Friday, December 28, 2012

Django Unchained

 
I don't often endorse movies.  To me, movies are like books, it's best you choose your own because we all have different tastes.  That way you'll end up with something that you will be sure to like; and if you don't..........your mistake.  However, Django Unchained is in my mind a very very good movie......despite what Spike Lee thinks. 

I don't know if  you've heard that Spike Lee thinks that all people of color should boycott this film and I don't know that you even care.  Of course that's his opinion....but it's not mine.

Now the word NIGGER and all of it's catchy lil cousins was used over and over again during this movie. I don't use the word NIGGER or the word NIGGA as a part of my regular vocabulary.  Just using the word in everyday communication is ignorant to me, I don't care who uses it. I've listened to a host of all races use it including friends and family, I just don't. I won't call it "the N word" though, that's just lame and disingenuous. The people that really and truly know me, know not to use the word in my presence.   That being said, while I'm not a fan of the usage of the word, it's been used quite a bit in our nation's history, particularly during the time period that this movie takes place.  Hell, it's being used somewhere right now by some fool and you can take that to the bank.  Our country didn't invent racism or prejudice, but we may have perfected it.

In this country, the racism train and the ignorance train are never late.  They are always right on time.

Anyone who has ever watched a Quentin Tarantino film, would have to have heard the word used......a few times (okay maybe a few hundred times).

Still......I enjoyed this film immensely.  More so than anything I've seen in quite some time.  The acting in it was exceptional too, particularly from Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio and the incomparable Samuel Jackson.
This movie doesn't sugarcoat the depiction of slavery in the years prior to our Civil War.  Slavery wasn't pretty, but it's a part of our history.  Maybe, just maybe, it's time we came to grips with the reality of it?  Maybe it's time that we were honest about it? Maybe it's time that we stopped acting like slavery occurred hundreds of years ago, it's only been 150 years.  It's a sad part of our nation's history, but let's not act like it didn't happen; and let's not act like slave owners treated their slaves like their own children.  That's the nonsense that many today would have you believe. Who would want their children beaten, raped, tortured, treated like mindless animals and in chains?!? 
 I must say that there have been more than a few Quentin Tarantino movies that I've enjoyed immensely.  His films are filled with graphic violence, witty dialogue and interesting plot lines.  This one is no different. I don't know the man, but I think he's a fantastic director.  The first time that I saw Pulp Fiction, I was taken aback by the dialogue.  Now I watch it and laugh over and over again, it's a very funny film, just like this one was at times.
 I encourage everyone to go out and see the film, and then, come back and let's talk about it. 

I want to talk about this film.  There are disturbing depictions of violence and lamentable depictions of the base nature of people.  There are people in this film both Caucasian and African American that aren't worth more than two dead flies.

It is what it is.

It's kinda hard to talk about something you haven't seen though.  I'm not saying that it's impossible, it's just kinda hard......maybe Spike Lee doesn't know that?!?

Maybe, just maybe it's time that we talked openly and honestly about race in this country....maybe that would help?!?  So even if you haven't seen this film, let's have a frank and honest discussion about race.  Let's talk about what bothers you; and I welcome any and all comments from anyone and everyone; and I would prefer that no one come anonymous.

82 comments:

  1. I wanna see this movie. In fact, I'm gonna ask a friend of mine if he'll go with me. I read what Spike Lee said about it and I almost think he's just being salty 'cause he didn't think of it first. He used to put out a lot of controversial films that made you think and he hasn't put out anything worth discussion lately. His movies have all been safe and now this white guy put out this controversial movie and pushes the race envelope that Spike used to push. I'll make sure to check back in after I've seen it.

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    1. Yeah it has been awhile since Spike came out strong. Maybe he's becoming what Eddie Murphy has....that thing that he despised in the 80s, Bill Cosby?!?

      Nah, I've got much love for Spike, he's just wrong about this.....that's it. I do though think that dude might have been chug a lugging the Haterade when he said that though.

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    2. I've got love for Spike but his call for a boycott makes me all the more eager to see it. Happy Holidays Reggie!

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    3. Go and see it Chrome and come back and talk to me. Regardless of you seeing it or not, I would be happy to hear your perspective on racism. I'm sure you'd have a lot to say given your background and where you live.

      Happy Holidays to you as well my brother.

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    4. I watched it last night and it was really good. The 9pm show was sold out and the 10:45 show was PACKED. There were some pretty gory parts in it... They didn't skimp on the violence, but there were some really funny parts as well and the ending had the whole theater cheering. It was great finally seeing a western with a black hero. And you know, Samuel's character reminded me of some folks... It was a good movie and I don't know how some people can make assumptions and rant about it without even seeing it. Quentin can put out a good movie. He comes up with great dialogue and really sharp wit. That whole scene with the guys with the bags on their heads had me cracking up.

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    5. Ya know LakiSwirl when I wrote this post, I wrote it because of Samuel Jackson's character. What an interesting person he was. I know people like that as well. I've worked with them and I have a couple in my family too. One of the people like that, that I know would probably love to join the Klan if he could.

      In any case, I'm so very glad you enjoyed the movie. I found it to be rather refreshing. The writing was awesome and the acting was up to the writing. I thought it was a great movie.

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    6. happy new year! read this review and thought i'd share - http://atlantisschool.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/django-unchained-review-peace-for-those.html

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    7. Thank you Chrome and Happy New Year to you as well!!!

      This was an interesting review. I hadn't looked at it that "deeply", but I would agree with his assessment of the movie as well. I would encourage all to go and read that review as well.

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    8. Yeah, I do have respect for Spike Lee, but I just think he is on the wrong side when it comes to this issue. It would just be weird for me to see this movie, based on where it was set, to hear a lot of substitutes for the word N----r because that's not historically accurate. I don't like the word; I don't use it in every day dialect, but if it holds true for accuracy, then by all means. I do miss the Spike who used to push the envelope; now he just seems a bit watered down.

      And as far as Katt Williams' objection to Quentin's use of n----r, he really need to take several seats...seriously. He needs to focus on getting himself cleaned up off those drugs and being the best father he can be to those children.

      Just saying...

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    9. Exactly No Labels, I agree with 100% of what you're saying here.

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  2. I wouldn't see this film if the bootleg man was selling copies for 50 cents. Tarantino is a hipster racist who probably sits in theaters full of Black people watching his films and orgasms every time the film spouts the N word.

    If I ever see Tarantino in person I hope I have a cup of hot steaming coffee in my hand to throw in his Black Exploitation film loving face.

    And, no offense, Reggie but I do not need a Tarantino film to know about the horrors of slavery. Besides, it's not us who pretend that the enslavement of our ancestors was not an atrocity of epic proportions.

    *rant over*

    :-)

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    1. I understand that you don't need a film to understand the horrors of slavery, neither do I.

      By the way, the last time I saw the bootleg man was when he was selling copies of that R Kelly tape......dude was nasty.

      I would also agree that we acknowledge the degree of barbarity involved in the slave trade....I'm sure all people of color know that. No it's not us that doesn't acknowledge the degree of barbarity involved in it. It's people that don't look like us.

      By the way, my dear wife Kimberly wouldn't go see Titantic with me, because she said that she knew how the movie ended even without seeing it. She wouldn't go see King Kong with me either because she said "The monkey dies in the end". Yeah, I guess I knew that too.

      Oh and no offense taken, you're more than entitled to your opinion too.

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    2. Val if you ever do see Tarantino, please don't think about the bodily harm thing. They have that mindset in other places and it never really works out. Plus, it's just a movie.

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    3. Yeah, at the end of the day it is just a movie. A movie I really enjoyed, but a movie nonetheless.

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  3. I really want to see this movie. I have read some controversy via Twitter about it (not reviews)...and like Chrome, it makes me want to see it all the more.

    I watched "Roots" over the Christmas holiday (I've seen it at least a dozen times) and I was telling my hubs how I wish all of the thugs/wanna be thugs, the ones doing nothing and wanting nothing would sit down and watch "Roots" to see just how bad and hard our ancestors had it...the torture and pain they had to endure. My heart and soul weeps. I wonder if it would change the hearts and minds of some of them. All of this fighting and killing within our own race is sad and needs to stop!

    Hopefully, the hubs and I can get to the theater soon to see Django Unchained.

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    1. I thought that it was a great movie Crystal. Please go and see it and come back and give me your own insight into the movie. I saw it more as a love story than a revenge movie.

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    2. Me and the hubs finally went to see Django last night. My hubs really enjoyed the movie and I did too! Very good story. Even though there was a quite bit of gore and blood in the movie, I still think it was a really good movie. The Mandingo fight and the dog attack had me tapping my feet and shaking my legs real hard! LOL Even though I never use the "N" word or any variation of it, I wasn't bothered by the use of the word in the movie.

      I thought the acting was simply superb in this movie! Just awesome! I could not stand "Calvin" (Samuel L. Jackson) and was mad that he didn't suffer more before he was blown to smithereens. I'm terrible. LOL The bagged mask scene where nobody could see out of the eye holes was so freaking hilarious! OMG! Loved it. Okay, let me stop before I tell the whole movie! LOL I really enjoyed this movie!

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    3. Crystal I think that many of the people that were intially "outraged" over this movie wouldn't be if they just went to see it.

      As you said, it's a very good movie.

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  4. I took the wifey to see this movie and we enjoyed it. This is a very good damn movie. Ole Leon acted his ass off.And as for the word NIGGA.... It did not offend me to hear it in this movie. That was how people talked back then...Hell, its how people talk now. Besides I am guilty of using the word. So how can I say anything about someone else using it? This was a good movie. Pure mindless entertainment. As for Me,I do not go to movies to learn anything.. I go to be entertained. Anyone that goes to a movie that has actors reading a script about fictional characters and expecting to leave said movie with a PHD, is a damn fool... But Reggie you know the old saying... Theres a fool born every minute.

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    1. I'm glad to hear that you and the wife enjoyed the movie Dirty Red.

      Like you, I found this to be pure mindless entertainment and although I didn't get a history lesson I was reminded of a few things about this country.

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  5. I knew nothing of this movie.. but I's really like to see it now.. looks and sounds interesting

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  6. Reggie your review of the film has got me interested wanna watch it too now.

    Spike Lee like most of us on this blog post have our opinions.......

    Mr QT has somewhat of a dark side but he is acclaimed for pulling out the punches. His movies are aimed at sparking controversy and he knows how to get at his audience.

    What could he possibly know about slavery? what do we all know except for that written down in the history books. The blackman cursed from day zero stigmatised throughout the years his struggle rife with what our fathers before endured.

    It's difficult to swallow when the harsh reality of slavery is portrayed on screen its like turning the other cheek for another insulting slap.......

    Thanks for sharing will definitely look out for "Django"

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    1. By all means, go and see this movie BareFoot Countessa and come back and tell me what you think. Mr. Tarantino's movies are usually very good too. His depiction of slavery in this film is probably more accurate than in most films I've seen.

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  7. Spike who? Oh you mean that guy who showed real potential for greatness back in the late '80s and early '90's but has failed to realize it since. Like my version of freedom of speech, if Lee thinks that this is a bad portrayal of events, then he should get off the can and make a movie that tells the story that he wants to counteract Tarantino.

    As for Django Unchained, my only problem is that people, including the director, are treating this as if it was documentary of occurrences ladened with truth and context when in fact it's nothing but a comic book. It's a "Spaghetti Western" with more hot sauce than spaghetti.

    When Franco Nero (the original Django) asks Foxx what's his name, you can tell that the mantle is being passed from the old to the young and that this isn't going to be Shakespeare; that's probably showing next door.

    As for performances, let me tell here and right now Leonardo DiCaprio blew me away. If he doesn't get Best Supporting Actor for his role then there is no justice at the Oscars. That little white boy disgusted me and frightened me and took me places that I thought I could never get to in a movie theatre...sometimes all at the same time.

    But back to your point, if anyone is looking for a history lesson, then I believe PBS is still free on TV. But if anyone is looking for shear entertainment with that Tarantino twist of impossibilities in it where you know coming out that your money has been well spent, well you're not going to find much better than this.

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    1. Yeah its been awhile since Spike did anything of substance hasn't it Curious?!?

      He had a big ass glass of Haterade before commenting on this film. He has made a few great films himself, but rather than tear this film down he could have gone out and made what he saw as an "appropriate period peace" and just shut the hell up. I think that perhaps that was just pride fucking with him.

      I was impressed with DiCaprio's performance as well. Maybe he will get some Oscar love for it?!?

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    2. I agree, DiCaprio put out one hell of a performance, and I typically don't care for his movies. But Tarantino has never touted this as any more than a spaghetti western. He even called this movie that himself. I think the problem lies with other people thinking that he shouldn't have put this out because he's white, as if he doesn't have the right to. And maybe not, but the fact is he put out a damn good movie that didn't pull any punches and has depicted the slavery scenes much more raw than the vast majority of other movies have, even the movies where slavery is the central story. I don't see Spike or any other black director stepping up to the plate to make a movie like this. I don't think skin color should be a factor as long as the images that are put out are still true to the spirit.

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    3. After that performance I have new found respect for Leonardo DiCaprio. Call the circus, that man clowned, but so did Samuel Jackson.

      That's what I took it as too, a spaghetti western with a little Tarantino love thrown in. If Spike thought that he could have done better, then he should have done so.

      This is a classic movie and one people will watch for decades and enjoy for what it is....pure entertainment.

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    4. Yes, DiCaprio was awesome. I see him at least getting a nomination.

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    5. I wasn't expecting that type of performance from DiCaprio. He was awesome.

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    6. No nomination for DiCaprio? No justice, no peace!

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  8. I just don't understand how anyone can criticize something they have not even seen. It just does not compute. I think Spike is just trying to be relevant, after all, his comments about the film are getting Him a lot of attention & press. If you are a QT fan, then you should know what to expect. I was not expecting some epic historical account of slavery. My fiance & I went to see it a few days ago and I really enjoyed it, despite the extremely graphic violence. It is rare that a film makes you think deeply, laugh heartily, cry real tears, feel anger and retribution, all wrapped around a love story about the extent to which a BLACK man who loves a BLACK woman will go to save her. I thought it was very entertaining & it did in fact show the extreme brutality and dehumanizing aspects of slavery. It also showed the evil and ignorance of those in support of it. As far as the use of the word "nigger" I just don't get why it's such a big deal other than the fact that QT is involved. After watching all of the atrocities on screen, why is it so unbelievable that the use of that word would be so prevalent during that time frame of history ?

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    1. Yes it does sound rather silly for someone to criticize something they haven't seen doesn't it Beautifully Complex?!? I agree, I thought it was very compelling and extremely entertaining.

      Seems like people would have been more outraged by the honest images of slavery......that they seem to forever be embarrassed by as opposed to the dialogue. I wasn't put off by it. I think it would have been more noticeable if it was missing. Still, I believe this is a great film.

      I'm glad you two enjoyed it.

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  9. I have not gone to a movie in years, but this particular movie have really peeped my curiosity and interest....Hubby and I are planning to check it out this weekend.

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    1. That's good jjbrock. After you see it, come back and tell us what you think.

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  10. I TOTALLY enjoyed this movie and would see it again

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  11. I am curious to see it too. In many places in the world, including my home countries, movies like Gone With the Wind have had such a huge and long-lasting impact that many still believe the diluted/fake version of history they present.
    Happy New Year!

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    1. I've often reflected on the way the media has changed the view of many people around the world Catintherain. One of the things that I was hoping about as a consequence of a significant Obama presidency was changing that view for the better for people of color around the world.

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  12. I haven't seen the movie and to be honest, I was gonna wait until it hit cable. But everyone is saying how good it is that, I may go see it this week. Last week, I saw Lincoln...may as well catch this one too. The Oscars are gonna be tough this year because the dude that played Lincoln was on it!!

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    1. I understand that Lincoln was supposed to be a good movie BayouCreole. I meant to see it a couple of weeks back and for some reason, I just didn't go. Maybe I will go see this sometime this week since I'm off.

      Check out Django and tell me what you think BayouCreole.

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    2. I've heard good reviews about Lincoln, too. I am not certain whether I'm going to the theater to see it or not. I will, if I can get in for under ten bucks, though...lol.

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    3. I might go check it out next week assuming it'll still be out No Labels. Right now I'm reading a book about the Lincoln assassination and the ensuing manhunt for John Wilkes Booth and his accomplices.

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  13. I just saw the movie today and honestly...I laughed til I cried through at least half of it. The key is knowing what to expect from a QT film. People want to see a leather jacket from a chicken farmer. It just won't happen.

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    1. Yes indeed Diva, it is what it is. I laughed again and again as well.

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  14. I have a question for anyone because I never quite got it when I saw the movie. Without getting into too much detail, at the end of the film and the denouement, one of the household staff members reveals that they are not really who they appear to be. What then was that about? Was it just about survival or was it something else? Or was it just something that's been left on the cutting room floor never to be referred to again? Anyone know?

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    1. I don't remember that particular line Curious....perhaps someone else will weigh in?!?

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    2. It wasn't a line per se, but an attitude change, a release of the shucking and jive persona from the person who sort of saved Django from bodily harm when he was hung upside down. I'm thinking today that maybe it was to show who the real power was behind throne and who Django was about to go up against...although in the end it really didn't help.

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    3. Hmm...I get the part you mean, Curious. I was trying to connect the dots as well, but who knows, maybe Tarantino did that on purpose to make the person seem important but he really isn't.

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    4. No Labels, I think that person was important. When they are sitting in the library drinking the good cognac, and you know it's the good stuff and not the rot-gut Mable brewed the other day behind the big house because they're enjoying it, that showed importance. Earlier when the person was having the conflict with the "massah" about who was to be punished and who would be welcomed into the house, that showed importance. Of course importance and power is fleeting just like the rest of life, here today and gone tomorrow, but for that moment they were getting theirs.

      Maybe Tarantino's message is the one that Leo said, and I'm sorry that I don't remember the phrasing, but if black people should ever get together as one and rise...well it would be a day of reckoning.

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  15. Reg, when you wrote "Maybe it's time that we stopped acting like slavery occurred hundreds of years ago, it's only been 150 years"
    You hit a TON of truth! People look at me as if I'm crazy when I tell them my GRANDFATHER is the first generation in my family to be born after slavery. Not all of that great,great,...my grandfather...my daddy's dad! Slavery ended in 1865, my grandfather was born in 1880.
    One great thing about New Orleans is that they kept great records and I was able to retrieve a lot of the from the archives.

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    1. Oh yeah BayouCreole, I'm sure there are great records left from our Civil War and before in New Orleans. Especially since the city stood for so long and was never destroyed. There have to be thousands of documents there.

      This was a great great movie.

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  16. blessings....
    Often people of African descent shy away from seeing, reading, talking about our multiplicities of histories derived out of the enslavement of our peoples. One because many cannot get beyond the shackles, they are so blinded by fury and shame that they cannot see it, read it, talk about it without feeling it and they don't want to feel it, they prefer to remain distant, to disassociate.

    Two, due to some singular and one dimensional thinking/perspective many cannot see beyond the deliberate and systematic genocide, rapes, mutilations, hangings, emotional/physical/financial/spiritual/political brutalization and dissemination of identities, they get locked in; they carry the shame assigning the histories of enslavement as a weakness and as a result they are unable to get over enough, to dislodge the bile of anger and despair to see our greatness magnified, the depth of our strength, the magnitude of our endurance, our unyielding power and motivation to continually rise up in triumph. So many fail to realize that we are the testament to their strength, their power, that “we” are here is a mark of their (our ancestors) greatness and a revelation of our innate power that can shatter any racist construct. Over 400 years of enslavement and we are still here! What can be more powerful than that?

    Wow...ok, I'll get up off my soap box now and breathe...woooo Lordy....

    Peace.
    Rhapsody

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    1. I guess that I can speak passionately about slavery due to some of the conversations that I was able to have with elderly members of my family as a young man. People who were children of slaves.

      Yes I get angry, I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge it. I am also forever amused at what others see as their history and the roll that their ancestors played in it. Most of the Caucasians that I've spoken to about it just aren't honest about the reality of it. Then again, most people didn't own slaves, most couldn't afford them. Maybe they're embarrassed about being poor white trash? I don't know. I guess perception is reality.

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  17. I did my own little review of this movie as well...

    http://theunleashedreviewboard.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/unleashed-speaks-on-django-unchained/

    A lot of our points are very similar. :)

    So what did you do for New Year's?

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    1. I look forward to reading your review No Labels.

      Well I was in New Jersey on New Years......I still am. New Year's Eve I was in New York City in the morning, but I didn't stay for the festivities. I've done the whole Times Square thing before and it was cold out there so I took the zero. I ended up driving to a casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and playing slots and stuffing my face. I thought about driving to Atlantic City, but that would have been twice as far.

      So what did you do?

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    2. Wow, you're in New Jersey and can't say "hi"...insane!

      I didn't really do too much. I don't really make as big of a deal on New Year's as I do Thanksgiving or Christmas. For me quiet was good and then I saw some of the fireworks they were shooting off near Rho's (formerly Katmandu).

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    3. Maybe some other time No Labels. I'm sure that I will be back in Jersey soon enough.

      I wouldn't have minded seeing some fireworks, but the wife wanted to go to a casino. I almost went to Atlantic City, but the casino I went to was much much closer.

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  18. Reggie,
    I forced myself to see the movie. I was planning to hate it and to feel uncomfortable seeing it, being the only black person in a packed theater. I Loved it. Like you, I hate the N word as well and don't even let my black friends use it around me ( I can't stop my mom from using it though), and I found myself counting the N words, like I do with every Quentin Tarentino movie- but it was said so much that watching Django whip that guy ( and similar scenes) took away the pain. I really liked the movie. I won't get the dvd though, but I liked it.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it Daij. I could sit through it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to own it either.

      It was a very good movie.

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  19. I haven't seen it yet but I do plan to. Maybe this weekend.

    Race. . . well. . .I don't trust white folks. I have a few white acquaintances and while I like them, I just know it would only take them really being upset with someone of color to call them something derogatory. That's truly how I feel and I make no apologies for it.

    Another thing I can't stand is when people, usually white try and say they don't see color or their colorblind. Truth is, you see it and feel it and recognize it but don't want people to think your a douche because you do. There is a such thing as white privileged and just because you try and pretend it doesn't exist doesn't make it so. *rant over*

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    1. I appreciate your honestly Krissy. I don't think that any one particular race is about absolutes. We've come a long way as a society and I would be the first to tell you that we've got a long way to go......but we've come so far.

      I understand and appreciate your rant.

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    2. saw the movie. I enjoyed it. There were parts that were really uncomfortable but aside from that, it was really well done.

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    3. That's exactly how I felt about the movie as well Krissy.

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  20. It's a trip to me how we toss our icons on the trash heap of time. Especially if they are uppity. We black folks don't like uppity nigras like Spike, who have the audacity to dislike QT's getdown, and the balls to say it out loud.

    When did Spike start his career, about 25 plus years ago? In the racist land of Hollyweird? So if he doesn't do anymore films, he's now a has been? For real? I read that he said that he wouldn't say anything about the film except that he believed it was disrespectful to his ancestors. So for his saying that, some of us dismiss him as a hater of Quentin, no less.

    I actually read a brother on Facebook say that he couldn't get down with watching "documentaries" and in his opinion, that's the path that Spike has taken, thereby becoming fatherly, husbandly and irrelevant! GTFOH!!!

    So as it pertains to learning our history, it's got to be in the form of entertainment, or we don't care to know it? Anyway I digress.

    I have nothing against QT. I saw parts of Kill Bill, Jackie Brown and Pulp Fiction. They was aiiight. But why do some of us got to toss Spike away just because his balls hang low enough to complain about Quentin? And now all of black hollyweird is coming to Quentin's defense against Spike Lee!!!!!!! DAAAAAAMN!!!! At the very least, just don't say anything! Take no sides! Quentin Tarantino does NOT need black America to defend him!!! Believe that! He'll make whatever film about us that he wants and get funded to do it, whether we like what he does or not! Black film makers getting greenlight funding?? Not so much.

    As I stated on FB, we have gotten so used to having nothing, that when the man comes and toss out some crumbs we are happy to slit throats to get those crumbs. It's just a movie my people. Too many of us, at least those I've come across on Facebook, are acting like this film actually has redeemed the black man of the institution of slavery, as though it was his fault!!! DAAAMN, my people.

    @VAL
    there's an old video where Quentin almost tosses hot liquid in the face of a paparazzi who came up on him as he exited Starbucks. He caught and composed himself as the paparazzi taunted him, and then told the paparazzi that he'd be "whuppin his ass all up and down the street" if not for the camera.

    QT's thuggish with it! *snark snark*

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    1. Anna Renee I for one have much love for Spike Lee. Don't get it twisted, because I do. However, I think he is being a hater in this instance. It's okay to criticize our icons from time to time.

      When I first saw "She's gotta have it", I knew that Spike Lee was the shit. I still have much love for School Daze and X. I felt the same way about Pulp Fiction though, because that's an exceptional movie too.

      I am a student of history, you might say it's my hobby......that and reading. I don't think I've ever gone to a movie to get a history lesson, I know I haven't. This movie isn't supposed to be one either, it's just a spaghetti western with some Tarantino love thrown in for good measure. He's an excellent director and he's made an excellent movie. I would hold back on calling it a history lesson though, as a matter of fact I noticed a couple of mistakes where that was concerned anyway. This is pure entertainment. I haven't thrown Spike Lee on the scrap head. On the contrary, I look forward to his next vehicle..........I for one am waiting.

      By the way, did you see the movie?!?

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  21. I'm going to see it this weekend, Hi Reggie!

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    1. Hello Nanea.

      Once you see Django Unchained, please come back and tell us what you think about the movie.

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  22. I'm seeing a lot of write up of this film. As soon as I get over this flu bug, I'm going to check it out. I will come back and give my opinion of it...

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    1. 1manview I sincerely hope you feel better. I remember having the flu once and I thought that I was gonna die.


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  23. I finally got to see it a few days ago and I really like it. I must say, I did turn my head through one scene but that usually comes with a Tarrantino movie. As far as Spike Lee, I don't let others, icons or not, dictate what I'm going to see or not. I am usually the one who makes THAT decision. Spike is a legend and paved the way for other film makers but his opinions are not the end-all of how the entire black race should feel or think.

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    1. I'm glad to hear that you liked it Melissa. I thought it was a pretty awesome movie.

      I seem to remember one particular scene where I got up and went to get more popcorn. I'm not a fan of graphic violence. That's one thing about Tarantino movies I don't like.

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  24. I'll definitely go see it! Its been ages since I've gone to see something that isn't a children's movie!

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    1. I feel you DianaBoss and I remember those days. Go and see it and come back and tell us what you thought.

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  25. This movie was absolutely AWESOME. Jamie Fox as Django was like some type of fabulous black slavery superhero! I liked the idea of that and hope that someone during slavery was really like that and able to kick ass!

    Django is pure, greatly written, excellently acted entertainment. I loved every single moment from start to finish.

    Slavery has been examined and explained many different ways throughout history and we were forced to embrace those depictions. I enjoyed Tarantino's interpretation.

    People are at times too close minded and closed off to really enjoy movies for what they are ART.

    This wasn't a documentary or biography it was a spaghetti western done to the max!

    Spike Lee needs to have all the seats and go write something.

    Thanks for this post! I have so much more to say but I'll stop here. lol

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    1. As far as I'm concerned, it was absolutely unequivocally awesome!!! I would agree with that completely. If Spike Lee thinks that he can do better, I suggest he try.

      This is an excellent film.

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  26. My Love and I saw this this past Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz were amazing! I liked that they showed a compassionate side of humanity as it relates to slavery; especially with the irony of a black bounty hunter.

    Tarantino presented a good movie and Spike Lee should be man enough to recognize that. He write movies that portrayed blacks in both positive and negative lights as HE saw it, so why can't QT do the same? Hell, the fact that he made a slave such a powerful and prominent character is pretty damned amazing if you ask me. Again, the irony is priceless.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie BluJewel. I did enjoy the chemistry between Foxx and Waltz, it was evident.

      I really enjoyed this movie!!!

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  27. To the people who complain about how this movie was racist and not very appropriate. Then do not see it or watch it !!! Sit around and talk about a movie that u have not seen or did go see.. Do not complain about stuff that you subject yourself to.. Its dumb... If you do not like it do not do it. If you do not like legalized weed then do not smoke it. If you do not like gun's then do not get one. If you hate violence on television then do not let you or your kids watch it.. I do not go into your church and complain about how your religion is all lies... Do not wreck the freedoms and Rights of other americans just cause u are offended or think its wrong.

    zhac_hanstara@yahoo.com

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    1. Huh?!? What are you talking about?!? Did you go see the movie or not?!? If you did, by all means leave an intelligent comment about it.........

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