Thinking Like A Man

Yes, this is about the movie.

Yes, I am going to see it.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way (yes, that's a Steve Harvey shout out), let's get to it.




As stated above, I plan on going to see 'Think Like A Man" at some point this weekend. Whether it's on Friday depends on whether I go to the Miami/FSU baseball game. If I go to the game I'll see it Saturday morning, which will take away from the experience.

*For those of you who don't understand that last part, let me explain. Watching black movies in theaters full of black people is an experience much more similar to watching a stage play. The audience provides as much entertainment as the movie itself. I first noticed this when I used to watch Tyler Perry movies. If you haven't seen this phenomenon, you haven't lived. Check it out this weekend.

Since I've mentioned Perry, let me get to the crux of this piece now. The reason I felt the need to point out so publicly that I'm going to see the movie is that there are so many so-called smart black people who are quick to say they refuse to go within a five-mile radius of the theater while the movie is on its first run.

Most of y'all either know or happen to be one of these types. You know: the type that only listens to neo-soul and "conscious" rap, doesn't believe in fraternizing with anyone who's not part of a book club...which actually can't be any of y'all since I'm not part of a book club...and hasn't had any real fun since a fully white man was president.

These folk have a common refrain regarding the movie, saying they're not going to see the movie because it's garbage or stupid or the book wasn't that good or whatever else. Who said the movie - or the book - was supposed to be some huge cultural event that changed the nature of relationships as we know them? People need to get over themselves and their silly expectations.

I'm going to see the movie for one reason, and one reason only. I think it's going to be funny. Intentionally or unintentionally so, I think it's going to provide a level of entertainment worth $5. I would pay $10 to watch an evening show, but I'll be watching Miami and Florida State play baseball Friday and Saturday night.

But back to the sanctimonious folks: they're no better - or smarter - than the people who really do think the book and movie are supposed to be life-altering experiences. "I refuse to be associated with such trash"...alright, fine. Keep your noses up in the air. Perhaps they need to remember that the people who discriminate are usually far worse off than those they discriminate against.

Wait: do they want some book or some movie to be able to tell them how to navigate a very important part of their lives? Seriously...they're so smart and 'high and mighty' and all, but want to be told how to love? Really? That can't be it...but the complaint is that it the book/movie does a bad job of that, so there's at least some point to the theory.

What am I even worried about this for? I'll let the so-called geniuses figure it out. I'll be too busy enjoying myself - which is the only goal I ever had to begin with.