Open Movie Thread: Thor Scorecard, Conan & Colombiana Trailers, Tarantino vs. Slavery?

May 9th, 2011 by Arturo

“Django Unchained,” because of it’s genre, because of it’s use of racial bluntness (‘n—-r’, ‘pony’, and more appear frequently) and suggested violence, is probably the most noncommercial screenplay Tarantino has wrote since Jackie Brown. There is nothing for Joe Popcorn to cling on to here, this isn’t a movie that young teenangers/adults, unless they are huge fans of Tarantino, will get off their ass to see in their droves. Tarantino is playing for a niche market here – nobody has really made a movie about race like this for years, and when they did it was never for a mass audience. Probably not since Richard Fleischer’s “Mandingo” (1975), perhaps the film that’s the biggest influence on this script.

But what say you, dear readers? Did Thor need more Elba and Asano? Do you trust Will Smith to sing the theme song for another western? Would you go see Zoe Saldana shoot ‘em up?

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Posted in asian, black, diversity, hollywood, movies | 10 comments

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  • Anonymous

    I haven’t seen Thor yet. I love Idris Elba, so I’m sure I’ll see it eventually. I just think I’m not quite into major blockbuster movie mode yet.

    I am really amped, however, about Colombiana. Even though there are some blatantly oversexualized elements I could do without (lolipop sucking really?!), I’m excited to see a woman of color on screen kicking ass. This definitely goes back to the “If Hanna were Asian American” post, which I would still like to see.

    Side Note: I mentioned this on another blog, but when did Michael Vartan become the go to interracial love interest?!

    Conan looks a little “meh”. I agree with you Arturo that hearing Conan pronounced like the comedian definitely hurts the mystique. Strangely I couldn’t get a grasp on Jason Momoa’s performance because the trailer was too quick and distracting.

    Re Djando: I really don’t want to see Will Smith in this. I get that he’s a big box office draw, but his action performances are campy in the wrong ways for a Tarantino flick.

  • http://twitter.com/MsGo MsGo

    I am excited for Django. Tarantino is known for casting unexpected actors and those needing a comeback.

    None he’s cast have failed yet. If he’s a fan, that person is getting cast, forget the haters.

    I do think it’s something to mull over that Tarantino did this before a black director with stature could or perhaps even *would*.

    I’m also happy to see mainstream leading black male character out to rescue a black female character, his wife, no less.

    I disagree that this is niche film, off the bat. I think it depends on how it’s marketed and how good the story appears to be to people.

    …And given that’s Tarantino?

    People are put off race movies, because of the cliches that tend to be a part of that genre.

    Nobody would call a western about a man rescuing his wife from the bad guys “niche”.

    So, why is this, when it’s the same thing?

  • Yo

    Thor was boring as fuck which is just unforgivable for a summer blockbuster, here’s hoping Conan is better. And I’d watch Zoe Saldana in anything, so I am definitely not going to be disappointed by Colombiana

  • Anonymous

    Zoe Saldana and Jamie Chung were in a movie released earlier this year that even dealt with whites adopting black children. It’s called Burning Palms. It looked funny and crazy. I totally want to see that.

    And I look forward to Zoe’s shoot em up movie. Right after I get me some Citizen Jane. ;)

    And Django could work. I didn’t see Thor. A lot of people say it was lacking in story.

  • miga

    I’m vaguely familiar with the Django westerns (specifically the “ramen(?)” western Sukiyaki Western Django). Is this a reworking of that same character, only Django is a black man? That’s extra cool, considering the pre-existing cannon.

  • Lila

    I really enjoyed Thor. Good film.

  • Anonymous

    I saw Thor and was surprised to see Asano. Such a big deal was made over Elba yet I never heard anyone mention that there was an Asian actor playing one of the Asgardians. I thought Elba was great though, quite regal if I do say so myself :)

    I was stoked to see Saldana in the lead role for Columbiana! A black female lead who kicks butt and looks good, I can dig it. I’m not surprised about the sexiness though, it seems like any woman in a role like that ends up being oversexed.

    Conan…Jason Momoa…yessssssssssir

    Tarantino got my attention with that one…

    looks like I have some movies to look forward to seeing! I wonder who will play the wife? I’m really hoping that Tarantino casts a darker-skinned black woman as the love interest in this one, more Tika Sumpter, less Halle Berry. I get tired of the same “light-skinned = love interest/desireable one, dark-skinned = maid/nanny/friend”. It would send a message that a darker complexioned black woman is worth risking life and limb to save just like any other damsel in distress. The damsel is frequently white, latino, mixed, etc, I’d be nice to see a change from that old trope!

  • Anonymous

    I saw Thor and was surprised to see Asano. Such a big deal was made over Elba yet I never heard anyone mention that there was an Asian actor playing one of the Asgardians. I thought Elba was great though, quite regal if I do say so myself :)

    I was stoked to see Saldana in the lead role for Columbiana! A black female lead who kicks butt and looks good, I can dig it. I’m not surprised about the sexiness though, it seems like any woman in a role like that ends up being oversexed.

    Conan…Jason Momoa…yessssssssssir

    Tarantino got my attention with that one…

    looks like I have some movies to look forward to seeing! I wonder who will play the wife? I’m really hoping that Tarantino casts a darker-skinned black woman as the love interest in this one, more Tika Sumpter, less Halle Berry. I get tired of the same “light-skinned = love interest/desireable one, dark-skinned = maid/nanny/friend”. It would send a message that a darker complexioned black woman is worth risking life and limb to save just like any other damsel in distress. The damsel is frequently white, latino, mixed, etc, I’d be nice to see a change from that old trope!

  • Rachel

    Oh…great. Another movie that portrays Colombia and Colombians as senselessly violent.

    Although, it’s nice to see Afro-Colombians on the big screen..?

    /low expectations

  • Anonymous

    I love me some Jason Momoa. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s partnered with Lisa Bonet. :) Beautiful couple.