So I gave
Exodus: Gods & Kings a chance, I really did.
I know with
the entire backlash stemming from the main characters being white and
Ridley Scott not doing himself any favors by telling people to "get a
life" in that regards, the movie still sucked. I'm a fan of
Christian Bale,
Ben Kingsley,
Sigourney Weaver &
John Turturro as the next person, but the film just simply wasn't good.
For me it didn't really connect the way it should have when I was trying to put
it together, the story felt a little rushed. I think I actually fell asleep from
a great bit of the movie and came back in when Ben Kingsley popped up on my
screen, just because I pay attention when he talks.
Aside from
the fact the storyline was a little lackluster; the visual effects were pretty
on point, well also aside from the European profile of the great Sphinx Pyramid.
Personally I think this movie was more so meant to be a very pretty film and not
much more, with all of the plot holes that I saw. I could be a little bias when
it comes to this movie because I was comparing it to
The Ten Commandments for majority of the movie. Basically to me, the
movie failed when it came to the storyline, and the cast, but succeeded in the
visual effects department.
Which brings me to the point of this
post.
It's no
secret that Hollywood is white washed, and there is no secret that most of the
roles in Hollywood do not pass through the desks of top African American actors
and actresses. That's just simple fact. But as I've said it multiple times here
on this site, I feel that times are changing in the world and we're starting to
see a shift, and it's all because of social media. For a long time the
entertainment and news industry successfully put a shroud of mystery of its
practices. The public didn't really know too much about the behind the scenes
dealings and were typically just interested at what happened in front of the
camera and not behind it.
But in a new
age where tell all movies and books dominate the air waves and reality shows
based off the struggles of declining actors are the norm, Hollywood's practices
are becoming exposed. No longer can they dictate to us who we think should and
shouldn't be in movies that we are paying for, and no longer can they hold us
back from the truth of how most African American actors aren't even bought up
when discussing movie roles. Now that may be in part of how America would react,
with all of its hidden racism. But we'll never know for sure until we make an
effort to change.
That's why I have one simple request,
remake Exodus with black actors as the lead.
I personally
want to see the cinematography and big budget associated with major studio
releases given to actors that actually look the part of the movie that is trying
to be put on screen. I know that the movie wouldn't do a billion or 700 million
at the box office, but it would do a nice number if the movie was actually cast
by people that are supposed to be in it or even some accuracy to the bible. When
I saw that picture of
Idris Elba &
Lupita Nyong'o I automatically thought that they would be a perfect fit
for roles in the movie. I would feel better about watching a movie on that scale
and that subject matter if those actors were in it. Hell even seeing this
picture of
Keri Hilson &
Serge Ibaka from Halloween, they could definitely pull off some kind of
supporting role in the movie:
All I'm saying is at least try to give us some
sort of chance when it comes to movies of this magnitude. I think
it's cool that we're being included in some of these big time movie
franchises, but making movies on this grand of scale and about the
subject matter should be played by people who look the part and not
have it white washed for the sake of people who may get offended by
seeing someone of color on their screen. Because at the end of the
day, that's not how the people during that time period look and
that's not how they lived either. But that's just me though when it
comes to these certain type of things. I know people are tired of
seeing us play the stereotypical role of slave, servant, drug dealer
and musician. This would definitely be a step outside of the box
towards something different.
What do you think about African Americans playing
the roles of Moses and others in a biblical epic film? Is it a good
idea or a bad idea? Leave it in the comments below.
Until next time guys.
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