I told Phyllis recently that Meryl Streep is a delight, and what a discovery for a black man to say that! I first was moved by her in the movie with Renee Zellweger and Wiliam Hurt where she played a seemingly clueless housewife to her serious, wannabe writer husband. Streep was the polar opposite of my opinion of her, which was as the near ice princess of all the period pieces and heavy dramas. I later saw her in "The Bridges of Madison County" and was impressed. What sealed it for me, though, was seeing her live. Streep won an awardfor acting in a miniseries--I think it was "Angels in America". When she took the stage, there was no sign of the controlled, posed woman of stuff like "Out of Africa". Instead, she was laughing raucously, and accepted the award by joking, "Sometimes I think I'm over rated--but not tonight!"
I've seen her in other interviews and she is an incredibly fun, lively person she just draws me in. And along with that, as she's aged, gained a bit of weight, and fallen away from those Merchant Ivory type films, she's expanded her roles, from "Prada" to that movie with Angela Bassett about teaching inner city kids the violin, to "Jules and Julia". Her range is astounding, her ability to move from comedy to camp to drama a rare thing that few actresses possesss. Count this black man a fan of Meryl Streep. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tracey de Morsella" <tdli...@multiculturaladvantage.com> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 11:24:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Halle Berry (Halle Berry) (was: Megan Fox's Scary Box Office Problem) Actually, I mentioned that I liked her in her early comedies. I mean I was a fan. I liked her in executive decision. I'm probably the only one here who liked her as Jinx in Bond. I was hoping she would get the spin off. When I was modeling she was in a horrible sitcom called Living Dolls, it was about modeling and I loved her. For me, her strength is in comedies and action and adventure, but she wants to be a serious actress, so I guess she avoids them. I still like her, but now it is not really based on any work she has done. I said that I thought that she is not without talent, she has proven that, over and over, but I do not walk away moved. I wanted her as Catwoman, but the movie sucked. That is not her fault, but it does not do her any favors. I thought she was okay in Perfect Stranger, Gothika, and Swordfish, but nothing stands out. In her defense, none of those movies are stand out movies. I have not critiqued her talent, but as an early fan I have been underwhelmed lately. I need to see her in Things we lost in the Fire". I did not watch it when it came out because at the time, I really thought there was still a good chance I would die from my illness, so I only watched escapist movies. She is getting past the age, but I wish she had pursued more comedies and action flicks during her 20's and 30's. On the other hand had she done so, she might not be the most famous Black actress in Hollywood. By the way, there is another famous actress, I used to have a similar response to who did some great serious work, but is white. Meryl Streep. Her early work was good. Her performances were flawless. She won Oscars, but for some reason she did not really evoke much emotion from me. Now,I love her. I loved her in Doubt and The Devil Wears Prada Go figure.... -----Original Message----- From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On Behalf Of Kelwyn Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 7:33 PM To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com Subject: [scifinoir2] Halle Berry (Halle Berry) (was: Megan Fox's Scary Box Office Problem) Halle Berry (Halle Berryyyy) Halle Berry (Halle Berry) she walk it like a model (yea) hands on ya knees (aye) scrrrub da ground, she ain't nuttin but a tease Halle Berryyyy (Halle Berry) Halle Berry Halle Berryyyy (Halle Berry) Halle Berry ~Hurricane Chris - "She's Fine (Halle Berry)" I direct all Halle Berry haters to "Strictly Business" and "Bullworth." Her first film work as a crack ho in "Jungle Fever" is still among her best work. Her work in "Things we lost in the Fire" with David Duchovny and Benicio Del Toro (who should have been nominated) is highly underrated. ~rave! --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com , "Tracey de Morsella" <tdli...@...> wrote: > > The movie, is horrible, but I love Catwoman. It's not something I watch over > and over. I have seen long kiss goodnight, strange days, kill bill 2 and > Batman II with Michele Pfieffer numerous times over the years. > > > > I still liked her tacky costume though > > > > Regarding Berry, I liked her in those comedies she did when she was young. I > don’t hate her, I think she is pretty, I admire her accomplishments, but it > does not translate to any of the films I see her in. She was okay in > swordfish fish, but the best part of her character did not come out until the > last 10 minutes of the movie. Gothika was okay, but I could take it or leave > it. Catwoman was so poorly produced that I cannot blame her. Everybody looked > bad in that. But to me she is almost like an affirmative action hire. If they > want a black woman with box office pull (?), they go to her. I do not think > she is without talent, but there is a lack of charisma. I cannot put my > fingers on it, because I liked her back in the day > > > > From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com [mailto: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com ] On > Behalf Of Keith Johnson > Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 5:01 PM > To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Megan Fox's Scary Box Office Problem > > > > > > > > > i don't think they're exceptions, at least, in terms of what your premise has > been, especially if younger women are taken into account. > And no, my wife isn't a closet fan of "Catwoman". When i told her of this > discussion, she laughed her head off. "That movie was horrible!" she said. > like me, she doesn't think Berry is really that good of an actress, only > seeming to convey any realism when she's on drugs or down-and-out. And to > your point, I think that's the probem with her in themovie: she doesn't come > close to conveying any of this subversive "girl power" you see in the flick. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kelwyn" <ravena...@...> > To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 10:51:09 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern > Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Megan Fox's Scary Box Office Problem > > > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com> , > Keith Johnson <KeithBJohnson@> wrote: > > > Women like Tracey and my wife, rather than being jealous, intimidated, or > even angered by her, are simply not moved to see Fox.>> > > Tracey and your wife are exceptions (that is a compliment) and not the rule > at the box office. > > (I suspect they are closet "Catwoman" fans);> > > ~rave! > ------------------------------------ Post your SciFiNoir Profile at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo ! Groups Links
