BN-W Snapshot - Red Tails - Worthy!

Yes, n-word used once.  Although this film bordered between mediocre and worthy from BN-W’s standpoint, the latter was chosen because of the importance of its historical nature. Unfortunately, the film is not well written, which is probably why the production team conveniently described the dialogue as “corny” and with a “comic-book feel” during promotions.   While this big-budget film is obviously not a documentary and the plot is undoubtedly only “based” on true events, there’s enough substance to it that should trigger curiosity and motivate many...

BN-W Snapshot - Pariah - Worthy!

Yes, n-word use at least five times.  This is a very necessary film for young people who are struggling with not only parental acceptance of their sexual orientation but being emotionally/physically taken advantage of by same-sex peers who just want to tease, flirt or experiment – but not be in a “real” relationship.   It also focuses on issues, such as homelessness, employment, and education, faced by teenagers who are kicked out...

BN-W Snapshot - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - Worthy!

No, n-word not used.  This film was very entertaining – action with healthy doses of comedy.   The humor in it is a big plus because knowing what we know about action flicks (and the fakeness of the “action”) it’s not a bad idea to...

BN-W Snapshot - New Year's Eve - Mediocre!

No, n-word not used.  While this film is very basic, it’s better than its predecessor, Valentine’s Day, which BN-W monitored in May 2010 and gave a “BS” – read the synopsis here:   BN-W #101 .   A quick summary: there’s Sofia Vergara playing the usual accented character; porcelain veneers are everywhere...

BN-W Snapshot - Tower Heist - Mediocre!

Yes, n-word used at least 3 times, including as “niglet.”  The movie is mildly entertaining with a literal and figurative “payback” concept for the average working person to a Bernie Madoff-type crook.   But there’s nothing new, different or exciting about its presentation.   Additionally, Eddie Murphy’s a throwback to his 80s films with absolutely nothing unique and no evolvement whatsoever; in fact, it’s more of a backslide.   He presents what, unfortunately, seems to be the stereotypically expected behavior for a Black man in film these days (criminal/hoodlum/foul-mouthed womanizer) – even an Oscar-nominated one who some might expect more from considering he’s also one of the producers of the film.   Alas, Murphy disappoints once again based on how he chooses to play the character in this film as well as his senseless choice to... 

BN-W Snapshot - The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 - Worthy!

Yes, used once in its historical context by Angela Davis in reference to Theophilus Eugene "Bull" Connor, who was a Ku Klux Klan member and the Commissioner of Public Safety for Birmingham, Alabama [view it here]. This is a very informative documentary that gives more details on the personal lives as well as substantive social and political commentary directly from individuals such as Stokely Carmichael, Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, and other prominent people in the movement who were targeted for destruction by the government and law enforcement because of their belief in justice and fairness.   There’s also the common sense “ Bookstore Rap ” as told by Lewis Michaux:   “Black is beautiful, but black isn’t power.   Knowledge is power.   For you can be black as a crow, you can be white as snow, and if you don’t know and ain’t got no dough, you...