Link.

 

I think some decent points are brought up in the article. Here are the five prejudices they discuss. Read the article and share your thoughts on each one?

 

1. We Still Don't Care About History That Doesn't Involve White People

 

2. If It's a Blockbuster, the Star Better Be White (or Will Smith)

 

3. Movies Are Still Weirdly Prudish About Some Subjects

 

4. Only the Pretty Girls Are Allowed to Live

 

5. They Still Can't Show a Black Man Dating a White Woman (Unless That's What the Whole Movie Is About)

 

I'll share my thoughts a little later but I do object to the inclusion of "or Will Smith" in #2. I know why the author used that, but you can't look past the fact that Will Smith is black---even if it makes your argument weaker. Denzel also gets cast in lead roles for blockbusters (Eddie Murphy used to before he got awful). Point blank, there just aren't that many guys out there who can carry a movie, white or black.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. My apologies if this should have been placed into Hot Topics.

A movie that I think throws a lot of this arguement out the window is "Coach Carter" with Samuel L. Jackson. Granted that might be an exception to the rule that he is trying to make. (I've only read half the article so far, but I thought of that movie). But, I would imagine that if the author was on this site, he'd probably make the arguement that movies about sports don't count.

I disagree totally with the actor analysis. In addition to the actors mentioned above, add Morgan Freeman to the list. He is one of my all time favorites and his movies are some of the best as well.

One I'd add is genre specific....In horror movies, the black guy is almost always the first to die.

A movie that I think throws a lot of this arguement out the window is "Coach Carter" with Samuel L. Jackson. Granted that might be an exception to the rule that he is trying to make. (I've only read half the article so far, but I thought of that movie). But, I would imagine that if the author was on this site, he'd probably make the arguement that movies about sports don't count.

I don't think Coach Carter even sniffs the qualifications for a "blockbuster movie". Not by a longshot.

I disagree totally with the actor analysis. In addition to the actors mentioned above, add Morgan Freeman to the list. He is one of my all time favorites and his movies are some of the best as well.

Name the blockbuster movie Morgan Freeman was the star of?

 

 

Any thoughts on the other four prejudices discussed?

One I'd add is genre specific....In horror movies, the black guy is almost always the first to die.

In the article the author touches on that.

I disagree totally with the actor analysis. In addition to the actors mentioned above, add Morgan Freeman to the list. He is one of my all time favorites and his movies are some of the best as well.

 

The article mentions Morgan Freeman and basically said that he doesn't count because most of his top grossing movies, he plays a supporting character versus the main.

Name the blockbuster movie Morgan Freeman was the star of?

 

Invictus? Not exactly "blockbuster", but still, top box-office selling movie.

The article mentions Morgan Freeman and basically said that he doesn't count because most of his top grossing movies, he plays a supporting character versus the main.

Yep. Which is entirely true.

Why do you think the author stays completely away from Denzel Washington in this whole discussion (except for when discussing "The Hurricane")?

I don't think Coach Carter even sniffs the qualifications for a "blockbuster movie". Not by a longshot.

 

I didn't really think about the "blockbuster" part.

 

So I guess Snakes on a Plane is out too?

Denzel?

Invictus? Not exactly "blockbuster", but still, top box-office selling movie.

1. Wasn't the focus of that movie race relations? It wasn't a race-neutral role by any means. And while I haven't seen it, could Matt Damon be the star?

 

2. The movie finished 78th that year in US box office, I wouldn't qualify it as a blockbuster.

Ah... Cracked.com one of my favorite sites on the internet. I can't tell you how many things I have actually LEARNED from this humor site. I love it.