• Home
  • About the Blog
  • Tops
  • Sorely Missed
  • By the Book
  • Sound Tracks
    • Action/Adventure
    • Documentary
    • Drama
    • Comedy
    • Foreign
    • Horror
    • Musicals
    • Suspense

The incredible montage

  • Home
  • About the Blog
  • Tops
  • Sorely Missed
  • By the Book
  • Sound Tracks
  • Genres
    • Action/Adventure
    • Documentary
    • Drama
    • Comedy
    • Foreign
    • Horror
    • Musicals
    • Suspense

It's bigger than the Academy

Diversity in Oscar nods requires diversity in the film industry

As a cinephile, occasional movie blogger and African-American woman, I have watched the fervor over #OscarsSoWhite unfold with great interest. I will keep my comments brief because they are not much different from what many have already eloquently expressed. The reason I feel compelled to weigh in at all is because I don’t think my view on it has been expressed enough.

My initial reaction when this year’s Oscar nominations were announced was not shock or even disappointment. Although I have not seen all of the potentially nominated performances and films, there were no movies that I had seen from black filmmakers or featuring black actors and actresses that I thought were unfairly left out of the running. There were movies and performers I thought could have been nominated, such as Spike Lee’s “Chi-raq,” F. Gary Gray’s “Straight Outta Compton,” Idris Elba for “Beasts of No Nation” and Will Smith for “Concussion.” But considering the films and performances that were nominated in the relevant categories, I didn’t see any that I thought deserved to be bumped in favor of anything else – black or white.

As far as I’m concerned, the hashtag rallying cry should be #HollywoodSoWhite or #thefilmindustrysowhite because that is where the problem lies. I have no interest in seeing films that do not deserve to be nominated get nominations just because they have a black cast or crew. What we need are more quality films produced, directed and cast with people of color so that Oscar voters have to recognize them. Granted, a predominantly older white male pool of voters will not necessarily see the attributes of these films, which is why it is imperative that the Academy leadership makes efforts to diversify its voting body as they are doing. But of course, those diversification efforts will not be enough if there are not enough Oscar worthy movies featuring people of color.     

So what I want to see is more opportunities for black actors and actresses to work with the best directors in the business – directors who are perennially putting out quality work. I want to see more opportunities for talented black filmmakers and screenwriters to get their projects made with the production budgets they need to make them successful. As Viola Davis so poignantly shared at the 2015 Emmy Awards, you can’t win awards for performances you never get to give. And you can’t win awards for films that never get made. If a part is not color-specific, why not offer it to the best actor or actress for the job regardless of skin color. From Denzel Washington in “The Pelican Brief” and "Much Ado about Nothing" to Thandi Newton in "Mission Impossible II" to Chiwetal Ejiofor in "The Martian" (where I was also happy to see some Latin representation with Michael Pena) and Adepero Oduye in "The Big Short," there's no reason not to present the world as it really is with diverse casting.       

I am heartened by the inroads that we've made. I am thrilled to see filmmakers like Steve McQueen, Ava Duvernay and Lee Daniels making incredible movies that tell the stories of all people, not just African-Americans, in the same way that Ang Lee helms movies about all types of people, not just people of his culture. So the overriding goal should be that more African-Americans be given more opportunities to tell all types of stories in the film industry. At that point, the Academy will be inundated with great work to nominate, and we will see a more diverse group of nominees.

To provide some perspective, below is a list of all the African-American Oscar winners since the Academy started presenting its awards. 

AFRICAN-AMERICAN OSCAR WINNERS

  1. Hattie McDaniel – Best Actress, “Gone with the Wind” (1939)
  2. Sidney Poitier – Best Actor, “Lillies of the Field” (1963)
  3. Isaac Hayes – Best Song (Theme from Shaft), “Shaft” (1971)
  4. Lou Gossett Jr. – Best Supporting Actor, “An Officer and a Gentleman” (1982)
  5. Irene Cara – Best Song (Flashdance … What A Feeling), “Flashdance” (1983)
  6. Prince – Best Original Music Score, “Purple Rain” (1984)
  7. Stevie Wonder – Best Song (I Just Called to Say I Love You), “The Woman in Red” (1984)
  8. Lionel Richie – Best Song (Say You, Say Me), “White Nights” (1985)
  9. Herbie Hancock – Best Original Music Score, “Round Midnight” (1986)
  10. Willie D. Burton – Best Sound, “Bird” (1988)
  11. Denzel Washington – Best Supporting Actor, “Glory” (1989)
  12. Russell Williams – Best Sound, “Glory” (1989)
  13. Whoopi Goldberg – Best Supporting Actress, “Ghost” (1990)
  14. Russell Williams – Best Sound, “Dances with Wolves” (1990)
  15. Cuba Gooding Jr. – Best Supporting Actor, “Jerry Maguire” (1996)
  16. Halle Berry – Best Actress, “Monster’s Ball” (2001)
  17. Denzel Washington – Best Actor, “Training Day” (2001)
  18. Jamie Foxx – Best Actor, “Ray” (2004)
  19. Morgan Freeman – Best Supporting Actor, “Million Dollar Baby” (2004)
  20. Juicy J, Frayser Boy, DJ Paul – Best Song, “Hustle & Flow” (2005)
  21. Forest Whitaker – Best Actor, “The Last King of Scotland” (2006)
  22. Jennifer Hudson – Best Supporting Actress, “Dreamgirls” (2006)
  23. Willie D. Burton – Best Sound, “Dreamgirls” (2006)
  24. Mo’Nique – Best Supporting Actress, “Precious” (2009)
  25. Geoffrey Fletcher – Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, “Precious” (2009)
  26. Roger Ross Williams – Best Documentary Short Subject, “Music by Prudence” (2009)
  27. Octavia Spencer – Best Supporting Actress, “The Help” (2011)
  28. T.J. Martin (director) – Best Documentary, “Undefeated” (2012)
  29. Lupita Nyong’o – Best Supporting Actress, “12 Years a Slave” (2013)
  30. Steve McQueen (producer) – Best Picture, “12 Years a Slave” (2013)
  31. John Ridley – Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, “12 Years a Slave” (2013)
  32. Common and John Legend – Best Song (Selma), “Selma” (2014)

Posted in Movies and tagged with #OscarsSoWhite, Academy Awards, Oscars.

February 26, 2016 by Monica Elliott.
  • February 26, 2016
  • Monica Elliott
  • #OscarsSoWhite
  • Academy Awards
  • Oscars
  • Movies
  • Post a comment
Comment
LOGO_OSCARS_ON-AIR__2014-color.jpg

And the Oscar goes to ...

LOGO_OSCARS_ON-AIR__2014-color.jpg

I somewhat shamefully admit I have not seen most of the Oscar-nominated films this year. As a movie blogger who is about to offer her opinion on the nominees, I admit I should have tried to do better – perhaps see at least half of the nominated films before commenting on them. My only excuse is that I was not terribly inspired by the 2013 Oscar fare, so I’ve been content to wait for them to be released on DVD or on-demand. I’m not saying they aren’t worthy and remarkable movies. In fact, in some cases, I’m confident they are. So I plan to see them from the comfort of my home (except for “Gravity,” which I have promised to see on a big screen in 3-D ASAP), but it won’t be in time for the Academy Awards telecast Sunday. And I didn’t want to let the small fact that I haven’t seen most of the nominees stop me from filling out an Oscar ballot for my Oscar party and giving my opinion on which ones I want to win and why. To wit …

Best Picture

I have been forced to come to the conclusion that the Oscar race is primarily a PR contest. I don’t agree with it, and frankly I don’t understand why voters allow it to be so, but it is. It seems fairly simple to pick out the most well-crafted film, the most believable performance, etc., or at least narrow it down to the top two or three. But much to my dismay, it often comes down to a popularity contest.

For reasons I’ve already explained, I can’t say which film I thought was the best of the nominated films this year, but I can say that it seems “American Hustle” has positioned itself as the frontrunner. I like David O. Russell’s films (especially “Three Kings”), and I like all the primary actors in “American Hustle,” but I suspect the overall film is not as good as “12 Years a Slave” or “Gravity.” And based on that suspicion alone, I’m pulling for any of the nominated films except “American Hustle.”

Best Director

I believe Alfonso Cuarón is going to win this one, and he probably deserves it based on all the raves about the technical achievements in “Gravity.” I’m a fan of his former work – “Y Tu Mamá También” and “Children of Men” in particular – so I know he can craft a traditional tale with flesh and blood people (vs. outer space and physically isolated people), and that’s enough for me to be OK with him winning. Besides, I think Academy members are not going to give it to a rookie nominee like Steve McQueen.

Best Actor

I’m truly at a loss here. I could see the Academy giving it to Leonardo DiCaprio or Matthew McConaughey, both popular dudes. Some believe DiCaprio is overdue (well-deserved nod for “The Aviator” and overlooked for “The Departed”), and McConaughey’s performance looks like it has bravura written all over it. But I’m pulling for Bruce Dern – understated, exacting while seeming effortless, plus he’s due.

Best Actress

OK – obviously Cate Blanchett has this category on lock, and rightfully so. I’m a huge Amy Adams fan going back to “Junebug,” and word is that everybody’s pal Sandra Bullock does some solid work in “Gravity.” But I did see Blanchett’s performance, so I know it was impressive, and she has the momentum, which usually counts for a lot with Academy voters.

Best Supporting Actor

Another category all wrapped up by one nominee. In this case, it’s Jared Leto, and I’m rooting for him. I have no noble reasons that will further the arguments of cinematic authenticity other than he seems magnificent in the clips I’ve seen, the critics have all gushed themselves silly about his performance, and I’ve had a slight crush on him since I saw him in “Switchback” in 1997. (I never watched “My So Called Life.”)

Best Supporting Actress

I’m pulling for either Sally Hawkins or Lupita Nyong’o here. I saw Hawkins performance, and she crushed it as usual. I’ve been a big fan of her since I saw her in “Happy Go Lucky” and then in “Layer Cake” (which was actually released before the former). But even though I haven’t seen Nyong’o’s work in “12 Years A Slave,” it’s hard not to root for her, too, just because she’s received so much acclaim for her performance and she’s an Academy rookie with such style and grace.

Original Screenplay

I’d be OK with any of the nominated screenplays in this category winning, but I think they are going to give it to Spike Jonze for “Her.” It seems original and timely enough to stand out from the pack.

Adapted Screenplay

My heart is with “Before Midnight” because I saw it so I know how good it is. Plus I have been on the journey with those characters throughout Richard Linklater’s trilogy and loved every minute of it. But “Philomena” has raked in quite a few wins on the awards circuit, and it is a more predictable pick, so I think the Academy voters will probably go in that direction. And that’s cool – Steve Coogan is a talented guy.

Animated Feature

I can’t imagine how any modern animated film could be as good as any animated film created by Hayao Miyazaki. That is all.

Foreign Language Film

I really have no business even messing about in this category because I haven’t even seen clips from any of the nominated films. However, based solely on the noise in the machine, I’d guess it will go either to “The Great Beauty” or “Omar.”

Original Song

Fortunately, I was able to make time to listen to all the nominated songs. It was tough carving out 15 minutes, but I had to do it to maintain my credibility as a movie blogger. Oh yeah – I’m committed. Anyway, if the Academy voters remain their predictable selves, then the winner will be the U2 track “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Like nearly everyone else in the world, I love U2, but I love Pharrell too, and I love his song “Happy” even more than that. So there you go.

I have every intention of revisiting my unfounded ravings in this post after I’ve seen all the movies to reassess my choices, but until then, please take my humble opinions as grist for the Oscar mania mill, which is all they are. Enjoy the show Sunday night! Go Ellen!

Posted in Movies, Television and tagged with Oscars, Academy Awards.

February 26, 2014 by Monica Elliott.
  • February 26, 2014
  • Monica Elliott
  • Oscars
  • Academy Awards
  • Movies
  • Television
  • Post a comment
Comment

The incredible montage

CLASSIC CINEMA THEN AND NOW

Movies are not life, but they can teach you about life. They can capture the imagination, inspire the faint of heart, and broaden the minds of the mired. Join me, writer/editor Monica Elliott, in appreciating the powerful art form that is storytelling - that is cinema.

  • Home
  • About the Blog
  • Tops
  • Sorely Missed
  • By the Book
  • Sound Tracks
    • Action/Adventure
    • Documentary
    • Drama
    • Comedy
    • Foreign
    • Horror
    • Musicals
    • Suspense
“It’s a great thing to get on with one’s life.”
— Lottie in "Enchanted April" (1991)
Tweets by IncredMontage

Powered by Squarespace.