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Name: ChakaTee

Comment: Ouch! But, I am cracking up about the comment you made about some of the authors that you mentioned who cannot write and need to take a community college class. Now that shyt was funny to me!

Name: McNasty

Comment: That was kinda funny but it could be said, at least they are reading. You know I feel sorry for Mr. Dixon because the characters in Madea's family exist in most of our families! Maybe he grew up in an orphanage and aged out without ever experiencing the black family. The people, the situations the eventual coming together epitomize the black family. No buffoonery there! I would agree with him about Martin as I am no fan but even he is allowed to make a fool of himself without being singled out. When we should have been discouraging some of this behavior, we were too busy laughing at it ourselves so now we criticize. Mr. Dixon, I beg to differ.

Name: ChakaTee

Comment: McNasty, I hear you. But unfortunately I didn't have that type of Black family experience either. I grew up the projects in NY in the 60/70's. All of my relatives (aunts, uncles, cousins) lived in states far away across America. We never really had that family get together kind of thing growing up. Now that we're all grown up we recently started having family reunions, but we're more like strangers than anything.

Name: SpelmanRho

Comment: Is Tyler Perry high or even laudable theatre? No. But in spite of that, his movie (that my friends forced me to see) "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" wasn't the worst thing I'd ever seen. Now it's not my cup of tea so I won't be seeing anymore of his work (unless, again under duress). Were there SERIOUS plot resolution issues ? YES (he threw in random references to characters Christian beliefs when the only person who really displayed those characteristics was Cissley Tyson character) ! But his movie had a positive ending and theme (even if it was muddled and poorly executed). The antics of Madea are not the point of the entire movie. She's a character foil which is TOTALLY different from "Soul Plane". The whole point of "Soul Plane" was to laugh at how awful it would be if incompetent and naturally funny black people (because we ALL know that black people are just naturally funny) ran an airline. Is Madea a technical and literary kerfuffle ? Definitely ! But is her intent harmful ? I don't think that it is. I think this is more a question of one's own personal taste than anything else. There’s room for “Madea”, “Crash”, “Last Holiday”, and “Friday”. There’s room for multifaceted expressions of the multifaceted black American experience. And while I prefer Tanarive Due to Omar Tyree, a little levity every now and then never hurt anyone. It only becomes a problem when you ONLY know Zane and have no idea about Fanon or Orwell (whose works eerily parallel the current climate of American political/cultural landscape).

Name: danyello

Comment: I have to disagree. How can you criticize a movie you haven't seen yet? I didn't go see Diary of Mad Black Woman, but I rented it and it was a good movie that dealt with real issues. Madea is just there to add comedy relief. And to compare this to Soul Plane is just crazy, that movie was total garbage. I just read the interview for this film and it seems as though it is going to tackle physical abuse and sexual abuse. There is just no pleasing us. We yell and scream about us not making different movies, then when someone makes something different we complain about that. Alright, I'm done. 8-)

Name: mayday

Comment: I think Mr. Dixon has that top 10% syndrome (the silent educated Black majority) stop it! I have only seen one Tyler Perry Movie/Play and that was Diary of a Mad Black Woman and I thought it was a decent movie. I will probably go and see this movie as well because it is a good, clean, funny family type of movie. Every time a black movie comes out in Hollywood someone is up in arms about how it is hurting the black community but this time I simply cannot agree, there is some truth and positiveness to the Madea movies. This is simply another case of the so called "educated" black folks separating themselves from the "rest". Now I must agree with Mr. Dixon in reference to the reading materials....I don't look down upon those that only read Zane or E. Lynn Harris, I have a couple of friends that would stand in line waiting for the next book by either of those two author's.....instead of talking about them I just exchange one of their books for one of mine and I try to broaden their reading choices.

Name: OneShot

Comment: I agree with a lot of what Mr. Dixon says, BUT I also think we have to leave room for the Madea's of the world. Funny Story, some girls back in college were going to see "Beauty Shop" and I refused to go. One of the girls said, "Oh, you don't like theater"? LOL!!! Those plays are not theater, they're stage comedies at best. If nothing else, Mr. Dixon and SpelmanRho (ever level-headed and smart) have given me some authors to check out. It's nice to see new black authors, but most of the books are on the same level and are hardly worthy of all the hype they receive and unfortunately many credible black authors are not getting the attention they so richly deserve. I read one Zane book and HATED it. I'll take the old classics any day of the week (Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Zora Neale Hurston).

Name: Angel

Comment: SpelmanRho - Oh girl, I love me some Tananarive Due!! Her books are crazy! But I digress....I am not a fan of the Madea series, but I found Diary of a Mad Black Woman entertaining (and yes, I went under duress due to a friend forcing me to see it...I made sure to wear dark sunglasses upon entering the movie theatre. LOL). We as black people are a multifaceted group with different levels of books, theatre, etc. just like everybody else. For every Omar Tyree book, there is some white trash novel out there somewhere. It's just a difference in taste. Some folks live strictly on caviar and others on cheese grits. LOL

Name: Angel

Comment: One Shot - I have to admit. I read one Zane book (Addiction) and hated it too. BUT it did only take me a few uninterrupted hours to read it and I felt like I needed to smoke a cigarette and take a shower when I was done. LOL

Name: bigchassie

Comment: DANYELO/MAYDAY> I TOO CONCUR. LOOK, THIS IS A BROTHA WHO IS DOING SOMETHING THAT IS POSITIVE. AT LEAST IT'S NOT A SHOOT EM UP CRIME INFLUENCED STEREOTPICAL MOVIE WHICH LOOKED LIKE THAT IS ALL WE SEE ON THE SCREEN. ALSO, THIS BROTHA PRODUCED, DIRECTED, WROTE AND STARRED (AS THREE CHARACTERS)IS A FEAT IN ITSELF. AND TO MISTER PERRY, I COMMEND YOU, MY BROTHA. KEEP GIVING US THE POSITITVE AND CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT DO BABY! CAUSE YOU IN TURN INFLUENCE ME TO DO THE SAME. AND I THANK YOU!!

Name: star

Comment: Part of the problem is people who sit back and point fingers. It's so easy to complain, what the #*#! are you doing?

Name: jlove

Comment: Shame on you for writing this! This may be 2006-but there are still Big Momma's around in families of different cultures too might I add. Apparently Martin & Tyler must not be too bafoon-it got your attention to watch!

Name: Stuff101

Comment: Lighten up! Its just one form of entertainment and if it's not your cup of tea then don't drink it. I myself like many different forms of entertainmen at different times. We do have many choices on what we view that will be entertaining to us and for those who choose not see this movie don't hate the brother who finds humor in his up-bringing and wants to share it with the world.

Name: mydchomegirl

Comment: Okay folks, you know everybody is not going to be pleased and we are all entitled to our opinions. However, are we as critical about white characters like Dana Carvey's "Church Lady" or some of the crap that Jim Carrey or Adam Sandler does. No! We are always putting the brothers down! I must agree that Soul Plane was a complete minstrel show but how many of us saw Spike Lee's "Bamboozled" that addressed the whole Black Hollywood issue? Madea is a character that happens to be black older woman who is funny. If she was grinning and skinning and buck dancing on the stage or screen, Tyler Perry would not be as successful as he is today. There is one thing about my people is we have PRIDE. We know when we are being depicted in a deragotory fashion and we will not patronize it on the large screen. However, instead of us dogging Tyler Perry lets start with writing the producers of some of this crap on the radio where our black women are being called %*$!(es and hoes and are displayed in the videos as nothing but hunting game! Tyler is a very talented brother and if you don't like him then don't go see the movie. Just make sure you don't own a copy of Napoleon Dynamite in your video collection. Peace!!

Name: MelodyCool

Comment: Saw Tyler Perry on Tavis and other night along with Cicely Tyson, Lynn Whitfield and Blair Underwood. He made some very good points during that session. He's employing fine black actors who aren't getting many roles anyway. We have to start someone and at least he's doing something! Another thing...there are positive messages in his comedy. Ethnic humor is not unique to black folks. Ours is call the chitlin circuit...but jews call theirs the borscht belt and they also have the Yiddish theatre. White men have dressed as women in movies like Tootsie, Some Like it Hot, Priscilla...Queen of the Desert, To Wong Foo...Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar etc etc. Big deal. And please don't forget Barry Humphrey's performances as Dame Edna.

Name: MelodyCool

Comment: There have been a number of characters on Saturday Night Live who've dressed as women. They do this to get surefire laughs.

Name: Southernbelle

Comment: Mammie roles???I never viewed the role of Madea or big Mamma as a Mammie role. To the contrary, I relate the role of Big Mamma to my experiences with my own grandmother. No, she is not a gun toting, weed smoking lady, but she is a strong black woman and the central focus of the family, much like Madea. It's okay to allow for diversity in what we consider ENTERTAINMENT. I just so happen to enjoy reading Zane and E.Lynn but I've learned to balance this by reading more thought provoking authors. Get a grip dude.

Name: musbdherbs

Comment: Admittedly, I'll probably never see another Tyler Stage comedy again. HOWEVER, the movie was rather decent and I was sure that I wouldn't enjoy it based on the stage production. The only thing I agree w/w/this poster is that why does Perry get a pass? If u can find something redeemable about Madea...why can't the same be said for Soul Plane. If the argument is that we all have someone like Madea in our family, then we all probably have a Nashawn (main character..got a rack of money and wasted on some bs)) Captain Mack (the gangsta weed head), the Blind man (John Witherspoon...the blind pimp). So, why is Medea different and NOT a minstrel show and Soul Plane is? Can someone explain...*scratchin head*

Name: DCGG

Comment: I totally agree with the author of this post and I'll say it again - it takes one of a certain intellect to find humor in the Madea franchise. Mind you Perry has stated over and over again how his inspiration was Oprah Winfrey...has Oprah come out in support of any of his projects?

Name: MsHRDiva

Comment: Well, I will say that I find the Madea movies funny... not because I relate, but because some of the outlandish stuff she does is just damn funny. However, you have to wonder if others are laughing at us and not with us. Martin's Big Momma 2 was the return of Mammy and it was shameful in that she reverted to being a maid for a white family; that really ws a huge turn off for me... so I agree with Les in that is was just straight sambo, coonish - ie set back for us as a people. I cannot, though, place Madea in the same category as Big Momma as Madea does whatever it takes to maintain her family and that is why she is so endeared by the black community. She is a southern black woman from New Orleans who lacks social grace. But we still love her. LOL

Name: MsHRDiva

Comment: DCGG, yes she has. She had him on one of her shows and fully endorsed his first movie. Oh, yeah I agree with the comments about Zane and the other self-professed authors who write this crap that are only endorsed by lonely single mothers who have given up on having a life of their own - at least this is the demographic I see reading this trash.

Name: archcookies

Comment: I think that you comments are right on target. I was mesmerized by the Madea genre in the beginning. Then I started evaluating the behavior of the main character, abusive. I think the plays/movies send the wrong message and I am tired of our theatre becoming an extention of "playing the dozens" I am sick of Tyler and Madea, get an original thought.

Name: lionqueen0728

Comment: shame... i enjoyed my crazy dysfuntional family... i feel sad mr dixon didnt feel the same about his ... the movies are all in fun... and everyone can relate in someway.. unless you are extremely anal retentive...LOL. lighten up... if we cant laugh at ourselves... you have become waaay to politically correct !!!!!why must we sit around and analyze everything to death !!! life will slip away ... and youll still be analyzin how awful you think Tyler Perry is for making those movies !!!!

Name: musbdherbs

Comment: Arch..what's the wrong message?

Name: Angel

Comment: DCGG - Oprah has endorsed BOTH of his movies. She even interviewed Madea on her show. It was hilarious. LOL

Name: beegirl

Comment: When Steve Martin plays a bumbling detective in the Pink Panther, white people don't protest and say that he perpetuates a stereotype of white people being dumb. I never saw a TP play, but I enjoyed Diary the film because of its Christian message. Madea was just comic relief, and in my opinion, she promoted positive black values because she was kind, giving, and family oriented. I do agree that some of these books and films are a bit low-brow, but just because I am college-educated, it doesn't mean that I have to impose my tastes on everyone else. I can't wait until we black people realize that there is room for all of our preferences in our culture. As for Soul Plane, I don't recall there being any boycott against it. The ads for it looked awful so people didn't see it. Simple enough.

Name: Stuckinthe70s

Comment: >Beegirl- I must have missed the Christian message, chile. I have to say I agree with alot of what the poster says; however, I'm a firm believer of different strokes for different folks. I myself, will probably NOT see this movie (unless under duress), but I have seen fabulous movies like 'Hotel Rwanda', 'Ray' and others with my all time favorite of Bro Spike's "Bamboozled".

Name: beegirl

Comment: Stuckinthe70s, it was subtle, but it was there. :) But I agree with you: different strokes for different folks. If I go home after work and watch PBS, I can't chastise a brother or sister who goes home and needs to watch Comic View to unwind. That's his or her choice. Plus, we're not all up on the Cosby Show standards of the black elite ALL the time. I used to watch Judge Mathis whenever I got a chance, and, er, well, I visit this not-real-news website errday. LOL.

Name: MomaKnowz

Comment: You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. You *do* realize that this is COMEDY, don't you? Lucille Ball whose character Lucy was "out of her mind" BUT, Ms Ball (and now her estate) goes ALL THE WAY TO THEE BANK! Get over it. Madea is NOT Macbeth. It isn't supposed to be scholarly. It is (now take this all in) entertainment. That's it and nothing more. It isn't there to define blacks as Lucy doesn't define whites. Props to Tyler Perry for overcoming his painful beginnings and for finding a way to make us laugh... Now go on to the bank, my brother!

Name: SpelmanRho

Comment: >Beegirl: I guess I'm missing the "Christian" message to. Some of his characters mention God and some well worn Christian platitudes; but does that make it a "Christian" movie ? Can we just drop God's name whenever and call it Christian ?

Name: ChakaTee

Comment: What the hell is a NE-YO? It sounds like Finding Nemo. I think I'm gonna take up rapping. I'll be the first 40 something sistah out there rapping. I'm thinking of some names now, ME-YA, MEL-LOW, YA-YA. Then I gotta go to Ms. Sue-Kim and get me a Beyonce weave. Each morning EUR has a picture of some ugly has-been/never-been rapper that I aint heard of. I just need a gimmick. I know! I'll send my question in to EUR's Advice Chick. Y'all look out for me here!

Name: ChakaTee

Comment: I apologize folks. I dropped a message on the wrong page

Name: chocdiva

Comment: I too saw the interview on Tavis Smiley and it gave me a lot to think about. I never saw Tyler Perry's plays. I was not fond of the "chitlin circuit" being that I grew up in NYC and was afforded the OPPORTUNITY to see theater on Broadway. Some do not have that opportunity. What the interview left me with is the reasons behind Tyler Perry and his works. Lynn Whitfield made a comment stating that back in Greece and Shakespearean days, theater called for audience participation. She said that to bring a parallel to Perry's plays whether we agree or disagree. Tavis also made it known that Perry's Production company employs black actors, and many behind the scenes workers. We know that is rare in Hollywood, thus the new interest in independent films and minority owned film production studios and companies. Also, I saw "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and enjoyed it. Leaving the movie made me think. Which is something some of us rarely do when listening to music or seeing plays/movies. I will also support Perry by seeing "Madea's Family Reunion". I LOVE Madea. What I find in that character is an ability to speak "truth" surrounded by comedy. Almost like having a child take a pill helping it down with some honey. After reading the poster's comments I have to say that we as a people need to get away from this one way to live ideology. I am BLACK. I'm all for balance. Enjoying Perry's works doesn't make me any less BLACK than attacking those that like Perry, Zane, or Tyree any more BLACK. I actually read Omar Tyree's "Flyy Girl" and recommended that and "The Coldest Winter Ever" to many friends who are raising daughters. Now Tyree's collection of work, IMO, do not hold up to that first book, but I can enjoy his fiction just as I enjoy Octavia Butler, Pearl Cleage, and the like.

Name: beegirl

Comment: Spelman, I'm not sure if it was meant to be an overall Christian movie or not, but one of the messages that came across to me was how important God/Church was to that family. It wasn't the theme of the movie. I thought that the theme was that you can rise above your situation if you start to value yourself and get your priorities in order. And I thought it was saying that one of those priorities is God. But I'm not the movie's PR person (ha ha), so all I can tell you is what I took from it. Have a great Friday, everyone!

Name: PHScott

Comment: Well, here's my two cents: GET OVER YOURSELF!!! Jeez, it's only a movie. If you don;t like it, don't pay your money to see it! Don't buy or rent the DVD; don't order it on pay-per-view, don't watch it on cable and don't watch it when BET finally gets the rights to air it. Your attitude is rife with censorship, which is bad for this nation. We have the freedom of choice and I'd rather have that choice than to have someone say that Tyler perry's work should be banned. These exact freedoms allow you to post your own opinions about his work. You lose this freedom if Tyler Perry's is taken from him. THINK about that...

Name: RealSmiles

Comment: Mr. Dixon definitely have that ten percent deal going on. What he failed to recognize is that Madea is Tyler's concept that he was successful in developing her in plays and now in movie theaters. I'm willing to bet Mr. Dixon hasn't checked out Tyler's website, otherwise the language he chose to use to crticize Perry would be less acrid. I'm not going to knock a brother who can write, develop, and market both his plays and movies and manage to keep our African American actors/actresses employed. Mr. Dixon, when you have succesfully done what Mr. Perry has done, come back again with your comments.

Name: DANZPAT

Comment: We need more Madea's in the world. Parents aren't doing their jobs and children are running a muck. We live in a different day but with old school ways life was simpler and safer. A good butt whippin is what a disobedient child needs and sad to say some messed up parents. To Tyler I say keep spreading the messages that you do with laughter and for those who criticize take a close look at yourself and your life and ask what are you doing to try to make things better?

Name: SpelmanRho

Comment: I agree with everyone who basically said, be well rounded and don't take yourself so serriously. >beegirl: I feel you. >Oneshot: thank you. :o). >Angel: Have you read "Joplin's Ghost" yet ?

Name: SpelmanRho

Comment: Seriously ! LOL ! See what I mean ! Life's too short to be hostile to EVERY life experience that's not similar to your own. It took me a LONG time to learn that lesson. I can represent the race, myself, and the God I serve quite well by enjoying the good natured humor and simple lessons that life has to offer. Everyone have a great weekend.

Name: Angel

Comment: Spelman - Not yet, but it's on my list. I just started reading her books last year. I've read "My Soul to Keep" and "The Living Blood". I just started "The Good House" last week.

Name: McNasty

Comment: DANZPAT I co sign!! I can't believe some of the asinine comments I've read on this board - but I'm not surprised. ChakaTee with time comes friendships in family - just don't stop going and make friends of your cousins, uncles and aunts. You'll find that while you don't like all of them, there are some you want to keep in touch with throughout the year. FYI The talented tenth died along with the idea that the black community would eventually be unified!

Name: asimplegoddess

Comment: People make me laugh,a coon, a sambo, give me a break, it is comedy, it does not matter what you do there is always someone out there waiting to bash you for something. whether it is Tyler, kanye, whoever, they are doing their thing, if you dont like it dont buy it or watch it, in fact why not get off your %*$ and do something to blow it out of the water, instead of pointing fingers and calling people derogatory names, because we know how unifying that is and it solves so many problems and makes your arguement so much stronger. (hint of sarcasm lol)

Name: Winn30344

Comment: What a nasty poster. You could have made your point without resorting to name calling. Some Black folks are getting like the republicans. You don't like something and everybody better agree with you; for the republicans it's "unamerican" and for you it's "coons".

Name: lovelace

Comment: There appears to be a lot of anger in Mr. Dixon's comments. People have a tendency to downplay another person's success when they are not where they feel they should be. Tyler Perry is a Testimony! God has brought him a mighty long way! Its hard to believe Tyler was homeless a few short years ago but, when you believe in yourself there's no limit to how far God will take you. Mr. Dixon, I pray you will do some soul searching so you can let go of all that bitterness you have buried. Stop berating others for believing in their dreams.

Name: amethyst

Comment: Dixon's post really bothers me. I'm highly educated (got several initials behind my name) but this post does not represent me nor most of my "educated" friends. Perhaps Dixon can't relate to the Madea character. However, I can. Madea is a bit outlandish (the comedy/entertainment factor), but her character and Tyler's story lines present some serious issues. One of the things I loved best about the movie "Diary of A Mad Black Woman" was that it presented Christian and ethical values. Did anyone pay attention to the fact that Kimberly Elise and Shemar NEVER HAD SEX? Tyler as the cousin with the crack-addicted wife took excellent care of his kids, had not brought another woman into his life, and in the end he offered the wife forgiveness. Madea encourages the women in her family to be strong, to have self-esteem, and to not accept abuse. This is a positive message to me. Since Dixon mentioned "Flyy Girl", I'll respond to that, too. That is one of my favorite books because I relate to the situations the teen-aged character experienced. So I say to Dixon, don't instantly criticize and degrade others just because you can't relate to a particular book, play, movie or song. The "Black Experience" is multi-faceted, so we have different life experiences, and different factors affect each of us differently.

Name: dsgirl

Comment: This is why we just have to live for ourselves and keep steppin'. If Tyler Perry were to worry about what some psuedoconservative thinks about someone who is, in one form or another our reality'(My 'Madea' was about 50lbs lighter but was still called "Big Mama" because she was tall and had a presence. Yet, she went from working 2 full time maid jobs to owning several properties in L.A. before her passing years ago.), then nobody would make movies or theatrical productions about anything or anybody, sit back, blame white folks and everybody else. You don't like it, don't watch it and let others bask in the glory.

Name: ForrestGump

Comment: I agree that Perry's "stage plays" cater to stereotypes and well-worn cliches; however, as an artist, he is producing material that appeals to Black audiences, manages to tell some of our stories and employs more Black creative people than 99% of the movies/TV shows produced in this country. Where's the harm? IMO, "Laffy Taffy" rappers and their ilk do A LOT more to denigrate our people than Perry on his worst day. Diary was an overwrought, under-directed, poorly written mess, BUT there is a woman in my office who paid to see it twice because of the family friendly content and positive, Chistian-theme affirming resolution. Perry has said that his next screenplay will NOT feature the Madea character. It looks to me like he used his "cash cow" to open the door to producing material with less broad humor. At least SOMEBODY has complete control and a decent budget.

Name: ForrestGump

Comment: By the way, Underwood's last film "G" was of such limited release that it didn't get a fair chance in the theaters. If not for the profitable Tyler Perry's of the world, most studios would be unwilling to take a chance on other Black-themed dramatic content. Just something to think about, Dixon.

Name: Gettogurl

Comment: Madea is funny as hell! I don't care what anybody says. I love all of TP's stuff and I thank God for him. It is all in fun and it does carry a message. TP is 'doing the damn thang' and employing a lot of black folks while he is doing it. Sit back and enjoy it. If you don't care for it then don't go see it. You are not going to stop anyone else from enjoying it.

Name: wordonthestreet

Comment: I'm with whomever said they missed the "Christian" message. The plays are so much more better than these movies. Personally, I feel he is wrong for not giving the actors in his plays, particularly the Mann's a chance to be in the movies. They are a large part of the reason why his plays are successful. Mr. Brown is so funny.

Name: themusiclady

Comment: I have to say this, that when someone writes/produces/directs a movie, that they feel the world may wish to see, and it has a clean, positive, ending. Than let that person, be creative. Sometimes you get these individuals that are so high on themselves, that feel they can speak for the majority of the African American Community, and Mr. Dixon, you cannot. Being raised in a very close family, and miss the older ones, that have now passed on... get a feel of 'true history' in Mr. Perry's movie. Some may wish to close the door to that part of 'History' when we see the Big Momma's.. Auntie's... portrayed on the movie screen, but for those that appreciate, 'where they came from'... Some can get to the reality of the movie. Sure, time has changed. We see Big Momma's, Now, as young as 25 or 30 years old themselves... having to be forced to be a grandma. So, when we see, how it use to be, how mature, and 'real’ the older ones were, it makes 'some' (like myself) remember. And for that, I thank the writer/creator of the movie. I wish them more success. I'm sure Mr. Dixon, will have more futuristic movies to look forward to. That will make, our History, appear obsolete. Meantime...... I say, do your "Thang" Mr. Perry. (And I didn't say Thing either) LOL – that’s (Laughing Out Loud)

Name: MemphisJan

Comment: Dear Les: I, too, am an educated African American, with two degrees from prestigious universities in the Mid West. Fortunately, being highly educated did not affect my sense of humor! While you may not like Tyler Perry's movies and plays, and you certainly have that right, there are millions of people that his works appeal to just as the works of the authors that you mentioned in your post. Frankly, I am not one that necessarily goes to movies to always find an intellectual challenge. I am not always seeking a movie that has a "hidden meaning: that I must analyze. Frequently because of the stress that I experience in my job, I go to the movies just to be entertained, to get a laugh or two that will help me get past that stress and then go on. Perry's work does exactly that for me. I know that the theme will be you can overcome your situation or circumstances if you are willing to do the work that is required. It's as simple as that! Perry's work may not be of the caliber of August Wilson, or Shakespeare, or any ot the classics' authors, but I doubt that is what he intended it to be. It is "self help" for those who can not afford therapy and certainly it is confirmation that if you can just put your faith in God (or whatever Higher Power you select) and believe that you deserve something better for yourself, then you can have it. I salute Tyler on his success and wish him much, much more. And, I'm hoping that you regain your sense of humor and appreciation for something that is not pretentious, as you appear to be.

Name: SilentJay

Comment: I think Les Dixon is a hater in the purist since of the term. He doesn't really give us in depth explanation of his opinion on Tyler Perry's movies or his stage plays. Instead he chooses to fire off alot of inflamatory words more for the sake of provocation than elightenment. I don't think Tyler Perry's plays or movies are meant represent all of black culture or black people for that matter. But here we are once again debating whether not the art in question is doing some kind of service or disservice to the black community a whole. Is Tyler's work representing us in the best way? I saw the movie and it addressed some hard issues. Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, materialism, Black Manhood. It addressed some the issuses the black generation gap with a poinyant speech given by Ciscily Tyson towards the end of the film. The speech does talk to the youth about the lack of respect that so many of them show for themselves. You sir Mr. Dixon have over thought the Madea character and have insulted some very good actors who have probably sacrificed more lucrative ventures to do movies that have some social relevance to us. Tyler knows something that is true, ugly but true, you can't get black people in the theatre and have them to put out hard earned money and not entertain them. Any positive messages that you are attempting to put across will be lost on deaf ears. Tyler Perry isn't the late August Wilston and he doesn't try to be. All he does present a funny move with with strong male and female characters who are basically rooted in reality and throws in a hype character to take the edge off. And that is all Madea is meant to be, a hype-man(so to speak) To compare this moive to Soul Plane is just ignorant on your part. I consider my self an intelectual and logical thinker, you sir do not speak for me. What is missing from black popular culture is balance. Balance between genres of films,tv shows, and music, a broader perspective of who we are as black people in a america. That means we have to take charge of the buisiness aspect of the entertaiment industry they ways jewish people have. Right now there are more of us in front of the camera and not incontrol of what is being captured on film. Maybe once we've done that, some people who think as you do Dixon wont' heap so much responisibility on individual artist like Tyler and attack them when they fail to reach your miscued expectations.

Name: clotel

Comment: Mr Dixon, I heartily agree with your comments and am particularly sick of brothas dressing in drag and calling it acting. Newsflash: The only person who acceptably got away with this is Flip Wilson, he was entertaining but not extreme. I also applaud you Mr. Dixon for being bold enough to express yourself considering that we are NOT monolithic. Unfortunately, many of those who have verbally %*$aulted you fail to remember that we only share the same hue and not life experiences. I never grew up calling my grandmother 'Big Momma or Madea' but then again, why would I call her that when she is and has always been, a beautiful and petite woman. The trashy and blatant stereotypes will not garner us Academys but instead, just more and more Stepin' Fetchit type roles, and that is truly a problem.

Name: DCGG

Comment: Clotel -- I totally agree with Mr Dixon however I disagree with you when you say that "Tyler's movie won't garner an academy" - hey if Hustle and Flow can be nominated...need I say anymore.

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