A Little Of The Old In And Out



In: Tyler Perry. Tyler Perry is well-ensconced in a deeply profitable niche. So far as the eye can see there are no rivals for his perch. Say what you will about him -- and we do have problems with the stunning constellation of lowbrow stereotypes in his universe -- Perry won the weekend yet again. From TheHollywoodReporter:

"Tyler Perry, proving once again that he’s become one of the most reliable brand names in the film industry, saw his latest, self-titled movie, 'Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself' rise to the top of Friday’s boxoffice heap in North America.

"The PG-13-rated Lionsgate release, a comedy-drama starring Taraji P. Henson, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige and Perry himself in his drag alter ego of Madea, gathered an opening day gross of an estimated $8.7 million in 2,255 theaters.

"While that number isn’t as robust as the $14.7 million that the hyphenate’s last movie, 'Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail,' opened to on its first day in February, it still puts 'Bad' on track to collect an opening weekend figure in the $20 million range, which will likely result in the director’s third best opening ever."

That is a considerable box office feat considering that Perry's films lack zombies, 3D monsters or superheros.



Out: The War In Afghanistan. How long is too long for the American attention span? Is there a point in which public opinion turns even against a popular President? Already the phrase "Obama's Vietnam" is being used by serious publications.

Even as President Obama was battling the slings and arrows of health care legislation, something happened to public opinion on Afghanistan. A measurable shift. Senator Carl Levin, an Obama ally and the Chair of Armed Services, voiced some dissent from the administration on troop enlargement. Levin joins the growing chorus of influential commentators and newspaper editorial boards that are growing frustrated at our performance in Central Asia. This reflects a noticeable shift in public opinion, particularly after the corrupt recent election and public criticism over the lack of order in the German-held regions of Afghanistan.