Princess and the flippin Frog!!

Princess and the Frog made its premiere in theaters Friday, December 11. A friend and I caught a matinee show on Saturday and remained misty-eyed as we watched our twenty year old childhood dream unfold right before our eyes. As I took in the fairytale of an African American princess I couldn’t help but analyze this critical moment and the images that flowed from the screen to the tune of a typical Disney screen play. The first Disney African American princess fairytale was woven with your usual villain, a dreamy prince, and array of colorful characters.

What seemed like a dream come true fell short of perfect with the Indian Prince, instead of

African, and the depiction of traditional African religion and practices. The villain was called the Shadow Man and he provoked the spirits to carry out his evil deeds. With each scene involving the Shadow Man, obviously “African” mask would dance back and forth across the screen with red and black eyes. Dark smoke flowed from the mouths of the singing mask as the Shadow Man, practicing voodoo, which was blatantly implied but of course not stated as such, caused conflict and brought misfortune to the main characters. Disney’s first African American princess movie and Africa gets the short end of the stick, figures.

What is really sad about getting stiffed is that Disney KNOWS that they could do this to Black people and not hear any flack about it. They would rather have an interacial relationship (the first that is not historical) than have an African prince. WTF!! And, why is it that what is obviously African is seen as negative!? And one could argue that they did show the positive side to the practice, but no way no how could anybody tell that that was African. I am angry!

If I had a daughter, I would not allow her to see this movie because I do not want her to think an African prince is not possible and African religion is bad. This was an ugly attempt and I am disappointed in what Disney is attempting to tell our Black children. I wish I did my homework before paying 5.25 for the early show.

I've finally seen it! Have You!?

We waited and waited. I remember previews for the movie as early as April 2009. The date was finally set and anticipation brewed. I read the book and watched all the trailers. Then a date was finally posted; November 7th! The seventh came and went with no movie, then it finally opened and the place was packed. I and a girlfriend of mine got free tickets and we “rushed” down to the best movie theater in Sac and caught the 10:15 pm showing of Precious. Yes I have finally got to see it and it was simply AMAZING!

I could honestly say that I have never been in a theater that was so involved in a story that we have seen so often. We laughed, cried, sniffled and yes, even screamed. If you have been living under a rock, the movie is basically about a girl that is going through some really tuff, leveling, and thick stuff. She makes friends and finds support outside of her home and finally makes it from out of the mouth of the beast, her mother. This is a story I have seen plenty of times, but this was the most “real to life” I have seen it. There was no sugar coating, no fairy tale happy ending, and no straight-up go home happy mood. If anything, it forced the audience to go home thinking through shock. Just straight raw and boy was I waiting for a movie like this! I have to give Tyler Perry and Oprah their props, but greatest thanks to Sapphire.

As the last scene started to dim and the music quieted for the transition to credits, all I could hear was sniffling. There was no talking and not many people moving. It was almost as if the audience had to process what they’ve just experienced. I cried. And I’m not talking about that soft “aww” cry. I’m talking about that “my sister is suffering” cry. We walked out and eyes were being wiped, but the feeling was a good one. My friend told me that she cried so much that her head hurt.

Simply amazing and a must see!! Would I add it to the DVD collection? Hell yeah! Would I watch it as often as possible since it was awesome? No because I don’t think I could take it. Lol

NO BOOTLEGGIN PEOPLE!

Read BEFO Seein the Movie

Sapphire did her mutha fudgin thing with this book, PUSH!! My golden rule is to always read the book before seeing the movie and it is a must do with this book. When I heard that the movie was coming out and looked at some previews, I yearned to read the book. The trailers were too juicy and just enough to put catching it opening day on my 'to do' list. So, for a while, I searched for it and finally got my copy last Sunday during my vacation in San Luis Obispo. Ever since, I did not, no, could not leave the house without it!

Reading like a forbidden memoir, PUSH grants insight into the life of an invisible person. All the devastating aspects that perhaps one would catch if Precious was white, skinny, attractive, light skinned, or well to do go sickeningly unnoticed. She seems to slip through the cracks of inner city society and ultimately lives the life of an invisible person unseen by her mother, father, and school officials. And one knows there are so many, not only young black girls, but young black boys in these communities that suffer the same; visible enough to suffer, but not visible enough to be thrown a life line.

Sapphire does a wonderful job at allowing Precious to tell her story first hand with exceptional vernacular that is genuine enough to be believable and unperceivable as overdone. What I truly loved about Sapphire's attention to this detail was the fact that Precious' sentence structure and word choice gradually improved with her educational achievements. It was a realistic improvement, meaning she did not go from speaking straight up Ebonics to conversing like a college graduate or high school graduate for that matter.

I love a gooooood memoir, fiction or non-fiction and this is another to put on the list for repeat. I laughed, teared up, rolled my eyes, and even "aw hell naw" while on the train during my usual commutes. Buy the book or get to your local library and give it a read before the movie comes out. Release date has been set for November 6, 2009. Write it in your calenders or punch it into your Blackberry. Please support and don't bootleg.

This Song Says It All

Groovin’ in the back ground, the sounds of Chris Botti and Jill Scott give testimony to how I’m suffering. The creamy sound of Chris Botti’s trumpet lustfully smoothes over a deep, but graceful base line like butter milk. The effortlessly beautiful percussion saddens my mood to the relieving sensation of a much needed cry. Words finally make their appearance, intertwining with melody to perfectly aid like a midwife to the birth of this sobby state of mind.

“Good Morning Heartache” was Billie Holiday’s confession that bled with the pain of a faithful drug addiction. Going to sleep with the hope that the rejuvenation of night would somehow erase the troublesome behavior was her wishful thinking. Truth be told, it is mine as well. Some would agree and argue that her heartache were the drugs while I know that my heartache is my weight of course. I wake up in the morning having to say good morning to it, acknowledging its presents. There is no running from it or taking a break. Every time I wanted to forget about the extra 75 pounds burdening my frame and masking my sexy figure, it would be glaring at me in reflections; faithful until I decide if it’s going to be me or it.

Unfortantly for the talented and beautiful Billie Holiday, it was her. "Good Morning Heartache" sometimes finds itself into my subconcious, coming from my lips in the form of a hum. Chris Botti and Jill Scott's cover of this beautiful song only gives me another reason to love it even more. Cover could be found on To Love Again: The Duets. Enjoy