FOR COLORED GIRLS

[**Dea**]

I'm so happy I get to be the one to start this thread!

What did you all think of the movie??? I just saw it so my emotions are still quite raw so no spoilers from me! Once I can think straight and can articulate how I feel about it I'll come back but for now all I'll say is.......ABSOLUTELY an AMAZINGLY BREATHTAKING FILM!!!!! Absolute Must See!!!

<----will definitely be going to see it again before the weekend is over!

[Julie Art]

it is a wonderful movie! Loved it!

[**Dea**]

Ok. I'm back!

This movie was, as I said before, breathtaking for me! Like I told my mom, the emotion was so intense that I couldn't even cry throughout the movie...but I dropped a single "Janet Jackson" tear at the end. I cannot wait for it to come out on DVD so I can add it to my collection.

I think the women did an EXCELLENT job of portrayal in this film. The artistic value of it from every single last woman featured in this movie (even JJ and Washington) was seriously ON POINT!! By far THE BEST film Tyler has done yet!

Viewers who dabble in liberal arts will love this film...it's full of amazing poetry, music, dancing, and acting that will drag that "Janet Jackson Tear" right on out!

I feel some kinda way in regards to Janet in this film cause I've been watching movies she's been in since I was a kid (Poetic Justice is my FAVORITE MOVIE)...when I say she is evolving, i truly do mean it!! She's getting good!

BTW, when I say "the Janet Jackson Tear" I'm talking about the fact that Janet, no matter what highly emotional role she's doing or what scene it is, only cries from her left eye! LOL! It's become quite funny to me so much so that I'll watch movies over and over just to see if I'll notice anything come out of the right one! lol

BUT YEA, If you haven't seen this movie, colored or not, getchoazzup and go see it!! If you have seen it, go see it again! MEN, I strongly encourage you to see it too!!!

<===REALLY hopes this film pulls in some Academy Awards for Tyler and the women featured in the film....It actually deserves it!

#proudofTP!

[BlackPrincess]

Didn't read nothing u wrote Dea. Was going to see it last night but my little buggah and I were BEAT from the fun day we had! BUT TODAY IS A NEW DAY AND IM HYPE! Will read your comment and give my two cent later tonight!

[All Pledging Is Legal]

Forget your emotions. What is the plot of the movie?

[**Dea**]

BlackPrincess- there are no spoilers in my posts

All Pledging Is Legal- Its a poetic look into the lives of women thru the eyes of the characters.

[All Pledging Is Legal]

Nov 6, 2010 9:13:42 GMT -5 **Dea** said:

BlackPrincess- there are no spoilers in my posts

All Pledging Is Legal- Its a poetic look into the lives of women thru the eyes of the characters.

Oh, so it sucks. But wait, it's a Tyler Perry film too. If my girl suggests going to see this with her, I will poke both of our eyes out.

[Comedy]

I plan on seeing the movie at some point this weekend. I hope it's what's it's being cracked up to be. If it's not, I will say my peace.

APIL, I'm going to pray that she makes "yo" a s s go twice!!!!!

[Oldskool]

Nov 6, 2010 13:48:16 GMT -5 Comedy said:

I plan on seeing the movie at some point this weekend. I hope it's what's it's being cracked up to be. If it's not, I will say my peace.

APIL, I'm going to pray that she makes "yo" a s s go twice!!!!!

;D

[Julie Art]

I agree with Madea. Every actress was great in their role. I'll wait to list my faves. This is TP's best movie!

[antithesis]

A POWERFUL... MUST SEE!!!

MY LOVE IS TOO PURE TO HAVE THROWN BACK IN MY FACE!!!

The movie was brilliant! I am SOOOO proud of my man, Tyler P!!! He (and others) did a wonderful job bringing the original work to life on the big screen.

The last time I cried at the movies was during Titanic.lol So I shocked myself when I did a real cry for this. Tears, emotions, curse words...I had them all lol. At one point I considered walking out because the intensity shocked me. I mean it wasn't just the topics the topic have almost become common to me. It was the realism in the characters as well.

I was trying to hold it all back because I went with my husband and I KNEW he was going to be ultra protective if he saw me starting to cry. With that being said I agree men should see it, but those who do should be aware that it is a women's empowerment movie. They may feel uncomfortable with the way men are portrayed in the movie. I know one guy complained about it terribly on my row. And...once we left the theater my husband gently but pointedly mentioned it and that he wished they would have showed Harper more because of his role...

Also, I think there should be an intensity warning as well. Folks in my theater were boohooing like crazy, made my cry look minor.

There is so much I want to say, but really my words will do very little justice.

I encourage everyone to go out and see it soon!!!

[Julie Art]

I agree with Madea. Every actress was great in their role. I'll wait to list my faves. This is TP's best movie!

[All Pledging Is Legal]

Was this movie as bad as "The Color Purple"? That movie is easily one of the most popular films that I hate. If liking "The Color Purple" is a requirement for being black, I will bleach my skin and move to Finland.

[huey]

Nov 6, 2010 18:12:16 GMT -5 @antithesis said:

A POWERFUL... MUST SEE!!!

MY LOVE IS TOO PURE TO HAVE THROWN BACK IN MY FACE!!!

The movie was brilliant! I am SOOOO proud of my man, Tyler P!!! He (and others) did a wonderful job bringing the original work to life on the big screen.

The last time I cried at the movies was during Titanic.lol So I shocked myself when I did a real cry for this. Tears, emotions, curse words...I had them all lol. At one point I considered walking out because the intensity shocked me. I mean it wasn't just the topics the topic have almost become common to me. It was the realism in the characters as well.

I was trying to hold it all back because I went with my husband and I KNEW he was going to be ultra protective if he saw me starting to cry. With that being said I agree men should see it, but those who do should be aware that it is a women's empowerment movie. They may feel uncomfortable with the way men are portrayed in the movie. I know one guy complained about it terribly on my row. And...once we left the theater my husband gently but pointedly mentioned it and that he wished they would have showed Harper more because of his role...

Also, I think there should be an intensity warning as well. Folks in my theater were boohooing like crazy, made my cry look minor.

There is so much I want to say, but really my words will do very little justice.

I encourage everyone to go out and see it soon!!!

This is very interesting because i've seen the play done and ive read the book and never felt uncomfortable with neither, but i have a feeling wit it in Tyler Perry's homosexual hands, there may be strong black man bashing.

[**Dea**]

See, I don't take is as "black man bashing"....I see it as realism. I agree with Outtie's hubby in that Harper's character was a positive one and while we SAW him a lot, his presence wasn't really felt. Needless to say, he was married to a Supporting character...so we SAW her a lot and while her presence was there it was mainly in the supportive character role.

*dea puts on optimism hat*

Think about it like this, maybe the underlining theme with that pair was indeed, SUPPORT. She had support in her issues. He talked with her, held her, loved her for everything in her past and future which, once she was able to let go of her own insecurities and downfalls, aids her in supporting others. Pay it forward ya know? So his presence didn't need to be seen so much in the forefront because it was channeled through Washington. Make sense?

*throws hat across room and picks up Feminist hat*

I think the male that watches this film and has a problem with anything in it is doing what is expected of men. Being the selfish dudes we know them to be. Negro, the movie aint about yall! No where did it say that this was ALL men....but the reality of the case is A LOT of women go through these situations DAILY!! I myself could identify with at least 3/4 my damn self and I'm only 23! C'mon son! Get your head out your own ass and realize that your fellow brethren just might not be the "real niggaz" you think they are! I absolutely do NOT think all men are bad....lawd knows I loves me some mens (LMAO!).....But Lawd also knows that I have known waaaaay more evil ones than good ones in my mere 23 years of life.

I don't think this is a male bashing film. And I do think I would take slight offense to a man thinking it is....selfishness is never cute....and can be the root to a potential problem in our relationship.

Yes, you had some seriously extreme situations in there....but tell me how many "Franks" you know?? (Loretta Divine's situation...wasn't that his name?) I'm JUST getting over a 4 year situation with a "FRANK"....and like Loretta said "THAT PUNK ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH ALL MY STUFF!!" Thank God for getting ME back!


So later for all yall bitching and whinning! There are MILLIONS of movies out there that say that there are good men in the world. shit, even the movies that SEEM to be about female hardship end with some dude coming out the wood work with a platinum Dick swinging between his legs TO SAVE THE DAY!!! And if you really want me to go there, I can argue that these movies, written, directed, and produced by MEN are one of the factors that have blinded women in relations with men. Got us with our nose wide open when he takes us on a possibly entertaining or orignal themed date because "gurrrl...he may be my Alex Hitchins!" Some of these movies can be the blame when it comes to women living in fantasy worlds that drenches their panties with optimism that "Yall I think I found THE ONE"....and then he turns out to be just a regular dude with a regular agenda.

So spare me with the "It's making all men seem bad" nonsense and LEARN from the damn movie...and next time you step to a WOMAN....step correct!


**takes hat off and walks out room**

[huey]

Here you go..

I haven't seen the movie yet, i enjoyed the trailer,enjoyed book and watching the plays. When i say manbashing, i'm more referring to Perry's over the top techniques to make a point. I feel the book and play is realism, addressing real issues. But this is a movie, and alot of things need to be added to make it motion picture and fill it in.

[AKAShannon]

My chapter sponsored a midnight showing of the movie, and I must agree with previous statements that this is by far TP's best movie. All actresses were on point and yes, the some of the scenes intensity got to me as well. I was fighting back the tears!

As for the "male bashing", I don't think it was any. It was just these characters reality.

[huey]

I'mma hold further comments till I see it.

[huey]

Interview with For Colored Girls author.

Is there also a message here for young black men?
Oh absolutely, don't beat on women. The lesson is don't beat and hurt women. Don't lie to us. Don't get us pregnant and leave us in an alley. Don't pretend you're coming for dinner when you're coming to make love. There's a whole lot of lessons in there for young black men. There's a whole lot they could do. They need to take a notepad with them to the movie, and write down I can't do that no more, oh I can't do that more, oh I can't do that more. And see how many pieces of paper they have when they leave, if they were honest. You should have a truth session.

[**Dea**]

Sorry Huey....I got caught up....triggered a little something in me. I'm done though...I promise!

[123Diva]

I finally saw the movie Sunday evening. I really liked it. It didn't shake my world and i wouldn't call it spectacular but it was certainly good and worth watching. Maybe, I'll even go see it again.

IMO, the poetic aspect of the movie simply did not go over with the same power/effect as it does and would have in the form of a play; that may actually be my greatest criticism. Grant it, I'm not sure if this could have been avoided on the big screen. I saw the play in undergrad, and I think that at that point and time as a freshman in college it shocked me to my core. I was young, naive, and innocent though.

At that time I would have called it man-bashing and extreme, though the portrayal was beautiful. Experience and maturity and has showed me that the piece simply portrays a too-often ignored or 'not taken seriously enough' reality. Many of the Black male-female relationships are messed up.








SPOILER ALERT








The Kimberly Elise storyline was of most interest to me because it represented a system failure on several different levels. There's the obvious...she should have left the abusive baby-daddy. And of course the child protective service agency is one system failure for not removing the children from the home before tragedy struck. But there also, we have this vet. A Black man who went off to serve and protect his country and is now a mess. The movie hinted that he was not this way before the war. This happens in REAL LIFE ya'll. The man went MAD. I sympathize with him because more should have been done to see that his mental state was good enough to be back home with his lady and kids. It irks me that our soldiers and vets are not given more support. They are used and thrown away all too often. Alas, the movie wasn't about that, and I know this! And truth be told, all the sympathy in the world did not keep me from wanting to jump through the screen and stab his azz to death for killing those babies.

I agree that Hill Harper was a positive male character.

Phylicia Rashad is a gem. I was delighted to see her on screen again. She was marvelous. I was utterly annoyed with then in awe of her character...perhaps by design??? Her role in particular gives credence to the statement that it takes a village. I enjoyed and appreciated how her 'relationship' with Thandie Newton evolved. She was willing to mother and build up instead of just break down and criticize. Unlike many (older and not so old) Black women I've come across.

I have more to say and will in another post later on.

[**Dea**]

**presses the invisible LIKE button under Diva's comment**

[dappa]

I always find it rather interesting that men are always required to learn from failures at the direction of a woman and any negative review by a man is seen as being selfish. If this movie was made and highlighted how some black women mess up and casted a negative light, would you same women be as inclined to say you would learn from the movie? Or dismiss it and say "well that is her and I do not roll like that"?

[Julie Art]

All I got to say to those who thought it was possible male bashing:

Are you this up in arms when women are berated in music/rap videos and songs? Or are you bobbing your heads and singing along?

Something to think about.

[**Dea**]

@ Dappa - everything is a learning experience for me. To tell the truth this point is made by Loretta Divine's character in the movie...


**SPOILER ALERT**




When she finally got fed up with "Frank" she started off by saying something along the lines of "bitch, Crazy, Needy...these are all women I've strived NOT to be." Basically, she was saying she's seen the type of women that men DON'T want to be with and her entire life she's attempted not to be like that. But even that slams her in the face when she realizes the man she loves and has bore her soul to would rather continuously puncture his spirit in the presence of a woman that is just that.

Those movies you speak of basically teach us to be like this. Absorb the failures of the woman that drove away that "Good Man" and try NOT to be like her. Support him when he's down, don't say dumb shit like "baby whatcha thinkin" during a Superbowl game, know that sometimes he wants to be babied in a similar yet, non inapropriate manner that his mother would. YES, we learn from them damn moives....what does it do though? It makes women become something she's not where we land in the state we're in today where the "Independant Woman" is a lot of times also either a whore or a snob with a dried up clit. Because she refuses to submit in the ways that society is trying to make her out to be. Or you have women playing house and sacrificing herself for the happiness of her man. There are millions of other in between scenarios but it all boils down to the fact that YES, we see these so called "learning" experiences and in a lot of cases these man-made lessons are what lead us to the situations pin pointed in this movie.

[dappa]

Nov 8, 2010 22:00:15 GMT -5 Julie Art said:

All I got to say to those who thought it was possible male bashing:

Are you this up in arms when women are berated in music/rap videos and songs? Or are you bobbing your heads and singing along?

Something to think about.

In response to that I will say this, yes fellas will listen to that type of music. However, so will a lot ladies as well. Referring to yourself as a bad bitch, queen bitch, expressing that you want to bang 10 different men and how you suck this and that is just as bad.

[dappa]

ok I can understand that. In response though @ Luminous you only have to learn how to please one man and a man should only have to learn how to please one woman, no more and no less. I think when brothers state they feel the movie bashes them it is because movies like this do not represent all men and really only a very small part of men. Secondly, when comments are made about being selfish or the conversation is turned in another direction, you dismiss and/or marginalize the guys opinion and hence the name calling. If it is ok to criticize the fellas, then they are also well within their rights to defend themselves.

Now, you stated that you and/or women learn from these movies and thats fine. However, movies are fake. The biggest issue is that whenever a movie like this is done, it becomes the bible of how men are, act, will do, how they treat women 99% of the time. It becomes law and that is grossly unfair and insulting. For every dude that is portrayed in this type of movie, there are hundreds of men who in their day to day get up and bust their ass to provide for their family, love their wives, and take care of their kids. Those men are lumped in with the deviant group and when they state this is not reality, they are shouted down. Everybody should have a voice and should be heard.

[peppermint]

I'm really confused as to why the movie is being preceived as male bashing. I didn't get that at all.

[**Dea**]

Dappa - I see your point and agree! BUT I think you "good" (quotations cause I don't know you) men fail to realize that it's obviously more of your peers doing these things than you think. Millions of women have been raped, beaten, emotionally or verbally abused. This isn't just ONE man doing this. One woman's villain and the next woman's may be totally differnt. Law and Order: SVU may distort the view and make you think that rapes are done by serial rapists but the truth of the matter is, there are A LOT of everyday cats out here with some serious skeletons in their closet. So, while I understand your point I think you all are in a slight fantasy world. No this isn't all men, but unfortunately, its a more than you think.

[peppermint]

Nov 9, 2010 18:31:26 GMT -5 **Dea** said:

Dappa - I see your point and agree! BUT I think you "good" (quotations cause I don't know you) men fail to realize that it's obviously more of your peers doing these things than you think. Millions of women have been raped, beaten, emotionally or verbally abused. This isn't just ONE man doing this. One woman's villain and the next woman's may be totally differnt. Law and Order: SVU may distort the view and make you think that rapes are done by serial rapists but the truth of the matter is, there are A LOT of everyday cats out here with some serious skeletons in their closet. So, while I understand your point I think you all are in a slight fantasy world. No this isn't all men, but unfortunately, its a more than you think.

I can't like this comment but I can exalt you.