Transformers Why does the "black guy" always die first in a movie?

[Riddick2009]

That actually made me bust out laughing...hahaha... good one!

 

[Hotwire]

Uhm...Spanish = gibberish in CFlash's world...nice to know. Wait...

I don't think he was refering to Spanish as gibberish, he was refering to the fact that the guy just kept rampling on and on, even though no one else could understand him.

 

[TrueBeliever]

Actually you made my point. I didn't call you a racist. But apparently the Joe Dirt thing offends you. Why?

I have no problem with Jazz breakdancing and being a baffoon as his INTRO (his intro!!! I mean, come on! haven't you people seen old Minstrel shows?!). But Ironhide should have broken out into into Achy Breaky Heart and done a line dance too. Then it'd be fair.

:P

Well obviously you are the racist one, refering us as ''You people''. You are the one who was obviously concerned over the death of a fictional character because he was voiced by a Black man. You ask me why I am offended by you mentioning Joe Dirt. Did you forget you posted this?

Originally Posted by CFlash
Dude, come back when movies predominantly show you as a variation of Joe Dirt. Maybe then you'll get it.

Does that not refer to me as Joe Dirt? You are a moron or do you forget what you type? I just find it funny that anytime a White person tries to argue with a Black person over race he is called a redneck Joe Dirt or something of that affect. You my friend are angry because a Transformer was killed in a movie because you think it's because he was voiced by a Black man, Joe Dirt puts you to shame on that one, intelligence wise I mean. Take your race card and rip it, it's not doing you any good Bubba.

He's got a point there, man. As a black/African-American/whathaveyou kid, someone could call me a slew of racist terms to my face... and I'd just laugh at them for attempting to insult me. I've heard "you people" several times and my ears get hot. Attempting to assign a person into a generalized group is seriously offensive.

Same goes with calling all offensive or racist white people "redneck" whatever's. I don't think of "Joe Dirt" when I think of a "typical white american racist", mainly because there is no such thing as one (everyone can have "racist" or igorant tendencies). I won't even name my personal image of one as it might offend. ...But they don't have a mullet.

What happened to the annoying gibberish speaking latino?

Another disposeable stereotype. Not to mention an extension of a similar character the actor plays on "Prison Break". My friend, part Cuban, swore, "If he crosses himself..." But he WAS speaking perfect Spanish, not gibberish. And I'm quite sure, especially in the Military where communication means life or deaf, no person would insist on speaking their native language when everyone else wouldn't understand them.

He certainly disappeared though, huh...

Why do the "bruthas" have to always cast that lame ass white guy in their movies? The one who can only dance good with one leg, or are doing the typical white thing that blacks are trying to hip-hop up (Golf, etc.)?

Cuts both ways. This topic is ****in stupid, and should be closed. We don't need no racist crap talk here.

These are the times we are living in. If you don't like them than you need to re-check your anger issues.

I'm glad you're offended by them too. I mean, as a Film student, I know you're supposed to "write what you know" and that too many movies have characters written off perceptions of how they're supposed to behave and talk.

The "token white guy" on Undercover Brotha (brought onto the team through "Affirmative Action" :P) was a play on such characters.

dude, ratchet is namekian. optimus prime is....lol. i dont know.

but in all seriousness. theyre all cybertronians. sheesh. and we're humans. black, white, asian, hispanic, or w/e, are not races. they are just silly names that the government made up to distinguish ourselves from another. everyone is the same race; the human race.

and yes, i'm a racist. i hate snakes and spiders.

See, the problem is that these aliens, like many others in film are made in "Man's Image" so that we humans might slightly identify with them. Sometimes it comes down to whether or not the audience member feels they'll be properly represented as to whether or not they'll even watch the movie. And it depends on the actor (voice or otherwise) as to what type of person they're supposed to represent. That's what it comes down to in movies: Representation.

The reason this thread was even created was because of the repeated lack of representation or misrepresentation of black people and culture in movies, even in so-called "black movies". From the characters in "Birth of A Nation" to just about any role Danny Glover has played (particularly "Color Purple" or "Lethal Weapon"), Hollywood's portrayal of Blacks in America and culture.

(Tyrese has NEVER been a reason for me to watch a movie and his character utilized two stereotypical moments within the same minute; he says "Lets do this!" and we cut to him playing basketball...) While it didn't matter whether or not blacks were included in this film or not, I was pleased to see that Jazz was voiced by a black actor ("Eddie" from "Family Matters" no less). That pleasure was evaporated the moment Jazz danced his little jig and exclaimed "Whaddup b*tches?!" ever so stereotypically.

Its been an ongoing struggle to have blacks properly represented in Hollywood (including the music industry these days). Where there are different aspects of "White Society" portrayed in various parts of media, many times over, from "Larry the Cable Guy" to "the White school teacher who's introduced to and educates an 'inner city' group of kids" to George Clooney, "Black Society" can't "afford" such luxuries. I'm sure someone might comment about Denzel or Will Smith or Angela Bassett. But they're outshined by other characters who show up in more cheaply produced movies. So when the "Representative" of a culture is killed off, early or whenever, its annoying and insulting to those movie-goers.

 

[tekken]

what about asians? they're always gonna have an accent, know martial arts, or be really smart. but i dont mind...cuz i actually think it's funny. i think stereotypes are fine as long as they have some truth to them.

 

[Mr. Socko]

GIT R DUN!

 

[cosmicherosa]

Larry the Cable Guy should be shot in the face.

TB, I read everything ya said and I agree with whatcha say. I hope one day we drop this silly stereotypical friggin GARBAGE in movies and just move on. I mean....cinema has been around for MANY years and the same garbage roles/stories/characters are still around. It's a big shame, and it is SOOOO lame. Everyone is ****in guilty.

I still hate college preppy rich jackasses though. There is no room for them ever.

That actually made me bust out laughing...hahaha... good one!

That is one of my favorite picture of all time. It is so innocent and evil and hilarious. SO great.

 

[Mr. Socko]

In all seriousness, I agree. I hate when a black person is stereotyped as the ignorant dumb person in every movie. Or in other black movies, as the pimp with the gold chains. I hate movies like Norbit, they help nothing.

 

[cosmicherosa]

And movies like this "Black Guy is Taking over White Man's Golf Sport/Lifestyle" movie coming out: Who's Your Caddy

Watch that ****IN trailer and tell me that this is the type of stuff that is wrecking kids minds. Mind you, I am using this as purely an example. There are race hates/mocks race all over the place.

 

[Hotwire]

what about asians? they're always gonna have an accent, know martial arts, or be really smart. but i dont mind...cuz i actually think it's funny. i think stereotypes are fine as long as they have some truth to them.

What's even funnier about stereotypes, is there always seems to be plenty of people, from any deographic, willing to live up to them and give peope reasn to believe in them.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

Boy, you guys are really taking the title of this thread hard core. I mentioned a few times that Jazz's early death in the movie is similar to that of a brotha dying in a horror movie. It was quick, and scripted.

I didn't see it coming either (since I stayed away from spoilers the whole time), but the fact that Jazz's personality was intended as being of urban decent, he reminded me of a brotha.

 

[Figs]

In all seriousness, I agree. I hate when a black person is stereotyped as the ignorant dumb person in every movie. Or in other black movies, as the pimp with the gold chains. I hate movies like Norbit, they help nothing.

They should blame themselves then. If they really cared or were actually offended, which their most likely not........they wouldn't take the ****ing roles. Look at Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, and Sydney Poiter. They don't pick stupid **** like the others do, if anything blame the other actors for keeping it alive.

 

[greg@XSchool]

Well actually Bone Crusher died before Jazz did, you stated in general first to die, not being specific as to Autobot or Decepticon, so in all fairness he didn't die first.

 

[Mr. Socko]

They should blame themselves then. If they really cared or were actually offended, which their most likely not........they wouldn't take the ****ing roles. Look at Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, and Sydney Poiter. They don't pick stupid **** like the others do, if anything blame the other actors for keeping it alive.

Agree

 

[CFlash]

They should blame themselves then. If they really cared or were actually offended, which their most likely not........they wouldn't take the ****ing roles. Look at Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, and Sydney Poiter. They don't pick stupid **** like the others do, if anything blame the other actors for keeping it alive.

I guess if you're an actor and you can't find work, you gotta make due. You should watch a movie called Hollywood Shuffle. It's a classic by Robert Townsend.

 

[Figs]

I guess if you're an actor and you can't find work, you gotta make due. You should watch a movie called Hollywood Shuffle. It's a classic by Robert Townsend.

It all comes down to if the individual has self esteem and pride. If they were actually offended by the role and had at least one of those two I mentioned, they wouldn't take the role regardless of being out of work. So many stories out there of big timers who were bussing tables and working everyday joe jobs while going to auditions. It's not like they had to take that role or they would instantly fall to the bottom as a moneyless bum on the street.

 

[Figs]

I guess if you're an actor and you can't find work, you gotta make due. You should watch a movie called Hollywood Shuffle. It's a classic by Robert Townsend.

Just read the synopsis for that movie. I understand your point, just don't think at least in this day and age it's as realistic anymore. Look at the list of black actors I named a few posts up. If you look at most of their films going way back, they didn't have to take any "stereotype" roles. Not the kind that supposedly, purposely make fun of people of color.

 

[Apollo]

jazz wasn't black, he was silver wasn't he??

 

[CFlash]

Just read the synopsis for that movie. I understand your point, just don't think at least in this day and age it's as realistic anymore. Look at the list of black actors I named a few posts up. If you look at most of their films going way back, they didn't have to take any "stereotype" roles. Not the kind that supposedly, purposely make fun of people of color.

Think about this hard: even the actors you mentioned... the ones cast in "color-blind" roles (Denzel, Freeman, etc)... how often are they cast in traditional *romantic* leading man roles?

The fact of the matter is that it's a lot easier-- and way funnier to some people-- to portray Anthony Anderson and his The Australian Blonde "Friend" than to portray the Nikki and Kitty Pride black dude interracial (and color-blind!) relationship or Simone and Peter Petrelli's. Heroes is fantastic. Why couldn't Transformers be more like that?

 

[Figs]

Think about this hard: even the actors you mentioned... the ones cast in "color-blind" roles (Denzel, Freeman, etc)... how often are they cast in traditional *romantic* leading man roles?

The fact of the matter is that it's a lot easier-- and way funnier to some people-- to portray Anthony Anderson and his The Australian Blonde "Friend" than to portray the Nikki and Kitty Pride black dude interracial (and color-blind!) relationship or Simone and Peter Petrelli's. Heroes is fantastic. Why couldn't Transformers be more like that?

Well, you said it yourself, some like to pick the parts that are way funnier. As far as the cast in traditional *romantic* leading roles......they just didn't pick those. Believe me, I don't have to think about it hard like im a moron. Those actors I listed, how come now that they are/were damn big stars they still haven't played those types.....simply because they didn't want to. You can't deny that someone like Denzel Washington, nominated numerous times, actually and finally I might add, won once doesn't receive those types of scripts. I lost you a bit with the Kitty Pride thing, don't see how she fits into all this. I love the show Heroes and understand your point of view in reference to that. Here is something that you and maybe awhole lot of people need to realize. That scene a few minorities were *****ing about(as usual) were Anthony Anderson and his "cousin" were playing video games and being loud and getting into it.................. . That is in no way a stereotype, im white, most of my friends are white........when we get together and hang out we get like that as well video games or not. It doesn't hold water as an argument, if it were white people in place of them in those roles, I guarantee you nobody would be saying "why are those white boys acting like black people". The same people who found it funny in the movie as is, would have found it funny if it were two white boys. I was dying when the cousin ran threw the sliding glass door, it wasn't because he was black and getting chased from the cops, it was mainly because he was fat lol. If I saw a fat white boy let alone a fat anyone run through a god damn sliding glass door it would have the same humoures(sp?) effect on me. I just get tired of people acting like it's still the 60's, 50's or earlier. Yes, there are still a few hardcore ignorant racists out their but not nearly, nearly as many as before.

 

[CFlash]

^ ^ ^
I was just describing D.L.'s powers on Heroes... they're Kitty Pride-ish.

 

[Figs]

^ ^ ^
I was just describing D.L.'s powers on Heroes... they're Kitty Pride-ish.

*smacks head* AH! Totally forgot.

 

[CFlash]

Well, you said it yourself, some like to pick the parts that are way funnier. As far as the cast in traditional *romantic* leading roles......they just didn't pick those. Believe me, I don't have to think about it hard like im a moron. Those actors I listed, how come now that they are/were damn big stars they still haven't played those types.....simply because they didn't want to. You can't deny that someone like Denzel Washington, nominated numerous times, actually and finally I might add, won once doesn't receive those types of scripts. I lost you a bit with the Kitty Pride thing, don't see how she fits into all this. I love the show Heroes and understand your point of view in reference to that. Here is something that you and maybe awhole lot of people need to realize. That scene a few minorities were *****ing about(as usual) were Anthony Anderson and his "cousin" were playing video games and being loud and getting into it.................. . That is in no way a stereotype, im white, most of my friends are white........when we get together and hang out we get like that as well video games or not. It doesn't hold water as an argument, if it were white people in place of them in those roles, I guarantee you nobody would be saying "why are those white boys acting like black people". The same people who found it funny in the movie as is, would have found it funny if it were two white boys. I was dying when the cousin ran threw the sliding glass door, it wasn't because he was black and getting chased from the cops, it was mainly because he was fat lol. If I saw a fat white boy let alone a fat anyone run through a god damn sliding glass door it would have the same humoures(sp?) effect on me. I just get tired of people acting like it's still the 60's, 50's or earlier. Yes, there are still a few hardcore ignorant racists out their but not nearly, nearly as many as before.

Most of my friends in college were white. I used hear them say things about black people that would make your blood boil. Not because they were racist but because they were idiots. Apparently they felt OK around me cuz I'm a well-spoken Puerto Rican not a black guy.

I have free reign of the network at my company. Serious (and often funny) racist jokes left and right with *some* of these people. Making fun of the spanish speaking secretary... new black guy... etc. I can only imagine them lauging their hearts out (for all the wrong reasons) at the spic-in-the-helicopter scene in the beginning. (Just the thought of that pisses me off).

I don't think Transformers was racist. Like I stated in my 2nd review, Sam's weird surfer dude best friend (who was great in Lords of Dogtown) made me realize the movie makes fun of everybody. None of it was done with malice. In fact... there was a lot of love in that movie.

 

[Figs]

Most of my friends in college were white. I used hear them say things about black people that would make your blood boil. Not because they were racist but because they were idiots. Apparently they felt OK around me cuz I'm a well-spoken Puerto Rican not a black guy.

I have free reign of the network at my company. Serious (and often funny) racist jokes left and right with *some* of these people. Making fun of the spanish speaking secretary... new black guy... etc. I can only imagine them lauging their hearts out (for all the wrong reasons) at the spic-in-the-helicopter scene in the beginning. (Just the thought of that pisses me off).

I don't think Transformers was racist. Like I stated in my 2nd review, Sam's weird surfer dude best friend (who was great in Lords of Dogtown) made me realize the movie makes fun of everybody. None of it was done with malice. In fact... there was a lot of love in that movie.

That's the ultimate point that im glad you noticed. Some people cry bloody murder, those people just need to learn to laugh at themselves. Their is a line of course, from being funny in good taste and just flat out racist though. I don't remember too much Spanish from middle school and high school, but didn't the spanish speaking soldier say something back to them in Spanish that was a on the smartass side for giving him **** about his language? I just remember not knowing what it meant but some hispanics sitting near me got quite a laugh out of it.

 

[TrueBeliever]

Larry the Cable Guy should be shot in the face.

TB, I read everything ya said and I agree with whatcha say. I hope one day we drop this silly stereotypical friggin GARBAGE in movies and just move on. I mean....cinema has been around for MANY years and the same garbage roles/stories/characters are still around. It's a big shame, and it is SOOOO lame. Everyone is ****in guilty.

I still hate college preppy rich jackasses though. There is no room for them ever.



That is one of my favorite picture of all time. It is so innocent and evil and hilarious. SO great.

Thanx, cosmicherosa. Are you speakin' about the "college preppy rick jack*sses" like in Animal House? And sorry if i missed it, which movie was your favorite.

In all seriousness, I agree. I hate when a black person is stereotyped as the ignorant dumb person in every movie. Or in other black movies, as the pimp with the gold chains. I hate movies like Norbit, they help nothing.

And movies like this "Black Guy is Taking over White Man's Golf Sport/Lifestyle" movie coming out: Who's Your Caddy

Watch that ****IN trailer and tell me that this is the type of stuff that is wrecking kids minds. Mind you, I am using this as purely an example. There are race hates/mocks race all over the place.

Both of these are filed under "D*mn Shame", with Soul Plane... But I see there's room to discuss this later, so I'll wait.

Boy, you guys are really taking the title of this thread hard core. I mentioned a few times that Jazz's early death in the movie is similar to that of a brotha dying in a horror movie. It was quick, and scripted.

I didn't see it coming either (since I stayed away from spoilers the whole time), but the fact that Jazz's personality was intended as being of urban decent, he reminded me of a brotha.

Yeah, I know. But an interesting point was brought up which lead to others and i guess we just had at it... :P

What I was saying in my previous post still applies to this though. There were some people who were offended by Jar-Jar in the latest Star Wars movies. Not just because he was downright annoying, but because some say he resembled the "scarred, annoying, troublesome character" usually reserved for blacks in minstrel shows. I know someone just said, "What?!" but its true. And this is what many people get offended by when they have to see actual black actors in rediculous roles that perpetuate stereotypes. I'd mention Flavor of Love, but one could argue, "well, that really WAS Flava in the show. He wasn't 'acting'..."

They should blame themselves then. If they really cared or were actually offended, which their most likely not........they wouldn't take the ****ing roles. Look at Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, James Earl Jones, and Sydney Poiter. They don't pick stupid **** like the others do, if anything blame the other actors for keeping it alive.

Haha, i'd said in my previous post, someone would drop these names. Then, i also mentioned that for every "respectable" role for them, there's an entire cast of movies like Phat Girlz, to refute them. And you think these characters didn't have to pay certain "dues" to get there. I'd argue Halley wouldn't have garnered her precious oscar if she didn't #@$!# hardcore on screen like she did. And Denzel won his Oscar for portraying what, An Angry Corrupt Black Man...

Denzel has said, he's really wanted to do a romantic movie. I'd say his charisma and charm would work wonderfully. The Preacher's Wife was a wonderful example of that. But since then there's been few movies he's acted in where he hasn't held a gun. Or yelled in anger. (Remeber the Titans and... uh...).

I guess if you're an actor and you can't find work, you gotta make due. You should watch a movie called Hollywood Shuffle. It's a classic by Robert Townsend.

YES!!! Everybody should watch this movie. Especially before trying to say people can make certain choices in Hollywood.

It all comes down to if the individual has self esteem and pride. If they were actually offended by the role and had at least one of those two I mentioned, they wouldn't take the role regardless of being out of work. So many stories out there of big timers who were bussing tables and working everyday joe jobs while going to auditions. It's not like they had to take that role or they would instantly fall to the bottom as a moneyless bum on the street.

Throught history, there has always been someone to take the role. Someone needs the money. Just like when a group decides to go on strike, the employer can chose to find someone to fill their place. Its easier in Hollywood where people are looking for opportunities. Some of our greatest actors and actresses have taken roles they've verbally regretted to get to where they are now.

jazz wasn't black, he was silver wasn't he??

Mmm... Maybe like Gunmetal Grey? Lol.

Think about this hard: even the actors you mentioned... the ones cast in "color-blind" roles (Denzel, Freeman, etc)... how often are they cast in traditional *romantic* leading man roles?

The fact of the matter is that it's a lot easier-- and way funnier to some people-- to portray Anthony Anderson and his The Australian Blonde "Friend" than to portray the Nikki and Kitty Pride black dude interracial (and color-blind!) relationship or Simone and Peter Petrelli's. Heroes is fantastic. Why couldn't Transformers be more like that?

Thank you. I was telling a friend, that I was really starting to dig Anderson as an actor after playing (ironically) a really tough Ganglord on The Sheild. When I'd first heard about it, I didn't think "the guy from Kangaroo Jack" could pull it off. Boy did he. I saw that he could really "act"! I'm even more excited to see he's going to STAR in his own tv Drama on FOX and pray that its actually good and doesn't deserve to be cancelled after the third episode. But when I saw him this time, I sighed outloud.

Well, you said it yourself, some like to pick the parts that are way funnier. As far as the cast in traditional *romantic* leading roles......they just didn't pick those. Believe me, I don't have to think about it hard like im a moron. Those actors I listed, how come now that they are/were damn big stars they still haven't played those types.....simply because they didn't want to. You can't deny that someone like Denzel Washington, nominated numerous times, actually and finally I might add, won once doesn't receive those types of scripts. I lost you a bit with the Kitty Pride thing, don't see how she fits into all this. I love the show Heroes and understand your point of view in reference to that. Here is something that you and maybe awhole lot of people need to realize. That scene a few minorities were *****ing about(as usual) were Anthony Anderson and his "cousin" were playing video games and being loud and getting into it.................. . That is in no way a stereotype, im white, most of my friends are white........when we get together and hang out we get like that as well video games or not. It doesn't hold water as an argument, if it were white people in place of them in those roles, I guarantee you nobody would be saying "why are those white boys acting like black people". The same people who found it funny in the movie as is, would have found it funny if it were two white boys. I was dying when the cousin ran threw the sliding glass door, it wasn't because he was black and getting chased from the cops, it was mainly because he was fat lol. If I saw a fat white boy let alone a fat anyone run through a god damn sliding glass door it would have the same humoures(sp?) effect on me. I just get tired of people acting like it's still the 60's, 50's or earlier. Yes, there are still a few hardcore ignorant racists out their but not nearly, nearly as many as before.

No. At some point, actors are able to choose which roles they can be in. But sometimes they can't. Sometimes movies are custome made as vehicles for a specific actor (like Katie Holmes' in Batman: Begins). But when it comes to black romance movies, the whole scene is a mess. Hollywood believes (and Will Smith apparently agrees with this) that audiences won't go out to see a romance movie with two black lead characters. They believe that because they're not "represented", some white audiences won't invest their money into the film. I think sometimes it comes down to the quality of the story, but from what I've seen, I sadly agree with this too.

Back to "representation". The fact that Anderson was acting a complete fool, playing playstation and whatnot wouldn't have been too much of a problem if I'd felt the other characters of color had served up better representations. Tyrese yelled and played basketball. Jazz danced a jig then said something "offensive". Amaury Nolasco served no great purpose as a Latino character. Bernie yelled at his grandma. Anthony Anderson yelled at his grandma.

Most of my friends in college were white. I used hear them say things about black people that would make your blood boil. Not because they were racist but because they were idiots. Apparently they felt OK around me cuz I'm a well-spoken Puerto Rican not a black guy.

I have free reign of the network at my company. Serious (and often funny) racist jokes left and right with *some* of these people. Making fun of the spanish speaking secretary... new black guy... etc. I can only imagine them lauging their hearts out (for all the wrong reasons) at the spic-in-the-helicopter scene in the beginning. (Just the thought of that pisses me off).

I don't think Transformers was racist. Like I stated in my 2nd review, Sam's weird surfer dude best friend (who was great in Lords of Dogtown) made me realize the movie makes fun of everybody. None of it was done with malice. In fact... there was a lot of love in that movie.

I don't think anyone was really saying the creators of this movie had it in mind to put down any race. I think the problem is that the creators didn't take in consideration that their cookie-cutter characters could possibly offend someone.

I mean, John Voight's character bothered me! Lol, after a point, i realized his character served no purpose greater than offering redundant information and demands, "Get those boys here NOW!" (as if that wasn't the plan). <Not the greatest example, but he was a pretty bad leader...

*Sorry for any misspellings. I'm at work and don't have time to proofread and whatnot. Oh and sorry if this got long-winded. ...There's no good excuse for that unfortunately.

 

[Snack_attack]

darkies dont drive stories in action films unless they are starred by wesley snipes...

they are collateral damage.

Wow! How intelligent to refer to black people as 'darkies'. Really classic. I just don't see all the jibber-jabber about race in this movie last I thought these characters were alien robots.
Someone always resort to race and thats sad. I always thought Jazz was a robot and not some organic being. In todays society its really hard to say who is black and who's not because many people have a tendency to speak ebonics. This is sad to see that so many on this board are so easily pulled in the race game and its sad that a movie about robots bring out the ugly in so many.
Some one needs to close this trash heap.