Change Your Image
taliesson
Reviews
Black. White. (2006)
Disservice to the important issue of racism
Though the makeup change from white to black, black to white for both these families was quite impressive, this was as far as my positive comments go with this reality TV show. I felt the producers did a great disservice to this issue.
"Black White" could have been an excellent reality show to raise issues of racism, however the casting was poor and toward the end, the series finished with a whimper. Sadly "Black White" unintentionally supports the white guy, Bruno's, firm belief that his African American counterparts in the show find racism because they look for it. Thats very unfortunate and I'm sure the producers of the show may not have hoped for this outcome.
At the end of the show there was a huge hug fest between both families and this seemed very staged, incongruous and very disingenuous on everyone's part. During the show it seemed Bruno was counting down the days till the series ended. Bruno had little respect for his house mates, Brian and his family, and just tolerated them through the episodes.
Bruno, the white guy, with the help of very impressive black makeup, was reluctantly "attempting" to experience what it is like to be African American in today's America. Sadly Bruno was closed minded, tedious and frustratingly arrogant. His wife Carmen gradually witnessed Bruno's unfolding stubborness to accept that racism exists in some forms, and she was quite disturbed at one point with Brunos attitude. Carmen however lacked insight as well and her whole use of language was revealing her racism. Both had total lack of insight into their own racism which is often the case. Carmen had a light bulb moment at one point, but it was fleeting. One particularly obvious slip was when Carmen referred to one woman as "beautiful black creature". However she could not see that her language was a problem. Very bizarre to watch two people so unaware of the racist undertones in their language. Often when they spoke about black people it was if they were another species and they were constantly pointing out difference, so it is not surprising that they were unable to see racism, when it was within them very obviously. It would have been probably more effective if the show had delved deeper into Brunos behavior. His behavior was right there in their face. They didn't have to leave the house.
Sadly but not surprisingly, the show ended with Bruno's opinion unchanged. Bruno is in many ways representative of what is at the cause of most of the world's ills today; a lack of interest, apathy, lack of compassion, an inability to listen with an open mind, indifference, xenophobia and a complacency to happily continue in one's own beliefs because one is unaffected by social injustice.
Bruno is white and whites rule this world, often by force, so why need Bruno be concerned or even notice. Bruno has no need to really understand this issue because that would mean admitting that the white system oppresses and it may mean he would have to change or alter his life. I could imagine Bruno would also have a hard line attitude about other minorities and disadvantage people as well. He is fairly divorced and unaffected by another's condition. I may be seeming a bit harsh on Bruno, but this was my impression.
I was very saddened to see how the African American Sparks family of Atlanta ( Brian; his wife, Renee; and their very unaware 17-year old son, Nick) tried to their chagrin to convince Bruno & Carmen Wurgel-Marcotulli family of Santa Monica, Calif that racism is alive and well. Rose, daughter in the Wurgel Marcotulli family was open to experiencing the issue. That was the one respite from a very frustrating and patronizing experience.
However systemic racism is alive and well throughout the world. The producers should have considered getting Bruno to try and obtain health insurance. This may have been more of an eye opener.
Our white male dominated governments have a way of presenting the guise of "equality for all" in their rhetoric but thats as far as it goes. We don't have to look too closely to find racism. Bruno may have taken pride in his confirmed belief that racism is only there if one looks for it. However, it is very apparent in a systemic way globally ; in the lack of response to Darfur, the lack of response to the AID's tragedy in Africa, the lack of response in the Rwandan genocide, the exploitation of Africans and their country, the genocide of indigenous peoples on the planet, the lack of response to the Katrina disaster, the attitude to those of middle eastern descent, etc etc. The list could go on and on and yet, and yet, in individual situations like the recent Michael Richard's racist tirade in a L.A comedy club, everyone is so outraged. Where is the public outrage to systemic racism.
I live in Australia, I'm "white", and I see it in Australia and globally. If one is aware and interested in social justice, voilà!.
The Brunos of this world refuse to see it because they are on the winning side.
Collateral (2004)
really moved me, I cry at the end every time
There's something about this movie. The script is great. I love that its shot at night. I don't necessarily think Tom Cruise is a great actor, hes a good actor, but I've never seen a movie of his that I haven't enjoyed. He has a talent of picking movies and scripts that are excellent, with the exception of Top Gun and that car film ;).
My only criticism is I doubt very much an assassin would wear a light grey suit and sunglasses at night, particularly inside a hospital. It certainly isn't subtle, but I overlooked that because the movie carries you along. It is a very cruisy and emotive movie. Really didn't enjoy Mark Rufalo's character. Just didn't fit in and didn't seem necessary.
I loved that there weren't car chases and things blowing up which is the usual Hollywood cover-up for no plot and bad scripts, and it had a psychological undercurrent.
I loved the coyote part of the movie. The look in their eyes, the displacement of the coyote and displacement of those two characters in their own city etc. Its nice to see a movie where everything isn't spelled out. I loved the line, about the train and the body on the train, and "do you think anyone will notice"
The humanity of the film is very poignant. Tom Cruise' character as the assassin had many aspects. He was a sad intelligent and lost character and the end always makes me cry.
The Departed (2006)
least favourite Scorcese film, what happened??
I was really disappointed with this movie. There were so many holes in the plot, and it was such an obvious story as well with so many unbelievable scenarios.
DiCaprio was overacting the whole way through the movie, no light and shade in his performance. His acting was just full on over the top, the whole way through. I think he was overcompensating for the fact that he is a pretty boy and small framed. Wrong choice for that part.
Jack Nicholson was great as usual.
The direction was great despite its lack of story, but someone really fell short of scrutinizing the storyline and scripting. Scorcese should have gotton the writers of the Sopranos to write it for him. Trying to suspend disbelief was impossible. The added love story of a shrink falling for her bad boy patient was just too predictable as well. I actually became bored during this movie and unfortunately regretted paying for it.
Maybe thats why Scorcese was promoting this movie personally, because it needed all the help it could get. I'm sure people will go to see it just because of its director, but I will be wary of attending another of his movies unless I see many reviews prior. I love Scorcese films, but I have to say "What happened??"
Boys Will Be Girls (2006)
Parts were hysterical, ended too soon, worth watching
3 boys from past bands in the UK whose time had past in the music scene but they were given a second chance to kick start their careers. Previously they had all been very popular in their individual music careers.
The 3 boys were auditioned by two music industry people for a new band and then were told after they were successful in the audition that the band they were to be forming was going to be a girl band. They all decided to accept the offer. Through some trials and tribulations, many quite hysterical, they pulled it together at the end.
However, personally I would have picked them as male. Often times men trying to pass themselves as women tend to overdo the whole "female mannerisms" thing which of course, many real women do not do. They also tend to overdress. I often think back to how many people were fooled by the "Crying Game" and it often makes me laugh, because it was so apparent that male was not a female in the Crying Game ;)
I wasn't sure why the two music industry guys were so stressed about the group being passed as women. Im not sure what their reward was for their success.
The idea of this reality show was an interesting one. The selection of the members was an interesting one as well to say the least. Russ who is six foot being passed off as a woman ;) was a big stretch particularly in a bad wig and with a never ending five o clock shadow. Russ always looked like a drag queen :) sorry Russ. Russ just never really made it as a girl, but he did his best. Very endearing.
Their film clip and song was very good. I really liked the song.
However I felt the reality show ended way too suddenly. The band did one gig as a girl band and that was the end of it. I didn't really feel they explored this fully, particularly after all the work they put into grooming them to be a girl band, and then they do one song at one gig and its over. It left me feeling as if they terminated the show way to soon. It would also have been good to have followed up the individual boys in the group six months later to see if they were able to utilize this reality show to restart their career again. It appears Austin Drage has kick started his career again, so good for him.
Martin, the young blonde headed one, was probably the most convincing however, Austin the lead singer finally pulled it together. Anyway, the show gave me plenty of laughs. Really worth watching the 3 episodes.
Love My Way (2004)
"Love My Way" best Australian TV series drama - fantastic
Love My Way made getting cable totally worthwhile. When I first heard of yet another Australian TV drama, I expected a very ordinary predictable show which I'm sorry to say, so many Australian dramas can be. There is nothing ordinary or predictable about this show. It just came out of the blue. I'm so glad I gave it a chance. I place it in the same class as "The Sopranos" and "Six Feet Under".
It is truly an emotional roller-coaster which takes you into the lives of some very ordinary and some very damaged individuals. Its keeps its Australian flavour without shoving it on the viewer which can sometimes happen in Australian dramas. The direction is fantastic. Its almost European in some of its scenes as they don't overuse dialogue or spell everything out.
Claudia Karvan and Asher Keddie are particularly fantastic but the whole cast is an incredible ensemble. I hope to see more wonderful drama series like this in the future.
I look forward to seeing more of Love My Way in 2007.
Transamerica (2005)
Finally a positive movie about transsexuals
Felicity Huffman's portrayal of Bree was really true to life, and her relationship with her son and her family was very real. I found myself later thinking about the character. All their portrayals made me truly care. Huffman truly deserved an Oscar for this performance.
I was so happy to see a portrayal of a transsexual person that didn't portray them as crazy, or a psychopath or suicidal. Those who are transsexual have a great challenge in life as they not only have to endure the incongruity of the physical body with their real being, but the terrible social marginalization and I have the utmost admiration for anyone who survives such a great challenge. We must celebrate diversity in life, not try and suffocate it. This is the beginnings of peace.
Lets hope this is the beginning of future inclusions of positive roles for transsexual characters in the future. A very brave and real film that everyone should see.