In just a few weeks Tyler Perry will release his eighth studio release, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. I’m sure this will be another box office hit. The film stars, Ms. Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight, Adam Rodriguez (CSI Miami) and Brian White (Stomp the Yard), and of course, Madea. This is Taraji’s second time working with Perry, she first appeared in The Family That Preys, as the good sister. This time around she’s the bad girl, a selfish lounge singer who has lost her way in life. With Mary J. having a role in the film, I’m sure the soundtrack will be a winner.
Now, as with the release of most Tyler Perry films, I’m sure the critics (the professional ones and the haters) will come out to do what they do best. I for one, am hoping that this time around all of those that say Mr. Perry is sending a negative message about African-Americans or perpetuating stereotypes, will finally have previews of their own movies for us to see. Maybe then, we can have the diversity in film and the telling of our stories that we so desperately crave and that they so loudly (and sometimes prematurely) criticize other filmmakers for not doing. As far as what “some people” think about African-American women, here’s a thought. If Claire Huxtable, various characters portrayed by Dianne Carroll and the real life success of Oprah Winfrey and First Lady Michelle Obama have not changed some people’s perceptions, could it be that “some people” don’t want their perceptions changed?
Click the link below to view the preview.
By the way, Taraji has snagged another cover. This month she is featured in Natural Solutions magazine, discussing how she unwinds and the benefits of meditation. Go Taraji.
