The Black Dude Dies First

(Re-posted from "TV TROPES.ORG)

Pretty self-explanatory trope: in a film which involves a lot of character deaths, it seems like the black actor will inevitably be the first to go.

In the past this perception was because there were few black leads in big-budget films outside of those that focused specifically on race or used it to make a point. Historical moviemakers were generally writing to white audiences, so it was natural (at least in their opinion) for whites to get more screen time. And if the writers throw in a Token Minority to give the cast more believable racial balance, who do you think is going to die first, them or the folks who have a bigger role in the script?

A notable subversion of this trope came from the 1971 film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. Nowadays the film is known more for popularizing Blaxploitation films, but most of those films were popular with audiences at the time for ignoring this trope all together. As more black people with money to spend went to theaters, more and more prominent black characters and more big-name black actors emerged-none of which were likely to get killed off quietly. Studios had also finally accepted that white audiences are not generally as racist as was once assumed, and do not need to have a white protagonist. In other words, if you're gonna go after the black man nowadays, you might want to check the credits to see who's playing him. If it's no one you've actually heard of, they're probably fair game. Tony Todd? Go for it. Samuel L. Jackson? You can take your chances. Rosario Dawson? Yeah, good luck on that. Denzel Washington? Bad idea. Morgan Freeman? You should give up. Will Smith? Run away and hide.

As black actors became more common in significant roles, this trope found new ways to stay relevant. Films would take a Scary Black Man, turn him into The Big Guy, and kill him off to show how strong their monster is. In horror films, the afflicted main character might have a sassy Black Best Friend that gets killed off to show that this is no laughing matter. 80s horror shows were good at this, and film makers had growing backlash against all the exploitation films.

Will Trayvon Martin tragedy effect "Neighborhood Watch" box office sales?

Will the Trayvon Martin tragedy effect the box office sales of the new movie "Neighborhood Watch" starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill?

The comedy centers around a bunch of suburban dads who form a neighborhood watch group to get time away from their families, only to discover a plot to destroy Earth

The film's trailer shows a van full of white men driving slowly through a residential neighborhood as Jonah Hill's character mimics a gun with his fingers out the mini van's window. All this is in slow motion using a slow Hip Hop beat as a sound track.

Will contemporary events in the news like the Trayvon Martin or Sean Bell tragedies cause the trailer or film to be edited to show more "sensitivity"?

Films have been changed before. "Return Of The Jedi" was supposed to be billed as "Revenge Of The Jedi" and was changed at almost the last minute because revenge is an emotion unbecoming of a Jedi, sending the wrong message.

The film also stars Richard Ayode (The I.T. Crowd) and was written by Seth Rogan Evan Goldberg. Akiva Schaffer directs. Opens in July.

What'cha Watchin'? Try cornbread.

Peep little Larry Fishburne in the 1974 Urban drama "Cornbread, Earl And Me". Solid, man. Right on.

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ON NETFLIX

Whitney Houston will "Sparkle" in musical remake.

Whitney Houston will be featured in a remake of the 1976 film "SPARKLE", a music-themed film inspired by the story of the Supremes.

The film's soundtrack will feature two songs by the pop diva, (who died on Saturday, February 11th) a cover of a gospel song and a duet with former American Idol winner JORDAN SPARKS (pictured) who also plays her daughter in the film.

The original film centers on a girl group who rose to fame from a church choir in harlem and suffer internal conflicts after a sudden rise to fame complicates matters for the group and it's gifted lead singer named Sparkle.

Directed by Salim Akil (The Game), this rags-to-riches contemporary musical classic also features Mike Epps (Next Friday, The Hangover) and Cee-Lo Green. It is set for an August 2012 release.

It's not hard to see that millions of Whitney's adoring fans, Americal Idol watchers and fans of the original film will come out in record numbers to see the new "Sparkle".

Expect this to be one of the most HIGHEST-GROSSING FILMS OF ALL TIME, a boost for the film industry and a welcome catalyst for the resurgence of musical films in general.

REVIEW: "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" -Bookworms & Emo chicks rejoice!

The many elated readers of the best-selling trilogy " GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO" should be stoked to see this faithful cinematic version, directed by David "Fight Club" Fincher, finally released in theaters.

The story centers around a freshly sued Swedish magazine publisher Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) who is commissioned to find the missing grand niece of retired CEO Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer)

Mikael recruits the covert geek squad services of freelance surveillance agent and researcher Lisbeth Salander (a brave performance by Rooney Mara) who is having some problems of her own. She is a ward of the state and her monitary allowance is given to her by a new guardian who sexually abuses her.

Mikael and Lisbeth end up having a sexual relationship and begin to suspect that they have stumbled onto the trail of a serial killer.

Violent and graphic for vanilla audiences waiting for a Jennifer Aniston cameo, this adult drama is all grown up and, apparently, follows the books pretty faithfully (Sorry. I wait for the movie like everyone else).

Fincher brings us another visually handsome film that sounds great, once again showcasing "Social Network" vets cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth and music directors Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross.

Ms. Mara's portrayal of the "girl" is a fascinating study of inner struggle, able as she is vulnerable and hell bent on revenge. She brodens the scope of the classic cinematic heroine into a new contemporary style of brainy/bisexual/emo/warrior chic with a touch of punk. It seems as though she has successfully embraced the internal workings of an iconic literary character and channeled it into a riveting display for the camera.

The film moves as does a book (has a pacing, kinda long) and may not be the action shoot-em-up as suggested by the film's trailer. Yet it is well worth the admission $ for fans of the book and those who enjoy a more intense and well-developed film.


Golden Globe Nominations:

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
ROONEY MARA

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
TRENT REZNOR, ATTICUS ROSS

The presentation of “The 69^th Annual Golden Globe^® Awards” is on Sunday, January 15, 2012

G.I. JOE: Retaliation- Exclusive Premiere Trailer

THE ARTIST: Cast, score shine in new silent movie

It may be hard to imagine a full length, black and white silent movie as being an amazing and refreshing breath of fresh air in the current climate of Holiday popcorn fare.

But this awesome new silent "classic" film is not only a visual homage to the silent screen era, but a creative recognition of the artistic process and it's perilous pitfalls.

The story takes place in Hollywood, 1927.

Red-hot silent movie star George Valentin

(Jean Dujardin) enjoys his success until the arrival of talking pictures threaten to end his career.

George has an accidental photo op with a cute young flapper named Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo).

After he helps her get work on the set as an extra, she gets a big break in the "talkies", captures the nation's heart and catapults to stardom.

The story's villain is George's pride (yes, it has it's own music) that rears it's ugly head, causing George to downward spiral into a dark world of self doubt and bottles of booze.

But he is fortunate to have at his side his trusty limo driver (James Cromwell) and faithful co-star/pet dog (2011 Palm Dog award winner UGGIE) to help him regain his muse and return to the silver screen.

An amazing original score by Ludovic Bource weaves a sonic tapestry of Ragtime, Classical and Jazz into an audible narrative that advances the story at a comfortable pace. This serves as an impressive canvass by which to paint the extraordinary black and white cinematography.

Harnessing inspiration for performance and maintaining a "real world" sense of identity are two of the seldom seen burdens of the artist and, as the film warns, may be rough terrain to navigate for artists unprepared for drastic life changes.

TICKET WORTH: Full price. $12.50
RENT THIS MOVIE?: Yes without a doubt.
BUY THE DVD?: Yes. A soon as it's released.

J/A