Book Description
In High Contrast, Sharon Willis examines the dynamic relationships between racial and sexual difference in Hollywood film from the 1980s and 1990s. Seizing on the way these differences are accentuated, sensationalized, and eroticized on screen—most often with little apparent regard for the political context in which they operate—Willis restores that context through close readings of a range of movies from cinematic blockbusters to the work of the new auteurs, Spike Lee, David Lynch, and Quentin Tarantino.
Capturing the political complexity of these films, Willis argues that race, gender, and sexuality, as they are figured in the fantasy of popular film, do not function separately, but rather inform and determine each other’s meaning. She demonstrates how collective anxieties regarding social difference are mapped onto big budget movies like the Die Hard and Lethal Weapon series, Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Thelma and Louise, Terminator 2, and others. Analyzing the artistic styles of directors Lynch, Tarantino, and Lee, in such films as Wild at Heart, Pulp Fiction, and Do the Right Thing, she investigates how these interactions of difference are linked to the production of specific authorial styles, and how race functions for each of these directors, particularly in relation to gender identity, erotics, and fantasy.
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- Change the title to reflect the contents
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Screens Fade to Black: Contemporary African American Cinema
David J. Leonard
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
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ASIN: 0275983617 |
Book Description
The triple crown of Oscars awarded to Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, and Sidney Poitier on a single evening in 2002 seemed to mark a turning point for African Americans in cinema. Certainly it was hyped as such by the media, eager to overlook the nuances of this sudden embrace. In this new study, author David Leonard uses this event as a jumping-off point from which to discuss the current state of African-American cinema and the various genres that currently compose it. Looking at such recent films as Love and Basketball, Antwone Fisher, Training Day, and the two Barbershop films--all of which were directed by black artists, and most of which starred and were written by blacks as well--Leonard examines the issues of representation and opportunity in contemporary cinema. In many cases, these films-which walk a line between confronting racial stereotypes and trafficking in them-made a great deal of money while hardly playing to white audiences at all. By examining the ways in which they address the American Dream, racial progress, racial difference, blackness, whiteness, class, capitalism and a host of other issues, Leonard shows that while certainly there are differences between the grotesque images of years past and those that define today's era, the consistency of images across genre and time reflects the lasting power of racism, as well as the black community's response to it.
Customer Reviews:
Change the title to reflect the contents.......2007-02-09
This review originally written for Journal of Popular Culture, but they apparently don't publish negative reviews. So much for academic freedom.
David J. Leonard delivers a text promising a contemporary analysis of African-American film that ultimately does not live up to its promise. Leonard's book is divided into five first covering the history of black cinema, focusing specifically on the 2002 Oscars. He then devotes chapters to Ghettocentric films, Black Middle-Class drama, and Black comedies and then concludes with a smattering of more recent films around the 2005 Oscars. With one excellent chapter and three fatal flaws, Screens Fade to Black fails to find an audience.
The text most fulfills its titular premises in Black comedies. Leonard provides an insightful, historical articulation of black actors in comedies, first identifying three broad categories, Tom, Coon, and Mammy and then further defining a range of "coon" characters (125-126). Leonard then discusses contemporary comedies like Barbershop (2002) and Bringing Down the House (2003) as well as satirical projects like Bamboozled (2002) and Undercover Brother (2002), although Leonard's insight could be sharpened to appreciate more the subtleties of satire, overall comedy is the most fruitful genre for Screens Fade to Black.
The first flaw for the book lay not with the author but the editors. In several places spelling and typographical errors or errors in citations disrupted this reader's concentration. For example, in Chapter 2, Leonard paraphrases a statement by Stuart Hall and then has a block quote immediately following a colon. However, the citation at quotes end comes from S. Craig Watkins 1998 text from pages 25-26, neither of which mentions Stuart Hall at all. Consequently, should a reader want to find the Hall quote, he or she would need to scour the two books identified in the bibliography and hope to find it there.
The second fatal flaw for Screens Fade to Black exists in the disparity between the title and the actual content. This reader anticipated significant treatment of contemporary African-American cinema, but found film analysis largely summary and marginal to the remainder of this book. Leonard states "the importance of contemporary film is increasingly significant precisely because of the way it reflects and reinforces dominant modes of production, means of representation, and conventions of hegemonic ideologies of this new racist moment" (178). Here Leonard identifies the focal point of this book, to categorize the colorblind movement among Hollywood studio releases as a new means to marginalize and exploit people of color. This politicized argument conflicts with expectations of an academic film audience.
The third flaw occurs in the logical underpinnings to the text. Leonard insists that African American film must portray the plight of blacks facing deindustrialization and state violence in order to be legitimate, as if this was the only true black experience. In a discussion of Antwone Fisher (2002) provides two of Leonard's film classes with an opportunity to discuss race relations, hegemony, and cinema. Several students of color indicate the film should not fall into the African-American film genre because it does not "give voice to a black experience" (50). Leonard, it seems through his narrative space, would agree. That these student comments occupy the central and sole description of Leonard's first class meeting signifies that either Leonard condones this perspective or it was the only relevant (for this book's argument) comment from that class. The former seems a more likely reason. Therefore, a film starring two African-American actors, based on the true-life story of an African-American protagonist fails to qualify as African-American cinema because it doesn't portray state violence against people of color.
It seems here that Leonard attempts to validate an argument through tautological constructions. Chapter Four, "Blackness as Comedy," provides the most detailed theoretical analysis and stands out as the most relevant to the book's title. As lucid as the analysis is, it does not compensate for the lack of theoretical foundations in the other two "film" chapters. Consequently, the book does not prove to be useful to either filmmakers or to film scholars. Popular culture students/scholars may benefit from some of his analysis, but again the larger problems limit its academic uses.
Customer Reviews:
Good book on Black Film worldwide!.......2000-12-25
An informative anthology covers black film from Brazil, the Caribbean, Black Britain, Paris, the United States as well as continental Africa and FESPACO, (the 30+ year old continuous film festival in Burkina Faso, West Africa). A great read, also good for academic study. There is no book like this one, for diasporic film coverage.
Average customer rating:
- The Greatest Disappointment of All
- What a joke?
- I enjoyed this book
- Exploitation of a star for a quick buck
- A well written book on Whitney Houston .
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Good Girl, Bad Girl: An Insider's Biography of Whitney Houston
Kevin Ammons , and
Nancy Bacon
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Similar Items:
-
Whitney Houston: The Biography
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Diva: The Totally Unauthorized Biography of Whitney Houston
ASIN: 1559723793 |
Customer Reviews:
The Greatest Disappointment of All.......2003-04-30
Oh please, read the book, wasn't thrilled. It had it's amusing points, but I think that Mr. Ammons has a vendetta against Whitney and this is the payback. I am no where near a Whitney houston fan and I read this with the intention of having more fuel to add to my fire- but this was no kerosene. I often got the impression that though this was supposed to be a "tell-all", Mr. Ammons was reluctant to diverge a lot of information he could have told. Maybe he's saving that for a follow-up, who knows? who cares? This book is best left in the store.
What a joke?.......2001-09-04
Sounds to me like Kevin wrote this book to make a quick buck and to get back at Regina. And Kevin was just as scanless as Regina he had a wife and children, however, was having an affair with Regina because of the promise of a record deal. Most of the things that were written about Whitney was not original. I could have wrote this book myself based on gathering information from previous articles written on Whitney. He should have wrote a novel about him and Regina and their scanless ways. I am glad that I waited for this book to come out in paper.
I enjoyed this book.......2001-01-28
I enjoyed this book on Whitney Houston and I know personally that a lot of what Kevin Ammons says in the book is true. I took away one star, as the latter part of the book sounds like research and not first hand knowledge.
Exploitation of a star for a quick buck.......1999-11-30
I wanted to read a biography on one of my favorite singers that will give a realistic, yet, smart look on her life. Good Girl, Bad Girl is nothing but a piece of trash written by a man who either wanted to get back on Whitney for something, or was looking to make a quick buck at her expense. I am aware that celebrity lives behind the spotlight might not be wonderful---but I still feel that they are entitled to their privacy. I am so glad I didn't buy this book, I returned it to my friend the very next day, I didn't bother to finish it.
A well written book on Whitney Houston ........1999-03-22
Good girl, Bad girl was a well written book on Whitney Houston, but unfortunately the book was unauthorized and none of us know if any of the information was true. I will say that many of his comments were true, I know because I am a true Whitney Houston fan. Getting to the contents of the rest of the book I liked it,Ammons words seemed truely sincere he seemed to know information only some one close to Whitney would know. I gave this book 2 stars, because it is an unauthorized, so for that I took I took away some stars.
Average customer rating:
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Denzel Washington (Contemporary African Americans)
Alex Simmons
Manufacturer: Steck-Vaughn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding
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ASIN: 0817239863 |
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NEW BLACK CINEMA: CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM
PAULA MASSOOD
Manufacturer: Routledge
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0415281628 |
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Postnegritude Visual and Literary Culture (Suny Series, Cultural Studies in Cinema/Video)
Mark A. Reid
Manufacturer: State University of New York Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0791433013 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on September 22, 1998. The length of the article is 1507 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
From the supplier: 'Eve's Bayou' was one of the most financially successful independent films released in 1998. The well-crafted motion picture was critically and commercially acclaimed in both art houses and mainstream theaters. Over half of its viewing audiences were white. The picture featured excellent cinematography and strong performances. What is at issue is whether the film was too well made, too sophisticated and too universal in its appeal to be considered a black film.
Citation Details
Title: 'Eve's Bayou': too good to be a 'black' film?(Race in Contemporary American Cinema, part 9)(motion picture by director Kasi Lemmons)
Author: Mia L. Mask
Publication:
Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 1998
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: 23
Issue: 4
Page: 26(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on June 22, 1995. The length of the article is 1681 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
From the supplier: Filmmakers Spike Lee, Melvin van Peebles and Gordon Parks count among the few African-American filmmakers who have gained wide recognition in the film industry. However, the lack of financial support for black productions continues to hinder the growth of minorities in the industry, which caters to the tastes of whites despite the large percentage of blacks in the audience. In addition, black films that are produced fail to show positive characters or are unable to reach wide distribution.
Citation Details
Title: The political economy of black film.(Race in Contemporary American Cinema: Part 4)
Author: Jesse Algeron Rhines
Publication:
Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 1995
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: v21
Issue: n3
Page: p38(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along is an effective and time-tested method of practicing that offers more than conventional play-along editions. Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along enables you to learn a work systematically and with accompaniment at different tempi. The first thing you hear on the CD is the concert version in a first-class recording with solo instrument and orchestral, continuo, or piano accompaniment. Then the piano or harpsichord accompaniment follows in slow and medium tempo for practice purposes with the solo instrument heard softly in the background at a slow tempo. Finally, you can play at the original tempo to the accompaniment of an orchestra, piano, or basso continuo. All versions appearing on the CD were recorded live by renowned soloists, accompanists, and orchestras. There are no synthesised sounds in a Dowani edition!
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Handel - Sonata in A Minor Op. 1 No. 4 for Treble (Alto) Recorder and Basso Continuo
Manufacturer: Dowani
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 3905476169 |
Book Description
Dowani Tempi Play Along is an effective and time-tested method of practicing that offers more than conventional play-along editions. Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along enables you to learn a work systematically and with accompaniment at different tempi. The first thing you hear on the CD is the concert version in a first-class recording with solo instrument and orchestral, continuo, or piano accompaniment. Then the piano or harpsichord accompaniment follows in slow and medium tempo for practice purposes, with the solo instrument heard softly in the background at a slow tempo. Finally, you can play at the original tempo to the accompaniment of an orchestra, piano, or basso continuo. All versions appearing on the CD were recorded live by renowned soloists, accompanists, and orchestras. There are no synthesised sounds in a Dowani edition!
Book Description
Dowani Tempi Play Along is an effective and time-tested method of practicing that offers more than conventional play-along editions. Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along enables you to learn a work systematically and with accompaniment at different tempi. The first thing you hear on the CD is the concert version in a first-class recording with solo instrument and orchestral, continuo, or piano accompaniment. Then the piano or harpsichord accompaniment follows in slow and medium tempo for practice purposes, with the solo instrument heard softly in the background at a slow tempo. Finally, you can play at the original tempo to the accompaniment of an orchestra, piano, or basso continuo. All versions appearing on the CD were recorded live by renowned soloists, accompanists, and orchestras. There are no synthesised sounds in a Dowani edition!
Product Description
Separate scores each for two violins and the piano on large sheets.
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Loeillet - Sonata in A Minor Op. 1 No. 1 for Treble (Alto) Recorder and Basso Continuo
Manufacturer: Dowani
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 3905476207 |
Book Description
Dowani Tempi Play Along is an effective and time-tested method of practicing that offers more than conventional play-along editions. Dowani 3 Tempi Play Along enables you to learn a work systematically and with accompaniment at different tempi. The first thing you hear on the CD is the concert version in a first-class recording with solo instrument and orchestral, continuo, or piano accompaniment. Then the piano or harpsichord accompaniment follows in slow and medium tempo for practice purposes, with the solo instrument heard softly in the background at a slow tempo. Finally, you can play at the original tempo to the accompaniment of an orchestra, piano, or basso continuo. All versions appearing on the CD were recorded live by renowned soloists, accompanists, and orchestras. There are no synthesised sounds in a Dowani edition!
Book Description
Perform timeless Flute works! Perfect for practice, rehearsal, auditions, contest solos, performances, and more! This Telemann concerto is a jewel in the best Baroque way; and the Correte sonata is also a treasure for any flutist.
Includes a high-quality printed music score and a compact disc containing a complete performance with soloist; then a second version with the accompaniment, minus the soloist.
MMO CD 3348
Performed by Rameau Trio: Jean Antrim, flute
Accompaniment: Fortunato Arico, viola da gamba; Jocelyn Chaparro, harpsichord
Book Description
Perform timeless Flute works! Perfect for practice, rehearsal, auditions, contest solos, performances, and more! 2-CD set brimming with wonderful music by Bach and Kuhlau. Bach's sonata is especially charming, and a classic in the repertoire; and the Kuhlau cleverly uses the sonorities of the two flutes.
Includes a high-quality printed music score and two compact discs containing a complete performance with soloist; then a second version with the accompaniment, minus the soloist.
MMO CD 3344
Performed by Ervin Monroe, 1st flute
Accompaniment: Sam Baron, 2nd flute; Robert Conant, harpsichord
Book Description
Perform timeless Oboe works with The Rameau Trio: Jean Antrim, flute; Jocelyn Chaparro, harpsichord; Fortunato Arico, viola da gamba! Perfect for practice, rehearsal, auditions, contest solos, performances, and more! These baroque pieces from the masters Johann Quantz and Johann Sebastian Bach are truly enchanting pieces for chamber enthusiasts and students everywhere. These chamber sonatas combine oboe, flute and a background of "basso continuo" commonly carried out by a harpsichord and viola da gamba. Accompanied by the acclaimed Rameau Trio, these intermediate-level pieces will give you a lifetime of pleasure. Oboe virtuoso Virginia Brewer performs each piece with the Trio, then you become the oboist in this magnificent group of chamber professionals. Highly recommended.
Includes a high-quality printed music score, complete with period performance notes and examples; and a compact disc containing a complete performance with soloist; then a second version with the accompaniment, minus the soloist.
MMO CD 3408
Performed by Virginia Brewer, oboe
Accompaniment: The Rameau Trio: Jean Antrim, flute; Jocelyn Chaparro, harpsichord; Fortunato Arico, viola da gamba
Book Description
Perform timeless Violin works! Perfect for practice, rehearsal, auditions, contest solos, performances, and more! A collection of Händel's best sonatas for violin and piano, brimming with his characteristic classical elegance and charm. Featuring as your accompanist the famed New York Philharmonic pianist Harriet Wingreen, these delightful sonatas are now digitally remastered for unbelievable sonic brilliance!
Contains a high-quality music score featuring the solo violin part, printed on ivory paper; and a compact disc containing digitally remastered stereo accompaniments to each sonata.
MMO CD 3149
Accompaniment: Harriet Wingreen, piano
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