Tyler Perry, Seriously?

Are you kidding me? About a month ago, colleagues demanded I surrender my black card for saying I do not like Tyler Perry movies. I stood by my opinion then and am even more firm in that opinion now. Now, let me first say, I'm far from being a hater. I applaud the man for his accomplishments, especially the establishment of a studio. These are triumphs which should certainly be recognized and applauded by all. Nonetheless, that does not mandate that I subscribe to the newsletters from his parishioners. I've genuinely tried to find some redeeming quality in his films to no avail. His is an experience to which I can't relate. Let me put it as I so matter of factly told my colleagues last month, I'm just not that black.

Tyler's films are nothing more than filming of his plays on movie sets. That is it and nothing more. Now, this formula has certainly worked for him, contributing to his fond following and even landing him a friendship with Lady O. That is certainly no small feat. Nonetheless, this formulaic redemption through Jesus or through some scripture undertone is so overworked in the black play circuit it is just nauseating. Now, he has added the flair of nuanced Jesus peace or churchiness as my mother calls it, which makes it more palatable to the mainstream. In marketing we would call this building a better mouse trap. It is essentially the same as those other chicken house circuit plays, but I'll be the first to credit Mr. Perry with the marketing genius of packaging it as though it isn't so.

Now, I was all set to give Mr. Perry the benefit of the doubt with The Family that Preys. I certainly had no intention of spending my time or money to see it in the theater, but basic cable was a sure bet. Until today, I hadn't seen one of his films in its entirety. I mean come on, the ending is known in the first five minutes. Still, my colleagues badgered me at work and asked what kind of black person I was to not like Tyler Perry's movies. For all of my non black readers, please allow me to explain. Black people have an inane tendency to think we all like the same things, collard greens and chicken circuit plays. Fortunately, this has not been my experience, thus, I am unable to relate to these things that apparently comprise blackness. At any rate, I was urged to see this movie because it was different, not typical TP, so much deeper, "oooh, and when you see the reason she cheated and the connection to her father's infidelity". So I'm expecting better things.

NOT! Again, Mr. Perry overlaps too many stories and themes in one film. Spike Lee also has this problem. Now, the casting was superb. Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates are stellar, but even they couldn't save The Titanic. Can a husband seriously be as stupid as Chris (Rockmond Dunbar)? They obviously said to hell with office etiquette. That receptionist should have been fired long ago. Abigail (Robin Givens) overstepped her boundaries at the party and was far less than professional, yet she claims to be the queen of decorum later. Seriously? Are you kidding me? There were so many gaping holes in this plot that were so beautifully captured in the Grand Canyon scene. And come on, Mother Cartwright has Alzheimer's and no one votes her out? Now Mr. Perry, cancer would have been okay here, but Alzheimer's. She should have voted herself out.

I could go on. Suffice it to say, it is much better for Tyler, but that ain't saying much. It is better than his chicken circuit bit, but still lacking in depth and completely unrealistic. So, for all of you who told me it was so great and on a Spielberg level, I say seriously, you must be kidding me. You black people are still so easily entertained. Through a little prayer or churchiness---some Xian theme and you all are all over it. This is no Color Purple.

Obama Kool-Aid Anyone?

It appears President Obama is the next Jim Jones. I know so many of you are scoffing at this post. That is because you are in all likelihood one of the Kool-Aid drinkers. You'd have to be comatose, delirious, or a dementia patient to be unaware of the global economic crisis, specifically the crisis of Detroit Big Three. Initially, I was on the fence as to whether or not we should rescue the domestic automakers because I am employed by an industrial firm and therefore work closely with automakers, domestic and foreign, including their suppliers which would also lose substantially if the Big Three fail. Thus, it was an ache for the millions of people and companies indirectly connected, including those employed along with me, that I half way supported the rescue. However, I abhor indecisiveness in leadership. No, I'm not saying there was any one right answer or right decision, but if there is anything that can be learned from G. W. Bush, it is decisiveness.

To what am I alluding? Oh, you know, well beneath the purple haze intoxication from the Obama Kool-Aid. It was asinine to provide my and your tax money to GM only to demand, after the fact, that they file for bankruptcy and what is worse, you oust Rick Waggoner in the midst of all of this. Yeah, way to rally Wall Street. I digress. The point is, we should have let them file for bankruptcy initially---before they were given my money if this was to be the result anyway. However, you can no longer provide this glimmer of reasoning to many of our citizens, especially the ones of color. For they as, 60 Minute's Steve Croft puts it, are in punch drunk love. I mean, this man can do no wrong. I am so tired of seeing him on television, it brings me to the point of nausea and headache. I'm one episode away from visiting my OBGYN for a pregnancy test. This is all too much too fast. I need to see you with books, papers, and scads of economists at least giving the perception that you are working feverishly to get us to the road of recovery. Now, don't get me wrong, meeting with world leaders is certainly a necessary endeavor, but all the news conferences day and night must stop.

For eight years, we ridiculed Bush for his lack of eloquence, even accusing him of being inept. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm an admirer of oratory, an area in which Obama clearly is not lacking. However, more than that, particularly in the office of president, I am enamored with substance, sound judgment, and leadership. Often, his speeches have been lacking in substance and direction and choc full of sound bytes and relevant quips. (As a writer, I'm all too familiar with such devices used for cadence and effect.)

I'm not saying everything President Obama is doing is in error, nor am I saying everything is right. I'm saying we must exhibit wisdom and healthy skepticism as these are serious matters. We must not become so enamored with having a president of color that we lose focus on how what happens in Washington DC affects our futures. We as black people do this too much as it is. We were this way with the philandering Dr. King and continued this insanity with Kwame Kirkpatrick and the infamous OJ (last name not necessary). Please stop drinking the kool-aid.

P.S. Please don't interrupt my Jack Bauer Hour--24, with one of your speeches. That is my purple haze moment, in Hollywood's land of make believe, where it should be.