My Favorite Christmas Movie

Told you in the post about my favorite Christmas TV ad to be on the lookout for my favorite Christmas movies & songs. So here is the post on "Scrooged".

I'll say it again I am a fan of a few, very few remakes & reboots. Scrooged, a modernized version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of those few. I Love this movie!!! It came out in the late 80s and it gives me warm memories of my childhood with my older sister Aunja, my cousin D.D. and I watching it on cable. Even as a child, I got the jokes.

Basically, Frank Cross, played by Bill Murray controls a US TV station that is preparing a live adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol. Frank's childhood wasn't a particularly loving one, and so he doesn't really appreciate the Christmas spirit. With the aid of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, Frank understands he must change. It has a Marly character.
The Bob Cratchit character is played by Alfre Woodard and she has a mute son named Calvin instead of a Tiny Tim on crutches.
Of course, there are the ghosts.

Past

Present

Future

My favorite ghost is Present. The little fairy knocked the crap out of Frank Cross to get his attention. Oh, she pokes him in the eye, punches him in the jaw, and bashes him with a toaster.

If Carol Kane can act in all the movies she wants, she will always be the Ghost of Christmas Present to me. This movie also was packed with the all-stars of the time. Buddy Hackett from Beverly Hillbillies, Olympian Mary Lou Retton, Jazz artist Miles Davis & David Sanborn, and even the Solid Gold Dancers

(I'm telling my age. LoL).

"Scrooged" also dealt with some social issues that are still very relevant today.

Corporate Greed

Unemployment

Homelessness

A Struggling widow trying to make ends meet

Childhood Mutism

How to get antlers to stay on a mouse LoL

The movie may be dated, now but no one can dispute that "Scrooged" has the best endings ever. I mean with the great song "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" by Al Green & Annie Lennox in it (Hear my jam HERE), how can it Not be the best. Spoiler Alert!!! A touching moment with Tim and somebody goes to heaven.

Again I Love this Movie. Yes, I will be watching it this holiday season. I own it!!!

Another Great Christmas movie from my childhood that I love is

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"!!! Cute movie!!! The Herdmans are the worst children in history! They use profanity, they smoke, they torture animals and other people. Oh, and they want to be in the Christmas pageant at church, even though they have never heard the story of Christmas. This movie is the epitome of the true meaning of Christmas. You can find it on YouTube or DVD.

Well, that leaves My Favorite song to post. I'll give you a hint! Reba McEntire sings it. Leave your answers in the comment box. Oh, and What are your favorite holiday movies? 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Movie Remakes (I Blame Pop Culture)

Hollywood is really trying my patience. Can we get Original movies of Quality, please? If I look up and see another Remake, I’m going to scream. What is the purpose to Re-tell great stories? It’s like Hollywood never heard the statement, “If it Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It”.

Weird Science is one of my favorite John Hughes movies (Sixteen Candles is my other fave). Now someone wants to remake it. They claim it needs to be edgier. Weird Science was edgy by 1980’s standards. What they meant to say is “We want to make a millennial, Pop Cultured defined version of “Weird Science” because we are too lazy to make an original screenplay about the awkward, geeky, and nerdy”. Yes, I said it. Lazy!!!

Many Writers are Lazy. They have to be. No other explanation for why one would just go obtain the rights of a perfectly good movie and rewrite some of the script. Some don’t even let it be known except in the opening “credits” that the film is a remake. Who know the movie “What a Girl Wants” is a remake of “The Reluctant Debutante” made in 1958. Yep I had to go back and watch the opening of the movie. Where are the writers of original scripts? Oh I know they are making Independent films because many of them can’t get the big dollars to get their new idea on the big screen. 

Big Budget Entertainment Companies are lazy. Why crunch that many numbers of a film that the fans may or may not accept? Here is a perfectly good storyline that has made millions of dollars before. The fans looked that film then they should love this “current generational”, “other cultural based”, or “based off the stage” version of this story.  

Movie fans are lazy. Fans hear about a popular story and no matter how many times it is said it is a remake, the fans will flood the theaters. Do sales of the original story go up as well? Ask Pop Culture for the answer. For example, how many people have seen “Dreamgirls”, the movie then went to see as a musical or bought the music of the 1982 original soundtrack? I won’t wait for the answer. The numbers tell the story quite well. Yes, I saw the musical as a revival years before the movie was released. And yes, I like the musical better.

I’m not a Hypocrite because I am a Hypocrite. Some of my favorite movies (“Polly” (“Pollyanna”) & “Annie” (A Broadway Hit) are remakes. I also saw both in the original forms also and I like them both. And in my defense, they would be on my favorites list had no one remade them. So thanks Pop Culture for ruining my taste in cinema also.

One would think the “Remakes” would've slow down after the debacles or “Fame”, “Footloose”, and “The Bad News Bears”. These remakes and others convoluted the storyline of the originals in horrible ways. And Why??? Just to make it “relevant” to whatever populations it was geared towards. Movie fans are lazy but not dumb. Take a page out of part of Disney’s book, Re-release the Originals. It introduces the story to the populations that are unfamiliar with it. It also will bring the original admirers out to see it for the memories or just for another look see.

But who am I? Just a hypocritical movie goer that just want to see some New & Fresh ideas on the Big Screen and not in the 5 for 20, Straight to Cable DVD or Made for Cable or TV bin in stores.

I will say one thing. I will be protesting the remake of “Weird Science”. John Hughes probably rolled over in his grave when this news broke. The rise of the awareness of Nerd, Geeks, and the Awkward is part of pop culture now. I know there is an innovative screenplay (at least some ideas or backstories) out there that is “Big Screen” worthy. Stop being lazy and go find it. Don’t Touch This Classic Piece called “Weird Science”.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

I Like..Black Romance (Movies)

(It’s some movie spoilers in here. Proceed with caution)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

It’s Valentine’s Day, you cannot be shocked that I did a Black Romance blog post. At first, I started to do a Black Love Songs post but that started to become too long. I like too many love songs. Many of them are by black musical artists. As long as it doesn’t praise adultery (Saving All My Love by Whitney Houston, Piece of My Love by Guy) (Hmm, Blog Idea?) I more than likely like it.

I am a sucker for a love story, especially that shows Black people being loving. Here is a list of some of my favorite more recent movies that are love stories or contain a love story that features black people.

Trust me "Claudine" by far is the best classic black romance movie there is. Pure story, good acting, Gladys Knight & the Pips on the soundtrack and James Earl Jones' voice (don't act like you don't know) makes me love it forever.

First up is My Favorite Movie of All Time “Amour Infinity” Yes I introduced it in a previous Blog (link) about my like of Indie Films. I more than like this movie I am in Love with this Movie. So many lessons can be learned from this movie. Man can touch stuff and ruin it every time. Who wins in the contest of Love vs. Fate? Also, the lesson of Prince has dated some of the best looking women in pop culture. You laugh but it comes up. When you watch this movie, Let Me Know. If you liked this movie you Must Let Me Know.

Also from the, I Like Independent Films Blog is “I’m Through with White Girls”.

Yes, my initial reason for watching this movie is because Lamman Rucker is in it.  It’s not a secret that he and another person this will be talked about later run neck and neck on topic spot my Eye Candy List. So, Rucker got me to watch but his role didn’t make me like it as I do. When you say It’s Me, not You when you break up with someone, guess what it could really be you. You may not see it when you breaking up with someone but along comes “the One”. You will see it then. That is an essential theme of this movie. There is also a wedding reception that is a must-see. Spoiler Alert to Line in the movie, “Your Girl is Ghetto, Dawg. Like Tootsie Pops and Pickles”. That line cracks me up.

Okay, I have a thing for weddings. If you follow me on Twitter you might see me live tweet with some wedding shows on Fridays. In “Madea’s Family Reunion”, Frankie says that best wedding vows I have ever heard.

You are my light.
And it doesn’t matter what happens in this life, as long as you're with me.
When I look at you, I know that there's a God
and that he loved me so much
that he took the time to create you...just for me.
I love you....past my mind....beyond my heart....
I love you for my soul.
And that's the space where only you and God dwell (heart swelling up typing that)

I am not of fan of “Doing Your Own Vows” but Tyler Perry almost (keyword almost) made me change my mind.  I love the Frankie and Vanessa love story in one of my favorite Tyler Perry movies. Here you are dragging you broken heart life along your day to day motions, in steps God to send you someone to show you, life with a broken heart is not a life at all. That is so refreshing.

Since we are talking about Tyler Perry (Yes, I am a Fan. The only thing I don’t watch is “The Have and Have Not”. Too daytime soap-opera-like for me.) I will be remised if I didn’t put “Why Did I Get Married” on the list.

This movie has college-educated professionals married and trying to make it work. Even if it didn’t, somebody in the relationship was trying to make it work. As the saying goes, I can forgive Failure but Not Trying is unacceptable.  It also helps that Perry made Jill Scott (one of my Favorite singers & Plus Size Style Icons) and Lamman Rucker (been a fan since Half & Half) a couple, Yep another Eye Candy movie.

Okay, the other man that battles Lamman Rucker for the top spot of my Eye Candy list is Wayne Brady. He got divorced so I could openly like him. (my Eye Candy list is as Unique as I am and it has No married men on it) He has a movie called “The List”

 Mild manner guy gets jilted after proposing in public. He decides to make a list of his qualities in a woman. He meets her. Y’all know this movie is not that cut a dry like that. You have to watch it. Yeah, Brady got me to watch it. The pure storyline made me like it. One will believe somebody could go through this. Also, it introduced me to Ecco Domani wine. It’s not bad for inexpensive wine.

I know you expected to see pop culture favorites, “The Best Man” & “Love Jones” on the list. I’m not a big fan of these nice little movies like most people. I always want to shake Harper of “Best Man” and say “You didn’t think if you wrote a book Nothing Bad would happen”. I know it is said in the movie but that really bothers me. I just want to see the “Murch” chant, the fight & the Electric Slide dance in “The Best Man”. Then Love Jones breaks my heart when Nina started seeing Hollywood. I follow the “Friendship Code” That is never acceptable to me. Yes, we all wrestle with admitting having feelings for somebody. I get the movie’s theme. But once Nina & Hollywood had a romantic rapport, I only want to watch it for the poems & the soundtrack at this point.

I do like “The Wood”.

The storyline of remembering a lost love is so sweet and enduring. He fell in Love with Inglewood and the girl too. Plus there is a wedding and the processional song is “Latest, Greatest Inspiration’ by Teddy Pendergrass. That song is on my “Wedding Possibilities” song list. I love that song.

Oh, and there is "Think Like a Man". I read the book. I learned some things (5 important questions). Some things I could not believe someone had to tell ladies about (chirp chirp girl, I wish I would). Once, my friends who saw the movie opening weekend that called and said that there was a character that reminded them of me, I knew I would probably like it.

Before you ask, I remind people of the 90-day Lady but we all know 90 days ain’t crap compared to me. I am upfront about my decision. Also, Romany Malco is the Player, 90-day lady's love interest He is on the Eye Candy list (been a fan since Weeds), also. This is a solid story. I also like that it's not just the men that were romantically mess up. The Alpha-Woman was a piece of work. I also like this movie showed and talked about Heterosexual Men Reading. I love a reading man. I hope in the sequel, that I wished would be called "Act Like A Lady", show more men reading.

I know its set in Vegas but, they can read on the plane.

Finally the movie “Love & Basketball” rounds off the list. It reminds me of older people who met their spouses as children. It’s something many of us wanted but it didn't happen. I liked how both went on with life and careers in Basketball and nobody was hooked on drugs, alcohol, desperately depressed or suicidal because the other person wasn't in their life.

The best line is "Are they cussing their mamas in Spain, now” in that movie. The romantic showdown is to die for. She played him for his heart” *swoon*

So that’s my list. What’s on your list? Let me know. Don’t let my criticism of “Love Jones” & “The Best Man” deter you, either. Comment Below. *wink*

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