The Media Elitist Reviews...I Am Number Four

  **Warning:Mild Spoilers**

    Generally speaking, I am not a fan of action movies. Elaborate chase scenes and dramatic fight sequences do little to impress me.  So imagine my surprise when I found the previews for I Am Number Four intriguing.  Imagine my further surprise when, after seeing the movie Friday evening, I realized that I really enjoyed it.

   Now let's be clear: I Am Number Four is far from a masterpiece.  It spends far too long providing backgrounds stories for the main characters and establishing the romantic relationship between Number Four aka John Smith(Alex Pettyfer) and Sara( Glee's Dianna Agron). However, the film truly shines when creating a sense of suspense and keeping viewers(at least this viewer) on the edge of their seats.  Alas, I am getting ahead of myself.  The premise of the movie is this:

   The planet Lorien was destroyed by the Mogadorians invaders.  Because of this, nine babies were sent to Earth to escape their terror.  Years have passed and the Mogadorians are hunting down the elite children of Lorien, one by one. One through Three are dead and now they are hunting down Number Four.  Assisting him is Henri(Timothy Olyphant), his assigned protector and Sam(Callan McAuliffe),the son of a Lorien supporter.  The Mogadorians kill Henri, leaving Number Four to fully come into his powers and use them protect himself and his loved ones.

   This is where the film picks up drastically.  Number Four is evading the police and Mogadorians at every turn, his safety remaining questionable.  He meets up with Number Six and the two join forces in a raging battle against the Mogadorian soldiers. It is a fast-paced swirl of constant action as the two use their powers of super strength, speed, energy infused hands, and control over the elements in their battle against their enemy. There are many close calls but in the end Number Four and Number Six are victorious in their endeavors. They even get a clue leading them to another one of their fellow Lorien survivors(which, of course, leaves the door wide open for a sequel).

   All in all, I felt this flick was quite enjoyable.  The action sequences were engaging (also terrifying at times) and everything leading up to it had me holding my breath in anticipation.  While the acting wasn't exactly memorable, the actors played their roles with a certain level of comfort.  I would have loved more background information on the planet Lorien and the journey of the nine children to Earth.  Hopefully this will get addressed in future projects.


I Am Number Four is a pretty interesting film.  If you get a chance to see it, please share your thoughts here!

Tyler Perry Slated to Star in NONTyler Perry Studios Production

I was browsing through my timeline on Twitter Tuesday morning when I saw Tyler Perry’s name appear in a few tweets.  Assuming it was something funny, I read a little closer.  Phrases like, “Tyler Perry as a leading man” and “Idris Elba should not lose roles to Tyler Perry” jumped out at me.  I didn’t know the full story but I knew it couldn't be good.

                So like the glutton for punishment I am, I did a quick Google search for Mr. Perry. My search brought up one article and the headline jumped out at me: “Tyler Perry to play Alex Cross” Okay, this was bad and getting much worse. I read on: Tyler Perry has signed on to play the role of Alex Cross -- the crime-solving D.C. detective in James Patterson's seemingly never-ending series of popular novels -- in a new movie called "I, Alex Cross." The article later made a passing reference to Idris Elba who was originally slated to take on the title role.

I admit that I've never read a James Patterson novel. I didn't even see the first Alex Cross film that starred Morgan Freeman. I don't think it's that relevant. Here is the main issue at hand: Tyler Perry is set to star in a movie that he didn't write, direct, or produce(for now—who knows if that'll change). He is set to star in a movie that takes him outside of Madea's orthopedic shoes and gray wig. Perry is set to star in a movie that will require real acting. Real acting...from Tyler Perry!! Much like Spike Lee, Tyler Perry has a tendency to cast himself in just about every film he released. This is unfortunate because, well, Perry's acting leaves a lot to be desired. His performances rely on lots of grinning and laughing. That is not exactly the foundation of an effective actor.

I don't mean to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but something about this whole situation seems suspicious. Idris Elba is highly regarded in the acting community as a outstanding performer. So how did he end up losing a role to Tyler Perry?! Did someone look at the two and honestly think, “Never mind Elba's impressive resume. Tyler Perry is our man!” I'm sorry. I can't believe that. I refuse to believe that. What I do believe is that Perry's bank account coupled with his clout are powerful resources in Hollywood. And I will leave it at that.

Needless to say, if this movie does come out I probably will not see it. I'm trying to imagine Perry playing a detective and I'm drawing a blank. That can't be a good sign. But like I said, I'm a glutton for punishment. I'll read all the reviews and, if I can suspend my disbelief, maybe I'll spend a dollar to rent it from Redbox. Maybe.

Dearest readers, what are your thoughts about Mr. Perry getting more involved in the world of acting?

Would you consider seeing this movie?

Am I being too hard on him/too cynical?

I'd love to hear from you!

* Source

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When Their Daily Lives Were Too Damn Depressing to Live

**Warning!!* This post contains mild movie spoilers!

      Today was the day I decided to grit my teeth and willingly see a Tyler Perry film.  Okay, maybe willing isn't completely accurate but I really wanted to enjoy For Colored Girls because, while I have my issues with Perry as a filmmaker, I knew that the source material was beautiful.  I am, of course, referring to the choreopoem by Ntozake Shange.  Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf is a beloved piece of literature that generations of women have enjoyed since its release in 1975.  With such a rich history surrounding this project, there was no way it could lose, right? Wrong.  So very wrong.

           

            Halfway through the film I was struck with a feeling of annoyance. The whole thing was so...dramatic!  So dramatic, in fact, that I mentally renamed the film For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When Their Daily Lives Were Too Damn Depressing to Live. Seriously, just take a look at some of the main plots: one woman finds out that the sexuality of her husband is questionable, rape threatens to break the spirit of another woman, yet another woman is in a relationship with a man who is abusive to their children, an inability to bear children brings sadness to one woman whenever she's around unwanted children, another woman struggles with a shiftless spouse, and a conflict of sexuality and religion test the familial bonds of three women.

            With all of that going on there was a lot of tension, arguments, and tears....oh goodness...the tears.  I believe every actress perfected the art of the single tear at some point in the film. But with this over abundance of raw emotion, I could not help but wonder: what happened to the joy?  If For Colored Girls is to serve as a celebration of womanhood, what are we really celebrating? To let the film tell it, black womanhood is wrought with drama and tumultuous experiences. The films lacks the light and balance that the book provides.

            Now, to be fair, the movie wasn't a complete failure.  The actresses did their best to breathe additional life into Shange's words and delivered inspired performances. Kimberly Elise can convey sorrow and devastation like none other and Phylicia Rashad's portrayal of a wise, “see all” landlord grounded the production.  Anika Noni Rose, who I'm used to seeing in light roles, has 2 pivotal scenes  that truly reached into my chest, grabbed my heart, and broke it into pieces. These women drop viewers right into their world and force you to walk with them, wonder what will happen next, and cheer them on to sunnier days. 

            It's just a shame that the movie as a whole doesn't take viewers to that sunnier day.