Talk to ME, Hollywood!?

August 7th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Young Black Professional Guide Talk to ME, Hollywood?I don’t get it. Talk to Me is starring two actors who have both been in Oscar nominated films within the past three years, and the movie can’t get a national release?!

Don Cheadle and Taraji P. Henson can count some of Hollywood’s who’s who among their co-stars, yet their recent movie Talk To Me, a film about Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph “Petey” Greene’s turn from ex-con to community activist, can’t get a fair shot?

Maybe I’m biased. Like Henson, my wife and I are D.C. natives. Like Cheadle, we have hearts for Africa. But surely there are people who feel less connected who feel equally deprived.

The Mrs. and I were in DC the weekend Talk to Me to me came out. We were both too busy seeing family and friends to spend time sitting in a theater and part of me really wanted to give my dollars to a Phoenix theatre. Despite being the country’s fifth largest city, Phoenix doesn’t always jump at the chance to show “black” films. I feel like every dollar towards a black film could help change that.

Supposedly the black population of the metropolitan area – the Valley – is only about five percent. But that five percent comes out strong. Events such as the Arizona Black Film Festival, the Arizona Black Expo and countless Juneteenths and Kwanzaa celebrations are well attended here. Phoenix pretty much has every “black” thing you’ll find in black metropolises … just less of it. Much less. But I digress.

But even if that wasn’t the case, one could argue that Cheadle and even Henson are mainstream stars. Why the diss? The same happened out here with Pride, starring Oscar nominee Terrence Howard.

At first I thought this was a Phoenix thing. But a fellow blogger/UNC alum/journalist Bomani Jones said the movie was released in only three theaters in New York City. NEW YORK CITY?!

Come on, man?! If Cheadle and Henson can’t get a fair chance, then there’s no hope for movies like Soul Plane and anything starring Medea, right?!

WRONG!!!!

Makes me wanna holler ….

Viewing 7 Comments

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    Man- Gene, I really feel you on this "Talk to Me" thing.

    I was lucky enough to catch a pre-screening of this film in NYC. From the looks of the pre-screening---which brought in well over the limit of 200, I would say about 500+ showed--- I thought this movie would be huge.

    I guess I was mistaken.

    Man-- what does a brother/sister need to do?! This was an amazing film. I thought the entire cast did a great job recreating the era and feel of that time. And Don Cheadle once again BECAME his character. Henson did an fantastic job as his co-star. Again, I say the entire cast was great.

    It really just sucks that this film wasn't supported in the way it deserved. I think I'll try and see it again this week. I am certainly going to buy it. Its worth it.

    Anyone wanna join me?
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    Just saw it. LOVED IT! So much to say .... Just go see it!
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    It is really sad, I didn't hear about Pride until it came out on DVD and it was very well produced too!
    I was so excited about Talk To Me and last night when I went to the movies, just like you said, it wasn't being shown in ANY of my local movie theatres.

    Is there anything we can do, sign a petition or something?
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    Talk to Me is an independent film. Independent and arthouse films don't show in mainstream theaters. They are considered more "highbrow" than your average blockbuster, and tend to win awards at film festivals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_film

    Unless you have some other information that I'm not considering, I don't see any foul play here with Talk to Me.
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    last king of scotland was a limited release. so was hustle& flow. nicole kidman was in a limited release movie called dogville, so was brad pitt in snatch, and jack nicholson in about schmidt. it's pretty standard for "indie" movies. happens to the biggest stars. if it isn't likely to be a huge mainstream success, is a passion project of some actor or director, or has a somewhat skewing subject matter the movie(s) is oft limited to "appreciative" markets.
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    Not arguing foul play. Just wishing that some independent films were as accessable as others. I ended up seeing the movie ... in a mainstream theater.
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    I saw the film this past weekend & really enjoyed it. The only gripes that I have about the movie are the excessive use of Nigga & Vernell's hyper-sexuality. I think the movie could have beem more powerful if these elements were not taking center stage.

    Interestingly enough, when was looking for tickets, I was actually looking for the Bourne Ultimatum & happened to notice that Talk to Me was out.

    I have not seen any advertisements for this at all, which leads me to believe that people are going to miss this one.

    I hate when films are in limited released & my area is not included. This happened with Last King of Scotland. I had to wait 6 months but it was worth it!!!

    Bygbaby
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