Black or White?
Discussion
If the movie is about being black, then perhaps I would associate less with it than if it was about being a pistonhead. However, as has already been pointed out, a good movie is a good movie. Is this part of the hollywood shift to measuring the 'quality' of a film with accountants? Rather than pursuing an artistic vision, the bean counters insist we must have a child in every film so the kids can associate with them, a minority figure, an all american hero etc. etc.
You're probably going to get a more relaxed answer from the UK crowd - I get the impression we're a much more integrated society than the US. The Ali G joke 'Is it because I is black?' probably gets interpreted very differently in the US than here.
BTW, what about Will Smith films? Where do they figure?
You're probably going to get a more relaxed answer from the UK crowd - I get the impression we're a much more integrated society than the US. The Ali G joke 'Is it because I is black?' probably gets interpreted very differently in the US than here.
BTW, what about Will Smith films? Where do they figure?
so long as the film was good (reviews etc) I really couldn't give a toss if the actors where black, white, green or any other colour.
think this is a really silly question.
there are plenty of mainly 'black actor films out there, mostly low budget - but no way would it put me off watching it.
Recent film called 'hero' endorsed by quentin tarantino (excellent film by the way) 100% oriental cast - why would this put anyone off???
think this is a really silly question.
there are plenty of mainly 'black actor films out there, mostly low budget - but no way would it put me off watching it.
Recent film called 'hero' endorsed by quentin tarantino (excellent film by the way) 100% oriental cast - why would this put anyone off???
Tuna said:
BTW, what about Will Smith films? Where do they figure?
Good point, surely big Will has opening power, and i'd have thought Washington could open a movie too… Man on Fire and Training day were relatively big hits no?
I enjoy a good film if it’s a good film, Boyz in the Hood is a predominantly black film (cast and director) and I rate it very highly, despite being totally unable to relate to pretty much anything in the film: I’m white and from rural England, as opposed to being black and from south central LA! I can’t relate to hobbits and wizzards (other than having hairy feet) but I still enjoy the lord of the rings movies.
Andy
Echoing what has already been said, we go to see movies every weekend (have caught most of the big hitters over the past 2 years) and it wouldn't bother me in the slightest who the actors actually were, more on the reviews it gets both by critics & by the general public.
However, I tend to shy away from films which are on a Black culture as they tend to be stereotypical, "laugh at the silly black man" type and that (a) isn't funny and (b) something I consider to be racist (works the other way to). Take for instance BarberShop, fantastic low budget film with only Black actors, Undercover Brother is dire as it takes the mick too much...
However, I tend to shy away from films which are on a Black culture as they tend to be stereotypical, "laugh at the silly black man" type and that (a) isn't funny and (b) something I consider to be racist (works the other way to). Take for instance BarberShop, fantastic low budget film with only Black actors, Undercover Brother is dire as it takes the mick too much...
Will Smith, Denzil Washington and Samuel L. Jackson can definately open movies, and actors like Morgan Freeman and Jamie Foxx add massive resonance.
As said before, I couldn't give a toss what colour their skin is, it's if they can act convincingly in an interesting story that makes me want to see the film (however, I am likely to go and see something Sam Jackson has 'added' to the script in - his ad-libbing always makes film more realistic).
As has been said before, if the film's about 'being' Black of course that's going to affect the number of people who go and see it, but so's a film about being Jewish or, dare I say it, English.
As said before, I couldn't give a toss what colour their skin is, it's if they can act convincingly in an interesting story that makes me want to see the film (however, I am likely to go and see something Sam Jackson has 'added' to the script in - his ad-libbing always makes film more realistic).
As has been said before, if the film's about 'being' Black of course that's going to affect the number of people who go and see it, but so's a film about being Jewish or, dare I say it, English.
Gazboy said:
Sorry to offend anyone, but the most racist people I've ever met were black, and they also have the biggest chips on their shoulders- dunno, maybe you need to be a 'minority' to understand.
Similarly, I've found the most racist people at university to be Chinese - and they can be quite outspoken about it too, especially if they support Communism - but that doesn't affect my view of Chinese people, it just lets me know who the racists are and what they think.
One black parent, one white parent=?
One black grandparent, 3....etc?
Where do you draw the line?
I think we should call them non-whites as the stigma seems to be attatching oneself to a black ancestor and then parading around like a victim. Listening to Lauren Hill rant about how white women shouldn't listen to her music, it makes me sick. So, Halle Berry is black? then I must be spanish then!
Sorry to perhaps speak in a harsh tone, racism makes me sick it shouldn't be tolerated no matter who it's from.
One black grandparent, 3....etc?
Where do you draw the line?
I think we should call them non-whites as the stigma seems to be attatching oneself to a black ancestor and then parading around like a victim. Listening to Lauren Hill rant about how white women shouldn't listen to her music, it makes me sick. So, Halle Berry is black? then I must be spanish then!
Sorry to perhaps speak in a harsh tone, racism makes me sick it shouldn't be tolerated no matter who it's from.
I agree with the majority of the opinions voiced so far. For me, a script is of paramount importance. The visual quality is also key when enticing me to enter into the cinema. I do not consider the colour of the actor's skin when making a decision whether or not to watch a film. My choice will undoubtedly be swayed by the calibre of the actor and their previous performances.
As people have already stated, los angeles, the debate will be a somewhat different one amongst the Hollywood set. British attitudes to race are far more liberal.
One of the finest films that I have ever seen is 'City of God'. I think that I am right in saying that none of the cast were trained actors. The script was a compelling one, the cinematography was superb and the individual performances were quite remarkable.
As people have already stated, los angeles, the debate will be a somewhat different one amongst the Hollywood set. British attitudes to race are far more liberal.
One of the finest films that I have ever seen is 'City of God'. I think that I am right in saying that none of the cast were trained actors. The script was a compelling one, the cinematography was superb and the individual performances were quite remarkable.
I really don't have an issue either way. However, I do take exception to way Notting Hill was depicted as a 100% white area in the movie of the same name.
FFS it's one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the world! You really have to ask yourself who is worse? the audience who derive a "feelgood" factor at being shown a 100% white area that doesn't exist or the film producers who pander to them.
pp
FFS it's one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the world! You really have to ask yourself who is worse? the audience who derive a "feelgood" factor at being shown a 100% white area that doesn't exist or the film producers who pander to them.
pp
I recently watched the Ray Charles biopic.
Can't see much scope in there for increasing the number of whiteys.
It was a smashing film, and would have been considerably the poorer if Tom Cruise had been cast as the eponymous hero.
I tend to judge each film on its merits, regardless of the name on the billboard.
I have to say that I was disappointed to be sitting in a half empty cinema during opening week, whilst there were huge queues to see the Howard Hughes film....
Incidentally, I don't remember a thread on Pistonheads extolling the virtues of the Ray Charles film, which rather surprised me.
Cheers
Pat
Can't see much scope in there for increasing the number of whiteys.
It was a smashing film, and would have been considerably the poorer if Tom Cruise had been cast as the eponymous hero.
I tend to judge each film on its merits, regardless of the name on the billboard.
I have to say that I was disappointed to be sitting in a half empty cinema during opening week, whilst there were huge queues to see the Howard Hughes film....
Incidentally, I don't remember a thread on Pistonheads extolling the virtues of the Ray Charles film, which rather surprised me.
Cheers
Pat
los angeles said:
There's a serious discussion going on in Hollywood at the moment about black or white films.
Question: Would you go to see a predominately black movie if reviews were good, or don't mind so long as the cast is mixed black and white?
What is a 'black movie'?, and what is the relevance to 'the premise' of the "serious discussion"?. (or is this another dispatch from the 'we white, it must be our fault, and because we Hollowood folk 'are the society', we'd better change the world official representative?.)
>> Edited by Dr Strangelove on Monday 14th February 20:46
With regards to Hollywood business attitudes..
What a load of shit.
I really dont give two poos what colour a cast is, as long as its a good movie. And the more good films that come from different parts of the world than Hollywood the better.
If movie marketing analysts think that movies will only do well, if there are a certain number of whites or blacks in it, then thats pretty sad and if they are right.....then thats even more of a shame..
What a load of shit.
I really dont give two poos what colour a cast is, as long as its a good movie. And the more good films that come from different parts of the world than Hollywood the better.
If movie marketing analysts think that movies will only do well, if there are a certain number of whites or blacks in it, then thats pretty sad and if they are right.....then thats even more of a shame..
los angeles said:
It's generally recognised that by a quirk of history and talent the current top stars are all black: Will Smith, Murphy, Washington, Foxx, Freeman, Cheadle, Jackson, and perhaps Halle Berry. Yet none, according to the Hollywood power-brokers, can open a movie.
Rubbish.
Star Wars : worth squillions but most of the actors were virtually unknown when the first film came out.
Blair Witch Project : All actors complete unknowns, film now very famous and made a shed load.
The film industry appears obsessed with the idea that only a star can make a film worthwhile. Perhaps they should concentrate on the product instead of the packaging.
los angeles said:
The debate is fired for two reasons: Morgan Freeman has been nominated for an Oscar four times and never won once. He's nominated again for Million Dollar Baby.
Hey! I don't get every job that I interview for! Some of my dreams don't come true either! Perhaps I should sue someone!
los angeles said:
And a young black writer has started legal proceedings against a major studio because they moved his script from a $20 to a $35 million dollar project on the basis it was a commercial project (for a black movie) but it needed fewer black characters to ensure it made money at the box office.
Suggestion : stop making scripts for idiots?
los angeles said:
He refused to make those changes.
Good for him! See above.
los angeles said:
There is no black executive in Hollywood, so his battle is going to be tough.
If true this is a very sad statement. Morally I reckon he's already won. See above.
los angeles said:
Question: Would you go to see a predominately black movie if reviews were good, or don't mind so long as the cast is mixed black and white?
When did you last hear anyone say "I'm of to see that whites only movie due to my white superiority views"?
I honestly don't think anyone cares. One exception though. If a "black" movie was little more than a means of portraying a pointless, patronising or insulting stereotype of racial minorities I'd probably switch off before long.
Do Americans really think much about this sort of thing? It all sounds small minded, sad and a bit racist to me.
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