Why White People Won't See "Black Movies"

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Obviously these actors have been in big budget films that cater to wider audiences. They may have not been cast in the specific roles you mentioned, but they have been cast in others.

Add Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington to that list, and the successful films they've been in.

However, the thread was about films that are considered "black movies". Those films are not black movies.

I left those two out for a reason, they're the token black guys movies use to fill that quota, Will Smith is in there too. It's like those three make up for the lack of black actors that get recognition within Hollywood There are plenty of talented black actors that could carry a movie if given a chance. Viola Davis, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Derek Luke, Omar Epps, Jamie Foxx, and a few others could easily do the roles that Leo, George, and Sandra get.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

All I got to say is that if you ain't seen Machete and Machete kills you missing out

[Bugs 455]

I left those two out for a reason, they're the token black guys movies use to fill that quota, Will Smith is in there too. It's like those three make up for the lack of black actors that get recognition within Hollywood There are plenty of talented black actors that could carry a movie if given a chance. Viola Davis, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Derek Luke, Omar Epps, Jamie Foxx, and a few others could easily do the roles that Leo, George, and Sandra get.

Well, I am not sure if I agree with you. Denzel and Morgan have won oscars and demand a lot of money for their roles. Will Smith too. I think they are cast due to the fact they are pretty damn good actors and draw a lot of star power. If a Hollywood producer wanted to cast a black person only just to meet a quota then they would cast someone that saves them a lot more money.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Leon & Mylen

[GandD 5,966]

I left those two out for a reason, they're the token black guys movies use to fill that quota, Will Smith is in there too. It's like those three make up for the lack of black actors that get recognition within Hollywood There are plenty of talented black actors that could carry a movie if given a chance. Viola Davis, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Derek Luke, Omar Epps, Jamie Foxx, and a few others could easily do the roles that Leo, George, and Sandra get.

That's bs and disrespectful to the guys you call token blacks. By saying that you negate what they're doing for the black community. I think they represent themselves and their culture as much as anyone else that plays the Hollywood game.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Well, I am not sure if I agree with you. Denzel and Morgan have won oscars and demand a lot of money for their roles. Will Smith too. I think they are cast due to the fact they are pretty damn good actors and draw a lot of star power. If a Hollywood producer wanted to cast a black person only just to meet a quota then they would cast someone that saves them a lot more money.

The three of them are good, no doubt, but Hollywood acts like no other black actors exist outside of them. They cast them and pay those big bucks because they will get it back in box office revenue. ID4 was Will's breakout role, it cemented him as a superstar, but he's not even on the highest paid actor list. Denzel is, at number 9, and Morgan doesn't even make the cut, even though he's made a ton of good movies and won a few oscars.

That's bs and disrespectful to the guys you call token blacks. By saying that you negate what they're doing for the black community. I think they represent themselves and their culture as much as anyone else that plays the Hollywood game.

I'm saying token in the sense that Hollywood only wants to use them in those big roles. I'm not knocking their acting abilities or their contributions to the black culture, but let's look at it. Denzel has done a ton of good, positive movies, yet, what did he win the Oscar for? Acting like a typical thug. Halle has done some serious damage in Losing Isaiah and Dorothy Dandridge, but won for Monster's Ball. Monique won for being a crack head, abusive mother. At least Jamie won for Ray. And Morgan Freeman should have won for Lean on Me or Invictius, but he gets it in the supporting actor rolls for Million Dollar Baby, and Glory. Steve McQueen has addressed this issue before, yet no one wanted to talk about it.

And while we're at it, why in the hell hasn't Samuel L Jackson won one yet?????

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I suggest you watch Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I left those two out for a reason, they're the token black guys movies use to fill that quota, Will Smith is in there too. It's like those three make up for the lack of black actors that get recognition within Hollywood There are plenty of talented black actors that could carry a movie if given a chance. Viola Davis, Anthony Mackie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Derek Luke, Omar Epps, Jamie Foxx, and a few others could easily do the roles that Leo, George, and Sandra get.

Morgan Freeman Denzel, and wil Smith are token Black actors used to meet a quota? That might be on the top 10 list of the most absurd racist, I loathe my own race, statement that ever tumbled from your Mouth. Geez Marvin...Really?

How about they are all three well respected, highly capable,A-list celebrities that are very popular with movie goers. I have seen most of their movies and never stopped to think. Oh they are black.

However the fact they can be super popular and appreciated by millions of non-black fans, because they like their movies, well that just does not fit well into your No Black man can get ahead in America monologue" would it.

[mota bhai 2,675]

My dad who hated American movies LOVED Pursuit of Happyness.

[GandD 5,966]

The three of them are good, no doubt, but Hollywood acts like no other black actors exist outside of them. They cast them and pay those big bucks because they will get it back in box office revenue. ID4 was Will's breakout role, it cemented him as a superstar, but he's not even on the highest paid actor list. Denzel is, at number 9, and Morgan doesn't even make the cut, even though he's made a ton of good movies and won a few oscars.

I'm saying token in the sense that Hollywood only wants to use them in those big roles. I'm not knocking their acting abilities or their contributions to the black culture, but let's look at it. Denzel has done a ton of good, positive movies, yet, what did he win the Oscar for? Acting like a typical thug. Halle has done some serious damage in Losing Isaiah and Dorothy Dandridge, but won for Monster's Ball. Monique won for being a crack head, abusive mother. At least Jamie won for Ray. And Morgan Freeman should have won for Lean on Me or Invictius, but he gets it in the supporting actor rolls for Million Dollar Baby, and Glory. Steve McQueen has addressed this issue before, yet no one wanted to talk about it.

And while we're at it, why in the hell hasn't Samuel L Jackson won one yet?????

Marvin, blacks are 13% of the population of the US. It seems like you want them represented like they're 45%. Every time a black person gets recognized for their talent, its like you think that it wasn't the correct recognition or not enough. Ask anyone that watches American television what percentage of the population blacks made up. No one will think its that low because they're overly represented in the media. Geez.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I suggest you watch Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith.

Saw it. The only one I wouldn't watch is After Earth, just can't bring myself to do that...

[mota bhai 2,675]

You know who else is overrepresented in popular media? Homosexuals.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

My dad who hated American movies LOVED Pursuit of Happyness.

It's an amazing story and Will Smith is flawless in it.

[GandD 5,966]

You know who else is overrepresented in popular media? Homosexuals.

That is also true. The people that should really be pissed off is Hispanics. They are by far the most negatively misrepresented.

Sorry, by negatively I mean numbers wise.

Edited November 26, 2013 by GandD

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Saw it. The only one I wouldn't watch is After Earth, just can't bring myself to do that...

Then what are you on about with this "token black guy/action movie" stuff?

I'm usually on your side with most of your arguments, but this just screams racism coming from you. It undervalues what they've actually done and you've simply made them a "token" ... why would you do that?

You just listed over a handful of black actors and actresses who have had huge success in an industry where they are the minority. And when they get the recognition they deserve, you've undermined it with calling them tokens. Or saying they aren't recognized for the RIGHT things.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Penny Lane

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You know who else is overrepresented in popular media? Homosexuals.

and friggin Canadian Women. I swear they are everywhere you turn.