Some of us love Madea and embrace her ghetto ways because we know it stems from a love of family, but some other of us cringe at the sight of her too-ghetto ways and can’t stand to see another minstrel show on the silver screen.
Somebody asked me, “Why did Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and Jamie Fox win Oscars for Best Lead/Supporting Actors, if we’re going to still do this sh*t?” I quickly reminded her that those amazing actors she has mentioned have won Oscars, even though they potrayed petty-thief scam-artists, ghetto-trash, crooked cops, and heroin addicts.
Let’s face it, when Madea is NOT in a Tyler Perry film, that film ends up NOT generating sales. Simply put, people are just NOT watching Tyler Perry films, unless Madea is in it. That says something about us AND Hollywood.
For instance, take the films “Daddy’s Girls,” “Why did I get Married?,” “Meet the Browns,” and “The Family that Preys Together”…all wonderful films, very enjoyable and entertaining, but we as a community did not see that film in theaters. We seem to support a Tyler Perry Film only when he has MADEA up on that screen acting a fool and raising hell. After awhile, the white-boys down in Hollywood are going to say (if they are not doing so already), “Look Tyler, either you put that stereotypical Negro in your films or else we won’t produce them anymore…we can’t lose any more money on those films with deeper substance.” So, we have to support ALL of Tyler Perry’s films, not just the one’s with Madea in them.
Here’s an official trailer to I Can Do Bad All By Myself…
I believe that the brilliant Tyler Perry has substance in his films starring his tremendously funny character – Madea. A love of family and family “pulling you through” is all we need most times – Madea provides that.
Diary of A Mad Black Woman has shown us that when you are played, broken, divorced, and so-damn-mad we can rise above an overcome and give ourselves a new life with new opportunities. (I had a friend who thought her life was over because she was divorced, until she saw this film – now she can’t wait to meet and fall in love with Shemar Moore…well, maybe not Shemar, but someone who will treat her just as nice.)
Madea’s Family Reunion brought us back to the real meaning of family, we can always rely and believe in family, especially when times get rough. That’s what a good family is meant to do – have your back! As my mentor, Maya Angelou, said in the film, “Whenever you come around family, you can find love.”
Madea Goes to Jail illustrated that “everybody got a life, and what you do with that life is up to you.” You just don’t forget someone when times get rough. See someone struggling? Pick them up, shake them, tell them, “You are somebody, now let’s figure it out.”
The constant in these films is that everyone comes to Madea, either for advice, a solution, reinforcements, protection, a place to stay, and a home to reconnect with what’s really important – self-worth and family. Sure, some of Madea’s antics may be buffoon-like, but her heart is always true to her family and everyone and anyone who needs her love – her way.
Please support the film “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” coming out in September and support ALL of Tyler Perry’s films.
Im not a fan of Tyler Perry. Not at all. I dont find him to be all that great. I know he entertains certain crowds and thats awesome, but I dont take him seriously as a writter or actor/director. Maybe I have been traumatized by Madea? Lol
Samantha Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 12:02 am
@Bibi, Whether YOU take him seriously or not – hollywood does. I mean, this man went from sleeping in a car to putting on plays in NYC to making box-office hits. You say you don’t like him, but don’t tell us why?
Madea rules! LOL
H. Luiz Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 12:10 am
@Bibi, Yeah Bibi, why do you feel the way you do about Tyler Perry? Have you seen his films and just did not like them? If so, why not?
I would have sworn a person like you would love “The Family that Preys Together” (I know you LOVE Kathy Bates) and “Why Did I get married?” (I know you LOVE Jill Scott and Janet Jackson) Those films are pretty good – and they don’t even have Madea in them. Or is it that you have not seen ANY TP film and don’t understand the hoopla?
Inform these fools, would you?
Bibi Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 1:49 am
@H. Luiz, I have seen the majority of the films that did not star Madea its just that I could never be interested in his films long enough to want to watch it till the end. Sorry. lol
And Tyler Perry may have had a rough life and Im happy he is doing well now. I just dont enjoy his work. His films are not the types of films I enjoy. And just because he has a famous person that I like does not mean that I will like the film.
Cynthia Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 1:55 am
@Bibi, You are so right. I love Janet Jackson, but I do not think she’s a good actress.
H. Luiz Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 2:54 am
@Bibi, well-said!!
I love Tyler Perry’s movies and I’m very happy that he’s doing well, and I can’t wait for the new movie!!!!