FILM(S) MONITORED
REDEMPTION (DVD)
DOING HARD TIME (DVD)
SUPER SIZE ME (DVD)
GEM OF THE OCEAN (BROADWAY PLAY)

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Due to a lull in the films BN-W is scheduled to monitor – “Beauty Shop” was scheduled for a November 24^th release, but it’s been delayed, perhaps because of the recent limited release of a similar film, “Hair Show,” with Mo’Nique (BN-W #15) – we decided to share some information with you on DVDs as well as some other artistic events taking place during this holiday season.  

BN-W will not usually give any content critique, so it is highly encouraged that you see these films for yourself and, if applicable, make your own judgment call on the N-word usage – appropriate/inappropriate? necessary/unnecessary? sensible/nonsensical? does it add to or take away from the film’s concept? does the N-word have to be used at all? is there a valid reason for doing so? is it mandatory for the scene(s) to be effective? what are the circumstances/situation that necessitate any use of the word? is it just thrown in for humor, fear, crime, insult? are other culturally insulting slang terms used as much as the N-word in the film?   Lots of questions and a whole lot of reasons to wonder what’s the real purpose and thought process behind why these actors, writers, directors, producers, executive producers, distributors, and studios/studio heads and executives give the “greenlight” for these crews to liberally use (or allow to be used) the N-word.

DVD(s) :
All DVDs are available for rental or purchase at your local video chain or store.

R E D E M P T I O N

This movie stars Jamie Foxx as Stanley “Tookie” Williams, a former Los Angeles gang founder who’s currently on death row but has turned his life around for the better.   Foxx again does an excellent job portraying Tookie, whose Web site is www.tookie.com.   Take note of the difference between the use of the N-word in this film compared to the following BN-W monitored DVD, “Doing Hard Time,” – both films are partly about prison life.   Again, writers, directors, and studios play a big role in what’s put out there.   “Redemption” was directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall whose wife, Kasi Lemmons, wrote and directed 1997’s “Eve’s Bayou.”

D O I N G  H A R D  T I M E

This film, which was co-produced by and stars Boris Kodjoe (from the “Soul Food” cable television series), uses the N-word 29 times throughout the film.   This film also has some supremacist-type White guys who use the N-word, so the dichotomy between Blacks using it at and against one another in primarily vile ways and then the White guys using it in its original vile way toward and about Blacks is in there.   If this film has nothing else going for it, it at least proves once again that the N-word is NOT just a word.

 

S U P E R   S I Z E   M E

This film uses the N-word once – and that’s through a Curtis Mayfield song.   Other than that totally unexpected and unnecessary usage, this film is a must-see.   It’s such an education on not only living a healthier lifestyle, but also on the corporate mindset, which never ceases to amaze.   This is one for the personal library – for the factual information, but also for how taking a stand and making a decision to do something can bring about positive and effective change.   Be sure to look at all the bonus footage, especially the interview with Eric Schlosser, who wrote the book “Fast Food Nation.”

 

THEATRE :

BROADWAY PLAY - G E M  O F  T H E  O C E A N

This play used the N-word about 23 times.   It was used by two characters – once by one; the remainder by the other.   We can only cautiously assume that playwright August Wilson’s reason for doing so was to emphasize the self-hatred this character had not only for himself but for those who look like him.   We can let you know that this excessive use is only in one scene and not throughout the play, and if showing the self-hatred of this character is Wilson’s goal, this scene proves it undoubtedly.   Reading BN-W’s Historical Timeline (BN-W #10A-B) would greatly help in understanding some of the metaphors of this “Gem.”   Playing in NYC on an open-ended schedule and starring Phylicia Rashad, LisaGay Hamilton, and Anthony Chisholm, tickets can be purchased at a discount (with the proper code) for $46 until early January 2005.

www.gemoftheocean.com
www.playbill.com
www.broadwaybox.com
www.theatermania.com

ART :

Well-known and magnificent artist Romare Bearden’s work is on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City until January 9, 2005 (“The Art of Romare Bearden”).   His works are one-of-a-kind masterpieces that, if at all possible, everyone should see at least once.   His Web site is www.beardenfoundation.org.

Keep an eye on this up-and-coming artist – the self-taught “artrepreneur” Phylisha Gilchrease.   Her Web site is www.phylisha.com.

DANCE :

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) will be performing its annual month-long holiday season shows from December 1, 2004 – January 2, 2005 at New York City’s City Center.   Go to the Web site at www.alvinailey.org for more details.   AAADT also just recently opened up its brand new state-of-the-art permanent home.   It’s an 8-story, 12-studio, 77,000 square foot facility “devoted exclusively to dance.”   It’s located at 405 West 55^th Street at 9^th Avenue (it is not a part of City Center, where AAADT will continue to perform its annual holiday celebration).

If we don’t expose ourselves and our kids to these various forms of the arts, who will?   More importantly – who else is supposed to? who else should? why should they? why should they even care?   It’s up to us!

FYI, BN-W is proud to report that today is BN-W’s six-month anniversary.   Our first eNewsletter went out on May 29, 2004.   We can honestly say that taking on this campaign has been quite an education – indeed, an unforgettable, a positively challenging, and an eventful learning experience.

 

BN-W Monitor Coming Soon:   “Blade:   Trinity” [Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson]; “The Woodsman” [Kevin Bacon, Mos Def]; “An Unfinished Life” [Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford]; “Fat Albert” [Kenan Thompson, Raven]; “Beauty Shop” [Queen Latifah, Ice Cube]   Independent Films:   “Hotel Rwanda” [Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte]

Also Coming :   DVD Monitoring; continued Music Monitoring; Dave Chappelle