I feel story for anyone who has to act opposite Viola. First time I saw her was in the movie Solaris with George Cloony. She was on screen for 3 minutes. And all I could say was Wow. Who the hell is that??? You should see her speech about having an abortion. Forget the name of Wilson's play. Fantastic as always.
She looks great... Even during a scene when she has snot coming out of her nose. Lol This is one of the greatest plays and greatest performances I've ever seen.
Say, did Hollywood miss the boat in overlooking Viola Davis as Nina Simone? Wouldn't her physical resemblance to the late singer make her a shoo-in for the role? She's proof positive that Hollywood choices for lead roles isn't always on target!
I've just finished reading about the top 20 all time major flops. And I totally agree with the list. In fact, had I been successful as a producer none would've been made. I think knowing what is marketable is more instinct than anything else. For example, I once worked as a parking lot attendant in an under the building parking lot, where I played a lot of music to pass otherwise boring time. It was interesting how even an old fuddy duddy judge liked my selections, which I knew most would like anyway. Why? I had something of an idea what that demographic would enjoy in music. I could've translated that in interpreting what different demographics would enjoy in movies. For example, I knew by instinct that "Bye Bye Birdie" was going to be a hit. Morever, that Ann-Margret was the right choice. Same with Natalie Wood in "Splendor in the Grass."
Estella Cohen I knew by instinct that Oprah's "Beloved" would flop as a commercial venture. She should've floated it as an art film a la "Virgin Spring," by Ingmar Bergman. People don't cotton to having such a brutal look into history as was presented in "Beloved" as entertainment. Even "Virgin Spring" presented some uncomfortable moments for me. For example, the rape scene. Rape is NEVER entertainment, however well it's supposed to be staged and however the director.
"Beloved" wasn't a flop!(many h.s. have the book or protested having it on their suggested reading list) The movie is based on the best-seller book of the same name by Toni Morrison. It has been on t.v. many times and I thought that version was better! It was edited heavily and cut to the true essence of the story about the lose of so many Black babies during American slavery.
+Cocodan 2000 I would like to see them play husband and wife in a movie in the near future. I think they would have good chemistry on the big screen. :)
Would have been great to see this on stage BUT we can now see it on screen. It is the best movie I have seen in such a long time. Pure honest adult relationships. I'll go a second time. See it in the theater for the emotional intensity. Brilliant.
I grew up in Pittsburgh and to be honest takes me back to my childhood, whatever I asked for my Dad would say "Do you got a roof over your head? Do you have food in your belly? You got a warm place to sleep ? I'd say "yeah, yeah, yeah" then he'd say well then you got what you need................that's a Pittsburgh thing:)
I can't wait to see this movie in Christmas because this is "reality" about how people use to see things. However, the good news we don't have to settle for less but to keep pushing for a better life.
I finally watched this on Amazon Prime and man I was I in for a ride. I love Denzel Washington and when it had come out to theaters I wanted to see it. And when I got my opportunity on Amazon I took it. And I think everyone should sit down and watch it with their older children and or spouse. I think this movie teaches us about life lessons and that we should be happy with what we have in the now. I am glad that they picked who they picked because Mr. Washington is an amazing actor and he did very well in the film.
I kinda think Vi is in the unfortunate position of not being first choice in a world built so much on physical appearance. So she's gonna have to take the bull by the horns and come up with projects of her own, perhaps in association with O! The talent's there. But she'll definitely have to come up with independent projects.
Now with that she has how to get away with murder and you see her come home and take off the wig and the makeup an everything and dares you say that she wasnt meant for prime time.
***** Off topic. I'm thinking of the economics of her narrative and by extension, mine. Serena Williams, Viola Davis, and the French skating star Surya Bonaly are swimming AGAINST an overwhelmingly white male audience. It's for that reason these women all have had a time of it. The problem is in the esthetics. After all, beauty in the entire Western hemisphere is shaped by the European point of view on that very subject. Do I think Viola Davis is lovely? Hell, yes, I do. But then I'm not paying the bills, which is the problem. The white male is stationed historically better to pay the bills. I might mention Davis could well be a relative of mine on my mother's side of the family. So step back and look at the plight holistically. The two constants are 1) esthetics and 2) who holds the purse strings. I revert to a previous position of mine. We'd better start coming up with more Motowns. Look, Diana Ross went on to crossover success thanks to Mr. Berry Gordy, not Stephen Spielberg. I salute the hip hop people for taking the bull by the horns and stop this waiting for Godot! Not happening.
***** You'll get no argument from me. We're ALMOST on the same page, except from hard, bitter experience, I long ago found out that the world doesn't turn on mere words and shouting. Oh, no. It's money that makes the world go round. TRUST ME! So we need more Berry Gordy's, more Robert Johnsons, more A. G. Gastons -- in other words, more people who populate the ECONOMIC realm. We have far too many politicians and professors, to be sure. They don't MOVE the narrative. It's people like Diddy, Dre, Simmons -- people who not only know money but are quite comfortable with it -- who will make the black beauty INCLUSIVE!!! Trust me!
***** Thanks again, man. But life isn't a bowl of cherries for anyone, is it? So what's happening is we're just getting stronger genetically from all this bigotry. Certainly the Jews got stronger. You just can't keep a good man down, can you? Meanwhile, I've turned my eyes on Haitian movie producers, actors, and photographers. You know what? They're damn good. What I like is that they're setting their own standards of what's what! As they used to say in the old days, maintain!
Very well told story over grand acting with the best in performing arts; Davis, Denzel, Mykelti Williamson ( HEAT the infamous Bank Robbing with Val Kikmer, Robert Dinero), Russell Hornsby ( Lincoln Heights). This movie in the highlights of it truths tells the raw sides of real life that could have easily turn tragic given the turn of events if compared to the way people behave and believed during the 50's era verses the ways of most people today. The reality of marriages that stand the test of time and life as depicted here when Denzel not only had an affair but got the other woman pregnant AND was man enough to tell his wife about it, rather than hide it deny the innocent baby coming into the world. This movie does indeed tell the raw dynamics of the human experience and if you're a person that believes in God you can clearly see the tones of FAITH present throughout this story. Great Job Denzel Washington # Director
listen I am alone in my on home. We have God why won't y'all listennnn why to a song deep within. I am a child of God's I live in the world of sin. I don't ask to win I know the part he plays his role isn't written now it's time to find my oowwwwwn... They thought I was kidding stay quiet as a mouse give him the house in his words will fiiinnnnnd those when he speak much more worth much more than what entertain the str3e..we have all those that will hold his turf. listen I'm now im on my search to get away from hurt, my people all over desssserve my name will be heard I have the right to vote I'll stand even when scared most of all I'll speak.. I know my life here one day comes to a end savior my savior that's only to stop our suffering to find where our life begins..listen to a woman n dark skin who don't want your idles just listeninnng.. understanding give my people somewhere to lean yes we're strong yes life goes on they can be stuuuck left all alone.. listen our messages in this song I'm a blessing child armor protection ooooonnnnn....dont stand my people we will be cloned we're not what bad u wanted to seehe.. that's why i write this sooong we always have found our owwwwwwwwnnnnnn...
It was imo also. The academy seemed to really do that back in the day. I could be wrong but i think that has changed a bit recently. Sly Stallone not getting a win last year being the most recent example. Although he does have one for writing i think.
Lol Al Pacino won it that year for Scent of a Woman. But that was one of those awards where I think they just wanted to give it to Pacino that year for his other roles.
As ridiculously talented as Denzel is…. They seen fit to “Grammy” him when he played a slave and a crook. This country is disingenuous and disgustingly blatant in its bigotry. Sickening!!!
Please, someone tell me who sings "Day-by-Day" in this film. I know the credits give it to Lil' Willie John; but clearly it is a female singing. Years ago the song was sung by Sarah Vaughn & others.
lol my grand dad told me and my cousins that he knew 15 black baseball players that would've blew Robinson out the water, they picked Jackie because he was the only one who would play nice.
