A lot of my favorite movies are from the 90's. Maybe, it's because I was a late 80's baby [shy a few days from '90]. Or maybe it's because some of the best of the best movies came out during that time period. [The 80's had some pretty dope movies too. Purple Rain/The Color Purple/Coming To America. Need I say more?]
So, it's not a surprise when I say Jada Pinkett-Smith [& Regina King, along w/ Angela Bassett] is one of my favorite actresses when it comes to the big screen. & it's not because she is who she is. The quality I admire most is that no matter which role she takes, be it Lyric from Jason's Lyric or her character, Niobe, from The Matrix sequels [although, I've only seen snippets.], she still manages to be herself. A piece of her exists in every character she plays, and I admire that.
1991: We all remember watching A Different World & her feisty character, Lena. She was what LL Cool J would describe as an 'Around The Way Girl'. [I remember when she almost burned down the whole dorm w/ her cooking. She was too funny.]
1994: A Low Down Dirty Shame came on today [Thanxs 2 Tv-One]. Remember, with Keenan Ivory Wayans? Her character was Peaches who was similar to Lena but, turned up a few notches. Jada's hair was short for the film [as it was for most of the 90's] & she wore these long nails that had ATTITUDE written all over them. Her character always wanted to be on the dangerous job w/ her partner, Shame but, because she was a female it didn't work out so much. You can believe Peaches wasn't havin' that!
1996: I also remember watching Set It Off which featured Jada, Queen Latifah, Vivica Foxx, & Kimberly Elise. That movie was THE movie. Even though robbing banks is clearly illegal, I love Stony [Jada]. She was the [most] sane one in the group and I felt her pain when her brother got shot for doing no wrong, && in the end when she moved away to start a new life. Every time I hear that song [Missing You], I get that same sad feeling. That movie was DEEP w/o a doubt.
Now, after starring in over 20 films, she still has IT. Not many African-American actresses IMO can bring what she brings. I'm not knocking Halle Berry or any other actress but, Jada is what they call the 'Real Deal'. Sure she has done a lot of films targeted to the black community [Menace To Society, The Nutty Professor, etc] but, she isn't afraid to switch it up. Having played a lesbian in The Women (2008) & starting her own rock band, Wicked Wisdom, It's safe to say Jada is in a league of her own.
After being shut down by Keenan Ivory Wayans when she requested she be put onto In Living Color, Jada told Entertainment Weekly in 1994, ''There was nothing else I could do, except maybe go to law school and pass the bar, so the courtroom would be my stage."
....Aren't you glad she didn't give up? I think she is where she needs to be.
I even love her marriage w/ Will. Name another couple in Hollywood as beautiful & enduring as them. That's the kind of love I want!
[Currently]: Jada has a main role on HawthoRNe [in which she also produces], which I make sure to watch every Tuesday night on TNT. She plays Christina Hawthorne, a chief Nursing Officer at a hospital. Don't let the white coat fool ya, it's still Jada.
One thing Jada does well is balance. She's happily married and a mother. [Anytime you're one of the two, I call that a success.] It's true that she hasn't been in many films lately but, with her new found love for producing, I believe that's all she needs at this point. As I've said before, no matter what role she plays, whether she's on screen or behind scenes, just as bold & flawless as ever, Jada shines through.
Beauty. Essence. Timeless. Jada.
(Quote: EntertainmentWeekly)
(Pic 1: Justjared.buzznet.com)
(Pic 2: Sitcomsonline)
(Lost link, my bad :))
(Pic 4: Hollywood.com)
(Pic 5: Tvfanatic.com)
(Pic 6: Jadapinkettsmith.org)
Yes she is...LOVE HER!
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