Would 'Sparkle' Have Done Better If It Was Released Earlier?

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• Josh | January 3, 2013 2:53 PMReply

  I love the original Sparkle, but I wasn't too impressed with the remake. Mara Brock Akil and her husband Salim Akil should have never took on this film. Sparkle was one of those movies that couldn't be remade or duplicated. If It was to be remade, it should have had a director like Bill Condon who directed Chicago and Dream girls, or Taylor Hackford who directed the Ray Charles movie with Jamie Foxx. Except for Whitney Houston and Carmen Ejogo, I wasn't really feeling the cast either. They should have had better actors in the film. I love Jordin Sparks. I am a fan of hers but she did not really do Irene Clara's role justice. Raven Symone should have played that role. She would have been far better and she also have both the singing ability and acting chops to turn it out. In fact, Raven was originally was supposed to play Sparkle when Whitney was trying to get the movie made years ago. Terrence Howard should played Satin, Chris Brown should have played Stix, maybe Columbus Short as Levi. '
  
  The original movie took place in Harlem and the remake took place in Detroit. Mara and Salim just wanted it to be like Dream girls.

• sly | August 27, 2012 5:09 PMReply

  @sergio Well excuse me I didn't know only certain people could make commits on this message board I was just throwing my two cents in just like everybody else on this site like some believe sparkle was a flop because of what they heard well I don't believe it was a flop because of what I have heard. didn't mean to ruffle your feather's just wanted to state my opinion like you and others have,I think I was being fair I didn't mean to read anybody just speaking the obvious so I'll just leave it like that you can accept it or not peace.

• Sally | August 27, 2012 4:47 PMReply

  How do any of you know that sparkle was a flop did you count the money yourself or did a magazine or someone on t.v tell you? I would really like to know because if you don't know first hand of how much money sparkle or any movie for that matter made than you all are going by rumors and not facts adults go by first hand accounts children go by what they hear see where I'm coming from.

• noel | August 27, 2012 12:32 PMReply

  It would have done way better if it was released earlier, no two ways about that. And it would have been kinda controversial if it was released earlier cause many will find capitalizing on her death exploitative. All in all its not flopping it just isn't doing as expected.

• B | August 27, 2012 12:02 PMReply

  No. The movie was pretty awful (not that I liked the old one). Jordin Sparks should never be cast in a lead role ever again. The only good thing about this film was Whitney and Omari Hardiwick, to be honest (although Mike Epps did a decent job with a lackluster role). I don't think an earlier release date would have helped such a film do better than it has done. And it hasn't done all that poorly, imo, considering what a crappy film it is.

• B | August 27, 2012 12:04 PM

  *correction* Jordin Sparks should never be cast in any acting role ever again.

• Cherish | August 27, 2012 11:47 AMReply

  So right about casting Jordin Sparks. Jordin Sparks hasn't even been very successful in music career. One or 2 hit songs at the most. Did her last album even sell well? If she wasn't successful in her music career what made them think she'll be a box office draw?

• Cordell | August 27, 2012 11:33 AMReply

  I honestly think they should've released it during Thanksgiving season. I thought the movie was entertaining with some great performances from Mike Epps and Carmen Ejogo.

• Suzzy | August 27, 2012 11:04 AMReply

  funny how people specially black people are so quick to knock down good black films why'll praising the films that stereotype the black community what a sad shame.even in death Whitney Houston is trying to show the world that black folks are more than just maids the help,abusive mothers precious or sex machines monster ball.She was trying to show us that black women do love their kids and don't abuse them that black women are more than just sex objects and we are maids no more but own are own buisness.to bad others don't understand what she was trying to do for young black girls who need a movie like this right now.Whitney was showing young black girls or any young girls for that matter that you can be anything you want to be you just have to dream every great person in history had a dream before they became who they were. and I thank the great Whitney Houston for leaving that gift for the young girls today even in death she is still giving and trying to help others any way she can whether people appreciate it or not that's gonna be part of her legacy and continue to live on.

• Cherish | August 27, 2012 10:41 AMReply

  I may see movie this week, or not, can easily wait for it come out on cable. Main reason I think this movie is not doing well - We already saw DREAMGIRLS. Another movie about a 1960s girl group??? As Nadine mentioned, why couldn't this movie be more contemporary? The original movie SPARKLE was about a 1950s girl group, and was released in 1975. If you MUST make a movie about a girl group, why not set in the 1990s? It was the last era of great R&B girl groups anyway. SWV, XSCAPE, EN VOGUE??? I'm sure there are enough stories out there to make a compelling drama. TLC's Left Eye burning down the house!!? LOL, Come on - good stuff here. They could have done something like the THE FIVE HEARTBEATS, where it wasn't an actual bio but loosely based on an actual group, or culmination of groups' experiences. And the music would have been contemporary enough to bring in those who came of age in that era and the younger set as well. My younger cousins in their late teens/early 20s not only knows these groups, but they really listen to their music. An 18 year old girl told me how SWV's WEAK is her song. THIS is old school to them. But to make a compelling drama would have taken good writing and producing, and something tells me that those involved in this were too lazy to do either. Oh well. Another reason why this movie is tanking - the male leads SUCK. Movies like this are what women go with their girls groups or drag their boyfriends to see. There is no real eye candy as far as I can tell. And for those of who saw the original, it sounds like some miscasts here. Mike Epps as Satin? Well, I heard he was actually good but I can't tell from the commercials. But biggest mistake was Derek Luke as Styx. I like Derek Luke, he's a good actor. But IMO he's not very attractive and has no sex appeal. And starring against Jordin Sparks- ugh he seems old. Young Phillip Michael Thomas was sexy and had charisma. Just don't see this in Derek Luke. Actually, if Chris Brown wasn't such a jerk and messed up, I could see him this role. I hate to admit it, but the kid has some star appeal. And Styx was supposed to young and up and coming anyway. Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks together would have definitely brought in at least the teen crowd.

• D.C. Kirkwood | August 27, 2012 8:57 PM

  They should have used Columbus Short instead of Derek Luke, your are so right he has no swag and sex appeal. Total miscast.

• Cherish | August 27, 2012 4:47 PM

  @CHARLES, I'm talking high drama w/Left Eye and you took the idea to another level - a movie that's not just a compelling drama but a social commentary on the changing Black music scene of the late 90s and the out and out commercial packaging of the Girl Group, from Destiny's Child to The Cheetah Girls. See that's what I'm talking about. And yes, girls would love this if done right. I remember my friends and I would act like a girl group practicing in our bedrooms or backyard. We mimicked dancing and singing from music videos, mostly Janet Jackson moves, and loved groups like Expose (a little older by the time 90s girl groups were in full swing). Thinking about a movie like you mentioned just highlights how much this new SPARKLE was a waste of time, money and resources (which stands for 75% of movies today anyway.)

• Charles Judson | August 27, 2012 12:56 PM

  SPARKLE was inspired by The Supremes and came out before DREAMGIRLS. Jumping off that, DESTINY'S CHILD might have been the best template to create a contemporary story. A lot of what went down is similar to The Supremes. Beyonce's own rise at the same time girl groups have fallen out of favor and the other members of DC have not seen her level of success, not only makes for an interesting story dramatically, it's an interesting idea to explore. It's full of irony since the same time "Girl Power" was becoming a part of the marketing is the same time the Girl Group started to fade into the background and the solo singer became dominate. Now we have Beyonce, Rhianna and a host of others who are supposed to be female role models and or at least people's whose lives we use to talk about various topics. But isn't there something young girls gravitate to, seeing 4 women working together to create music and perform? And seeing how much control and say Beyonce has had over her career since DC, something Ross never had till she was older and further along, there's a lot to be explored there as well. Beyonce and DC came up in a time when Disney Channel realized it could package young stars and singers to aim at the tween set and Neo-Soul popped up to appeal 20 and 30 year-old Black folks who weren't seeing the rest of music mature with them. So yes, I think a more contemporary SPARKLE, but one that was set 15 to 20 years ago, would have been much more interesting and relevant.

• sergio | August 27, 2012 10:38 AMReply

  I see you don't quite understand the concept of sarcasm. Besides why in the hell are you reading us then? We're the media aren't we? Why don't create your own site and tell us THE TRUTH instead of reading the lies we tell? Since you have the inside track on the REAL box office numbers I would like to see your list.

• Dantie | August 27, 2012 10:38 AMReply

  Sparkle is doing just fine I promise

• Sims | August 27, 2012 10:27 AMReply

  Only stupid people believe the media can't believe everything you hear smh.

• CarltonJordan | August 27, 2012 10:15 AMReply

  they shoulda had ALL hands on deck the moment Whitney died and pushed that film out ASAP. How soon did This Is It comes out after Michael Jackson died!? They shoulda spent whatever money necessary to get it out RIGHT after her death.

• Nadine | August 27, 2012 10:25 AM

  Exactly. Yet, I understand that they had other considerations. Hindsight for all us, I guess. That decision would have been a tough call. I'm not sure what I would have done in the moment... I have no idea...

• SLY | August 27, 2012 10:13 AMReply

  @sergio So What are you saying that the other movies jumped 125% and sparkle didn't and could never your little message there don't make any sense you need to explain yourself better.What I was trying to explain to you and others is that I don't believe sparkle opened at only 12 million and debuted at number five,I believe it grossed much more than that I believe it was actually number one and the media is lying like they always do on good black films.But I understand your one of the people that believes what they hear or read even if it doesn't add up or make any sense .And as for the monsters ball,precious comment what does that have to do with anything I said all I was saying is that those kinds of black films get praised in the media while black films like sparkle do not and are consider flops which is not true but dirty lies.

• CareyCarey | August 27, 2012 9:45 AMReply

  Who did THEY think Jordin Sparks was going to draw? There it is... let's talk about THEM; the shot callers. But first, to do this right I have to sing a negro spiritual to embellish my thought. Motherless Child: Motherless children have a real hard time. Motherless children have a such a real hard time. So long so long so long. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child so far away. Sometimes I feel like freedom is near but we're so far away. Sometimes I feel like it's close at hand, like the freedom is near but we're so far from home. THE END! But now we have the big ballers-shot callers; the Akil's at BET and Ms Rhimes on prime time. Nadine asked what were THEY thinking? Hell, the Akil's are like motherless children. Is anyone watching over them? I've always thought that a child who faces no discipline will continue to do their dirt. So the "GAME" continues. That's right, aside from the disaster called Sparkle, BET is now preparing to give us "Let The Church Say Amen". OH BOY, it's a wonderful movie about a pastor's crack addicted son who resorts to stealing from the church to feed his habit, and the pastor's daughter who just happens to be a babies momma drama-zip fool. Great entertainment - right? I don't think so. In fact, now I'm singing the song because now I feel like a motherless child because there's really nothing I can do to stop this steep slope of madness inwhich the black cinema is heading.

• SLY | August 27, 2012 8:54 AMReply

  Anybody who believes what the media is saying about sparkle not doing well at the box office is a damn fool.The only reason why they are saying sparkle is not performing well is because it's a positive black film they always say positive black movies don't do well at the box office but the negative black films seem to have no problem making a buck or two.people got to use their brain and think about what is actually going on here,they are basically saying no one wants good images of black folks on screen that we only want the monster balls,precious,the help type of movies on screen not sparkle type movies we have to start opening are eyes and see what is really going on.We have to stop these stereotypes and confront the media about their lies,and we as a people have to stop believing everything we hear on t.v,radio,or magazines. sparkle is the only movie I've seen and heard personally by others that the theater's were crowed tickets selling out like crazy not being able to see it until the next day because there was no more seats left and that was just last week and this week .I can't say the same thing for the other movies and I have gone to see them to so the media is diffently lying to the public and the public believes every single last word how stupid is that.

• sergio | August 27, 2012 9:37 AM

  So you're saying that the film did not drop 65% at the box office this week. Actually it jumped up 125% on its way to making $80+ million at the box office. WHEW! Thanks to you we now know the truth. Monster's Ball? Precious? This is 2012. You have seen some black films lately haven't you?

• Nadine | August 27, 2012 8:48 AMReply

  I meant Irene Cara, but you know what I mean...

• julius hollingsworth | August 27, 2012 8:23 AMReply

  the film will make its money back if it hasn't already.It has heart.enough said.For me.

• just sayin' | August 27, 2012 7:46 AMReply

  Would it have done better if they moved up the date? Yes. Would it have done THINK LIKE A MAN numbers? No. It's a medicore film based on a mediocre film, despite an attractive, talented cast. So many problems....why not set it in the modern day? Why couldn't the usually reliable R. Kelly deliver a radio hit? No promotable stars except the late Ms. Houston, and I felt no attempt to turn this cast into stars via the PR machine.
  
  The movie was not the event it needed to be, because in every way it looked like a movie they've seen before, and have. Either 40 years ago with the original, or 4 years ago with Dream Girls.

• B | August 27, 2012 12:05 PM

  Well said!

• CareyCarey | August 26, 2012 11:10 PMReply

  There's a saying... "You dance with the woman you took to the ball". In this case, given all that you've said regarding Whitney Houston's "popularity" after her death... she is THAT woman they should have danced with. However, to what degree this movie would have made MORE MONEY... how much more money is the bigger question. Case in point, would the word-of-mouth (positive words of mouth) have been better? Would Think Like A Man have been as successful without Tim Story as Director? Would TLAM had the same success and word of mouth without Kevin Hart and/or their advertising blitz? I am suggesting that Sparkle simply had nothing going for it. On the other hand, TLAM came out at just the right time (folks were hungry) and it was a "safe" movie. Folks could see a little silly relationship shenanigans, a little baffoonery, and it was a date flick. So who's going to question someone saying they enjoyed it? So, the non-Tyler Perry crowd were "safe" to go get their laugh on. But Sparkle... what was the drawing card? Nope, Whitney couldn't have saved this albatross.

• Darkan | August 26, 2012 9:34 PMReply

  Agreed Sergio. There's really no heart left in film making anymore. The more watered down expressionism is in the actors people flock to, the less likely films will be successful or effective on the audience. People are not dumb despite what Hollywood thinks. Just because directors, writers, producers and actors are popular doesn't mean they are truly talented or can created great content. SMDH. "Time to get real and recognize people." "Brothers gonna work it out!"

• B | August 27, 2012 12:07 PM

  Thank you! I agree with your comment completely, especially: "The more watered down expressionism is in the actors people flock to, the less likely films will be successful or effective on the audience." We are not as dumb as these Hollywood execs think we are.