It's really different from the movie. It should be. Times have changed. We need this story right now as Spike Lee is (re-)telling it, unapologetically, in Nola's favor.
I read some pretty ignorant reviews. What's that saying again? "People can only meet you as far as they've met themselves." Clearly many viewers need to look a little harder inwards or into society for that matter. One review states: For a limited (African-American?) audience only." I mean, what rock have you been living under? So if you're not African-American (debatable term), as Damayor and Mars are not African American, neither is Greer.. Nola's friend is Jamaican, what's left? "A limited audience."
Limited how? So, that would be: Brooklyn natives, Puerto Rican people, Europeans, bi-racial kids, all people of color gracing NYC, war-Veterans, bi-curious people, married people, photographers, (prob SATC fans), bike fanatics, brown stone fanatics, Spike Lee fans, Nicki Minaj fans, wait let me rephrase that: people that unfortunately praise the big booty hype...#metoo movement, single moms, Black Lives Matter Movement, artists, lovers of culture, well meaning friends, wives, husbands, healers, women & men on a introspective quest, observers, trend-watchers, musicians, jazz lovers, R&B lovers, Hip Hop lovers, Sinatra fans, cheaters, confused prep kids, troubled public school kids, underprivileged youth, spiritual beings, teachers, Prince lovers, cinema lovers, Anti Trump voters, activists, vegetarians, nurses. I could on. How exactly is that limited? Statement seems invalid.
Moving on: Even if you can't identify with Nola and her world, almost all can relate to the art and artists coming out of Brooklyn. That leads to finding out and understanding what's happening there. If you have an appreciation for the music/art that came from there- you would want to comprehend what is currently going on, correct? Or are we really that shallow that we take the art and don't care WHO created it, along with their (past) significance?!
I'm from the Netherlands, born 1986, considered white but my life is intertwined with Hip Hop culture. Even though I'm half a world away this show got under my skin. The feel of Brooklyn. That obvious love of music Spike Lee portrays, is like water for the thirsty. The changes in- and the way a young woman is navigating life these days. Very relevant- because we'll birth and raise the next generation. Like it or not.
I understand the way Nola reasons and reflects. For example, all women should grant each other a little more freedom and self exploration before committing to one person or not. Exploration of the mind and soul, that is. That said, the thought of putting 3 of my lovers in a room is almost unthinkable. Made me realize I still need to trade up. We need to face that side of our ego if we want to spiritually elevate and evolve as a species. In every sense she's right; there should be no problem in joining them because she was clear about herself, her rules and the existence of others.
The portrayal of Nola's relationships are not limited to a black audience. Most, all women and men everywhere deal with the same problems when stepping into personal truth and setting boundaries with relationships- that define them. Not with societies norms and values.
Also read comments reading: the males are caricatures... really? God, I wish that was true. Doesn't seem exaggerated at all. I gravitated towards all of them because of different reasons. Jamie Overstreet is so comfortable and eloquent in expressing his feelings towards Nola. As is Mars but in a completely different way yet no less real. He looks out for her in his way. Some would say caricature; I say Mars' got flavor and Greer has...his ego. Big difference.
Casting was correct in choosing Dewanda Wise. She's so natural. No altered physicality. Miss Wise is intoxicatingly beautiful. All over the world people are bombarded with plastic representations of women. It's sickening, unhealthy. Pretty thrilling to see such an electrifying female on screen.
On the other end of that spectrum I can write, I was tormented by seeing one of the characters injecting silicone into her bottom. So brutal to see her going into a motel with unsanitary conditions; showing an entirely illegal practice. I commend Spike Lee for telling that story in a very haunting way that showed the non-sense of using our bodies as a business model. All the while inviting HUGE medical RISKS and breaking down the sanity of our souls & physical temple. Anyone who says this show is irrelevant missed the point. This subject alone makes it worthy since it's fighting one of the issues we're facing today. The show addresses more of such.
Loved the coloring of the series and the close ups of the characters. Tranquil energy in most shots. Appreciate the intro song as homage to the film and all the old pictures of Brooklyn. Showcasing of the Album covers was smart. They could have been blended (edited) in more smoothly but I AM that viewer that wants to know WHAT joint is playing without breaking the spell with shazam. It's probably a generation thing.
All topics confronted are relevant. Gentrification, discrimination, body image, treatment of war veterans, integrity + financial struggle of artists, self expression, abuse, human rights, most of all: personal TRUTH. Truth can only live where people are willing to go with their actions, words and intentions. Nola states: "Sometimes being uncomfortable is a good thing. It forces us to react, move and evolve." If we can all take of one mask after this series, stand a little stronger and more humane: then job well done. This show definitely sparks conversation. Let's confront our baggage, struggles, hopes and dreams and stand by it. Let's make sure that if we look back on ourselves 30 years from now, we can breath easily because we know our actions did the talking.
I read some pretty ignorant reviews. What's that saying again? "People can only meet you as far as they've met themselves." Clearly many viewers need to look a little harder inwards or into society for that matter. One review states: For a limited (African-American?) audience only." I mean, what rock have you been living under? So if you're not African-American (debatable term), as Damayor and Mars are not African American, neither is Greer.. Nola's friend is Jamaican, what's left? "A limited audience."
Limited how? So, that would be: Brooklyn natives, Puerto Rican people, Europeans, bi-racial kids, all people of color gracing NYC, war-Veterans, bi-curious people, married people, photographers, (prob SATC fans), bike fanatics, brown stone fanatics, Spike Lee fans, Nicki Minaj fans, wait let me rephrase that: people that unfortunately praise the big booty hype...#metoo movement, single moms, Black Lives Matter Movement, artists, lovers of culture, well meaning friends, wives, husbands, healers, women & men on a introspective quest, observers, trend-watchers, musicians, jazz lovers, R&B lovers, Hip Hop lovers, Sinatra fans, cheaters, confused prep kids, troubled public school kids, underprivileged youth, spiritual beings, teachers, Prince lovers, cinema lovers, Anti Trump voters, activists, vegetarians, nurses. I could on. How exactly is that limited? Statement seems invalid.
Moving on: Even if you can't identify with Nola and her world, almost all can relate to the art and artists coming out of Brooklyn. That leads to finding out and understanding what's happening there. If you have an appreciation for the music/art that came from there- you would want to comprehend what is currently going on, correct? Or are we really that shallow that we take the art and don't care WHO created it, along with their (past) significance?!
I'm from the Netherlands, born 1986, considered white but my life is intertwined with Hip Hop culture. Even though I'm half a world away this show got under my skin. The feel of Brooklyn. That obvious love of music Spike Lee portrays, is like water for the thirsty. The changes in- and the way a young woman is navigating life these days. Very relevant- because we'll birth and raise the next generation. Like it or not.
I understand the way Nola reasons and reflects. For example, all women should grant each other a little more freedom and self exploration before committing to one person or not. Exploration of the mind and soul, that is. That said, the thought of putting 3 of my lovers in a room is almost unthinkable. Made me realize I still need to trade up. We need to face that side of our ego if we want to spiritually elevate and evolve as a species. In every sense she's right; there should be no problem in joining them because she was clear about herself, her rules and the existence of others.
The portrayal of Nola's relationships are not limited to a black audience. Most, all women and men everywhere deal with the same problems when stepping into personal truth and setting boundaries with relationships- that define them. Not with societies norms and values.
Also read comments reading: the males are caricatures... really? God, I wish that was true. Doesn't seem exaggerated at all. I gravitated towards all of them because of different reasons. Jamie Overstreet is so comfortable and eloquent in expressing his feelings towards Nola. As is Mars but in a completely different way yet no less real. He looks out for her in his way. Some would say caricature; I say Mars' got flavor and Greer has...his ego. Big difference.
Casting was correct in choosing Dewanda Wise. She's so natural. No altered physicality. Miss Wise is intoxicatingly beautiful. All over the world people are bombarded with plastic representations of women. It's sickening, unhealthy. Pretty thrilling to see such an electrifying female on screen.
On the other end of that spectrum I can write, I was tormented by seeing one of the characters injecting silicone into her bottom. So brutal to see her going into a motel with unsanitary conditions; showing an entirely illegal practice. I commend Spike Lee for telling that story in a very haunting way that showed the non-sense of using our bodies as a business model. All the while inviting HUGE medical RISKS and breaking down the sanity of our souls & physical temple. Anyone who says this show is irrelevant missed the point. This subject alone makes it worthy since it's fighting one of the issues we're facing today. The show addresses more of such.
Loved the coloring of the series and the close ups of the characters. Tranquil energy in most shots. Appreciate the intro song as homage to the film and all the old pictures of Brooklyn. Showcasing of the Album covers was smart. They could have been blended (edited) in more smoothly but I AM that viewer that wants to know WHAT joint is playing without breaking the spell with shazam. It's probably a generation thing.
All topics confronted are relevant. Gentrification, discrimination, body image, treatment of war veterans, integrity + financial struggle of artists, self expression, abuse, human rights, most of all: personal TRUTH. Truth can only live where people are willing to go with their actions, words and intentions. Nola states: "Sometimes being uncomfortable is a good thing. It forces us to react, move and evolve." If we can all take of one mask after this series, stand a little stronger and more humane: then job well done. This show definitely sparks conversation. Let's confront our baggage, struggles, hopes and dreams and stand by it. Let's make sure that if we look back on ourselves 30 years from now, we can breath easily because we know our actions did the talking.