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Well, we watched the movie in complete peace and I really enjoyed it as an urban fable. *Spoiler alert* The bad guys lose. But like clockwork, at other theaters here in LA and all over the country, some dumb, violent, idiots decided to fire their own weapons in fights during the movie. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examined the problem back in 1991:
It's hard to be a black filmmaker these days. Make an art film and chances are nobody will show up. Make an action flick and they'll show up with automatic weapons. Just ask director Mario Van Peebles. Violent melees and shoot-outs attended the opening of his first feature, New Jack City, in Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Sayreville, N.J. Source
So here we are, less than a week away from the inauguration of the first self-identified black President of the United States and the Biggie Smalls movie "Notorious" opens Friday.
I am a huge fan of BIG's music. And as a former and future DJ, I can assure you that there is no more surefire way to elicit that collective groan of satisfaction from a bootyshaking crowd than to drop "Hypnotize" in the middle of a set. Tonight I set out to DC for the Inauguration and to spend time with my mom, colleagues and friends. I had a fleeting notion that I'd take her to see 'Notorious' and then I thought better of it. I realized that I would feel tense throughout the entire movie.
Now I wouldn't hesitate to see a movie about, say, Nirvana on opening weekend, but I am afraid that "Notorious" will attract too many gangsta rappa' wanna bees acting out their sense of powerlessness with violence. But hell, I haven't seen '"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" either. I guess that one's out, too.
A South Philadelphia man enraged because a father and son were talking during a Christmas showing of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button took care of the situation when he pulled a .380-caliber gun and shot the father, police said. SourceWhat do you think?
Comments: (10)
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By: pimpishclothing on 1/17/2009 11:54AM
YO DIDDY,DADDY OR WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS,1ST. OF ALL,HOW YOU GONNA MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT BIGGIE SMALLS(A BIG BLACK DISGUSTING SWINE EATER WHO GLORIFIED A LIFE STEEPED IN MISERY)?,AND HOW YOU PEOPLE NOT INCLUDE LIL KIM,WHEN SHE PILLOW TALKED WITH BIGGIE ON MANY OCCASIONS,YOU ARE WORST THAN THE WHITE MAN,HOW CAN YOU DO THAT TO HER,THAT WHORE FAITH(TUPAC'S LOVER) AND BIGGIE'S MONEY HUNGRY MOM..YOU GONNA BLAME WHITES 4 THIS TOO...HUH LOSERS....SOLARCHILD DEVINE
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By: What's all the HYPE? on 1/17/2009 3:56PM
No, I didn't go se that GARBAGE! It was ZERO BELOW yesterday, I sure as hell wasn't going to rush my behind to see this SORRY FLICK!!!!!
I'm sure it didn't do well at the BOX for the first night! I wasn't a Biggie fan and don't understand, he was just a lyrical rapper making a living, making $$$$, doing CORRUPT BAD THINGS! Why are they making this man to be a LEGEND and someobdy to look up to? It was all for $$$$$!!!!
Diddy don't know what else to do with himself and needs to QUIT!!!!! 12 yrs he's been dead. Why make a flick now? Let the man RIP!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure those who will buy this movie on bootleg will be DISAPOINTED and will want their $$$$ BACK!!! I mean, why couldnt' Diddy, or should I say "DUMMY" come out with something "POSITIVE" and "EDUCATIONAL", and "GOOD"? I don't care how much $$$$ he has or makes, he is just a FAKE!!!!
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By: WENDY on 1/17/2009 4:06PM
Others and I are more interested in President Elect Barack Obama, and First Lady Elect Michelle Obama's plans for our country. Many African-Americans are looking ahead, moving forward, marching onward and upward. We're not interested in watching a movie about a man---another dead rapper who was killed violently---who gave no hope to his people and the community around him. A man who has done nothing to uplift the country or to encourage the best in others. A man who wasted his life to accomplish what? He lived a short life and died young. He came into this world with nothing, and left with nothing (not even the money this movie will make). He existed for the purpose to rhyme a string of words with music, which spewed constant negative with the rapidity of an automatic weapon. Not impressive. Others and I prefer movies that show the betterment and the best of our African-American people. A message of hope. I certainly will not give my hard-earn money to such a movie as NOTORIOUS. I suspect it has nothing constructive to offer. Even the title of the movie proves how cold and worthless it is.
Sorry, no dice, no deal, no way. I think I'll pass on this one and wait for something better to come alone. The movie industry is going to have to step-up because many African-Americans are moving in another direction: a POSITIVE direction. We’re not looking back!
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By: What 's all the HYPE? on 1/17/2009 4:37PM
Why didn't Angela Basset say "NO" to play Biggie mom's part? I mean, is it so hard to find a role? I mean, "Angela Basset" should no better than that. I thought she was on a WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL but I guess NOT! As beautiful and talented she is, why did she waste her TIME and TALENT on this BULL?
I won't forget when she was on 106 Park the past week and had this long gown on the show and everybody else was in jeans. I know she was on her way to some award show that night but the women looked so out of PLACE. The movie will make black people look a DISGRACE!!!!!!
Diddy is stuck on STUPID FANTASY and not what is going on in REALTY of the WORLD!!!!!!!!!
Can anybody tell me, what MESSAGE is this so-called movie is suppose to send out?
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By: Jessie on 1/17/2009 10:46PM
Throughout America's history there has been racism as it has been throughout the history of this planet. Differences are noticed and taken note of for good or bad regardless of how they apply. The same can be said for sexism or sexual orientation. It's a natural thing. Not unlike the exploitation of differences between a brother and sister when they squabble or an older and younger child. It seems amplified in America because we are the melting pot where all cultures and races are within immediate proximity to one another. Italians, Irish, Chinese, Germans, Puerto Ricans, Polish, Mexican, they have all had their troubles blending in to this country's fabric as have the many many others. During their years of trial there were no equal opportunity laws. There were few if any advocates on their behalf, yet they continued. Imagine being a Japanese or German immigrant at the time of World War II. Yet they percivered and succeeded. Yes. Many were abused. Many died young. Very many ended up with jobs well beneath their qualifications. And of course there was a lot of general unfairness they dealt with. But they did deal with it. The same can be said for Native Americans. Is it wrong? Yes. Is it posssibly some rite of initiation? Perhaps. Now let's think for a moment how we feel if a white man walks into a black club. Or an Iranian moves into our neighborhood. Or maybe a gay couple joins an organization you belong to. Are these feelings much different? No. Not really. Many see the black community as a younger stepchild with a disability, not as any other culture that has been absorbed. This is due to some government programs that mean well (but much like any medicine that is overdosed can be harmful), exploitation from within and without, and the media. It went from the general unfairness every culture has blending in to a completely different problem. A general resentment from accepted cultures that went through their indoctrination to a culture that gets special consideration. Do other cultures in America resent that the black community gets to file lawsuits if they're treated unfairly when even today most of them cannot successfully do so? Yes! Do other cultures get upset when the black community gets jobs or government contracts or college acceptance when their people cannot? Yes! Does the government take in consideration quotas for any reason other than for the black community and a very few others? No. Does the remainder of America's immigrant families resent this? YES! This is one of the main reasons the black community will always be thought less of. Not to say all of this is their own fault. It's just true. It's akin to playing baseball and your parent gives your younger brother 6 strikes instead of 3. Is it the right thing to do? Yes. Will you like it? No. Will it racism ever end as long as we knee jerk analyze every syllable to see if it's racist? No. How does it ever stop? I don't have that answer. It will take a lot of changes. Be glad to listen to your ideas but please no excuses. Yes, I realize not everyone takes advantage of government racial favoritism and yes many are not aware of all the programs available to them and yes, I'm aware some of those programs no longer exist. It's not about everyone doing these things. It's about the knowledge that it has been done and the perception that it still is and that it is unfair to many other Americans. PLEASE Don't go the slavery route. That was then. Few in America accept that excuse. Sorry. I'm talking about reality, answers, changes, perceptions and how to get racism to a minimum.
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By: mrvhod on 1/18/2009 1:47AM
Jessie,
you are stupid as hell.No one in America have suffered or went through what black people have.None of the other group(s)of people that you mention lost their language,their culture,their history,etc;None of the other group(s) of people was put in slavery for 400 yrs free labor.And just for the record...it's more white and mexicans on walfare and government assistance than it is blacks.Do some research before you come on here talking that crap.You're like the average person who reads the newspaper and beleive every thing that's in it.If anyone says anything bad about the Jews...they are quick to bring up the holicost(and what their people suffered).But you don't want us to say nothing about the hell our people have suffered and continue to suffer.We hate ourself (black on black crime)because we were taught to hate each other.We never have recovered from what happened to us in slavery.It's called post slavery sydrome.Do your research...so next time you won't make yourself look stupid.
Peace.
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By: Jessie on 1/18/2009 10:57AM
Mrvhod proves my point. One of those that will never support what's best as long as there's an excuse or resentment or drama they wish to continue. This type person holds back everyone else. The more like them the less things will change. Did you notice they gravitated toward welfare? I haven't mentioned welfare. I was mostly talking of affirmative action, equal opportunity laws and the quota systems the government has put in place over the years. Perhaps they just skimmed the post.
Again. This is part of the problem as well as the education of Mrvhod and his obvious hatred and resentment. Anerica should be a band of brothers, of equals. The spoiled disabled stepchild must step up.
BTW. Theres plenty of American immigrants that have had as much or more adversity during their ancestory. Many came here to escape persecution by whatever government or conqueror took over their homeland. Many had their entire family slain because of their belief or assumed belief. Is it all about who had the most problems? Or is it about solving the problems of today?
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By: Hello Lady J. on 1/18/2009 6:56PM
Why wait to see "Notorious," either you see it or you don't. I was invited to see the movie and I probably would have not seen it otherwise outside of the invitation. I classify it with movies that are documentaries on people's lives...that is what it did, told part of his story. I don't believe it to be a life changing movie for me but just another example of how different people are, the choices they choose to make, and the pros & cons of those choices. Now, as far as there being a fear to see the movie because of who maybe there, I have no fear because what can happen at that movie can happen at any movie and having fear means you have no faith.
In reference to Jessie's comment as it relates to different government tactics of quotas, "Equal Opportunities," affirmative action, treatment of people, we have all been dealt a bad hand as it relates to this country as a whole, it started off messed up in the begin and as time has gone by, it gets better here and there but for the most part, it's still messed up and will continue to be that way until people start making better choices, fight for changes, and the most important thing, ask God for directions.
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By: Jessie on 1/18/2009 9:41PM
Amen Lady J. This is a time for change. This is a time to make a difference. Who will be the heroes of this time? Obama? Perhaps. The economic conditions today prohibit much change on behalf of the government. Those same conditions are what bring the American heroes out of the woodwork. Yes. The financial institutions will still take advantage of everyone they can even moreso. So be careful. If you don't understand all you see in a financial agreement spend the $100 or so and run it by an attorney first. It's well worth the money. So many irresponsible young people will find in the years to come that employment and survival itself is not a right. It is an earned privilege and they will learn respect. It will not be easy for them. Crime will be on the rise. Again be careful. Over the next 3 years unemployment will skyrocket. Do your best at your job as companies will be looking for who they should layoff. Make the extra effort to not become that person. When this time has passed it will be you with the additional years of experience as new people are hired later. Young people in college, take the time NOW to look into careers that will be in growth industries in the future. If they aren't your cup of tea at least pick up some courses that will make you eligible for them. The career you have in mind may not be available when you graduate or if you can't due to cuts in scholarships, grants and loans. The people that fare the best during times like this did it due to luck or planning and I never count on luck. Teenagers, let's get focused on your future as well. Let's put aside most of the things that will not contribute to your future in college or the workplace. It is a time when your work habits need to be at their best. There will be 20-200 people trying to get that job you need not 2-10 like it has been in the past. Show an employer why you're the right person for the job. Keep out of drugs and trouble. Earn respect, seek learning at every opportunity. It will be those that try to improve themselves that will come out ahead in the end. Eventually the countries we have outsourced our manufacturing to will become some of our largest consumers and the economy will change for the better. You want to be on top. From every bad economic time comes great leaders. Not politicians, usually not CEO's, but the common American worker and entrepreneur. Those will be the heroes of this era. May God bless us all.
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By: barbaramyersxnj on 1/24/2009 7:31PM
i went to see the movie and nothing happen every thing were fine, the movie was great.you goor you dont. things can happen anywhere good and bad.
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