hkfilms-1 Reviews

TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004 Video)

Television's Integration to Black Entertainment

[8/10 · 18 January 2022]

TV in Black is an informative and entertaining history program documenting the achievements of Blacks on television. It features a multitude of professional actors, writers, producers, and entertainers expressing what it was like experiencing this evolution. The only drawback is they didn't identifying who's who speaking throughout the program. At times, the file footage was somewhat challenging to watch. But the content is extremely prevalent. I definitely appreciated and enjoyed it. I teach the history of Black Cinema, and will include this in the viewing.

Carmen Jones (1954)

Hot and steamy

[9/10 · 11 April 2006]

Dorothy Dandridge nailed this role as Carman Jones. She is catty, seductive, and has her men wrapped around her finger. Harry Belafonte is sensational as Joe, the naive soldier who becomes prey to Carman. It's interesting to watch Joe trying to tame the wild tendencies of Carman, while a love triangle grows outside of their relationship. It's like watching a cat on a hot tin roof. (oops, another great movie.) An added plus is the wonderful production numbers with dance choreography and songs. The costume, wardrobe, and props reflect the culture of city slickers and country folks, presenting the differences in lifestyles among characters. These differences became evident in Dorothy Dandridge performance, and earns her an Academy Award nomination for best actress.

Beauty Shop (2005)

Delightfully funny movie

[8/10 · 8 April 2005]

Beauty Shop is a wholesome movie. It is a refreshing change from the negative portrayal of females seen in most movies today. Beauty Shop captures the true qualities of women striving, surviving, and winning against all odds. There wasn't a strong storyline, just a message of how women of all cultures deal with cheating husbands, cosmetic surgery, gender and racial profiling, insecurity, and male chauvinism. Still these women roll with the punches to enjoy each other and celebrate the beauty within.

The underlining theme of the movie is Maya Angeleo's poem Phenomenal Woman, which can be seen in Gina Norris (Queen Latifa), the struggling entrepreneur trying to secure a future for her daughter Vanessa (Paige Hurd) a young talented pianist. Particularly colorful characters are "Catfish Rita" (Cheryl Underwood), Ms. Josephine (Alfre Woodard), Lynn (Alicia Silverstone), Darnell (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Jorge (Kevin Bacon). It is has lots of humor, guaranteed to make you smile.

Squeeze (1997)

An enlightening "coming of age" film that captures the essence of young delinquents trying to survive in an adult world on the streets.

[8/10 · 29 December 2004]

"Squeeze" presents strong characters, good writing and photography. The film setting is not unlike most urban ghettos, and the situations are true to life. The story is real and it reminds me of some young people who are smart in school, but decided to drop out for lack of interest. Each of the young males, ages 14-15, had to assume leadership roles in their families trying to support their mothers. Unfortunately, they sought the wrong avenues, finding themselves caught up in a game spinning out of control. They were forced to seek shelter in a community based program by day, and a life of crime by night. The three found themselves in a squeeze-play. Squeeze" is thought-provoking and the theme is reoccurring in today's society, which is why I recommend people to see it.