"Meet the Browns" opened up nationwide last weekend as the second highest grossing film of the weekend. He came in second to the all-star cast "Horton Hears a Who."
Like his previous feature films, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," "Madea's Family Reunion," "Daddy's Little Girls" and "Why Did I Get Married," "Meet the Browns" was high anticipated by Perry's cult-like following and dreaded by the Hollywood critics.
I have yet to see the movie, but I have seen both plays the movie is based on, "Meet the Browns" and "What's Done in the Dark." Honestly, I liked both plays and from what I understand from my friends who have seen it, I'll like the movie.
We went through this when "Why Did I Get Married" came out and I told you all that none of Tyler Perry's movies would ever be considered Oscar-worthy by the Academy. First and foremost, Perry's stories about people of color don't portray them as hopeless drug addicts, whores, pimps and dirty cops. And, add to that the fact that there are strong Christian overtones to his films. I'm not so delusional that I don't see the similarities and in some cases repetition of his films, but at the same time, I'm not so tightly wound that I can't enjoy a good story either.
Secondly, Perry has tapped into an ignored segment of consumers, Christian women and families looking for entertainment that does not consist of constant profane and offensive language and constant sex scenes and gratuitous use of drugs.
That's why he's making money, this particular demographic is starving for entertainment and Hollywood is not catering to them, Perry is. That is why the man is making money hand over fist. Add to that the fact that Madea and Brown are hilarious.
I learned a long time ago that a lot of people don't necessarily get some of the things that black folks deem funny. I read one review where the writer said he thought it would be rude to laugh at some parts of the movie and he was unclear if the movie was a comedy or a drama.
Why does it have to fit into one box or category? Perry writes stories that go on in the mirror the lives of a lot of black people. And speaking as one of the black folks who can strongly relate to his stories, I say that life is full of comedy and drama and how we deal with it is to laugh at it.
I have always been told that sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying and I think that is what Perry is doing. He's not writing the stories that answer life's questions. He's writing the stories that give people a 90-minute outlet from the Hell that is their daily reality and that is the point of entertainment - nothing more, nothing less.
With that said, go support the movie. Let's piss off the critics!
4 comments:
Sorry Tiff... cant support this one. I have supported every other one but this one does nothing for me... and Rick Fox? Are you serious... cant do it this time...
and look who switched up the place round these parts... love it...
and since you told that your dad reads this... I might have to censor my comments from now on...lol
Well you know, I'm trying to do a lil' sumthin' sumthin'.
I see your point about this one. But I can't not support him because black folks don't get a lot of breaks in Hollywood.
It's funny you should bring up Rick Fox. One of my friends and I had a conversation about him and his horrible acting.
Rick Fox was not made to be a good actor or a great basketball player for that matter. He was put here to be pretty.
Think about it, he could never act or dribble a basketball again and he can get a job being a print model. Clothes just lay on that man.
okay I went to go see it this weekend and im still cracking up. Rick Fox???...seriously when I look at him all i see is Herpes. He does nothing for me. His acting is still horrible, but he's a basketball player acting like a basketball player. You have to stretch a rubberband in order for it to be effective. (Yeah, I know that was beautiful, you can use it if you want. I want $50.) Uggghhh....moving on.
Mrs. Angie B was great in the movie, however she may have been a little too old for it. Some of the things that the character was going through makes you think "dang, she shoulda known better than that." Nonetheless, she has a wonderful performance.
Other than Angie B, Tyler was using the same 5 people he uses for every play and movie..so you already know whats in store.
Laman Rucker... ohhh if I could get 4½ minutes maybe 5, with that man there would be all types of unnatural and unsavory things done to him....I love me some him.
Sidenote: I work in the GSO office of the N&R. I recognized the picture of you and seen you around the building maybe once or twice. I just never knew your name. Such a welcomed surprised that you found my blog. Don't tell nobody!
OK, OK, I see you Sheletha. Lamman Rucker can definitely get it. I've been eyeing that dude since Half and Half when he was Mona's boyfriend.
LMAO @ the Herpes comment. You have officially ruined him for me.
To your sidebar, your secret is safe with me. I don't usually like to let a whole lot of people at work into my personal life. That way, I cut down the drama.
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