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Rue Cases Nègres (1983)
Haiku: Rue Cases Nègres
Haiku: Thank you Grandmother / For not sugar-coating our / Trip out of shanty FOUR PLUSES & A NEGATIVE: 1) French language film with Black Afro-Centric Themes. 2) Strong performances by actors and non-actors, both young and old . 3) Film is directed by a Black woman, Euzhan Palcy, who would go on to direct "A Dry White Season"... becoming the first Black woman to direct a Hollywood movie (according to IMDb trivia). 4) Uplifting themes about the importance of education, self respect, etc. for the betterment of Blacks in Martinique in the 1930s (that still ring true for Blacks everywhere today!) 5) Runtime of 103 minutes needed more consistent pacing as there were moments that felt a bit slow.
Random Thoughts: I had just dropped out of college (SUNY Buffalo) for the umpteenth time. It was difficult for me being young, Black and gay in Buffalo circa 1985. My biggest struggle was succumbing to my parents desire to see me pursue a major (Accounting) that would lead to employment versus one that I was interested in and passionate about (French and languages). After dropping out, returning home, working a series of meaningless jobs and wondering aimlessly through some local community colleges, I decided to take French lessons at the Alliance Francaise in NYC. Like in France, they "released " movies on Wednesdays and that was the highlight of my French school week.
It was at the Alliance Francaise that I first saw "Rue Cases Nègres" and it was after viewing that film I dedicated myself to becoming fluent in French, living in France, finishing school, living my life, etc. My rating of seven (7) reflects more the impact and importance of this movie for me.
If you'd like to read more of my haikus, please visit my blog at richardwallenhaiku.blogspot.com
Peau d'âne (1970)
Haiku: Peau D'âne
HAIKU: Once upon a time / In France, girls wore donkey skins / To not marry dad
FOUR PLUSES & A NEGATIVE: 1) French fairy-tale by Charles Perrault, the 17th-century author of "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty." 2) Musical with easy-on-the-ears songs and melodies. 3) By the same French director who brought to screen "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)" and "Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (The Young Girls of Rochefort)"
among other classics of French cinema. 4) Catherine Deneuve at her most radiant! 5) Themes involving scatology, incest, and bestiality.
RANDOM THOUGHTS: I saw this film in my sixth grade French class. We went to see it at the Film Form (I think it was there, at least
maybe it was at the Alliance Française) and then we went to a French restaurant where my arch enemy at that time, Richard Salz, had an embarrassing moment with his French Onion Soup. Being the poor Black kid at a rich White private school, I didn't have money for an appetizer, so I watched while everyone else ate their soup or snails. Still, I remember having felt transported to another place and time, a feeling that would be recreated later in life by drugs and alcohol.
I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys French cinema or to brave families who like fairy tale films. Despite the "strange" themes, it is told responsibly, almost as if it where a life lesson that everyone had to learn at some point in their lives, like all dads want to marry their daughters and daughters would oblige were it not for this film
If you'd like to read more of my haiku, please visit my blog at: richardwallenhaiku.blogspot.com
Cachorro (2004)
Haiku: Cachorro
HAIKU: This movie is more / Winsome than Chicago jocks / Football or baseball
FOUR PLUSES & A NEGATIVE: 1) Honest gay sex scenes. 2) Positive portrayal of being HIV+. 3) Frank discussions on the topic of gay youths/adolescents. 4) Happy ending. 5) I realize the possible contradiction in what I'm about to say
I dislike when HIV+ men continue to have casual sex in airport bathrooms, backrooms of gay bars, saunas, etc. Often it is unsafe. While I am free to not have unsafe sex, I suspect that many people have unsafe sex without much consideration for the ramifications. I wish that the movie had been more responsible in its portrayal of an HIV+ person having sex.
RANDOM THOUGHTS: I know it's just a movie, but how sad is it in life when people are blinded by their good intentions (like the estranged grandmother). I wonder if people like that, whose children become involved with drugs for example, think that they, as the parent, had nothing to do with it. These are the same people who then want to impart their parenting skills and decision-making on their grand-children as if trying the same crap on the next generation will lead to different results. Again, I understand that it was just a movie, but in the end did she (or do people like that) really ever get what they want. What benefit exactly did she take with her to the grave? I enjoyed how this film developed, slowly revealing its secrets and doing so with an honesty and sincerity rarely seen in film, especially films with gay themes. Perhaps, it's just rarely seen in American cinema? Even though I am not into Bears (subunit of gay culture where the men a more fat than fit, more sloppy than stylish, etc.), it is nice to see them portrayed in non stereotypical ways
ways that make them attractive and engaging as people, versus sexual beings not to your liking. I would imagine that non gays who venture out of their comfort zone to see this movie might be surprised at the similarities between gays and straights with respect to family, friends and love. Gay sex scenes aside, I would recommend this movie to mature audiences who would like to see a tender portrayal of gay love (casual sex, casual intimacy, bond between friends, familial conflict, inter-generational bonding, and living with HIV).
If you'd like to read more of my haiku, please visit my blog at: richardwallenhaiku.blogspot.com
Something New (2006)
Haiku: Something New
HAIKU: Old stereotypes. / New ideals. Borrowed gardener. / Blue-eyed bedroom thrills.
FOUR PLUSES & A NEGATIVE: 1) Thoroughly enjoyable Romantic Comedy with sizzling chemistry between the leads. 2) Written and Directed by Black women with a strong Black cast. 3) Positive messages about Black professional accomplishment, family, friendship, etc. 4) Great perspective and insights into interracial issues. 5) Not enough shirtless gardener shots!
RANDOM THOUGHTS: There is a gay version of this movie waiting to be made. Being a gay, Black male, I have dated men of all skin colors. From reasons ranging from sexual to psychological, I prefer white men. Gay issues aside, it was incredibly difficult to navigate successfully the stereotypes, ideals, and societal pressures of being a Black man. Authenticity seemed to not exist for me, whether being the Black among Whites or not being "Black" enough for Blacks. As a result, none of my White relationships lasted.
I give every credit to interracial couples who have a successful go at it, like my current partner's parents who have been married for over 25 years
most of which time was spent in Texas (yikes!). My partner's skin color is Black, more like coffee with cream, and we've been together for six years. We both saw "Something New" in the theater last night (versus waiting for it to come out on DVD/Netflix. It's our way of supporting Black movies of which we consider this to be one.) Although it was just a movie, we were both uplifted by the positive message and portrayal of Blacks foremost, but of people in general. If you want to reaffirm that love is possible, regardless of your sexual orientation or skin color, then I would recommend this movie.
If you'd like to read more of my haikus, please visit my blog: richardwallenhaiku.blogspot.com
Hustle & Flow (2005)
Haiku: Hustle & Flow
HAIKU: Midlife crisis turns / Mediocre pimp into / A jail-house rapper
FOUR PLUSES & A NEGATIVE: 1) Oscar nominated performance by Terrence Howard. 2) Rousing rap music. 3) Reminded me in the end of "The Harder They Come." 4) Strong supporting cast. 5) Runtime of 116 minutes felt much longer.
RANDOM THOUGHTS: I have to confess that I am not a Terrence Howard fan. As a Black Man, I am turned off by Black guys who "relax" their hair. I did like him in Crash, or at least the role he played, and the relaxed hair seemed to be part of the character making it less distracting. When I saw previews for Hustle & Flow, not only was the relaxed hair there (which might be a pimp thing), but so was the thug talk, drug use, rap music, prostitution, etc. Nothing against that aspect of life, but it depresses me in reality, so I generally try to avoid it in film. However, having recently joined Netflix, I am going overboard with DVD rentals. Ultimately, I'm glad that I saw it and would recommend anyone who questions the Best Actor Oscar nomination to rent it and decide for themselves. If this movie were about 10 minutes shorter, I might have enjoyed it more and rated it higher!
If you would like to read more of my haikus, visit my blog at richardwallenhaiku.blogspot.com