I think Hitch, was a vehicle for him, but not his "baby." I do not think he shopped it around Hollywood, say like I heard Morgan Freeman has been trying to get an Arthur C. Clark film done for years. Nothing I have read about Hitch indicates that it was his pet project. It seems like it was a harmless romantic comedy designed to make lots money to me. It was not bad, but was it that good in your opinion? I would hope he would take such a risk with better material than Hitch. If you ask me, he probably had more invested in Happyness. I think that was more of a risk. I think his "cult of personality " is probably part of why it was a hit. For the most part, I think he is a sell out who sometimes takes a risk. Based on what I read on some of his aspirations, I'd like to think he is biding his time amassing his fortune until he can do something like Cosby did when he almost purchased NBC. Maybe Smith aspires to own a major studio. I think for him to take the kind of risk you mentioned, he would have had to take on some of the financial risk, like giving up profit percentage, bankroll it partially, or do it with a flick that was not in control of the studios already.
While I do not like Perry's work that I have seen much, I do admire him and think that he has made history. While I fear the studios are simply going to try to duplicate his efforts with material inferior to Perry's, perhaps after the dust settles, Black creative talent will be taken more seriously because those with the bankroll will see that there is a business case for Black film. You keep comparing Smith to Perry, but he does not even have a producer title in the film. Perry IS the executive producer of his work. That is not to say that Smith is powerless, but I still do not know why you would want him to go out on a limb for what looks like they intended to be a cash cow. If you had such expectations for Happyness, which was I biopic, I could understand. I still say, if he takes on that battle, it should be under different circumstances with better material. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > i guess i'm thinking that one or two less than super-duper blockbusters > wouldn't hurt Smith. He could have viewed "Hitch" as the one to do more > normal box office, then gone back to the Bad Boys-summer-winter blockbuster > routine he's gotten down so well. I mean, when the likes of Adam Sandler does > crap like "Chuck and Larry", and Halle Berry does the last couple of films > she's done--which did no box office to speak of--I don't see why Smith > doesn't at least try to send out a more positive message. I just think it's > crazy that in 2007 the only person really pushing black-on-black couples as > something wonderful and romantic is Tyler Perry. I really think Smith missed > an opportunity with Hitch to show the world something. I mean, if you think > of his last few films, such as that "Happyness" one, that horrible Bad Boys > 2, and now "I am Legend", all were or will most likely (in the case of > "Legend") do big box office and/or decent critical success. So surely he > could have shoehorned in a > movie that said "Hey, black people can have romance too". And when will > that chance come around again? How much more does Smith need to do to prove > he's bankable before he can take the "risk" of having a love story with a > woman who looks like his real life wife? > > Not meaning to bluster, but I hear some people--some on this list for > example--criticize Tyler Perry for being slapstick, simplistic, formulaic, > lowbrow, or too preachy. I think someone said he had a "flaw" in that he only > appeals to middle-aged church going black women. Well, aside from the fact > that i disagree with that (fifty plus million in box office didn't all come > from the Sunday school crowd) again, i applaud the Brother for insisting on > showing romance with black couples. Given the state of black couples in > America, Black people need to see that as much as whites. I'm a man ,and i > felt insulted to see the slot that should have gone to a Sister filled by Eva > Mendez. "Man", I thought, "Black women just keep getting bad breaks, > especially when Brothers won't push for them". > > Between the Brothers who love them some white women, asian/black women, and > now Latina women, and those like Smith scared to challenge the white guys in > Hollywood, is it any wonder people flock to support the likes of Tyler Perry, > or movies like "Love Jones", "Brown Sugar", "Last Holiday", "Two Can Play > that Game", etc? They may all be comedies and somewhat formulaic, but you > takes what you can get where you can get it. I make a point of supporting > films that show black romantic love, and my DVD collection is filled with all > of them that are good-to-decent. "Hitch" isn't in the house. > > Okay, off the soapbox! It's 3 am and I hope i don't read this missive later > today and realize it was a garbled string of incomprehensible stuff written > by a half-sleeping mind! I'm supposed to be up in six hours to hit two hours > of workouts at the gym, then go fix a friend's dad's computer, so off to > sleepytime land for me! > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >> i think that when the like of Tyler Perry can do fifty million in less than >> two >> weeks, Will Smith would have been a success with "Hitch". he still would >> have >> drawn in a lot of whites, and blacks would have seen it too. It may have >> only >> made one hundred million instead of, say one hundred seventy-five, but when >> is >> the time to take a chance if not then? I hear what you're saying, but if >> America >> isn't ready now, when will they ever be? >> >> -------------- Original message -------------- >> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" >> >> >> >>> Your assuming that he has enough clout to survive if (in my opinion- >>> when) they were proved right and it turned out not to be a block >>> bluster. I think, though he might has sold out in a way, he was shrewd >>> enough to realize that it was a battle that if he won, would do him >>> harm. American Audiences are not ready. I think he should fight for >>> such a goal in an art house, low budget venture with less to loose if it >>> does not deliver at the box office. Hollywood decision makers are >>> fickle. do you remember when Travolta could not get a reading after two >>> flops. It took several years to revive his career. Smith only has one >>> flop that I know of ..Wild West, had that romance flopped he would have >>> been perceived as not being able to be a romantic lead. no star, of any >>> race has enough clout to survive flops caused by going up against the >>> big decision makers >>> >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >>> >>>> You're right on. I was really thrown when i heard that "Master and >>>> >> Commander" >> >>> changed the book's premise, changing the bad guys from the Americans to the >>> France. That really pisses me off. >>> >>>> As for Sali Richardson in "Legend" tha'ts really just a throwaway roll. >>>> See, >>>> >>> the problem with Hollywood isn't giving a Black man a Black wife in a movie >>> where the romance isn't the focus. It's in a straight up romantic comedy or >>> dramatic love story where the love is the focus when they balk. Hence, >>> Smith >>> >> was >> >>> told that giving him a black lady would have made it a "black" movie, and >>> >> scared >> >>> away white audiences. And a white love interest would have scared away >>> white >>> audiences as well, so they got something that to their puny minds was in >>> between: a Latina. I find that to be contemptible, and I'm more than a >>> little >>> pissed that Smith didn't use all that supposed clout to fight for a Sister >>> anyway.... >>> >>>> -------------- Original message -------------- >>>> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" >>>> >>>> >>>>> Keith, you are assuming the US audience is intelligent and open to >>>>> alternative perspectives, like yourself. I was reading an American blog >>>>> for Blood+, an anime on Adult Swim, in which the US creates a global >>>>> plague for which they have the cure and thus power. The blogger was >>>>> shocked that a lot of Anime positioned the US as a corrupt bad guy. I >>>>> understand why they are inclined to see our government that way. But, >>>>> most Americans perceive us as "the men in White," always doing good, >>>>> even when we do wrong; Many unenlightened White Americans, also have no >>>>> interest in seeing Black on Black love. While I have heard backlash >>>>> over Will Smith being the lead in "I am Legend", I have not yet heard >>>>> anything negative about Salli Richardson being his love interest. If >>>>> movie makers, who make decisions based on the bottom line, start raising >>>>> their expectations of viewers and moviegoer, when all evidence is >>>>> pointing to the fact that Americans are not as smart as they once were, >>>>> then they will start to lose money. Just remember, we who seek out new, >>>>> different and challenging stories, are not their target audience. >>>>> >>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> yeah, i'd read that. That's one of the strangest ironies: that the film >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> actually pulling back from the more overt anti-religious themes of the >>>>> >> books >> >>>>> angers some Christians, becuase they fear that makes it a stealth film, >>>>> >>> harmless >>> >>>>> in and of itself, but then leading kids to the heathen books. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Again, i haven't read any of the books, but i have to say, the more i >>>>>> see >>>>>> >>> the >>> >>>>> trailers the more i want to see this movie. I believe in God--and you >>>>> >> better >> >>>>> believe as a self-styled scientist, engineer, and someone who seeks >>>>> knowledgeable friends, i've heard all the "it's stupid to believe in a >>>>> God" >>>>> arguments. So for me, the subject matter isn't a problem. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> I do find myself always sighing when i read the words "such-and-such was >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> changed to appeal to US audiences". That's the same crap that allowed >>>>> Will >>>>> >>> Smith >>> >>>>> to punk out and not cast a black female love interest in "Hitch" (white >>>>> Americans wouldn't see the resultant "black" movie), the reason the movie >>>>> "Master and Commander" changed the bad guys from the US (as it was in the >>>>> >>> book) >>> >>>>> to the French (didn't want to piss off US audiences), and the reason >>>>> "Harry >>>>> Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was changed to "Harry Potter and the >>>>> Sorcerers's Stone (they were afraid American kids didn't know what a >>>>> Philosopher's Stone was). >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Geez, anyone ever think of American audiences freakin' *increasing* >>>>>> their >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> intelligence instead of expecting movies to dumb down theres??! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> -------------- Original message -------------- >>>>>> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" >>>>>> >>>>>> You probably saw this, but just incase I thought I would post this text >>>>>> from wikipedia >>>>>> >>>>>> Controversies >>>>>> >>>>>> Several key themes of the novels, the rejection of organized religion >>>>>> and the abuse of power in a fictionalized Catholic Church, are to be >>>>>> diluted in the adaptation. Director Weitz said "in the books the >>>>>> Magisterium is a version of the Catholic Church gone wildly astray from >>>>>> its roots" but that the organization portrayed in his film would not >>>>>> directly match that of Pullman's books. Instead, the Magisterium will >>>>>> represent all dogmatic >>>>>> organizations.^[34] >>>>>> >>>>>> Weitz said that New Line Cinema had feared the story's anti-religious >>>>>> themes would make the film financially unviable in the US, and so >>>>>> religion and God will not be >>>>>> referenced directly. Attempting to reassure fans of the novels, Weitz >>>>>> said that religion would instead appear in euphemistic >>>>>> terms, yet the decision has >>>>>> been attacked by some fans,^[35] >>>>>> >>>>>> anti-censorship groups, and the National Secular Society >>>>>> (of which >>>>>> Pullman is an honorary associate), which said "they are taking the heart >>>>>> out of it, losing the point of it, castrating it",^[36] >>>>>> >>>>>> "this is part of a long-term problem over freedom of speech." The >>>>>> changes from the novel have been present since Tom Stoppard >>>>>> 's rejected version of the >>>>>> script,^[23] >>>>>> >>>>>> and Pullman himself believes the film will be "faithful."^[34] >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On October 7 , 2007 >>>>>> the Catholic League >>>>>> called for a >>>>>> boycott of the film.^[37] >>>>>> >>>>>> League president William A. Donohue >>>>>> said he would not >>>>>> ordinarily object to the film, but that while the religious elements >>>>>> will be diluted from the source material, the film will encourage >>>>>> children to read the novels, which he says "denigrate Christianity" and >>>>>> promote "atheism for kids."^[5] >>>>>> >>>>>> He cited author Pullman as saying that he is "trying to undermine the >>>>>> basis of Christian belief."^[38] >>>>>> >>>>>> The League hopes that "the film [will fail] to meet box office >>>>>> expectations and that [Pullman's] books attract few buyers."^[39] >>>>>> >>>>>> Other evangelical groups, such as The Christian Film and Television >>>>>> Commission , are adopting a >>>>>> "wait-and-see" approach to the film before deciding upon any >>>>>> action,^[40] >>>>>> as >>>>>> is the Roman Catholic Church in Britain >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> ,^[41] >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> while the /Catholic News Service/ suggests that instead of a boycott, it >>>>>> may be appropriate for Catholic parents to "talk through any thorny >>>>>> philosophical issues" with their children.^[42] >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Pullman has since said that the books do not have a religious agenda, >>>>>> saying of Donohue's call for a boycott, "Why don't we trust readers? Why >>>>>> don't we trust filmgoers? Oh, it causes me to shake my head with sorrow >>>>>> that such nitwits could be loose in the world."^[41] >>>>>> >>>>>> In a 28 November 2007 >>>>>> discussion with Donohue on CBS >>>>>> 's /Early Show >>>>>> /, Ellen Johnson >>>>>> , president of American >>>>>> Atheists , said that >>>>>> rather than promote atheism, the film would encourage children to >>>>>> question authority , saying that >>>>>> would not be a bad thing for children to learn.^[43] >>>>>> >>>>>> Director Weitz says that he believes /His Dark Materials/ is "not an >>>>>> atheistic work, but a highly spiritual and reverent piece of >>>>>> writing",^[35] >>>>>> >>>>>> and Nicole Kidman has defended her decision to star in the film, saying >>>>>> that "the Catholic Church is part of my essence. I wouldn't be able to >>>>>> do this film if I thought it were at all anti-Catholic".^[26] >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Some commentators have indicated they believe both sides' criticism will >>>>>> prove ultimately impotent and that the negative publicity will prove a >>>>>> boon for the film's box office.^[44] >>>>>> >>>>>> ^[45] >>>>>> >>>>>> ^[41] >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Reception >>>>>> >>>>>> The film has been met with a mixed-to-good reaction, with some feeling >>>>>> that the movie was at times too fast paced and overlooking the core >>>>>> elements of the novel, whilst also arguing that select scenes were well >>>>>> made and the technical dimensions of the movie were excellent. James >>>>>> Christopher of The Times was >>>>>> disappointed, praising the "marvellous" special effects and casting, but >>>>>> saying that the "books weave a magic the film simply cannot match and >>>>>> citing a "lack of genuine drama."^[46] >>>>>> >>>>>> The Sun called it a "magical >>>>>> tale" and a "star-studded rollercoaster ride," praising the cast and >>>>>> concluding the film was "a well-written, beautifully delivered >>>>>> adventure."^[47] >>>>>> >>>>>> The Guardian gave it a mark >>>>>> of four stars out of five, praising Nicole Kidman's casting in >>>>>> particular and saying it had "no other challengers as this year's big >>>>>> Christmas movie."^[48] >>>>>> >>>>>> /The Hollywood Reporter >>>>>> / predicts a >>>>>> "substantial" box office for >>>>>> the film, praising the special effects and stunts, strong storyline, >>>>>> viable characters and the acting.^[49] >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Martin wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>>> I bought the first two when they came out, and I just dug them out for >>>>>>> reading. (Never did read them- back when I worked steadily, I bought >>>>>>> books right and left, and never had the chance to read them, because I >>>>>>> worked steadily.) First few pages come across as though written for >>>>>>> young adults. I won't let that stop me, because I've read a couple of >>>>>>> YA books that came out as really good. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >>>>>>> I'm actually looking forward to seeing this film. I know nothing about >>>>>>> the books, but the trailer looks cool. Reminds me of "Narnia" or some >>>>>>> aspects of "Lord of the Rings". For me, being able to see a scifi or >>>>>>> fantasy film based on material that's completely unfamiliar is a >>>>>>> really exciting thing, like discovering new treasure. I understand >>>>>>> there's quite a bit of controversy because the auther is an avowed >>>>>>> atheist who said his books are about "killing God". Christians are >>>>>>> upset because they say the film has been watered down, the atheist >>>>>>> stuff removed. But then, they say, kids will want to read the books, >>>>>>> and then be subjected to the anti-religious slant of the author. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Anyone read the books? Are they any good? Are they that overt in their >>>>>>> preachments against spirituality and do the children indeed kill >>>>>>> God--or a god--in them? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> *************************************** >>>>>>> http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/blog/us/featured/story/lyras-world/ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> There is a world where witches rule the northern skies, where ice >>>>>>> bears are the bravest of warriors, and where every human is joined >>>>>>> with an animal spirit who is as close to them as their own heart. But >>>>>>> this world is dominated by the Magisterium, which seeks to control all >>>>>>> of humanity, and whose greatest threat is the last remaining Golden >>>>>>> Compass and the one child destined to possess it. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Twelve year-old Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) lives an >>>>>>> extraordinary life as a ward of distinguished Jordan College. Tearing >>>>>>> unsupervised through the streets on mad quests for adventure with her >>>>>>> loyal friend Roger (Ben Walker), Lyra is accompanied everywhere by her >>>>>>> daemon, Pantalaimon (voiced by Freddie Highmore) â?" a small, >>>>>>> ever-changing animal that serves as a constant voice of reason. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But Lyraâ?^(TM)s world is changing. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Her uncle, Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), is embarking on a trip to the >>>>>>> Arctic Circle to investigate a mysterious element intriguingly called >>>>>>> Dust, but the Magisterium would go to any lengths â?" including >>>>>>> shutting >>>>>>> down Jordan College â?" to stop him. At the same time, rumors of >>>>>>> children mysteriously disappearing and being taken north become >>>>>>> terrifyingly real when her best friend Roger goes missing. Lyra swears >>>>>>> to go to the ends of the earth to rescue him, and when a new figure >>>>>>> appears at the college â?" Marisa Coulter (Nicole Kidman), a beguiling >>>>>>> scientist and world traveler â?" she sees her best chance to get away. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> But Lyra finds that she has been drawn into a trap designed to take >>>>>>> from her the one thing she possesses that the Magisterium desperately >>>>>>> seeks â?" the Golden Compass. Given to her as a gift by the Master of >>>>>>> Jordan College (Jack Shepherd), it is a mystical, powerful device that >>>>>>> can tell the truth, reveal what others wish to hide and foreshadow â?" >>>>>>> and even change â?" the future. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> At that moment, Lyra realizes that she will have to break away from >>>>>>> Mrs. Coulter and embark on her own journey to rescue Roger and stop >>>>>>> the Magisterium. But fate puts her in the company and protection of a >>>>>>> tribe of seafaring Gyptians led by Lord Faa (Jim Carter), Ma Costa >>>>>>> (Clare Higgins) and Farder Coram (Tom Courtenay). Banding together an >>>>>>> unlikely alliance with the Gyptians, the mysterious witch Serafina >>>>>>> Pekkala (Eva Green) and Texas airman Lee Scoresby (Sam Elliott), Lyra >>>>>>> is flung into an adventure that will take her over sky and ocean, to >>>>>>> the wilds of the icy north, where she gains a powerful ally in a great >>>>>>> armored bear named Iorek Byrnison (voiced by Ian McKellen), who >>>>>>> pledges to serve her in her campaign until she prevails. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> A great war is coming â?" one that threatens not only Lyraâ?^(TM)s >>>>>>> world >>>>>>> >>> but >>> >>>>>>> all the parallel worlds waiting just beyond the northern lights. With >>>>>>> her band of friends and allies, and the power of the Golden Compass, >>>>>>> Lyra will need all her skill and all her courage, to stop it. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> New Line Cinema presents The Golden Compass, an epic fantasy adventure >>>>>>> starring Oscar® winner Nicole Kidman (The Hours), newcomer Dakota Blue >>>>>>> Richards, Sam Elliott (We Were Soldiers), Eva Green (Casino Royale) >>>>>>> and Daniel Craig (Casino Royale). Based on Philip Pullmanâ?^(TM)s >>>>>>> best-selling and award-winning first novel in his Dark Materials >>>>>>> trilogy, the film is adapted and directed by Academy Award® nominee >>>>>>> Chris Weitz (About A Boy). >>>>>>> The Golden Compass is produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro, with >>>>>>> executive producers Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne. Toby Emmerich, Mark >>>>>>> Ordesky, Ileen Maisel, Andrew Miano and Paul Weitz also executive >>>>>>> >> produce. >> >>>>>>> The distinguished cast also includes Academy Award® nominee Tom >>>>>>> Courtenay (The Dresser), Derek Jacobi (Gosford Park), Jack Shepherd >>>>>>> (Charlotte Gray), Ben Walker (BBCâ?^(TM)s â?1/2Sweeney Toddâ??), Simon >>>>>>> >>> McBurney >>> >>>>>>> (The Last King of Scotland), Jim Carter (Shakespeare in Love), Clare >>>>>>> Higgins (Stage Beauty), Magda Szubanski (Happy Feet) and legendary >>>>>>> actor Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) >>>>>>> >>>>>>> The film also features voices of Oscar® nominee Ian McKellen (Gods and >>>>>>> Monsters, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Oscar® winner Kathy Bates >>>>>>> (Misery, Titanic), Oscar® nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (The English >>>>>>> Patient), Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and >>>>>>> Golden Globe winner Ian McShane (TVâ?^(TM)s â?1/2Deadwoodâ??). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>>>>> >>>>>>> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels will >>>>>>> get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A Man >>>>>>> Without A Country" >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --------------------------------- >>>>>>> Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your >>>>>>> homepage. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Yahoo! 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