Well the trailer is out. I can see movie theaters in Brooklyn selling out in January. Because the film of B.I.G. will be out to start 2009.
I have some bad news though. The movie is probably crap. I’m not saying this because of my personal belief that gangsta rap music is garbage overall. Nor is it because I think any film glorifying a criminal – drug dealing loser – is a bad idea. I think this movie is bad because it’s coming out January 9th. Movie studios reserve that time of year for what they view as the worst films they have. It’s the equivalent of taking out the trash.
I know there will be fans of current rap music that will hate to hear this. I am sure there are fans of this deceased drug dealer that still cherish his memory. I am obviously not one of them.
The fact that an ex-con, that sold death in a crack pipe, was able to become an entertainment star is a credit to the American way of life, and moreso to the ability and determination of music industry executives in promoting base images to the public. This movie, detailing the life of this small time hood, is only being made because of his sudden violent death. A death that occurred because of the most stupid reason I can think of; not over money or women or power, but because one group of drug dealing self-important entertainers thought they were better than another group of drug dealing self-important entertainers. In other words a pissing contest.
Do I think Christopher George Latore Wallace deserves a movie? No. Do I think a life that glorifies the business of killing people with poison for money and a life of degrading African Americans in society is worthy of a movie? No.
I have no doubt that Biggie smalls was loved by those close to him. I have no doubt that his mother cared about him. I have friends, both dead and alive today, that have served time in prison. Several lived lives that were less than stellar in their youth, and most paid the price of death for those lives. But to have a movie made about that, that seemingly highlights those moments of lechery and depraved indifference of life is bewildering to me.
What will this film feature? Christopher Wallace making a choice to sell drugs at 12, dropping out of school at 17 – because he preferred a life of crime, not because he had no other option. It should show him being thrown in jail for his crimes, and several arrests. It will show him performing, and gaining importance in the gangsta rap genre. It might show him attacking autograph seekers in Manhattan, or him beating friends of a concert promoter and robbing them. It will show him getting into a car accident and requiring him to need a cane. And the film will show Wallace being shot to death, and possibly place blame on someone for that shooting.
On balance I expect little to come of this film, except a renewed anger between West Coast and East Coast rappers. There is no beautiful moment to be expressed, no greater statement to be made. Christopher Wallace was not a great man, beyond his size. Biggie smalls did no great deeds. Notorious B.I.G. had no legacy nor made a lasting impact on life on this planet.
The film will make a profit, because this kind of film is cheap to make. How Angela Bassett was attached to this film is beyond me. I suppose she adds credibility to the film, and no doubt was the single greatest cost above or below the line. So it will make a profit, and possible start a trend of films about insignificant popular entertainers with no meaning or benefit other than to reinforce stereotypes and make tons of money for music and Hollywood executives.
It’s guaranteed you’ll hear more about this film soon. And some will try to spin this into a positive like politician’s polispeak about why the bailout will benefit America. But the honest thought is that this film does not deserve an audience, nor to make a profit. If you see it, you deserve to lose the brain cells it will kill and the waste of time it will suck from your life.
12 comments:
I don't always agree with you, heck most of the time I find some fault in what you say but this time... you were right on the money!!
It's sad that young people glorify this life style. Money has much if not all to do with it. Most of these young folk see this "gangsta" life style as a way out. Don't get me wrong, I don't excuse them but I think I understand them...alittle.
Now there is no excuse for wearing OVERSIZED clothing, no shoe strings in their sneakers and wearing their pants down below their buttocks. That's jailhouse! Who in their right mind would want to walk around like that? Well obviously, a whole lot of mis-guided people. I say take them to a lock-up with their pants like that and put them in the general populations shower and trhrow a bar of soap on the floor....I garantee you that when they come out they will wear their pants like Erkle did!!!!! That's a fact!
yeah, you have some great points, but people are drawn to anything that depicts violence and real life scenarios, i probably will watch it, but i wouldnt pay to see it, how about you?
I'm a fan of BIG myself. But I could tell right away when I saw the trailor that the movie was going to suck. And I thought to myself "they're going to ruin what could be a great opportunity to make a BUNCH of money off this"... people would eat it up if it was made as good as it's potential. I havn't heard the rating... and I honestly don't really know his story. I love his music, his style. That's my opinion.
And people don't love BIG because he sold crack. People don't love BIG because he was a kingpin. We love BIG because he as a person represents acheiving unimaginable dreams and wealth and security and going beyond "the hand we're dealt". Maybe he wasn't personally this WONDROUS, above average human being... but he has talent. You can't be a writer/poet or musicien and not appreciate his work in at least ONE way. I think you are on some Black Power and your pants are pulled up too high and your shoe laces are tied too tight. His music is the shit!
As for this movie... I havn't seen it. But I wouldn't be surprised if it sucked. And that makes me sad.
Anonymous,
I think that is an extreme view about the clothing. And I don't take the clothing as important.
It's the glorification of violence and money made from poisoning people that is the problem. If most youth put as much energy into gaining an education as trying to emulate the pitiful lives of these rappers they would be far better off.
And I enjoy disagreement with my views. I'm not perfect and discussion is always an asset for everyone.
Ignorance,
I wouldn't watch that movie if I was paid to do so. Anything that promotes this movie in any manner gives power to imitation and validation to the wasted life Wallace lived.
I will not do anything to benefit the violence, drugs, and abuse of women that this lifestyle and movie promote.
The utter failure of this movie would be the best thing to happen to the corporate image of rap music, and the social disease that is anything "ghettofabulous".
Samantha,
I respect your opinion, but as you can tell I do not share it. His music, and style, are based in the destruction of youth in America, especially those that are poor and/or Black. He helped to glorify a quality of life that only criminals and sell-outs enjoy.
Wallace is an example of what is wrong with the nation right now. Violence and ignorance are considered virtues to be gained. Abuse of women is accepted. Drug use is considered normal and part of daily life. None of which are beneficial to an individual or the society.
Wallace did not acheive wealth. He was an employee, a glorified salesman, promoting the products the the corporation wanted to sell. He made some money, and 10x that was collected by the corporate leaders. That's where the true wealth was.
The dreams he achieved were pedestrian at best. They were limited just in the same way he was. His lack of knowledge limited his acheivements. He reached for the clouds because he couldn't imagine the stars beyond. Because money is not success, nor greatness.
President Obama is not uber-rich. He is President of the most powerful nation in the world. That's an acheivement. Money is just a distraction for anyone that doesn't have enough imagination to do something with it.
And security is a joke. He was gunned down like a dog. Because of the most stupid disagreement I can imagine. In essence, 'I can piss farther than you'. That is an ultimate waste.
Malcolm X had talent and beat the hand given to him. Martin Luther King is the same. Jamie Foxx, Samuel Jackson, President Obama, Colin Powell, and so many more are examples of doing so much more than what you had to start with. Wallace just was paid some money to sell an image, not unlike a well-paid clown.Worse yet he was an unrepentant killer, with Crack and his 'ghetto' life as the weapons.
And no I do not like his music. Little in rap music is original or even creative. It's just an intuitive way of stealing the imagination and effort of real musical talents. Though I cannot say that such is enough to make me dislike the gansta rap genre.
It's the lyrics. They do not evoke anything beneficial, as I have repeatedly said. They just seek to provide the listeners with a though of this is all life can be. It give the image that life is limited, and being ignorant is the ultimate bliss.
And please understand me correctly. I am for the power of the mind. The self-responsibility and self-disicline of the individual. I want to help people grow in their minds and imagination. That is not limited to race or anything else.
At the same time if I put extra effort to speak to African American issues, I am Black and Puerto Rican. I have a vested interest.
But as I said at the top, this is my opinion. I respect yours but do not agree.
MVass: Y do u think this movie is crap?
Is Jan typically when movies that rnt expected 2 do well r released?
Well it came out on F16 Jan. I thought it would do well as this was a long wken but it was #4 earning $21mill. How much did the mvie cost 2 make? If it cost $10mill then they've already made profit.
Yes Biggie was a a drug dealer. He knew it was wrong & stopped doing it & made a change. Do u acknowledge that?
Yea I do agree this movie was made bc Biggie was murdered.
But do we really know its bc " one group of drug dealing self-important entertainers thought they were better than another group of drug dealing self-important entertainers. In other words a pissing contest ".
"The fact that an ex-con, that sold death in a crack pipe, was able to become an entertainment star is a credit to the American way of life, and moreso to the ability and determination of music industry executives in promoting base images to the public. " . . . Incorrect. Biggie resonated with many bc he rapped about what he was going thru which is what they were going thru. They wanted to be okay but felt it was difficult. They turned 2 selling drugs 2 make some quck $ but that wasnt what Big wanted 4 life. He clearly said he wanted to stop bc he wanted to care for his daughter Tyanna his son wasnt born yet).
I feel Biggie DOES deserve a movie. Just as 2pac, his music spoke 2 what was going on for AfrAm youths growing up in the 80s. Just as Pac expressed the anger of a young AfrAm too. So much of what both men went thru is relatable to listeners.
What ? Biggie's selling drugs was just a part of his life & the movie isnt all about that. I do agree with how u masterfully describe drugs: death in a pipe. A drug glorifying movie is Apr 01's Blow. This movie isnt hi lighting 'deprave indifference', it is about his rise to the rap game til his death in 97.
" But the honest thought is that this film does not deserve an audience, nor to make a profit. If you see it, you deserve to lose the brain cells it will kill and the waste of time it will suck from your life. "
I wholly disagree. This man was important to the rap game. Bc his story was cut short is why he has a film.
Come on, u sound very childish. Go sit in the naughty chair.
If u reply pls email me & let me know. Thx.
lilkunta,
I thought I made it quite clear why I don't like the subject of this film.
Second, please please do not write in whatever type of shorthand you have used for your comment. I find it difficult to understand exactly what you are trying to say. English is not that difficult.
As for January movies, in general this is the month that the worst films of the year are released. The films with the lowest expectations, those that are nominated for some award, and those that target African Americans (due to the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday and the close proximity to Black History Month) are all released in this time. Whether it was because of the targeting of African Americans, or the low expectations for the film is a debatable question.
The cost of the film, as best I can tell, is in the $10-$15 million range which is considered a low end film budget. But that also almost guarantees a huge return for the film and will signal the release of an unknown number of other rapper films. Joy.
And it should be noted that according to accounting systems in Hollywood a film is not truly profitable until it returns 3x its cost. This is due to the various agreements and costs for distribution and multi-channel outlets. At $24 million Notorious is doing quite well, and will likely bring in a total of $30-$40 million once DVD sales are included. That is considered a huge success and I am saddened by this.
As for Christopher Wallace's end of drug dealing, I acknowledge that he found a better drug to sell to the masses. I acknowledge that his promotion of violence and a brutal, limited, short-sighted, money-by-any-means lifestyle (thug life or ghettofabulous) has damaged more lives than when he sold crack. And I acknowledge that he did all this as a sell-out as most rappers today are.
In promoting a vicious, ignorance based life Wallace brought in more money for corporate executives than most other entertainers. I call him a sell-out for a simple reason. Why is it that rap music in its first 10 years or so was called a fad, when it was diversified and not controlled in its content? While there were groups and songs that were empowering and uplifting, it was not until 'gangsta' rap came out that rap was 'recognized' by the media - and was commercialized. Then and only then was rap promoted to the near exclusion of all other forms of the genre. The only message on the airwaves has been one of violence, drugs, and abuse of women. And those that perform this preferred style are paid exorbitantly more than any previous stars of rap. Much like a drug dealer. That's selling out to me.
And yes I do believe that Wallace was killed in a pissing contest. There was nothing else involved. It was a battle over egos and image. There was no social or economic gain for the masses. There was no political importance. There was nothing involved other than who looks tougher and matches the image corporations want to sell better. That's just a stupid reason to die.
And I say again, Wallace sang about a limited, narrow style of life that some African Americans live. He chose to drop-out. He chose to abandon school and gaining the tools to improve his life. He chose to kill his community with drugs. He chose to promote violence. It was those choices that caused his death. And that is not what most African Americans experience.
Just because some choose to fail in life does not mean all African Americans must emulate that life. Just because we might know someone that has been addicted to crack or failed in school that we need to follow in those steps. There is no glory there. There is no better life. Chasing a dollar like a fishing lure is no way to live. Promoting such a life deserves no accolades.
And I am tired of listening to people try to justify selling drugs. That's a cop out. It bullshit. There is no excuse for selling drugs. That's like saying there is a reason why a mass murderer poisoned the water in a town. Would you have sympathy for someone that did that? I think not. Then why feel sympathy for someone poisoning a community with crack? It's the same thing, just slower and more widespread in the pain before death. Should I be sorry or empathetic because the dealer is Black? I think not.
And I have to wonder how sympathetic these rappers would be if their kids got hooked on crack. Would they be just as uncaring and supportive of the dealer as their music states? As their pre-money success was guided by? Or if their mothers and sisters were pimped out? You think they would just stand by and let it happen?
Wallace does not reflect most African Americans that grew up in the 80's that I know. I was in my teens then. So were my friends. I lived in the Bronx. My family was far from rich. Wallace did not reflect most of those I knew. Nor did Tupac. Neither related to me or those I knew.
But I will agree with this. They may have reflected the lives of those that gave up on education, that chose violence and ignorance. Those that accepted a title of dumb and criminal, and worthless. They may have reflected the desire for money at any cost, of living well at the cost of short lives, of a selfish need to stand on the backs of everyone to feel more important. Sadly that meant selling-out to corporations and commoditizing what it means to be Black. I don't support that view.
And no Notorious is not a drug movie. Not entirely. But it does glorify that lifestyle which was a stepping stone to his success. It implants the thought, as most rappers do these days, that ignorance, violence, and drugs are the only path to success for African American men. Which is bullshit. The movie does glorify his failure of a life - because any life that is dictated and resultant in a death over a pissing contest is a wasted life.
You may disagree, and some 2.3 million Americans also disagreed with me. That is fine. But that does not change my opinion. Nor the lack of importance his life had in the true big picture of life. He did not deserve a movie any more than the local pimp does. The fact his life was cut short by his own ignorance and glorification of violence does not evoke sympathy nor a desire to fund future glorifying movies from me.
Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Ghandi, and other great men and women had shortened lives. They all deserve movies. Some have had them. Have you seen those movies? Have you found out what they accomplished that gave people like Wallace, Tupac and other gangsta rappers the ability to sell-out and make albums? Because gangsta rap has not done a single thing to advance the lives of African Americans, nor prevent the horror of murders like those inflicted on Sean Bell and Oscar Grant. In fact it can be well argued that gangsta rap may have helped to cause their deaths. I do not promote that.
So if you wonder what sounds childish, first recognize that writing in a shorthand is childish. It weakens your argument and implies a lack of education. You can be taken far more seriously with words than what you have written.
And I am hardly childish. I am impassioned and determined. I am educated and responsible. I write with that in mind, and as such am a harsh critic of that which I clearly see as a blot on the ability of millions of African Americans. That may not be a popular view, but it does not make it untrue.
Wow! What a hater. Actually the movie was pretty good. But I don't think everyone would understand. Some people are so narrow minded these days.
What is there not to understand? At what point do I not get it? I grew up with rap, before there was the corporate sponsored commoditized gangsta rap. I grew up in the Bronx. I've watched crack dealers poison and kill people in my community. And I have watched gangsta rappers promote violence, drugs, and abuse of women. What more does the movie project than these issues?
You liked the film, I'm sure the music industry executives are pleased. And I am not surprised someone would find this to be good. But I still see no benefit for glorifying such a lifestyle, or a wasted life.
Call it narrow if you wish, but there are far more people with real accomlishments tht deserve attention than Wallace or gangsta rap.
For those who still peep in... I just want to know your opinions after seeing the movie
Since the blog has been moved from blogger to wordpress, you may want to comment on that site. www.blackentertainmentblog.com
Post a Comment