On a more serious note, I want to say something about black directors "crossing over," but I'm not sure what it is. I mean, if there are black directors with enough juice to break out of the ghetto, but then they are making movies about Woads and whatnot, they aren't using black actors as much. But then, in the long run, it's the people behind the screen with the real power, so maybe it's just the middle stage of better things for black actors?

The sequel to the current hit I, Robot is likely to be shot in Australia, Will Smith told a news conference in Sydney Monday. Implying that director Alex Proyas, who is Australian, has been pushing for the sequel to be filmed in his homeland, Smith said. "We will probably be here next year. ... I love the idea. I loved working with Alex, so I, Robot II, or anything he is willing to make [I would do]." The original was filmed in Vancouver.

I, Robot II

That would fuck with people's minds like WOAH. How do you pronounce it? One robot too?

But then, in the long run, it's the people behind the screen with the real power, so maybe it's just the middle stage of better things for black actors?

Hmm. I opine that the power lies with the producers. Or the hyphenated types. I love the idea of a black guy directing the seminal English hero story, even if it's a crappy movie -- it's colour-blind casting. However, I think that until it's colour blind in front of the camera, it's probably up to the black director to help acclimate the public to the strange and perplexing idea of black characters that aren't magical nor thugged out. Until of course, there are more black producers, or sneaky-assed and sugar-tongued casting directors.

However, I think that until it's colour blind in front of the camera, it's probably up to the black director to help acclimate the public to the strange and perplexing idea of black characters that aren't magical nor thugged out.

Sure. But it's got to be hard to rock the boat until you are way up there -- you'd have to have a big fat blockbuster behind you before you can throw a random non-Denzel person of color into a role that isn't written that way. Too bad King Arthur tanked.

Tep will love me, as I saw De-Lovely on her rec and enjoyed it.

Right on! What did you think of the way the film was framed, structurally?

Then she'll hate me, as I join P-C and the splendiferous JZ in Magnolia love.

And don't forget Jessica -- I'm pretty sure she's a Magnolia fan.

t twitching uncontrollably at the wrongheaded Magnolia-lovers

It's going to be hard on her, I fear.

I may have to double up on therapy for a few months.

And don't forget Jessica -- I'm pretty sure she's a Magnolia fan.

She is? Awesome! I was wondering where she stood.

She is? Awesome! I was wondering where she stood.

Wherever she wants, because she, like you, JZ, and Robin, are, yes, DEAD TO ME.

On an unrelated note, I want the title of the sequel to I, Robot to be bon bon's tag.

Antoine Fuqua's had an interesting time of it -- he didn't come out of the gate with a "black" movie -- his first was The Replacement Killers. His movies, although I only really like the one with Denzel, are pretty diverse racially. As opposed to the obsessed Spike Lee, the or the black-project homing device that is John Singleton.

Can't, off the top of my head, think of any other current black directors. I'm not quite ready to include Mario Van Peebles in that group.

There's someone else with a non-ghetto movie recently, isn't there? I can't think who either, which is why I'm all Fuqua on the brain. Also I read an interesting profile of him in the Boston Globe a couple of weeks ago.