Customer Reviews

Diary of a Tired Black Man

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

THIS IS A Film/Documentary!!

Do Not expect this to be a flip version of Tyler Perry's "A Diary Of A Mad Black Woman" with full acting and dialog throughout.

It's broken down in segments, each segment does have actors and a script but after each segment it goes into an actual documentary with real people that have dealt with those situations but it's a definitely must-see film for ALL African-American Women to finally go into the understanding world of the African-American Male.

Finally a movie that represents the African-American Male version of Waiting to exhale.

After watching this film/documentary, I was calling all my Male friends telling them about this movie and how they should watch this movie with their wife or girlfriend.

"All Men...especially Black Men Are Dogs and No Good" is the typical stereotypes that some African-American Women say about the African-American Male but this film takes you on a inside journey with real African-American men who are NOT like that but it's the Angry & Bitter Black woman who have been scorned in previous relationships because of the bad choices she made fail to look at her own responsibilities and chooses to take it out and assume all Black Men are useless.

I enjoy this movie cause it's a focus on the conscious but on the other hand, the negative I have to say about this movie I feel the documentary part could've been a bit shortened in between segments.

This movie also will admit that there are some African-American Men who are indeed no good but on the same token there's just as many Good African-American Men as well.

This film will explain itself in full detail once you began to watch it.

Go cop It!!!

I think the idea behind this documentary was a good one, however it was very biased. It seemed as though the take away from the movie was that "it's the black woman's fault". The documentary interviews many regular black people giving their two cents on relationships. I couldn't help but notice that when the men where interviewed, although making some valid points, they were agreed with and not really interrupted. However, when the women who were in direct contrast in opinion were interviewed, they were almost chastised in a way. If the women being interviewed did not directly or indirectly say "yes, we are angry and/or its our fault" they were ridiculed and made to look dumb.

I did not like the in between acting. Again more bias. The man was made out to be a saint, while the women came off deranged and crazy. That's not the real world...the world consists of PEOPLE (men and women) who are not infallible.

The movie did touch on no good men, only to say in so many words that the women should make better choices in mates and not bring it to the next relationship. This documentary stressed the fact that women carry and harbor ill feelings and generalizations about men only to bring it to men who are good and have nothing to do with their past, which is a valid point. However, the creator/camera man continuously goes on to interview different people asking them questions similar to "how do you feel about angry black women?" To me thats seems very unfair and makes the movie come off like a contradiction.

Despite my negative review, I think it is a good watch if you can formulate your own opinion and not the opinion the author wants you to have.

I was displeased that it wasnt a movie but gave it a try. It had some good points but was not agreeing with the display of black women complaining and blaming everyone but themselves. I understand the fact that a lot of women hold on these grudges and build those high-walled guards to men because of the voids in their hearts when it comes to men; some didnt have a supportive father to be the man in her life to mold her into some understanding about men. And some just have thier personal issues, opinions that may not make any sense to have a reason wear the "Men aint #@$"! sign. I understand the men on this one but I didnt like how this documentary embrace the fact that MAYBE its the women. this was a finger-pointing documentary and what no one talked about was how people need to check themselves when it comes to having what you need rather than what you want. That goes for the men AND the women.

The way people were talking about this film and after I saw the clips, I was expecting a movie as I have seen the male actor in another movie and enjoyed acting. I was really disappointed when I got a documentary with a bunch of ghetto people in it. Not to mention, the people interviewed in the documentary do not represent intelligent black people.

Although Tim seems like an interesting man who appears to be intelligent, I cannot say that I support this project. I was thinking he might be similiar to Tyler Perry, but NO, not even close.

The few dollars I spent on this DVD was a waste of money as I do not ever see myself pulling it out again. Just goes to show how different expectations are and what some people consider quality is far from what others think. :(

I just recently got out of a relationship that was similar to alot of the events that i saw in this movie. I was just about to let my girlfriend at the time watch this movie,but it was obviously too late.
She could've been a good girlfriend,but she had sooo many insecurities from past relationships and regarding black men as a whole.She was always suspicous of me cheating,when i wouldn't do such a thing.She reminded me so much of the girl in the movie,so inappreciative and fiesty like.

I recommend couples and singles purchase this,because there could be more enriching relationships after this enlightning experience.

This should be required viewing for every black couple, period(esp. if you have children!!!) It's not all on black woman, because as a black man, we have our s**t with us too. That being said, you can not put us all in the same bag. SOME of us have witnessed our fathers abuse our mothers, and are doing everything not repeat that vicious cycle with the women and children that we love. At the same time , black women who are in potentially good relationships really need to realize what they have and not let the transgressions of previous relationships (be it an ex- or even their fathers) f**k up the root of what could possibly save us as a people. Meaning: how do we expect to unify our race, when we can't unify the nuclear family : man, woman, child(ren)?!?! And speaking from personal experience, I can relate to James. I work hard everyday, and when I get home in the evening, I have no idea of the person that I'm gonna come home to. It's as if I have to constantly prove myself to my woman, who, even though everything I do is indictive of a man who is wholeheartedly commited to family, just seems not to "get it". And that is indeed tiring. Something's gotta give, black people. Although this is a problem that's not exclusive to our race, it seems to effect us the most. We need resolution. This film is definitely a step in that direction. Peace!

Firstly, let me just assert that I felt this movie/documentary had some very valid points. However, my biggest disagreement with this movie is the fact that it was promoted as a movie and not a documentary. Okay, it was clear, the producer was very upset (angry) at the many African-American genre movies that depict Black males in a negative view; for instance Waiting to Exhale and Diary of a Mad Black Woman(Written by a black man might I add). So in turn, he creates a documentary to refute stories that aren't even real life?....As if to assert to that because the movies (capitalism) say that Black men are evil, real black women feel the same? I guess I should create a documovie about how all black men want to do is watch black women romp shake and call out whores and black Bi#@$es on a video. I, however, am an intelligent black woman; I know how to separate fact from fiction.

Second disagreement with the "movie" is that it is overwhelmingly biased. I really didn't see the author's point. Was he trying to create more understanding and communication within black relationships? He thought he could do so by gallivanting through the streets starting arguments with random black women that he didn't even know, then editing to expose those that appeared most angry...hence proving his point that all Black Women are angry. I would have loved to be a fly on that wall in that editing room.

Thirdly, the venting of the black men throughout the movie was structured and self-defeating to the point of the whole movie. Okay, so you want to prove that black women are angry because of past relationships by having black men vent about all the problems they've had in past relationships with black women? One word: WOW! In fact, one valid point made by a young African-American woman and man is that these problems are not a gender or race specific problem, they are a human problem. If anyone carries baggage from a past relationship or childhood into a new relationship, problems will occur.

In addition, the point that the author tried to make about black women passing up a "good" black man because he was "boring" or too "friendly", sorry Sir, I know personally that this goes both ways. I am a single black women with two advanced degrees, working on a third, (Drum-roll...believe it or not) I am a virgin with no children or baby daddies. I was raised with a strong Christian faith to believe that men were the head and to respect my future husband. Am I a "good" black woman? However, seems the black men (my preference) I meet often pass me up because I am guess what....TOO BORING. All the while the baby mamas, tattooed broads, ignorant heifers with an attitude get snapped up like gold. Let's face it, black men love an attitude. Deep down they feel it synonymous with an aggressive (freaky) sex drive. Then two years later when that "attitude" backfires into a stale nagging black woman...You're TIRED. Maybe the reason that the black men in the movie and the author have had the experiences they've had is because of "poor relationship decisions." Oops did I just use the authors own words? But I digress; guess I just have "Angry Black Woman Syndrome." Maybe I'm being stereotypical...lol.

As far as the black men running to another race card.....SO OVER IT! Please come again when I actually care. I believe the author could've have made more progress with his supposed mission by making the movie a black family issue....not a black woman issue. You can't attack one factor of the problem and feel as though you will solve the whole puzzle. Not the mark of a true journalist. Overall, help your community by building it up, not accentuating the negative.

Really this is more like a documentary. It veiws black women in a negative way,maybe some is true, but it is mainly a sterotype. I don't care much for it. It is too drawn out, no real facts. I fell asleep.

First of all, this is not a woman bashing movie. This movie seeks to highlight certain aspects of the Black Male / Black Female relationship dynamic that may be broken and offers constructive ways of fixing it; constructive criticism, meant to strengthen relationships, and help both men and women make better decisions toward their futures together (or apart).

Men, watch it with your woman if you find that she is:
1. Arguing with you constantly.
2. Listening or talking to her friends about what you do or don't do.
3. Tearing you down in front of your children.
4. Taking for granted the kind of man you are (that being a good man).
5. Angry at you for no fault of your own.
6. Crazy.

Women, watch it with your man if you find that he:
1. Leaves the room when you have something to say.
2. Leaves for work early.
3. Comes home late.
4. Crazy.

Hopefully you don't have all of the above problems, and maybe you don't have any, but this docu-drama is a tool to help, not hinder your relationship. If you don't have the problems portrayed here, then great. If you do have some of these problems, here's a way to put them on the table and do something about them before your relationship becomes caustic.

This movie does have some downfalls however, which is why it loses a few points (3.5 out of 5 stars). Many of the commentaries are rather lewd and unnecessary. The film could be shortened, by taking out a lot of the material that doesn't need to be there. Some of the outlandish comments cause the movie to have less of an impact on some of it's audience than it would have. The sporadic sequences of drama are also very short, and spaced too far apart. I would love to see many of the sequences combined, and expanded, and limit the comments to only a few minutes. In all, it still seeks to provide information to strengthen the bonds of the African-American couple community, and succeeds in doing so in spite of it's unyielding use of opinions.

In conclusion, don't just watch the film because you have the aforementioned issues, watch the film because you are proactive, and don't want them.

Before I begin, I am always proud to say I am Jewish. I am equally proud to be half black (on Pop's side). He was some kind of black of Jewish descent (I'm positive his ancestors were Caribbean) and Mama was Sephardic Jewish. They were both born and raised in Mexico. Growing up was not easy for me, mainly because I am so pale and so was my mother. My folks were traditionalists, so Mama was subservient to Pop. In return, he treated her like the center of his universe.

Sounds made-up, doesn't it?

With that in mind: this 2009 offering was as entertaining as it was enlightening. It is an oddly paced film, however; I say oddly because it is a documentary that has feedback on short fictional film bits. The last time I saw that type of thing was in Sociology 101. Nevertheless, I liked it a great deal.

Produced and directed by Tim Alexander, and based on a three-minute internet video Alexander made, DIARY OF A TIRED BLACK MAN is tempting to compare to Tyler Perry's DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN. Perry's Mable "Madea" Simmons, I suppose, is the quintessential mad black woman. Alexander, in his DIARY, explores the tired black man...tired of the angry black woman.

Interspersed by vignette short films featuring James the Caribbean architect (a gorgeous Jimmy Jean-Louis) and his horrible shrew of a wife Tonya the B**** (an equally lovely Paula Lema), this film consists entirely of Alexander's interviews with dozens of folks commenting on the film shorts.

The incisive thing about this film is that every single commentator has something profound to say about the relationships in the black community. I was so happy, so thrilled in fact, to hear so many black people saying, "This is a people problem, not a racial problem or a black problem." Amen!

In the little fictional vignettes, James is a loving, sweet and upstanding man. Tonya is the Queen of the Witches, and eventually fills her time thinking of ways to torment poor James. With two children and a busy life, James divorces Tonya yet manages to get a bigger house and a nice girl. This turn of fortune for James ends up eliciting confusion from many of the interviewees. Also, some of the interviewed men said they would never be as nice as James was to his ex-wife.

By this time in the film, I was mostly bored with the fictional little vignette films. I would have preferred Alexander making a far more reasonable and professional documentary. 100% documentary. Still, his approach is unique in cinema and it drives its points home. Though I was a bit angered myself by Alexander's insistence on creating a new syndrome (Angry Black Woman Syndrome) and his apparent though semi-hidden vindictiveness toward black women, he does have a point.

Also, Alexander appears race-obsessed. I can't tell how this fits into his psyche, but it points to the evil perpetrated against the black community to this day. It seems Alexander himself has been damaged, as have so many of our people, by the chain of evil that goes all the way back to slavery.

It would have been nice if he had explored that point a bit more professionally, and perhaps explored his own apparent obsession with that point. During the credits Alexander claims: "A black man was hurt during the making of this film. ME!!"

It was funny--but it was Freudian. For all that, I took away a star. Tim Alexander may have a hell of a career ahead of him as a journalist/documentarian, but he needs to heal a part of himself first.

Injury and pain of this kind are infectious--the only time I know when injury and pain infect others.