Brookey's Cafe Blog

TGIF my happy peoples!

Now, LAST Friday, I urged you all to go see The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. Well, TODAY I'm urging you to go see The Secret Life of Bees. I saw the film and fell in love with it. I did not read the book, so I can't speak to if the movie stays true to the story told in Sue Monk Kidd's best-selling novel. I know the paperback sold millions, so the movie adaptation is met with much anticipation by fans who loved the book. Although it is often the case that the book is better than the movie, I still think it's a movie worth seeing and one that we can appreciate whether you read the book or not. But as always, we can discuss if you like.

Here is the trailer:




Now, no one responded to last Friday's suggestion to go see The Express, which is fine. It was just a suggestion. But I want to implore you all to go support films that have a majority African American cast that tell a great story and have a positive message. Last weekend, The Express had a low box office showing, which is disappointing. The story of Ernie Davis is an inspirational one that shows a positive portrayal of an African American man who excelled on and off the field. It's not often that our stories get told, let alone in a positive way. We should really support them when they do.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm the first one to go see a Tyler Perry flick with my girlfriends to share some laughs.



Madea is hilarious to me! And I'm not saying there are no redeeming, positive messages in his films. But if we can go see a man act a fool in drag, then surely we can go see films that showcase accomplishments in our history, or films that are executive produced (Jada Pinkett-Smith), directed (Gina Prince-Bythewood) and starring strong, REAL, African American women (Queen Latifah, Sofie Okonedo, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson) such is the case in The Secret Life of Bees.

Whether you actually like the film or not, it is imperative that we support these efforts as much as possible. We are the first to complain when Soul Plane comes out and we are misrepresented or stereotyped onscreen, but these are the movies that perform at the box office or that we flock to see because we want to hear some jokes.

(okay, maybe not Soul Plane, but you get my point) :-)

And there's nothing wrong with jokes. But we have to have balance. The only way the diversity that we long to see onscreen will ever manifest itself is if we show these studios that we have the power to bring in huge revenue for them. And not just for Tyler Perry or Spike Lee, but for the Jada's out there as well. WE can empower her to continue to make films that inspire us, uplift us and that represent us if she can make the case and PROVE to the studios and investors that we are interested in ALL of our stories. The only way they see that proof is with the almighty dollar. That is why Tyler Perry can put out a movie every 6-12 months. His films bring us out in huge numbers. We pay good money to see his films. And he shows the studios a profit and the investors get a return on their investment. It doesn't matter how great a story is told or how well the film is made if no one goes to see it. It's really just that simple.

So...if you haven't yet seen The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, then you still have time, it'll be there for a little while...but not TOO long. And please baby baby baby please! go see The Secret Life of Bees. You won't be disappointed!

Have a great weekend!

P.S.!!! Miracle at St. Anna is still out...it won't hurt to go see that one either! This is Spike Lee's vision of James McBride's novel who also wrote the screenplay. Spike brings to the forefront the contributions of African American and Latino soldiers who have fought and died for our country, often overlooked by Hollywood. I haven't seen it yet, but I plan on it next week...who's going with me!? I got the popcorn and M&M's!