kenneth7520 Reviews

The Josephine Baker Story (1991 TV Movie)

The Josephine Baker Story---Riveting!

[9/10 · 4 August 2006]

I had the distinct pleasure of watching a full-fledged documentary film about Josephine Baker directly before viewing the HBO made-for-television movie featuring Lynn Whitfield as the beloved late entertainer.I can now compare the HBO movie to the documentary"Chasing A Rainbow;The Life Of Josephine Baker".Here is my verdict;Lynn was excellent in her portrayal of Josephine Baker.She played the role with emotionally driven conviction,energy,and grace.There had to be clever maneuvers creating Josephine's character-nobody can become Josephine Baker,being uniquely who she was,but who could convincingly pull-off her character?Now Lynn Whitfield could not transform to Josephine-incarnate,but what she did do was put her own flair on the role,and did so effectively.Lynn sold herself in every respect.The acting,dancing,comical renditions,and convincing-lip sync of Josephine's real songs were challenges Lynn took head-on.Her portrayal resulted in winning the"Outstanding Lead Actress"Emmy award for 1991,so it worked!Not only was Lynn Whitfield great literally owning the role,but I loved everything else about this movie.All of Lynn's costars are splendid in their respective roles.Now I must bring to attention the character of Sidney Bechet,played stylishly well by Kene Holliday as Josephine's band member best friend.Sidney Bechet may have been an actual person in Josephine's entourage,but his significance in the HBO movie may be questionable.He is clearly what I think intended by the producer to be a phantom-role.By this I mean that the documentary does not refer to a best friend aiding Josephine in major plans and decisions,like the HBO movie does.Josephine was an impetus force all her own in reality.However,the Sidney character in the HBO film was not a bad idea for 2 reasons:it gives the movie viewer an opportunity as to what went on in Josephine's mind and also allowed Lynn Whitfield a chance to express how Josephine felt emotionally about principal decisions-all due to interactive dialogue with Sidney Bechet.The only drawback is that it also makes Josephine appear weak and dependent in her planning,while she was nothing like that.Josephine alone made all of the important decisions and plans throughout her illustrious,colorful and sometimes controversial career.The movie appreciably stayed on track to events and landmarks that took place involving Josephine's life.However,the HBO movie leads you to think she married twice,while the documentary reveals that she married 4 times.Even if the HBO movie producers did not want to put 4 weddings in the script,a brief reference statement perhaps by a cast member would have been appropriate.The HBO movie as the documentary does point out her numerous love affairs with men associated with her in the entertainment business.From portrait painters to Counts,and playboys to producers,she managed to keep a love affair brewing.Although she finalized the divorce of her first husband(Willie Baker)in 1923,she kept the last name throughout the rest of her life.Other than the"best friend"(Sidney Bechet)phantom-role character and the twice married lead-off,the HBO movie was truthful.Basically,the movie is about the little black girl who grew up poor in the then fierce 1920's era St.Louis slum region to become a local sensation of the musical dance theater circuit.Josephine and her entourage,known as"The Dixie Steppers"eventually toured the country,wowing club audiences at full throttle.Once confident enough,the ambitiously motivated group took their sprightly talents to the prestigious Harlem,New York night club scene.This place in the 1920's was true testing ground where again they prevailed with rave reviews.Josephine relished the spotlight and also managed to steal-the-show with her jaunty comical antics.Her colleagues called her Monkey due to her vivacious stage presence and skill in the profound art of improvisation.Meanwhile,a rich American-Carolyne Dudley(the wife of a diplomat)decided to bring a group of musicians to Paris.She wanted to show the French what the "Jazz Age" was all about.Carolyne enlisted Josephine Baker as a member of the entourage that was headed for Paris.Paris instantly fell in love with Josephine's stage performances,and she fell in love with Paris.Although stolen by Paris and missed by New York,France became the launching pad for which Josephine had manifested her talents.The best of her prowess emerged when she met a Count-Giuseppe Pepito Abatino,eloquently portrayed by Ruben Blades.He became her manager.The Count(albeit a murky past)succeeded in making Josephine a very rich and famous international superstar.Josephine found herself in the position of celebrity and was admired while exploited both at the same time.While Josephine flourished the benefits of fame,the French audiences generally regarded her acts as substandard since she did much of her dance performances semi-nude.The French basically place the partially nude,and nude theater performances in a class of their own.She consequently garnered labels such as notorious,scandalous,and dark star.Although aware of this,she saw it as part of the show and did not consider herself a lewd person.The Paris press was quoted with saying;Josephine Baker is right for adventure,never respectability/She may be the toast of the town,but never someone to take home to introduce to Mom.Josephine,nonetheless blossomed in France.She then succeeded on to tour all of Europe to become even more popular,while being shunned by some of the more-conservative types of people.Her life and career,were shaped by the fame,money,lovers,and travel as she danced,sang,and starred in movies.Her brimming talents subsequently led her to patriotic real life roles of war hero(Itelligence for the French Resistance against 1940's Nazi occupation),Political/Civil Rights Activist,and mishap orphan savior(her adopted multi-race"Rainbow Tribe"of 12 children).The HBO movie does enact Josephine Baker for all the major events,trials,triumphs and achievements that constituted her interesting life.I can safely say that the movie does give the viewing audience the big-picture.The movie informs, expresses,enchants as well as entertains,while letting you effectively understand how all that occurred in Josephine Baker's life helped make her an entertainment legend in her day.

The Five Heartbeats (1991)

"The Five Heartbeats"Resonate A Universal Message

[10/10 · 29 May 2006]

I've seen this wonderful movie several times and can honestly say this;The movie itself is dramatic,funny,moving,exciting,and intriguing.Needless to say that the sets are great,the women gorgeous and the music quite good.I also applaud the entire cast on such memorable acting performances.The movie,written by Keenen Ivory Wayans and Robert Townsend(who is also the Director)has at its base a universal message it emits that is really the essence of the film.The message is that:No matter what happens in life,ups and downs,good or bad,gains or losses-we must lift ourselves through it and keep on pushing for the better,no matter what.Just like in the song feature-"No matter how hard it gets,we haven't finished yet". I can say without a doubt that this movie took me through just about every basic human emotion possible in its 120 minute cycle.I laughed,cried,cheered,despaired,danced and even reminisced(Since I'm an old Motown era fan from back in the day).No other movie has ever taken me on such a complete ride of emotions to say the least.That in itself makes the movie compellingly realistic.It's loaded with treats and surprises for everyone-for instance once the Heartbeats get there first hit song played on the radio/The group and family members are all asleep.The song comes on the radio for the first time.Someone is awakened thinking another member of the group is belting out notes,telling him to hush as others react the same.Then as they find out that none of the group is singing,they are suddenly surprised and excited to hear their first hit song playing on the radio.What an awesome jubilant moment in which all present wake up,screaming,cheering,dancing,and celebrating,all in their pajamas,robes,nightgowns and sleeping caps.Robert Townsend used his comedic skill to really spice up lots of other fun scenes in the movie.Almost everyone who I know who saw the movie liked it,and I personally think it has become a classic work in its own right.Sadly this film was certainly overlooked for(I think well-deserved)recognition for major awards such as Oscar nominations for"Best Picture",as well as an acting nomination for Micheal Wright as the mercurial Eddie King Jr.,the original lead singer of"The Five Heartbeats".In my opinion,this movie is a great ride for people of practically all ages(R rating withstanding of course),as well as all races,genders,and backgrounds.At my age of 50,I proudly see that the movie has successfully broken into the interests of our current"Hip-Hop music generation" although the movie is based on an Old-School singing group/hats off to the excellent production of the songs in the movie too.It's one of those movies that make an ideal collector to pop-in the machine on a rainy day or to just put in when friends drop by."The Five Heartbeats"is a movie I recommend to all those movie lovers who like a good story.

Blindman (1971)

Blindman:A classic action Spaghetti Western movie of style and taste.

[8/10 · 16 March 2006]

"Blindman"starring Tony Anthony and Ringo Starr is what I consider a special Spaghetti Western movie.Just when you thought you've seen them all,here is one with a twist,and quite entertaining as well!The movie takes you on this journey that enthralls you directly to the plot as it starts.A long-coated blind man is riding a seeing-eye horse out of the desolate Texas plains toward you.He's angry,ruthless and deadly.He's desperately after something.That something happens to be fifty beautiful mail-order brides that he was contracted to deliver to Texas.The women were purchased by miners,yet they ended up in Mexico.They were stolen by a partner Blindman trusted,who in turn sold them to an unsavory gang of bandits,all of whom has their own dishonorable agenda for the women.Now Blindman wants his fifty women,vengeance and paycheck!He deals out his own brand of justice,using his fine-tuned gift for sound and feel/depth-memory to unleash the bullets and the dynamite.The movie is action packed,exciting,violent,interesting and fun!There's carnage,nudity,and mass assault scenes that give this movie a bold and raw,yet fascinating cinematic appeal.It's a definite must-see for all Spaghetti Genre Western fans.Although some may find the plot absurd,the movie successfully takes on a life of its own.It's truly a movie to be enjoyed for what it is--entertainment.Tony Anthony(portraying Blindman)is convincing,with some of the best and funniest script lines of any Western movie I've seen.Ringo Starr(Candy)is well acted,blending in so tastefully as the quintessential bad guy.A good supporting cast fuels the engine for the movie,while the soundtrack-dynamics are true to form.What I find intriguing about this movie is that it speaks volumes about the will and perseverance of the human spirit."Blindman" is what I consider a truly collectible Western Film!