MOVIE SCOOP: Motives, by Smart Cookie

Have you ever noticed that in most big pictures, there might indeed be a black actor/actress in the film, but they are always the sidekick of the white star actor/actress? They are simply put there to enhance the white character. This is done by some form of degradation of the black character, done by using them for comic relief, the charity case, etc. Case in point: Blood Diamonds, a great film, however, the emphasis is put on Leonardo Di'Caprio. Or, let me bring out some old examples... Let's take a look at Regina King's past roles in Clueless 3, and Miss Congeniality 2. We all know how great an actress Regina King is, however in those films, she is the stereotypical "Angry black woman" used solely to enhance the image of Alicia Silverstone and Sandra Bullock.

How can an African American woman possibly relate to these films? Yeah, there might indeed be an African American actress in the film, but how can we identify with a character that is basically "shuckin' and jivin"?

In some of her previous essays, Bell Hooks, a black feminist and astounding film critic, writes about what she calls the "Oppositional Gaze". To put it simply, the oppositional gaze is when a black woman cannot identify with a film and its characters, and rather than enjoy the film, is forced to look at the film in a critical manner. I don't want to get into psychoanalysis, in which the topic of the oppositional gaze resides but just think about your past experiences at the movies. How did you feel, for example, watching a movie like Monster's Ball versus watching Boomerang? I'm sure when watching Monster's Ball, which was a pretty good film, you were on guard, but when watching Halle in Boomerang, you are able to just relax and enjoy the film.

Every new movie that comes out about African Americans tends to be a little stereotypical and cliché these days...We never get the good romance films, chick flicks, and dramas. With a few exceptions, we seem to be stuck in a rut filled with comedies, inner-city school drama, dance offs, thug life, and musician's biographies. But don't worry, there are a plethora of underground, aka low budget films, as well as old skool films that can fulfill your need for good, entertaining cinema that doesn't play off the stereotypical and/or negative aspects of the black community for the economical gains of the majority.

I, Smart Cookie and Coffee Bean will be giving our movie reviews of films that are on DVD/VHS and available for purchase. I personally like dramas and romance flicks, but Coffee Bean tends to lean toward more historical films. But between the both of us, we guarantee your movie collection will be on point. This brings me to my first movie review: Motives with Shemar Moore and Vivica Fox.

GENRE: Thriller, Drama

PLOT SYNOPSIS: Motives is an edgy thriller that centers around Emery Simms, a highly educated and successful business tycoon who happens to be married to the quintessential wife Constance. Things go dangerously awry when the thrill seeking Emery engages in an adulterous fling with the wildly free-spirited and exotic Allanah. Timing couldn't be any worse when the politics of high society, shady business deals, bad press, and a violent murder collide, they threaten to destroy more than just his shaky marriage. As police probe into his situation, they uncover a labyrinth of deception, agendas and motives, where the stakes are enormous and nothing is what it seems.

REVIEW: This movie offers no easy answers, I'm sure that you will not figure out the plot by the end of the film. So you can tell your one "know it all" friend to shut the hell up, when they are constantly hollering at the end, "I knew it, I knew it, didn't I tell you? Didn’t I tell you?" Yes, we all know how annoying that shit is, however, you can call them on their bullshit, because this one is a rather difficult one to figure out. The movie is a tad bit low budget, but the acting is decent, and you get more than enough eye candy with Shemar Moore. I must also mention the cast is packed with known black actors/actresses. Many don't realize that they are on the hustle and a lot of them turn to the independent black films (just a lil' tidbit). Anyway, you can purchase this DVD for about 12.99 or less if you don't mind a used film at Amazon.com. Or, if you stay in a majority black neighborhood, your local Wal-Mart/Target should have it. Leave the kids at your mom’s; there are a few risky sex scenes. This is a great 4th or 5th date movie, or if you are taken, then watch it with boo. Enjoy!