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Why Did Get Married Too? doesn’t hit theaters until April, but the teaser trailer has made its way to the internet. The original cast is back, including Janet Jackson for her NAACP Image Award winning role as Patricia Agnew.
Check out the trailer!
As previously reported, Tyler Perry will be directing For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. There are rumors of the cast, which might include Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige and others. However, in an interview with Black Voices, Oprah confirmed she was be one of the colored girls.
Tyler Perry mentioned your name for one of the roles in his new film ‘Colored Girls.’ Will you do it?
OW: Yeah, I’m one of them. I don’t even know what lady I am. I haven’t acted in 10 years. We’re going to see. He’s writing a script, and let’s see what happens. I want to see it. I love the idea of getting back to acting. I’m happiest when I’m doing it. Nothing makes me happier than being on set with a movie that I really care about. Acting is fun because you get to move yourself out of your own space and become somebody else. Acting is like a vacation for me. It’s a relief.
For those of you who don’t know, Oprah is an Oscar nominee for The Color Purple and she received critical acclaim for her role in The Women of Brewster Place.
Sounds like Colored Girls is going to be a bonafide hit!
Earlier this year, the legendary Spike Lee made some comments about Tyler Perry, referencing some of the playwright’s work as a minstrel show. Sunday night on 60 Minutes, Tyler Perry took on Lee’s criticism. Perry said:
“I would love to read that [criticism] to my fan base. All these characters of mine are bait, bait to get people talking about God, love, family, and faith. You know, that pisses me off. It really does. Because it’s so insulting. It’s attitudes like that that make Hollywood think that these people do not exist and that’s why there’s no material speaking to them, speaking to us.”
Just to be fair, Spike Lee’s quote also read:
“We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made Boyz in the Hood], people came out to see it. But when he did Rosewood, nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African Americans, we’re not one monolithic group so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to Amos n’ Andy.”
I think when reading in context Lee is giving social commentary on what African Americans support and why, hence, the Rosewood versus Boyz ‘N The Hood analogy. His comments weren’t directly about Tyler Perry, and Lee has certainly paid his dues in the fickle world of Hollywood. I do think Spike has a well-earned voice at the table of African Americans and film.
I don’t think it’s unfair and, I actually think it’s healthy, to critique art. We as African Americans should be allowed to be critical of our work and shouldn’t be forced to love it just because someone is Black and is making money. Hip-hop is constantly analyzed and while Perry says, “I would love to read that [criticism] to my fan base,” Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z, or Lil’ Kim could make the same comment — it doesn’t mean they are immune to social critique.
In addition, is a character being a stereotype always socially irresponsible? Sheneneh was a stereotype, but she was brilliant. Back in April, Alfre Woodard told me, “ When people say stereotype, a stereotype to me takes on a negative connotation, but it’s built from a particular characteristic. It doesn’t have to be negative. I think of Tyler in that tradition of comedy and farce when it comes to the Madea stories. I don’t think he is bringing down the culture by any means. But, I do understand it’s the job of social observers to comment.”
Do you think Spike Lee’s comments were unfair?
Check out the video below.
Tyler Perry will be participating in the 2009 NEW YORKER FESTIVAL (taking place at various venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn Oct 16 – 18).
In a rare opportunity to get to know the iconic filmmaker Tyler Perry, he will sit down for an hour-long interview with The New Yorker’s editorial director Henry Finder at 4PM on Saturday 10/17 at Cedar Lake Theater in Chelsea. Tickets are $27 each.
Also a featured event at this year’s 10th Anniversary Festival will be a Saturday night sneak-preview of “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” After the screening, The New Yorker’s Kelefa Sanneh will talk with Sapphire and the film’s director, Lee Daniels. Lionsgate will release “Precious” in theaters on November 6th. The screening and interview will take place at 8PM on Saturday, 10/17 at the Directors Guild of America in midtown Manhattan. Tickets are $25 each.
To buy tickets go to newyorker.com/festival or call 800-440-6974. A portion of the ticket proceeds from this year’s Festival will be donated to the Harlem Children’s Zone, which offers a holistic network of education, social services and community-building programs to children and families in Harlem.
Summary: April’s (Taraji P. Henson) life of drinking, clubs and bad men is uprooted when she is forced to take care of her niece and nephews. Through religion, music and Madea (Tyler Perry), April finds her way — Tyler Perry style.
Review: I Can Do Bad All by Myself is what Tyler Perry is best at — a woman’s film that provides escapism from the harsh realities of life. In reality, a good song and church will not be enough to find a good man, but on the big screen it’s just enough to entertain. Regardless of how you feel about Perry, it’s pretty tough to knock his hustle (unless you’re Spike Lee of course); the man is making moves and employing Black actors.
Critics will still complain about melodramatic writing, soap opera-type scenarios and high moral codes. I Can Do Bad All by Myself is for a specific audience and not for the critics.
What really propels Perry’s latest flick is the excellent performances from Brian J. White, Adam Rodriguez and Hope Oladie Wilson. The cast is in the moment in every scene with chemistry and flair, even through implausible scenarios.
Of course there is Taraji P. Henson, who is the Mary J. Blige of film. The Oscar nominee isn’t afraid of a tear, scream or subtlety. It seems nearly impossible for Henson to make a bad movie.
Mary J. Blige is also a clear standout, playing Taraji’s best friend, Tanya. We all give singers the side eye when they venture into film, but Mary was a natural. Her words didn’t sound scripted and while music is clearly her first love, I think Mary has a good chance at being a bonafide actress.
Madea is always a pleasure. She is anti-church, gun toting and quick witted. In every Tyler Perry film, I always want to see more Madea. I look forward to a Perry film where the movie is solely about Madea and no other intertwining plots.
Overall, I Can Do Bad All by Myself serves its purpose to the audience it’s speaking to.
I Can Do Bad All by Myself is in theaters today.
As previously reported, the popular play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, is coming to the big screen. The play is a classic having made its way to Broadway, television and theaters across the world. Now, reports say Tyler Perry is officially signed on to direct the movie and write the screen adaption.
Writer-director Tyler Perry will pen a screen adaptation of the Tony-nominated Ntozake Shange play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.
Variety reports that Perry will also direct and produce the film for Lionsgate; Paul Hall is co-producer. (Nzingha Stewart had previously been attached to the project).
Filming, according to the industry paper, will begin in November in Atlanta. A 2010 release is planned.
No word on casting choices. Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself is in theaters a week from today.
Are you excited about Perry directing For Colored Girls?
Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself is in theaters September 11th and Mr. Perry is on the promotional tour. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the mogul will promote the new movie on a one-hour special via TBS:
TBS will air a one-hour special of “The Tyler Perry Show,” at 11 p.m. Sept. 9 to promote Perry’s latest feature film, “I Can Do Bad All by Myself,” which Lionsgate will release Sept. 11.
The special, which will follow two original episodes of Perry’s “Meet the Browns,” will feature Perry interviewing several of the movie’s stars including Taraji P. Henson, Adam Rodriguez, Grammy-winning singer Gladys Knight and pastor Marvin Winans.
In addition, Knight and Winans will perform songs from the film’s soundtrack.
Check out the trailer below!
Word on the street is that Rosario Dawson has signed on for Denzel Washington’s new film Unstoppable. As previously reported, Unstoppable was a go then stopped — however, after some negotiations the flick is back on its feet. Now, the cast includes Rosario Dawson, Chris Pine and of course Denzel Washington. Unstoppable is in theater November of 2010.
Anthony Mackie, who has received rave reviews for his performance in The Hurt Locker, has recently been cast in The Adjustment Bureau. According to Variety:
“The Adjustment Bureau,” adapted from Philip K. Dick’s short story, centers on a smooth-talking congressman whose political future is thrown in doubt by the arrival of a mysterious ballerina in his life.
Mackie is appearing in “The Bacchae” in Gotham as part of Shakespeare in the Park. ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ will shoot in New York immediately following the wrap of the play.”
In other news, Tyler Perry has been a victim of Craigslist fraud. According to his web site:
“I get an email from my staff saying that someone put an ad up on Craigslist saying that I was casting a movie in L.A., and in order to be considered for this (FAKE) Tyler Perry movie, you have to join their club for $29.95. THAT IS A LIE, don’t fall for it. These folks are trying to rip you off. I hate for people to prey on people’s dreams and hopes. Why don’t people get a job and stop trying to steal folks’ hard-earned money….Ugh, that makes me mad; let me breathe.”
Be on the look out actors — dreams can’t be bought on Craigslist!
Rumor has it Keyshia Cole might have a role in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too? starring Janet Jackson. Some sites are reporting that Cole is playing the role of Jada in the movie. Why Did I Get Married Too? is due in theaters April 2010.
In other news, Janet Jackson officially has a Twitter account and although she only has two tweets, she did mention she just wrapped filming on Why Did I Get Married Too? Her account read: ‘I just finished working on the film, ‘Why Did I Get Married Too.’ I’m looking forward to getting started on my new album!’
2010 just might be the comeback year for Janet Jackson. Last year there were some troubles with her tour, her record label and then there was the death of her brother, the late-great Michael Jackson. We look forward to a Janet comeback!
Lionsgate released the full length trailer of Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself , which is in theaters September 11th.
According to Wikipedia:
When Madea (Tyler Perry) catches sixteen-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home, she decides to take matters into her own hands and delivers the young delinquents to the only relative they have: their aunt April. A heavy-drinking nightclub singer who lives off of Raymond, her married boyfriend, April wants nothing to do with the kids. But her attitude begins to change when Sandino, a handsome Mexican immigrant looking for work, moves into April’s basement room. Making amends for his own troubled past, Sandino challenges April to open her heart. And April soon realizes she must make the biggest choice of her life: between her old ways with Raymond and the new possibilities of family, faith and even true love.
