Movie: Good Hair

[yellow08]

I'm going to have to wait until the national release on the 22nd-it's not showing in my area until then. Personally, I can't wait to see it! This whole hair debate(weave/no weave, natural/relaxed, etc...) isn't that "serious" to me...Darn if folks can go see TP movies, I hope they can go see this movie...

 

[Natural Glow]

I want to see the movie. &usually, I'm totally for paying to see art work & just not trying to get over in general. But, today, I'll be watching this movie on the internet.

Um...what website are you watching on I'm sure this isn't gonna come to my area.

 

[Stormy]

DH and I went to see this movie and we really enjoyed it! There were some white and asian men (white women too) in our theater. I thought that was cool. We laughed so much! Some of the things I've read on the board that women are afraid of... well you don't have to worry. Trying not to give the movie away. It was sad to see what's going on in India! So sad. Whew the cost of weaves! I didn't know how expensive they are.

Anyway, the movie is VERY insightful IMO.

Off to throw away any human hair I may have left from when I used to wear extension braids.... On second thought I paid good money for it so I think I'll sell it.

 

[locfreeme]

I had no intention of seeing this movie. But, all this hullabaloo (sp?) has changed my mind. I am going to see it - with my fro fully picked out. Hopefully, no one will be dumb enough to sit behind me because if they do, they definitely won't be able to see the screen. But, they will see that some of us have a head full of natural, healthy hair.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

You know..you can take the woman out of the mean streets of Brooklyn but you cannot take the mean streets out of the woman{I love my dichotomy of ghettogirl/college grad.} I, will have that sucker in my hands by next payday for $5.00 as the bootleg seller arrives at work every Friday after payday with her mostly pristine copies...'aint gonna enrich a soul by paying exhorbitant prices for a cup of stale greasebutter popcorn and potential rodents crawling over my tootsies...yeah..I buy bootleg and always will!!

 

[topnotch1010]

Um...what website are you watching on I'm sure this isn't gonna come to my area.

I want to know too!! It's not playing in the 'Sip either.

 

[Gracie]

I had no intention of seeing this movie. But, all this hullabaloo (sp?) has changed my mind. I am going to see it - with my fro fully picked out. Hopefully, no one will be dumb enough to sit behind me because if they do, they definitely won't be able to see the screen. But, they will see that some of us have a head full of natural, healthy hair.

LOL go enjoy the movie. He really did a good job. It made me feel even better about my decision to go natural

 

[Gracie]

DH and I went to see this movie and we really enjoyed it! There were some white and asian men (white women too) in our theater. I thought that was cool. We laughed so much! Some of the things I've read on the board that women are afraid of... well you don't have to worry. Trying not to give the movie away. It was sad to see what's going on in India! So sad. Whew the cost of weaves! I didn't know how expensive they are.

Anyway, the movie is VERY insightful IMO.

Off to throw away any human hair I may have left from when I used to wear extension braids.... On second thought I paid good money for it so I think I'll sell it.

I enjoyed it too. I really did not expect to learn anything new.

 

[mstar]

I saw it tonight, and my original opinion still stands: there was nothing new in this movie. I didn't learn a single thing. My SO learned a lot, though, so that's good.

What irritated me was that there were absolutely NO solutions presented. His main focus seemed to be complaining about the crazy amount of money we spend on our hair.

I only saw two naturals in the film, and I didn't particularly care for their hair. If Chris cares enough to spend almost 2 hours complaining about relaxers and weaves, why not show the alternative? Why not show any of the thousands of black women with healthy, long hair?

The sodium hydroxide bit felt dishonest...I didn't really understand what that had to do with hair.

The jokes at black women's expense really irritated me, too. We don't have enough positive images in the media, so all the jokes felt really low to me...it was just piling on all of the negative messages about black women.

The only good parts were Al Sharpton, the Bronner Bros. hair show (I loved seeing it!), and Nia Long's makeup. Her makeup looked really natural and pretty.

 

[PinkPebbles]

I saw it tonight, and my original opinion still stands: there was nothing new in this movie. I didn't learn a single thing. My SO learned a lot, though, so that's good.

What irritated me was that there were absolutely NO solutions presented. His main focus seemed to be complaining about the crazy amount of money we spend on our hair.

I only saw two naturals in the film, and I didn't particularly care for their hair. If Chris cares enough to spend almost 2 hours complaining about relaxers and weaves, why not show the alternative? Why not show any of the thousands of black women with healthy, long hair?

The sodium hydroxide bit felt dishonest...I didn't really understand what that had to do with hair.

The jokes at black women's expense really irritated me, too. We don't have enough positive images in the media, so all the jokes felt really low to me...it was just piling on all of the negative messages about black women.

The only good parts were Al Sharpton, the Bronner Bros. hair show (I loved seeing it!), and Nia Long's makeup. Her makeup looked really natural and pretty.

Thanks for your review! In the bolded are the reasons why I refuse to support this movie.

 

[Empressive]

I saw it tonight, and my original opinion still stands: there was nothing new in this movie. I didn't learn a single thing. My SO learned a lot, though, so that's good.

What irritated me was that there were absolutely NO solutions presented. His main focus seemed to be complaining about the crazy amount of money we spend on our hair.

I only saw two naturals in the film, and I didn't particularly care for their hair. If Chris cares enough to spend almost 2 hours complaining about relaxers and weaves, why not show the alternative? Why not show any of the thousands of black women with healthy, long hair?

The sodium hydroxide bit felt dishonest...I didn't really understand what that had to do with hair.

The jokes at black women's expense really irritated me, too. We don't have enough positive images in the media, so all the jokes felt really low to me...it was just piling on all of the negative messages about black women.

The only good parts were Al Sharpton, the Bronner Bros. hair show (I loved seeing it!), and Nia Long's makeup. Her makeup looked really natural and pretty.

This is what I was afraid of. I was so excited to see this movie at first but after hearing him on Oprah and Tyra I was like . He made black women seem like we are just a bunch of ignorant, relaxed, weave wearing sistas. He never mentioned anything about how many black women have healthy relaxed or healthy natural hair.

I am still interested in seeing the movie, but his latest interviews reminded me of why I don't really care for him

 

[wontonfm]

I'm curious, what sort of "solutions" did you want the movie to present.

I think for the average movie viewer (the viewer who isn't on hair boards all the time and to whom this information would be new) I think a lot of what is in the movie is eye opening and would make the average person stop and evaluate why they do what they do to their hair. Knowledge is the first step...

Also, what's the problem that needs fixing?

I think Chris Rock was successful in setting up his thesis/main question in the movie (where would his daughter get the idea that her hair isn't good enough) and then looking at the ways how she'd get that opinion (not a lot of naturals portrayed in entertainment, women walking around with weaves and relaxers, other black people's perception of natural hair etc.)

I also don't think the movie needed a discussion about long, healthy, relaxed hair necessarily. Sure, Pepa had the story about relaxer breaking off her hair but I don't think the point was made that black women CAN'T have healthy, long hair.

Overall I enjoyed the film and would recommend it.

 

[Sugarshoc]

Great film!!!! I learned a lot. Especially when he traveled to India and he shows the juxtaposition of their culture with our African diaspora culture and it gets pretty deep. Who knew that a lot of the Indian hair comes from temples from a religious ceremony called tonsure. What really struck me, was watching the Indian hair transporter bring the hair to LA, and then listen to the dialogue that actually culturally trivializes the hair. It's deep!!! Chris Rock brought up a lot of food for thought wrapped in comedy and I'm sure a lot of it went over a lot of people's heads.

 

[Sugarshoc]

I saw it tonight, and my original opinion still stands: there was nothing new in this movie. I didn't learn a single thing. My SO learned a lot, though, so that's good.

What irritated me was that there were absolutely NO solutions presented. His main focus seemed to be complaining about the crazy amount of money we spend on our hair.

I only saw two naturals in the film, and I didn't particularly care for their hair. If Chris cares enough to spend almost 2 hours complaining about relaxers and weaves, why not show the alternative? Why not show any of the thousands of black women with healthy, long hair?

The sodium hydroxide bit felt dishonest...I didn't really understand what that had to do with hair.

The jokes at black women's expense really irritated me, too. We don't have enough positive images in the media, so all the jokes felt really low to me...it was just piling on all of the negative messages about black women.

The only good parts were Al Sharpton, the Bronner Bros. hair show (I loved seeing it!), and Nia Long's makeup. Her makeup looked really natural and pretty.

I think the point of the film was not to present solutions. It's a food for thought movie. There are too many points presented to even have a solution and a lot of the roots of the problems are centuries old. It's the mangled twistedness of our culture and it's sad. I think people have not been liking the film because he's talking real talk and it hurts and hurts BAD. Several dialogues come up:
Man vs. woman
Black man vs. Black woman
Human intimacy
Self esteem for both men and women
Oppression vs. freedom (Al Sharpton made some mind blowing comments)
Community business vs. everyone else
Priorities as a community

We have to come up with the solutions over time. The things people were saying or not even realizing what they were saying was crazy and you hear those things in real life all the time. It's dirty laundry aired on film and it doesn't feel nice at all but it must be talked about.

 

[Gracie]

I think the point of the film was not to present solutions. It's a food for thought movie. There are too many points presented to even have a solution and a lot of the roots of the problems are centuries old. It's the mangled twistedness of our culture and it's sad. I think people have not been liking the film because he's talking real talk and it hurts and hurts BAD. Several dialogues come up:
Man vs. woman
Black man vs. Black woman
Human intimacy
Self esteem for both men and women
Oppression vs. freedom (Al Sharpton made some mind blowing comments)
Community business vs. everyone else
Priorities as a community

We have to come up with the solutions over time. The things people were saying or not even realizing what they were saying was crazy and you hear those things in real life all the time. It's dirty laundry aired on film and it doesn't feel nice at all but it must be talked about.

I totally agree with you. He put it in your face now what you do with it is up to you. I think that the point that a lot of people are missing is that it is a documentary. All he did is document it. It is up to you to determine what the solution is and it is going to be different for everybody.

 

[Empressive]

I'm curious, what sort of "solutions" did you want the movie to present.

I think for the average movie viewer (the viewer who isn't on hair boards all the time and to whom this information would be new) I think a lot of what is in the movie is eye opening and would make the average person stop and evaluate why they do what they do to their hair. Knowledge is the first step...

Also, what's the problem that needs fixing?

I think Chris Rock was successful in setting up his thesis/main question in the movie (where would his daughter get the idea that her hair isn't good enough) and then looking at the ways how she'd get that opinion (not a lot of naturals portrayed in entertainment, women walking around with weaves and relaxers, other black people's perception of natural hair etc.)

I also don't think the movie needed a discussion about long, healthy, relaxed hair necessarily. Sure, Pepa had the story about relaxer breaking off her hair but I don't think the point was made that black women CAN'T have healthy, long hair.

Overall I enjoyed the fil m and would recommend it.

I am talking about his interviews. When he seen that picture of Oprah with her natural hair he called her a "slave." He couldn't believe Oprah's hair was hers and he called her hair JLO hair . When he says these types of things he is adding on to the perception that black women cannot have long/healthy hair.

I know his film will get some people to think about their hair. I am still going to see this film. I just feel like he is putting his foot in his mouth in these interviews.

 

[Gracie]

Great film!!!! I learned a lot. Especially when he traveled to India and he shows the juxtaposition of their culture with our African diaspora culture and it gets pretty deep. Who knew that a lot of the Indian hair comes from temples from a religious ceremony called tonsure. What really struck me, was watching the Indian hair transporter bring the hair to LA, and then listen to the dialogue that actually culturally trivializes the hair. It's deep!!! Chris Rock brought up a lot of food for thought wrapped in comedy and I'm sure a lot of it went over a lot of people's heads.

I was shocked at where the hair comes from. I'm not that savvy when it comes to weaves. The women in my family esp in the 60s and 70s had wigs and pieces and I just thought of weaves as advanced or the evolution of wigs. I did know that human hair seemed to be more desired but I never really thought about where it comes from. Never thought about it.

 

[Gracie]

I am talking about his interviews. When he seen that picture of Oprah with her natural hair he called her a "slave." He couldn't believe Oprah's hair was hers and he called her hair JLO hair . When he says these types of things he is adding on to the perception that black women cannot have long/healthy hair.

I know his film will get some people to think about their hair. I am still going to see this film. I just feel like he is putting his foot in his mouth in these interviews.

I saw the end of the interview so I missed this comment. I can see that him referring to her as a slave because of her hair being insulting. I am interested in knowing if Oprah was offended.

Do you think that he was trying to be offensive or was he trying to be funny considering he is a comedian?

 

[Sugarshoc]

I saw the end of the interview so I missed this comment. I can see that him referring to her as a slave because of her hair being insulting. I am interested in knowing if Oprah was offended.

Do you think that he was trying to be offensive or was he trying to be funny considering he is a comedian?

I think he was trying to be funny in a satirical way. He knows her hair is not that of a slave or meaning it in a demeaning manner, but there are people who think this way. It's like when people use the term, "good hair" in a joking manner, but they know what the real is. The ill part is that there are people who truly believe in the "good hair" thing. Satire.

 

[mstar]

I'm curious, what sort of "solutions" did you want the movie to present.

Also, what's the problem that needs fixing?

I think the point of the film was not to present solutions. It's a food for thought movie.

A documentary film is usually not considered entirely successful if it doesn't at least point the way towards some solutions to the problems it uncovers. I used to work in the documentary business, and critics frequently point out when films fail to do this. Without a solution, the movie becomes basically a long rant against something the filmmaker takes issue with. In my opinion, a 95-minute rant is more suited for a blog post, or a comedy special.

There are many solutions. Learning to love ourselves, education about healthy hair practices, greater acceptance of our hair type in the non-black community. Attitudes and prejudices would need to be confronted, but the only people Chris seemed to be taking to task were black mothers for forcing relaxers on their babies, and black women for not letting black men touch their hair...and those are hardly the main problems, IMO.

I do agree that the film's main thesis was where would his daughter get the idea that her hair isn't good enough, and he partially answered that question...but to show all these reasons without showing any antidotes to the problem feels pointless to me. It wouldn't bother me too much--most movies are pointless--but when you start making fun of black women, then I have a serious problem.

Hopefully the film will spark some real dialogue, outside of hair boards--that remains to be seen. My take is that it was a weird mix of exposing some stereotypes while simulateneously reinforcing them.

 

[brianna-alyssa]

Um...what website are you watching on I'm sure this isn't gonna come to my area.

I want to know too!! It's not playing in the 'Sip either.

haha a good website for free movies that are in theaters is : http://www.watch-movies.net.in/


no viruses at all & the movies are clear. but, since the movie has just come out they don't have any links for watching it online yet. they do have links for downloading it to your computer but, i wouldn't do that haha. idk how safe that is. i'm just gonna wait til that site uploads some links for watching the movie online. shouldn't take more than 2-3 days. in the mean time, you can always watch other movies in theaters there. i just saw zombieland last night haha

 

[AnotherLevel]

A documentary film is usually not considered entirely successful if it doesn't at least point the way towards some solutions to the problems it uncovers. I used to work in the documentary business, and critics frequently point out when films fail to do this. Without a solution, the movie becomes basically a long rant against something the filmmaker takes issue with. In my opinion, a 95-minute rant is more suited for a blog post, or a comedy special.

There are many solutions. Learning to love ourselves, education about healthy hair practices, greater acceptance of our hair type in the non-black community. Attitudes and prejudices would need to be confronted, but the only people Chris seemed to be taking to task were black mothers for forcing relaxers on their babies, and black women for not letting black men touch their hair...and those are hardly the main problems, IMO.

I do agree that the film's main thesis was where would his daughter get the idea that her hair isn't good enough, and he partially answered that question...but to show all these reasons without showing any antidotes to the problem feels pointless to me. It wouldn't bother me too much--most movies are pointless--but when you start making fun of black women, then I have a serious problem.

Hopefully the film will spark some real dialogue, outside of hair boards--that remains to be seen. My take is that it was a weird mix of exposing some stereotypes while simulateneously reinforcing them.

mstar,

I agree with you 100%. Chris Rock was in an amazing position to send a powerful message. He accomplished half of this task. He exposed the truth behind us and our hair (which, by the way I am NOT mad about). I am doctoral student in psychology and it is our job to expose the truth. However, the SECOND and even more important part of our job is to present solutions or HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES to the status quo. You don’t just expose a truth like that and leave someone hangin’ – so to speak. I understand Chris Rock is an entertainer and sensationalism makes money. I can't knock his hustle. However, if he is going to put it out there, put it ALL out there.

We talk all the time in this forum about how times have changed in that we now know more than ever before about how to have healthy hair. However, we are a privileged few. That is, we make up a minority of black women who are “in the know” referring to how to care for our hair. Chris Rock should have expanded his research to include forums like this and the countless other sources that “expose” healthy alternatives to what he presents in his film. This would have been doing an ethical justice to the existing problem.

JMHO.

 

[Mizz Diamonds]

I just remebered that I watched something similar to the movie last year here in London on BBC Three. It wasn't on "black hair" it just a journey to find out where the fake hair that many women of different races

The documentary was something along the lines of Who's Hair is it anyways or something like that. where this singer (who is black) Jamelia (sp?) travelled to Russia and India to find out where the human hair came from. So she took a track from the weave she wore and had like a DNA type of thing done to it and there were able to locate that she lived by a river since (they could tell what type of diet she had and she ate alot of fish) She went to temples and this sort of hair "mining" place where people find hair on the floor and "harvested" it.

She eventually found the woman who the hair may have belonged to and it was nice she cut her hair for a ritual thing to bring good fortune and they hugged and everything

In Russia there were young girls who cut their hair and sold it to help provide for their family and to me the money didn't seem enough

My friend just remined me about it right now, I'll try and find a link.

Found one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P67UVbKEIuc

 

[BlkOnyx488]

You need one more option
wait for to come out on TV one
that's my vote

 

[aquajoyice]

Not showing in NorCal So i'll wait til it comes outon DVD.

 

[KBA]

I saw the movie on Friday, and I wasn't really impressed as some others on this board. I saw Chris Rock on Oprah, and it showed the primary content of the entire documentary. If you saw the Oprah show, you saw the documentary!! I didn't learn anything new but I also work in the industry...I've been to Bronner, so it wasn't that impressive to me. It was a documentary, but I still struggle with what was his point of view.

 

[cocoaluv]

It really bothered me when those girls told the one natural girl that if they were hiring people they wouldnt hire her due to her hair. The Natural girl looked a little saddened to me after hearing that. I hope she stays strong and keeps her hair as is. I guess since I'm transitioning I am kinda sensitive about things like this.

 

[jamaraa]

mstar,


We talk all the time in this forum about how times have changed in that we now know more than ever before about how to have healthy hair. However, we are a privileged few. That is, we make up a minority of black women who are “in the know” referring to how to care for our hair. Chris Rock should have expanded his research to include forums like this and the countless other sources that “expose” healthy alternatives to what he presents in his film. This would have been doing an ethical justice to the existing problem.

JMHO.

Do you honestly think the women here or other hair boards would welcome being part of such a doc, esp. when it looks like it's mostly about ridicule? I'm not so sure they would. Of course there are pre-existing books and tons of sites that promote hair care alternatives, but I don't think that was the point of his movie. It wasn't about changing the status quo, but exposing it to ridicule.

 

[TeeWhyAre]

it will be in more locations October 23rd according to the website for those of you who don't have it in your areas: http://www.goodhairmovie.net/site/

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

I saw the movie tonight and it was dreadful. I am officially through with Chris Rock