The Princess and The Flop

In Barry Ronge’s review of the movie The Princess & The Frog he suggests that the film’s lack lustre performance at the box office could be because it is the first time Disney used a black princess. I couldn’t disagree more with this assumption. An excellent story is excellent regardless of the race of the characters or of the actors. The reason of the poor box office performance is could be because the film faced stiff competition in the children movie genre. The film was competing with films like ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ both of which use CGI. So instead of trying to blame a BLACK Princess for meagre movie ticket sales Barry and other movie critics should stop playing the race card and just appreciate a good film. As for Disney they should learn from Avatar and shift with the times. If CGI is what audiences want CGI they should get- be it black, white, brown or yellow.

Skin

How do you tell if someone is black and not white? Well in 1965 in apartheid South Africa the infamous 'pencil test' decided. The test involved sticking a pencil through your hair and then shaking your head. The pencil will usually fall out if you are white but will not fall out if you are black. For Sandra Laing a coloured girl born to white Afrikaner parents such inhumane tests decided her fate and made her life hell. The biographical film Skin tells the Remarkable and touching story of a black Afrikaner growing up in a time where race dictated who you were, who you could love and where you could live and study. I must admit I was a bit skeptical about watching this movie because I don’t like the way I feel after watching dramas about race. You know the kinda feeling you get after watching something as heart wrenching as Roots. With that said Skin is wonderful movie that affected me emotionally. My emotions aside, Skin is a compelling film- brilliantly executed and exceptionally acted. The movie stars Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, The Secret Life of The Bees); her portrayal of Sandra Laing in her adolescence and her adult life is convincing and captivating. The supporting cast which includes Tony Kgoroge and Sam Neil is also equally impressive. Zimbabwean audiences will be interested to know that our Tongai Arnold Chirisa (Studio 263's Davies) makes an appearance in this film.

What to Watch This Valentine's Day

What with Cupid shooting his arrows, malls plastered with valentines paraphernalia and movie moguls scheduling film premieres this February, it is hard to ignore that Valentines Day is just around the corner. For a holiday that is all about love Valentine’s Day tends to stir up the opposite emotion- hate. I loath the expensive clichés that come with V-day (Hallmark Cards, bouquet of dark red roses, frilly hearts and all those fancy ‘schmancy ‘ frivolities. But Valentines Day is not a totally ridiculous holiday it is good excuse to watch great movies. With that said here is Simba’s top Ten movies you could watch this ‘month of love’ and why.
10. Ninja Assassin
This movie has great excellent action sequences I can’t say the same about the storyline. The movie is about a young ninja turns his back on orphanage that raised him, leading to a confrontation with a fellow ninja from the clan. Something to watch if you are not a big fan of V-Day.
9. Did You Hear About the Morgans?
A Romcom with Hugh and SJP. An estranged New York couple witness a murder and are relocated to small-town as part of a witness-protection program. Since its Hugh and SJP you can be guaranteed some corny romantic fodder.
8. The Rebound
Its about a single mom (Cathrine Zeta Jones) who captivates her new neighbour, a much younger man. What more can I say?
7. Amelia
Oscar Winner Hillary Swank and Richard Gere star in this biographical drama about a legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world.
6. An Education
A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.
5. The princess and The Frog
A fairy tale with a black princess set in Jazz Age-era America. The animated film centres on a young girl named Princess Tiana who turns into a frog after kissing a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again.
4. Brothers
This A captivating and wonderfully told drama about A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after his supposed death in Afghanistan.
3. Skin
Skin is based on the true story of a black girl who was born to two white Afrikaner parents in South Africa during the apartheid era. This great movie will ensure that your feet will remain safely on the ground during all the Valentine’s Day madness- it’s a must watch.
2. Up in the Air
With a job that has him travelling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.
1. Valentine’s Day
It’s all in the name. Valentine’s Day tells the story of Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles who break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.The stellar cast includes Jamie Foxx, Julia Roberts, Queen Latifah and Jessica Alba.