'Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys' review

earthstar from universe - March 10, 2009 at 4:58 PM

I rented this movie from my cable company and watched it more than once in the 24hr alotted time.(plus I went to see it on opening night) I enjoyed the movie each time I watched it. Mr. Bershire's review is obtuse. It reflects a view point of a ego centric and psuedo superior-mind. His review seems to be trite and an overly analytical waste of words. IMO he warrants a warning from his superiors for viewing this wonderful and touching movie through the eyes of ego-centric and culturally in-experience lenses . My respect and adulation goes out to the cast. Especially Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard. As far as the comment about Tyler Perry's afro hair style as being "cartoonish," it seems to me that the reviewer still lives in the mind-set of the "black-face" era. He needs to be replaced, or go back to school and quicken his mentality as a reviewer. I give this movie ***** five stars and 5 minutes of applause!

thinkforyourself from houston,tx - March 09, 2009 at 5:19 PM

I truly disagree with critics on tyler perry movies. Have critics ever liked films with almost all black casts? how many can you name? Besides that there are the obvious cultural differences with some critics who simply can't relate or don't know were tyler is coming from in his films. I personally think critics have lost touch with what makes a quality film on these films. Many great artists where revered after their deaths and the best critics of their times often failed to recognize them or despised them. Ignore critical arrogance and think for yourself, see the movie.

darknewday197 from Parkville, Maryland - February 11, 2009 at 9:06 AM

Tyler Perry is obviously a talented and well meaning person. I must admit I do not care for his work. I believe his work reinforces the stereotype that ALL Black people are religious. Our new president is not religious. I personally know alot of Black people who do not believe in bronze age myths. Read the bible. READ IT. The bible supports slavery. It supports genocide. The list goes on and on. In this modern world, if you believe a man was born, died, and came back to life, you are either ignorant, crazy or brainwashed.Tyler Perry's work is very one sided.

castro que from hillbrow - February 07, 2009 at 5:31 AM

i am from watching the family that preys thanks tyler for the messages in all your movies i have watched i got a lesson out of them all ilove you and guess wat,my gal phrend is pregnant guess wat iam gonna kol my son obvious its gonna be Tyler if its a girl its gonna be Cora........am out Castro que

vanni2sweet from ny - January 20, 2009 at 10:39 PM

all of tyler perrys movies were good thus far,but this is by far the best!!!!!!!!! his movies are very entertaining and carry a good message i really do admire him,he's come a long way one day he will win an oscar,so just let him do what what he's doing.....omg why all the bad remarks about his movies and how he appears at least he's making money"lots of it too" he's a great role model for others to follow its good to see ablack man at the top. YA HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mzznunyabiz from Oakland Park - December 27, 2008 at 2:31 PM

I love every Movie Tyler has produced. They are all so refreshing. They all have a meaningful message that inspire you, make you laugh and levae you feeling optimistic about life. I also love that you can take the entire family to see his movies and don't have to worry about your kids being exposed to inappropriate content. Keep doing what you do Tyler, no matter what the critics say, your fans will always love you and support you.

Just BN Me from Georgia - December 19, 2008 at 9:20 AM

You can definitely see Tyler's growth in this movie. The plot is much better, the storyline has more variety than his other films. I still think he abruptly ends his films. He still needs to work on bringing us to a better end. I would like to see different storylines from Tyler than just the same old "abusive woman, bad kids and weak men" plots he gives us in ALL his movies. I know they say "why fix what ain't broke" but if he doesnt start tiving us more variety I think people will get tired of his films because they will already know what to expect.

Mr & Mrs Smith from Indiana - November 15, 2008 at 2:27 PM

Everyone has an opinion but its what the fans show at the box office that counts. thanks for giving us a movie that all can enjoy keep them coming, your true fans like them. god bless you tyler perry

foxydiva from usa - November 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM

I am african american and I somewhat had to agree with him. Tyler for one needs to stop appearing in his own films. I was pleased with the cast he chose but not the script. It was too predictable. I was some what bored. I am a Tyler Perry fan don't get me wrong. But Tyler needs to bring in new writers who can help him think outside of the box.

darrinsbabe from downtown - October 23, 2008 at 12:38 PM

Oh, Mr. Berkshire, from the Metromix, Chicago - It is clearly your OPINION that Mr. Perry's productions have suffocated you. STOP WATCHING THEM! There is a choice here. There is a reason why Mr. Perry makes movies and you write newspaper articles.

Cleopatra Chocolate from San Joaquin Valley - October 22, 2008 at 10:22 AM

Mr. Perry, Yes, Mr. Perry...I am grateful that you are able to show the world what the culture wants to suppress. God has open doors for you that NO man can shut and he will close doors that No man can open. This is your time and I am poud of you and continue to pray that God blesses your talent as you continue to use your gift as unto to Him and not man. Your gift is a long time coming, but I know-Change Has Come..oh yes it has.

gbryant726 from Stillwind - October 22, 2008 at 9:29 AM

I don't know what this guy is talking about. He's proven I'll never take his advice seriously. This was a really good movie and my fiancee and I loved it. It hasn't made over $30M for nothing. Keep up the work Perry.

r3000 from south - October 18, 2008 at 12:41 PM

You have serious problem with Afro Americans making outstanding movies. Tyler Perry done a good job with the screenplay. It was something different fro him and he pulled it off. Sorry get over it we are here. There are more Afro American film makers out there but we are just waiting for our chance.

SexyBrown Eyes from Patterson GA - October 17, 2008 at 4:44 PM

I LOVE TYLER PERRY'S MOVIES. LIKE K.C. SAID EVERYONE HAS A CHOICE TO WATCH THE MOVIE NO ONE MAKES U WATCH THEM. U KNOW WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM IS? PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO SEE BLACK PEOPLE ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING. THE MAN IS GREAT AT WHAT HE DOES. FIVE STARS FOR TYLER PERRY!

Mr. Write from stevens park, dallas - October 15, 2008 at 12:45 PM

Kudos to King Perry! A magnificent story and plot that kept me wanting more of this humanistic characterization ........and most of all, King Perry, if I can toot my own Tuba, I am the harshest critic of movies and music. Your cinematic ambition is quite natural and has been accomplished. I look forward to more. Some critics live to be too negative. But if I see something good, that's undeniably good, I give it credence as well as your critical peers in your cinematic profession. Mr. Write (I am also a screenwriter) in Texas!

floridabeach28 from atlanta - October 14, 2008 at 7:28 AM

Great Movie. I enjoy all his movies. I love being able to go to a movie and not have to worry about being overwhelmed by sexual overtones, cursing, violence, overdone special effects, and over paid actors. Mr. Perry is very creative and imaginative. He brings fresh ideas to the idustry which is badly needed. How many times must we be subjected to the same movie? Remake after remake. Is Hollywood running out of ideas? I'd rather spend $10.00 to see a clean wholesome movie than to waist my money on Hollywood trash like Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohann.

judith from Uganda - October 13, 2008 at 4:31 PM

hands up to Tyler Perry. I cherish his works because they are applicable to society and in daily life. You may call it repetition but it is worth watching! and atleast helpful in life.

BlessShell from SanBernardino, CA - October 12, 2008 at 6:22 PM

Well I love Tyler Perry movies. They're funny and real at the same time, I myself like watching something that means something and makes me feel something. I love that I can take my entire family and we all get something out of it, we laugh and cry that's what I like. Tyler Perry keep doing what your doing. Cause your faithfull viewers love you and love your work.

K.C. from Windy City - October 11, 2008 at 11:47 PM

Everyone has a choice to watch or not watch. I like Tyler Perry because he tries to portray people in real life settings and show them how to get out of them. He uses spiritual references to do this. Those of you who are not religious will not understand that. It is your right not to like Tyler Perry. Do not tell me what to like. He uses the same subjects that other filmmakers have used throughout history. These subjects have to keep being explored until the solutions are reached. There is nothing new under the sun anyway.

garnerdl from Dallas, TX - October 11, 2008 at 4:36 PM

I enjoy all of Tyler's work because I can relate to the message being portrayed. The critics may feel that his work is repetitive but think about it if it weren't for people like Tyler that actually is trying to give us something better to fill the void shared with all this nonsense entertainment with all these dumb reality shows that don't make any sense along with no more real tv shows for a family to enjoy. Stop hating on someone that does not have there mind stuck on sex sales. It's not about the money but yet about the story. Tyler is in your household and that is on the real.

reneenone from nunn - October 09, 2008 at 2:41 PM

I am glad that I can take my entire family to the movies. My children love Tyler Perry movies, I know that I did have to worry about cursing, sex sense and all that when I watch his movies. if you did not like, do not watch it. I glad to see that a black producer, writer, actor ect is doing it and doing well.

Arianna326 from Humboldt PArk - October 06, 2008 at 2:28 PM

I just saw this film last night. And it was good. As always, Tyler Perry and cast manage to bring across God's message. Each and every person's experience is unique and what you get from the movie only you can understand. There's a message in it for every individual. Whether you see it or not depends on your personal sense of perception. More so, the calling to every Christian out there leading either a double life or straying from the Lord's path is very prominent. By the end I was in tears. Great job to the TP Crew! Loved the addition of Kathy Bates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wmartin from Jackson.MS - October 04, 2008 at 6:58 PM

I agree with the critics. Tyler Perry produces too much of the same thing, over and over again. In fact, you don't have too watch any of his movies to know what they are about. It's nice to see more AA's as talented and successful actors. Eventually, Perry won't have anything to put out unless of course he do something about STD's or something. His productions should have been left for the stage.

itsmemsjones from I live n a neighborhood - October 01, 2008 at 8:53 PM

To know the heart of Tyler Perry, you must first have a realtionship with Jesus Christ. Not just know of Jesus, but are relationship. There is a difference. If you can really grasp the messages in the movies/plays and not focus on the man so, but the gift in him, we would not have to critic anything. As stated before, "it does not matter what you do in life, someone, somewhere will always find something negative to pull out of the positive." Tyler, continue to walk in the Anointing that is placed on your life. Thank you for paving the way and showing those who don't believe, that yes, all things are possible through Christ Jesus.

Carrie from Tracy, CA - October 01, 2008 at 12:12 PM

White America (critics) will never understand Tyler Perry. He has brought blockbuster movies to America with talented black and white actors and we appreciate him. How could you not appreciate a storyline about two women and their years of friendship, although their background are as different as night and day. How could you not appreciate the relationship between a mother and son who are caught up in business success and allow their family ties to disenergrate. Finally how could you not appreciate two men who dream of owing their own company, one believes he can do it now, the other believes it will come later. These are not black and white stories, this could be the story of any one of us. When you critique a movie, please try to"think out of the box". Carrie Tracy, CA

missnaomi from Montgomery - September 30, 2008 at 3:05 PM

I don't agree with what critics have to say about this movie. What is so disappointing is that the media and it critics are always going to find something negative to say about someone who has come into the business, and doing better than those who had to be taught from a very young age. The truth of the matter is that this movie is a very popular one. Anyone who has a taste of what true acting is, would know that.

Dametra from Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas - September 29, 2008 at 4:27 PM

I agree that the plot was predictable, but had it not been for him playing one of the characters, viewers might have forgotten this was a Tyler Perry film. It was not his best work - this is true. But It shows that he is on his way to achieving the status of a truly great filmmaker that can reach the masses, not just one fan base. Had he remained behind the scenes in this one, I think the critics would have responded with "What a great movie. This team of writers / director is sure to go far." Tyler's name has created a sense of overkill to a lot of people who have OR have not seen his movies. Kind of like Mike Jones music for those who listen to hip hop. Hopefully this makes people curious to see this one. If you were ever a fan of "Dallas," "Dynasty," or old daytime soap operas (and these fans are not just black), then you will be pleasantly surprised by the pestilent Tyler Perry. But, if you don't like southern drama, that's your right.

AngelofPraise from New Jersey - September 29, 2008 at 3:48 PM

Hollywood critics will never understand why Perry has such a loyal fan base. Most movie critics are ethnocentric when it comes to Black Film makeres. Unfortunately they can't see how these movies transcend cutures and speak to the Black expereince at the same time. I took my mother who's 66 to see it and shet cried becasue she could relate to Kathy Bates character and that my friends has nothing to do with race

Dametra from Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas - September 29, 2008 at 3:46 PM

I think this critic forgets the fan base Perry's movies attrach and inevitably reach with great force with each and every release. I respect the critics views on the pros and cons, and in that aspect disagree with those who believe critics do not do their job. Neither Bates nor Woodard would have accepted such a role without reviewing and approving the script. Apparently they found the movie of a higher caliber than this Chicago critic. This is a southern movie, and therefore may not be as appreciated by a Chicago critic. Southern critics would beg to differ and compare the movie to great dramas like Dallas and Dynasty. Don't you miss those great stories of family traditions and family feuds all fueled by pure, unadulterated greed? I loved it! It makes me want to go out and buy the dvds of the above mentioned dramas, though there were not many black actors or actresses in them at all! Perry is on his way to reaching a much broader audience. I look forward to his next release.

Lady Di from New England - September 27, 2008 at 10:31 AM

Really enjoyed this movie - plot twists, a character you love to hate, steady, unwavering good black men, and a truly wonderful female friendship that transcends racial and financial boundaries, plus a surprise ending. Bravo, Tyler - keep 'em coming, and I'll be at every opening weekend. To the critics, who often give positive reviews to films that do not come close to touching real people - give it a rest. Just because Tyler Perry did not attend film school or "pay his dues" at the feet of the old-money film conglomerates does not mean he turns out a bad product. Say what you will - he is laughing all the way to the bank, and you will not dissuade any of his true fans from attending his movies. God bless you, Tyler - keep on making movies for us "ordinary" folks, and we'll keep voting with our dollars!