tae04
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Post by tae04 on Jan 16, 2015 15:16:04 GMT -5
Oh Pat shut up...they love Whitney so much, but was quick to film reality shows, interviews, and etc a month or two after she died.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Jan 16, 2015 18:32:37 GMT -5
Statement from Pat Houston, President of The Whitney Houston Estate:
My daughter came home from high school yesterday and shared with me inquiries she had endured from her peers and teachers about the upcoming TV movie about her aunt Whitney. She was somewhat exasperated and said she did not get it – that a woman who claimed to be her aunt's friend would direct a movie that seems so unloving towards her Aunt, and how it could affect her cousin Krissi. I share with you the thoughts I shared with my daughter yesterday – that there is often a fine line that separates elevation and degradation in the industry. What lifts up one person in the headlines may in fact destroy another. I don't think it ever entered their minds that they were assaulting the legacy of another individual; they just want the job or the opportunity to shine. But to do so in such an incredible way, to go after someone who cannot correct what you get wrong, someone who – like so many people, and especially women – struggled to hold up their humanity and live with dignity despite their personal challenges, is wrong.
It is easy to turn a blind eye to other people if you're not careful. But the needs of Whitney's family matter. We have dealt with her every emotion from the day she was born until the day she died, which gives us absolute position and absolute authority as a family to feel the way we do about her legacy. We matter. We're still here. Why wasn't there a call to myself, Gary, Cissy or even her daughter? Why deny selected members of the family an advanced copy of the film? As we once again enter a season of bereavement and the strategic timing so close to the anniversary of Whitney's death, this is a disappointment that any of us who loved her could do without. This creative pursuit at the expense of the integrity of such an iconic woman, who is voiceless today, reeks of condemnation and deceit. It reeks of enslavement to an industry that will likely do the same to you one day. As my grandmother used to say, “Keep living.”
I say this to all Whitney's family, friends and fan base: If you watch this movie, watch it knowing that Lifetime is notorious for making bad biopics of deceased celebrities and brace yourself for the worst. You should not be surprised that someone decided to do a made for TV biopic. And, I might add, without the family's blessing and despite her mother's request to not do this movie. It happens every day. But misrepresenting the term friendship to advance an agenda is not only disrespectful and dishonest but a slap in the face to her true and loyal friends. You should expect people will always rise to the occasion for prominence and profit – not love, respect or honor. I question the morality of the making of this because of the lack of experience knowing Whitney's life. Never would Whitney allow her story to be told by an inexperienced team and how naive of anyone to think otherwise, unless you're caught up in illusions of grandeur that you can just do anything and people will accept it. This made for TV movie is certainly not a trailer to Whitney's life story.
God gave us a gift in Whitney and she gave us her best, despite what stories are told. We will wear a breastplate of armor for Whitney and that's what friends are for. In the spirit of Whitney's "I Go To The Rock”: “On Christ the solid rock I stand.. all other ground is sinking sand." Let's just be peaceful in all of this.
Truth is violated by silence just as much as by a lie.
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Post by Live Your Life on Jan 16, 2015 20:15:58 GMT -5
I do have to say, I'm definitely surprised Angela Bassett went forward with something like this without the family's approval. I don't really know much about her, beyond the films she's starred in, but something about her always gave off an air of graciousness and integrity. But the way she's been responding to criticism of the film is very...distasteful. Here's an interview she did with ET Online:
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Relaxing Cup
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Post by Relaxing Cup on Jan 17, 2015 6:07:22 GMT -5
so excited to see it! the previews look great.
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So Pure
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Post by So Pure on Jan 17, 2015 21:51:53 GMT -5
Yaya is such a beautiful woman but there was only one Whitney! Can't hold a candle!
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Dalliance
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Post by Dalliance on Jan 17, 2015 22:16:19 GMT -5
The twitter people seemed to like the movie better than critics did. All seem to agree it eclipsed the Aaliyah movie.
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Post by Live Your Life on Jan 17, 2015 22:24:34 GMT -5
Honestly? The movie was pretty good. The actors did much better than I thought they would. And that Clive Davis casting? SPOT ON.
On the downside, the movie seemed VERY Bobby heavy, and I feel they downplayed his part in their dysfunctional relationship. But it was miles better than that horrible Aaliyah movie.
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bat1990
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Post by bat1990 on Jan 18, 2015 1:20:20 GMT -5
Well Wendy Williams is much less classy than Angela Bassett, sooooooo.....
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Relaxing Cup
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Post by Relaxing Cup on Jan 18, 2015 2:17:12 GMT -5
Loved the movie, loved the interview with Bobby after and currently enjoying the greatest performances program that comes after.
I thought Yaya did a great job. Whitney's voice in unparalleled, but there were seconds during the GREATEST LOVE OF ALL performance she sounded like Whitney.
Angela did a good job on this made for TV movie.
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Hurricane Lee
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Post by Hurricane Lee on Jan 18, 2015 9:48:45 GMT -5
That wasn't Yaya's voice, though.
Anyway, as much as I dislike Yaya, her acting range stunned me into respect. If only it wasn't for this movie...but yeah, much better than I expected in every way and the special with Bobby afterwards was actually very enlightening. They really did love each other, despite the drama and drug use. While the movie definitely seem to focus on him and even exalt him at some points, he was very candid and protective of Whitney during the interview, especially when it came to talks about drugs and...Robyn.
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Dalliance
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Post by Dalliance on Jan 18, 2015 10:59:38 GMT -5
I kinda have to take back what I said about Yaya being ugly. She's actually stunningly beautiful.
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tamed09
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Post by tamed09 on Jan 18, 2015 11:49:29 GMT -5
It was good, just more so "The Whitney and Bobby" story
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Relaxing Cup
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Post by Relaxing Cup on Jan 18, 2015 13:56:05 GMT -5
That wasn't Yaya's voice, though. Anyway, as much as I dislike Yaya, her acting range stunned me into respect. If only it wasn't for this movie...but yeah, much better than I expected in every way and the special with Bobby afterwards was actually very enlightening. They really did love each other, despite the drama and drug use. While the movie definitely seem to focus on him and even exalt him at some points, he was very candid and protective of Whitney during the interview, especially when it came to talks about drugs and...Robyn. Yeah, I just found out it was Deborah Cox singing, she did a good job.
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Hurricane Lee
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Post by Hurricane Lee on Jan 18, 2015 18:56:46 GMT -5
It wasn't a Whitney replica (because no one could EVER) but as a singer?? NOTHING but respect. I don't know of anyone else who could have tackled those notes so effortlessly. I really am impressed by Yaya's acting. As much of a cunt as she was in college, she has extraordinary beauty and talent. I will never deny that after seeing this movie. For a Lifetime movie, this was more like HBO material.
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Relaxing Cup
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Post by Relaxing Cup on Jan 19, 2015 2:14:07 GMT -5
All of this Whitney promo has had me looking at various videos on youtube tonight. I came across this one which was shortly before her passing.
Is it just me or is Whtiney and Brandy's interaction kind of odd? She didn't even really greet her. Did Brandy ever say what that note said?
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Hurricane Lee
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Post by Hurricane Lee on Jan 19, 2015 7:48:28 GMT -5
Well...she did kiss her and give her a note. I don't know what was going through her head but I'm guessing she was thinking about scoring and couldn't focus on much else. When drugs are calling you, they are pretty much screaming your name.
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weaver
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Post by weaver on Jan 19, 2015 9:42:45 GMT -5
So, I watched the movie, and it was enjoyable enough...but I was disappointed that it basically just covered from about 1989 to maybe 94. I would be interested in a part 2.
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Jan 19, 2015 13:05:47 GMT -5
It really should've been titled Whitney & Bobby but it was a decent TV movie.
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Post by Live Your Life on Jan 19, 2015 13:35:57 GMT -5
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So Pure
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Post by So Pure on Jan 19, 2015 13:42:53 GMT -5
"The Greatest Hits" is #57 on iTunes. So calm down Pat...you'll still get paid!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 14:50:49 GMT -5
I don't think Brandy has ever publicly commented on what that note said, but I think most people assume it was something to give Ray J.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 16:00:41 GMT -5
Brandy's been asked about the note before and basically said it's personal and she'll never discuss the contents.
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Leigh
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Post by Leigh on Jan 19, 2015 16:55:13 GMT -5
I recall there being talk about Brandy's reaction behind Whitney's back after she had handed her the note - some thought her facial expressions were shady.
I wasn't too sure what to make of the TV movie. I have never watched anything like this, so wasn't sure what to expect. I'm no prude but I thought the sex scenes were rather awkward to watch and for me, the underlying message that they were pushing appeared to be that Bobby Brown was a decent, non-drug abusing party for the most part. It ended so abruptly too!
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Relaxing Cup
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Post by Relaxing Cup on Jan 19, 2015 16:57:42 GMT -5
I recall there being talk about Brandy's reaction behind Whitney's back after she had handed her the note - some thought her facial expressions were shady. Her facial expressions were kind of shady. Monica was chill.
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Bojangles
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Post by Bojangles on Jan 19, 2015 19:39:41 GMT -5
I don't know what to make of the movie. It wasn't terrible, but I don't like how they tried to make Bobby out to be some sane, good guy back in the day. He admitted to dabbling with cocaine before meeting Whitney, the guys from New Edition said he acted like an egotisical maniac at times back in the 80s before going solo, etc. etc. There's no doubt in my mind that producers and Angela herself spoke to Bobby to get his side of their marriage to incorportate into the movie, it's really not fair. I mean, I don't think the movie made Whitney look bad, but they definitely went overboard with Bobby being some good guy before he got deep into drugs.
Like for instance, this is at his birthday party in 1994. Actual footage of him acting like a complete intoxicated asshole.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2015 19:46:58 GMT -5
I think part of it might be that the public image of Bobby is (and has been for a while) that he is an abusive, unstable dick who got America's sweetheart addicted to drugs. The movie went a little light on him probably because people already have such a negative view of him and because it focused on the very beginning of their relationship rather than the periods where it went left.
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Leigh
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Post by Leigh on Jan 19, 2015 19:53:20 GMT -5
I don't know what to make of the movie. It wasn't terrible, but I don't like how they tried to make Bobby out to be some sane, good guy back in the day. He admitted to dabbling with cocaine before meeting Whitney, the guys from New Edition said he acted like an egotisical maniac at times back in the 80s before going solo, etc. etc. There's no doubt in my mind that producers and Angela herself spoke to Bobby to get his side of their marriage to incorportate into the movie, it's really not fair. I mean, I don't think the movie made Whitney look bad, but they definitely went overboard with Bobby being some good guy before he got deep into drugs. Like for instance, this is at his birthday party in 1994. Actual footage of him acting like a complete intoxicated asshole. I came away with the exact same feelings about it as you Bo. It certainly wasn't a damning portrayal of Whitney; I just felt that the impression of Bobby being clean and respectful at the beginning was forced upon me and repeated over again during the first half of the movie. I personally felt it was no coincidence that the film was followed up with a Bobby Brown interview special. That said, it was nice to see parts of the Whitney story that centered around the music, and to hear her songs. I thought Deborah Cox did a stellar job.
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Mean A$$
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Post by Mean A$$ on Jan 20, 2015 11:33:30 GMT -5
I agree. I was very surprised at how they portrayed Bobby. It was definitely a pro-Bobby movie. The movie wasn't terrible but it certainly lacked something. I feel as though if they were going to try and tell her story, they should've done it completely. The movie ends and I'm like "thats it?". Not to be fresh, but all I got out of the movie is that they liked to have sex a lot, that she was her own worst enemy when it came to the choices she made and that her family hated Bobby.
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Revelry
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Post by Revelry on Jan 20, 2015 16:37:39 GMT -5
My problem with the movie was that there was pretty much no story and what little story there was revolved around Bobby. I thought Yaya basically did a good job with what she was given to work with and Deborah Cox did an excellent job as well. The costume design was suprisingly spot on too. I hope we get a silver screen depiction one day though--with Whitney's voice and a script that fully encompases her life.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 22:27:06 GMT -5
Wow @ Deborah Cox She did right by Whitney
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