This Christmas's Recent Activity

list This Christmas's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around This Christmas on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg This Christmas's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Film:This Christmas http://www.spout.com/films/This_Christmas/319416/default.aspx

Title: This Christmas
Year: 2007
Director: Preston A. Whitmore II
Plot: Upon gathering together under one roof for the first time in seven years, an estranged family celebrating Christmas rediscovers long forgotten bonds in this holiday family reuniondrama starring Delroy Lindo, Regina King, and Mekhi Phifer. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 9
Number of Lists: 2
Number of blog posts: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:47:12 GMTThis Christmas2007Preston A. Whitmore IIUpon gathering together under one roof for the first time in seven years, an estranged family celebrating Christmas rediscovers long forgotten bonds in this holiday family reuniondrama starring <a href="/players/P____42509/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Delroy Lindo</a>, <a href="/players/P____38343/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Regina King</a>, and <a href="/players/P___215981/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Mekhi Phifer</a>. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide9Taggedy Taggged (6-10)243http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s319416.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/This_Christmas/319416/default.aspxFilm Spout Post: Why no DVD http://www.spout.com/blogs/ossining/archive/2008/2/14/25143.aspx

Post By: ossining
Post To: ossining Blog
Post Date: 2/14/2008 2:50:29 PM
Body: I loved the movie, and have been waiting since going to the movies for it to be released on DVD. Still npothing. Does anyone know if and when it will be available to purchase on DVD? They have a whole lot of garbage out on DVD, this is one that should be out and isn't.
]]>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:50:29 GMTossiningossining Blog2/14/2008 2:50:29 PMI loved the movie, and have been waiting since going to the movies for it to be released on DVD. Still npothing. Does anyone know if and when it will be available to purchase on DVD? They have a whole lot of garbage out on DVD, this is one that should be out and isn't. Spout Post: Why no DVD http://www.spout.com/blogs/ossining/archive/2008/2/14/25142.aspx

Post By: ossining
Post To: ossining Blog
Post Date: 2/14/2008 2:45:41 PM
Body: I thought this movie was great,and was waiting for it to be released on DVD so I could buy it. So far nothing. I'm still waiting. Does anyone know if and when it will be released .
]]>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:45:41 GMTossiningossining Blog2/14/2008 2:45:41 PMI thought this movie was great,and was waiting for it to be released on DVD so I could buy it. So far nothing. I'm still waiting. Does anyone know if and when it will be released . Spout Post: THIS CHRISTMAS http://www.spout.com/blogs/tobenson/archive/2007/11/28/22258.aspx

Post By: tobenson
Post To: The Obenson Report
Post Date: 11/28/2007 12:06:15 AM
Body: THIS CHRISTMAS One of two holiday films that tell stories about black people – specifically black families. The other being the upcoming PERFECT HOLIDAY starring Morris Chestnut, and Gabrielle Union.THIS CHRISTMAS (TC) is as predictable and as simplistic as one might expect a film like it to be. But that makes it easier to digest, if, going in, you know just what you’re in for. The proverbial family drama but without very much real drama… no one is ever in any real quandary, even though the filmmakers try to make us believe that they are, not only because we know the clichéd Hollywood happy ending is forthcoming, but also because every dilemma feels a little too sugary sweet, wrapped up in mawkishness, didactics, and often suspect acting and dialogue deliveries.It’s clear that the film wants you to love it at all costs… to have that wonderful, joyous feeling afterwards. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. And one could even say that it succeeds, given the wonderful response it received from the near-sold-out audience I saw it with on Friday afternoon – an audience that was made up disproportionately of boys and girls under 21 years old – thanks in large part to the presence of adolescent R&B heartthrob, Chris Brown, who by the way, belts out two musical numbers during the 2-hour run of the film… maybe 1 too many, unless of course you’re a fan, which I can’t say that I am. With this film and Tyler Perry’s WHY DID I GET MARRIED (WDIGM), I’m left wondering one thing: I hope these 2 films aren’t indicative of the make up of black families in this country, or just families in general, with every member of each family hoarding some potentially hurtful secret from all the others – secrets that are naturally revealed, either by consent or by force, in calculated precision points throughout the film, meant almost solely to push the film forward and add some needed dramatics to the rather dull, routine characters and story. The difference between WDIGM and TC is that the family machinations of TC are less unrealistic than the somewhat preposterous set ups in Perry’s film, but they still leave much to be desired.I couldn’t help think of SOUL FOOD (SF) before, during and while watching this. I haven’t watched SF in years, so it barely registers with me, but the story dynamics seem similar – large families in some order of dysfunction, brought together by the sheer will/presence (even posthumously) of the family matriarch, a woman who is more often than not a replica of the disparaging Aunt Jemima or Mammy stereotype, which means she’s heavy (in terms of weight and physical type), somewhat servile, hopelessly selfless, asexual, and of course full of a never-ending stream of words of wisdom. Not that people like this don’t exist in real life, but there’s a good reason why it’s called a stereotype. It’s rather trite, and limiting in its depiction of the middle-aged to elderly black woman in America – one that we have seen duplicated almost ad nauseam by, unfortunately, comical black men in drag and fat suits, as was the case by Martin Lawrence (twice in the BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE series), and of course by Tyler Perry, in his MADEA films. Certainly our mothers and grandmothers are significantly more varied than portrayals like those will have us believe. With all the clandestine activity rampant throughout the film, those with short attention spans will likely be captivated for most of the 2 hours; the rest of us will have to rely on those few moments of genuine development which, for me, happened during the first 30 or so minutes of the film, as each character was introduced, their pros and cons. Although, there was one particularly humorous scene which involved a bottle of baby oil, a shower, a wet towel and a belt. Those who’ve seen the film know what I’m referring to. No, it’s not some sexually charged set-up… this is a family film remember. But it actually managed to generate an impulsive laughter out of me… which is saying a lot, for those who know me well enough.And can we actually have a film about a family with members of the family who actually look like they’re from the same mother and father? The running archaic racist joke is that we, black people, all look alike, so I don’t know if the filmmakers are subconsciously attempting to dispel that myth by populating the film’s family with siblings and parents who look absolutely nothing like each other. Can we have maybe even a smidgen of familiarity… other than the fact that they are all black… or some obvious trend/similarity, whether in height, or lip size… something. Overall, a rather lukewarm reception from me… but then again, I don’t think I’m the film’s target audience, being the publicly labelled film elitist that I’ve become. But I appreciated its generally good intentions, and would like to see it succeed in the marketplace. I suppose one could find a compliment or two in there somewhere.It was well-received by the audience I saw it with, and given the box-office results on opening weekend ($25 Mill), other audiences appreciated it as well. It’ll be interesting to see if it has any legs going into next weekend. Listen to my audio podcast on black cinema at www.obensonreport.comTambay A Obensonwww.obensonreport.com
]]>Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:06:15 GMTtobensonThe Obenson Report11/28/2007 12:06:15 AMTHIS CHRISTMAS One of two holiday films that tell stories about black people – specifically black families. The other being the upcoming PERFECT HOLIDAY starring Morris Chestnut, and Gabrielle Union.THIS CHRISTMAS (TC) is as predictable and as simplistic as one might expect a film like it to be. But that makes it easier to digest, if, going in, you know just what you’re in for. The proverbial family drama but without very much real drama… no one is ever in any real quandary, even though the filmmakers try to make us believe that they are, not only because we know the clichéd Hollywood happy ending is forthcoming, but also because every dilemma feels a little too sugary sweet, wrapped up in mawkishness, didactics, and often suspect acting and dialogue deliveries.It’s clear that the film wants you to love it at all costs… to have that wonderful, joyous feeling afterwards. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that. And one could even say that it succeeds, given the wonderful response it received from the near-sold-out audience I saw it with on Friday afternoon – an audience that was made up disproportionately of boys and girls under 21 years old – thanks in large part to the presence of adolescent R&B heartthrob, Chris Brown, who by the way, belts out two musical numbers during the 2-hour run of the film… maybe 1 too many, unless of course you’re a fan, which I can’t say that I am. With this film and Tyler Perry’s WHY DID I GET MARRIED (WDIGM), I’m left wondering one thing: I hope these 2 films aren’t indicative of the make up of black families in this country, or just families in general, with every member of each family hoarding some potentially hurtful secret from all the others – secrets that are naturally revealed, either by consent or by force, in calculated precision points throughout the film, meant almost solely to push the film forward and add some needed dramatics to the rather dull, routine characters and story. The difference between WDIGM and TC is that the family machinations of TC are less unrealistic than the somewhat preposterous set ups in Perry’s film, but they still leave much to be desired.I couldn’t help think of SOUL FOOD (SF) before, during and while watching this. I haven’t watched SF in years, so it barely registers with me, but the story dynamics seem similar – large families in some order of dysfunction, brought together by the sheer will/presence (even posthumously) of the family matriarch, a woman who is more often than not a replica of the disparaging Aunt Jemima or Mammy stereotype, which means she’s heavy (in terms of weight and physical type), somewhat servile, hopelessly selfless, asexual, and of course full of a never-ending stream of words of wisdom. Not that people like this don’t exist in real life, but there’s a good reason why it’s called a stereotype. It’s rather trite, and limiting in its depiction of the middle-aged to elderly black woman in America – one that we have seen duplicated almost ad nauseam by, unfortunately, comical black men in drag and fat suits, as was the case by Martin Lawrence (twice in the BIG MOMMA'S HOUSE series), and of course by Tyler Perry, in his MADEA films. Certainly our mothers and grandmothers are significantly more varied than portrayals like those will have us believe. With all the clandestine activity rampant throughout the film, those with short attention spans will likely be captivated for most of the 2 hours; the rest of us will have to rely on those few moments of genuine development which, for me, happened during the first 30 or so minutes of the film, as each character was introduced, their pros and cons. Although, there was one particularly humorous scene which involved a bottle of baby oil, a shower, a wet towel and a belt. Those who’ve seen the film know what I’m referring to. No, it’s not some sexually charged set-up… this is a family film remember. But it actually managed to generate an impulsive laughter out of me… which is saying a lot, for those who know me well enough.And can we actually have a film about a family with members of the family who actually look like they’re from the same mother and father? The running archaic racist joke is that we, black people, all look alike, so I don’t know if the filmmakers are subconsciously attempting to dispel that myth by populating the film’s family with siblings and parents who look absolutely nothing like each other. Can we have maybe even a smidgen of familiarity… other than the fact that they are all black… or some obvious trend/similarity, whether in height, or lip size… something. Overall, a rather lukewarm reception from me… but then again, I don’t think I’m the film’s target audience, being the publicly labelled film elitist that I’ve become. But I appreciated its generally good intentions, and would like to see it succeed in the marketplace. I suppose one could find a compliment or two in there somewhere.It was well-received by the audience I saw it with, and given the box-office results on opening weekend ($25 Mill), other audiences appreciated it as well. It’ll be interesting to see if it has any legs going into next weekend. Listen to my audio podcast on black cinema at www.obensonreport.comTambay A Obensonwww.obensonreport.com Spout Post: Episode 26 - The Obenson Report Podcast on Black Film / Cinema http://www.spout.com/blogs/tobenson/archive/2007/11/27/22246.aspx

Post By: tobenson
Post To: The Obenson Report
Post Date: 11/27/2007 11:10:22 PM
Body: Episode 26 - The Obenson Report on Black Film / CinemaSponsored in part by ActNow FoundationRecorded Monday, November 26, 2007, 9PMTRT 60 MinutesTOPICS DISCUSSED:- Industry news and notes - top dead celebrity salary earners (Tupac made the cut)//Terrence Howard does Tennessee Williams//The "Cosby" effect.- My review of BLACK ORPHEUS (ORFEU NEGRO) and THIS CHRISTMAS. - Listener-submitted reviews of DARATT and SIA, THE DREAM OF THE PYTHON.- The "Capable Tenth" funded black film studio. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE WHATEVER YOU CAN. SEE INFO BELOW.Got something to say? Call the show's voicemail hotline at 1-800-765-7249 and leave a message there; and if it's worthwhile, I'll play your message on the show.OR, email me you comments at talk@obensonreport.com; or go to http://www.obensonreport.com/ and leave your comments. HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE "CAPABLE TENTH" FUNDED BLACK FILM FUND1. Go to the ActNow website – http://www.actnowproduction.org/. 2. Click on the "donate/volunteer" link. 3. Click on the "Network For Good" link at the top of the page. 4. Follow the directions as they are presented to you. 5. I tried it and it took no more than 5 minutes from start to finish. 6. IMPORTANT **** When asked to designate your donation for a specific fund or purpose, be sure to enter "Capable Tenth Black Film Fund." **** 8. You can opt to be an anonymous giver, or scream it from the rooftops.OR, just write your check or money order, payable to "ActNow Foundation Film Account," and mail it to:ActNow Foundation138 South Oxford StreetSuite 1CBrooklyn NY 11217ActNow is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible. In the memo section, be sure to write, "Capable Tenth," so that we know exactly where the funds should go.TAO
]]>Wed, 28 Nov 2007 04:10:22 GMTtobensonThe Obenson Report11/27/2007 11:10:22 PMEpisode 26 - The Obenson Report on Black Film / CinemaSponsored in part by ActNow FoundationRecorded Monday, November 26, 2007, 9PMTRT 60 MinutesTOPICS DISCUSSED:- Industry news and notes - top dead celebrity salary earners (Tupac made the cut)//Terrence Howard does Tennessee Williams//The "Cosby" effect.- My review of BLACK ORPHEUS (ORFEU NEGRO) and THIS CHRISTMAS. - Listener-submitted reviews of DARATT and SIA, THE DREAM OF THE PYTHON.- The "Capable Tenth" funded black film studio. PLEASE CONTRIBUTE WHATEVER YOU CAN. SEE INFO BELOW.Got something to say? Call the show's voicemail hotline at 1-800-765-7249 and leave a message there; and if it's worthwhile, I'll play your message on the show.OR, email me you comments at talk@obensonreport.com; or go to http://www.obensonreport.com/ and leave your comments. HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE "CAPABLE TENTH" FUNDED BLACK FILM FUND1. Go to the ActNow website – http://www.actnowproduction.org/. 2. Click on the "donate/volunteer" link. 3. Click on the "Network For Good" link at the top of the page. 4. Follow the directions as they are presented to you. 5. I tried it and it took no more than 5 minutes from start to finish. 6. IMPORTANT **** When asked to designate your donation for a specific fund or purpose, be sure to enter "Capable Tenth Black Film Fund." **** 8. You can opt to be an anonymous giver, or scream it from the rooftops.OR, just write your check or money order, payable to "ActNow Foundation Film Account," and mail it to:ActNow Foundation138 South Oxford StreetSuite 1CBrooklyn NY 11217ActNow is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible. In the memo section, be sure to write, "Capable Tenth," so that we know exactly where the funds should go.TAO Spout Tag:family http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/family/MemberTagFilms.aspxfamily
Number of films tagged: 6288

Number of people who tagged: 226

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]]>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:09:21 GMT62882261138Tag Spout Tag:drama http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/drama/MemberTagFilms.aspxdrama
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