Comments

1. denise wrote:

   you should buy the bootleg of tropic thunder. you won’t break the boycott and you’ll help out the guy down the street.

   that’s what i did with apocalypto.

   *not that i’m encouraging you to commit any copyright infrigement.

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:15 pm ¶

2. Latoya Peterson wrote:

   Dear MPAA attorneys -

   Carmen & I do not condone bootlegging. We do not practice bootlegging. But this movie is probably some bullshit, so we can’t support. Otherwise, we are fine with shelling out $10 to see the movie in the theater.

   -LDP

   Think that covers us, Denise?

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:17 pm ¶

3. Cynthia wrote:

   I wrote a piece on SATC around the time it opened, but I’m not too sure if the post is long enough/on topic enough to truly be considered.

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:18 pm ¶

4. Sarah wrote:

   About “Tropic Thunder”: I was able to see it early for free because I’m part of the coalition of disabiltiy rights leaders protesting the movie. I’d be happy to write something up if you guys want.

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:39 pm ¶

5. Latoya Peterson wrote:

   @Sarah - YES, YES, YES! Drop me an email - latoya@racialicious.com

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:40 pm ¶

6. Arturo wrote:

   I can jump in on Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor if you like.

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:56 pm ¶

7. Latoya Peterson wrote:

   @Arturo - I want. Same email address as in #5

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 1:58 pm ¶

8. Gothic Guera wrote:

   Latoya, I saw The Love Guru and I am more than willing to write a review about it. But I know VERY Little about hinduism. Do you want me to review it?

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:06 pm ¶

9. Minotaar wrote:

   What is the timeframe in which you would like to get a review? I’d like to do Hancock; already saw it, but I’d need some time to write it up because work is going crazazy right now.

   Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:07 pm ¶

10. atlasien wrote:

    (Halfway serious) A short examination of Hellboy II as a transracial adoption movie.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:13 pm ¶

11. Marla wrote:

    Hello!!!!

    I’m here to help!!!!!!
    I’ve reviewed the following movies at http://www.reelmarla.com/.

    Speedracer
    The Love Guru
    Tropic Thunder
    Hellboy II
    Iron Man
    Incredible Hulk
    Hancock
    Dark Knight
    The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon

    I also plan on seeing Lakeview Terrace

    My reviews are spoiler-free so I won’t give away any surprises.

    About Tropic Thunder — forgive me I crossed the line and did go see it. I had a few requests for me to review it.

    I hope all of this helps. I’m sure other opinions and reviews on these movies will be needed, but at least you’ll have a start. Let me know if I can be of any other assistance.

    Have a great day,
    Marla

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:25 pm ¶

12. jmn wrote:

    Someone should do a writeup about the remake of Bangkok Dangerously. The studios kept the location the same, the villains the same, everything the same, except for the main character, who they changed to Nicholas Cage. Arrrgh! *bangs head on wall*

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:47 pm ¶

13. Cara wrote:

    Please don’t pull my “Racialicious” card but….I saw Tropic Thunder…in the theatre! I didn’t adhere to the boycott, but I definitely understand why the groups are boycotting. But as for it being “bullsh*t”….well I look forward to the post and I’d love to contribute as well.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:50 pm ¶

14. Black Canseco wrote:

    Me and my girl are gonna check out TRAITOR with Don Cheadle (everybody slept on Talk To Me! Go rent it!) when it opens next weekend. We both luv DC’s work.

    He’s a brotha, who may or may not be selling secrets to “the enemy” and has a bunch of white folks accusing him of being “less than patriotic…” Now if there ain’t some -isms in that, then there ain’t none anywhere this year.

    I had links for Tropic Thunder downloads but the movie just looks too crappy to sit thru. lol.

    PS
    I don’t condone bootlegging–unless the joints are hot! lol. So Judd Apatow’s snorefests are safe from my double-clicking.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 2:53 pm ¶

15. Matt wrote:

    Regarding Iron Man, I have some thoughts on it, but I haven’t been able to talk about them with anyone. I’m sure I’ll see Pineapple Express and there will be something worth mentioning. As for Zohan, there’s good reasons that lots of Jews have loved it (more than I did).

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 3:11 pm ¶

16. Ali wrote:

    I got into a whole thing with my brother about Tropic of Thunder while he was visiting me last week. I flat our refused to see the film with him so he saw it at the theater by himself. His essential point was that I (and the rest of the boycotters) were unfairly chastising a film we had not yet seen. He agreed that black face was offensive but also argued for the importance of context and intent within the film. Granted this was brought up aside from the desire of the boycotter not to financially support a potentially offensive film.

    He actually sent me a pretty good write up of what he thought about it. I’d be happy to ask his permission to share it if you’d like. Mind you he doesn’t identify as an anti-racist but he is an extremely smart dood. I think his review would a make a great a counterpoint to Sarah’s review if nothing else. I can probably forward it to you today (pending his approval) if you’re interested. Just let me know!

    FYI - He (my brother) enjoyed the film.

    @atlasien - I would VERY interested to read that review!

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 3:19 pm ¶

17. oterhog wrote:

    I read The Root’s review of Tropic Thunder. I found this paragraph particularly compelling:

    “Half of the Thunder’s “best”—which is to say, most outrageous—lines go to Downey Jr., who delivers bon mots about homosexuality, mental illness and racism with that special, reckless brio that only a white guy imitating a black guy gets to pull off on screen. Since the earliest days of blackface minstrelsy, putting on the cork was always a liberating experience for white men, the pantomime of blackness allowing them to get open in ways that social convention denied both them and flesh and blood black men. (As if to underscore this point, the black rapper in Thunder is only weighed down by the demands of his own, peculiar form of black male drag.)”

    I’d love to read more discussion about this particular aspect of the movie.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 3:21 pm ¶

18. meg wrote:

    The Women

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 3:29 pm ¶

19. Brandon wrote:

    How about Bama Girl? Ping Pong Playa?

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 3:30 pm ¶

20. Kendra wrote:

    What about Step Brothers? There is pop culture in there . . . and a voiceless (and possibly nameless) black woman in their almost entirely white movie.

    I’m so glad I didn’t see it in theaters. It was hit and miss . . . with a lot of misses.

    Also, could someone do Pineapple Express? I’m not sure if I can find it online yet, but I think that it may share parallels with Step Brothers. There seems to be a becoming trend in movies: introducing weird white men to gang and hip hop culture byproducts in the strangest ways. I don’t know, certain things just rub me the wrong way when it’s viewed as something strictly cool, survivable, and temporary.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 4:10 pm ¶

21. Black Canseco wrote:

    I’ll say this much about Tropic Thunder and why i chose to boycott it: The idea of blackness as a tool for satire/hipster posing/”making a statement” is insulting to me a black person.

    My ethnicity is not something i get to “put on and take off” as a costume.

    I dig the idea of poking fun at or simply examining Hollywood narcissism, arrogant actors, self-indulgent artists, etc. But wht does black culture have to be a tool for this at the hands of a white-centric flick?

    Why not put downey’s character in drag to make the point that certain actors think they’re so good that they can play any role? Why not have Downey pull the same trick only with a mental disabled pose —only not at gunpoint as TT does—but as an ongoing cover/role? Why not pull this with Downey as a Jewish guy or a Mexican or an Arab or a Chinese guy ala Rob Schneider or Mickey Rooney?

    The reason’s obvious—People’d be livid. Instead, the whole “well look at the larger point” BS gets used to justify throwing black folks in the mix.

    it’s okay to pull this as long as there’s a “higher purpose at work,” right? Because more black actors will really be considered for roles now that Stiller and crew have come to the rescue.

    Downey/Stiller really showed Hollywood, didn’t they? This’ll be the last time Studio execs and actors haul off and marginalize black actors/storylines in a mainstream Hollywood release!

    Yeah, Stiller really stuck it to the system this summer. You did Norman Mailer and Lenny Bruce proud fellas!

    i’ll think of you guys every time i’m munching on my fried chicken and watermelon and plotting my next criminal exploit.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 5:04 pm ¶

22. Cynthia wrote:

    Why not put downey’s character in drag to make the point that certain actors think they’re so good that they can play any role? Why not have Downey pull the same trick only with a mental disabled pose —only not at gunpoint as TT does—but as an ongoing cover/role? Why not pull this with Downey as a Jewish guy or a Mexican or an Arab or a Chinese guy ala Rob Schneider or Mickey Rooney?

    RE drag: Tootsie’s been done. As for Schenider, he’s part Filipino, so he’s excused. As for Mickey, it was a different time. In any case, the Schneider/Rooney roles were completely different. None had storylines where an actor was trying to prove something or trying to make a comeback or whatever.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 5:56 pm ¶

23. Kendra wrote:

    I feel bad for not knowing who Robert Downey Jr. actually is. If not for your illumination on the subject, I would have thought that he was actually a black man.

    I don’t remember seeing his actual visage in other movies, so I don’t know what he really looks like. I think that is another problem. What about the people that don’t know who Downey is or aren’t all that interested in the actor? Won’t they just assume that he’s a black man and think that the boycott is ridiculous? This past weekend, the movie seemed to surpass The Dark Knight which has been previously insurmountable in the box office. I’m a little worried by this simply because those that don’t know the man will think he’s actually black and monolithic. But there are also people who know that it’s blackface and are just going in for a laugh.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 6:05 pm ¶

24. Black Canseco wrote:

    Kendra,

    you’re right, those are different times–i was trying to think of examples that everyone wold be familiar with. Maybe C Thomas Howell’s soulman is better. maybe the barack obama impressionists on SNL might’ve been more accurate.

    I still the point is valid, tho.

    And toKendra’s point, i’ve seen the trailer on several occasions in theaters with ethnically mixed audiences here in SoCal. Overall, it produced some chuckle, some groans, so “oh no the didn’t’s”, but nobody seemed irate enough to walk about or complain to management.

    Every theater i was in was filled with folks who knew that Robert Downey’s white even if they didn’t know him as the guy from Ironman or Chaplin or anything else he’s done. i don’t think he fooled anybody–and i’m sure that was by design, if nothing else.

    And to me, that’s the whole point–that it’s flippant about it. i won’t dust off my picket signs over this, but i’m not gonna pretend this is okay either.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 7:18 pm ¶

25. KK wrote:

    I love how everyone immediately points out how offensive this movie is to black people, when black/relations are at the front and center of the film, and no one seems to care about how the Vietnamese people are once again being “poor barbarians” and characterless backdrops to America’s self-absorbed interest. I have friends in Vietnam, who are Vietnamese, and when I see images of Vietnamese people “torturing” actors, like the country is some sort of backwards cesspit, I cringe.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 9:02 pm ¶

26. RoslynHolcomb wrote:

    Kendra, the boycott isn’t because Robert Downey, Jr. is in blackface. Disability rights groups are protesting the use of derogatory language toward the disabled.

    I don’t go to movies anyway. Once we pay a sitter $10 an hour it’s simply cost-prohibitive. I like Ben Stiller and think Downey, Jr. is off-the-chain talented, so I would probably add this one to my Netflix queue.

    I’d be surprised that there are that many people who don’t know who Robert Downey, Jr. is. Certainly the pre-publicity for the film has made it clear that he’s in black-face.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 9:43 pm ¶

27. Lauren wrote:

    @Kendra: In the movie, he’s a white actor playing the role of a black character, so the lay viewer would know that he’s white.

    I’m interested to hear that there’s a boycott based on racial insensitivity in the film. The only boycott I had previously heard of was due to ableist issues.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 9:46 pm ¶

28. S's mom wrote:

    I liked Kung Fu Panda. Though I am not Chinese and have never been to China, I think they (may) have done a good job of conveying a good feel of Chinese culture through the movie. And even though Jack Black was excellent, I was disappointed they didn’t use more Asian American actors.

    They really underused the Angelina Jolie/Lucy Liu, etc. characters. A lot more could have been done with them.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 9:50 pm ¶

29. RainaWeather wrote:

    Speed Racer was awesome
    Indiana Jones was overrated (and that’s saying a lot).

    I really want to read someone’s Pineapple Express review. Overall I liked the movie and I thought it was gonna have a lot more stereotypes than it actually did.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 10:03 pm ¶

30. CVT wrote:

    I’ve already got “Hellboy II” covered for you: http://choptensils.blogspot.com/2008/07/on-hellboy-as-vehicle-for-race.html

    And I don’t think Jennifer from Mixed Race America would mind me linking to her coverage of “Hancock” (and a bit of Hellboy II):
    http://mixedraceamerica.blogspot.com/2008/07/monday-morning-movie-review-hancock.html

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 10:50 pm ¶

31. CVT wrote:

    Black Canseco -
    I’ve got to argue that only the ethnicities/minorities in question would be livid if Downey was “playing” any other role. That’s the beauty of oppression - we get everybody to ignore everybody else’s problems, and then we get up in arms - alone - when it’s our turn.

    Eddie Murphy did his turn of Asian stereotypes in “Norbitt” and nobody seemed to care. Folks make fun of Mexican/Arab/Jewish/disabled people all the time on the big screen. Nobody boycotts.

    Now - I’m definitely not agreeing with any of it. It all pisses me off, to be honest. I just wish we all got pissed about everybody else’s oppression, and not just when it affected us, personally. I’m just asking to please not make statements like “everybody would be livid” about other races being lampooned, but not when (insert my race here) is.

    It sucks for all of us out here - it’s not a competition. We all get stomped and ignored and told to “take a joke.” So let’s all get each other’s backs and stick together on these kinds of things.

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 11:05 pm ¶

32. Brian wrote:

    If “Tropic Thunder” really wanted to make a point, instead of just using something incredibly hurtful to pretend to be satiric, here is what they should have done:

    Have a black actor play the same role. He wears WHITE FACE to be the Australian actor and then just is himself to play the Australian actor in black face. COMPLETELY turn this BS on it’s head. Oh, wait, what’s that? White people would have felt uncomfortable? OOPS! That’s what I would have done…

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 11:21 pm ¶

33. Ejunco wrote:

    Mummy 3 was your basic white guy gets asian girl at the end of t he movie, oh and it sets up sorta for Mummy 4

    Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 11:54 pm ¶

34. Lyonside wrote:

    >Latoya, I saw The Love Guru and I am more than willing to write a review about it. But I know VERY Little about hinduism.

    Don’t worry, from what I’ve heard, neither does Mike Meyers!!

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 12:18 am ¶

35. Katlin wrote:

    I’m don’t have the knowledge to do a review, but there were some Asian stereotypes and inaccuracies in Pineapple Express. I wrote about it briefly on my blog, but will just rewrite it here to share with you all. There was an Asian drug gang that the main characters were against. The ring leader’s name was Mr. Chung (Chinese name and assuming he’s full Chinese) answered the phone with a Korean greeting and then spoke in some other language. And for the fight scenes they were dressed in attire similar to ninjas while everyone else wore street clothes.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 7:14 am ¶

36. The Cruel Secretary wrote:

    @ CVT–complete co-sign.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 7:22 am ¶

37. tj wrote:

    I would LOVE to write a review of lakeview terrace, if no one is writing it already.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 7:33 am ¶

38. Mary wrote:

    Lakeview Terrace is by Neil LaBute?! That’s… intriguing. If nothing else.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 8:20 am ¶

39. Persia wrote:

    I’d happily write a review of Kung Fu Panda. Overall, I thought it was a good movie, but there are a lot of layers– including the casting as S’s mom noted above.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 8:45 am ¶

40. Rob Schmidt wrote:

    I covered Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in some depth in my blog. Below are the key postings. Feel free to post excerpts in Racialicious if you wish.

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2008/07/savages-in-kingdom-of-crystal-skull.html

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2008/07/primitive-culture-in-kingdom-of-crystal.html

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2008/07/indiana-jones-at-glance.html

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2008/07/rest-of-kingdom-of-crystal-skull.html

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2008/07/indiana-jones-tomb-raider.html

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 9:19 am ¶

41. Rob Schmidt wrote:

    Readers should be aware of two Native movies that are getting a lot of praise: “The Exiles” and “Frozen River.” Here are some postings on them:

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/exiles.htm

    http://www.bluecorncomics.com/2008/08/raves-for-frozen-river.html

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 9:24 am ¶

42. The Cruel Secretary wrote:

    ::shamefaced::

    I saw “Tropic Thunder,” too, despite the boycott. My pal, an African American woman who was an actress, was digging in her heels after I flatly refused to see “The Love Guru” because it was so insulting to Hinduism. She wanted–wanted!–to see the film because she wasn’t going to let a boycott tell her what to think about the film.

    So I went…and here are my initial knotty thoughts.

    Honestly, beyond some hipster bigotry, I’m still trying to figure out why Ben Stiller seems so damn fascinated with and determined to bring blackface to the 21st century cinema; first, I saw it in “Zoolander” and now this film. With that said, I found Robert Downey, Jr’s “exaggerated blackness” mitigated by Brandon Jackson’s version of it, like Jackson’s character kept Downey’s in check. (Also, the fact that RDJ attempted to get a African-American phenotype “right”–I mean, I know I had to do a double-take when I saw the photo on this blog–versus what C. Thomas Howell did in “Soul Man” helped that mitigation, IMO. C. Thomas Howell, comparatively speaking, looked like he smeared on the cork, threw on the afro wig, and forgot the white lips.) At the end, I found both Downey’s and Jackson’s characterizations unfunny, if not eyeroll-worthy.

    And can we talk about the anti-Vietnamese sentiment in the film? I’m with KK on this one. Not only are Vietnamese people presented as if they’re still fighting against American aggression even though we pulled out in 1973 (translation: they’re sooo wackily backwards and unforgiving), they’re ungrateful for our “efforts” in the country, as when Ben Stiller goes back and rescues the Vietnamese son he’s planning to adopt and, as Stiller is running to the chopper, the little boy is stabbing Stiller in the shoulder with a huge knife. The big sight gag is when Stiller throws the child off his shoulder; when the child lands, the toddler crosses his arms and pouts because he’s not going with Stiller. Again, serious fail.

    And let’s not forget the fat-phobia, with Jack Black as the man of size who’s contantly wacky and indulging his appetites…

    And Ben Stiller as intellectually disabled? All I can say is: Sarah, not only am I looking forward to your review, but what petition do you want me to sign, friend?

    Oh, yeah: I saw “Indiana Jones…Crystal Skull,” with the same friend. When I explained why I found the reason behind the aforementioned skull so racist (all I’m going to say is, if you’ve heard theories around who really built ancient Brown and Black civilizations that are considered by some anthropologists as advanced and sophisticated, you’ll understand why I feel the way I feel about the flick), she thought I was mad as *her* for liking it. (My gal pal also liked “Tropic Thunder” much, much more than I did.) I told her she could like whatever she wanted, I just wasn’t havin’ it, that’s all. ‘Twas a definite SMH kind of film…

    With all that said, I look forward to the reviews.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 9:30 am ¶

43. Matt wrote:

    The ring leader’s name was Mr. Chung (Chinese name and assuming he’s full Chinese) answered the phone with a Korean greeting

    Chung is a Korean name.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 10:12 am ¶

44. Black Canseco wrote:

    “And let’s not forget the fat-phobia, with Jack Black as the man of size who’s constantly wacky and indulging his appetites…”

    Is that fat-phobia? I’m searching for words on this one, but it’s that stereotype of fat people being goofy, non-threatening, not always the sharpest knives in the drawer, and sort of the sidekick. What i’ve noticed is that most of the guys who get over on the fat guy roles–Jim Belushi for a time, Jack Black, Chris Farley, fat-guy-of-the-moment on SNL, the guy from all those Apatow flicks, etc. tend not to be the most talented guys, period. (They also tend not to be fat by anyone’s definition of the word beyond Hollywood. Chubby, stocky, bigger, maybe but outright fat? That’s Hollywood/Madison Ave’s myopic view of bodytype showing. )

    Anthony Anderson who’s actually very talented used to do the “loud fat black guy” in everything he was in.

    It’s wrong but i don’t know that it’s a “phobia”.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 10:50 am ¶

45. The Cruel Secretary wrote:

    @ Black Canseco–from the American Heritage Dictionary…

    Phobia: A strong fear, dislike, or aversion.

    IMO, stereotypes are articulations of some phobias. So, what Jack Black portrays in the film is another stereotype of people of size, namely being the “merry” (he just took it to the extreme by being “wacky” and loud) and someone who can’t seem to control themselves, esp. their “hungers” (in his case, overindulging in drugs), in a country where disliking fatness and expressing that dislike is very acceptable.

    That’s also the reason why I *don’t* like watching Anthony Anderson. Again, that’s my opnion. And you and I, Black Canseco, are just going to have to agree to disagree on this point.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 11:44 am ¶

46. Diana wrote:

    I did a blurb on “The Visitor” which I thought was really good on the issue of immigration in a post-9/11 world. Here’s the link: http://mesoamused.wordpress.com/2008/05/04/double-feature/

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 1:11 pm ¶

47. Jennifer wrote:

    Thanks CVT for linking to my Hancock/Hellboy review. I have another one that isn’t on Latoya’s list but may be interesting for the interracial romance aspects (which, admittedly, I don’t interrogate as fully as I could and should but I was short on time and wanted to throw up a post so I welcome further discussion if you wish to comment about Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2:
    http://mixedraceamerica.blogspot.com/2008/08/sisterhood-dont-date-white-american-men.html

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 1:20 pm ¶

48. Broom wrote:

    I’m sure this has been covered already, but the new Mummy trailers have me pretty concerned. The terra cotta soldiers rising up from the depths of histroy to reestablish Chinese rule? Sounds to me like the same nonsense they keep spewing at the Olympics coverage, these anti-Chinese fears that China will soon conquer the world

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 2:28 pm ¶

49. Chris wrote:

    I love this blog and am usually in total agreement with many of the sentiments expressed here and often times educated on matters to which I was previously ignorant. Not so this time.
    I’m wondering where we can actually get together and laugh together. Tropic Thunder is offensive. And hilarious. The only protest of which I was aware was that of disabled groups and they do have a gripe. The word retarded is used often in the film. However, I believe that in the bigger picture of the film this word is not on where the arguement lies.
    Tropic Thunder is satire, in a very effective form; not “New Yorker” satire. I can’t help but think of Mel Brooks and “Blazing Saddles”. I’m certain that Blazing Saddles would not only not be released in today’s PC culture, but would not even be made. That would be a shame because Brooks demonstrated not only racism but oppression in many of its insidious forms and gave voice to the oppressees. I’m not arguing that Ben Stiller is on par with Mel Brooks but I do think that we need to consider context and allow for parody and satire, even and especially when it pushes the envelope a bit.
    The movie comments on Hollywood’s representation of disabled people and how it fails to offer anything other than an opportunity for the actor’s to get recognition. Robert Downy Jr’s blackface is called out numerous times and the actor is made to look ludicrous. There are countless other jokes that call many other people and groups of people on the carpet and each time is more humerous than the previous. This film is outrageously irreverent and that is what makes it funny. If we can’t find some common ground upon which to laugh, and cry, together than I think we are totally doomed.
    On a more personal note, I am amazed that so many would render an opinion and criticism without actually viewing the piece. I’ve come to expect knee jerk and uneducated opinion in MSM and PACs, however on a website devouted to open dialogue and educated discourse I am a bit surprised to encouter it. Anyone that actually sees the film is afforded the courtesy of knowing that Robert Downey Jr. is actually white, and frankly anyone offering a film review without knowing who he is, is showing their ignorance.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 2:31 pm ¶

50. Brigitte wrote:

    I’d like to see you review “Lakeview Terrace” with SLJ and Kerry Washington and the new Tyler Perry film.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 3:46 pm ¶

51. oterhog wrote:

    @Chris…”If we can’t find some common ground upon which to laugh, and cry, together than I think we are totally doomed.”

    I agree it’s important for us to do this, but do we need to use blackface? Do we need to stereotype Asians to do this as well?

    I think there are better ways to find common ground than by using hurtful images to make people laugh.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 3:51 pm ¶

52. The Cruel Secretary wrote:

    @ Chris–just because we’re all not slapping our knees or even chuckling here on the blog at “Tropic Thunder” doesn’t mean that we’re all dour folks. This film, for quite a few of us, simply wasn’t funny for the various reasons pointed out. On this film, because of the -isms and -phobias some folks find aren’t a laughing matter, whether in a film or in everyday life–especially if we’re aware or are trying to be aware how these are interlinked and how we can stop it–we’re simply not going to “get together and laugh.” And some people, realizing this from a preview, decided to not put themselves through 2 hours of watching another film displaying these bigotries and calling it various forms of humor, be it parody, satire, or whatever. Perhaps because their skin color, size, or ability (to name a few) have been the butt of jokes for too long. (Or they’ve known people who have been subjected to this and are sensitive to that suffering. Hell, they may have never known a soul who has gone through it, but just know the ish isn’t right.)

    Will there be another flick where some folks here may share the popcorn and the Junior Mints and toast with our sodas because it warms our Racialicious hearts? Yeah, I hope so, and some readers and commenters may think of and share those films with the rest of us, if we haven’t done so on a thread already.

    Then again, others may disagree with those selections, too….

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 4:04 pm ¶

53. chi wrote:

    I saw Tropic Thunder and thought it was an okay film. I went with my best friend, a gay black man, who tells me I take things too seriously and am offended by everything. A little ironic, I guess.

    But for the most part, I agree with a lot of the comments, from different perspectives.
    @ The Cruel Secretary — within the first minute of the film, I was over Brandon Jackson. I’d never heard of him prior to the film for one. And I’m sure his character was meant to be a satirical representation of black rappers but i didn’t think he was an effective balance to RDJ, if that’s what his role accounted for.

    @KK — I’m honestly ignorant of Vietnamese history, but I was thrown off by how the actors spoke Chinese instead of Vietnamese. Maybe I missed something over the course of the film, but I thought this only reinforced the notion that everyone of east Asian descent speaks Chinese. On the other hand, I thought it was pretty funny how Stiller poked fun at all the celebrities who adopt children of color from abroad (The Cruel Secretary touched on that part in her earlier post).

    I couldn’t give a great review if I tried. I still have my own tangled thoughts of the film compounded with those of my friend who thought the movie was amazing. In short, I’m a horrible writer.

    I was definitely uncomfortable with the use of ‘retard’ in the film. I have an autistic sister and always place myself as the target whenever one utters that word, to try to imagine how she feels; it’s painful indeed. I agree that the focus on the film wasn’t that word, but I know that doesn’t excuse it.

    On a brighter note, for those who saw the film, does anyone else think Tom Cruise redeemed himself? I liked his character a lot for some reason

    -c.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 4:38 pm ¶

54. em wrote:

    chris, i think i agree with you. i saw the film, and i was really curious to see what kind of responses i’d read on this site. i didn’t initially have a problem with the major ableist / black face references in the film, because of the context in which they were presented. i do think people critiquing the portrayal of the vietnamese characters in the film have a point. but i was also open to changing my mind if i saw any compelling arguments, and quite frankly i haven’t seen too many. especially when so many people talking about the film haven’t seen it…

    but i’m still on the fence with it.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 4:43 pm ¶

55. brownstocking wrote:

    Don’t know if someone picked up on the request, but I’ll see The Women. I need to compare it to the original, which, while very enjoyable, was flawed in several ways.

    Well, I’ll put it this way: I’m going to go see it, and will be happy to share what I write up.

    OT: I work at a women’s center, and I was just asked if there’s a “men’s center” on campus, because someone should start one. UGH.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 6:15 pm ¶

56. Michelle wrote:

    I saw the film.

    For the record, the “war camp” is not a war camp at all, it is a drug camp. The people are outlaws, to an extent. Also, the movie is supposed to take place, for the most part, in Laos. Not Vietnam.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 7:16 pm ¶

57. Clash wrote:

    I’ve lurked here forever but I had to come out on this post because I absolutely love movies and it seems I have quite a few unpopular opinions.

    -Tropic Thunder
    I’m a black female who went to the theater with her mother and sister to see it and we all laughed out asses off! I really thought it was hilarious and I wasn’t offended by RDJ. The part he played in the movie was never intended to be played by a black man, his characters role was though, and so the whole black face thing didn’t really bother me. I can see why it hurts others though. I never felt like they were being malicious towards PoC’s or hateful and anyway. I also really love RDJ so I may be biased.

    -Hancock
    Hated it! Seriously, was I the only one? I already figured out the twist, from watching the commercials, but I still didn’t like it.

    -HellBoy II
    It was all right. I didn’t like it as much as the original and I probably won’t see the third installment.

    -The Incredible Hulk
    I really liked this one. I thought it was a fun thoughtless summer movie. There was no real diversity but I would still put it in your Netflix queue.

    -Iron Man
    RDJ, If you’re reading this, marry me please!!! Seriously though, I saw this twice and I loved it both times. It was a lot of fun.

    -The Dark Knight
    I thought this was…very good. I know that’s sacrilege or something but I didn’t completely love it. Two Face was the most interesting character to me and I wish he…I don’t want to spoil anyone so I’ll shut up but if you haven’t seen it, I’d go.

    -Wanted
    I know you guys have already gone over this one but I loved it!! I never felt it was misogynistic; everyone (male and female) was pretty bad in that regard. I loved the action and I’m probably gonna buy it when it comes out on DVD. Fox not being black did bum me though.

    -Step Brothers
    Laughed out loud a lot during this one too. It’s really stupid (I admit it!) but if you like that kind of humor (two grown men beating up little kids…In a funny way!) you’ll like this.

    Okay that’s it. As you can see, all I’ve done this summer is go to the movies but I can’t write reviews because they’d just end up summaries. I’m an awful writer. Keep up the good work guys!

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 7:29 pm ¶

58. Marla wrote:

    Clash — I’m sure your writing skills are fine. You may surprise yourself once you start writing about something that interests you — movies!!! I surprised myself.

    http://www.reelmarla.com/

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 9:01 pm ¶

59. Clash wrote:

    I checked out your site Marla (Thumbs up!!! You liked Tropic Thunder too) and it’s really nice. I forgot to say that I also saw…

    -Don’t Mess With The Zohan
    Another stupid laugh out loud funny movie. I really enjoyed it actually even though I was dragged there by my mother.

    -Pineapple Express
    I liked this one alot too. I thought Tropic Thunder and Zohan were funnier but this movie had a sweetness to it (the friendship between the two leads) that I really liked.

    -The Mummy 3
    As a fan of both the 1st and 2nd mummy movies, I thought I’d love this one too, I was wrong. It is reaaaalllly bad. See the first two and forget this one, that’s what I’m gonna try to do.

    And I think that’s it. I’ll come back if I remember more.

    Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 9:57 pm ¶

60. CVT wrote:

    To anybody who saw Mummy 3:

    What’s the context behind the fire-breathing dragon? PLEASE tell me it’s not supposed to be a “Chinese” dragon . . . PLEASE . . .

    Posted 20 Aug 2008 at 12:04 am ¶

61. CEdwards wrote:

    Lakeview Terrace with Samuel Jackson, please. For anyone whose been in an interracial relationship, please watch for the ridiculousness in this film. I know I will!

    Posted 20 Aug 2008 at 7:25 am ¶

62. feministdonut wrote:

    I wrote about Indiana Jones here.

    Posted 20 Aug 2008 at 10:28 pm ¶

63. allheavens wrote:

    I am a serious cinephile! Here is a short review of one of my favorites this year:

    Many may find the plot of Tell No One completely convoluted and ridiculous but I found this French thriller to be instantly alluring. It contains one jaw-dropping reveal at its climax in which the complex plot is explained via monologue.

    The film is about the unwavering resolve of an ordinary man to elucidate one devastating event, the disappearance of his beloved wife eight years earlier.

    Hints and echoes of the past are slowly revealed, twist and turns and reversals of fortune layered like a Paris parfait…it was deliciously dizzying.

    But there are more powerful forces at play than the obvious mystery; the powerful corrupting force of privilege and wealth, the love of fathers for their children; Tell No One is a well written and acted labyrinth’s tale of evil and moral decay.

    But least I forget Tel l N o One also offers something that many of today’s thrillers fail to deliver…genuine suspense.

    Posted 22 Aug 2008 at 8:38 pm ¶

64. Nina wrote:

    Someone please do a review of Lakeview Terrace. Just saw the trailer. Are they flipping the script on the issues interracial couples face or just being plain ridiculous? Also The Secret Life of Bees. Three magical negroes ,wait make that four magical negroes (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Sophie Okonedo) teach little Dakota Fanning how to deal with her life.

    Posted 24 Aug 2008 at 4:20 pm ¶

65. Diana wrote:

    Here’s a post I just did on Traitor, the new movie starring Don Cheadle: http://mesoamused.wordpress.com/2008/08/26/traitor/

    Posted 26 Aug 2008 at 7:09 pm ¶

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