Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Miracles and Movies



First things first. The sky opened up today, the sun shown a little brighter and all of the birds sung in harmony. Oh, and I think Hell might have froze over a little bit, but I’m still unclear on that. That’s right. My brother started work yesterday. Can you believe that. The man has an actual job! I don’t know what it is, or how much it pays and I don’t care. I’m just glad the boy is working! What about benefits, you ask. The benefit is that he starts earning his own money.

Okay, so today, after I found out that my little brother was working, I took my mom to early vote and then we met my two sisters and nephew at the movies. We went to see the Secret Life of Bees. It goes without saying that my nephew wasn’t interested in the movie and I gotta say, I didn’t care for it much my damn self. That’s right, I said it…I did not like the movie, The Secret Lives of Bees! I thought it sucked like a Hover vacuum and I want those few hours of my life back. I seriously almost walked out on it, but I wanted to see how they were going to end it.

My mom and sisters enjoyed it, so maybe I am being too tough on the movie because I read the book. That’s what my older sister said, anyway. And she is probably at least partially right. I was, after all, finding myself comparing it with the book, but I have seen plenty of movies that were based on movies and enjoyed them. The Firm. The Color Purple. The Women of Brewster Place. The Last Unicorn. Yes, The Last Unicorn. Don’t judge me, damn it. Still, I just was not feeling this movie. I just don’t think they did a good job. Even the parts that should have touched me, like May’s (I want say what happened), didn’t.

I think they changed around too many of the significant moments, when they should have stayed more true to the original outline of the book. I mean, I have no problem with people making changes for the screen play, but let those changes add to, not take away from the plot of the movie and the character’s development. Case in point, the reason why Rosaline got beat down and how Lilly actually managed to get her out of the hospital. Why the little boy actually end up in jail. I could name a lot, but those are some of the ones that stood out for me.

And the casting was done poorly. I think that Alicia Keyes, Dakota Fanny and the chick that played May were good in their roles and appropriately cast, but Queen Latifia and Jennifer Hudson did not fit their parts at all. First of all, August should have been an older and thinner woman. Plus, I think that the Queen should have played the part a little less masculine. She just didn‘t come off as a naturally mother type. Then there was Jennifer Hudson’s character. This was not Ms. Hudson’s shinning moment on the big screen. Plus, the character should have been an older, more heavy set woman. She didn’t even make up believe that she chew snuff. They should have made that part more clear. Hell, If I hadn’t read the book I would have just thought her spit was dirty. And what the hell was a Obama/Biden campaign poster doing in the movie? That was just going too far.

Anyway, that is my review of the movie. Hated it! But don’t take my word for it. Like I said, my sisters and mom liked it. However, as for Manny and Me. We be waiting to peep Madagascar 2.
That’s right, baby.

-One Man’s Opinion. Peace.

I am overjoyed that my little brother got a job. But I gotta admit that I miss seeing his dumb ass.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

And what the hell was a Obama/Biden campaign poster doing in the movie? That was just going too far.

LOL.

One Man, Rule No. 1: You never take women you are related to Chick Flicks! There is only reason for a man to ever suffer through a chick flick, even "Chick Flicks of Color," and that's if he knows there is going to be a "happy ending" AFTER the movie is over.

RunningMom said...

I'm kinda glad I never went and reread the book for the book club.... now I can see the movie and I won't remember enough of the finer details to be bothered. However! I feel the exact same way about a lot of movies, the books are so much better.

One movie I think was just as good as the book was Misery. Cathy Bates was perfect.

Uh where you been anyway? Slacker!

Anonymous said...

Hooray! Your brother got a job!

I haven't seen the movie yet. But you are teh third male that said you didn't like the male.

My son and I will be front and center to see Madagascar 2.

Jazzy said...

I'm with Southern...you are the umpteenth person to tell me they didn't like the movie. All were people that read the book too. I read the book, so yeah...I'm REALLY skeptical about paying to see it now.

LOL @ that campaign poster...obviously an oversight.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

he sounds like a fine young man - be proud folk

MP said...

i tried to watch the movie on bootleg and was bored out of my mind but not as bored as i thought i would be which is always a plus!

Dave Van Buren said...

Damn, I didn't even want to see the movie. Madagascar 2 on the other hand. i might gather a bunch of kids to go see that.. lol

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the Miracle...hopefully lil bro has seen the light and realizes it's time to act right!!

It doesn't matter what he's doing as long as it's legal!!!

lyre said...

I didnt see the poster. Now I wanna go and see it again just to peep that!

I got a $40 dollar gift card to my favorite movie theater for my birthday! I think I wanna "move it move it" to see Madagascar too!

James Tubman said...

the secret life of bees has black women in it lol

i really need to keep up with popular culture

Curious said...

You know a movie 9 times out of 10 is just someone else's 90- 120 minute interpretation of a book that is 2 or 3 days long. They really should not be compared to one another since they are 2 different mediums. Now for the other thing.

Congrats on li'l bro getting a job, but I have never seen what the big deal is about having a job. I've had a job all my life since turning 17 and I may not have hated every minute of it wherever I've worked, I've come damn close. Anyway, congrats again to bro for joining the land of misery.

blkbutterfly said...

i saw the movie and while i didn't hate it, it did leave much to be desired. even if i hadn't read the book i think i would've felt the same way. the movie was mediocre at best.

Darius T. Williams said...

Hmph - I knew u wouldn't have liked it!

Tafari said...

"The Last Unicorn"!!! Nigga pleasssssse.
Tafari

King's Kid said...

"...But I gotta admit that I miss seeing his dumb ass...."

That is a very sweet, big brotherly sentiment. I love it.

You're not a hard A**, you just play one on the streets.

Peace

Madam Z said...

I'm so glad your brother got a job. I think it's very important for a man's self-esteem to be able to earn his own money.

And thanks for the warning about the movie.

cathouse teri said...

I completely agree with you! Very disappointed I was. Although Dakota's performance was STELLAR. I always love Queen Latifah, and loved her no less here, but her role was not sensational. This I do not think was her fault. It this the movie was VERY poorly translated on to the screen. And Hudson! Badly, badly cast!

It was a pleasant enough movie. But having read the book, I was so sad at how it was interpreted here.

Sidenote: LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE The Last Unicorn!

Anonymous said...

Congrats for your bro.

I so want to see the movie, but haven't yet.

-eve- said...

You've got good taste, one man. The Last Unicorn is in the top 3 of my fav movies.:-)