I Like: Independent Movies

I am sort of purist when it comes to telling a story. Just tell the story well and let the rest follow. Hollywood in my opinion does not understand that sometimes. But Hollywood is what drives & dictates pop culture so many of its followers are blinded to the beauty of just plain storytelling. This is the reason why Independent Films are mock with descriptions as “Low-Budget”, “Kitchen-Made”, and “Bootlegged”. But the funny part about the mocking names, many Best Picture Oscar winners like “Crash” & “Slumdog Millionaire” are Independent Films. So some of independent films have taking those mocking descriptions and opened nice bank accounts. So poo on those always down independent films and here some of my favorites

My favorite movie of all time is an independent film. It is call “Amour Infinity: A Brooklyn Love Story”.  

I first saw it on TV and I fell in love with the story. Two people are in a relationship but one’s life’s laid path is already known to that person. This story make you consider what love is. It also examines friendship, parenthood, and infidelity. I love this movie. It is such a pure story.

The epitome of a Thanksgiving movie is an indie gem call “Pieces of April”. 

April decides to cook her first Thanksgiving dinner for her family in the home that she shares with her boyfriend. As her conservative family travels to April’s apartment, anything that could go wrong, goes wrong. This movie stars a younger Dereck Luke, shortly after his starting role as “Antwon Fischer” and the future former Mrs. Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes in the title role.  A “Before They Stars” facts.

 

 

 

 Like “Crash” many big stars are in independent movies even when they are known stars. “House of D”, “Lars and the Real Girl” and “She Hate Me” have big star powers. Never heard of “House of D”?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I bet you have heard of David Duchovny, Tea Leoni, Erykah Badu, and Robin Williams. They take part in a tale of an American man who tell his Parisian wife about the year he turned 13 on the night of their son’s 13^th birthday. Robin Williams deserves an Oscar for his portrayal of the mentally challenged, Pappas.

Lars is a recluse who make a sex doll his girlfriend, while his family and the town watch and play along. “” stars Ryan Gosling of “The Notebook” fame. The trailer to the movie "Her" reminds me of "Lars and the Real Girl"

Star power is rampart in “She Hate Me”. A hilarious story where a corporate whistle blower turn to impregnating lesbians to make ends meet has Woody Harrleson, Ellen Barkin, Ossie Davis, Jim Brown and Kerry Washington in it. I chased this movie to HBO because at the time, it was only at the Angelika and by the time I was able to get to it, the movie was not in theater. It finally saw it on HBO and I saw the movie’s stars mysterious eyes and heard his bold speech and instantly put him on the “Eye Candy” list and he has stayed put since that day. That man’s name is Anthony Mackie. Yep, this is the movie where first discovered him.

All the actors on my “Eye Candy” list have been in Independent Films at one point in their careers. I have seen all and own but one of the indie films that Lamman Rucker has been in. I don’t own “I'm Through with White Girls (The Inevitable Undoing of Jay Brooks)”, yet.

Non-Stereotypical black guy who dates white women think that every time the relationship goes wrong it’s the race of the woman is the problem. So he goes cold turkey dating them and develops code “Brown Sugar” seek out a compatible black woman for him to date. The title caught my eye. Lamman Rucker being Jay’s best friend made me watch it. The funny storyline made me love it. It is on my “to buy” list on Amazon. Anyone that would love to blessed me with this DVD will be more that welcomed to.  

 

 

 

 

 So those are some of the indie films I love. I don’t like all of them. Still don’t understand how “Slum Dog Millionaire” got all the accolades. The story did nothing for me. It’s just my cup of tea in stories. Any guys out there wanting to date me. A trip to the Angelika is better than a trip to my favorite restaurant, Cheesecake Factory. A trip to the Angelika and to Cheesecake Factory is even better. *smile* *chuckle* I’m just a simple lady who like a good story. That’s all!!!  

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

 

My Favorite Literary Awkward & Black Sheros: A Book Review

I am a total fan of Awkward Black women characters in fiction. I relate to them. You know the black chick that is not cool, maybe didn't get the best start in life and some way usually in a bumbling fashion she ends up with a great outcome. They are my imaginary heroes wait, no, sheroes. So I decided to reread two of my favorite books, 32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter and Diva, Inc by Donna Hill. I was missing them so I decided to stop by and see how they were doing.

32 Candles by Ernessa T. Carter kept me company one summer/fall when my grandmother was rushed to the hospital then placed in a nursing rehab three years ago. My mother had just retired and was with my grandmother most days. I had lots of downtime at home with my brother. After reading a review in Essence Magazine & A trip to Walmart for grocery I picked this literary gem. Loaning it to my sister, my niece picked it up and I have not seen that copy since. I have a Kindle now and uploaded it there. Here's its description:
This debut novel of longing for family, love, and acceptance finds some interesting territory before settling too early into inevitability. Davidia Jones, a nerdy child of poverty, is abused by her alcoholic mother and is the subject of merciless taunting at her high school. But it's the "Molly Ringwald Ending" that guides this fragile 15-year-old when she bolts town with a lesbian trucker named Mama Jane and lands a gig as a '40s-style chanteuse in L.A. With a little Hollywood stardust, she redefines herself and begins living the life she's dreamed of--until James, the rich golden boy she had a crush on back home, walks into her nightclub. Not knowing their connected past, James promptly goes gaga for the overhauled Davie, whose need for sweet revenge adds a welcome dark edge to a trajectory toward self-empowerment.
If you are a fan of John Hughes movies, this book will give take you right down memory lane. Davie is a hoot. Such an attention grabber. Totally relatable. The Then & Now section dividers were brilliant The In-Between Now & Then (The Amendment) bowled me over. It made me wonder what could have the late John Hughes do with such a nice book like this.  After rereading it, I have decided they should make this into a movie. I have the perfect actress, the Awkward Black Girl herself, Issa Rae. If you know her, tell her I said so. I totally see her in a Strokes T-shirt, with quick quips and an atonement list giving this character life. I don't know if she can sing but that is minor.

Donna Hill is one of my favorites in Romance. I was "Black Friday" shopping years ago and I saw this Diva, Inc. and thought "Umm this one sounds different. Let's get it". I read it in one night. I loaned it out (yeah a pattern I've ended) to someone and never saw it again. I rebought it used and like the taste of soda after Lent, I quickly knew why I loved this book described here.
Tiffany Lane and Chantal Hollis are bonafide divas in every sense of the word. They've also been Margaret Drew's best friends since they were children. Margaret has always been the plain Jane of the threesome, living vicariously through the exploits of her friends. But when Tiffany and Chantal head to Europe on an extended vacation, leaving Margaret to tend their apartments, Margaret decides to see how the other half lives. Co-opting their apartments, their boyfriends (current and past), their fabulous lifestyles, and Tiffany's very savvy pooch, Virginia, Margaret finally feels like she has found the life she has always wanted and deserved. But her double living begins to catch up with her and Margaret might soon be homeless, manless, and friendless all in one swoop.
The description only speaks of Margaret Drew's Diva friends but she has a grandmother that will keep you chomping at the bit and in stitches also. She reminds me of an old family friend, Ms. Dorthy (RIP). Margaret's Diva Journey is very hilarious. She is a true ABG. She is so bumbling it is pitiful. It has a very quick and straightforward ending. Now with the invention of YouTube and Web series, I could see this as a web show or maybe an indie film. I wouldn't want Hollywood to touch this.

Maybe I should go looking for more reading gems like these. I love them. These characters exist and I am happy someone sees our story and helps us tell it. So what books help tell your story. Let me know if you dare in the comments.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms