Like most other “Americans with pronounced but peripheral connections to the African continent-Americans” (just plain ole “African-American” just isn’t descriptive enough for me anymore) with a Borders Rewards card and dust-ridden Obama t-shirt, my life seems to be filled with three certain inevitiabilities: Death, Taxes, and Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry. And, while certain people have proven that you can actually live without paying taxes and certain scientific advances have made it so that immortality isn’t such a far-fetched concept anymore, Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry have proven to be unavoidable to the point of comedy.
From The Huffington Post and weekly 40 cent hot wing night with the crew to Facebook and my favorite porn message board, I can’t go anywhere anymore without running into Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry. It’s ubiquitous, ecumenical, pandemic, panoramic, and every another PSAT word that’s just a pretentiously educated way of saying “everywhere”. Yesterday, just when I thought I had foiled Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry and finally managed to escape it, I tripped over Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry on the way to the bathroom. After I got out of the shower, I went into my kitchen and saw Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry drinking my orange juice straight from the carton. And, right when I was about to drive to the store to buy some more juice, I noticed that Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry had not only taken the $20 in my wallet, but had the nerve to leave an “I.O.U.” note. (Triflin bastard!)
It feels like I’m at Camp Crystal Lake and Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry is Jason Voorhees lurking around the campsite with a machete. There’s no cabin I can hide in, no bed I can hide underneath, no voluptuous teenage camp counselor I can hide, um, a part of me inside of without Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry finding and disemboweling me. If Earth’s civilization was wiped out by nuclear war tomorrow, by Friday the roaches probably will have already organized a roundtable to discuss whether “Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns” was just a modern-day minstrel show or a subconscious and subliminal indictment of pre-holocaust urban cockroach culture.
At this point, the only question worth asking is “Why?”. Why do we devote so much of our time and energy to Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry, and why have we given Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry such prominence? Shit, on Friday, why did I spend at least 45 minutes of valuable talk time in a 60 minute car ride with my parents and my girlfriend discussing a movie—For Colored Girls, Perry’s film adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf“—none of us had seen or even plan on seeing, especially since there are much more pressing and “important” issues when could have talked about?
The answer is simple. Tyler Perry, wait, the discussion of all things Tyler Perry unites us in our relentless need to distinguish ourselves from each other, to, to quote my Aunt Jackie, “tell on ourselves”. The ubiquitousness (there’s that word again) of Perry and Perry’s art and the myriad visceral feelings the mere thought of it induces has made Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry a personality profile, a multi-layered Myers-Briggs for colored people who were a bit too vain to ever seriously consider suicide but instead chose to use Angst-Ridden Discussions about Tyler Perry as a means to let everyone know exactly who they are.
“I’m the smartest person in the room” movie snobs (like my parents and I) discuss the utter unwatchability of all things Tyler Perry while ignoring the blatant irony in discussing the unwatchability of something you’ve obviously watched. “I’m the realist, most down to earth person you’d ever meet” Non-snob moviegoers discuss the fact that each of his movies are entertaining in their own way, something you can’t say about most cinema (but something you could also say about most crackheads). Anti-Tyler Perry Pro-Blacks (read: liberals) discuss how he’s appealing to the lowest common denominator and wasting his considerable influence and opportunity, while Pro-Tyler Perry Pro-Blacks (read: moderates and conservatives) discuss how he’s employing hundreds of black people while touching on issues unique to our community and providing (somewhat) wholesome family entertainment.
Conspiracy theorists discuss how Tyler Perry has been thrust to the forefront of black culture by the powers-that-be, ensuring the ongoing demasculinization of black males. Comedians discuss Tyler Perry because he’s an easy comedy buffet. (Seriously. If you fashion yourself to be a funny person and you can’t come up with at least one “laugh aloud” worthy comment or joke somehow related to Tyler Perry, it might be time to take up another hobby. Try crocheting) The “Real Issues Fun Police”—people whose sole goal in life seems to be to try to make people feel bad for discussing For Colored Girls when there’s widespread cholera in Haiti—discuss how our obsession with Tyler Perry is a damning indictment on American culture. Bloggers and other arbiters of pop culture discuss Tyler Perry, because, well, everyone else is doing it, and their, well, our identity is partially defined by staying relevant.
I guess I shouldn’t be too hard on Angst-Ridden Discussions About Tyler Perry. Its heart seems to be in the right place, and I can’t be too mad at something that manages to bring us and our collective need to be heard all together. But, I think I speak for most when I say that Angst-Ridden Discussions About Tyler Perry is beginning to wear out its welcome, and, until it makes good on that orange juice I.O.U., Angst-Ridden Discussions About Tyler Perry needs to stay the hell out of my kitchen.
—The Champ
My sister like “For Colored Girls”. She likened it to “Precious”. Tyler is OK to me. His success does not bother or interest me. I am not amongst his target demo.
I have seen one episode of House of Payne and one episode of Two And Half Men, the shows are equal in terms of quality. Whether or not that is good or bad thing is up for debate.
I’m not a fan of everything Tyler Perry, even though he was trying to create a black sitcom in this realityshow/trash tv age, I don’t really care for his tv shows, but Tyler Surprised me with #ForColoredGirls, I would Not have known he directed the film, In my opinion he stayed true the details in the choreopoem/book…I feel like one of the reasons SOME people/Black people do Not like Perry is because ISH hits CLOSE to home, when you watch a film, you want to be entertained not think or DEAL WITH REAL ISSUES…that his films bring to light…
ATTENTION PEOPLE: Tyler Perry did NOT write For Colored Girls, a Black woman did, her name is Ntozake Shange, it’s amazing how her play/poems are relevant decades later, Tyler Perry just directed it, people act like he wrote the play/created the characters, nope this lady did….
@90sgagirl
one thing I gave the side eye to is the fact that the book isn’t out in wide reprint despite the big movie. Hmmm, does TP want us to believe this is his baby?
I ordered the chorepoem/book online! I didn’t see at any book stores etc…I wish Shange got more shine/recognition, it’s sad that someblack poets etc do Not get any recognition/taught in schools etc. and some Black people don’t know of Broadway/theater/plays until they become films..because DreamGirls,Hairspray, for Colored Girls etc have been on stage for years, but unless TP puts his name on it the majority of people don’t go..smh
I found a copy in Borders in Tallahassee. The original print is 9.95 and they have a new cover for 12.00. And there were several copies. And there was a coupon for 33% off.
“I wish Shange got more shine/recognition”
she seems to be getting enough now. people are talking about her and her play much more than the have in years. plus, i’m sure she received a nice seven figure screenplay rights check from the perry people
They had several copies at the Barnes and Nobel’s in Houston…
Unless TP has somehow got the publishing rights to the book, and passed on a reprint, I can’t put the blame on the book being scarce on him. Plus if he did have publishing rights to the book I am sure he would be firing up the presses to get himself a little extra guap.
There is NO WAY he got publishing rights to it. That would be ABSURD! The only reason why I think it didn’t get worldwide reprint is b/c it’s an actual play and not really a novel. If u read it you realize it’s meant to be used for performances. Just like reading Shakespeare’s plays. When u read it, you’re not actually reading a “book”. That’s the only reason I can think they didn’t do a re-release…
Right. That book came out 4 decades ago. And I’m sure now it will be reprinted with ferver now that this movie is out and it’s doing well.
Tyler Perry does want people to think that “this is his baby” because initial Nzingha Stewart was suppose to be the producer but Tyler Perry pushed her out of the director’s chair so that he could have his name on it…
Hmm, since you said this, I wanna go check out my local Borders because I’mma give major side-eye if this is the case here as well. Every single mainstream movie that is an adaptation, I’ve seen the book in the featured shelves. Hell, I sometimes even see some of those fake books made directly from the movie. lol
Tyler Perry did not write the whole thing but the film adaptation was written entirely by him which did alter the play. The play does not include men when staged which means he focused alot more on the pain inflicted by men in this movie, perhaps his own personal dating struggles incorporated into the film *shots-fired*.
“ATTENTION PEOPLE: Tyler Perry did NOT write For Colored Girls, a Black woman did, her name is Ntozake Shange, it’s amazing how her play/poems are relevant decades later, Tyler Perry just directed it, people act like he wrote the play/created the characters, nope this lady did”
i don’t think anyone here actually thinks this. this is VSB, remember, not ***insert popular non-VSB site that attracts idiots***
Sometimes black people scare me with their inability to understand something before they speak on it.
Shange’ wrote the play. Tyler rewrote the piece as a film, changing major plot, story and character lines.
As one critic brilliantly stated, with the play Shange’ created archetypes, with this film Perry created stereotypes.
* side eye * why was the film filled with so many naked and light-skinned men? Looks like the Boondocks got it right !
LOL yah brother i think the opening scene was more for Tyler Perry than for colored women.
Co-Sign. Boondocks confused me with their direction on the topic but the assertion is gaining momentum. I believe.
thank you for stating that. tyler perry did write this film.
and the boondocks was over the top (as usual, but i love it) but a lot of times i do notice that hes appealing to a group of black women that ive never actually met.
i have plenty of things to say about perry and film, perry and black, perry and women, perry and black women. i could talk for days. but i dont have days. champ hit it on the head: quite frankly, im tired.
Thats what I thought, but Tyler WROTE THE SCREENPLAY. so its a combination of TYLER PERRY and the characters he added and his dialoge with the poems from Ntozake Shange.
So he kinda did write this movie
Actually as a director he did infuse some of his own writing and direction into the movie. Slapping a corpse at the end? That was a Tyler Perryism.
“I have seen one episode of House of Payne and one episode of Two And Half Men, the shows are equal in terms of quality.”
“two and a half men” is that bad? damn, i had no idea
Two and a hald men used to be funny but now Charlie Sheen is just a made for tv/pg version of his coke addicted, whore mongering self.
@champ
two and a half men is hilarious. Especially the earlier episodes. One of the few 2520 shows I actually like and watch when it’s on.
Btw, Anything Tyler Perry touches will be extremely depressing, unfunny, predictable or poorly written. *scratches head* except for “Precious”…go figure. That is all.
“Btw, Anything Tyler Perry touches will be extremely depressing, unfunny, predictable or poorly written. *scratches head* except for “Precious”…go figure. That is all.”:
Tyler Perry did not write or direct “Precious.” He jumped on as a producer after the movie was completed.
House of Payne is painful to watch. I tried to support it and Meet the Browns when they first came out, but they just aren’t funny. Even with all the chuckin’ and jivin’, it still isn’t funny.
“House of Payne is painful to watch. I tried to support it and Meet the Browns when they first came out, but they just aren’t funny. Even with all the chuckin’ and jivin’, it still isn’t funny.”
that’s the thing about the show. i don’t mind shucking and jiving and stereotypes as long as they’re actually funny. when you remove all humor, though, it’s just a bunch of, well, shucking, jiving, and stereotypes. basically, it’s exactly like sunday at a southern megachurch
lol….@megachurch…
It’s either you hate or love him. There is no in between when it comes to Mabel Simmons, I mean Tyler Perry. The part I don’t get is why people are so passionate about their views. It’s too funny to see how people get bent out of shape. He’s doing his thing, let him be. If you want to write a movie and depict what actual African Americans go through then go for it. I think another part steams with educated people believing they’re just that. I guess people have been burned by Tyler like BET??
i concur with most of this….i like him…but don’t love him. i don’t like everything he does, but i respect his grind. i just feel like people take ish too seriously. he’s an entertainer. why is it that serious? tyler perry doesn’t pay your bills, buy your clothes, wipe your butt etc…..its not that deep. if one doesnt like it, why entertain it? i don’t eat pork but i’m not protesting in front of rib shacks
i don’t eat pork but i’m not protesting in front of rib shacks
lol, you might be if rib shacks were the only places you could get food
If you don’t like ribs(Tyler Perry), you can get Chicken and Waffles(Ice Cube), Beef Brisket(F. Gary Gray), Vegetarian Cuisine(John Singleton), and pop rocks(Hype Williams).
Spike Lee and The Hughes Brothers are still active.
Part-time Directors: Forest Whitaker, Denzel, Morgan Freeman
Will Smith produces films at an astonishing clip.
There are a lot of places to go if you want see films about Black People, helmed by Black people, and aimed at Black people. One trait that I have picked up from Perry’s biggest detractors is laziness when it comes to finding and supporting alternatives.
Ice Cube is in the same boat as Tyler Perry for me (if not worse, with the formula movies). But it seems like they are the ones pushing stuff out, so ya the options are limited. I think those others guys you mentioned are the seasonal restaurants. Tyler and Ice Cube are McDonald’s and Burger King.
“If you don’t like ribs(Tyler Perry), you can get Chicken and Waffles(Ice Cube), Beef Brisket(F. Gary Gray), Vegetarian Cuisine(John Singleton), and pop rocks(Hype Williams).
Spike Lee and The Hughes Brothers are still active.
Part-time Directors: Forest Whitaker, Denzel, Morgan Freeman
Will Smith produces films at an astonishing clip.
There are a lot of places to go if you want see films about Black People, helmed by Black people, and aimed at Black people”
in theory this is true, but there really just isn’t that much cinema produced and directed by blacks while examining “black” themes. this isn’t perry’s fault, at all. but, lets not pretend there are a ton of motion picture offerings of “black” life created by black people to choose from.
“in theory this is true, but there really just isn’t that much cinema produced and directed by blacks while examining “black” themes.”
West Coast Productions doesn’t count? lol
This made me choke…*no pun intended*
I think the problem is that there are other options, but we don’t really support them and they are therefore seen as non-profitable and discontinued.
in spite of tyler perry’s popularity, there are still other works of art out here….so i’m not trippin. plus, my people are from the country. i’ll grow some ish and eat it lol.
Love that analogy about th ribs! LOL
The part I don’t get is why people are so passionate about their views
i think people are frustrated with a) his lack of growth as an artist and b) the fact that he has an audience. actually, i think the frustrations lie more with his popularity than anything else. basically, people are mad about tyler perry because a ton of people aren’t mad about tyler perry
lol…bingo.
You guys need to set your clocks back.
I think people’s frustration with Tyler Perry is more out of embarrassment. Kind of like when you watch the news and are a little ashamed/self conscious when that idiot who robbed the KFC and merked the clerk and an off duty cop for 27 dollars and a 3 piece turns out to be black. We know David Duke and the author of the bell curb are watching and going “told ya”.
Sometimes people see his stereotypical and uninspired works as affirmations of certain stereotypes about black people so his ignorance is personal. Basically its the black man’s burden of not being able to act as an individual; if you’re black and you do something stupid it’s because you’re black and all black people are stupid, if you’re white and do something stupid it’s because YOU are stupid.
Yep. Bingo brother!
@Drew-Shane
I agree! I don’t understand why people go all out on hating this man but love other films that I believe set our people back more than Tyler Perry is. I know we’re harder on our own but dang people need to stop hating on Tyler. He’s black, rich and doing something positive. Can we atleast glorify that?
Thank you. Folks ain’t mad at John Singletary for the hilarious travesty that was “Baby Boy.” That movie stayed with the stereotypes, cliches and everything but the kitchen sink in terms of messaging.
I don’t love Tyler Perry, but I’m glad we have him at all. Not everyone is going to be Spike Lee or Will Smith. At least it’s made by us so if we want to criticize he can understand it and sympathize. But, I don’t expect him to change his formula to make all folks happy.
Everything we do, movie wise, doesn’t have to be Malcolm X and Barbershop. Can we get out laugh on at Madea and just ENJOY it?
I guess not….
I would have to agree with you…
Is everyone forgetting that Spike did “She’s Gotta Have It”.
Hell, even “School Daze” was a bit much. I understood his point, but he still had us running around calling each other “jiggaboos”.
Everything is not going to be cinematic genius.
I don’t hate Tyler Perry. I kind of actually like him.
*slowly walks away from computer*
lol, this isn’t an “i hate tyler perry” post. but, you can’t keep on walking and sh*t. get me some orange juice while you’re out if you can
I’m unapologetically a Tyler Perry fan. And although I love him, I see why some people don’t. I get it. He isn’t Shakespeare. Far from it. But he’s also not this Satan some people have painted him out to be. I’ve seen people say that TP is the reason the black community is downtrodden.
If only we used such fervor to take stances about actual societal issues.
Those who Think Tyler Perry is Black Jesus make me want to pray and fast for days. Those who Think Tyler Perry is Satan’s assistant make me wanna throw myself off a stepstool unto soft carpet.
Anywho, let me go write my review of “For Colored Girls” to post on my blog in the murnting.
For Colored Girls Who Considered Tyler Perry When Spike Lee Does Too Much.
*falls out* Loved the revised title! Lol
And I too am a Tyler Perry fan. At times his movies can be a little redundant because they showcase the same themes (someone is on drugs, someone is abused, lack of love in the family, lack of self esteem blah blah….) however I’ve enjoyed most of his movies. In other words, I could’ve have done without Why Did I Get Married Too. I did see For Colored Girls and I loved it. There were things that I didn’t like about it but all in all it was a good film. I am concerned that House of Payne is still on the air ((Lance Gross is sexy)) but I digress…
Stop complaining and let’s paint other pictures of Black America because our stories are worth telling.
Plus Black Girls Rock
dougies..high 5….yeah we ROCK..I loved Marsha Ambrosious, Kelly Price, Ledisi, and Jill Scott’s performance of “My Skin is Black” off the chain like free slaves!!!! I heard of #BlackGirls/WomenRock prior to this year, but I was sooo glad it was Televised!!..by the way it wasn’t tooo many VSBs in the audience….#imjustsayin..plus this made me watch BET I may start watching it again once #The Game and the new sitcom somethin’ like #Let’sStayTogether comes on…yeet original programming okay I see you BET, but the writing better NOT SUCK!
what i find funny is that folks have somehow been separated into the Tyler Perry or Spike Lee camps. which i find hilarious since they both suck at different things.
btw, i like spike lee but at this point its mostly b/c i’m supposd to. and he went to morehouse.
Basically, LOL.
why does spike lee suck? Maybe I’m not critical enough of his works but he makes movies/social commentaries based on his opinion. If I can derive something from his opinion then I gain however, if I cannot then all I lost was the time that it took to earn the money I paid to watch the movie and the time I stayed to watch the movie.
Are we attacking a symptom of our culture in society? Because it was slavery, then inequality, then being over looked and under appreciated, it was being disdained for the superficial differences and origins and now its every Tom, Dick and Harry that introduces themselves and their life’s work worth of opinions.
HOW DOES ONE MAN’S MIND offer so much discussion as to become his subjects?
My opinions don’t mean much to you because I don’t make movies? I’m not worth 500 million? I’m not a celebrity? Age?
Yeah. Perspective is a dogs mother.
*BOOM!*
In other words, love it.
MURKED!!!
I concur…..
*stands and claps* – this ish right here, ninja? t-shirt material…
Bwhawahahahahahaha! Done at “For Colored Girls Who Considered Tyler Perry When Spike Lee Does Too Much.”
Still laughing at my desk at this
FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO REFUSE TO SEE TRUTH BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS TOO MUCH.
probably ,more appropriate for your posting.
love it!
“If only we used such fervor to take stances about actual societal issues.:”
luvvie!!! i had no idea you were a member of the “real issues” fun police force. this makes me think of our relationship in a whole new light. i might have to cancel your annual christmas fruitcake
Nawl Champ! Some folks are boycotting TP movies while buying R. Kelly CDs. How does that make sense?
P.S. I want my fruitcake. I was looking forward to having new paperweight for the next year. Gimme my baked goods!
look forward to deez
“If only we used such fervor to take stances about actual societal issues.”
PREACH!
I don’t hate Tyler Perry, but I have absolutely no desire to see this movie. My cousin looked at me crazy yesterday when she mentioned that we should go see it, and I told her I had no plans to see it. I’ve seen the discussions on message boards I frequent, and all over my TL on twitter. Eh…I’ll watch from the sidelines, I haven’t the energy to argue with rank strangers about why I’m just not interested.
I gave my opinion about Tyler Perry movies to one of my home boys and he had the nerve to tell me if he wanted to hear about Tyler Perry movies he would go to his black friends (TP stans).
it’s funny how perry’s work has reached the point where you can be fully educated about it (at least enough to partake in discussions) without actually seeing it, just from listening to and reading tons of conversations about it.
this is part of the reason why i still haven’t seen love jones. at this point, whats the point?
*co-sign* – I feel the same way about The Color Purple… I can quote lines from a movie which I have never sat down and watched… amazing how certain things become part of the “negro zeitgeist”…
*record scratch* JC, you’ve never seen The Color Purple?! Have you at least read the book??
Wow!!! I had the same thought.
Champ, Love Jones is an okay movie so I’m not upset that you haven’t seen it but the soundtrack kicks ass. If you haven’t heard it I’m going to weep profusely
i hope you have some kleenex
I’ve never understood the hype behind Love Jones. I find it to be a rather boring movie.
And yes, I still drool over Nia Long,.
I’ve never seen Love Jones…and the only song that I’ve knowingly listened to off of the soundtrack is “The Sweetest Thing”. Meh
Well then, I really don’t know what to say because you said it all, erhem encompassingly…Yeah I made that up. TP stirs up visceral reactions. I don’t mind him but, agreed, I could do less with the focus. Kudos to him w/all the money, power, influence and Oprahing. I will consume his work in the same way I eat junk food that leaves me queasy afterward and vowing all organic everything. He has relevance. The polarization is telling more about us than him and yes, you wrote it all so I’ll just stop here…
“Well then, I really don’t know what to say because you said it all, erhem encompassingly…Yeah I made that up.”
inventing words is sexy. and nerdy. but still sexy.
Thanks. Nerdsexy is the new Black.
“The polarization is telling more about us than him…”
That is the realest thing I’ve read all morning.
**Granted, it’s only 9:34am here, but still…real nonetheless**
Haha! Thx. I try.
Like Dash said I’m not in his target demo. I’ve seen some of his films and they aren’t the worst I’ve seen and the aren’t the best either. (If movies had a field of 64 his work would be the MEAC champs. It will be interesting for awhile then it’s over.) I like to watch some dumb ish but the bulk of Tyler’s work isn’t my cup of tea. I would rather watch westerns or a Jason Bourne/James Bond type film but that’s my thing and I won’t berate anyone for not doing the same.
“If movies had a field of 64 his work would be the MEAC champs.”
I had to stop lurking and give you props on that comparison
“I’ve seen some of his films and they aren’t the worst I’ve seen and the aren’t the best either. (If movies had a field of 64 his work would be the MEAC champs. It will be interesting for awhile then it’s over.)”
lol, actually, this would make them the worst. i think MAAC champs or Sun Belt champs would have fit better with the analogy
True. I took Hampton’s brief run from a few years ago into consideration. What the hell do I know, I went to a Southern Conference school.
i was pissed off that year because i had iowa state and jamaal tinsley pegged to make a long tournament run.
That’s mostly why I remember that tourney. They screw my bracket up too.
Dude has a morbidly obese sister running away from a chicken store with a stolen bucket of fried chicken in one movie, and in the other he got a bunch of passive aggressive (more aggression than passion) sisters only able to find self-validation after being run over by a cheating/trifling/abusive significant other, and then you got him always using the fall back ‘i was molested as a child’ to explain the level of batsh*ttedness crazy he ALWAYS makes his main characters reach. not to make light of the issue of sexual abuse in children, its a serious thing, which is exactly why I hate him for making it seem like just an excuse for batsh*tcrazyness. As if all people who are mentally unstable have experienced molestation, or all people who have been molested are mentally unstable.
PLUS His characters are all the exact same personality, just a different set up (rich, poor, family, alone, desperate, dating.ect ect)
Seriously, the f*ck is he famous for, he’s like the black stephenie meyers.
Didn’t mean to follow your diatribe against diatribes against T Perry with a diatribe against T Perry.
He just really pushes the wrong buttons in the wrong ways.
@santamonica: I think Tyler Perry is famous for being a black man in America who owns HIS own movie studios/tvshow/plays etc.,he went from being abused and homeless, to bustin’ his a$$ writing plays, I may not like everything he does/writes, but I respect His hustle. and try to support NOT TEAR Down my fellow brothas/sistas….
I didn’t like Sapphire’s book/filmPrecious, I don’t really think Perry and Oprah directed it, they put their names out there for marketing $$$purposes, and You’re entitled to your opinion and I feel the same way about society saying oh someone is crazy/promiscuous because they were abused etc..that’s a traumatic incident(s) that one can’t just get over, and everyone’s different, but usually it explains a LOT about a person..,I saw the film,but I didn’t film did any bashing…spoiler alert *Hill Harper played a non-as$hole black man***
“and try to support NOT TEAR Down my fellow brothas/sistas…”
how far does that support go? i mean, when does unabashed support end and criticism begin?
Exactly. I think blind support hurts our people just as much (if not more) than tearing them down. We have to maintain higher standards or we’ll become too complacent as a people. I mean, of course don’t demonize the man, but I’d rather someone expect better from me than say “average” is my best.
You have a good point. Let’s support him because he’s black and was once poor!
Also, his plays include some awesome singers. I’m sure this has more to do with his fame than people acknowledge.
He DID NOT DIRECT PRECIOUS.
AND that is scene is actually in the book the movie is based on. Page 37.
This may be one of the best written blogs that I have read in a while. Kudos
thanks and sh*t
I Concur. Really enjoyed reading it.
I really think people hate Tyler Perry b/c he shows this one-sided view of Black folks with no one else to balance it out. What he does to Black folks is kinda what Jim Carrey does. You don’t watch a Jim Carrey movie expecting Jeff Foxworthy humor and deep wit. You get cheap laughs and then you can go next door to watch James Cameron give you sci-fi awesome. Or Quentin Tarantino give you… weird stuff that’s interesting.
I believe. But I don’t want to engage in why TP is the reason… blah blah blah. People just need to stop acting like TP came into their homes and PERSONALLY turned off their lights. That’s how much he is hated by some.
“I really think people hate Tyler Perry b/c he shows this one-sided view of Black folks with no one else to balance it out.”
^^^THIS. i have nothing else to add because this perfectly sums it up
“People just need to stop acting like TP came into their homes and PERSONALLY turned off their lights”
well, the angst-ridden discussion DID drink my damn orange juice.
Lol, my dad banned his movies from his house based on the cross-dressing alone.
Funny how I just had an Angst-Ridden Discussion about Tyler Perry with my mother this morning. I mention that his television shows are over the top slapstick with a religious theme (think if Creflo Dollar decided to edit In Living Color that was cast with the overacting fire of 20 Nick Cages), and she went into her aside about how TP is the best thing since sliced bread because he makes money.
Ok, just because House of Payne is critically acclaimed by an invisible board of opinionated pricks doesn’t mean the show is good. Think about Titanic…crap movie that won an ass-ton of awards.
But I digress…
To me, TP is the black, grown up version of a My Little Pony. He poops rainbows and glitter, and is appealing to ladies who are entertained by “chick flick themes”. I can’t say that his movies are good or bad, simply because I hate Dra-mantic movies with a passion (the Notebook can suck it). Not everybody played with My Little Ponies, and some people even found the cartoons to be annoying after seeing them too many times. But they still existed, and they were popular as ish to whatever demographic loved them.
But I will go on the record and say that TP should stick to plays and movies. Or he needs to hire someone to learn him how to properly cast a sitcom with comedians, not dramatic theater thespians.
Just saying.
Lol, I was with you until you brought up The Notebook. You went too far. That movie was beautiful and sappy and I cried.
“think if Creflo Dollar decided to edit In Living Color that was cast with the overacting fire of 20 Nick Cages”
This is hilariously accurate. I think you’re right, those shows need to be stopped immediately and replaced with ANTM or Jerseylicious reruns.
I am not a fan of TP, nor am I a significant detractor. His films have entertainment value in spite of being a bit preachy. Some are so damned predictable (esp. The Family That Preys) that it becomes ridiculous in and of itself. But just as I’m considering the utter predictibility of his preachy storylines, it occurs to me that I’m a fairly well healed adult. I’ve been exposed to sh*t during my lifetime. I have experiences to draw from, upon which I base my “street” knowledge. The late teens and early adults don’t necessarily have this background to draw from nor were they necessarily blessed with parents to supplement this knowledge. IMO, this is where TP comes in.
Through his movies he offers an education in morality… something that many urban-geared modern movies fail to do. If no one else is teaching the young-uns anything, then if they were to accidentally pick up a morsel of life lessons from watching them be depicted on the silver screen, then I can’t fully detract from what his films offer. While to me, a TP movie may be simply a way to kill two hours while taking a break from thinking and enjoying the fact that I am experienced enough to recognize the shear predictibility, for others it could make the difference between learning the hard way from life experiences or being able to anticipate how a situation will play out based on what they saw in a movie and therefore avoid personal negative repercussions. The latter being the case, then perhaps TP films ain’t so bad. I still refuse to pay to see For Colored Girls though.
“While to me, a TP movie may be simply a way to kill two hours while taking a break from thinking and enjoying the fact that I am experienced enough to recognize the shear predictibility, for others it could make the difference between learning the hard way from life experiences or being able to anticipate how a situation will play out based on what they saw in a movie and therefore avoid personal negative repercussions”
so basically perry’s movies are so popular because too many of us don’t have dad’s in our lives? i like this theory. i think it has some legs
To piggyback off that theory, Champ, I’d say that TP’s aim is to educate folks who didn’t get what he got growing up. By all accounts, he didn’t have anyone to guide him and give him the knowledge that he kicks as Madea.
And to take it a step further, I think Madea is a creation of what he WISHED he had as a child. That grandmother/great aunt type figure who just knew by looking what you were going through and could offer some comfort, advice and a good laugh.
I’m not mad at him for that either.
I’m not a fan of everything Tyler Perry, growin’ up in the South I can relate to the Madea/Brown/fam reunions I feel as if Perry is a better #Southernblackculture playwright than movie director, however I appreciated the film #ForColoredGirls, and was Surprised with Perry taking on this play! it was NOT cheesy Lifetime 1800number or male bashing/racist…I feel like any woman could relate, but it’s called for colored girls,so non2520s would mos def relate to the issues…, each woman is a diff color/scenariothe underrated/forgotten Black actresses like Kimberly Elise, Anika Noni Rose, and Thandie Newton, and the beautiful Phylicia Rashad, Whoopi, played their Parts and deserve awards.I was glad BeYawnce or other ‘actresses’weren’t in it, casting was on point….#BlackGirlsRock!….In my opinion Perry did a great job of incorporating the details from the cheropoem/book/play “For Colored Girls who Have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow was not Enuf” by Ntozake Shange… Every Sista needs to see it/have a discussion..it was worth my $9.75 Support decent Black films without video hoes and washed up rappers in it!!!!
***filed under “comments that’ll definitely be on the inside cover of the “for colored girls” dvd release booklet”***
Spot-on post. I’m not a fan of his personally, but I do respect that he uses black talent and was able to start his own media empire. Now only if the plays, movies, and TV shows were better written.
DEAD at the children being thrown into the audience: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqs0ildJQ3o
welcome and sh*t (i think)
I equate my reaction to TP to my feelings for the New York Yankees. I don’t hate the Yankees, I hate Yankee fans.
Since the release of his stage plays many moons ago, it has been the TP fan that annoys me the most. I’ve been hit with so many side-eyes and arrogance when I question the quality of his work. I’m made to feel like I’m not ‘black enough’ if I don’t drink his Kool-Aid.
I can watch a Tyler Perry film, play on dvd and connect with SOME themes, SOME funny points and still walk away not enjoying the overall experience. But when I point that out, it comes across as an attack on black culutre.
His work may not have great quality overall. B not that many filmakers in H-Wood do nowadays. (like Tarrentino/Inglorious Bastards was shit)
But to be told that you have to pick a side is ridiculous. It’s like being told I’m not allowed to appreciate the play of Derek Jeter because I’m not a Yankee fan.
“I’ve been hit with so many side-eyes and arrogance when I question the quality of his work.”
see, i see the opposite—people made to feel bad for not hating tyler perry—happening more than that
Spoiler Alert: People Get raped, Murdered, Domestically abused, and much much more.
If Precious, Color Purple and Beloved had a baby it would be “For Colored Girls.” This movie did satisfy my Friday night entertainment but i left in dire need of a zoloft.
I think what makes his movies generally seem so bad to me is the characters really never change and he incorporates every single societal affliction into one movie. In For Colored Girls he failed to show any depth to the characters outside of their traumatic experiences and in keeping the poetry in the film adaption(at very awkward moments) it made the movie just seem forced together.
I mean im glad he is able to help put money in peoples pockets and provide entertainment. His films however receive very poor reviews and it seems like he doesnt even try to grow as a director. He just says f’ it im gettin money hoe, who needs rave reviews.
I will say I am proud of the black community for always supporting black movies regardless of if it is worth the funds to support. LOL
For Colored Girls was not a bad movie, but i do not think it should have been adapted into a film. The end was pretty bad though. After sitting in theaters where I felt like I watched Ricky from Boyz N’ Da Hood die 6 times(this movie was slam after slam of depressing events) a little more could have been done to show the strength of the sisters for not giving up and committing suicide and that they were able to lean on each other.
i feel what you’re sayin;, but Tyler Perry did not write/make up the characters/play “For Colored Girls”, (it’s called that for a reason, if you’re not a woman of color you’re not really TPs demographic) he directed Shange’s play “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow was Enuf”..I’ll say I wanted to watch CareBears and go to DisneyOnIce or somethin’ really happy afterwards, but none of the women committed suicide, they dealt with their heavy ish!..and that’s why #BlackGirls/WomenRock…
UMMMMMMMM that is not the only demographic the movie is for NOR is that the only demographic the play is for. I understand that the point was that they dealt with their heavy. My point is that TP did not focus on this aspect enough. The time where we see all of the women together and having dialog is at the very end of the movie and honestly that scene came off as awkward on film. Bear in mind TP did change the play significantly. The play does not stage men into the production so as a result alot more went into demonizing the men and their tragedies and was lackluster in what i feel was the most important part of the play: Surviving through it all.
i left in dire need of a zoloft.
My thing is this: with a title like “For Colored Girls who have considered Suicide, what do people really expect? Rainbows and puppies and frolicking unicorns?
It’s been documented that I find TP movies not very satisfying (I don’t think I’m the target market either) but I was pleasantly surprised at the real acting done by the characters and the fluidity of the actual movie… Even the soliloquies didn’t seem too forced…. Now we can’t blame him for the storyline, the play/book is aimed at colored girls who have considered suicide!! If that ain’t your cup of tea, then skip it.
I don’t understand the hooplah.
(nice to be semi-back by the way…
)
Hi Sula!!! *waving frantically*…oh and I cosign!
Well For Colored Girls was written before all of those but yeah I get your point.
Watching the film itself and later observing “our” reactions to it (for better or worse) has led me to one conclusion:
D@mn reparations, we all just need therapy. From who? Well, that’s sort of the problem.
Anyhoo…per the influence of my thespian friends, I’ve began to watch with more of a concentration on the acting itself. At one point I think I slipped into a trance from staring at the mucus coming from Kimberly Elise’s nose. That woman is extremely underrated. In a nutshell, I despise all things Madea, have yet to see “Why did I get married”, and in general I’m not a fan of TP. But he did a great job on this. IMO
-Sidebar – I hadn’t shed a tear myself during the movie until an *altercation occurred in the theater which left me literally in tears. Of laughter. Yall don’t know me like that yet…so I wont put it out there…but trust it was classic.
It seems the people who get EXTREMELY worked up over TP either don’t have anything else better to do OR this is all they do. All they do = get worked up over what they believe should be the voice, plight, primary issue of AAs. And in some cases it may be a part of their job(s) to do so. (i.e. activists, media personalities, other actors, etc.) Once they get a hold of it, and depending on their influence, the propoganda becomes contagious to the general public. But still, normal people with rainbows of their own to tend to are not about to work themselves into a heart attack or stroke over Tyler Perry’s work.
*why black people??? Just why.
I agree. I think people just need to get a life. I feel the same way about some bloggers. If you go from blog to blog, you see the same usernames everywhere…from youtube to twitter these people are just hating. GET A LIFE. I feel sorry for the people that spend 90% of their life online and seem miserable…maybe it’s because they’re not dealing with life, just talking about it.
At one point I think I slipped into a trance from staring at the mucus coming from Kimberly Elise’s nose. That woman is extremely underrated
seriously, if my life was defendant on finding someone to make the perfect anguished cry face, kimberly elise would be the first person I’d call (terrell owens would be second)
Anyhoo…per the influence of my thespian friends, I’ve began to watch with more of a concentration on the acting itself. At one point I think I slipped into a trance from staring at the mucus coming from Kimberly Elise’s nose. That woman is extremely underrated. In a nutshell, I despise all things Madea, have yet to see “Why did I get married”, and in general I’m not a fan of TP. But he did a great job on this. IMO
I could have written that entire paragraph meself…
And Loretta Devine was… divine!
I just realized that 90% of the ppl on this timeline have no idea that this was a play that came out in the 70′s and Tyler just directed it. I am by NO MEANS a Tyler Perry fan but I must give praise where it’s due. If any of you would spend $10 to actually read the play by Ntozake Shange you’ll see that this was extremely hard to put to film and I honestly didn’t think it could be done. Tyler surprised me and I think he did a great job putting it into movie form.
Before you make comments or write any blog posts, pls take 3minutes to google the history of something. The same thing goes to the comments regarding “Precious”. It wasn’t just another story to put black ppl down, it was based on a book written by a former social worker who incorporated her experiences into a story to bring light to issues. These aren’t just “put my ppl down movies”.
Anyway, that’s my piece. But kudos to Tyler, b/c we all know I was NERVOUS as hell when I heard he’d be turning one of my favorite plays into a movie. But he did a great job.
I still refuse to watch anything “madea” related.
@S Emm: cosign:) couldn’t have said it better, folks getcha facts straight, Perry & Oprah have $$$ to market/direct films, and get people to go, they never wrote the characters/scenarios,…and #ForColoredGirls is a play not a book/film I think he did an awesome job taking random poems making into a film!…and you can go #RunandtellthatHomeboy!…
they made a BOOK from the play.
And actually now its a film too.
“I just realized that 90% of the ppl on this timeline have no idea that this was a play that came out in the 70?s and Tyler just directed it.”
ummm, where did you get this idea? everybody here knows this was a adaptation of shange’s play.
ummm well when i read this post at 3:30am 35 out of the 38 comments seemed like this movie was TP’s brainchild. and I doubt every single person here knew that this was an adaptation of Shange’s play. It just seems like a lot ppl continue blame TP for how the men are portrayed in this movie etc. Yes he did add in the male characters, but if you read the play you’ll realize these characters were based on the poems of these women. In fact, the one good brotha in the film has absolutely no significance in the actual play.
But like I said, there is no way in hell I’m hopping on the TP train b/c I think this dude is a straight clown, but I have to give him praise for this film. It was a hard task to put that play to film and I think he did a decent job.
But then again, this is just my opinion
PS- I will admit that there were certain parts of the movie that made no sense whatsoever and highlighted Tyler’s lack of film knowledge. For example, Janet’s random coughing throughout the movie that signified that she was HIV positive. It was really random and unnecessary. But the overall finished product was decent.
Ok, that’s it. I’m can’t continue Another Angst-Ridden Discussion About Tyler Perry. (see what I did there)
I’m giving you the angry eyes because I haven’t seen the movie yet.
I agree. It seems as though most folks are completely unaware that this was adapted from a book that game out almost 35+ years ago.
They act like TP wrote it and certainly did not.
b/c we all know I was NERVOUS as hell when I heard he’d be turning one of my favorite plays into a movie. But he did a great job.
I really was nervous as all hell!! But he definitely did a great job… I think Janet was a bit miscast, but it was just a tiny bleep… the movie was well done.
And I like how it was adapted to our times…
This post is like the circle of life. Fancy a post about angst ridden conversations re: tp inspiring EVEN more angst ridden convos! Kudos, gentlemen.
Long time lurker, first time commenting.
Exactly. If I post I guess I’m just part of the problem.
welcome and sh*t
I loooove 2 things about this post…
#1: it’s f**king BRILLIANT & funny as hell (drinking the OJ, LMAO!)
#2: it will lead to a long-winded, multiple page scrolling [b]Angst-Ridden Discussion About Tyler Perry[/b]!
BRAVO, Champ
Dangit! I was trying to bold it the text, I don’t know how you guys do that here – looked but couldn’t find…
For the bold: You had it right, it’s just these symbols “” instead of “[]“.
Ok that didn’t go through. Maybe I have to separate them. Let’s try this again…Use “” instead of “[]“. Of course don’t separate them though.
Ok screw it, use the greater than and less than signs instead of the brackets. That’s the only thing you need to change.
Ahh – thank you, Constance!!
I’ve been trying to figure that out for WEEKS, lol!
& my brief angst-ridden comments – I appreciate that he’s employed so many, been so successful, put some great people back on screen (Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett Jr), has his own studio, etc… BUT his work is sub-par & I wish he (& Oprah) would produce more for others – smarter & more interesting filmmakers that have something to say. His work is just so tragically dumb.
& my brief angst-ridden comments – I appreciate that he’s employed so many, been so successful, put some great people back on screen (Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett Jr), has his own studio, etc…
i don’t know if I can get on board with the “it’s great that he put cicely tyson back on screen” train, especially if it’s just to roll her out on screen on a food cart for five minutes
Lol, Cicely is the go to hour long monologue lady. Whenever he wants a serious moment in his movies out pops Ms Tyson. Who by the way is anywhere from 80-180 years old.
lmao Jessica, you wrong for that! She’s only 76.
I hear you – she’s not featured but its still nice to see her, even if its in some TP crappity crap…
Respect TP as a businessman. Would work for him in a second. But would also rather make a ten dollar donation to a “Make TP Attend Film School” fund than sit through one of his movies.
i’d rather donate my cash to the “please hire angela nissel the next time you want to write a comedy” fund
Just realized I have never watched anything produced/directed by Tyler Perry.
I respect Tyler Perry’s hustle (as others have mentioned), his tenacity (lot of dead people died with their great ideas) and his commitment to his voice in the black community.
I can take/leave his films. For some reason, most of the acting seems fake to me, like they’re trying too hard. I can’t say that he has employed actors/actresses that can really act, where you don’t see the actual person; you see the character that is being portrayed.
Most of the people employed play the same type of character roles in most movies that they are a part of. I have yet to remember a “great performance” by any of them. If there is a TP movie that I want to see, I already have in my mind what to expect, but the same would be true for other directors as well.
See i disagree with you when it comes to the acting. For alot of his films I think he selects good actors who are able to execute well. The problem simply comes down to directing and writing and TP is not great at either. He does not change the characters very much, Janet Jackson is just not a good actor BUT Kimberly Elise is and does a great job on her roles. Overall though, tyler perry has a flair for the traumatic in his movies and Antoine Dodson could be incorporated into everyone well cuz they rapin everybody out here and in this film you really better hide yo kids and hide yo wife! Run and tell dat homeboi
I agree with you, “Janet Jackson is just not a good actor.” I’m on the
fence when it comes to Kimberly Elise.
My examples of actors/actresses that you see the character more than the actor/actress to me would be: Jamie Foxx in Ray Charles, Will Smith in Mohammed Ali, Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Oprah Winfrey as Ms Sophia, and Gabrile Sidibe as Precious and even Monique’s character as Precious’ mother.
Antoine Dodson is writing a contract right now- at this moment with TP
Am I the only one that was not feeling Monique in Precious? I felt like it was over-acted. Can we get “The Antoine Dodson Story” on Lifetime Movie Network poppin?
@WIP, I think mo’nique’s performance was solid but not as great as everyone said it was. Out of the women who were nominated for best supporting actress, I think she deserved it the most. ( Though she wasn’t nominated, I think Julianne Moore should have got it for ‘A single man’ #notthatyoucare)
Every movie you mentioned was nominated for an Oscar though. LOL
The point is this, you have to judge an actor given the lines they were provided and what they brought to the screen. For the lines she was expected to deliver, she delivered the hell out of them.
Sometimes even a great actor cant save a bad movie.
I really didn’t think abt the Oscars I just really “felt” their performance.
@Whip,
I didn’t think Monique was overdramatic… I like her as a person, but I can’t tolerate her voice. I enjoy her guests but I can’t sit through her voice and dramatic responses, “Baby” **in Monique’s voice… I bet a Lifetime movie on Antoine would be quite entertaining!
@ Coldsweat3 would you care to name a few, just for sh!ts and giggles?
“The Antoine Dodson Story: They Raping Everybody Out Here” Would be the best rated movie in Lifetime Network history.
I’m so mad you made me lol@ that.
@WIP I wonder if Antoine should play himself, or if someone else could do him any justice? Hmmmm Maybe Eddie Murphy-too old… a young Eddie could have. Kat Williams hmmmm. I can’t think of a young black comedian that could play Antoine…
Any suggestions?
@ coldsweat3 I didn’t read your comment or spell WIP’s name correctly, sorry- I was in a hurry.
…but, you’re right coldsweat3 “Sometimes even a great actor cant save a bad movie.” I thought you wrote the opposite a great actor can save a bad movie, which I’m struggling with coming up with names.
@YYY LOL, now you done tried Katt Williams! Maybe Chris Tucker back in the day. But it doesn’t have to be a comedian to play him- Chris Brown if he takes some more acting classes, dude that played ‘Walt’ on Lost, one of the boys from “Everbody Hates Chris,” I don’t know…
See, I’m not at one end of the spectrum. I just love all types of movies. I love me some more snobby films like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (hell, I watch the dayum Oscars every year…with enthusiasm) but I find myself always pausing on TBS during a channel surf for the 38,291st showing of a Tyler Perry Film. What can I say…I like to balance out my mind stimulation with pure ignance. Too much of anything is deadly.
I can’t with dem Lifetime films, doe, and mock them everytime I get. Ol’ “Let’s reveal the entire plot in just the title” arse films…
@Cheekie
I can’t with dem Lifetime films, doe, and mock them everytime I get. Ol’ “Let’s reveal the entire plot in just the title” arse films
LOL! so true! I don’t get why my mom loves that channel so much. Me and my dad are always teasing her about that.
” I love me some more snobby films like The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
You’re the only person I e-know that’s watched this film. * high five for watching obscure films that no one has heard of*
It’s one of my favorite foreign joints. In fact, I’m planning on buying it. Ever read the book? Been meaning to cop that…
@cheekie
The book was amazeballs.
LOL, sold.
“I can’t with dem Lifetime films, doe, and mock them everytime I get. Ol’ “Let’s reveal the entire plot in just the title” arse films…”
lol, you mean like “diary of a mad black woman”?
LOL, I hatechu. But that ain’t even as bad as Lifetime films. I’ve seen some that was an entire sentence revealing the actual plot points of the film.
…but I believe Tyler Perry is the black film Antichrist. Soon, everything ever made/will be made by a person of color will go thru him, if you want a wide release.
That is all.
Well at least he didn’t do N-secure. *shrug
LMAO!
Great article. This should be featured on Huffington Post and some of these other medial outlets.
It seems that people who consider themselves intellectuals or possess a modicum of artistic ability have made it fashionable to trash Tyler Perry. He is the reigning high falutin’ black folk whipping boy. People that haven’t seen the movie are bashing it based on his previous work without considering that the movie is an adaptation not an original Tyler Perry production. For Colored Girls is a seminal work by Ntozake Shange people!
If this movie was titled “When Madea Considered Suicide Because The Lord Wasn’t Enough”, I would understand all of the critical brutality.
I think this flick is his attempt to show us he is expanding his artistic vision, and showing us he can do much more than light hearted and underwhelming comedies. In my opinion, the original play would have been difficult for anybody to adapt. I saw the movie and considering the fact that TP had transcendent and brilliant source material to work from, I think that he did a decent job.
This article was on point. Some of the past Tyler Perry arguments were on point, but recently it just seems like a bunch of bandwagon bashing. I’m in agreement with the author of this piece, it’s getting played!
I cosign on everything you said. I think he is expanding his artistic vision, and people are judging “For Colored Girls”, based on his past work. “For Colored Girls” was AMAZING. I really think that people need to go see it before they start judging. I was pleasantly surprised. And… I think that if you don’t like the movie, then you probably didn’t like the content in the play and therefore, your dislike of the movie has more to do with your dislike of the play than with what Tyler Perry did with it.
“It seems that people who consider themselves intellectuals or possess a modicum of artistic ability have made it fashionable to trash Tyler Perry.”
This is it! Do i admit I like a few TP movies in the presence of pretentious movie snobs or do I sit quietly? I just know they are going to talk about me when I walk away.
“It seems that people who consider themselves intellectuals or possess a modicum of artistic ability have made it fashionable to trash Tyler Perry. He is the reigning high falutin’ black folk whipping boy. ” This sums it up for me!
The negativity is so prevalent about this movie that it hurt my feelings, damn!
People are acting like Tyler Perry overcooked their oodles of noodles or something
I read that he created this division of his film company to develop more serious projects and to give young and up & coming writers and directors an opportunity to bring thier vision to the screen. So maybe we’ll be seeing more well rounded movie soon.
Also, I find it funny that everyone else is pissed about his handling of this movie except Ntozake Shange. *ponders*
“Also, I find it funny that everyone else is pissed about his handling of this movie except Ntozake Shange. *ponders*”
EXACTLY.
“I think this flick is his attempt to show us he is expanding his artistic vision, and showing us he can do much more than light hearted and underwhelming comedies”
thanks for the compliments, but i think this point is off-base. the main criticisms i’ve heard is that his work is filled with nothing but heavy-headed melodrama and void of nuance, and that, in typical tyler perry fashion, he removes the nuance present in “for colored girls…” and turns it into stock and standard tyler perry
I’m not saying dude doesn’t need to take a film class or two, I just think some black folk make bashing him into some type of strange past time.
I disagree about the movie being void of nuance, I saw layers and complexities and I recognized each woman characterized in the film from personal experience. The Tyler Perry written dialogue transistion to the Shange poetry was glaring but people are reviewing this film like it is the second coming of Showgirls or something.
*** LIKE ***
I guess I don’t see why some people are so hard on TP either. I don’t think its fair for some people to tear him down for the “lack of quality/artistry” This man came from nothing, had no formal training or education (at least not that i know of) and was able to make a name for himself on his own terms, without compromising his beliefs and values.
So what if his movies are a little predictable? And his sitcoms are cheesy and over the top? Don’t like it? Don’t watch it and let the people who do get something out of his works enjoy it.
Diary of a Mad Black Woman was my movie anyway
lol
“So what if his movies are a little predictable? And his sitcoms are cheesy and over the top? Don’t like it? Don’t watch it and let the people who do get something out of his works enjoy it.”
but where’s the fun in that?
lol.
where’s my welcome?….and sh*t
Lol, I’ve been posting for about 2 1/2 months and never got a welcome and sh*t. I’m kind of like that family member who comes over and eats all your food, changes the channel and asks to wash some clothes before I even say hi.
I ain’t never get mine either. Just figured I wasn’t welcome and sh*t…
Count me in tooo Mr Champ and Mr. Jackson.
Don’t make us revolt up in here- “revolt deez” right?
And Ms Cheekie we want glitter too!
I kinda like how you called me “Ms Cheekie” so…
*flings each individual glitter-piece one-by-one*
How’s THAT for a welcome? *pinches everyone and runs*
Dang JessicaL you used up all the fabric softener didn’t ya? I bet you drank the last of the red kool aid too!!!!
Ms Cheekie, That was FABULOUS!!!!
Thank You very kindly!
I was meaning to tell you y’all are out out of softener and the koo aid was too sweet. I just got a cavity.
I recently went to a Tyler Perry play that came here, Madea’s Big Happy Family, and it was great. Tyler Perry is like the comedian in the family. He makes fun of stuff families laugh at in private. Maybe it’s a regional thing, but people aren’t mad because they know those characters. I think the people that are mad don’t know those people.
Character development is obviously not his strength, but give the brotha time. I think he’s so busy now, it’s probably not financial beneficial to change the formula at this point.
And I don’t think the brotha is gay. If Steve Harvey gets a pass with Sister Odell, Madea can slide. Mean old ladies are some of the funniest people on the planet. Madea is like the black, female version of Sh*t my Dad Says…well, not quite, but hell, it’s funny.
“And I don’t think the brotha is gay. If Steve Harvey gets a pass with Sister Odell, Madea can slide.”
apples and hand grenades. i think of steve harvey made his career and fortune by playing sister odell in movies and on stage, the general perception of him would be much, much different
Not only does he play Sister Odell, but he frequently does the ‘old church lady’ bits and voices during his acts. If anythng, TP just took SH’s bit a step further.
But, I think I speak for most when I say that Angst-Ridden Discussions About Tyler Perry is beginning to wear out its welcome .
Pretty much (c) Sula.
And that’s all I have to say. Ha!
thanks for nothing
Awwww, I got a workcite!
Yeah, like you said Pretty much. People need to let.it.go.
I don’t knock Tyler, can’t knock the hustle for real, but movies like FCG and Precious are depressing, so those are stories I can skip because I know them all too well.
As for TP’s other works, some are ok for what they are, and others I just don’t care for.
My older sister asked me if I wanted to see For Colored Girls, and when I said “No, but thank you for asking” she (naturally) asked me why. My response: “TP is a despicable human being and in my opinion shows contempt of BW.”
Brutal, yes, she side-eyed me in the-you’re-turning-on-your-own-ppl way and I said no… Just applying some critical analysis infused with a bit of Black feminist thought.
Full disclosure: I have seen a couple plays (on bootleg DVD), Diary of A Mad BW, And some other movie I can’t remember…but what bothers me about TP is that he recycles the same minstrel-like tropes and BW eat t up. Hollywood already having a narrow space for black actresses to funnel through supplying roles limited to the Jezebel, sapphire/shrewlike successful BW with perpetual man probs, and the mammy matriarch figure is limiting and is not representative of BW at all. Then BW take these stereotypes seen on film and feel like they must be representational so it speaks to their own truths. (for “2520s” it confirms their perceptions of what BW should be and thus expect BW to “Mad”)
My suggestion to her: go see the play or read the book first.
Movies are meant to be entertaining. Every movie I watch doesn’t have to be deep or intellectually stimulating. I’m getting a PhD, I do deep (frontal lobe) stuff all day. I watch movies mostly to unwind and relax. With that said, I do enjoy a few of TP’s movies. “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” and “I can do bad all by myself” are my favorites, not because they are deep but because I can connect with the storyline.
Okay I will admit that I don’t like how Tyler Perry takes a good concept or message and completely exploits it with over-the-top scenarios that make the film not only unbelievable but a little offensive at times. Btw, I have never cried about being “colored” or “black”. With that said, I still like 3 of his movies. So I would say, I do think Tyler Perry has made black women look bad more than I like but got dang if I’m going to have another conversation about it. I’m so glad you touched on it. Black people are really HATING on this man hard. Almost to the point where it’s obnoxious and making my ears bleed.
This is nothing new because we love to hate. This is where I have a problem: When Black people hate on Tyler Perry movies but then list The Godfather and Menace II Society in their top 3 fav movies. (I actually liked them both) but my point is, if you were so deep and offended by offensive material, then you would hate gangster films more than Tyler Perry. I dunno but it seems more of a hate to just hate type of thing.
Right, I don’t recall any arugments about Cedric the Entertainer’s character from Barber Shop (I know there was some controversy over what he said, but I don’t recall anyone criticizing the character) which is the equivalent to Brown IMO. I wonder if it has something to do with him playing a woman’s character.
” I wonder if it has something to do with him playing a woman’s character.”
BINGO
That’s the reason he was banned from my dad’s house. Does anybody remember Cedric’s variety show? He played the cafeteria lady.
And whats crazy with that is because anyone who knows history knows that men were the ONLY actors for years! So if there was a woman’s part, it was played by a man. If there was a young girl’s part, it was played by a little boy. You don’t see too many 2520′s up in arms about their fav actors dressing in drag. Hell didn’t Dustin Hoffman win awards for Tootsie?!? Its been done and done and done again. Folks need to chill out
Yeah, the questioning of his sexuality because of the Madea character is out of control to me. I mean, we have have the “is he or isn’t he” debate, but not based on that.
To me, it’s like asking is Halle was really a crackhead because she played one in Jungle Fever.
Um…I still think Tyler Perry is gay though and not because he dressed as a woman. I think it’s the lips. Just my opinion. lol
Lmao yes! His lip gloss be poppin!
I do too…just not based on his dressing up as Madea. On a deeper level, I think a lot of boys molested grow up with female tendencies becuase it’s a by-product of the molestation. Not all…but many of them do. That’s what I think when I see him. He’s still confused…almost ambiguous about his own sexuality and it shows.
So we are all in agreement then…Tyler Perry might be most definitely is gay…but not because of his RuPaul tendencies.
Cosign with you, pretty lady. I can’t hate on the man for getting his paper making the movies and plays he has made. Knowing his story and where he came from, it is good to see a black man succeed. He has found a large enough audience to make him successful. Like Dash and Wu said, I am not a part of the demographic he is catering to. If I wanted to know how strong a black woman can be with odds against her, I don’t need to see a movie. I just call my Momma. I don’t hate his movies, they just don’t interest me like it does other people, although his casting for “For Colored Girls” is excellent. So many beautiful woman in one movie is amazing. Even Phylicia Rashad at 62 is making these woman nowadays look bad.
She’s always struck me as a very classy lady. I hope I’m that classy when I get old.
Exactly. Good sum up. I grew up watching Phylicia on the Cosby show. My mom’s alot like her character on the show (And my dad’s alot like Bill Cosby…bigot and all lol) so I cosign Phylicia always looks elegant.
That’s terrible what you said about your dad lol. Guys from our generation always looked at Claire Huxtable as the model wife. When Phylicia Rashad is involved with something, you know that she is going to bring some class to it.
AKA represent! Phylicia Rashad is an awesome example of what actresses these days should strive to in terms of class, elegance and grace. Loves her!
I’ve been familiar w/ TP’s work since his chitlin circuit days back in the early 2000′s, and I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a fan of EVERYTHING he does. However, I do think that many of his productions have artistic & moral value; I’m pleased that the former seems to have finally started to catch up with the latter with For Colored Girls.
I enjoyed the movie and thought it was 1) a great way to introduce the original work to a new generation and 2) an INTENSE film that intends to really speak volumes to (not for) its target audience.
Like the film or not, my question is similar to that posed here…why is TP the subject of heated debate? Folks either lionize or lynch him…what gives? The thing that particularly pisses me off is that you have the Black “intellectuals” (what does that mean anyway), journalists, and bougie-folk in general that use everything he does as an opportunity to reinforce their perceived superiority as uppity negroes…often without even seeing the films in question. Why do some feel the need to reinforce their percieved intellectual superiority through often mean-spirited criticism?
Plus, to do such things would be to completely dismiss the strength of the connection he has with his audience. A lot of women were in the theatre crying and passing Kleenex around – you would’ve thought it was Sunday service in there!
I salute that brotha.
“I’ve been familiar w/ TP’s work since his chitlin circuit days back in the early 2000?s”
Same here. I prefer the plays so much more than the movies though. The acting isn’t very good, but I think the singing and the audience response make them so much fun. The movies are basic IMO. I do plan on seeing his interpretation of someone else’s play.
I do feel like the plays were his comfort zone, but it’s hard for me to say I prefer them over his movies b/c I haven’t seen a TP play in years. Honestly it’d be hard for me to check one out (unless it’s live) because I’ve gotten used to his “bigger” productions now.
“Plus, to do such things would be to completely dismiss the strength of the connection he has with his audience. A lot of women were in the theatre crying and passing Kleenex around – you would’ve thought it was Sunday service in there!”
My girls and I were among those that were and I mean the ugly cry. At one point we felt that during the movie we lived the story line of a piece of each character or we’ve been the support of one of these persons.
Seeing the play at age 14 definitely meant something totally different than seeing it presented to me at 31. I literally reached out and grabbed the nearest hand to me so I wouldn’t cry out too loudly…smh. I went into the movie seeing it with the same eyes as I did when I was 14 but now having lived and having had “gone through some thangs,” my girlhood giddiness wore off pretty quick as I Kodak flashed back through my life and realized yeah I really know that these colored ladies were more than just pretty and flashing clothing twirling under stage lights.
Okay…so yeah I went off in left field with this comment, lol. But yeah…
“Left field” is good in this case…that’s proof that this is speaking deeply to something that a lot of the critics-by-default refuse to recognize.
Similar experience here! I was not ready for the kleenex.
Thank God the girls and I had brunch scheduled afterwards. Nothing like hot, crispy beignets to make the world go round again.
TP does not pay your bills, clothe your children or put food in your mouth. If he did and he took away from any or all of that, THEN I could understand the anger. If you don’t like his movies or shows, don’t watch! Thats so simple to do. To find all this fault and have all this anger towards a man that produces works of fiction for entertainment purposes only makes me question people’s priorities. Its really not that serious.
And for the record Im neither a fan nor foe. I just think logically when it comes to watching movies that I choose to pay to see and tv channels that I didnt block because a particular show comes on.
“TP does not pay your bills, clothe your children or put food in your mouth”
THANK YOU for summarizing my feelings in one sentence. You know (not you) how much foolery is on t.v. and movies? Why do people feel the need to go in so hard on this man? I don’t get it. I love what you said. I am a logic thinker myself. It’s really not that serious.
Dare I say it may be jealousy? At least some parts of it stem from jealousy. I mean you have a man who came from basically nothing to surpassing a lot of educated black folks. You mean to tell me I got this Harvard degree and this broke down cross-dresser has millions in the bank, millions in the seats, and guest stars on every other Oprah episode? I call foul. Lol, not to mention he gets laughs out of simple buffoonery.
I think thats what makes it worse to me. If that man is living your (not you in particular) dream, then that means dreams do come true. It takes hard work and preserverance to make it anywhere, not just the movie industry. Every profession has people in the limelight and making more than the next. If people want to be THAT person, then they need to work hard and hope/pray/luck themselves into positions where their “star power” can be seen.
I got 404d. I don’t remember what I typed exactly but something about it reminding me of Obama when he announced he would be running for president and all these educated black people were HATING in droves. I remember thinking it was jealousy. When Jesse Jackson was crying, it was tears of envy! lol
Please preach it again for the folks in the balcony….
They need to hear it. I don’t know any other race that does this. Someone is successful, and maybe not to your liking, but instead of simply saying “I’ll pass” there has to be this uproar of why he’s the anti-christ.
GTFOH…You summed it up nicely. If you don’t like it, don’t watch. And I’m not saying criticism over his work isn’t necessary for his growth. The folks who need to take that “love it or leave it motto” are the ones of the “he’s gay…Madea is a travesty….TP drinks babies blood for breakfast” variety haters.
Although I’ll admit to watching a whole five minutes of Meet the Paynes, I just couldn’t manage to sit through an entire episode of the other show he does. [visited family down South and they watch that ish religiously]
And I don’t hate TP per se, but moreso the fact that right now he’s pretty much cornered the market on movies about Black Americans. And there doesn’t seem to be any alternative. People have mentioned Ice Cube, John Singelton and Spike Lee. But honestly, when’s the last time you rushed out to see a hot Spike Lee movie? And Cube pretty just makes kiddie friendly fare these days. Some days I look at my Amerikkka’s Most Wanted CD and just SMDH.
If there was another director out there who could balance out all the “Black men ain’t sh*t” films cranked out by TP with an occaisional film where some of us have degrees, jobs, are paying mortgages and not 3 years behind on child support–maybe TP films would be a little easier to stomach.
Why Did I Get Married portrayed successful black couples who were doctors and lawyers. Only one of the four story lines in this movie involved a black man who wasn’t sh*t
The Family That Preys depicted a black WOMAN who wasn’t sh*t and a white man who was scum.
It’s not fair to say his content isn’t varied and that all he shows are negative images of black men. Daddy’s Little Girl is a good counterexample of that statement.
What I believe TP’s mission is to show situations where people have been used and abused but have risen above with the love of their families and the church. Not that the content isn’t sometimes exaggerated, but it’s not like the things he shows in his movies aren’t happening everyday.
If you pay attention to his films, there is a problem with his story-telling ability, though. It’s extremely stereotypical, to a point where if his works were “guess who the killer is” horror films, you’d point out the villain 10 seconds into every film.
It works for him and his audience. So be it. It’s not really hurting anyone.
I think it works for many audiences. You need a basic ‘root for the good guy’ and ‘boo the bad guy’ story every now and then. I’ve seen too many movies that got too convoluted because they were trying to be elusive about the plot and the story. I think the non-black comparison would be Will Ferrell (recent Will Ferrell).
agreed.
why does a story need to be complicated to be told?
i imagine that a lot of the scenarios in his films are (an exaggerated version of) things he’s either experienced or seen in his life.
“Why Did I Get Married portrayed successful black couples who were doctors and lawyers.”
And all the problems in the marriages were the fault of the wives.
*slow claps*
There are two things I’m taking from this entire episode:
1. Black people want to go to movies where all of their problems are caused by white people because that’s exactly how it is in real life.
2. It would be wise of Nightline to follow up its “Why Are Black Women Still Single?” discussion from the end of last year because we’re too dumb to progress any vital or trivial discussions.
The film isn’t bad. It just takes a powerful story and makes it an OK, and at times, moving film. And Tyler Perry’s is still at the register. End of story.
Great read.
Just so you know…
Sometimes black people scare me with their inability to understand something before they speak on it.
Shange’ wrote the play. Tyler rewrote the piece as a film, changing major plot, story and character lines.
As one critic brilliantly stated, with the play Shange’ created archetypes, with this film Perry created stereotypes.
* side eye * why was the film filled with so many naked and light-skinned men? Looks like the Boondocks got it right !
I’m pretty much indifferent to Tyler Perry. I’ve seen, some of his films and they have entertainment value and are definitely watchable. From what i gather, ” For colored girls who have considered suicide…… is an important play for African- American females, and I heard a lot of women expressing concern over whether or not Tyler had enough talent/experience as a film maker ( not a movie maker) to bring the play to life and remain faithful to it’s original intent. Personally, the only thing that was dubious to me was the fact that Nzingha Stewart was first slated to direct it and it appears Tyler weaseled his way in and got the rights to direct it. I really don’t like the argument of supporting people just because they are black. If i’m spending money to see a film, I at least want to be interested in it.Also criticizing, someone’s work does not necessarily mean you are ‘tearing them down’, you just want them to improve their work and get better.
There’s a difference between criticizing a person’s work and chopping him down because you don’t like him. Most people seem to be doing the latter. They’re not criticizing his work but him as a person, like he ran over the family dog.
I’m not sure if this is true, it seems as though people who are fans (stans) of TP think that any critique of his work is a sin.
This film is Tyler’s best work thus far, but thats not saying much when they bar is already so low.
* the bar is already so low.
Ex: Roman Polanski is a self-entitled pervert. However, I thought Rosemary’s Baby was an excellent movie with an interesting view on satanists or some sh*t lol.
Good example !
Good Example !
Cosign!
That’s true for everything though. Michael Jackson was a child molester and people worship him. Marvin Gaye was a wife beater. There are so many.
Yep, and Tyler is a bible beating / contradicting, gay man who manipulates insecure black women into liking his works, and he still makes a killing at the box office, so i guess you are right.
@jessicaL, I understand that there are people who attack Tyler’s character, and obviously I don’t condone that. However, I’m referring to people who are against any sort of constructive criticism, and somehow equate that to ‘bashing’.
Have you seen the movie yet? Do you intend on seeing it?
yeah I plan on seeing it when it comes out here. The cast (save Janet) is amazing. I hope it’s good.
After that travesty called Why
the f**k did I spend actual money to go see another non-believable fu**ing tyler perry movie, and why is he going on Oprah the day his movie drop trying to gain sympathy movie goersDid I get Married Too, I chose not to see this moviei think people are frustrated with a) his lack of growth as an artist and b) the fact that he has an audience.
I’m certainly on the A track with this one. For me, TP is just maddeningly inconsistent. How can he make a movie with characters as well written as Why Did I Get Married 1 and then drive them right into a ditch with the travesty that is the sequel. I thought The Family That Preys is great and is the anti-Madea Does _____. I thought that if I just didn’t have decent expectations from the Madea films and did for his non-Madea work, I’d be OK. I was dead wrong.
After reading some of the For Colored Girls reviews (Waiting to Exhale on Crack) I may have to skip this one as well.
Girl, the first WDIGM was pretty decent. The sequel made me want to unbolt my seat in the theatre and throw it at the screen.
I was bad…real bad. MJ!
Lol, This!
Yeah, umm, I’m not a girl, I’m all VSB.
But yeah, I was saying that WDIGM1 was very good, very well-written and (save for Janet) a well-acted film. My gf asked me not to watch WDIGM2 until I watched it with her. (We were long-distance at the time.) We both wanted those 2 hours back.
Sorry, I assumed (wrongly) that you were a girl.
And yes, I hated that damn movie. It was the absolute worst. All of the characters regressed. All of them. It was like watching teens with money. The only story line that was halfway decent was Mike/Sheila/Troy
Everything else was terrible.
it’s just entertainment folks. some portion of it is based on any person’s reality. maybe these love/hate convos are the intended results of this entertainment. i will watch the film, even if it be full of stereotypes, enjoy it or dislike it, & make that decision because it is just entertainment.
All Tyler Pyler has done is realize the profitability of victimization. For reasons unknown to me people are willing to go out and spend money to look at relatable yet heavily sensationalized renditions of experiences they have undergone in their own lives. It would seem that mere memory is insufficient these days.
Viewed by itself, I have no issue with this relationship. Man panders to people who have suffered, and they pay him lots of cash to do so. Congrats!
The problem I have is when the man reaches the apogee of black filmmaking in spite of recycling the same themes. Imagine a world where Soulja Boy is the biggest rapper and the alternatives are slim to none. (Wait, wasn’t that 2008?)
In short, I have no problem with Tyler Perry nor his films. My problem derives from how singular they have become and that more people aren’t disconsolate at this occurence.
“My problem derives from how singular they have become and that more people aren’t disconsolate at this occurence.”- I don’t think it’s really accurate to say people aren’t “disconsolate” (I had to dictionary.com this word and I like it) because we do want more options. There just aren’t that many and we are working with what we are given, LOL. I think there are, and have been, voices asking for more progressive black characters- not only in movies, but in TV shows and commercials. We’ve gotten it here and there. “All Tyler Perry has done is realize the profitability of victimization.”- I would say no more than anybody making a romantic comedy has.
just my thoughts on the movie
I saw the movie last night with my SO and I was very impressed with the acting and story lines. As a black man with three daughters who are pre-teen I think its important for all black women to see this film. For me its not about TP, this film should serve a life lesson of self worth and value, two things I don’t count on TP to teach my girls because they get that from me. But its nice to be able show them examples through a media source (which usually displays my sistas as booty with a attitude)of how not to let men treat you, how to protect your mind and body, and how to love and respect yourself. As a parent its nice to be able to watch a film that makes my girls THINK of the world they live in. And what it means to be a black woman in America. Not saying that every type of sista was represented in the film. But the film covers enough that I think we all could relate at some point. I grew up with six girls with issues and my pops at some point was the wifebeater and the cheater.
This film reinforces the reason why we should protect our women and children as community from all danger including ourselves. If we can’t commit to that, then keep committing the slow but fast genocide we call our lives.
sorry but a disrespected VSS really tightens my fist
great post brah!!
Great insight on how a man may choose to see it. Thanks for expounding.
Great perspective.
I went into the movie with no expectations (because I didn’t know much about the play) but I was pleasantly surprised. And telling A story doesn’t mean it’s THEE story of every single person out there. It’s just A single story. It’s a HUMAN story and a story worth talking about.
Plus, it was well directed and well acted.
One more thing. If in the defense of a Tyler Perry film you cite: a. his hustle, b. his life story, or c. his income, you are already losing. While they are positive and charming in some sense, they have absolutely no relation to the quality of the film. WIth so many areas of critique, it makes no sense to continually mention the unrelated.
um…how so?
don’t those things you mentioned influence the type of movies/plays he creates and how he writes them?
They influence how he crafts the movie, but should not be factors in how to judge the final product. Classic example of looking at the means and not the end.
Dialogue, cinematography, character arc, and plot are more credible.
An analogy would be to vote for a politician based on race, gender, party affiliation, socioeconomic background, and not their policies. (Nevermind, this is already the norm.)
“My problem derives from how singular they have become and that more people aren’t disconsolate at this occurence.”- I don’t think it’s really accurate to say people aren’t “disconsolate” (I had to dictionary.com this word and I like it) because we do want more options. There just aren’t that many and we are working with what we are given, LOL. I think there are, and have been, voices asking for more progressive black characters- not only in movies, but in TV shows and commercials. We’ve gotten it here and there. “All Tyler Perry has done is realize the profitability of victimization.”- I would say no more than anybody making a romantic comedy has.
So I totally missed the REPLY button? ok…
Hello WIP,
Some people are disconsolate, there’s evidence of that in this comment thread alone. The majority, however, as shown by the box office numbers, are not. Even an unmitigated Tyler Perry fan should be able to see that the themes endemic to Tyler Perry films prevailing over others to the point of unversality and, (let me be sensational for a minute) eventually, monopolization cannot be a good thing.
I’m going to make a film about a guy who sues Tyler Perry for Anti-trust.
Well I think the box office numbers reflect the acceptance of the content, not regarding the theme as much as the language and scenes. Many ‘black’ films are filled with vulgarity (not all, but many, and yes ‘white’ films have vulgarity too, but again, there are more options out there.) and this turns a lot of people off. From that perspective, I think TP is pulling in the church crowd too. Most of his work is pretty tame compared to others. In terms of movies with predominantly black casts, I think it will continually go back to not having much to choose from.
I went to the movies yesterday (saw Due Date which was kinda funny by the way. Like an updated version of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles ) and I saw the crowd coming from For Colored Girls: All Black Women with other Black Women. When we got in the car, that new Jasmine Sullivan song was on (10 seconds). I noticed a pattern of misery and sorrow that just seems to resonate with so many Black Women that disturbs me.
PS–New Bond Post. Let’s Go.
Bond. BlkBond.
Yeah I went to see Due Date too… I thought it was hilarious!! RDJ is a fool for gut checking that little boy like that.
I wanted to see Due Date. I like Rodney Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis is the new Chris Farley.
You should definitely check it out. It even had a few “touching” moments, but it definitely had me cracking up
I’ll see it with you. Pick me up at 9pm.
I’m trippin’. I meant Robert Downey, Jr. #EffAMonday
@SFG
Ok, cool. We’ll sit in the back and I’ll buy the jumbo popcorn. #Letmestop
LMAO! That’s a deal. I’ll bring the mini alcohol samplers, mcdonalds cheeseburgers and
lubein my purse. lololol j/kLol. Just reach for the whole at the bottom of the bucket. Good Lord, I could not even imagine going to the movies with you.
You aint ready lol
tyler perry needs to just come out and tell the world he’s gay so we can all move on with our lives!!!!
there i said it.
if tyler perry would just come out, then we could all say “oh!!!! so thats why tyler perry can’t direct movies: he’s tyring to tell female stories of struggle through a gay man’s eyes”.
First thought was “this chick is funny”
Second thought was “this chick may have a point”
i spend most of the morning arguing on FB about this Perry guy. Since I am born without a vagina, I decline on seeing this film. I will however sprinkle hate flakes all over each and every topic with his name since he cannot get the depiction of heterosexual males down.
I think Champ may have missed the elephant in the room. The blk ppl that dislike Tyler Perry aren’t hating him in a fit of pretentiousness, they’re hating him because the majority of his body of work is bad. Srsly. You can’t avoid these convos because every time he comes out with new work, it’s ubiquitous among black people. Care to know why the sky is blue?
To me TP’s plays / movies are reminiscent of Lifetime movies. No one complains when they see a movie on Lifetime and someone is being abused, raped or ________ because it is expected. If you dont want to see such a movie you wouldnt look at Lifetime right? Right?
I have so much to say yet I do not know where to start.
First, I don’t give a monkey’s ball if he is gay and I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired (TP’s next play?) of that even being part of any discussion of the man and his material. I thought that there was nothing wrong with that…
Second, I agree he needs to take a film class or two or do the whole d@mn program. Or he could be like a lot of people I know and he has to work it out for himself. If much of the criticism of his work did not also include personal attacks maybe he would be inclined to take heed.
My own dear, sweet mother LOVES her some TP. Because I know what type of person she is, her morals and values, I don’t hold that against her and TP earns a (small) pass from me from her approval alone.
I think alot of the brouhaha may be due to the fact of the lack of other images of AAs on the big and small screens. I like movies and tv as much as the next red blooded American but it is discouraging to hardly ever see anyone that looks like me. I don’t care what anybody says, it is important to see yourself reflected in culture. Don’t think so? Let 2520s watch Telemundo for more than 15 minutes and there be no other options. There would be some taking back of America like you wouldn’t believe! (The ONLY reason I went to see Eat, Pray, Love was to catch a glimpse of Viola Davis.)
I must agree with Champ: if some of us/them had gotten up in arms about last weeks election like we/they are over this movie, the results (hopefully) would have been different.
Nope, because the same mental deficiency that causes people to blindly follow tyer perry is the same mental deficiency that kept them from caring about other important things like voting.
Just thank God that we all don’t fall into that way of thinking.
Tyler who?
I don’t know.
I’m sort of checked out on the whole TP franchise, I guess the reasons are many and varies:
1. Honestly I think of his movies a PBS special at the end you learn the moral of the story is…drama is a part of life ..but you can over come ( insert personal drama…abuse, molestation, incest, narcissistic parents, broken and twisted black men) and be happy.
2. When I see a positive black man doing big things and accomplishing tremendous victories I’m down, it feel like, yes!!! But uh hold up… I find out he’s a switch hitter for the other team, fantasy halted. (men please forgive me, I’m not bad..I’m just drawn that way)
3.I can’t get pass a man in a dress. I’m sorry but the testosterone levels in me are just no having it. And yes women have testosterone, just like men have estrogen, (Google it baby)..now every time I see a brother in a dress I start to feel like this man has been emasculated and I start thinking….and as this mind shifts into deeper thought I am not able to enjoy the movies.
4.Yeah there were some great scenes in his movies, but after the build of downtrodden, broken women who have nothing but grief and pain to show for their sorted lives finally stand up and slays the dragon, of course the peanut gallery goes crazy with cheer.
5.I left the movie theater wondering “why are you even married?” after seeing WDIGM II.
I suppose there are more reasons I could give as to why I’m not going to see he latest movie..but honestly…it doesn’t interest me…but I’m all in for Mega Mind. ***however I will insert that if some where in the future I’m at a friends house and they insist that I must see this movie…I will watch it provided they provide the popcorn.***
“5.I left the movie theater wondering “why are you even married?” after seeing WDIGM II. ”
I left thinking a combination of “I don’t want to get married/I wish I never meet this people in life.”
One of the Google Ads is “Black Gay Men.” No further comment *giggles*
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