Allegory Alert #2. As in, for what's wrong wilth Hollywood...what's wrong with so-called "liberal" whitefolks (i.e., as Hillary has proven)...what's wrong with us...and what's wrong with Robert Downey, Jr. (yeah, that's him) --given that his dad directed one of the all-time great counter-culture/Black Power films, Putney Swope. I guess we're too busy loosing more brain cells watching Tyler Perry in drag to care. This is a new movie by Ben Stiller with Jack Black called Tropic Thunder. Lawd-have-mercy...
Sunday, March 09, 2008
"Mammie...mammie...what be dis?"
Allegory Alert #2. As in, for what's wrong wilth Hollywood...what's wrong with so-called "liberal" whitefolks (i.e., as Hillary has proven)...what's wrong with us...and what's wrong with Robert Downey, Jr. (yeah, that's him) --given that his dad directed one of the all-time great counter-culture/Black Power films, Putney Swope. I guess we're too busy loosing more brain cells watching Tyler Perry in drag to care. This is a new movie by Ben Stiller with Jack Black called Tropic Thunder. Lawd-have-mercy...
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15 comments:
THAT is Robert Downey Jr.? Has somebody lost their minds?
Umm, Now I think I have seen almost everything. I mean, Robert Downey Jr. is not bad looking for a white guy, but what did they do to his bottom lip? What is the friggin movie about? Weird.
Yes, but from what you said in your previous post, Terrence Howard's too crazy for the role!
:-P
Isn't this like 'White Chicks'?
Black face is never funny.
So what's the beef? You hatin' on the movie because a white dude is playing a black dude? Were you also upset when the Wayans bros. played white chicks, or when Eddie plays whites and asians? I mean I don't know what the movie is about. If they're doing offensive race baiting, then I'm hating with you. But if the only thing "wrong" with this movie is that Downey plays a black role, dude get over yourself you're being way too sensitive.
the movie is about a white actor that wants to act in a role written for a black actor, so therefore he makes himself black, and several things happen as the result.
the movie is about a white actor that wants to act in a role written for a black actor, so therefore he makes himself black, and several things happen as the result.
What is "offensive race baiting?" Given the history and implications of blackface, Luciferatu, I'd say Ben Stiller and Downey have the burden of proving otherwise, whereas the Wayans and Murphy don't, no matter how stupid the films, for they were parodying the evil concept. What you should have said is: is the blackface somehow integral to the comedy and is it poking fun at some evil the way the Wayans did? If it's just some gimmick and the producers actually could have cast an African American, then yes, it's offensive and symbolic of Hollywood's problems.
So while I agree we'd have to see what the movie's about, I think it's appropriate to put the burden on the movie. Although I've looked on Yahoo and IMDB and it doesn't seem to be necessary for blackface. These days you have to go to Fox News or rightwing blogs to see "offensive race baiting." Otherwise it is more subtle, or just plain stupid ideas from white people who just don't know any better. I don't think Prof. Chambers was being sensitive at all, accordingly. I didn't get that from his tone, so why are you being sensitive?
I read the script. It's about a bunch of spoiled actors who are dumped in the middle of nowhere to fend for themselves. They think they are doing some kind of Rambo-type movie but it's real. Downey plays an actor so committed to his craft he goes "hard core method".
I have to see a trailer or something. When I first saw a still from the movie I wondered who the black guy was.
So in other words it is a parody of race in Hollywood and of method actors (like Downey...and Al Pacino, De Niro, Val Kilmer etc)? That as I stated is the only scenario where something like this is acceptable.
Robert Downey, Jr. makes a good lookin' black man. I'd do him!
Given the plot it really could go either way. I'll have to wait and pass judgment when i see them mess it up to all hell (which they probably will)
nabila j said: "I don't think Prof. Chambers was being sensitive at all, accordingly. I didn't get that from his tone, so why are you being sensitive?"
OK and just how was I being sensitive? What I said was "if the only thing 'wrong' with this movie is that Downey plays a black role, dude get over yourself you're being way too sensitive." And I stand by that statement. Is there something about what I actually said that you disagree with, or are you just a knee-jerk?
SoCal 82Tiger Says:
They have the burden to prove only that it's a good movie.
FYI - I am afraid that Murphy was not paradying anything! In Coming to America - He played the role of an elderly jewish man better then most elderly jewish men so he took on the part... He played it strait true AND funny which is one reason why the movie was a hit!!!
Give Stiller the same chance
If it bombs then slam as Oscar Wilde would for creating BAD ART
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