An interesting phenomenon has taken place in the movie industry. It doesn’t carry the canonical literary weight of Shakespeare or evoke the epic feel of Spielberg, but rather it’s teeming with colloquial down-south quips, shameless familial banter and gut-wrenching laughs like a minstrel 2.0. It’s a phenomenon that has either unsettled the classically trained actors and directors of Juilliard or moved them to throw up their hands in sweet surrender.

This work is helmed by a man who dresses up as a trash-talking, gun-toting granny with a little too much junk in her trunk. And, his commitment to the character of this stereotypical African-American matriarch has catapulted him into instant stardom.

Tyler Perry was born Emmitt R Perry, Jr. in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1969. This reformed high school dropout is best known for his inspirational Christian-based plays and recent blockbuster successes like Dairy of a Mad Black Woman, Madea’s Family Reunion, Daddy’s Little Girls and Why Did I Get Married.

His career began one day while he was watching The Oprah Show in 1992. Perry took the advice that it can be cathartic to put feelings down on paper, which inspired him to write letters of his abuse-ridden childhood. His letters became plays, which moved him to  stage his first production - I Know I’ve Been Changed.

“With my shows, I try to build a bridge that marries what's deemed legitimate theater and so-called 'chitlin' circuit theater,' and I think I've done pretty well with that, in bringing people in to enjoy a more elevated level of theater,” said Perry in a 2006 interview with Conversations Magazine.  “At one point, the criticism made me feel ashamed of my productions. Then I got some advice from playwright August Wilson. He said, “Do what you do. Don't worry about these people, do what you do because I don't think it's bad at all."

The criticism of Perry’s work as low-brow art has waned in recent years due to his major film successes and big bucks to back them up. Edwina Findley, an actress trained at NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, is one who has changed her perspective from disdain to admiration.

 “There are people who have been acting all their lives who are now completely enthused to work for Tyler and I have no doubt that the Lord has something to do with that,” said Findley, member of Christian Cultural Center.  “Do I feel that the quality is consistent with that of someone who was formally trained? No. However, I believe his method of expression is equally valid because it pulls from the experiences of real people and ultimately inspires them to maximize their God-given potential. And for that I give applause. “

Not only does Perry masterfully weave faith into each one of his works, he is most times buttressed by a star-studded cast, whom in reality are believers off-screen.

“ There are people [making films] who believe, but I think they're people who believe in the closet. They believe very quietly. There's this huge separation of church and state. I'm not afraid to mix the two. I'm not afraid to have a character say, "I am a Christian," or, "I believe in God," because I think they represent real people on this earth,” said Perry in an interview with Beliefnet in 2005.

Back at it again, his upcoming films include an adaptation of his play Meet the Browns in theatres March 21, featuring Oscar-nominated Angela Bassett. Tyler will reprise himself as Madea and Uncle Joe, Madea's naughty trash talking brother. A Family That Preys Together is Tyler's next release, which is scheduled to open September 12, 2008. It stars Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard, Jennifer Hudson, and Kathy Bates. Madea Goes to Jail is scheduled for a spring 2009 release followed by A Jazz Man's Blues, Perry's eighth film with Lionsgate. Perry will star as the jazz singer in the movie.

Take him or leave him, Perry’s forced his way into mainstream cinema. And, Lionsgate – one of the more successful film production companies in the biz – gives him final editing sign-off. Now, that’s a place of power!