And Hodge is really good in the film. It's a shame the studio didn't have faith in him when it came to promotion.
Taraji and Aldis have chemistry, real chemistry, and that's important because the film requires it. It wouldn't work if the two actors weren't believable as a couple.
What else works?
A great deal. The wrap up was so-so and predictable. I'd have preferred less boardroom moment (which robs from BABY BOOM and not from WHAT WOMEN WANT) and something different.
But that's really my biggest complaint.
This is a funny movie and Taraji carries it. On that, a question? Will this film have crossover appeal? The place was packed at our showing but the bulk of the people were African-American (as am I, if you didn't know already). There were three White people I counted and probably a few Latinos. This is a movie that anyone who likes romantic comedies would enjoy.
Jason Jones has a small part and he's good but I would've ditched Josh Brener as Taraji's assistant and given that role to Jones or to Max Greenfield. The role is a bit of a stereotype with Brener in it. Jason or Max wouldn't brought a different dynamic to the role. Brener's if off-putting and really bland. He brings nothing to the role and you just wish he'd go away.
Fortunately, it's not a big role.
Tracy Morgan's role is probably too large. Especially since it's Tracy Morgan playing Tracy Morgan in the Tracy Morgan role delivering the Tracy Morgan performance. You can call the character Tracy or Brian Fellow or Hustle Man or whatever, it's always the exact same and it never, ever rises above sketch comedy.
Someone else should have been in that role.
Richard Roundtree really delivers in a small role -- no surprise there, he's a real actor. But here is a surprise, Eryka Badu. She's not good, she's great -- so great she nearly steals the film.
In fact, she's so good you wonder why her role wasn't enlarged. It's like seeing BRIDESMAIDS but only getting Melissa McCarthy in three scenes.
This is a funny movie. And for non-African-American males who are leery, Shaq's in it. It's got sports references.
I have no problem with romantic comedies, I love them. But I know some males don't. (Taraji being the star of this film, most African-American males will see the film -- one way or another, theater or barber shop.) But this is a funny movie and you will laugh -- laugh loudly.
One thing though, the talk in the theater before and after? Jussie Smollett. If he's lying (I think he is, see my "Done with EMPIRE but stuck on HOW TO GET AWAY WITH..."), EMPIRE's over. Most of the African-Americans talking about it before and after the film feel he's lying. See Ann's "Jussie's case just doesn't make sense" for more on Jussie. And it's a real shame that Taraji and everyone else's hardwork on EMPIRE could be overturned if Jussie pulled a stunt for attention.
Going out with C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"
Friday, February 8, 2019. Joe Biden contemplates a run as the press attacks Tulsi Gabbard.
Starting with US politics, Aime Parnes (THE HILL) observes:
Former Vice President Joe Biden's words and policy positions on the Iraq War could come back to haunt him if he enters the race for the White House.
Biden is popular with Democrats, polls show he leads most of his competitors in the 2020 field and a survey this week found more than 60 percent want him in the race. He routinely leads polls of Democrats asked to pick their favored presidential candidate.
But his words on Iraq from nearly two decades ago sound out-of-step with the increasingly left-leaning party he would be seeking to lead.
Biden backed the resolution giving President George W. Bush the authority to invade Iraq, and he also praised the president in a Senate floor speech at the time for his handling of the case for war.
Joe did not have the problems that Hillary Clinton or John Edwards had when it came to Iraq. As the late Elizabeth Edwards noted, John Edwards came clean on Iraq and apologized for it but Hillary refused to take accountability for her support for the Iraq War (saying she was tricked by Bully Boy Bush is not taking accountability, it is saying "I"m so stupid even an idiot can fool me").
Parnes notes 2008 in one sentence but never addresses why it wasn't an issue for Joe when he last attempted to be the Democratic Party nominee.
There are several reasons. First among them, the Iraq War wasn't his focus, he was focused on partitioning Iraq or creating a federalist system. He repeatedly denied this was partitioning Iraq. Many Iraqis disagreed. During his brief 2007 and January 2008 campaign for the nomination, he was repeatedly on the defense about this issue. Seeking votes in Iowa in the last stages of his campaign, he was still having to face the issue and clarify or expand on his previous remarks.
It is true that CODEPINK was bird-dogging Hillary Clinton over her vote and support for the Iraq War at this time (and only bird-dogging her) but Joe's mess at that time was being the face of US imperialism announcing that Iraq should be three different government under a federalist system. This was not what Iraqis were calling for at the time and here was this non-Iraqi from a country that started the war now insisting what would be done next.
Beau Biden is another factor. Beau served in Iraq. Chelsea Clinton did not serve in Iraq (though she did support the Iraq War, a reality she tries to lie about today). With a son in Iraq, the hypocrite label was a little harder to hang on Joe.
There's also the fact that no one really thought Joe Biden stood a chance at the nomination. He was gaffe prone. He infamously 'borrowed' from another for a big speech in a previous run. He wasn't seen as a viable candidate by the press.
What's different now?
Sexism will be called out. I'm not just referring to Anita Hill (Parnes covers that). I'm also referring to the media itself. In New Hampshire, speaking publicly, Hillary's eyes well. She does not cry, she does not sob. But Bill Moyers, Jesse Jackson Jr. and countless others mocked her for that, ridiculed her for that, etc. Months later, Joe Biden, then on the ticket as Barack Obama's running mate, starts crying on stage in the middle of a speech. It's not even one day's coverage, let alone the weeks of coverage Hillary endured.
Things have changed and they won't help Joe. Most of all, his Iraq-free card won't exist this time, not after he shamed himself by publicly praising Bully Boy Bush at an awards ceremony last year. Joe's popularity is as an idea. As an actual person? If he runs, his popularity will plummet.
Starting with US politics, Aime Parnes (THE HILL) observes:
Former Vice President Joe Biden's words and policy positions on the Iraq War could come back to haunt him if he enters the race for the White House.
Biden is popular with Democrats, polls show he leads most of his competitors in the 2020 field and a survey this week found more than 60 percent want him in the race. He routinely leads polls of Democrats asked to pick their favored presidential candidate.
But his words on Iraq from nearly two decades ago sound out-of-step with the increasingly left-leaning party he would be seeking to lead.
Biden backed the resolution giving President George W. Bush the authority to invade Iraq, and he also praised the president in a Senate floor speech at the time for his handling of the case for war.
Joe did not have the problems that Hillary Clinton or John Edwards had when it came to Iraq. As the late Elizabeth Edwards noted, John Edwards came clean on Iraq and apologized for it but Hillary refused to take accountability for her support for the Iraq War (saying she was tricked by Bully Boy Bush is not taking accountability, it is saying "I"m so stupid even an idiot can fool me").
Parnes notes 2008 in one sentence but never addresses why it wasn't an issue for Joe when he last attempted to be the Democratic Party nominee.
There are several reasons. First among them, the Iraq War wasn't his focus, he was focused on partitioning Iraq or creating a federalist system. He repeatedly denied this was partitioning Iraq. Many Iraqis disagreed. During his brief 2007 and January 2008 campaign for the nomination, he was repeatedly on the defense about this issue. Seeking votes in Iowa in the last stages of his campaign, he was still having to face the issue and clarify or expand on his previous remarks.
It is true that CODEPINK was bird-dogging Hillary Clinton over her vote and support for the Iraq War at this time (and only bird-dogging her) but Joe's mess at that time was being the face of US imperialism announcing that Iraq should be three different government under a federalist system. This was not what Iraqis were calling for at the time and here was this non-Iraqi from a country that started the war now insisting what would be done next.
Beau Biden is another factor. Beau served in Iraq. Chelsea Clinton did not serve in Iraq (though she did support the Iraq War, a reality she tries to lie about today). With a son in Iraq, the hypocrite label was a little harder to hang on Joe.
There's also the fact that no one really thought Joe Biden stood a chance at the nomination. He was gaffe prone. He infamously 'borrowed' from another for a big speech in a previous run. He wasn't seen as a viable candidate by the press.
What's different now?
Sexism will be called out. I'm not just referring to Anita Hill (Parnes covers that). I'm also referring to the media itself. In New Hampshire, speaking publicly, Hillary's eyes well. She does not cry, she does not sob. But Bill Moyers, Jesse Jackson Jr. and countless others mocked her for that, ridiculed her for that, etc. Months later, Joe Biden, then on the ticket as Barack Obama's running mate, starts crying on stage in the middle of a speech. It's not even one day's coverage, let alone the weeks of coverage Hillary endured.
Things have changed and they won't help Joe. Most of all, his Iraq-free card won't exist this time, not after he shamed himself by publicly praising Bully Boy Bush at an awards ceremony last year. Joe's popularity is as an idea. As an actual person? If he runs, his popularity will plummet.
We heard attacks from warmongers in politics/media before. Those opposed to Iraq/Libya/Syria regime change wars are called “dicatator-lovers” or “cozy” with evil regimes. Rather than defend their position, they resort to name-calling & smears. American people wont fall for this.
US House Rep Tulsi Gabbard is running for the 2020 Democratic Party nomination and you know she makes some tremble by the vicious media attacks she's already enduring.
Last Saturday, she officially launched her campaign.
Tulsi Gabbard officially announced her candidacy for President of the United States and kicked off her campaign on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in Hawaii. She was introduced by Ryan Soon, a fellow member of the Hawaii National Guard who served with her in Iraq and Kuwait. Tulsi's friends, family, and supporters gathered to hear her vision for the future of our nation. More than 3,500 private and public watch parties across the country were coordinated by grassroots supporters to take part in the live-streamed event.
In her remarks, Tulsi Gabbard said, "When we raise our right hand and volunteer to serve, we set aside our own interests—to serve our country and to fight for ALL Americans. We serve as one—indivisible and unbreakable, united by this bond of love for each other and love for our country. It is this principle of putting service above self, that is at the heart of every soldier, every service member. And it is in this spirit that today I announce my candidacy for President of the United States of America.
"I will bring a soldier's values and principles to the White House—restoring the values of dignity, honor, and respect to the presidency. And above all, love for our people and love of country. I ask you to join me, in this spirit of putting service before self, to stand up against the forces of greed and corruption."
Possibly some of the press attacks stem from the press fear that Tulsi will bring Iraq into the conversation. Parnes, for example, is convinced that Iraq's not an issue in 2020.
Really?
Senator Elizabeth Warren's running for the nomination and she's contributed a major paper to COFR's FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
A foreign policy that works for
all Americans must also be driven by honest assessments of the full
costs and risks associated with going to war. All three of my brothers
served in the military, and I know our service members and their
families are smart, tough, and resourceful. But having a strong military
doesn’t mean we need to constantly use it. An effective deterrent also
means showing the good judgment to exercise appropriate restraint.
Over the past two decades, the
United States has been mired in a series of wars that have sapped its
strength. The human cost of these wars has been staggering: more than
6,900 killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, another 52,000 wounded, and many
more who live every day with the invisible scars of war. By financing
these conflicts while cutting taxes, the country has essentially charged
the costs of war to a collective credit card for future generations to
pay, diverting money that could have been invested in critical domestic
priorities. This burden will create a drag on the economy that will last
for generations.
The costs have been
extraordinarily high, but these wars have not succeeded even on their
own terms. We’ve “turned the corner” in Afghanistan so many times that
it seems we’re now going in circles. After years of constant war,
Afghanistan hardly resembles a functioning state, and both poppy
production and the Taliban are again on the rise. The invasion of Iraq
destabilized and fragmented the Middle East,
creating enormous suffering and precipitating the deaths of hundreds of
thousands of people. The region remains a tangled mess—the promise of
the Arab Spring crushed, Iran emboldened, Syria devastated, the Islamic
State (or ISIS) and its offshoots stubbornly resilient, and a massive
refugee crisis threatening to destabilize Europe. Neither military nor
civilian policymakers seem capable of defining success, but surely this
is not it.
A singular focus on
counterterrorism, meanwhile, has dangerously distorted U.S. policies.
Here at home, we have allowed an imperial presidency to stretch the
Constitution beyond recognition to justify the use of force, with little
oversight from Congress. The government has at times defended tactics,
such as torture, that are antithetical to American values. Washington
has partnered with countries that share neither its goals nor its
ideals. Counterterrorism efforts have
often undermined other foreign policy priorities, such as reinforcing
civilian governance, the rule of law, and human rights abroad. And in
some cases, as with U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s proxy war in Yemen,
U.S. policies risk generating even more extremism.
As a member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, I have seen up close how 17 years of conflict have
degraded equipment, sapped forces’ readiness, and forced the
postponement of investment in critical military capabilities. It has
distracted Washington from growing dangers in other parts of the world: a
long-term struggle for power in Asia, a revanchist Russia that
threatens Europe, and looming unrest in the Western Hemisphere,
including a collapsing state in Venezuela that
threatens to disrupt its neighbors. Would-be rivals, for their part,
have watched and learned, and they are hard at work developing
technologies and tactics to leapfrog the United States, investing
heavily in such areas as robotics, cybersecurity, artificial
intelligence, synthetic biology, and quantum computing. China is making
massive bets in these and other areas in an effort to surpass the United
States as a global technological power. Whether the United States will
maintain its edge and harness these technologies for good remains an
open question.
It is the job of the U.S.
government to do what is necessary to protect Americans, but it is long
past time to start asking what truly makes the country safer—and what
does not. Military efforts alone will never fully succeed at ending
terrorism, because it is not possible to fight one’s way out of
extremism. Some challenges, such as cyberattacks and nuclear
proliferation, require much more than a strong military to combat. And
other dangers, such as climate change and the spread of infectious
diseases, cannot be solved through military action at all. The United
States will spend more than $700 billion on
defense in the 2018–19 fiscal year alone. That is more in real terms
than was spent under President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War and
more than all the rest of the country’s discretionary budget put
together. But even as Washington spends more and more, U.S. military
leaders point out that funding a muscular military without robust
diplomacy, economic statecraft, support for civil society, and
development assistance only hamstrings American national power and
undercuts any military gains.
As a candidate, Trump promised to
bring U.S. troops home. As president, he has sent more troops into
Afghanistan. On the campaign trail, Trump claimed he did not want to
police the world. As president, he has expanded the United States’
military footprint around the globe, from doubling the number of U.S.
air strikes in Somalia to establishing a drone base in Niger.
As a candidate, Trump promised to rebuild the military, but as
president, he has gutted the diplomatic corps on which the Pentagon
relies. He promised to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation, but
he has undermined a successful nuclear deal with Iran, has failed to
roll back the North Korean nuclear program, and seems intent on spurring
a new nuclear arms race with Russia.
These actions do not make
Americans safer. It’s time to seriously review the country’s military
commitments overseas, and that includes bringing U.S. troops home from
Afghanistan and Iraq. They have fought with honor, but additional
American blood spilled will not halt the violence or result in a
functioning democratic government in either place.
We've noted that several times before. We've also noted that foreign policy will be an issue in the 2020 election. How much of an issue, I don't know. Even I was shocked by (see Wednesday's snapshot) the "CBS NEWS poll showed that the most pressing topic on the mind of Americans was foreign policy and national security. Respondents ranked that the number one issue (93%) with jobs and economy second (92%) and healthcare third (80%)."
In Iraq, a death continues to garner attention.
So sad, so tragic. The well-known and award-winning Iraqi novelist Alaa Mashthob Abboud was shot dead on 2 February. We strongly condemn this henious assasination. @pen_int
#Iraq: Writer and novelist Dr. Alaa Mashthob Abboud assassinated
gc4hr.org/news/view/2053
#Iraqi activist and novelist, Alaa Mashthob, assassinated in Karbala
Writer and novelist Dr. Alaa Mashthob Abboud assassinated: Gulf Centre for Human Rights gc4hr.org/news/view/2053 | More w/ RSS:
Along with @pen_int, PEN SA strongly condemns the murder of Prominent Iraqi Writer, Alaa Mashthob Abboud.
Read the full statement here: bit.ly/2MSOxAy
This morning, MIDDLE EAST MONITOR notes:
Leader of the Abu Al-Fadl Al-Abbas Forces
of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, Aws al-Khafaji said on Wednesday
that Iraqi renowned novelist Alaa Mashthob was assassinated because he
had criticised Iran.
“My cousin, Alaa
Mashthob wrote an article against Iran. Some men came and killed him in
love of Iran,” he said, calling to reject all foreign presence and
Iranian interventions in Iraq.
The remarks were too much and, apparently, had to be silenced. KURDISTAN 24 reports:
Iraq’s Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militia on Thursday arrested the leader of the Abu al-Fadhl al-Abbas Brigade, Aws al-Khafaji, after he repeatedly criticized policies of neighboring Iran in his country.
A group of Hashd al-Shaabi fighters, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), stormed the headquarters of the Abu al-Fadhl al-Abbas Brigade in Baghdad’s Karrada district and arrested Khafaji.
Khafaji has long criticized Iran’s policies in Iraq and has repeatedly expressed disapproval of local clerics and leaders “exaggerating” in their defense of Iran. He has also been vocal about Iraq’s sovereignty needing to be “preserved and respected.”
It was Barack's puppet Hayder al-Abadi that took these militias and made them part of the Iraqi military forces. Even bowing to them repeatedly, however, could not garner their support in the 2018 election.
The new prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi is not making any headway. He still can't find a Minister of Defense or Minister of Interior all these months later. He can't address the ongoing Basra protests in any significant way.
I knew there were a good number; 7K seems like a lot but not improbable given that many were just for intimidation & not necessarily carried out to arrest. But from the way they've handled the Basra protests, its is clear that Iraqi personnel do not get "civil liberties."
Protests in #Iraq’s #Basra likely throughout 2019, but security force presence mitigates disruption risk to oil sites buff.ly/2SdYG0g
The following community sites -- plus Cindy Sheehan, ANTIWAR.COM and THE PACIFICA EVENING NEWS -- updated:
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