Sunday, November 17, 2013

"The Best Man Holiday," Films, Black Films, and Wtfery

This started as a Facebook post but kept getting longer and longer.  That's when I realized that it's been damn near three months since I've posted anything here.

Sorry...

Anyway, a friend  linked to this on her FB page, and I have to say it pissed me off so much that it brought me out of blogging hibernation.

The article's writer, Scott Bowles of USA Today called it "race themed," and compared it to popular films this year that were in fact race themed (whereas this one was not). "The Best Man Holiday" is a holiday film/friend reunion, and not a "racially charged" film or a "black" film, and by no means should be compared to "Fruitvale Station" or "12 Years A Slave" or "The Butler."

Tangent: As a side note "12 Years a Slave" shouldn't be compared to those two films either, for it is this decades "Schindler's List," and it may be another 20 years before we get to see a film of this magnitude.

I...am at a loss for words, is what I am.  Richard Roeper compared it to an updated "Big Chill."  I like his reviews.  And after seeing the film for myself, I think he was spot on.  The film is clever, funny, fresh, and worth the ten bucks at the theatre.  All without special effects, 3D glasses or an IMAX theatre.  Malcolm Lee does a wonderful job at telling the stories of several friends getting together over Christmas Break.  Additionally, Terrence Howard steals the show as the resident Lothario.  A lovely actor, but I'd forgotten how funny he can be.



Anyway, if you haven't seen it (and I don't care what color you are), go see it.  You'll enjoy it, cause it's a well done story about people (who happen to be black).  If you have seen it, go see it again, and metaphorically bitch slap people like this dude in the face.