Ban the N-Word

Django Unchained - Worthy

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 15:46:40 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Django Unchained - Worthy!

Yes, n-word used more than 100 times (set in the year 1858, when New World enslavement was in its approximately 239^th year). Whatever weird dynamic of admiration/disrespect/fear that writer and director Quentin Jerome Tarantino may harbor for Blacks, particularly Black males, it’s clear that he definitely has a huge n-word obsession, which is solidified with this film and officially sealed with the final scene – which appears AFTER the closing credits. (Did he use kike – a Jewish derogatory racial slur – at all in “Inglourious Basterds”?) Because this derogatory racial slur, the n-word, is used in its historical context and in its original setting by the White people who created it, he succeeded in getting his fix to use it ad nauseam. Maybe now, some Blacks will understand the dehumanizing process that took place for over 200 years...

The Central Park Five Documentary - A Must-See

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:17:19 PST

"The Central Park Five" Documentary - A Must-See

For the many who are aware of the horrific injustice done to five teenagers in 1989 in the so-called “Central Park Jogger” case, this is a must-see documentary. It is produced, written, and directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon. It is told with the voices of the innocently accused and with actual video footage of the miscarriage of justice from the New York Police Department (NYPD), Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the biased media, and...

Sparkle - Mediocre

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 12:07:17 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Sparkle - Mediocre!

One undoubtedly positive fact about this film is that there is no needless, reckless or excessive n-word abuse! And it’s also a decent family film that everyone can learn something from – family unity, following your dreams, domestic violence, selling out, parental regrets, and more. Overall, however, the script and acting can only be described as standard. And the lip syncing was too often noticeable. Jordin Sparks might be considered a talented singer but the same cannot be said for...

Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - Mediocre

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:54:48 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection - Mediocre!

As noted in the February BN-W Snapshot for Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds, overall this film too is the standard Perry writing with the obligatory positive messages about living your best life and ultimately doing the right thing. Again, it would be great to report that this film was not only filled with uplifting messages but that it was also powerfully written; unfortunately that’s not the case. We in the BN-W camp will always support Perry and his Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) because we understand the entertainment industry but he has to be willing to let go of some of the control and desire to be a “star”; he simply cannot do it all in a quality way. It’s wonderful to turn a profit on low budget films but...

Think Like A Man - Mediocre

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:37:41 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Think Like A Man - Mediocre!

Yes, n-word used multiple times – including as “nigolo.” (Pathetic!) This film is really just big-screen hawking and product placement of Steve Harvey’s book, which is all throughout the film along with enough mentions of his Family Feud hosting gig to remind the gullible audience about buying into what Harvey is selling! The big booty/big ass references by Black men are so old school and disrespectful! The continued needless and inexplicable use of the n-word by Black men is simply a disgrace. Meanwhile, you don’t hear one whisper of a self-defeating self-imposed derogatory racial slur by the White cast members. You don’t hear them calling themselves cracker, honky, dago, wop or...

A Thousand Words - Mediocre

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:06:58 PST

BN-W Snapshot - A Thousand Words - Mediocre!

Although it most definitely will not make the best film list, this film was not as bad as expected. There were some messages that could be pulled from it including the importance of silence to reflect sometimes and the power of forgiveness. It should have passed musically on pushing anything by n-word using artist Lil Wayne (his “Lollipop” was...

Tyler Perry's Good Deeds - Mediocre

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:13:38 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Tyler Perry's Good Deeds - Mediocre!

No, n-word not used. Overall this film is the standard Tyler Perry writing with the positive messages about living your best life and ultimately doing the right thing. Yes, it has the struggling female with a child – this time she’s homeless and amongst the working poor – but it also has the well-to-do characters (males and females) who are miserable in a different kind of way – spiritually. It would be great to report that this film was not only filled with uplifting messages but that it was also powerfully written; unfortunately that’s not the case. We in the BN-W camp will always support Perry and his Tyler Perry Studios (TPS) but he has to be willing to let go of some of the control; he simply cannot do it all in a quality way. There are really wonderful...

Safe House - Mediocre

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:09:00 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Safe House - Mediocre!

No, n-word not used. This film is decent but nothing eye-catching or eye-opening. It’s advertised as a big action thriller with a lot of intrigue and suspense but you get little of that. There’s a lot of shooting and car chasing but why is never clear until more than halfway through the movie when you haven’t connected enough with the characters to care. Is Denzel really rogue or is he just a good guy who is tired of the...

Jean Damu - Red Tails in the Sunset

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:14:20 PST

Red Tails in the Sunset
Film Review by Jean Damu

Red Tails, the new George Lucas film depicting the exploits of the Tuskeegee Airmen is to the history of black fighter pilots during WWII what a sunset is to a day - it’s pretty to watch but no illumination is forthcoming.... However, where [screenwriter John] Ridley’s research paid off remarkably well was in the making of the Red Tails documentary companion piece, Double Victory....

Red Tails - Worthy

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:01:25 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Red Tails - Worthy!

Yes, n-word used once. Although this film bordered between mediocre and worthy from BN-W’s standpoint, the latter was chosen because of the importance of its historical nature. Unfortunately, the film is not well written, which is probably why the production team conveniently described the dialogue as “corny” and with a “comic-book feel” during promotions. While this big-budget film is obviously not a documentary and the plot is undoubtedly only “based” on true events, there’s enough substance to it that should trigger curiosity and motivate many...

Joyful Noise - Mediocre

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:46:23 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Joyful Noise - Mediocre!

In a nutshell, sassy acting by Keke Palmer; in an attempt to bring a more diverse audience ($$) Black females can’t find love with people who look like them (or there are relationship “issues”) so they find it with everybody but Black males; and then there’s religion and slang in the church done to...

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - Worthy!

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:15:46 PST

[Theatre] BN-W Snapshot - The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - Worthy!

No, n-word not used. This Broadway revival is excellent! The acting, singing, orchestra are all standouts. Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis have great chemistry and bring a love story to life about two people who are sad souls with serious outward weaknesses and dependencies but who make an unusual – albeit not necessarily healthy – connection that’s great for however long it may last but heartbreaking should it disintegrate. The Porgy character uses a cane, giving him much more dignity than moving about on his knees or...

Dean Atta - I Am Nobody's Ni*ger/a

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:56:22 PST

I Am Nobody's Nigger by Dean Atta

... How were you raised on Public Enemy
And still became your own worst enemy?...

Pariah - Worthy

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 02:34:14 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Pariah - Worthy!

Yes, n-word use at least five times. This is a very necessary film for young people who are struggling with not only parental acceptance of their sexual orientation but being emotionally/physically taken advantage of by same-sex peers who just want to tease, flirt or experiment – but not be in a “real” relationship. It also focuses on issues, such as homelessness, employment, and education, faced by teenagers who are kicked out...

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Worthy

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:29:39 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Worthy!

No, n-word not used. This film was very entertaining – action with healthy doses of comedy. The humor in it is a big plus because knowing what we know about action flicks (and the fakeness of the “action”) it’s not a bad idea to...

New Year's Eve - Mediocre

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:26:28 PST

BN-W Snapshot - New Year's Eve - Mediocre!

No, n-word not used. While this film is very basic, it’s better than its predecessor, Valentine’s Day, which BN-W monitored in May 2010 and gave a “BS” – read the synopsis here: BN-W #101 . A quick summary: there’s Sofia Vergara playing the usual accented character; porcelain veneers are everywhere...

Stick Fly - Worthy!

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:04:11 PST

[Theatre] BN-W Snapshot - Stick Fly - Worthy!

Yes, n-word used about 2 times during a conversation about racism in America – it was used in an historical context and not in a reckless or careless manner. This is an entertaining play with real-life situations that most people can relate to in some way. It’s a pleasant night out with plenty of laughs yet there are serious issues about family relationships as well as matters of the heart that will leave you thinking while smiling. There are also references made to the slave trade economics and the Middle Passage, which is always a plus when there’s an educational system trying to wipe out that history. There is one caveat...

Black Angels Over Tuskegee - Worthy!

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:50:53 PST

[Theatre] BN-W Snapshot - Black Angels Over Tuskegee - Worthy!

Yes, the n-word used once or twice in its historical context – and not needlessly or recklessly. Excellent Off Broadway play that’s well-written and well-acted. It will have you laughing and crying with its effective portrayal of life for a group of Black men – aka the Tuskegee Airmen – during World War II and their...

Tower Heist - Mediocre

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:27:32 PST

BN-W Snapshot - Tower Heist - Mediocre!

Yes, n-word used at least 3 times, including as “niglet.” The movie is mildly entertaining with a literal and figurative “payback” concept for the average working person to a Bernie Madoff-type crook. But there’s nothing new, different or exciting about its presentation. Additionally, Eddie Murphy’s a throwback to his 80s films with absolutely nothing unique and no evolvement whatsoever; in fact, it’s more of a backslide. He presents what, unfortunately, seems to be the stereotypically expected behavior for a Black man in film these days (criminal/hoodlum/foul-mouthed womanizer) – even an Oscar-nominated one who some might expect more from considering he’s also one of the producers of the film. Alas, Murphy disappoints once again based on how he chooses to play the character in this film as well as his senseless choice to...

Kam Williams - Documentary Review - Black Power Mixtape

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:31:23 PST

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
Documentary Film Review by Kam Williams
Excellent (4 Stars)