UHURA'S UPGRADE

*STAR TREK spoilers ahead, kiddies! So, beware!*

I'm letting a bit more of my inner nerd out than usual for this post, in preparation for the upcoming CSTS screening y'all, so bear with me!! *that post is coming soooon!*

So, I have a bit more Trek to discuss, because a certain segment of fans have failed to kneel before the awesome of New!Uhura, for rather dubious reasons.

Usually, they'll say something along the lines of... she was relegated to being just a love interest, she wasn't as classy as Nichelle, or why was she trying to jump Spock's bones in the turbolift/transporter?!

To the first, I present the most eloquent, logical *hee!*, and thorough defense of this aspect of New!Uhura's character I've read, courtesy of liviapenn, over on livejournal.

She contends that if you get mad at Uhura for being too limited, then you've gotta do the same for Bones; since he played a similar role, except smaller and for Kirk, instead.

And my goodness, she's right!

To the second, I agree. Nichelle Nichols was the epitome of cool/sexy as Uhura. She had more classy-sex appeal in her pinky-toe than that entire cast put together. So, why then, I ask, did malicious aliens have to force someone to kiss her?

The limits of the times. 60's TV execs didn't like a black woman even being on the damn show, forget having a love interest....Which brings me to the last bit; why the fact that she has one is a step up, not down.

What feminist fans are forgetting is that black women don't usually get romantic agency on the big screen. Heck, the only black female Oscar winner won for banging the racist who killed her hubby, - I'm just saying...

Far more often, black women are stuck playing the role the original Uhura was, safely peripheral (and asexual) friend. Heck, even Zoe started out her career in that vein. Hello, Center Stage and Crossroads.

So, when I saw New!Uhura on the big screen demanding the place she'd earned on the Enterprise, dissing the womanizer, and being an intelligent woman with a love life, you'll have to excuse me if I didn't cry sexism.

No, I cheered hard for the all-new, upgraded Uhura. I can identify with the black geeky girl, without the stereotypical accouterments, okay? Fierce earrings, black nail polish, and noglasses aren't anti-nerd, umkay?

And WTF?! Chaste kisses and a hug do not = "trying to jump his bones". They = what YOU DO when you love somebody who's hurting, OK?

P.S. For all those howling about where the other women at? If you didn't howl about it for Star Wars, you've gotta ask yourselves, why you're doing it now.

P.P.S. Up is the next movie to be reviewed, peoples.

P.P.P.S. If more women are hopefully added for the sequel, I say Number One > Nurse Chapel and Yeoman Rand. Okay?

P.P.P.P.S YOU GUYS! MR DARCY IS COMIN' THOUGH THE MISTS ON OXYGEN RIGHT NOW *-lesigh!-* Yo. That movie is my ish!! :D

*with apologies to those who did not wish to read DCMovieGirl in full-fledged random ranty-fangirl mode, I hope this entertained you*

Okay, going to bed now, because I am zoinked.

*zzzz*

TERMINATOR: SALVATION

If it's not an R-rated movie directed by James Cameron, it ain't a Terminator movie.

I'll get straight to the point.

This movie is crap. It's so bad, I have angry flaily-hands about it, you guys. It's so bad, it should have been a direct to DVD release, because that's for sure, what it felt like.

First of all, Christian Bale is NOT the star, so do not be taken in by the bait-in-switch marketing they have going right now. Some random Aussie, Hollywood is trying to "make happen" is. That's Sam Worthington, who is BTW, the most uncharismatic actor on the planet.

So, why do I have such a seething hatred for this film?

Listen, guys. I'm a TERMINATOR fan from way back. And when I saw Christian Bale was going to be in this reboot, I actually got my hopes up. Say what you will about the anger-management issues (full of hilarity, I say), dude rarely makes straight-up bad movies. And this piece of crap is worse than NEWSIES.

It truly is something a poisoned triceratops might poop out.

I have a REAL problem with inconsistencies in the abilities of villains. If ONE terminator in the first movie is more frightening than ALL of the bots in this damn movie?! Something is wrong.

Someone please tell me why the same Terminator that punched clean through a guy just to get some clothes just randomly tosses John-friggin'-Connor around?!...the one guy they've been trying to kill for four frakkin' movies?!!

...And the movie was BOR-ING.

Newsflash:

Big explosions? Just aren't enough. There has to be a point. And if the point is STUPID...which it was... I. DON'T. CARE.

You know it's bad when you're wishing a kid would die, just for SOMETHING, ANYTHING interesting happening.

I blame McG because really... You have Christian Bale, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin (who actually looked and acted exactly like a young Kyle Reese, he's the only good part of this), and Helena Bonham Carter and they were wasted here. These talents, actually looked bad because McG didn't know what the heck he was doing.

Oh, and the plot. OH, THE PLOT. Cyberdyne Systems creates the protector, this time. ...ON PURPOSE. This is their ultimate plan. I kid you not.

Oh, the stupid. IT HURTS!!!

Please, PLEASE save your money.

Just like THE MATRIX, I'm just going to pretend the other movies don't exist.

...They only made 2 TERMINATOR movies, okay?! *cries*



Yeah, just go see STAR TREK, again.



P.S. AND WTF @ The random INDN WARPAINT?!! ...Had Moon Bloodgood looking like a broke-ass Pris, from BLADERUNNER...

Hollywood? Just so you know... Adding random primitive "ethnic"-looking accoutrements to MODERN minorities IS STUPID. Might as well have put a bone in Sam L.'s nose in PULP FICTION or blue warpaint on Colin Ferrell in MINORITY REPORT.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG!! FULL TRAILER!!

Not gonna lie.
A tiny tear formed.
It was for little black girl inside who had been missing this.
It was that intro that did it.
Screw racial politics.
I'm there. Opening day, dammit.
....Witch doctor, Cajun firefly with the jacked-up teeth, and all.

*prays* PLEASE just be a good movie, PLEEEASE.

If only for hand-drawn animation...*

BEYONCE, PLEASE STOP

So, I decided to make this post after reading this. Beyonce should be 31,834,289th on the list, after a ring-tailed lemur. Naomie Harris and Thandie Newton, should be #1 and #2 respectively.

Before Beyonce's foray into "acting" most of the hate for her came from the fact that she was so ubiquitous. I for one, think she's awesome. She writes, sings, she works incredibly hard, and we've never seen paparazzi shots of her vagina or bald head.

People (many women sadly) love to hate other ladies without an obvious blemish. And we love to uplift the under-dogs. Believe me, I'm rooting for Britney too.

Beyonce gets props from me, however, for being the first woman to win a song-writer of the year award, for embracing the gay cult that her Single Ladies video has cemented for her, for her all-woman band, and for bringing it hard for every single performance she's ever done, including the one where she fell down several steps and still got back up and finished the number *cough*ashleysimpson*cough*.

She's a professional in every sense of the word. And as a woman, regardless of how I feel about her Etta James song remake, I am so very proud of her achievements, Houston accent and all.

Now, that said. I really, really, wish she'd stop acting in movies until she gets some training from a coach, on the stage, or in a sitcom.

You know the way Hollywood works. Black rappers and singers are hired far more often than black actors in movies, because they are already somewhat recognizable to the mainstream public. I think the producers believe they'll be an easier sell. So, actors who have been toiling in the trenches for years, like Sanaa Lathan, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Taraji P. Henson, and Viola Davis and many others, aren't even considered for large roles in Hollywood over the likes of Alicia Keys, will.i.am, and Beyonce.

I've said before that I don't blame them for getting theirs, but dammit...I kinda' do.

I respect how Will Smith and Queen Latifah did it, for example. They toiled on sitcoms, sharpening their craft and timing. Both started small building their cred and chops before taking on larger roles. In other words, they earned their keep.

...And the one rapper who actually started out as an actor isn't getting near enough roles either, Mos Def.

WTF. HOLLYWOOD.

If you really want to be actors, rappers/singers please, do what Will and Queen did. EARN those stripes. Otherwise all you do (besides cut another check) is make yourself and craft of acting in the hands of black people look awful and take roles from those very capable actors who have earned their stripes and then some.

If you want to get involved? Produce a project and then hire those actors you've admired to be in it. Take that as an opportunity to learn from them.

As for Beyonce. As much as I love her work ethic and girl-power jams, I despise her "acting" and I hate even more the system that continues to hire/praise her without due. NO that Dreamgirls' performance was not Oscar-worthy.

STAY AWAY FROM EARTHA KITT, please. I beg you. I've admired that woman for years. I can't take the idea of Beyonce playing her when we have perfectly capable actors who have been waiting many years for their break. You've already had yours. If you wanna act? Do it the Will/Queen way.


P.S. I've got some things to say about Halle Berry too. As proud as I am of her successes in this industry, I really wish she'd produce projects for other actors, as well. Let another up-and-coming sister take on Nappily Ever After... Because God knows, Hollywood thinks she's the only female black actor on the face of the planet (Storm. REALLY???? *YES I'm still bitter!*) Walk the talk. ...Unless that Academy Awards speech was complete B.S.

P.P.S. Wolverine was aiight but where was that shot of baby Storm from the first trailer??!!


P.P.P.S Obsessed is like the blaxploitation The Hand The Rocks The Cradle/Fatal Attraction, I'm guessing. Nope. Didn't see it. I think there are two reasons it was #1. Stereotypes on parade and girlfights. Both of which suck. We need more Charlies' Angels (without Charlie) and fewer Bride Wars, pleasethanx.