--see She's Gotta Have It, Jungle Fever, and She Hate Me (the latter I find interesting but problematic) to see what I mean. And yes, the specter of sexism does loom in this film. However, by and large, I was pleased with it and would recommend it to others--4 out of 5 starts. Beware! It's long (a little over 2.5 hours) and there are some moments of pedantic speech that'll have you rolling your eyes (not to mention the ending--I won't even go there). However, despite these critiques, it is a film worth watching and discussing, especially considering, among other things, the fact that we are at war and will be at war for a while.

I have read that some critics have cited the flashbacks about racism in the South as "superfluous" and "distracting" from the overall message of the movie. A movie that is about the racism and genocide at the heart of Nazi propaganda and their pogrom to exterminate all Jews. Were they watching the same movie? While I agree the film could have benefited from more judicious editing, I think this critique mostly underscores the discomfort that some so-called liberals have in discussing race. Please note, discussing race or racism is not dredging up the past, it's acknowledging the realities of the present. The sooner we realize that and stop dancing around our guilt/shame, the sooner we can begin to really do some positive, anti-racist (sexist, etc.) work. Assuaging our discomfort is just not going to cut it.

Bottom line: go see the movie and discuss it with some rational folk.

P.S. On a considerably lighter note, there are some fine men in this movie--Derek Luke (Antwon Fisher), Laz Alonso (former BET vjay and This Christmas), and my personal favorite, Michael Ealy (Sleeper Cell, Barbershop). To quote one of my favorite bloggers, B. Scott, the film has some definite future baby daddies. Oh my!