I’ve pretty much ignored them in the past; completely aside from not being the target demographic (African American Christians, I gather), they looked pretty terrible, and I didn’t like the “man dresses as old woman” shtick back when Robin Williams and Eddie Murphy were doing it.
Still, I’ve been thinking that the commercials for “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys” look interesting. My mild desire to go see it, however, has been shaken by its 36% on the Tomato Meter, and further shaken when I saw that it’s actually his highest rated film.
Most of Tyler Perry’s movies revolve around a character named Madea and her family. Madea, who is played by Perry is, well, frankly, pretty terrifying, but she’s also the conscience of the play/movie.
Generally, in the movies/plays, some member of the family will be faced with some crisis (someone’s husband is cheating on them, someone’s boyfriend abuses them, etc.), and it’s them trying to deal with it.
Looks like absolute tripe, like every one of his other movies. I haven’t seen any, and maybe only saw a trailer or two, but I think this time it’s safe to judge a movie by its box cover.
Actually, “The Family That Preys” is at 53%. I don’t really know anything about this movie so its hard for me to comment one way or the other. Prior to this, most people that I have spoken with have found Diary of a Mad Black Woman to be the easiest Tyler Perry movie to adjust to. On the other hand, many find it to have been poorly adapted for cinema so it might not be your cup of tea.
Personally, I preferred “Diary” to most other black comedies that I have seen because outside of Madea the characters aren’t really that offensive and overblown. Because of her role in his works I can excuse her extreme behavior but I get tired of the lack of relatively normal portrayals of black families in other films.
I saw ‘‘The Family That Preys’’ the other day – first movie of his I’d seen.
It was very soap opera and heavy-handed, but the acting was superb, therefore the characters were sympathetic. There was no character named ‘‘Madea.’’ Tyler Perry played a dude.
I would see another movie of his based on my experience with this one.
I’ve never seen one of Tyler Perry’s movies, but I have seen various episodes of his TV show, “House of Payne” and I, for one, enjoy that. There is no Medea on “HoP,” though. I almost think of him as a modern day Bill Cosby, but more religious. He tries to have a comedy based on strong, positive Black characters and I like that.
So it sounds like I may not want to pay the full $10.50 at the theater, but that its worth checking out once it hits video, or to rent Diary instead. I think I’ll give it shot.
The problem I have with Perry’s movies is that every character is either completely evil or a living saint. There is absolutely no subtlety whatsoever. If you’ve seen one of his movies, you’ve seen them all.
I teach 7th grade at a school that is about 95% white and 5% black(not exact numbers, mind you).
I will say this. I must hear nine out of ten Black kids talking about the latest “Tyler Perry” movie in the weeks before and after they come out. It actually has struck me as one of those “typical stereotypes” I learn is actually true.
His movies work well for their audience, which appears to be African American. I’m glad to see family friendly movies for the Black community, actually. I’m glad to see family friendly movies for anyone, really.
They seem harmless, and possibly even helpful. If I was Black, I’m sure I’d take my kids to see them(if they are as decent as I assume they are).
Again, this is only my experience, which is limited to general observations of the few Black children I teach(who may not be representative of the whole).
I’ve seen a couple of them, though I can’t remember their names (because they all have the same formula and character types). My problem with Tyler Perry’s Madea is that I just don’t find her very funny or realistic. She looks like a man in bad drag.