"Steel Magnolias" Remake Review

"Steel Magnolias" has always been one of my favorite movies. Along with "Beaches," this movie reminds me of my childhood. So, I was not impressed when I heard that it was getting a remake. I'm not a huge fan of remakes in general. But, I do not really care for classics being remade. The only draw of this remake was the cast. An all Black cast. I was intrigued because Ms. Phylicia Rashad was the name that stuck out to me. I love her. Who doesn't? She is the quintessential Mother and wife. And, a damn good actress to boot. I was still apprehensive about this remake. I wanted it to be good because it is an all Black cast. But, this was a classic. I didn't watch it when it premiered because I was all caught up in the Saints game. I watched it last night. And, I watched with bated breath waiting to be fully impressed. There were moments when I was. Overall, I was underwhelmed. I am sad about that.

The plot is the same. I mean, down to the actual lines. I was saying them with the cast. The movie is essentially the same yet different. It seems to have lost some of its spunk. The so called "southern" accents were questionable and all over the place. Queen Latifah's accent was anything but southern. Phylicia Rashad and Alfre Woodard were the best with that. The rest of the cast was not. Being a Southern woman, I may be overly critical of accents in movies and television. Lance Gross was severely underutilized in this film. I would have loved to see him more. I hated that the last final scene was moved from the cemetery to Truvy's beauty shop. That was a bad move.That scene was important in the original. Also, Latifah in the final soliloquy was laughable at best. The speech, the tears, her facial expressions none of it was as genuine as Sally Field in the scene. I didn't really buy Latifah as the motherly M'Lynn. She didn't truly capture the essence of the character.

I am a new fan of Condola Rashad, daughter of Phylicia. She plays Shelby, the role made famous by Julia Roberts. She was pretty great as Shelby. I still cried when Jackson found Shelby passed out on the floor. Still cried when Shelby died as if that would change in any version of the movie. The cast boasts that the movie was filmed in only 17 days. I can tell. There is something lacking throughout this film. It could be because it was shot in such a short period of time. I'm really not sure. I watched it once. I don't think I will need to see it again. There were pivotal scenes from the original that were omitted in this version. This makes the remake seem incomplete. As a fan, I needed all of the scenes. Truvy's relationship with her husband wasn't included in the way it should have been. Weezer's relationship with her old flame was merely touched upon. Annelle's courtship was non-existent . And the final scene was not what I wanted or needed. I read on Twitter as people slander this movie. I think some judged it too harshly. It had its good points, notably Jill Scott, both Rashads and Woodard. Classic movies should be preserved and not remade. That is my humble opinion. Because the reality is the remake will never stand up to the original.The original "Steel Magnolias" will forever live in the hearts of many. I don't think that I can say the same for this remake. Watch it and decide for yourself.

Definitive Black Romance Film

A classic movie is what I would label "love jones." This article made me remember how much I really loved it. 15 years ago, I saw a movie that changed me. It became an instant classic. I remember this like it was yesterday. The day "love jones" was released, my friends (Ty, Reese, Shay, & Shauna) & I went to see it after school. For the opening montage to the ending credits, I was sold. Before this film, I was a fan of Nia Long and Larenz Tate's. That was solidified after seeing it. This film was more than a Black romantic movie. I was enamored with one of the main characters, poetry. Back then, I was an aspiring poet. I was new to spoken word and places that catered to just that. There was just something real and authentic about this film to me. I loved it instantly. So much so that I went on a date the next night to see it again.

The love story between Darius Lovehall and Nina Moseley was intense and real. I loved how relatable the were to me and people I knew. It was amazing to see happy, functional Black people in love on the big screen. The poetry references as well as the photography made the film decidedly different. The friendships between men and women, married and single played out on screen. The film showed all of the ins and outs of Black livelihood. I've never been to Chicago but this movie made me want to visit. I loved the shots of the city throughout the film. The characters were all so real to me. Their triumphs and failures, their laughter and their tears were things we all could understand. It's one of the reason that "love jones" was such a great film to me.

And as amazing as the movie itself was, the soundtrack was as comprobable. I can still listen to it from beginning to end. I loved every song. From Dionne Farris to Coltrane and Ellington, every song just felt perfect. The music was happily married with the film. It's not often that a soundtrack is as whole and complete as this one. Actually, I can only think of one that falls into that category: the one for "Waiting to Exhale." The soundtrack is a mix of neo-soul, Hip-Hop, jazz, and R&B. Musically, it was perfection. I want to listen to it just writing this.

I don't think we will ever see another film like this. Every aspect of it just worked. It's one of the first dvd's I remember purchasing. Even though I know every word, I still watch it like it's the first time. It's just that awesome to me. I'm thankful for the acting of Nia Long, Larenz Tate, Isiah Washington, Bill Bellamy, Lisa Nicole Carson, as well as the rest of the cast. It was the perfect release at a time when we were being oversaturated with more "hood" movies. A Black love story told in a new and realistic way was huge news 15 years ago. We haven't seen anything close since then. "love jones" will forever be a classic work of art to me and my friends.

One of My Favorites

Animated movies make me happy. I've totally gotten nothing done on this Sunday because ABC Family decided to play Disney movies all day. Forgoing my usual routine of HGTV, Food Network and/or football, I indulging in it. I finally watched "Cars" for the first time. I see now why it's a favorite amongst my nephews. I loved it as well. And, then my absolute favorite movie came on. "Beauty and the Beast" makes me feel like a 12 year old. From the opening number to the closing credits, I'm all into it.

I think I identified with Belle because she was a bookworm. I have always been one as well. Growing up, none of my friends were into books as I was. Reading has been my thing since I was 3. Belle was depicted as an odd and peculiar girl. During those awkward teenage years, those words defined me. The songs in "Beauty and the Beast" are classics to me. I know every word to the movie and every song. I also think I loved the fact that it was an unconventional love story as well. Belle and the Beast fell in love with each other's souls. How beautiful is that? The bookworm in me spoons every time he gives her the library. Seriously, I could've lived in that room forever.

The characters in "Beauty and the Beast" are all adorable and memorable. I feel the same way every time I watch it. I've been smiling at the tv since it came on. I'm such a kid! The soundtrack for the film is quote impressive as well. I find myself humming "Be Our Guest" randomly. It's just a really fun, feel good animated movie. It is the epitome of happiness in film to me. It takes me back. Hopefully, you guys got to enjoy it today as well. If not, you sshould have a copy in your DVD collection. Enjoy the music below.

"You're the perfect verse over a tight beat."

"Brown Sugar" has to be one of my favorite movies hands down. I love it all...the musical aspect, the relationships, the comedy all resonate deep within me. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. I still feel the exact same way about the movie, the storyline, the characters that I did the first night. "Brown Sugar" is the perfect quintessential Black romantic comedy. The Hollywood brass got it so right on this one.

The title of this post is my favorite line in the whole movie. Followed closely by one of the last lines in the movie: "Sid, you're my air!" *insert pic of me swooning* Lol. The poet in me loves the musical analogy of Dre comparing a woman he loves to the music that he loves. It's quite possible the highest compliment one can receive if you're engrossed into music. This one line, those eight words, literally made me gasp. It was perfectly written and greatly executed. It was Dre telling Sidney that he loved her in his own secret way. I love that. This one line always gets a tear or two out of me. What can I say, I'm apparently a romantic. I live for the sappy stuff...on tv, in books and in music. I'm not so sure if I could handle that in real life though.

Have we become so desensitized to real romance? It's like I only expect to see this level of romantic lines and action on characters in movies & shows & books? Or could it be that I just haven't met the right guy yet? One of my best friends says that the right one will say the right words to make you swoon. I'm beginning to believe that more and more. Until that day comes, I'll continue to enjoy "Brown Sugar" for what it is.