"Errol Morris investigates the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. Errol Morris investigates the U.S. for abuse and torture of suspected terrorists at Abu Ghraib." Directed by Errol Morris. 2008. 116 mins.
Showing posts with label racism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label racism. Show all posts
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Bamboozled
When I first saw this at the time, this film had me really conflicted, which was at the very least one of it's objectives. I personally felt at the time, that it was trying to be ironic and contradictory, yet I wondered if it truly was satire, or actually in the end committed what it was trying to be critical of.
The story is about the production of a satire of minstrel shows with black actors in blackface. I think Spike was asking a deeper question of the notion of black entertainers altogether. Even poking fun at himself, suggesting famous black actors like Denzel would never put on blackface (and then he cuts to a film of Denzel in his own film Malcolm X).
Paul Mooney's stand up act is some of the best moments of the film in addition to Savion Glover's unbelievable tapping!
"A disillusioned TV writer revives a black stereotype." Starring Damon Wayans, Savion Glover, Jada Pinkett Smit, Tommy Davidson, Michael Rapaport, Thomas Jefferson Byrd. Directed by Spike Lee. 2000. 135 mins.
The story is about the production of a satire of minstrel shows with black actors in blackface. I think Spike was asking a deeper question of the notion of black entertainers altogether. Even poking fun at himself, suggesting famous black actors like Denzel would never put on blackface (and then he cuts to a film of Denzel in his own film Malcolm X).
Paul Mooney's stand up act is some of the best moments of the film in addition to Savion Glover's unbelievable tapping!
"A disillusioned TV writer revives a black stereotype." Starring Damon Wayans, Savion Glover, Jada Pinkett Smit, Tommy Davidson, Michael Rapaport, Thomas Jefferson Byrd. Directed by Spike Lee. 2000. 135 mins.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Panther
David Hilliard still speaks a lot in Oakland you can see him at rallies and protests, and has even taught courses on non-violent resistance (with former mayor Elihu Harris).
This film is a bit silly as it degrades into an action film, however, it does address some troubling aspects and hysterical and misguided responses by the government, esp. as concerns Co-Intel Pro (Counter Intelligence Program)
If anything, this film introduces this concept, a program not well known (unlike the Nixon Enemy List), yet unlike the Nixon List, there were terrible outcomes for those targeted by it.
There was also another break-in into government HUD offices by activists, which revealed programs called "Spatial Redistribution" programs, where according to these governemnt documents, in the late 60's american inner cities were "burning with the fires of revolution" and these ethnic centers of popular support for revolutionary movements needed to be depopulated, prices sent into freefall, making these areas then ripe for real estate speculators. This phenomenon was then later called "gentrification". But it was an overtly racist and politicized process.
"A young man becomes swept up in the Black Panther movement." Starring Kadeem Hardison, Bokeem Woodbine, Joe Don Baker, Courtney B. Vance, Tyrin Turner, Marcus Chong. Directed by Mario Van Peebles. 1995. 124 mins.
This film is a bit silly as it degrades into an action film, however, it does address some troubling aspects and hysterical and misguided responses by the government, esp. as concerns Co-Intel Pro (Counter Intelligence Program)
If anything, this film introduces this concept, a program not well known (unlike the Nixon Enemy List), yet unlike the Nixon List, there were terrible outcomes for those targeted by it.
There was also another break-in into government HUD offices by activists, which revealed programs called "Spatial Redistribution" programs, where according to these governemnt documents, in the late 60's american inner cities were "burning with the fires of revolution" and these ethnic centers of popular support for revolutionary movements needed to be depopulated, prices sent into freefall, making these areas then ripe for real estate speculators. This phenomenon was then later called "gentrification". But it was an overtly racist and politicized process.
"A young man becomes swept up in the Black Panther movement." Starring Kadeem Hardison, Bokeem Woodbine, Joe Don Baker, Courtney B. Vance, Tyrin Turner, Marcus Chong. Directed by Mario Van Peebles. 1995. 124 mins.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
R. Dwayne Betts
"A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison"
Car-jacked someone at 16 and spent 8 1/2 years in prison.
"What it means to be black and in prison."
Car-jacked someone at 16 and spent 8 1/2 years in prison.
"What it means to be black and in prison."
Saturday, January 2, 2010
6ixtynin9
I want to start keeping track of how many films have as a plot element the predicaments caused by losing money, needing money, or otherwise being in some financial predicament, and to what extent this is a resistance to capitalism and how artists are often typically not good at making money or care that much for its pursuit.
In this case, a Thai Boxing School is involved with a Gangster for whom they fix fights and courier money. A mix up ensues when the main character's "6" flips down to become a "9".
"If I found a bunch of money, I'd keep it and go to some remote place. Or better yet, go abroad. Who knows maybe you'll even get a foreign husband!"
The colonized mind and the values they imbue.
The main actress in this Thai film looks very mixed. She has some very Euro looking features. This could be that at some point in her family's ancestry there was some. Then first male character also looks like he has western features as well. He's tall and good-looking, highly praised and valued in most Asian societies (as they are seen as "western" features... whether they actually are or not)
"A woman tries to flee to London with stolen money." Starring Lalita Panyopas, Tasanawalai Ongartittichai, Black Phomtong, Sritao. From Thailand. 1999. 111 mins.
In this case, a Thai Boxing School is involved with a Gangster for whom they fix fights and courier money. A mix up ensues when the main character's "6" flips down to become a "9".
"If I found a bunch of money, I'd keep it and go to some remote place. Or better yet, go abroad. Who knows maybe you'll even get a foreign husband!"
The colonized mind and the values they imbue.
The main actress in this Thai film looks very mixed. She has some very Euro looking features. This could be that at some point in her family's ancestry there was some. Then first male character also looks like he has western features as well. He's tall and good-looking, highly praised and valued in most Asian societies (as they are seen as "western" features... whether they actually are or not)
"A woman tries to flee to London with stolen money." Starring Lalita Panyopas, Tasanawalai Ongartittichai, Black Phomtong, Sritao. From Thailand. 1999. 111 mins.
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