Issue #4
Nov.2nd 2001
SNEAKING INTO THE MOVIES
...with Benny Blanco from the Bronx.
Fall Premieres 2001.
If you can overcome the gauche of sitting in a movie theater with a few dozen strangers and potential terrorists, now is a great time to enjoy Black cinema. Presently, three of the top five films in the country feature Africans in prominent roles. ?Bones?, the most recent release of the three, stars Snoop Doggy Dog in the title role. ?Training Day? stars Denzel Washington in a potentially Academy Award winging role, directed by Antoine Fuqua, the director of ?The Replacement Killers?. Finally, ?From Hell?, the graphic novel adaptation is directed by the Hughes brothers, whose previous work includes ?Menace II Society? and ?Dead Presidents?. Although these films aren?t necessarily powerful statements about our community, struggles and issues that we face, it is good to see non-traditional ideas and images fiercely stepping onto the propaganda reels.
FROM HELL represents the Hughes brothers? venture into the mainstream. Although they found success in each of their previous films, there has always been a certain glass ceiling limiting the rise of urban-crime dramas. Their present film is set in 19th century London and is the story of the legendary Jack the Ripper. Its stars Johnny Depp as the ?dragon chasing? inspector, who?s hot on the trail of the ritualistic murderer of prostitutes. The film makes some very powerful, yet subtle conspiracy theories about Masonry and the royal family. It is generally well directed, well acted and moves with a fair amount of suspense and drama. Personally, I would suggest doing some light research on the Ripper and freemasonry before actually seeing the movie. It makes it a lot more fulfilling. If you have the time, and the extra money, check this one out.
Denzel Washington moves out of his traditional good guy/oppressed hero role, to play a dirty LA cop in TRAINING DAY. Without a doubt this is the most entertaining film of the season. Once again, Denzel delivers an Oscar worthy performance, seasoned with intensity, vigor, and magnetism. Ethan Hawke rides shotgun as a new detective on his first day in the undercover narcotics unit. The majority of action in this film is shot in the confines of Denzel?s supped up patrol car, but Fuqua takes the opportunity to delve into the life essence of Los Angeles with well developed supporting characters and some excellent cinematographic work. The plot is driven by intriguing twists and turns that build enough suspense to keep even the most disinterested moviegoer glued to the screen. I would strongly suggest seeing this film before it hits videotape, it?s definitely a winner.
BONES is period piece released right in time for Halloween. It seems to be today?s ?Candyman? blended with some light hip-hop influence. Snoop stars as the killer, a vengeful apparition out to repay society for premature demise. Overall, it?s not exactly as scary as the ?Candyman? features, but as I previously mentioned, it is good to see a change in the images presented about African-Americans in film. If you have a date that you want to get a rise out of, check this out. If not, there?s no real need to see this one before it hits cable.
Usually when there are a few movies I want to check out, you know what I do. I?ll hit up that good ole matinee and stick around all day. Unfortunately, in this circumstance that doesn?t help to promote more Black cinema. If you plan on seeing one or all of these films, I urge you to remember that ticket sales are the only measure of a feature?s success. If we don?t support, we might not ever see a time when three such films are out at once again.
peace.
Benny Blanco
-from the Bronx
NUBIAN ARTS Vol.1
