Comments on: Do we really need a ‘Big Chill’ remake?

By: Kendra

Kendra — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 03:07:52 +0000

Who cares if Black actors choose to remake a movie that was originally made with an all-White cast. While it is so sad that people of color still need ‘reason’ to bring everyday stories without an urban undertone to life – Hollywood is more accepting of a White-remake than original stories. That’s sad. The Hollywood establishment and base American culture are to blame. It’s that simple. As to what was going on in 1993? Well let me tell you… This is the first generation, post-civil rights who understood the realities of race in American (especially those born and raised in the South – in the late 60’s early 70’s) – but we also had some of the privileges of being upper-middle class. Our generation broke down barriers in Hollywood (ala John Singleton and Christopher Scott Cherot) AND Corporate America!!! Furthermore, the Rodney King & the LA Uprising were the hot social movement. Students of color were still involved in a movement…

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:00:20 +0000

Junior, I hate to keep playing Devil’s advocate here, but I finally realize why I am coming off as appearing racist when touching on this topic. I understand this is a touchy issue, but no one has seriously addressed the question I posed towards remaking “white” movies with all black casts, in favor of just concentrating on BETTER roles for black actors in general. its amazing how so many people have so many “throw away” comments on such senseless issues about Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton, but when an actual meaningful discussion on an interesting topic arises, everyone clams up, so as not to appear as radical as I guess I am coming off as! How does Regina King re-making this movie mean anything towards people understanding race issues if no one will even discuss them now?

By: junior

junior — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:27:44 +0000

After reading all these comments, I am SO GLAD Regina King is working on this. Clearly, all people (not just white people) need to stop seeing blackness as one (dirty) color…

By: Ray

Ray — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:49:04 +0000

Remember Cedric the Entertainer remake of the Honeymooners. Black directors and actors shouldn’t do white remakes. Period. It changes the
entire look of the origional and no matter how good the actors are it will be urban. Correction,it will be on BET in 2009. LOL!

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:00:29 +0000

Sweet, I think you are the ONLY one who think the “BET level” commwent was hidden racism, because it was said by an admitted black man! If you are calling me racist for addressing his comments, then you are you being blatantly racist by telling me I can’t, since I’m not African American.

By: Sweet

Sweet — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 07:00:37 +0000

I think its a fabulous idea. Given the context it could be very compelling. As someone mentioned before, the idea of being so “anti” and feeling you could change the world in your youth but settling for a plain life or the establishment in middle age could certainly ring true for middle-class middle-age African Americans. Gary really should have done some research about what was happening in the 90’s. He seriously dropped the ball on that one. Also, most of the African Americans in college in the 90’s had parents who grew up in the 70’s. That alone defined their existence. I think it would be fodder for discussion and an interesting movie. BTW, am I the only one who thinks that “BET level” comment was hidden racism? Those movies are made to appeal to a certain genre just like lifetime movies. No one says Penny Marshall (off the top of my head) will be automatically making lifetime movies (just because she’s a woman) so that comment was extremely out of line.

By: jay

jay — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 05:34:24 +0000

you are absolutely, completely right about The Big Chill. So overrated, I can’t stand it.

By: Stop The Remakes

Stop The Remakes — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:55:22 +0000

Why do they have to remake movies anyway? Has Hollywood an ounce of creativity and imagination left? I think not.

By: harry

harry — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:15:28 +0000

Booon Dooocks!!! just had to getit out of my system. But seriously I this just seem like another case of who can do it better(or blacker in this case).

By: Houstonian Jen in Baltimore

Houstonian Jen in Baltimore — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:46:35 +0000

My first grievance with the comments so far is the opinion that this movie will automatically be “BET” quality. While I am equally incensed when I see a poor quality, stereotypical film featuring black casts–I feel like the percentage of poor quality films populated by predominately white casts are significantly higher. Why? Those movies actually have the opportunity to get made. From the get-go, movies featuring black casts have a smaller audience ( # of theaters that view it, general preferences etc.)
Additionaly, the ‘friends coming together in happy and sad times’ genre of movies is nothing new. They apply to age (Evening: Meryl Streep and a bunch of women coming to reminisce), gender (heck, Ocean’s 11,12, and 13), race (The Best Man: friends reuniting for a wedding), region (Steel Magnolias: southern women coming together for weddings, hair appts., and funerals). I don’t understand the objections. Regina King is smart and talented actress. Let’s be open minded.