on the black hand side

"Dark Girls" is Sad, Powerful and Haunting [VIDEO]

It's 2011, why are black people still dealing with skin color and hair texture issues?

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

How many times do black people have to address the issue of dark skin vs. light skin...good hair...bad hair. It's so sad and so unbelievable by people who are not black, regardless of whether black American, Black Hispanic, Caribbean black, etc.

If the truth be told, the problem of self-hatred and skin color envy is so deep and pervasive. If the truth be told, it goes beyond blacks. The desire for blonde hair, blue eyes and light skin is prevalent throughout the  ethnicity spectrum and damages the psyche of many not naturally born with those genetic traits. It's easier and perhaps more damaging to blacks who are farther away from Nordic blonde, but others are suffering also.

This madness will continue until people start really loving their natural selves. It's okay to recognize beauty in others but when you do that while hating yourself, the cycle continues. Some of comments from blacks in this video make me angry and sad --- in that order. We know better, let's do better. And to my dark girl sisters, you are beautiful. Know it. Own it. Be it.

 

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? [VIDEO]

Tyler Perry is back with the sequel to Why Did I Get Married?, Why Did I Get Married Too?. This film promises surprises and the trailers are interesting. Perry's films tend to be formulaic with a positive message about family and relationships. This latest film will be out April 2. It's a safe bet that it will be a blockbuster even if the bootleg version is already on the streets.

Vanessa Williams Speaks Out on Movie Message [VIDEO]

Actress Vanessa L. Williams has an opinion and shares it on ABC-TV's 'The View." Williams said what many blacks think and have written about this movie. Rather than dismiss her opinion about this movie, this country --- that would be us --- really needs to address the issue of race and images in all media.

There's no denying 'The Blind Side' is based on a true story. There's also no denying that some women can identify with the horrendous life memorialized by the movie, 'Precious.' We could get into a discuss about Tyler Perry's 'Madea' movies but I think you get the point. The issue Williams raises is a matter of balance in the image of blacks. Where is this decade's version of The Cosby Show?

Queen Latifah and Common Star in Romantic Comedy 'Just Wright' [VIDEO]

A new romantic comedy starring Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton, Laz Alonso, Pam Grier and Phylica Rashad is set to be released May 14. 'Just Wright' looks like a nice movie with Common as a basketball player and Queen as a physical therapist who helps him after a career-threatening injury.

So what's the plot besides that? Well, Latifah's friend, played by Paula Patton, hooks up with Common only to diss him when she thinks his professional career is over. Latifah develops romantic feelings for Common and the rest is to be known when the film is released.

Oh yeah, be on the lookout for real ballers such as Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard.

Akira’s Hip Hop Shop: A Love Story Set to a Different Beat [VIDEO]

Sunday morning channel surfing while multi-tasking brought this gem of an independent short film to my television. Akira’s Hip Hop Shop is about an interracial relationship that’s rarely talked about let alone became the focus of a film. Asian male – black female couples are very rarely seen. This blog post is not about the sociological reasons why that coupling is not seen as frequently as Black male – Asian female couples or any other combination of couples.

Akira (James Kyson Lee) is faced with many daunting choices in addition to his love for Daphne (Emayatzy Corinealdi). Family pressures and ultimatums weigh heavily on his decisions regarding his relationship with Daphne and commitment to fulfilling his personal dreams and aspirations. Daphne is forced to  decide how she will live out her dreams.

Outside of the Asian male-black female, the movie is much of the same old things --- stereotypes about sex and disapproving family and friends. While Akira and Daphne are of different ethnic backgrounds, their similar interests in music and Asian culture make for refreshing dialog. They also find they are a lot more similar than different.

This is a short film. The full-length version of the movie (37 minutes) is available on Amazon.com and fills in the gaps of the shortened version but you still want more of this film. I don’t want to spoil the movie if you haven’t seen it; if you like romantic comedy with a little drama, check out Akira’s Hip Hop Shop.

Official Trailer: Akira’s Hip Hop Shop

Official Website: Akira’s Hip Hop Shop

Rent it or buy it online: Akira’s Hip Hop Shop

Follow Akira’s Hip Hop Shop on Twitter.

If You Love Hip-Hop

I was channel flipping and came across an awesome documentary, This Is the Life. It’s about hip-hop and a movement spawned at this obviously legendary place called The Good Life Café in Los Angeles. I am so in love with the talent introduced to me tonight. Giving up mad love to Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa & KoKo, Abstract Rude, Figures of Speech, 2000 Crows and a slew of other folks whose names I can’t remember right now.

If you love real hip-hop, music history or pop culture; this is one film you don’t want to miss.

I know The Last Poets are smiling as the next generation spits truth in poetry and lyrics.

 

Is South Africa the Panacea for American Blacks?

I saw this documentary on cable TV late one night. It was entertaining and educational. Opportunities abound. Check it out.

From YouTube:

From filmmaker Stafford U. Bailey, who directed such critically acclaimed documentaries as A Laugh, A Tear; The Other Side of Victory; and The Black Road to Hollywood, comes BLACKS WITHOUT BORDERS an emotional story about hardship, sacrifice and great rewards.

 

This film plunges into the lives of a group of African Americans who have come to South Africa to find the American dream. These ex-pats have discovered that America is not the only land of opportunity. The boundaries that many of them faced in the United States dont exist in South Africa.

 

Everyone knows about the deplorable conditions in parts of Africa, but this film captures the wonderful lifestyle South Africa has to offer. We follow these modern day globetrotters all over the country and tour their amazing homes. From an 11,000 sq ft. house that overlooks the Indian Ocean to a 35,000 sq ft. mansion that sits on 700 acres. This film is funny, heartwarming and passionate. It will take you by surprise and leave you deeply moved.

   

Photos of South Africa

 

 

Cadillac Records Tells Story of Music Industry in 1950s and 60s

The highly-anticipated movie, Cadillac Records, is scheduled to open on December 5. It is the story of Chess Records and the artists who passed through there. I think it no exaggeration to say that much of the publicity surrounding the movie is about the performance of Beyonce' AKA Mrs. Carter as legendary singer, Etta James.

Having only seen a clip of her performance, I must say that she seems to hold her own on screen for those fleeting moments. Here is the official trailer for the movie.

And here is the Etta James performing live with Chuck Berry. Not sure if the year but Ms. James has gone through quite a few physical transformations and this shows her before she slimmed down again.

Chuck Berry & Etta James
Uploaded by Roselyne14

Etta James and Beyonce' Knowles

No doubt this movie will revive interest in Etta James and the other artists featured in the film. The role is said to be the breakout role for Beyonce' who credits Etta James for inspiring her new album I Am…Sasha Fierce.

With a stellar cast of actors and musical artists, it's difficult to imagine this movie being bad. What say you?

 

   

© 2008, on the black hand side, www.blackhandside.net

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Big Willie is Back for Christmas this time

Will Smith has a new movie coming out in December called Seven Pounds. Ben (Will Smith) is an IRS agent who is depressed and guilt-ridden about mistakes from his past. He sets out to make amends by helping seven strangers. When he meets Emily (Rosario Dawson), a beautiful woman with a heart condition, he falls in love with her, thereby complicating his plans. Woody Harrelson appears as a blind pianist who befriends Ben and Michael Ealy plays Smith's brother.

Smith's movies are often released during 4^th if July weekend. This Christmas season release is a welcome change. I'm definitely adding this to my "must see" list as he has matured in his performance as an actor. I also enjoy the work of the rest of the cast. The trailer doesn't give a lot of the storyline but it's intriguing and piqued my interest.

    

    

© 2008, on the black hand side, www.blackhandside.net

Vote for this blog for Best Pop Culture Blog and Best Blog About Stuff in the 2008 Bloggers Choice Awards.

   

Tyler Perry Opens New Studio in Atlanta

Tyler Perry opened his new studio in Atlanta with all the grandeur one would expect from him. Celebrities such as Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Cicely Tyson were among the star-studded guests.

Perry, who was once homeless, has achieved what no other black person has done in the U.S., he owns his own movie and television studios.

The grand opening was not without controversy. A small protest was staged by four writers who were fired from "House of Payne".

 

Related Link: Message from Tyler Perry (with event photos)

     

© 2008, on the black hand side, www.blackhandside.net

Vote for this blog for Best Pop Culture Blog and Best Blog About Stuff in the 2008 Bloggers Choice Awards.