THE 86th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

[Jet]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Do you think it is a better film than American Hustle?

Or is it politics?

I think it's always politics. Think of how many times people like Stephen Spielberg have been passed over. I don't know why that is, except that there's real control in an industry worth billions. Film making isn't that simple; people answer to major corporations and to investors who look for billions in returns. There's canvassing and campaigning that goes into this and you wonder about fairness. George Clooney came out this past year in criticism of (I believe heads of Sony Pictures, don't quote me here...I don't have the story in front me) who controls what kind of movies are being made. Corporations have a major say, and that's scary to me to think of their weight on film making. As for The Wolf of Wall Street, the collaborative team of Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire) and the influence of Leo DiCaprio in the title...I just feel it'll win. I could be wrong, but these are big men with big influence and backed with big money, you know? I am a huge fan Terence Winters' work, but this flick is rough.
_______________________________

I don't like either movie to be honest. In fact, I don't like most of the nominated movies. I appreciate the meticulous recreation of the 70s in American Hustle...from sculpted wall-paper to frosted figurines to 4-inch polyester knotched lapels and dropped collars to music by America and Chicago. I grew up in the 70s and this movie brought back things I haven't seen in years. But I'm tired of in-your-face movies that are brutal and aggressive. I have had a steady diet of that all year. And I take breaks with series like Downton Abbey, documentaries, some comedies, family films and classic movies.

The nominated films this year are over the top gritty or have such serious subject matter which seems to be the bent this year, as opposed to good a mix of films. When you consider that AIDS, the brutality of slavery, disaster, cancer, family dysfunction, con games etc. and a hearty party of mix of raunch and drugs dominate this year's films, you haven t wonder if there is another precedent being set. This bothers me; I wonder what powers that be are making what kind of statement.

Films overlooked include The Butler, Saving Mr. Banks, and All is Lost (Redford is great in this film about an aged man pitted against the sea.) It almost reminded of Old Man and The Sea with Spencer Tracy.

I won't watch the Oscars; I'm not a fan of the nominated movies.. I do think that art direction, costume design and direction in these movies are impeccable and deserve consideration.

I would love it if Bruce Dern won. He's been around forever and deserves an Oscar for Nebraska. I don't think he'll win...but we're losing our classic actors and I think the Academy should look at his work and the 50 or so years he's put in with supporting roles. This is a big nomination for him and I hope he wins.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Every year I wait with great anticipation when a POC is nominated, I'd love to see Hollywood, the movie industry give more POC more strong roles in movies other than your stereotypical roles of:

Maids

Servants

Slaves

Oppressed group


Druggies


There are so many movies that could and should be made with POC in main character roles, pretty silly to keep hoping but it sure would make for a better, more cultured experience.

[Jet]

POC roles are often written by and presented by POC. Oprah Winfrey, Spike Jones, Forrest Whittaker, Steve McQueen, Alfre Woodard and other "POC" film makers who obviously feel we need to see years of plight from POCs points of view. These movies are the concepts of POC themselves and are either based on true stories in history or experiences portrayed in fiction. Nothing new...dates back to Alex Haley's Roots, Sounder with Cicely Tyson and Backstairs at The White House, to name a few. There's obviously a substantial and supportive audience—and as long as there is, these films will continue. On the flip side, several flicks come to mind, which have absolutely NOTHING to do with POC stereotypes such as Philadelphia with Denzel Washington, and about 20 films for actors Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburn, Samuel L. Jackson and Halle Barry, off hand. These actors have excelled in their craft without being cast in stereotypical roles based on race. It's based on their appeal across audience demographics. I'm a fan of all of these actors. The industry has provided ample opportunity.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by Jet

POC roles are often written by and presented by POC. Oprah Winfrey, Spike Jones, Forrest Whittaker, Steve McQueen, Alfre Woodard and other "POC" film makers who obviously feel we need to see years of plight from POCs points of view. These movies are the concepts of POC themselves and are either based on true stories in history or experiences portrayed in fiction. Nothing new...dates back to Alex Haley's Roots, Sounder with Cicely Tyson and Backstairs at The White House, to name a few. There's obviously a substantial and supportive audience—and as long as there is, these films will continue. On the flip side, several flicks come to mind, which have absolutely NOTHING to do with POC stereotypes such as Philadelphia with Denzel Washington, and about 20 films for actors Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburn, Samuel L. Jackson and Halle Barry, off hand. These actors have excelled in their craft without being cast in stereotypical roles based on race. It's based on their appeal across audience demographics. I'm a fan of all of these actors. The industry has provided ample opportunity.

I disagree with your views about POC and how they are portrayed and represented in Hollywood. I also strongly disagree about how the actors you mentioned above are portrayed. For example:

Halle Barry - she won her Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball" where she played an abusive, poor, uneducated, uncaring black woman.

I personally believe she should of won that Oscar for "Losing Isiah" back in 1995 where she once AGAIN played a poor, uneducated, drug using, abusive parent.

Other than those two movies Halle Barry has been a sex kitten, fluffy, dumb, abused, angry etc (this does not include her portrayal as X-woman Storm)


Spike Jones- I am going to assume you meant Spike Lee, cause Spike Jones is white and was born in 1911, Spike Lee ( Shelton Jackson Lee ) is a movie diretor.

"Do the Right Thing" was a movie that SHOULD OF been nominated for an Oscar, and it did not, it was passed over. Wanna take a guess who won "Picture of the Year"? "Driving Ms Daisy" a film about a white woman being drove around by her black chauffer.

Now I don't know about you, but I found that to be a slap in the face to what "Do The Right Thing" was is and will be about.

Denzel Washington - 2001 he won "Best Actor" in training day, once again, angry, drug using, womanizing, you can't trust him black man. If we go back to his film career he SHOULD of won an Oscar for his portrayal of Malcolm X, but no we don't want the world to see that.

Samuel L. Jackson - 1995 nominated for an Oscar for his role in "Pulp Fiction" which he DID NOT win, once again he portrayed an angry, vicious, killing, drug using black man.


Morgan Freeman - he's been nominated for 5 Oscars, he won for "Million Dollar Baby" thankfully he won for being a compassionate human being. 2010 he did NOT win for his role in "Invictus" where he portrayed the late Madiba, the other roles were stereotypical black man in prison, serving the white Master type of roles.


Laurence Fisburne - was nominated for his role in "What's Love Got To Do With It" he DID NOT win, and once again he played an angry, abusive, black man.

See the pattern? You, yourself could not even respectfully recognize that Spike Lee and Spike Jones are 2 different entities and 2 different races.


This years Oscar's is once AGAIN passing up other fine, talented, black/latino/a young actors.

"Fruitvale Station" wasn't even looked at, it has been passed up, and I have to guess it's because Oscar Grant was not an ANGRY, DRUG USING, ABUSIVE, CRIMINAL, he was just a kid, trying to make it in a world where his color, and lack of opportunity gave him obstacles that belong in war fare tactical rooms. Every actor who is not up there getting their name in a white envelope is being ERASED.

The message is very clear Jet, white America likes it when POC are kept down, are painted angry, violent, kicked down, and stupid. It makes all those fat white cats in Hollyweird feel better about themselves and their dicks. Tonight we will glorify a RAPIST (Wolf on Wall Street) and erase Oscar Grant.


That's what I meant by my first post, in regards to the misrepresentation of POC in film.

[The_Lady_Snow]

I would like to also add, that HollyWeird is not fond of funding films that have an all POC cast, for example:

"Fruitvale Station" did not have lots of money, After funding fell through Octavia Spencer offered to forgo her salary in order to help Ryan Coogler adhere to his budget.


George Lucas himself has spoken out about this and shined the light on the actions and responses of POC in films, "Red Tails" HollyWeird would not fund it due to the movie having an "all black cast"..

It is obvious POC voices are misrepresented, erased and not welcomed as much as the white man's struggle.

Let's not forget what the Oscars did last year to Lupe Ontiveros during their "In Memoriam" tribute, they totally forgot her, but the rest of us didn't...

[Jet]

Video expose's from NBC News: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/osc...-oscars-n42236

[Jet]

Video expose's from NBC News: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/osc...-oscars-n42236

[Martina]

Originally Posted by Jet

"POC" film makers who obviously feel we need to see years of plight from POCs points of view. These movies are the concepts of POC themselves and are either based on true stories in history or experiences portrayed in fiction. Nothing new...dates back to Alex Haley's Roots, Sounder with Cicely Tyson and Backstairs at The White House, to name a few. There's obviously a substantial and supportive audience—and as long as there is, these films will continue. On the flip side, several flicks come to mind, which have absolutely NOTHING to do with POC stereotypes such as Philadelphia with Denzel Washington, and about 20 films for actors Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburn, Samuel L. Jackson and Halle Barry, off hand. These actors have excelled in their craft without being cast in stereotypical roles based on race. It's based on their appeal across audience demographics. I'm a fan of all of these actors. The industry has provided ample opportunity.

So you can't relate to films about the historical experiences of people of color, and because you can't, that makes them bad films? I think that says a lot more about you than it does about the films.

[Martina]

I just want to say that that kind of remark is micro-aggression, and not that micro. It's appalling. You think that African-American films on African-American topics are by their nature sub-par. Seriously, this stuff needs to stop. Everywhere. In the entire world. I am truly tired tired tired of reading this stuff from Jet, of reading or hearing it anywhere.

[MsTinkerbelly]

FYI

Spike JONES is white and won an Oscar tonight.

Just in case there is any confusion.

[Martina]

Originally Posted by Jet

POC roles are often written by and presented by POC. Oprah Winfrey, Spike Jones, Forrest Whittaker, Steve McQueen, Alfre Woodard and other "POC" film makers who obviously feel we need to see years of plight from POCs points of view.

Guess who got to accept an Oscar for Best Picture tonight? Steve McQueen.

And telling a story about "years of plight [sic]" from the point of view of a POC character. My goodness gracious. I guess some people think that can be first rate film-making.

[ProfPacker]

That's right Martina, you tell him

[The_Lady_Snow]

The book 12 Years a Slave could would not exist if it wasn't for THREE white guys had to attest that what he was saying was true and that he wasn't lying. THREE.


How yucky was that for Salomon Northup, it's pretty eye opening about our ickie history here in the U.S.

[dykeumentary]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

The book 12 Years a Slave could would not exist if it wasn't for THREE white guys had to attest that what he was saying was true and that he wasn't lying. THREE.


How yucky was that for Salomon Northup, it's pretty eye opening about our ickie history here in the U.S.

I was disappointed in the Oscar-winning "20 Feet From Stardom" for a similar reason - yet 150 years later.

Each section featured a different AMAZINGLY BRILLIANT Black woman singer, each of them presenting their own merits in their performance. They also spoke about how badly they were treated. Yet the editors ended each section with with a different white guy saying "yes, she was quite good." AS IF THE SINGER WASN'T GOOD UNTIL HE SAID SO, even though we just saw that she was!

Last night did give Darlene Love a big audience - I was happy for her.

[dykeumentary]

And Alfonso Cuarón from Mexico for Beat Director.

I believe in the power of the arts to positively change the world.That's why it's exciting and important when under-represented and oppressed groups start (and it is such a tiny start) to share in the decisions of Hollywood, and to influence such a huge industry.
I don't have any illusions that Hollywood acts altruistically, and I know that "the market" dictates much about what happens. However I remain optimistic that if more people see well-crafted stories told in compelling ways - and told by people whose lives reflect a broader experience than rich white guys-- then I think those stories turn into political will, and into a less vicious world.
That's my hope.

[cricket26]

[cricket26]