6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most provocative and thought-provoking critic of pop., April 28, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Resistance: Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook the World (Hardcover)
Finally! A book on pop culture that's more than a flashy press release stating the obvious--which is what most of today's criticism consists of. Finally, a book filled with intelliegence, sensitivity, careful observation and damnit--PASSION! Armond White is making sense of all the nonsense that's put out there for public consumption. For those not familiar with Armond White's work, be prepared for a shock. Along with some very fine reading; Mr. White writes on figures as challenging and popular as: Michael Jackson, Prince, Steven Spielberg, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Eddie Murphy, Spike Lee, Madonna, Ice Cube, Brian DePalma, Janet Jackson, De La Soul, Morrissey, Metallica, Marky Mark, RuPaul, Dr. Dre, Quentin Tarantino, Fab Five Freedy, Robert Altman and many, many more!
It's not that Mr. White covers these subjects--many of these guys get coverage in such mainstream magazines like Rollling Stone, Spin, Premiere, Etc... But here's what makes Mr. White special--he writes, no he looks past hype and investigates a particular work of art and looks into what makes it special (or not so special). In short, he makes a careful examination of the ideas that these works bring up. Ideas that usually are ignored or glossed over in mainstream pop journalism. In doing this, he exposes the biases inherent in most pop culture reporting and also the segregation in pop journalism.
Subjects covered here include: the appropriation by the mainstream of hip-hop culture, the rise of Black independent and Hollywood filmmakers and the challenge (or lack thereof) their films provide, the deceptive (or is it Death-ceptive?) funkiness of Dr. Dre's music, Increasing visual illiteracy in the watching of movies, Steven Spielberg and why despite his poor crtitical reception--he matters, Understanding Michael Jackson (you'll won't find this ANYWHERE else!), etc...
The more you read Mr. White's prose, the more you'll witness for yourself the revelation it is. Take for example this excerpt !from UNDERSTANDING MICHAEL JACKSON;
(on MJ's changing physical complexion)
"...only the intimates of Jackson's life have a right to complain--or be surprised--at the physilogical changes he has made of himself. The skin lightening, eye widening, nose sharpening, chin clefting, plus hair weave and processing are mad-scientist variations on the ethnic grooming and image creation that have long been part of the Black performer's understood contract with the white-controlled world of show business. Most artists submit to it to some degree. Jackson's only gone the Jewish entertainer's nose-job ritual--known as the "Hollywood circumsicion"--several organs better..."
See! And that's only on the first page! Check it out!!!!!!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved the library copy, can't wait to buy the paperback., August 23, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Resistance: Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook the World (Hardcover)
Everything you ever wanted to know about movies, music of the past decade is in this book. White is a brilliant critic and thinker. I attended his music video lecture in Dallas and was astounded at the wealth of information and insight he provided. This book is well worth reading, but Overlook Press ought to put it out in paperback so that more students of music video and movies can afford to have it and underline th e great insights and critiques. White is the best culture critic working in America today.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! Brilliant pop criticism by the best critic in America!, July 5, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: The Resistance: Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook the World (Hardcover)
When I started reading White's controversial reviews in the New York Press I sought out this collection for more of his urbane insights and fearless honesty. This is one of the best books of cultural criticism I've ever read. I've recommended it to my American studies professors and he has already promised to use essays from The Resistance in future classes. (The Schindler's List and Spike Lee and Terence Davies pieces are especially detailed interpretations.) Among my favorties chapters are those devoted to the British singer Morrissey and the devastating critique of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. "Tarantino may know New Wave conventions, but he doesn't understand New Wave convictions," White says and that hits the nail on the head. What a brave, beautifully written book. I recommend it to everyone who cares about modern culture, whether film, music, TV. Everyone should know this book.
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