Is the same problem I have with Mindy Kaling's writing overall, and I've read two of her novels. It's the strangely melancholy undertone of all her work. When the iron is hot, Kaling often strikes comedy gold. But when it's not, that tone comes through so much stronger, saturating everything. With a movie like this, which is supposed to be funny, it just does not make for pleasurable "comedic" viewing - this movie is unintentionally depressing.
share"... and I've read two of her novels."
Jesus. You poor thing. Who held the gun to your head?
It was voluntary. I thought they'd be funny. The first two seasons of The Mindy Project sold me on that.
shareI always liked her on "The Office". I just can't stomach her racism and political ideologies (that she insists on shoving down the viewer's/public's throat) enough to see any of her more recent work. I read that this is no different. I really try to separate the art from the artist, but when there blatantly isn't any "art" and all you're seeing is political propaganda, I just can't. There's nothing to separate. Her real life racism is displayed on screen and then she's applauded and paid for it. Disgusting.
shareI've yet to see The Office, but I look forward to doing so. From what others have said, I think her work on The Mindy Project mirrors her character on that show. And for the first two seasons, the show is a treat.
Would you mind elaborating on her racism and political ideologies? It honestly washes right over me sometimes.
She's one of the many that play into the "straight white male is the devil" line of talk. Yet, all of that only seemed to start after she was criticized by the left for being "racist" for only dating white men on her show (and being with BJ IRL). It's as if she had to counter the "racism" that was projected on her with actual racism to please the left and salvage a career. Though, the main thing for me is when every time a shitty movie that she's involved with is deemed shitty, it's only (and always) because of straight white male critics. The "this movie wasn't made for you" bit, which to me, is highly offensive, and dare I say, racist. "Ocean's Eight" wasn't "made for me", so I can't have an opinion on it? Let's take an all white movie, say 2004's "Primer" - What if I were to tell all of the black people in the world that didn't like it - "Wasn't made for you! Your black opinion has no value here." See the problem?
This is all over the internet and easy to find. I guess, for most, the spin you put on it depends on your political affiliation/agenda. If you're on the right - she's racist. If you're on the left - she's just trying to "create opportunities for POC". I despise politics and everyone involved, so I feel as though I approach every topic with an open mind and an honest search for the truth. To me, it doesn't matter whether it's race or gender or whatever - I don't believe that one group has to be torn down in order to create opportunities for another. In 2019, if that makes me "racist", then so be it.
And, if you don't want, or can't trust, this "straight white devil's" opinion on it, here's an intelligent black man's take that just so happens to be basically spot on with mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEuZqLz0t8M. Not because he's black, or because I'm white, but because we're both being honest. Honesty is one of the few things that can transcend all of this crap, we just have to all believe and engage in it. And, most importantly, choose it over the almighty dollar. hahahahaha lolololllloolo YEAH RIGHT. That will happen.
I found Ocean's 8 as mediocre as all the Ocean's movies. But after reading the article featured in the video you linked, as well as one featured on the Independent, I can understand her point of view.
I'm one of the few people who doesn't find what Kaling or even Brie Larson said about a film having a target audience offensive. Movies have target audiences. Critics, who are predominantly white men, often do not make up the majority of those audiences. Can you or any white man have an opinion on these films? Of course. But if the majority of critics are not representative of the majority of viewers, then what value do these critics' opinions have?
That's not me insulting white men or saying they're wrong about the movies they praise or despise - because these are just opinions. But as Larson put it "Good reviews out of festivals give small independent films a fighting chance to be bought and seen. Good reviews help films gross money, good reviews slingshot films into awards contenders."
Also, I think Kaling was fair. She said that many critics might actually enjoy her work overall, but that one negative critic can skew the masses away from ever giving her a chance. And in regard to casting, I've never found her to be a hater of white men or an advocate for POC. Looking at Late Night alone, the majority of the cast are white men. The lead, aside from Kaling, is Emma Thompson, a white woman. I can't even recall if there were any POC in the film aside from Kaling - and this is usually the case with her, I've often found, excepting perhaps those playing her immediate family members.
Telling POC that something wasn't made for them isn't equivalent to telling white men something isn't made for them because most things aren't made for POC. Every time a new movie/show advertises any prominent POC, a mixed race cast or a woman as a lead, there's heated debates and huge online rage, which is just not true of white all-male cast films/shows.
"I found Ocean's 8 as mediocre as all the Ocean's movies."
The Clooney ones were good, especially the first one. "Ocean's Eight" was trash. And, would you believe that it has nothing to do with my penis, or their vaginas or skin color!? Crazy, right? The writing was terrible, nothing more, nothing less. I'm sure that it was rushed just so women could have "their version"; to capitalize on the modern political market. Due to everything always being all about money, the writing was rushed to strike while the iron was hot, and the movie suffered greatly. That's not my fault, or Mindy's, it's just the truth. A real shame, as well. With that cast, it could have been really good.
"I'm one of the few people who doesn't find what Kaling or even Brie Larson said about a film having a target audience offensive."
From what I see, you're one of the many. I'm the one that is "wrong".
"Movies have target audiences."
Yes, people that are willing to spend money on tickets. And recently, people that hate white men. That seems to be a strong selling point.
"... then what value do these critics' opinions have?"
The same exact value as any other human being's. I know, I'm such a piece of shit for thinking that.
" And in regard to casting, I've never found her to be a hater of white men or an advocate for POC. Looking at Late Night alone, the majority of the cast are white men. The lead, aside from Kaling, is Emma Thompson, a white woman. I can't even recall if there were any POC in the film aside from Kaling - and this is usually the case with her, I've often found, excepting perhaps those playing her immediate family members."
Come on, now. I know I'm a straight white male, but do you really think I'm that stupid? Of course the majority of the cast are white men. That's the narrative that she is pushing. In all of these films, there's either a "bad guy" or a dope, or several of both. Who do think is going to portray such individuals? That's my main problem with hatred towards whites. The "playing dumb" act that people do. As if they just don't see it. Even more than the racism itself, I'm dissapointed in the lack of courage to just come out and say it. Though, I guess that might jeopardize the whole "victim" thing. So, I get it. It's just pretty weak, if you ask me.
"Telling POC that something wasn't made for them isn't equivalent to telling white men something isn't made for them because most things aren't made for POC."
Oh, boy! This old song and dance. So, which is it, the majority of movies aren't made for white men or white male audiences, therefore the whitle male opinion has no value or that this isn't the same because most things aren't made for POC? Your take seems to be changing when it's convenient.
"Every time a new movie/show advertises any prominent POC, a mixed race cast or a woman as a lead, there's heated debates and huge online rage, which is just not true of white all-male cast films/shows."
Ridiculous. Again, it's that faux-naif spin that drives me nuts. You (and everyone else) knows good and well that no one minds mixed race casts or female leads. They've been around forever. Many people, including myself, are just upset about who the villain always has to be. That's the point. But, I think you know this already, it just doesn't fit your agenda. I'm sure this entire post is worthless. I'm sure you were just looking for a simple "victory" over a dumb white guy, but I'm not looking to "win" or even argue. I guess I'm just venting and hoping maybe that just one person could see what I write and realize they don't have to hate everyone else. I guess I'm just a head in the clouds dreamer like that.
We differ in opinions, fine. But don't project your insecurities onto me. I'm not calling you a piece of shit or devaluing your humanity or opinion in anyway, whether I agree with it or not. Obviously my own opinions aren't based on my genitals - why would that even need stating - so I'm clearly not assuming yours are.
Also, if you thought your post was worthless and you were just yelling in my ear, then why post so much? Otherwise, please reconsider your tactics if you're actually trying to change my mind. Because I'm open to it if you've got a good argument.
I stand by what I said. The majority of films are made for white men; however, for example, the child film industry is also booming and the many themes of such films are often negated by adult male reviewers. Take, for example, Toy Story, the one kids film I would argue isn't for kids but older men. Guess who loves the franchise? Reviewers.
Film for modern women is also currently on the rise; yet almost every current female-led film has experienced hate before its release. I'm talking Wonder Woman, for example, which, however you feel about it, many recanted their initial hate for the film after actually seeing it.
You also can't pretend that people don't hate The Last Jedi, or the new Ghostbusters film, or the new MIB film, or Ocean's 8. Regardless of the quality of these films, none have earned their hate-following, which very few bad films made recently have earned.
I can't say I understand why anyone watching a film with multiple white male heroes would be so upset by having one white male villain - which is almost always the case, especially in superhero films.
Not insecure in the slightest. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I'm just not afraid like so many other whites are. I will tell the truth.
I don't watch superhero or kids' movies, so I honestly have zero opinion on most of what you said, so I'll be more than fine with just taking your word for it. And, I'm not trying to sound elitist or mentally superior in any way by saying that. They're just "not my bag".
Though, I stand by my main point that racism towards whites (particularly males) is a top seller in modern Hollywood. Perhaps, THE top. And, it's so often disguised as "creating opportunities for women and minorities", despite women and minorities being top actors, musicians, athletes - anything - since before I was even born. This isn't about "creating opportunities". It's about taking them away... and then some. Anyone who can't admit that is either an idiot, incredibly naive, someone who doesn't necessarily agree with it but isn't going to really care or address it because they aren't a white male, or a straight up racist and it falls right in line with their personal agenda. I don't know you, personally, AT ALL. So, I'll let you decide which you are. Your posts are definitely intelligently written, so that cancels out the first two. I'm just hoping that you're the third option instead of the fourth. Not for my sake, but for your own. Life is better when you can give everyone new that you meet a chance.
I don't necessarily disagree that, quite often, white men are sold as villains in film. But I also think that there's so much to counteract this that I can't equate it to racism. Most obvious is the fact that, in many of these films, the villain and the hero are both white, as is the main body of the cast overall.
It's not even just superhero films, but everywhere. Toy Story is probably the longest-running popular children's franchise of the moment, and who are the protagonists? In a movie where a potato or a dinosaur can be a lead character, the leads are two white males. And in terms of the exceptions, they are exceptional.
For example, in Rush Hour, which features an Asian man and African-American man as its leads, the villain was a British guy - who was working for an Asian guy. So it's not like it singled out white men as bad. I can't even think of a movie where the protagonist is a woman/poc, the lead villain is white, and the supporting cast doesn't include positive examples of men. Late Night isn't that - the villain is also the protagonist, Emma Thompson's character.
Movies pay tribute to white men in abundance. We have plenty of Mission Impossibles and James Bonds. We have plenty in the superhero categories. Jurassic Park will likely always feature a male lead. Any Harry Potter-related film going forward will likely always feature a male lead. We may vilify the white male, but we celebrate him much more.
And I wouldn't necessarily disagree with any of that. Although, "Rush Hour" is a little out of date for what I'm talking about. The "movement" hadn't really started then. It wasn't mainstream at least. I'm talking post 2015, I'd say, just "ballparking" it.
Look at it from this angle - How many black villains are there for films with white protagonists? When is the last time you saw that? Mr. T as "Clubber" Lang in "Rocky III"? Denzel as Alonzo Harris in "Training Day"? I honestly can't name a more recent example.
As for: "I can't even think of a movie where the protagonist is a woman/poc, the lead villain is white, and the supporting cast doesn't include positive examples of men."
In the same time frame, one that jumps out off the top of my head - "The Shape of Water". Granted, with TSOW, Spencer's character's black husband was also an asshole, but he was far from a villain, and mainly just didn't want his wife to get involved. Though, I was really surprised that was included and it was an attack on straight men, in general. The only decent American white man in the story was, of course, a homosexual, as those are currently the only acceptable kind of white men. Michael Shannon's character, in the same film, is pretty much the epitome of what I'm talking about. There are many films being made with "that white guy".
That said, I don't want to argue or attempt to keep listing examples back and forth. People are set in their ways. If you do hate white people, that probably won't change, certainly not from anything some random hillbilly writes on MC. If you don't, then I'm glad. I'm getting too old for any of this to really matter for me and my life. I'm just concerned about the future. I really don't want to be an old man in a cage, especially just for being white, but America seems hell bent on going that direction with it's worshiping of 5 percenters and BHI members. I believe that conditioning and brainwashing has already started. And what better place to start it in than film/TV? Again, hopefully, I'll be old by that time anyway, but it does feel good to vent and hopefully wake some people up, but again, it is just a post on MC. Doubt anyone will even see my ramblings, or give a shit if they do. If they do see it, they'll just dismiss it as "racism" and "ignorance", and there we are, full circle with a comfortable white villain to hate.
The main thing that bothers me, above all else, is how my favorite art form is being reduced to nothing more than political propaganda. It seems like every single film, these days. And, I don't care which political angle it's pushing. I hate all of it. The left, the right, the racist black, or the racist white. I can't stand any of it.