Black Actress Update: Props to Queen Latifah For Making ‘Joyful Noise’

21 Responses to “Black Actress Update: Props to Queen Latifah For Making ‘Joyful Noise’”

1. Lady Arabella Victoria
   January 16th, 2012 @ 9:43 PM

   I just saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. The film is a family friendly movie (even with the few curse words). I also loved the interracial romances. It was surprised and encouraged to see how the BW/Asian romances were portrayed in addition to the depiction of young love.I hope there will be more of this kind of film in the future. I definitely supported the movie with my dollars.

   Kudos to the cast, director, and producers. Well done.

   GoldenAh: Yeah, that IR with the BW/AM was a kicker, right? I did not expect that! It was pleasantly surprising. I don’t know if any movie has ever shown anything with a BW / AM to that extent, unless it was an indy. Unfortunately, I don’t know of any (as of now).

   Thanks for the input, Lady Arabella Victoria.

2. » Black Actress Update: Props to Queen Latifah For Making ‘Joyful Noise’ Family Guy
   January 16th, 2012 @ 9:59 PM

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3. Zabeth
   January 17th, 2012 @ 1:35 AM

   I’m on the fence about this one too. I think the story line is great and I like that BW are the focus but I absolutely can’t stand musicals!

   GoldenAh: It feels a bit long at 2 hrs, but maybe it’s because me and my friend showed up way way too early.

   I can tell you that nearly every scene has singing, but it’s not grating. The music is quite good. Although you can wait for the DVD so you can fast forward through it.

   Thanks for stopping by, Zabeth.

4. Alivia
   January 17th, 2012 @ 9:13 AM

   I hope movies like this come out. Btw I just love that Keke Palmer. Beautiful and talented!

   GoldenAh: I’m glad you reminded me of Keke. I couldn’t believe I forgot to mention this talented young woman.

   Glad to hear from you, Alivia.

5. Patricia Kayden
   January 17th, 2012 @ 11:42 AM

   Will have to see this movie based on your review. Queen Latifah is a pretty good actress. Absolutely loved her in “Bringing Down the House”. The only movie I could not watch her in was the one with Common, as I cannot stand him.

   GoldenAh: That was a monster hit for her years ago. Enjoyed that film too. She was Executive Producer (the boss), and that’s when I became really impressed with her.

   Oh yeah, Common. Hmmm. He has a TV show now. It seems to be one of those “black women didn’t exist in the wild west”, unless she’s lighter than a paper bag or is wearing an unbelievable, distracting, out-of-time-and-place monster weave. I don’t have anything against him, but color me disinterested where he’s concerned.

   Thanks for the feedback, Patricia. Hope you enjoy the movie.

6. Mikey Tandino
   January 17th, 2012 @ 11:54 AM

   I also think it has something to do with Keke Palmer as well. All of the recent stuff Keke has done, True Jackson V.P., Degrassi, now Joyful Noise, Keke’s love interest in someone of another race. This is why I love her. As young as she is, she gets it.

   Even though, im mega past her target demographic, I always loved seeing her kissy woo woo with that hot white boy on TJVP. Im glad she is continuing the trend. I will definitely see Joyful Noise.

   GoldenAh: Yeah, you’re right, I gotta give Keke her props, too. I updated the post. I’m sorry I forgot to mention her. She’s a very talented young woman. I first saw her in Akeelah and the Bee, loved that film.

   And I congratulate her for playing a nice, normal, young black girl / woman. I really like that. We don’t see enough of that with all the bizarre caricatures of black womanhood running around.

   Great points you made there, Mikey.

7. Daphne
   January 17th, 2012 @ 2:16 PM

   Also, I wanted to point everyone to the awesome discussion over on What About Our Daughters regarding the lack of black women in the film Red Tails by George Lucas.

   Yes, I’ve been following that discussion. I was waiting for the “Well, if you support this film, black women will be in the other ones” perspective. And sure enough, at least one commenter posted it. I just hope black women won’t fall for the okey doke on this one.

   And about Queen Latifah – I can’t say I like all of her movies, but at least she handles her business for the films she can produce and distribute. U-N-I-T-Y apparently wasn’t just a slogan for her during her days as a rapper.

   GoldenAh: I saw your contribution to the discussion: Congratulations on doing your thing, girl. Don’t ever hesitate to brag about your accomplishments here (links too!). It’s always welcome.

   What grates on my nerves with the “Black Thought Police” is:
   1. We aughts ta be grateful and see this film, which sounds like the brainwashing push that happened with The Help.
   2. Black people = black males. Black women aren’t “black people”, only the men are.
   3. “No black women” is an acceptable and necessary move in order for the “black people” film to be successful.
   4. Replacing black women with white women is not only acceptable and necessary, we’re jealous bitches if we don’t go with the program.
   5. Our bodies, time, and money are resources that belongs to the “black community” to direct at will. They command. So we must obey and put up the dollars. (Hell will freeze over before I listen to these effing idiots.)
   6. George Lucas put his money into a “black people” film. So “black people”, in this case, black women are obligated to pay back this billionaire his “investment” into “our” history. You know, the one where we’re relegated to nothingness on the big screen.
   7. Because we’re all so uneducated, uninformed and dumb, none of us can truly learn about black history unless it’s been made into a film by Hollywood. We’re such a sad sad people.
   8. I don’t care who he’s banging. That would never compel me to see anybody’s movie.

   Lemme stop before I start cursing….

   Liked your comment on WAOD, Daphne, you were on fire.

8. Daphne
   January 18th, 2012 @ 12:21 AM

   Goldenah, I think you have me confused with DailyLattes on WOAD? The one who is making a movie this year? Can’t take credit for that one, though ’tis awesome for DailyLattes! I didn’t post a comment on the WOAD discussion. I’m certainly not creative in the traditional, artsy sense, so many kudos to those who are!

   That said,
   I agree with all of your points on the Black Thought Police.

   I like Keke Palmer as well, though I’ve only seen her in Akeelah and the Bee. I hope her career flourishes.

   GoldenAh: Sorry. I was excited and should have double checked. I need to go lay down somewhere and relax.

9. belleafrique
   January 19th, 2012 @ 3:05 AM

   I absolutely agree. I wouldn’t watch this film at all.

   I don’t think there is any conspiracy to exclude bw, but I have learned the value of quid pro quo. If something does not advance my interests, I will not spend my money on it. Period.

   Unfortunately a lot of bw haven’t learned this lesson

   GoldenAh: I mean, what is there to support when it comes to this movie? There are plenty of good books, documentaries, and museums to check out. HBO made a film years ago about the Tuskegee Airmen. Perhaps it’s for the illiterate and uneducated among us who need a badly made Hollywood flick to learn something. However, that’s no way to truly learn history. It’s scary, because imagine what they’ll do to the Civil Rights movement in a couple of years. It’ll be all about one or two negroes and “good” white women. Scary.

   If I don’t exist even in a “black people’s history” film then where do I, as a black woman, belong? If my image is so easy to erase, I can definitely keep my invisible, non-existent wallet closed. I wish we could all be so hardcore and stop feeding these people.

   Great to hear from you, Belleafrique.

10. belleafrique
    January 19th, 2012 @ 3:52 AM

    Oh sorry, I didn’t specify what movie I was talking about.

    I meant Red Tails.

11. introvertedwanderer
    January 19th, 2012 @ 1:37 PM

    I might just have to see this movie, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to catch it at the theatre though. I’ll most likely have to watch it On Demand or get it from Red Box. I’m not a big fan of Queen Latifah, but I have seen her in a few projects, last of which was “Last Holiday”. And I was surprised how diverse the viewing audience was at the theatre. That made me realize that Queen Latifah has the ability to draw a diverse crowd with her movies.

    It’s nice to see KeKe Palmer in a movie. As a young black actress, she isn’t going to have the same amount of opportunities that her white counterparts will have. Usually, there is a template for young white actresses. They get cast for minor parts, then become known to the mainstream audience, and then they become the next “It” girl for a while. And the ones who do those Disney/Nick series tend to be very popular. Although, KeKe has a show on one of those networks, her popularity doesn’t seem to be at the same level.

    GoldenAh: I’ve seen Queen Latifah in so many roles, it’s not funny. There have been many VWM (very white movies) that I wouldn’t have bothered to watch if she wasn’t in it.

    The American viewing audience is not as bigoted as Hollywood pretends they are. And I don’t believe their nonsense about international audiences not liking black people. Black Americans used to have to run overseas (Josephine Baker, James Baldwin, etc) just to get some decent love as entertainers way back in the old days. People around the world have no problem listening to the music, admiring the look, style and fashion sense of black people. Michael Jackson’s biggest fans were around the world.

    Let’s be real: Hollywood is run by bigots and they’re full of it. I used to think I was being harsh about these folks, but now I realized I was being mild considering how black women were left on the cutting room floor for Red Tails. And I saw this trend, but it’s still a shock to see it play out so boldly.

    You are right about Keke. Years and years ago she would have found steady work on TV shows (when there were black and mixed sitcoms), but with 1000 channels somehow it’s gotten worse for young women like her. I hope she doesn’t “sex it up” just to be famous, ’cause that’s a dead end street.

12. Anonymous
    January 20th, 2012 @ 2:48 AM

    I agree totally

    GoldenAh:

13. Tiffany
    January 21st, 2012 @ 2:16 PM

    I was following the discussion both on What About our Daughters and on Clutch. The vitriol coming from both black men and black women (the male-identified ones)was appalling!! Anyway, will I go see it? Not interested. But I WILL go see Joyful Noise.

    GoldenAh: I don’t like war movies to begin with. Except for a few classics from the 1940s and 1950s, I don’t care for most of them. And I don’t think anything made today can match the quality of stuff made back then. The perspective of modern black male writers, which is usually that of a man-child, wont have the same depth of military experience, being responsible at an earlier age, the “racial pride” that they had back in the day, or how Jim Crow affected their self-esteem and psyches. A lot of black males today are nothing but spoiled petulant punks who possess no dignity.

    The push on black women to support Red Tails is bullying. Point blank. There’s no other way to describe it. Frankly, seeing this movie really has nothing to do with the Tuskegee Airmen. ‘Cause if they did, people would be looking to fund something that directly supports those gentlemen, who unfortunately have nearly died out, not some lame Hollywood flick.

    And I’m tired of this viewpoint that “black people = black males”, along with the belligerent mantra that black women have to “prove” their worth, loyalty or something to black males who constantly disrespect them. This psychological racist / sexist abuse is what passes for a “black community”. Since this is a movie written and directed by black males for black males – they need to go support it. Black women aren’t in the film: they shouldn’t be in the audience. It goes back to people believing they have the right to dictate where our money goes. A lot of them need to go sit down somewhere and read a (history) book.

    I really hope you enjoy Joyful Noise, Tiffany.

14. StarDust
    January 22nd, 2012 @ 4:10 AM

    I really wasn’t interested in seeing Joyful noise, but now I may have to check it out.

    Concerning Red Tails, before I knew there weren’t any black women in the film I wasn’t going to see it anyway because it just doesn’t look like it’s going to be any good. I also find it extremely suspect that George Lucas is now parading his black girlfriend around, are we supposed to support this film because he’s down with the swirl? I would hope he doesn’t think we’re that simple.

    GoldenAh: I think if you are inclined to see Red Tails: go ahead. And if you like musicals, see Joyful Noise. I’ve been seeing musicals, Off-and-On Broadway shows since I was a kid. And I’m a big crybaby, so sweet emotional scenes always gets me teary eyed.

    I may see Red Tails when it’s free and, if I’m inclined, I’ll compare it to the Tuskegee Airmen version made with Laurence Fishburne. I suspect I already know which version is better.

    I’ll give G. Lucas credit for trying, but it’s not enough to say, “I spent my own money.” Quality counts for some of us too, as well as having likeable, talented actors in the film. But also, so what if he spent his own money? He’s a billionaire, losses for him are a tax write-off. The fact is, even if a movie is a flop at the box office – it continues to make money in perpetuity.

    I agree with you: showing off the black girlfriend at this juncture (who’s not even a wife!) doesn’t sit well with me. It’s too close to pimping. If she was a co-producer I could get that, but since this is his “masterpiece”, then obviously she had no role or input.

    And society having this “black people = black males (only)” mindset isn’t right. Black women are black people too. Black men weren’t the only people suffering from racism. We have the additional burden of sexism. That’s what’s wrong with the revisionist history being churned out today. Black women are being erased and aren’t even being considered people (human beings) anymore. If folks are so anxious to spend money to acknowledge those who deem them irrelevant, invisible and non-entities, more power to them. I’m not joining that game.

    Great to have you stop by and comment, StarDust.

15. Christy Luv
    January 22nd, 2012 @ 4:50 PM

    Any black woman who is interested in advancing the cause of black women in film, esp. those in interracial relationships, need a kick in the arse if she does not support Queen Latifah’s film, Joyful Noise, WHILE IT IS STILL IN THEATERS. It’s an entertaining movie with good black female characters and good music.

    It did not do as well as anticipated its opening weekend (last week) but there is still time to catch it. There are other examples of films that did not do well its opening weekend but knocked it out of the park the subsequent weekends due to word-of-mouth. Ghost with Whoopi/Demi/Patrick Swayze is one of them.

    C’mon ladies, get off your arses this week and check out the movie then, if you can, buy the DVD when it’s made available. We have to demonstrate that there is a market out there for these movies or we deserve what we get like, The Help 2. Nothing against The Help but I bet the theaters were packed to see black women in their standard aprons and fake, toothy smiles. That’s some folks guilty pleasure; Reminds them of the Good Ole Days.

    GoldenAh: Great statement, Christy Luv. Excellent endorsement for Joyful Noise. I totally agree.

    Thanks for clearly stating why it is good to support this film. Your sentiments are much appreciated.

16. Name Me One Thing...
    January 23rd, 2012 @ 9:29 PM

    I just wanted to make one comment on this topic regarding George Lucas and his Black girlfriend, Melody Hobson (?). I find it very suspicious that while he’s trying to promote “Red Tails”, all of a sudden she is front-and-center and he is dragging her around everywhere with him.

    Their relationship reminds me too much of how Dorothy Dandridge was treated by Otto Preminger, the white German filmmaker, when she was filming “Carmen Jones”. It was pretty obvious that the only reason Preminger was in a relationship with her was too convince her to complete the movie, or to star in other movies he was making such as “Porgy and Bess”. He promptly dumped her when didn’t take some of his movie roles and when she became pregnant.

    Not to say that Lucas would do something like that, but it seems to me that Lucas and Melody are together to help advertise his movie. And I think it’s to try to pacify Black women, who he knew would raise a hue and a cry about their removal, as well as the guilt trip aspect that Black people “must” see this movie. Very patronizing, disingenuous and stupid.

    GoldenAh: I confess that I do not know the nature or length of their relationship. I would hope at this juncture that they are going to “put a ring on it”, because I think it’s damaging to put her on display like this. There are impressionable young people watching. Saying it’s not our business doesn’t work since he’s inviting the public to be involved via the media. And having these interviews about the relationship, it will go one of two ways: either they are getting married or will break up soon. Because the long and short of it is this: a rich white guy has a “comfortably wealthy” black girlfriend, but if she was white would he not have married her by now? And the answer is yes.

    That’s my take.

    I also feel that there’s no way he ever consulted her about this film. How could any self-aware black woman (and Melody seems to be) not say something if her man makes a film about black people and left out half the population? And then the film has these black men who seem to come from nothing, like they were hatched from eggs or sci-fi pods. Great fiction provides characters with a history, a backstory, and a past. That’s where motivation comes from, and once that is missing, the story doesn’t make any sense. A hero is driven by something more powerful and important than himself: like the willingness to die to save a civilization (for the wife, girlfriend, family and friends back home).

    It is cunning to push black women into seeing this film by using guilt. A lot of us seemed to have forgotten that we are the customers, like every other demographic, who must be pleased by the filmmaker’s product. There should never be any onus on black women to placate Hollywood’s and these black males writer’s racist sexism with our hard earned dollars and precious time. But the devious are clever indeed.

    Thank you very much for your comments and stopping by.

17. Christy Luv
    January 24th, 2012 @ 10:27 AM

    Ladies, I’m loving this website. I’d like to respond to ‘Name Me One Thing’s’ post.

    I like this couple (Melody and Lucas). Yes, they have been an item for over 5 years which does not surprise me because it has been documented that black women/white men have some of the most lasting love relationships (when married) than other combinations, including white men/white women.

    Speaking of marriage, Hollywood’s monied community has a particularly unconventional view of ‘togetherness’. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell were an item for over a decade and never married. Oprah and Stedman too. Let’s not forget Brad and Angelina and their village of children. It does not surprise me that Melody and George are not married because one thing about having money, you have the feeling you can do whatever you WANT TO DO. You feel entitled.

    I don’t believe George is using Melody. She does not appear to be the type that would sign on to that type of contract. I believe they are just enjoying each other and yes, I’ve seen them photographed at celebrity events on several occasions. Their union is not a secret now revealed. LOL! The media simply does not focus on that couple as much. Y’know, you don’t want to give the masses of black women and white men any ideas. LOL!

18. MsMellody
    January 24th, 2012 @ 11:14 AM

    Yes Christy Luv you are CORRECT in your assessment of George and Melody.

    These two have been in a relationship for YEARS. And yes when you are wealthy you do indeed live a certain life and live a life of do what you want to do.

    However, I only want to add this bit of local flavor. Mellody has been a LOOONG time dater of wealthy white men. She was and has always been a beautiful addition to the black woman white man collective. She is a money manager and a former managing partner ( not exactly sure of her title back then ) of Ariel Capital Mgt. A local big bi time money management/investment company. The company’s founding partner John Rogers ( go google him ) is welllllll connected here in Chicago politics/social/money matters. His (John Rogers ) mother was one of the EARLY black female socialites ( from the 40′s/50′s ) soooo you know he is well connected..well educated. And here is the White House connection – John Rogers was once the husband of Desiree Rogers ( White House Social secretary) East Coast educated, well connected throughout the monied elite Blacks here in Chicago. Soooo make your connections from that ladies..and you can READILY see that Melody Hobson is NO BODY’s stranger to this world of wealthy men.

    So yes, she is no way being used. I get the real sense that she is a smart, energetic, honest happy woman.

19. Christy Luv
    January 25th, 2012 @ 11:38 AM

    @MsMellody – Thanks for the additional insight. I watched Mellody and George on Oprah’s OWN channel. I think it was ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’. Anyway, it was an interesting peek into the relationship of Mel and George.

    I saw an article on Red Tails online and there was a pic of George,Mel,and one of the movie’s actors. The caption below the pic identified Mel as a representative of Ariel Capital Mgt but no mention of her connection to George (like girlfriend). That was kinda interesting.

20. Faith
    January 29th, 2012 @ 6:06 PM

    I’m just catching up on a few blogs. I’ve enjoyed your last two posts tremendously. Just wanted to say hello.

    GoldenAh: Cheers, Faith. Great to hear from you.

21. Sandra77
    February 9th, 2012 @ 4:00 PM

    Somewhat tangential, but it should also be mentioned re Mellody Hobson’s former partner in Ariel Management (John Rogers)- his mother, Jewel Rogers Lafontant Mankarious, was not just a wealthy Chicago socialite – she was also a US Attorney for Illinois(she may have been the 1st black female US Attorney)and a Deputy Solicitor General under the Nixon administration, and an ACLU memeber. She also sat on the board of directors of a bunch of Fortune 100 companies. She was well connected in politics, law, socio-economically – the works. Ironically, her 1st husband, John Rogers, was a Tuskegee Airman! She was quite a woman – well worth googling.

    GoldenAh: I used to read Black Enterprise, and they often covered a lot of rich and powerful black people I had never heard of. I was somewhat familiar with Mellody, John and Desiree before the “mainstream” media started talking about them.

    And I get what you ladies are saying about Mellody: I honestly admire her for her own achievements. Her relationship with G. Lucas doesn’t interest me that much.

    Chicago produces some amazing black people. Even if they aren’t natives of the city, they go there and seem to blossom. I don’t think it’s an accident that one of the first big city black mayors, Harold Washington, was elected there. We had the first black woman Senator from Illinois. And of course, our President knew to start his Presidential run from there. Must be something in the water.

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