The Nigga Movie. I openly express my condolences to all who have had to watch one.
Every so often, I like to take a less formal approach, usually due to the topic. This is one of those occassions, friends. If anything, I hope you at least get a laugh out of this one. . .
For some time now, I've noticed a good number of people, white and black, have been grouping all "African-American" movies together in one single category. I personally take offense to this. I personally believe that just as we have our action genre and our romance genre in cinema, we too have a "black movie" genre and a "nigga movie" genre. I'm sorry but I take offense to the thought that a Denzel Washington film and one by, say. . . Mo'Nique, could be placed in the same grouping. If I may discern the chacteristics of these two types of movies. . .
Characteristics of a "Black Movie"
Anyone can sit down and enjoy it, regardless of race; it's a film that either has a mostly black cast or themes central to the black experience. Comicality is stereotypical at times, but within reason, within the limits of what's funny without being completely stupid or mindless.
Characteristics of a "Nigga Movie"
These films are blatantly targeted at blacks. The humor is senseless and is so stereotypical that it barely touches upon comedy, if at all. Nigga movies almost always lack a relevant plot, or one that you at least might care to care about. Another common trait of the nigga movie is that it is almost never necessary to watch these films to know what they are about. Seeing their trailers and commercials is usually ample information when making a judgment of them.
Trailer for First Sunday
To stress my point, I'll bring up a recent black movie I saw over the holidays, This Christmas. Now, if your asking me what I thought of the film, I will eagerly tell you I thought it was bore fest. But that aside, it was not a nigga movie. Though many of the themes explored were stereotypical, they were not what I would call demeaning or distortive, foremost characteristics of nigga movies. It's jokes served to merely humor it's audience(as they should have), not propagate stereotypes at the expense of black people.
Now, for a prime example of a nigga movie, take the 2004 embarrassment, Soul Plane, which featured Snoop Dogg, D. L. Hughley, and long-time nigga movie contributor Mo'Nique. The humor catered to dumbest of the dumb. One might argue that any self-respecting African-American would be sorely unable to sit through crap like this film.
I had also intended include in this piece, my feelings on the just-released First Sunday, starring Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan, even though I am yet to see the movie. I actually have heard two positive reviews of the movie from friends and am considering paying to go see it, if only to find out if they were telling me the truth.
Some other examples:
"Black" Movies
Barbershop
House Party
This Christmas
Friday
Malcolm X
Boyz 'N the Hood
American Gangster
Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Set It Off
"Nigga" Movies
First Sunday*
Phat Girlz
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins*
Soul Plane
Friday After Next
The Cookout
( * indicates tentative listing)
Being on the topic of nigga movies, I think it's funny to mention that during one of his stand-up routines, comedian D. L. Hughley joked that he had to pick up his check for Soul Plane with a paper bag over his head.
I think I'm done ranting, for now. . . but let me know you all think and feel free to list any flicks that should or shouldn't be on my lists. [Disclaimer: THIS IS AN OPINION PIECE]
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I do not know if you remember a video montage that Chris Rock did during his stint as the host of the Academy Awards. He intervied patrons at a Magic Johnson theatre and asked their opinions of the films that were nominated for Best Picture. They had no idea what the movies were. Never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteThis, to me, show two things of importance. The majority of films being produced yearly featuring an all-black cast unfortunately fall in the "nigga movie" category. You have wait every two or three years for a "Ray" or an "American Gangster" to come into theatres.
Another point is that as a culture, black people are reluctant to venture into other cinematic realms besides stereotypical black comedies or action adventures. Especially if those films do not feature African Americans. I understand the desire to support black movies and black actors in their ventures but if we do not step out of the box that we are placing ourselves into and see other films. Perhaps Hollywood will begin to take us seriously and present Black audiences with better options.
I agree with Courtney...We need to step outside of the box...I LOVE BLACK FILMS....I LOATHE.... movies that are blatantly targeted at blacks and have no plausible story.
ReplyDeleteThe same problem of lumping Black films can be found in the literary world where Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison are lumped with explicit sex novels.
But hey to some people that is what it means to be Black!!!....THANK YOU BET !!!
-courtney h.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where your coming from and the part about black people having no ideas about movies nominated for best picture doesn't surprise me.
And what makes me mad is when someone like Denzel Washington makes a movie like American Gangster and black people come out of the woodwork criticizing him for presenting a negative image of black people. Where were these same people when Soulplane or The Cookout were released???
-angry sally
Iwasn't even aware they were doing that with black authors. And don't get me started on BET. . . I was having a good day. . .
I think courtney nailed it when she said that we as blacks need to step outside the box and view other films. This does not, in any way, mean that we should stop supporting black films, but I think it's important that we embrace a larger view in terms of choosing which films to see.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunatly, these days "Black Movies" tend to be few and far between. We're fortunate that Denzel Washington's The Great Debaters recently came out. I think this movie is the rare example of a positive black movie that promotes good values, as opposed to a movie like First Sunday or Soul Plane, which do nothing but promote negative black stereotypes.
For every "Ray", "Akeelah and The Bee", "Great Debaters, and "American Gangster", it seems we have to put up with movies like "Norbit", "My Baby's Daddy", and "Soul Plane".
What is sad is that First Sunday, a "nigga movie" opened this weekend in the #2 spot, while The Great Debaters finished in #16 this weekend. Truly a sign that people will run to see these stereotypical movies.
"My Baby's Daddy". . .What the Hell i s that? Sounds familiar. . .
ReplyDeleteI also looked at the most recent box office charts and couldn't help but be disappointed.
A.J. I must disagree with you, but only on your inclusion of "First Sunday" as a Nigga Movie. I went into the theatre with the assumption that it was just that, but came away pleasently surprised. If you have not seen the movie I would definately recommend it.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. There is such a difference between a movie with a black cast and a movie targeted to only a black audience.
ReplyDeleteYou list even hit the nail right on the head. I have seen 8 of the 9 "Black movies" and 4 of the 6 "nigga movies" and its so right.
Personally I have friends who only like the "nigga" genre because its senseless and has typical "black comedy they claim they cant find in movies of substance. Then i have the friends who like to think outside the box and don't feel a need to have to watch certain movies just because its targeted to that certain race.
To me, I appreciate movies that have a black cast, because it shows that we as African Americans can excel in this area. But then again, I don't like movies only targeted to blacks that I cant watch with friends from other races because it make them uncomfortable.
Yes, yes, yes. I agree with every single word you said in this post. I think the same way some movies are just so horrible, and yet black people still continue to watch them, and almost die laughing. I do not understand why they think that this is funny. It would seem that only the most simple of minds could bare to watch them, but people who I know that are smarter than that still continue to watch these movies, and like them. It is a great mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteI saw your blog on my dad's site "sittin on the big porch" you made a comment, I hope you don't mind I am linking you. Welcome to the Rogue Gallery.
-lovehatesensation
ReplyDeletethx for the comment. i think you summed up my article better than i could have when you said "There is such a difference between a movie with a black cast and a movie targeted to only a black audience"
-c-dell
it's a mystery to me as well! the jokes are always the same but to some people, i guess that's enough
-Prodigy-Maestro
ReplyDeleteThank You! I just wish others could see things that way too.
Like Angry Sally mentions, we not only have the problem of nigga movies but nigga books as well. These books help perpetuate the stereotypes that we are over-sexed beings, we can't stay away from the drama or scandal, we are from the ghetto, and/or we all hustle. My little sister reads these stupid books. It's disturbing that these are the only topics that black authors can find to write about our people. I'm not from the damn ghetto, I never had to strip to pay my bills, I never got caught up in "the game", I've never been to jail, and I never slept with my best friend's spouse. I cannot relate to these cases. Whether these authors want to believe it or not, not all black people are interested in reading this garbage...just like not all black people want to see ourselves acting a fool in movies. *Sigh
ReplyDeleteLOL a black movie and a Nigger movie, really? That's just silly, the black movies should just be titled as movies and the nigger movies should be classified a stupid movie. What do you call movies like saving Private Ryan and Band of brothers? White movies? That's stupid,it is a good movie regardless of what race is in it. What do you call films the are prominently white trash,or red necks and not White that is equally as stupid?I think you referring movies to nigger ohh sorry nigga movies is not only offensive but it show how ignorant you are. But have everyone has an opinion just like everyone has an asshole.
ReplyDeleteThat being said I think you should focused at all movies not just movies centered around black audiences.
Love not hate,
Mejia
WHATS NORBIT!!!
ReplyDelete