Red Tails Versus Tuskegee Airmen
07 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Actors, Airplanes, Black History Month, Black In America, Movies, Racism, Red Tails, Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American pilots to fly during World War II. In a time of racial segregation, racial injustice, racial violence and racial degradation these men STILL rose and fought for the country they called home.
Red Tails is the major motion movie adaption of their story as produced by George Lucas of Star Wars fame. George Lucas has said that he used $100 million of his own money to produce this since Hollywood had no faith that a movie with a majority all Black cast would be beneficial.
Red Tails, according to IMDb,
A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard.
I have not seen this movie and it is doubtful that I will get to the theaters to see it. However I will most likely buy the movie when it hits the stores on DVD. There was a big push and MANY debates about the viewing of this movie. People of all shades of black were saying how IMPERATIVE it was that “We” as in the African American community go out in mass and watch this movie. I guess the rationale was that if Black people showed up in droves then Hollywood would all of a sudden “GET IT” and collectively say “WOW Black people do pay to watch movies, Black money spends JUST LIKE white money, We NEVER KNEW”!! Or maybe Hollywood would collectively say something like, “WOW, Black people can act, who knew!!” But me personally, I think that Hollywood is collectively saying, “That George Lucas is one talented mofo! He can make a smash hit out of anything”!!
Don’t get me wrong this is DEFINITELY a story worth telling. Which brings me to my next point. With the drama surrounding the movie Red Tails, my question is, “What is the main issue with this movie?” Is the point to teach black people about the history of the Tuskegee airmen OR is the point to prove to Hollywood that a movie starring a largely black cast can bring in millions proving once and for all that black actors are valid?
Rather than spend $9.50 per ticket for my family and I to go to the theater and see Red Tails, I paid less than $10.00 and bought the movie Tuskegee Airmen which was an HBO made for television movie which came out in 1995.
Tuskegee Airmen, according to IMDb,
The true story of how a group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest US fighter groups in World War II
So as you can see I get the same HISTORICAL story, I watched it in my home where we got the chance to discuss it and answer questions and explain anything that my youngest child wanted to know. I go to the movies very rarely and when I go it is to see a movie that I choose to see, not a movie that society is trying to pressure me into seeing because I am black. Frankly it is NOT Hollywood’s job or George Lucas’ job to teach me or my family, or the Black community our Black History. That is my job and the job of the Elders, Mentors, and Activists in our communities. As with other movies that I own, I always try to give my family the view of the original and the view of the remake to compare and I will buy Red Tails when it hits Amazon just to add to the library.
To learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen (No, not the movie but the real Tuskegee Airmen of history) PLEASE go HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE. Knowledge IS Power!
And whether or not George Lucas recoups his $100 million, well that is not my problem now is it?
Be Blessed All,
Smooches,
Regina
Please visit my other spots:
http://reginathinks.wordpress.com/
http://reginasoldschoolfridayspot.blogspot.com/
Ignorance Makes My Head Hurt
17 Nov 2011 3 Comments
in African American, BET, Black In America, Christians, Facebook, God, ignorance, Kim Kardashian, Movies, Tyler Perry
I am an individual. I do not like, prescribe to, involve myself with, or appreciate “GROUP THINK”! I absolutely LOVED the commercial segments during the One Saturday Morning cartoons (Does Anyone remember the 90’s?) where the genie from Aladdin said, “GREAT MINDS THINK FOR THEMSELVES”! I definitely agree! Because I do not conform to what other “people” think I should be like, they do not understand me! I am not BLACK enough because I do not like watermelon, ghetto reality shows, BET, hog maws (what the heck is that anyway??) or chit-er-lings. I am not WOMAN enough because I do not like shopping, talking on the phone, shoes, or chocolate! I am not CHRISTIAN enough because I do not like Joel Osteen, I love Kirk Franklin, and I hate those old, swing low, come to Jesus, wade in the water, down by the riverside, Negro spirituals! Yes, I said it OLD NEGRO SPIRITUALS! Good thing I do not define myself by what other folks say!
So there is a LOT of Internet buzz (mostly negative) about Tyler Perry and his new movie “The Marriage Counselor” in which he cast Kim Kardashian. For some reason black folk are all up in arms about her being in the movie. I do not understand why people HATE Kim Kardashian so much?? If you do not like her, than do not watch her! I even saw a petition on Facebook to get her reality show off the air. I am not a Kim Kardashian fan, I am not even a Tyler Perry fan (I like SOME of his plays, and I will leave it at that!). Nevertheless, it seems like an all-out attack on Kim Kardashian and I do not understand why? She had sex with Ray J (Who???? Oh yea, Brandy’s little brother), the sex was videotaped and the tape was leaked and then she somehow turned that into fame and fortune (By the way she was already rich BEFORE the whole sex tape thing)!
I tried to just sit back and read what all the scuttlebutt was about. I read 40 comments, and I can honestly say that people are very ignorant, arrogant, small minded, and ridiculous! The comments were about her being fake, having implants, being a whore, she was married for 72 hours, using sex to get famous, etc. etc, etc! But not one had a valid reason for all of the hate. I PERSONALLY think it is based on JEALOUSY & RACISM but hey, that is only MY opinion! “She literally has millions of young people following her. I thought and still do think, that it would be very responsible of her to be a part of this film. To have the young people that look up to her, see her in a film that is about, what happens in life when you make the wrong choices. Whether you’re aware of it or not, to be honest with you I wasn’t, millions of young people adore her and are following her every move. If one of those young people see this film and find the strength to live a better life and not go through what these characters went through in this movie, then we have all done what I feel I’m being led to do here. I hope you understand. I really do!And lastly, because I believe that my films speak from the inside out, why wouldn’t Kim Kardashian be invited into a film about Faith, Forgiveness and the healing power of God?”
Please visit my other spots:
http://reginathinks.wordpress.com/
http://reginasoldschoolfridayspot.blogspot.com/
Nigger, Nigga – Let Mr. McCoy Enlighten You!
30 Sep 2009 7 Comments
in Black In America, Faith, Family, Life, Movies, Music, News, Politics, Youth Tags: Activism, African American, Black In America, CNN, Faith, Freedom, Life, Martin Luther King Jr., Movies, Music, News, Politics, W.T.H., Youth
I just wrote a post a couple days ago that highlighted death, destruction, murder and mayhem. It broke my heart having to write it but in the post I also wrote that I would try to find some good news to blog about. Finding good news to blog about has proven to be a rather difficult task. However, as I watched CNN today I heard a news story that lifted my spirits and renewed my hope for the younger generation.
An 11-year-old boy named Jonathan McCoy was being interviewed about his feelings surrounding the use of the “N” word. Yea, you know the word I’m talking about… Nigga or Nigger. This little boy evidently wrote a speech for a competition, gave the speech in a church service and further more started a petition to ban the nigga. In his speech young Mr. McCoy talked about his utter disgust in the use of the “N” word in movies, music, and on television. He further talked about his displeasure over people using the word in everyday life as if it’s a badge of honor.
It always astounds me when the youth have more common sense than adults. This young boy has obviously taken the fight and struggle of our past great African American leaders seriously. He does not want their fight, struggles or deaths to be in vain and he is willing to put himself out there and be heard on the topic. He knows and understands that the word NIGGER is derogatory no matter who uses it. I saw this very articulate young man in an interview with CNN’s Don Lemmon this morning and was as proud of him as if he were my own child. The fact that this young man at the young tender age of 11 years old is trying to make a difference is very admirable! Young Jonathan believes there should be some sort of legislation to ban the “N” word. I applaud his drive and his tenacity to make a difference in the lives of African Americans.
It is amazing how black people get upset to the point of wanting to kill someone if they are called the “N” word. HOWEVER black folks use the “N” word all the time as a term of endearment, a term of greeting, a term of expression one to another and as a term of camaraderie. Then black people say that by us using the word it takes the power away from those who use it to degrade us. Huummm, OK, let me get this straight, A black man will fight a white man for calling him a nigger, but this same black man will then turn around and call his friends nigga. Him saying nigg(A) instead of nigg(ER) has magically taken the power away from the white man who initially used it…{{{Blank Stare}}}. Riiiiiiiiiiiight. So anyway, I will leave you with a quote from Jonathan McCoys speech as well as the speech itself.
“It’s now 2009, Leave the “N” word behind. Choose words that speak purpose and not defeat (Jonathan McCoy, 2009)”.
Matthew 21:16 (King James Version)
16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Out Of The Mouth Of Babes!!
Old School Friday #66 " Outside My Box…"
29 May 2009 15 Comments
in Animated, Movies, Music, Old School Friday
Friday, Friday, Friday!!
The Week was short but it felt long!! I love Fridays because I get to travel all over the web listening to great music posted by my blogging friends for Old School Friday!
Today’s theme is explained as this:
Every once and a while it’s time to try something new and different, the theme of the Week is, “Outside My Box”. It’s time to showcase things that are not normal for you. Things people wouldn’t believe that you’d listen, too…
Now, for me this theme is a little difficult because I think my OSF buddies who have been here since the beginning can agree that have shown them my inside, outside, under and over the box!! I have shown my love for rock music with Queen & Aerosmith. I have shown my love for country with John Denver. I have shown my love for old school with Marvin, Marvin & more Marvin! I have shown my love for political justice/outcry with Gill Scott Heron & Miriam Makeba and I have shown my love for the 90′s with New Edition (I will still fight Marva over Ronnie!). I have even shown my love for Big Band/Swing music with Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller & Tommy Dorsey!
I have posted everything from country, to jazz, to gospel, so I had to dig very deep for something that I have not revealed to my OSFers. And I finally came up with something! When my children were younger we watched a LOT of movies (and we still do!). I still have almost every Disney & Pixar movie every made. A big part of these movie’s charm was the songs/music. So that is my OSF selection, a few of my animated favorites! And yes DO BELIEVE that I still watch animated “kid” movies! No Shame in my Game! I doubt that ANYBODY posted anything like this!!!
I am very interested to see what my fellow OSF participants post with this theme.
- Ms Grapevine – Pirouette -Quick -
- – Kevin – iriegal -Mahogany -Hagar’s Daughter – Lisa C
-Chocl8t – DP – Dallassouth – John – The Connoisseur -
- Regina – MsMarvalus – Clnmike – Vivrant Thing
-AJ – Sharon – RevvyRev – Prof. PC – Invisible Woman
— Cooper – SJP -Bria – BklynQueen 86 – Hey Shae -
- From the Battlefield – Thembi - D Spot – Malcolm -
-Pop Art Diva – Pjazzypar – MsLadyDeborah -
Bare Necessities – Jungle Book (movie)
Everybody Wants To Be a Cat – Aristocats (movie)
Have an AWESOME weekend!!!
Please visit my other blog:
http://reginathinks.wordpress.com/
Movies, Movies, Movies!!!
14 May 2009 2 Comments
in Denzel Washington, John Travolta, Movies, Rants, Subways, Trains
Movies, movies, movies!! I love movies, but I must admit I am not very fond of movie remakes. Older movies lacked the “explosive” “loud” and “spectacular” over the top cinematography and special effects that today’s movies have. That means that you had to actually rely on a PLOT and the ACTING to actually engage you and make the movie good! Today movies often add, extra blood, extra explosions, and extra sex to sell a movie. It appears that the studios seem to believe that if the movies does not feature sex scenes, blood & guts, and the standard explosions we will not watch them. 
For me this is not true. I love the old movies where the femme fatal or the damsel in distress kept her clothes on through out the movie and never once did I have to see breasts! I love movies that keep you guessing about who the killer maybe rather than you figuring it out in the first 20 minutes! I especially hate movies that feature a weird looking Asian character that crawls around in fast and then slow speed for no good reason!!
So as you can tell I love the classics. But what I hate the most is type casting. I hate to see the same actor playing the same types of roles. I like actors who can show some depth and diversity in their choosing of characters and roles.
But anyway I digress!!
I started this whole rant just to say that one of my all time favorite movies is The Taking Of Pelham 123. This movie came out in 1974 and starred Walter Matthau (yep, remember him?), 
Robert Shaw and Hector Elizondo (this dude has been around forever!). The plot involves a hijacked subway train in NYC. Since I grew up in NYC, and traveled everywhere on the subway this plot was especially interesting because who steals an underground train?!?!
Anyway The Taking Of Pelham 123 is being remade and will star Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Washington appears to be an intellectual, thinking actor and Travolta is usually a convincing crazy, emotional, scary actor! Both of these men have grown into excellent actors so I think this will be interesting to see.
I hope they stay true to the original format…
Please visit my other blog:
http://reginathinks.wordpress.com/
I Love The Movies, But…
27 Dec 2008 7 Comments
in Family, Movies, News Tags: Movies, News, Shootings
Have you ever gone to the movies and got so caught up in the story that you said something out loud or maybe yelled at the screen? Have you ever whispered something to the person sitting next to you about the movie or the actors? I have done this on many occasions without a thought! Does it bother you when other people talk during a movie? I mean, I don’t like when people just hold random conversations through the entire movie but occasional dialogue during the movie is too be expected. I don’t expect to sit through an entire movie and no one says a word! I can sit there and expect to hear someone yell out, “No He Didn’t!” or “Behind You!” or “Run Fool Run!” or when the bad guy gets killed, “Yes!” When something nice happens the theater says, “Aaaawww”. I remember watching The Passion Of The Christ and the entire theater was crying…out loud! With some movies, good ones and bad ones we should expect to hear some sort of reaction from the people around us. That is part of the movie experience, part of being entertained, which is the entire point of going to a movie.
While traveling the Internet this morning I came across the story about a man who threw popcorn at a family sitting in front of him in the movie theater on Christmas day because they were talking. This guy obviously had some anger issues! Not only did he throw popcorn at the son but he then proceeded to come around to the family and shot the father in the arm! Evidently in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania talking in movie theaters is NOT tolerated! According to CNN.com,
James Joseph Cialella, 29, was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons violations, a police report said. Cialella told the family sitting in front of him in the theater on Christmas Day to be quiet, police said.
James Cialella is in custody and the father was taken to the hospital for the gunshot wound. Read the story HERE.
I guess next time you go to the movies you better think twice about saying things out loud OR just do not go to movie theaters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!
We Need A Little Love
19 Oct 2008 17 Comments
I love old movies! Classics! One of my favorite channels on satellite is TCM – Turner Classic Movies. My kids laugh at the black and white movies or the movies that have color that isn’t like today’s color. Color that looks old and faded. But those were real movies, with real plots, not just color, blood, guts, and special effects!
So today I’ve been watching some good oldies, like Peyton Place. This is one of my favorite old movies. It was a book that was adapted into a movie. I read the book years ago and have been a fan of the story ever since. Every time I watch this movie, I get all misty and emotional. Peyton Place is a town that is built on a foundation of lies. The people of this town thrive on gossip, whispers, innuendos and indifference. Generation after generation of lies is built up and cemented in the hearts and minds of the townspeople. The underlying themes are ones of hypocrisy, privilege and social inequities. It is not until the murder trial of a young lady who killed her drunken, child molesting, abusive step father that the townspeople can see cracks in this horrid foundation. The town is faced with it’s own darkness and lack of love, faith, respect and charity towards one another. The town lacked …LOVE, plain and simple love. Not just love for one another but love for themselves. A little love goes a long way!
This movie was made in 1957, but some of the same themes are still very prevalent today. All around us are people who are living with a secret or who knows someone else’s secret. People everyday are faced with issues of injustice, inequality, and lack of respect.
Human decency and respect is required of all of us!
1st John 4:11 says – “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Is a little love too much to ask??
Happy Birthday Sis!
30 Sep 2008 15 Comments
in Birthdays, Family, Movies, Sisters
Yesterday (9/30/08) was my baby sister’s birthday! She just turned … *Ahem* *cough* *cough* 28! According to her, but I know the real truth… I was there (and we are only 4 years apart!)! I would post her age but if I did my mother, who frequents this blog will just tell her, and then baby sis will call me whining!! So anyway, I took her out for her birthday and we had a great time! We had dinner and saw a movie.
You may think… Well what’s so special about that. 
Well, we went to Studio Movie Grill and it is an awesome experience. You may have seen this on TV, if not check out the website.
This place is a movie theater/bar/grill all in one!
You buy your movie ticket, go to your seat, and people come to you and take your order, and bring you your food. The seats all have little tables for your food & drinks. And for those of you who are so inclined you can even order alcoholic beverages.
We saw the new movie Eagle Eye. The movie was great, action packed to the end! what a great night it was! I love my baby sis and am glad we can spend times like this together!
This is the coolest thing!
Old School Friday #12 – Songs From Movies!
08 May 2008 24 Comments
You Know What It Is!!!!
It is…FRIDAY!! Which is my favorite day of the week because I get to post my “Old School Friday” Picks! In case you are new around these parts and don’t know what “Old School Friday” is, well it is grown folks MUSIC! Yes we post some music that comes from some time before 2000, (hopefully) to relive some memories, and to educate or just entertain each other.
Ms Grapevine and MarvalusOne have teamed up to create a meme titled Old School Friday and since I love my music I had to sign up to join! If you want to join in the Old School Fun then go HERE for the guidelines.
The theme for this week ,
“Songs From Movies”
This could be your favorite song from a movie, your favorite song from the movie’s soundtrack, or a song about a movie. I LOVE movies so this one was a little hard for me. Trying to pick movies to showcase was very difficult, but I finally made some choices (after 2 hours of YouTube video watching)! So join in and post your favorite old school song or just visit the other participants and enjoy the music!!
Here are the other “Old School Friday” participants:
- Electronic Village – Fresh And Fab -
- Ms Grapevine -Quick -Marcus LANGFORD
- Cassandra – Danielle – iriegal -Hagar’s Daughter – Lisa C
-Chocl8t – DP – Dallassouth – Kreative Talk
-MarvalusOne – Regina – Vivrant Thing
-AJ – Sharon – Invisible Woman
-Beleiver 1964 – – SJP – sHaE-sHaE
So here goes, Enjoy!
Aerosmith – I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing (Movie – Armageddon)
Gladys Knight & The Pips – The Makings Of You (Movie – Claudine)
God Is trying To Tell You Something (Movie – The Color Purple)
Happy OSF! Peace & Love!!
Blog Of The Week #6
16 Mar 2008 8 Comments
Hi There Blogging Family!
I started a new thing a while ago and that is to post about a blog that I especially like and title it my Blog Of The Week! I have not posted one in a couple of weeks, but it is back!
Well this week I want to introduce you to a new blogging friend Tamika. Tamika is a current and promising young writer and she authors the movie blog entitled “PJS And A Movie“. In Tamika’s blog she talks about movies, movie reviews, actors, etc. She also post some very nice pictures of actors and actresses.
Please stop by Tamika’s blog and share a little blogger love with this Up and Coming Writer, Critic, and perhaps future Mega Star! When you go over please let her know that you came by way of “Regina”! have an AWESOME Monday!!
Peace & Love!
And The People Say...