"Back in the Day" Should Go Back to the Drawing Board...
Gloria and I had several movies arrive the other day, and in that most recent mix from Blockbuster's Online DVD rental service was "Back in the Day" starring Ving Rhames whom I have really come to like over the last several years. His portrayals as Don King in "Don King: Only In America" and a totally overlooked role in "Dark Blue" are some really great acting.
Back in the day took Ving an the cast into the realm of the reuniting of new and old school gangstas that had a lot of potential, some good solid, heartfelt scenes, but it just misses the mark for me for a variety of reasons.
First, while I can't even begin to know the environment, I have grown tired of seeing the "victim" mentality of what is today's gang scene for young black men. Seeing another pile of young black men grit their teeth and say things while they're pissed off works, but only works for so many movies and we've reached the boiling point. Ving brings some very interesting views to the screen with the portrayal of "J-Bone" who has just been released from prison and heads back to the old neighborhood. We also see another injection of quality from Joe "Miles Bennet Dyson" Morton from Terminator 2 fame who sadly gets killed quick. I also almost didn't recognize Tia Carrere in this movie, who plays J-Bone's business saavy Ho (oh, how the mighty temptress from True Lies and Wayne's World hath fallen!!!), who has avery scripted and illogical death by cop scene. Her "hood" accent felt like one of those things where when you hear it you want to squit and look away from the screen.
Overall this movie is a dud, unoriginal, and brings a very light chalkmark to many careers that have much potential. If you're looking for some almost solid, original old-school gangsta perspective from Ving, and what is some nice music, then this might be worth your time. Otherwise, I recommend another viewing of "Boyz intha' Hood".
Have you seen a good, solid, gangsta film that offers up a solid, interesting perspective in recent years? Tell me about it!
Back in the day took Ving an the cast into the realm of the reuniting of new and old school gangstas that had a lot of potential, some good solid, heartfelt scenes, but it just misses the mark for me for a variety of reasons.
First, while I can't even begin to know the environment, I have grown tired of seeing the "victim" mentality of what is today's gang scene for young black men. Seeing another pile of young black men grit their teeth and say things while they're pissed off works, but only works for so many movies and we've reached the boiling point. Ving brings some very interesting views to the screen with the portrayal of "J-Bone" who has just been released from prison and heads back to the old neighborhood. We also see another injection of quality from Joe "Miles Bennet Dyson" Morton from Terminator 2 fame who sadly gets killed quick. I also almost didn't recognize Tia Carrere in this movie, who plays J-Bone's business saavy Ho (oh, how the mighty temptress from True Lies and Wayne's World hath fallen!!!), who has avery scripted and illogical death by cop scene. Her "hood" accent felt like one of those things where when you hear it you want to squit and look away from the screen.
Overall this movie is a dud, unoriginal, and brings a very light chalkmark to many careers that have much potential. If you're looking for some almost solid, original old-school gangsta perspective from Ving, and what is some nice music, then this might be worth your time. Otherwise, I recommend another viewing of "Boyz intha' Hood".
Have you seen a good, solid, gangsta film that offers up a solid, interesting perspective in recent years? Tell me about it!
posted by Mike Wilkerson - 2GuysTalking at 7:27 PM
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