As many of you have already pointed out, this year’s Oscar nominations are a repeat of last year’s #OscarSoWhite. Last year’s snubs were – I still feel – particularly egregious because Ava DuVernay’s Selma was a strong film centered by a brilliant performance by David Oyelowo. Ava didn’t get nominated and neither did David. It sucked. It also sucked the year before that when Michael B. Jordan was completely overlooked for his star-making and heartbreaking performance in Fruitvale Station. They said at the time that it wasn’t MBJ’s “turn” yet, that the Academy would reward him another year.
Well, another year has come and gone and we once again have an almost completely white Oscars. No actors of color got nominated in any of the acting categories. None of the eight Best Picture nominees have any major roles for minority actors. The one exception might be The Revenant, a film that featured performances by some Native American actors, and a film directed by Mexican director Alejandro Innaritu. There are ten potential positions for Best Picture though… are you telling me that Straight Out of Compton wasn’t worthy and yet Room and Brooklyn were? About that… I am happy to see that some female-led films were recognized for Best Picture, I really am. If there’s another side to #OscarsSoWhite, it’s that films centered around women’s stories might have produced a more female-friendly nomination process, although let’s not kid ourselves, Boy Drama In the Woods is still the film to beat.
Still, it’s insane to me that Straight Out of Compton, Beasts of No Nation and Creed were SO snubbed. Yes, Sylvester Stallone got nominated from Creed, but nothing for Ryan Coogler or Michael B. Jordan? Nothing for Idris Elba? Not a Best Picture nomination for Straight Out of Compton? No Samuel L. Jackson for The Hateful Eight? No Will Smith for Concussion? Will’s performance got mixed reviews, but you know who else got mixed reviews? Jennifer Lawrence in Joy. Yet she still got a nomination. It looks like W Magazine was right to highlight only the white actors: they’re the only people the Academy pays attention to.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
We have this same conversation every year and nothing ever changes. This is why the Oscars and Hollywood are becoming more and more irrelevant.
Evolve or be left behind. They’re making it perfectly clear that they won’t evolve, so….
YEP! Lets start a new hashtag #irreleventliketheoscars I think we should unfortunately stop looking to Hollywood to give us diversity. We had a black president for 8 years I think that alone is huge and more important, although not nearly enough.
Been avoiding this post since I find it all so depressing but I’m glad I came if only for that pic of Michael B Jordan in a tux. YUM.
Yes, they are becoming a joke with all of the exclusion, campaigning and bubbledom. Gross.
It’s clear it’s a white boys club only that throws a bone to women on occasion.
Those awards are irrelevant cause it’s NEVER about the best performance, but about the hustle for the award, the bait movies, the money.
Exactly, even actors or actresses who don’t want to participate sometimes feel obliged to in order to get more recognition more exposure to more film roles.
not always. Fassy and Hardy arent really the campaigning type.
Agree with Mia! Yep, the Oscars are more and more a popularity contest than a legitimate review of the year’s best. It’s become more and more obvious with Harvey Weinstein dominating the game. They’ve sold out and the movies they’ve picked are barely remembered years later.
@Mia I agree with you, I get it sometimes for awards shows you have to go kiss babies & shake hands. Sure that’s fine it comes with the job, but what about the performances? Isn’t it about the films, how much money they make, the actor’s performance, the sound, the music, the script? & this year sorry but it seems like it didn’t count, well except for the Martian & Mad Max aside from them none of the other films made any money. People weren’t crazy for them as with Straight Outta Compton or Creed. Both films beautifully made I mean the fighting scenes in Creed are amazing! The soundtrack in Straight Outta Compton whoa. I want to watch the Oscars but at the same time I’m seriously considering that it might be the last time. Each year it gets worse so maybe they can take all their unworthy films & shove them up their white privileged as*. Rant over (mic drop)
Yes, the idea that “this year isn’t your turn, we’ll award you another year” is nonsense.
Haven’t watched Hollywood awards shows for years.
@Lizzie McGuire
Well it’s not supposed to be about how much money the films makes. It’s supposed to be about art, quality and excellence. That doesn’t mean financially successful or commercial films shouldn’t get nominated it they merit it.
And that’s why I’ve stopped watching the Hustle Awards. It’s a ridiculous pageant of hustlers hustling for an anatomically incorrect little golden man. You know what, maybe non-whites (and I’m one) should start baking cookies and get with a CGI bear to get one of those noms/awards. Or, you know, make movies for the love of making movies.
I stopped watching them as well. What’s the point when it’s obviously the old white boys club is still choosing the nominees. Straight out of Compton was a great movie. The actor who played Eazy especially should have gotten a nomination. MBJ as well.
This is much more of a Hollywood issue to me. SOC wasn’t oscar worthy, and Smith and Jackson and Jordan just weren’t good enough to beat out the guys that were nominated IMO. The only big snub to me was Idris, but I don’t know who I would have switched out for him though. I’m excited for this oscars since for once I’ve actually seen a lot of these movies.
I would switch out Matt Damon for Idris.
Maybe this is why the black bear from The Reverant wasn’t nominated for best supporting actor…
Golden Globes = Homecoming
Oscars = Prom
pretty white people popularity contest. that’s all it is.
Bang on!
Most of you still don’t get it. All this banging on about a lack of diversity yet none of you are calling for the Best ForeignFilm category to be scrapped so quality films from around the world can be included in the Best Picture Category. So US-centric.
All this banging on about a lack of diversity yet none of you are calling for the Best Foreign Film category to be scrapped so quality films from around the world can be included in the Best Picture category. So US-centric.
I don’t understand what u mean when u say “ALL OF THIS YEAR’S OSCAR ACTING NOMS WENT TO WHITE PEOPLE”
Maybe you should learn to read then?
You’re obviously not tall enough
@Wentworth Miller what do ‘u’ mean?
Your puzzlement puzzles me. It means that every person nominated in an acting category, as opposed to a production category, in this year’s Oscars was a white person.
No. I know. It was more of a, “no, really? Only white guys? No shit, sherlock” kinda statement.
Sorry guys 😕
Ahahah, I did wonder. Like “HMM, THAT WOULD MAKE 2016 SO VERY UNUSUAL YES”
Will Smith is overrated to me but Iridis and his hot director were robbed!
Selma and David o were complete robbed too last year. Stupid academy.
If Leonardo Dicaprio and Jennifer Lawrence’s overrated asses can be nominated every time they take a sh-t then so can Will Smith.
@bns – LOL
BNS, this x1000!
100% agreed!
LOL I am generally a fan of Lawrence’s acting but I agree 100%, she did not need a 4th Oscar nomination at the age of 25.
Will would have had more of a chance if more people were seeing Concussion. And can we stop with the “if Jennifer Lawrence was nominated Will should have been”? Lawrence didn’t exactly take away Smith’s nomination. For goodness sake, ONE woman is finally the biggest star in Hollywood that she has this kind of clout.
And personally I think it was MBJ who was robbed, not Smith.
@bns brilliant. and yes.
Well Jen has nothing to do with Will’s nom so….
Either way MBJ was more snubbed than Will. Will’s performance was mixed. MBJ received rave reviews across the board AGAIN and got no nom AGAIN
Can’t we just give JLaw’s nomination to Will? Or to a potted plant? Anyone else would be a more deserving nomination this year, I just can’t with hers.
I’m quite sick of these two. Both are quite good at scream acting and looking constipated or drugged out.
Pft. You’re seriously ranking Leo’s performance in The Revenant alongside J-Law’s performance in Joy?
@Dangles
Right. Leo did an excellent job and has done far better acting than JLaw by far. She’s a good actress, albeit overrated, but not deserving of this nomination. Why was she even cast for Joy? She’s not convincing as a thirty year old with kids no matter how intense she tries to act. Joy is just another JLaw vehicle for those making money off her box office draw.
Will was actually quite good in Concussion. Even though I haven’t seen Beast of No Nation I bet Idris deserves that nomination. And this is the second time MBJ has been snubbed. He should have been nominated for Fruitvale Station as well as Creed.
I’m so sick of these tired old people behind the nominations and wins.
I have both watched and read Beasts of No Nation, and let me tell you Idris is phenomenal (the kid too!). He brought that character to life and this may well be the first time when I say that a movie was actually more captivating than the book. This is a snub of epic proportions in my opinion.
His accent was atrocious- my bf is nigerian
In fairness, I think Idris and Beast of No Nation were also hurt by it being a Netflix movie that they released for the award season. You know with the mostly old white males of the academy this new fangled media doesn’t make sense to them. Still they could have added Straight out of Compton, and there was no excuse for last year either.
As far as Will Smith, he was as good as Jennifer Lawrence, but his category had more talented actors in it. I think aside from the Academy liking Jennifer, she also benefits from less talent in the category. There are just less good female characters in any movie, and add color to it and there are very little to no roles. Can’t be nominated when there aren’t any roles. Where are our Viola Davis, Kerry Washington’s and Tariji P. Henson that are on TV but not film. They left film for tv, because there aren’t any roles. Also, Jennifer better worry because she is 25 now and the other big problem with actresses is age. Only a few get to stick around, she seems like she might be in the few, but you never know as it is so small a group.
I cannot wait to be rid of all the Old White Males in Hollywood – maybe then things will change? Or will it be the same ol’, same ol’? Or just another bunch of somewhat newer Old White Males?
I called the “Beasts” and Idris snubs weeks ago. To the very old and very traditional Academy it was a “TV” movie. If it had competed there it would have won 15 Emmys. It’s not right but I’m not shocked.
Creed is the bigger story here. That movie was classically Academy so I thought for sure that would be one they went for. Guess not.
Beasts of No Nation was a good movie. Can’t say I’ve ever heard anyone mention it.
This is what I think as well. BONN was release on traditional TV and funded for TV. It didn’t have the wide appeal that a actual theater movie did. In a way I think the Oscars thought they were cheating and trying to have it both ways. When the Emmys come up look for BONN to take all the awards.
I already said that BONN does not qualify for an Oscar because its technically a TV movie but look at all the nayyaers below me.
@Avril But what you’re saying is different from what Mia4s is saying, she is saying that to the more traditionally minded AMPAS voters, Beasts was a TV movie, you are saying that it did not qualify because it is technically a TV movie. Mia4s is arguing perception, and you are arguing reality. Beasts gained noms in both the Golden Globes and the SAG awards as a feature film/motion picture and it was released theatrically as well as online. And furthermore, it is included on the official Oscar qualifying film list so you’re really shilling out a bogus argument here – http://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/88th_reminder_list.pdf.
@ Dani2
How am I wrong though? BONN is still considered a TV movie in that aspect since it was made and funded by a TV network. It is not considered a major motion picture even though it premiered at film festivals. Netflix is not a big budget studio no matter how many lies you want to spread. BONNN was never gonna be nominated for an Oscar and you know it.
I get it, now that the famous Brangelina couple are doing Netflix, suddenly you loons have high hopes for Netflix. How hypocritical.
@Avril you’re delusional sis, I’ve given you the link for eligible Oscar films from the official Oscar website which includes Beasts, and you’re still going on about how it’s a TV movie. All of your comments including this one reveal your wilful ignorance and I will make a point to avoid engaging with any of your comments in the future. Deuces x
BONN’s production was not funded by a TV network. It’s distribution rights were purchased by a TV network. Huge difference.
Creed is a f*cking brilliant movie from a financial perspective ALONE. A Rocky spinoff, critical acclaim, AND box office hit?! That’s huge. That means you have a really f*cking talented director on your hands which Coogler totally is since he is the one that took this all the way. And you have a STAR on your hands in MBJ. That movie is just wow.
I thought Selma was only robbed when compared to The Imitation Game. Both films were extremely unoriginal and formulaic but lead by great actors.
Selma was not Oscar worthy. Why people continue to bring this up is beyond me.
The only part of Selma that was Oscar worthy was David Oyelomo. The film itself was barely finished in time to be eligible for a 2014 release. It probably would have been a 2015 release if Interstellar had not been an awards dud and Paramount needed something else as a replacement. Ava DuVernay could have had more time to edit it, especially the middle part of the film. Oyelomo and the other cast could have had more time to campaign both for themselves and the film. He probably would have been nominated this year replacing either Cranston or Redmayne.
I’m sad for Idris. I was sure he was going to be nominated and I think it would have made the James Bond people consider him more seriously. Oh well, there will be other roles.
Didn’t Idris say he doesn’t want to play Bond?
I though it was the other James Bond guy that said that Idris was too “street” to play James Bond. I could be wrong, tho
It’s weird. This sh*t is totally expected and yet, still so disappointing.
Exactly.
Idris should have been nominated.
Benicio Del Toro as well.
I totally forgot about BDT in Sicario. Yeah, I’m surprised that he didn’t get in. I feel like every year the academy finds a way to throw in a (white) nominee that no one was expecting at the expense of non-white performers that have been getting consistent nominations throughout the season.
@CK: I liked Benicios character in Sicario. I wanted more movie
If Idris was nominated he probably would have won, though, and then what would poor Leo do? Won’t anyone think of poor DiCaprio? 😉
Idris would have been in supporting role, and I really think he should have been there. That category does suffer from really good performances though. Wish I could add more there and take out Jennifer Lawrence and Eddie Redmayne for their lead roles and Kate Winslet for supporting actress. Then add Michael B Jordan, Idris Elba and Abraham Attah, even though he is a lead, but so is Alicia Vicklander in supporting so that doesn’t seem to matter. Add Ryan Coogler for director and Straight Outta Compton and Creed for best picture and I would have liked the nominees.
Will Smith doesn’t bother me that he was missing. Just because Jennifer gets nominated for mediocrity doesn’t mean everyone should. Samuel Jackson should be nominated for everything as far as I am concerned, but the Hateful 8 was just Tarantino doing himself again so just blah.
Straight Outta Compton was the surprise as it ended the year on several best of list and made a tooon of money. People watched it.
Chris Rock is hosting the Oscars so I’m expecting some very poignant commentary on it during the show. Instead of the f*ckery that was NPH and his attempts at pulling in black/brown people, “There are no black nominees. Here’s a black actress. Let’s do a bit”.
This gon’ be goooood!!!!
I hope Chris does an all-black opening number featuring all the snubbed people, just to drive the point home.
@Pinky brilliant idea. and all the behind screen people too. show all the talent.
that would be amazing!
Oh crap, I forgot about that. … Now I may have to watch after all.
Well thank the Hustle gods for small mercies! Chris is going to give it to them good!!!
Chris will have a field day with this one.
Oh is he? Yeah, he’ll definitely call them out.
Chris Rock is going to ROAST the Oscars. I’m totally here for it too
He’ll actually have something to say and us funny enough to say it right. Though I wouldn’t put it past him dropping out either. Nominations are bs.
He could make an even stronger stand by pulling out of the hosting gig in protest. Imagine if he came out to do the opening bit and said that he wouldn’t be hosting the Oscars this year because of its racist lack of diversity and then walked off the stage.
i’m torn. Sometimes movies and actors don’t get the recognition they should get. But sometimes movies and actors aren’t worthy. It’s a fine line.
All true, but there are movies and actors from white artists that are perhaps not worthy that made the list, while the same can’t be said for equally “on the line” actors of color. That’s the point for me – that white guys get a nom for head-scratcher stuff while we stand around and debate whether Will Smith was actually “that” good.
Chris Rock has a bit where he says Blacks have to fly in order to reach things Whites can simply walk to. Basically, Blacks have to be exceptional while Whites can be mediocre and still be recognized/rewarded.
@ Monie
Not just Black people…the world is made up of many ethnicities that are also being left out of Hollywood for the most part.
True @ word. I was just paraphrasing Rock’s bit but the sentiment holds true for all ethnic minorities in the US.
Not just black people – anyone who is not a white, heterosexual male.
True, but the thing is, white people constantly get nominated for mediocre stuff. As a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence, I think she did NOT deserve that nom.
Not only were these films critically praised but Creed, Straight Outta Compton et al actually did the business at the box office, so they resonated.
Acclaim with the writing voices AND the viewing public, used to be important to the Academy but is increasingly rare.
Only The Revenant in this nominated crew could be considered a hit.
Redmayne is just being nominated for a Jared Leto Oscar winning performance redux.
Same template.
And if a pallid desperate performance from him can get nominated then I don’t see how Will Smith, MBJ, can be snubbed.
Template. Thank you. That is the word I’ve been searching for.
Straight Outta Compton was nominated for original screenplay so that’s something but I agree Ryan Coogler, Idris, Abraham Attah, and even Will Smith coulda shown up here – and Teresa Thompson and Gugu could easily have gotten coattail noms. Hardy did.
Revenant hasn’t made back 50% yet. Because of the bloated budget, it will struggle to make back the money it cost. So although it opened #1 it needs to stay there and keep making money to be a real hit.
So really none of the nominees are commercial successes (yet). Which makes the snubs even worse. The people have spoken, and critics agreed, and yet the academy let everyone down.
That was the entire reason why the Best Picture field was expanded to potentially 10 films – the include more popular fare. Because when they only nominate a bunch of artsy movies that no one sees, it turns out that fewer people actually watch the Awards. But of course it’s turned into more spots for tiny artsy movies. It becomes even more egregious when so few movies are both commercially successful and critically successful; while it was nice to see a change of pace with Fury Road included, it would have been a really pleasant surprise to see Creed included.
Template ummhumm
Hollywood sucks.
On a superficial level Idris Elba is SO sexy.
Not surprising. It’s hard to build long-term empathy in an organization that still treats black talent like something to be carefully handled and barely distrubuted so as not to disturb the balance.
Sad to say at a certain point you clearly see a level of frustration and awareness in black actors/producers who know its not about being good enough, it’s just about being the wrong color.
Even Amandla at the age of 17 has admitted part of the reason she’s so comfortable talking about race is she’s realized it’s not hurting her career. That there was no interest in her as a young black actress, especially one who’s first major role was dismissed as unimportant due to her skin tone.
There simply is no effort to reach greater diversity but there’s plenty of willingness to whitewash and stereotype.
Median age of Oscar voter is sixty. 6-0. And it’s mostly white men wanting to schmooze with hot, young white ingenues and rich white actors who can still pull hot, young white ingenues (the way Leo does). They pick nominees based on who can still get them laid or will lay with them.
I know. It’s disgusting. Why do we still pay attention to this garbage? ugh.
Ew. That’s horrible. I believe it though.
Okay, I know it may seem that way, but it is far more complicated and structural racism and sexism is more the cause than just horny old white men, although they don’t help. First the studios or in Idris’s case the media outlet have to send their performances or pictures that they think are worthy of a nomination. This is the first step where the craziness comes in. As most studio people are old white men they push things they like, and may not even send in some which would be worthy. We don’t know what was sent it. I’d bet my bottom dollar that a few years ago Michael B. Jordan’s Fruitvale Station performance was never submitted. Now Netflix which is very new at this whole thing probably didn’t even know the best way to do this so they are already at a disadvantage. Then “selected” committees go to whittle it down to nominees, and I think only the full membership votes by category for the winner, except best picture everyone votes. Now members are anyone ever nominated and other known industry people, so I think the average age is probably younger than 60 especially in the acting categories. The selected committees are interesting who gets on them as it is very political. The reality is we need more people of color and women in Hollywood in general. The whole landscape needs to change to better reflect society, and it will definitely take time. Till then we should enjoy the films and complain about the omissions and enjoy Chris Rock’s comedy on the whiteness and sexism of Oscar. It should be good!
@noway
THIS. your comment is a great breakdown of what happens that leads to this situation.
Also, not directly connected (but shows you the clusterf*ck that is the noms/wins process) word on the internets is that HFPA gave Gaga her GG without even VIEWING her performance. It was just because they wanted her back on the show again – she pulls a huge chunk of viewership.
Many years in my young tv days I worked in a major market at a tv station. It was getting toward Emmy time, and I was totally dumb founded at the way the Emmy process worked. Someone couldn’t get enough people together and asked me, at the time a lowly assistant, if I wanted free beer and pizza to sit for four hours and judge another major news markets Emmy submissions for nomination. Poor and with nothing to do I did this for four hours, and with my lack of knowledge voted anyway. Now this is local Emmy’s, not national, but I was told the national Emmy nominations weren’t that different, and for that matter most awards weren’t that different for the nomination process. Although, maybe the committee was better chosen. Each nominee, television or studio pays to submit nominees it is far more political and crazy than people think. This was my point if the institution is racist, which you only have to take a look at any major studio to see that it is, the nominations are going to be too.
“Not surprising. It’s hard to build long-term empathy in an organization that still treats black talent like something to be carefully handled and barely distrubuted so as not to disturb the balance”
But the US population is only about 13% black. Given that I feel like there is a fair representation of black actors in the industry. Maybe they are not getting nominations as often yet but you have to remember that the selection pool is also much smaller,
Hispanics are something like 17% and to me the absence of Hispanics and Asians is far more noticeable.
But also for this reason I don’t think racism is an explanation here. US music industry, US sports are dominated by black artists and athletes. And the entertainment in general is getting there as well.
I agree, we need more diversity but it shouldn’t be just white vs. black, it should be all kinds of people. Diversity is more than just the skin color.
So why are they selling these films globally, if that’s your arguement?
When selling globally, they are selling an American product. And to the rest of the world the image of an American is – white, rich, successful, fit with a dazzling smile (speaking from experience here). Maybe an occasional black person but also good looking, successful and cheerful. This is what people expect to see from a Hollywood product. That and a lot of action and a happy end.
People who are looking for a well thought out drama will look for European smaller/ artsy movies or local ones.
“People who are looking for a well thought out drama will look for European smaller/ artsy movies or local ones.”
Jesus Christ am I f*cking sick of European superiority in cinema. You want some interesting film? Go to China, Korea, Iran, arthouse film in India, Japan. There’s more to the world than the Euro centric bullsh-t everyone wants to create here.
The problem is the diversity of roles and types of roles. Yes black people make up 13% of the US population, but then why not give them roles that aren’t just stereotypical either? Why not make interesting movies and diverse film roles for all sorts of people. Why is white the standard, normal? Why is it when a black actor is in a movie suddenly it’s a black movie. But white people in a movie is just…a movie. And yes Farhi people are talking about the limitations for Asians and Hispanic actors.
Ryan Coogler is everything. I cannot BELIEVE he didn’t get a nomination. I just can’t with Hollywood.
Creed was one of the best reviewed films of the year……………We just can’t win. No matter what we do. They gave Lupita an award like a couple of years ago, so we should be good until about 2020.
Ryan Coogler is also 29! He is amazing.
& he’s going to direct Marvel’s Blank Panther so the Oscars can go suck it because he’s amazing. Seriously I went to watch Creed 3 times already even dragged my grandma to watch it & she loved it. If Grandma McGuire loves a movie, & she’s a tough cookie, it means it’s good.
@Lizzie McGuire, I have also watched Creed multiple times and I still can’t find anything that could improve. I think it’s a gem.
He suffers from not only being the wrong color, but for Directors he is so young!!! They don’t like that as a group. Also, if he keeps with the way of Creed he may suffer from the box office success problem too, like Spielberg did. Still think he could be projecting a young Spielberg career, which really isn’t a bad place to be if I was him. The Oscars have just suffered from too many concussions they will get it right eventually, but he’ll have a great career until they do.
I cannot with him getting snubbed in favor of McKay and Abrahamson. I liked Room and The Big Short but there’s no comparison. Even Spotlight, which was great, didn’t have the same level of direction as Creed. This is the second time he’s been snubbed. The critics have repeatedly heaped the majority of the praise on Coogler, Todd Haynes, and Miller and guess who gets nominations….the straight white guy instead of Coogler or Haynes who makes films with a wonderful gay subtext.
Don’t even get me started on Idris and del Toro missing out. I love Mark Ruffalo but come on. This just pisses me off, maybe more than it should. It’s just that I see people like my 19 year old cousin who loves to make movies and is in a film studies program and he sees all these great (if not a lot though) examples out there now….but those people, who look like me and him, never get rewarded.
AMEN! I’m so mad!
He was snubbed for Fruitvale Station and he’s been snubbed again today, clearly a great young director but it doesn’t register with the Academy.
Fruitvale Station was a superb film. It also had me bawling at the end. Octavia Spencer broke my heart.
While it sucks ( I agree wholeheartedly), Coogler is not done for. I think his future is going to be awesome.
I’m over this sh!t, myself, this is eyeroll inducing
Yes exactly! So frustrating. I’m not exactly sure why, but this snub feels so person to me. I could relate to so much of what was in Creed and Ryan’s backstory. The little things he included like the progressive hearing loss and the affects of losing a mate to cancer… being able to see a strong black female lead who had her own career and motivations… The movie was just so meaningful and well put together. And to see him get no respect for it is just upsetting.
To take this 40 year old story and breathe such fresh, exciting new life into it… Look at the last few Rocky movies and the nonsense they made it into. Creed took that pile of sh!t and made it into something beautiful again. And so what do we get? Oh let’s give Stallone a nom for the nostalgia of it all. Sure. Never mind the creative genius it took to reimagine the concept. I’m sure it was all the White Dude’s idea.
Among the many highlights for me about Creed were the way the fight scenes were done. It all felt so real. Gah, there is so much to say about Creed. It’s exactly the type of film that the Oscars should be recognizing: strong in all aspects in front of the camera and behind, and the kind of film that will stay with you five or ten or more years from now.
Also, ngl, I’ve seen Creed 3x and it STILL excites me, STILL made me cry, and STILL remained flaw-free. And every screening people applauded at the end.
Also MBJ !!!!!!!!
I really really like him 😍 Such a great actor. He put WORK in for this role
He is an INCREDIBLE talent. I mean he’s only on his second film at the age of 29 and has an established partnership that’s being compared to the likes of Dicaprio and Scorsese. Both his movies have been phenomenal box office hits, Tessa Thompson’s role is so well written, and he’s still so young. His career is fantastic. He’s far smarter than the idiots that surround him in Hollywood. He’s not a vapid moron that makes statements that carry little weight like MANY of his contemporaries, but truly sincere.
It’s always a noteworthy observation that for people of color to be recognized for an award or for something like a vogue cover, the subjects must be extremely accomplished and successful. Denzel Washington, Oprah, Michelle Obama and now, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu has reached enough mainstream success that he too, will be the token minority honoree. “We are so diverse!” Think of Jennifer Lawrence wins and nominations. Think of Blake Lively’s vogue covers. Michael B. Jordan, regardless of his personality, is a fine actor. But I am afraid he won’t get the recognition he deserves until he reaches that household name.
Reminds of a, ironically, Chris Rock joke about how on his block lives the best basketball player, one of the best black actors, and the best black musician (I’m paraphrasing) and next to them is…a white dentist.
To be given recognition as a minority actor you have to raise the dead back to life twice…and as a white actor you just have to be Jennifer Lawrence in her third mediocre film.
Well that’s the ish we learn from the jump. Want to have what the same person (but white) has? Work TWICE as hard to get it
I kind of disagree with the comparison there – as a white actress you have to be the biggest star in the world to be nominated multiple times like that. While agree with the overall point, I often wonder why it’s the women that we look at and decree that they’re the weak link. It’s like going back to the whole Nicki Minaj VMA thing; everyone talked about it as though we had to trade a woman’s nomination for another woman (ie Taylor Swift), while not a single person discussed whether Ed Sheeran was worthy of his nominations.
@ Bridget the comparison of situations you mentioned do not align. For one, NM was specifically discussing her situation as a black woman and as a female musician in the game. Taylor Swift then took it upon herself to make the lame comments she did, so that issue was always a female-driven perspective. In this case, I am working on the claim that ppl are mentioning Jen Lawerence b/c her role was so mixed and dodgy so the same argument for why another black actor could be nominated can be compared– like if Jen Lawerence’s mixed performance can be nominated so can Will Smith’s mixed performance. The only problem with that analogy is the make-up of the women’s category vs the men’s.
I totally get that – NM framed the discussion that way. But again, my point is that in the larger discussion we’re treating the men as though their spots are more valid than women’s. Through all of that back and forth, the primary argument was that if Taylor Swift can be recognized for mediocre work, why isn’t Nicki Minaj – why aren’t we questioning the men who’s work is just as pedestrian? We’re still treating it as though women and non-white performers have to share one or two token spots, and I disagree with that. Yes, Jennifer Lawrence had a good performance in a mediocre movie, but so did Bryan Cranston in Trumbo, and he’s actually in the same category (though I personally think MBJ was robbed more so than Will Smith, but that’s just personal preference there).
Nicki can discuss the role her race and gender plays in the success of her career. Therefore, those comparisons can be made when she discusses that particular topic. I believe that Will Smith and Creed was robbed, so I agree, to me, ppl should be using another mediocre white male actor(s) to properly parallel their arguments. For example, I’m more upset that Sly was given a nomination and award for Creed but none of the black actors and director are acknowledged. That action is real ugly in my book. So I agree with you on that; however, this specific problem is not about “oh poor women.” These are congruent issues that deserve separate conversations. So this post doesn’t need to be directed towards the pool of “why is it that women are considered poor qualifiers,” and should stay focused on the primary point on hand #OscarsSoWhite2016
But it IS a part of that conversation. Again: why are we discussing this as though women and people of color are only given a couple of slots to share? We’re still treating white male performers as though their place is more valid
@ Bridget, um, this is the one place where I have to disagree with that assessment that “we’re still treating white male performers as thought heir place is more valid,” because #OscarsSoWhite is a race-based issue not gender. Why bring that toy to the sandbox? I mean the Oscars have categories divided by gender, male actors and female actors; therefore, in this particularity, no gender is not a part of the discussion. In this conversation, it is about how race, no matter the gender, is illustrating the inequality of a system or institution. JLaw (I’m just using her as an example) is a separate issue that can be discussed in a separate post. Historically, there tends to be this weirdness when race is discussed and woman issues seem to become intertwined in the discussion. No, those threads should be pulled apart depending on the situation and option of oppression.
Really infuriating. They should have such awards for Acting for the black community, IMO. Like they created the BET Awards and all that? Maybe they should think of that. It’s ridiculous.
If the acting and the book wasn’t so bad, I bet you FSOG would have been nominated, before a minority movie/actor/cast was .
But Mimz that would be racist because – insert stupid explanation here – and if white people had an awards show called the White anything they’d get so much grief!
/end scene
Affirmative action! Oppressed white people! Argle bargle whaaaaaaarrgh!!! *froths at mouth*
They have the NAACP Image Awards. It gives awards to blacks and other people of color.
I listened to the nominations this morning and that was the first thing I thought. #SoWhite. I suppose the Revenant is the most diverse because of the Indigenous (Canadian! Not Native American…) actors but it’s still largely “White boy drama”
I was really surprised about Idris Elba. His performance was brilliant. And I have to say it- I kind of agreed with Ava DuVernay not being nominated. I didn’t think Selma was particularly strong as a film. David Oyelowo, yes. The film, not so much.
This is why I refuse to watch the Oscars. I am fed up with these awards and these ass kissers that are soooooooo white. You know what they can kiss our black assess.
I’ve said this on the other post, it’s getting boring and dumb. I wonder how I would feel if I were nominated this year. It’s a bit like competing in the gymnastics competition at the Olympics when you know the Chinese aren’t invited. I would feel embarrassed if I were Jennifer Lawrence or Kate Winslet this year. And Bridge of Spies and no SoC? Not that it’s not a good movie but I feel like I’ve seen it a million times before. Again, this is getting boring.
I’m sure they do. And Meryl as well when she gets nominated for sh*t movies. That’s why I try not to blame them – they can’t help it. IMO, Jennifer’s speech at the Golden Globes seemed brief and unimpressed. I don’t think unimpressed is exactly the right word I’m looking for, but I can’t imagine she would care to win this year. It would just provide her with more mainstream backlash and wouldn’t elevate her career. It really sucks that the academy sticks to the unsurprising nominees, who usually aren’t worthy, all while at the expense of minority actors who do damn well with the small amount of roles they typically have to work with.
I think for Jen she knows when she doesn’t want to win. Hell she was campaigning for Lupita basically during her last season and said (OPENLY) that she voted for her. It sucks because actresses get so much more crap for undeserved noms then the men. But its not her (or Meryl) its the out of touch Academy
Honestly, that’s what I’m thinking. Neither Jennifer nor Kate would actually benefit from a win. Everyone – including them – would know it’s bs and worth nothing. If anything, it would be embarrassing.
Well Lawrence starred in a movie who got mixed to bad reviews,and she got some mixed reviews herself. But Steve Jobs and Winslet got very good reviews, she was the only locked n her category , and she would be actually deserving, since she’s actually supporting ( unlike Mara for who have more screentime than blanchett or Vikander who is clearly a lead too). She has no reason to be embarrassed. i hope it’s between her and JJ Leigh ( even though i don’t realy think ether it would be a good think that she wins her 2nd oscar for tha performance)
Still i’m really disspointed for Idris Elba
It’s so outrageous. Idris missing out even though he had a BAFTA nod, a Golden Globes nod, and a SAG nomination along with some love from the critics wards….it’s just infuriating. Also, the only people who got a nomination from Straight out of Compton…were the white screenwriters I shit you not. The campaigning and category fraud is irritating but this is beyond infuriating and actually pisses me off. We need representation and there were SO many deserving candidates. Lenny Abrahmson and McKay getting directing nods over Coogler too…ugh ugh ugh.
Like I said: always the same fricking people (with few exceptions)! It makes me so mad!
Well maybe because some of the best performences were done by whites? Come on I am tired of the Oscars being called racist just because blacks are not nominated every time! If thats the case, then the BET awards are racist as well.
Yikes.
Yep, my thoughts exactly. I’m not touching this with a ten foot pole. Maybe if we ignore it, it’ll return back to the 1950s.
Oh boy.
There you are! I was just talking about you!
@Eternal Side Eye – I screamed!! HaHaHa
Bwahahahahaha. There’s always at least one. Sigh.
The BET awards only have to exist because of the lack of diversity in mainstream awards shows. But by all means, do whitesplain to us how the lack of diversity has nothing to do with systemic discrimination, oh dearie me no, it’s just that white people are so much BETTER than black people at acting, directing, running corporations, etc etc, you know?
Of course they are, Embertine, it’s all down to the genes, didn’t you know?
Yikes, indeed.
(Full disclosure: I am white. But even I had the “What white nonsense is this?” gif running through my head as I read this comment. I concur with your yikes.)
@Avril I appreciate you’re opinion. However, do you know what the “B” in BET stands for?
Avril- You didn’t even try. Do LESS.
Whites hire whites, whites pay better for whites, whites nominate whites, whites win awards. See the running theme here, it’s fairly obvious.
( no offence to other posters this is a specific response to AVRIL)
haha try again troll
Laawwwwwwwdddd here we go again. I knew this would happen. Eternal Side Eye please! You’re so good at explaining things like this 😩
Even if I go by your idea which I don’t, how about the fact that there are so few roles for people of any color in film in general. Statistically with the amount of white roles and movies whites would have more nominations. Now if you go by what people seem to like Star Wars would win everything, and Straight Outta Compton and Creed would be on the list just based on box office.
How does that even sound reasonable inside your head?
@Avril, Hurry up and turn on the teevee, your choice for President, Donald Trump, will be on soon.
there does need to be more actors from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Like Ricky said these awards don’t mean anything and no one will be more happy for you than you – something like that. It’s spot on. I’ll watch for Chris Rock because he’s definitely going to highlight this diversity issue for sure, if he can incorporate a damonsplaining joke, then camera cuts to Matt that would be sooooooo good!
You know who should have been nominated for Beasts of No Nation? The little boy , Abraham Attah, he was so good. Idris too. But the thing about the Oscars is that most times they don’t nominate based on what we the public thought was great. They nominate based on their “relationships” with the actors, publicists, agents, and studios. To me the Oscars haven’t been interesting since I was a kid and didn’t know any better.
He was spectacular, Em, I agree.
This year is actually worse than last. Last year really only Selma could be called a legit contender based around POC stories. A single contender being left out is not that surprising (although WTF on Ridley Scott?!). This year though? So many contenders! Yikes.
To all of you saying “but so and so was so good!!”. Stop. The Oscars are about who was actually best maybe once every few years. They’re not about merit.
I never understood the hype with Ridley Scott. I always thought Tony was the better director. Ridley is a one trick who rode the coattails of his late brother.
Lmao they are rarely about merit. I wonder if someone has said anything to Damon and whether he actually earned this award based on merit or if it’s just some bs.
Two amazing artists gone too soon within days of each other, and now this #whitenonsense. 2016, get your sh*t together…
Jesus Christ, I’m trying to give 2016 a chance but it is NOT off to a good start.
Are we surprised though? The oscar voters are made up mostly by white old men.
The Academy is a joke.
So many awards are given out as a make up award, when the award should have been given when it was deserved. Someone is brilliant, they deserve a nomination. Not a “it’s not your time” line of BS. Leo? He doesn’t deserve the Oscar for Revenant. It’s a good film. He is good, but not great. It is shot beautifully, but he does not deserve the award for this role. He deserved it for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, they felt it wasn’t his time. Huh?
The Academy has specific rules that actors cannot be nominated against themselves in a specific category. Leo deserved a nom for Blood Diamond AND more so The Departed (but you can only choose one). The Departed won best picture. Leo won a BAFTA for his lead role in the Departed. He gets nominated in Blood Diamond.
Why doesn’t the Academy get their shite together? Stop penalizing people for great performances (simply because they have more than one) or because you think they haven’t paid their dues, or isn’t their time – it’s (insert name here). Stop giving people awards because they simply have made several good or average films or because they are nice. I guess what I am trying to tell the Academy is “Stop treating the Academy Awards like a High School Yearbook Most Likely section”!
PS
There are approximately 5800 Academy voters. 94% are Caucasian, 77% are male, and 54% were found to be over the age of 60. 33% of voting members are former nominees (14%) and winners (19%). Actors make up 22% of the Academy.
Definitely NOT watching the Oscars this year.
I don’t want to get snow blindness…
I’m only going to watch to see Christ Rock call out this BS.
PLEASE don’t let him be tame and disappoint!!
I think it would be brilliant if Chris Rock called in “sick” and didn’t do the show–the morning the show airs–so they can’t get a replacement. Yep, he’d by sued for a trillion dollars, but it would be something else. Sorry, I can’t make it to your festival of whiteness…pass out you own damn awards.
If not, I hope he spends the whole 3 hours skewering the Academy so badly that it makes everyone visibly
uncomfortable. It’s a farce that they hire him to put a diverse face on a program which depicts the lack of opportunities for many people of color. A total joke…
@KatyD No doubt it would, but it’s unlikely he would pass up the chance. The Academy practically handed him his material.
On a side note, I can imagine them this AM…
Academy: Great! We’re done handing out Oscar noms. Now who’s hosting again?
*sees Rock’s name*
Academy: Oh f*ck…
Yep, I hope he gives it to them good!
@KatyD i am here with you too. I am definitely not watching it neither. But I will see the snippets the next day when CR schooled their asses.
Will smith was good but his wonky accent was all over the place. Michael B Jordan was also good but he dint give an Oscar worthy performance compared to the other nominees. And Idris should have been nominated but BoNN didnt have a theatre release and I don’t think the Academy is ready to recognize Netflix films as serious movies yet.
There were a lot of performances that should have received nods but that doesn’t mean that the Academy actively went out of their way to exclude poc like some people seem to be suggesting. And I don’t get how that makes the Oscars irrelevant either, its not like poc aren’t going to attend/watch the show or not be interested somehow.
m, they don’t need to actively go out of their way. They just need to keep comfortably sculling around in the same old stagnant pool, seeing the same faces and nominating the people who look like them, and keeping that nice, cosy status quo just the way they like it.
It takes action, it takes the willingness to examine your prejudices and your choices, to make change. To get past the tendency to value people like us more than people not like us. Lawd knows I’m still learning. Unfortunately in these circumstances, passive racism is the default and the fact that they’re not actively doing it out of malice doesn’t change that, it just makes it harder to combat.
Yes BONN did.
BONN had a theatrical release and thus absolutely qualified for awards.
LORD, give me the confidence of a mediocre white man
-Sarah Hagi
Brilliant!
So so white. No thanks. I’ll be skipping the Oscars again. No interest in being blinded by all the white folks in the front row.
They will try to load up with people of color presenters. There should be a boycott, and the Academy Awards is forced to only have white presenters so that there can’t even be an illusion that the movie industry is balanced. What a spectacle that would be.
I seriously wish all PoC would skip it this year just to make a point. And when I say all PoC, I mean ALL PoC. (Eventhough I’m not sure how feasible that could be just from a legal standpoint.)
At this point, Donald Trump should be the honorary Oscar host. Hollywood and the Donald have LOTS in common.
It is going to be an unpopular opinion but I think a big reason is that those actors/ producers didn’t campaign enough.
For example, Danish Girl was everywhere and didn’t do that well. Did Idris campaign or Michael or Out of Compton producers/ cast?
I am not saying it is right, and campaigning/ hustle always gets criticized on here, but Oscars is like a political campaign to get a nomination you have to campaign and promote and play the game.
I don’t think it is about race/ racism but rather about connections, influence and hustle.
I think thats why Redmayne got a nom again and why Depp was left out. Eddie hustled big time again while Depp clearly said he hates campaigning. Which is a shame because I would have loved to see Depp nominated and win this year.
I agree its not about race. You can’t blame it on race this time since this is a peer reviewed award process. Keep in mind that many famous directors, producers, actors, actresses are all members of the Academy and they are the ones who vote. Most of these people vote for their freinds and the people they know. This is nothing new.
I completely agree. I feel that Depp should’ve been there instead of Eddie “Red Carpet”. Well, some people feel it should’ve been Idris. But the same deal. I didn’t see Idris campaigning at all. Depp did campaign a bit and still with all his star power he didn’t get it.
i was confused by the danish girl, redmayne’s not that great in it. Vikander was the standout there tbh but the movie is underwhelming
then again er is at full hustle this year. i think an actor confirming a pregnancy for the 1st time on the gg red carpet was a first
This is a big part of it, but it really isn’t the actors as much as the studio and their push for the nominees. This is why I think it is institutional racism. Netflix one of the few who would probably produce a movie like Beast of No Nation is so new at this and really has no power with nominations. I think Idris did try to campaign and it worked for other nominations, but the Oscars really are the old guard and it just didn’t pull yet. Keep in mind it took the Emmys a while to go to the new media too, so maybe it is just time as I think these newer outlets may be more willing to produce more films with people of color than the old stodgy studios. Now Creed and Straight Outta Compton had studio backing, but probably not the push of the head of the studios.
Makes sense that it comes down to studios willing to put up the money and effort into the campaign,
Regarding institutional racism – these are the same stuidios that produced those movies in the first place. And reaped the profits from their success. Why wouldn’t they try to go for Oscars with them? And the heads of the stuidios would know how things work and which wheels to grease.
“Now Creed and Straight Outta Compton had studio backing, but probably not the push of the head of the studios. ”
Did they think that they are not artsy enough for the Oscars maybe? I didn’t watch either exactly for this reason. A boxing movie and a popular music movie not something I would be interested in.
You are right. Compton was a surprise contender and they didn’t campaign( I was happy for their SAG best ensemble nod)
For Creed,it is simply .Warner Bros did nothing for them( they didn’t send DVD to the voters ) Stallone campaigned by himself
For Beast of Nation,ditto
If you want to be nominated,you need that the voters watch your movie and you must support it
I watched Compton ( when it released in France) and Creed ( with Carol yesterday) .If The Martian can be nominated,Creed was able to be nod.
Personally,my 2015 fav movies was Sicario and The Big Short ( The Revenant,Jobs and Danish Girl still are not released)
Yep, many people think Sicario got snubbed as well. It probably should’ve been Sicario instead of Mad Max or the Martian.
Alejandro Innaritu isn’t White so that one slipped by didn’t it lol? The Revenant at least casted actual Natives for roles instead of white actors in “brown face”. That was nice of them lol.
I don’t follow movies much, so I don’t really know the movies that came out last year, but…
…c’mon, how is it possible that there aren’t any non-white people to be nominated? In 2016? At this point it begins to seem like the Academy is trolling us.
Well it’s obvious what this is about: they’re picking people that they want to be marketing 5-15 years from now. If they represent PoCs that makes them potentially ones to watch. The more PoCs nominated the more glaring the fact that outside of aliens, CGI characters, and animal voices, and historical figures that can’t be whitewashed – oh, and maids and slaves – PoCs are not being given roles that can be considered by the academy or in general if they’re getting roles at all. (Unless, of course, they’re white-passing PoCs which again highlights the primary issue.) It would also point out the scarcity of parts after a win.
They don’t want to give noms because it will eventually precipitate more non-stereotypical roles for PoC which might impact PoC issues in public opinion. So this will continue until theres direct competition that utilizes PoC, or a mass embargo of Hollywood output.
So I’m assuming that’s why Netflix’ Beasts got stiffed so hard. It represents that potential future competition. Crush it now, maybe they try more for the ‘usual’ content – and I bet they win buckets when they do.
Well stated, and agreed. That’s been my claim all along. With nominations and wins comes an increase in pay, name recognition, and power. If more non-whites are rewarded the power structure shifts and changes. By the Academy recognizing the same people, wealth and power is still be distributed between white hands and the white power structure is protected, i.e. institutional racism and inequity wealth.
“By the Academy recognizing the same people, wealth and power is still be distributed between white hands and the white power structure is protected, i.e. institutional racism and inequity wealth”
You seriously think that a 60-something white Academy voter thinks – I will not vote for this black actor because he will become a voter too and that will undermine my white supremacy? Seriously?
Academy voters can only vote for what was submitted to them. Do we even know “Out of Compton” and “Beasts” were submitted?
What makes you think racism always operates on a conscious level? It often does not. Very often, people do all manner of things without understanding the underlying reasons and motivation for their behaviour. It is no different with racism, which most defintely is a huge part of ones socialization in the US.
And yes Straight outta compton was submitted, how else to explain why the white screeen writers were nominated?
Finally, why are you so invested in denying the explicit racism within Hollywood and the Oscars?
It’s not about race as it’s about playing the game. If you want a nomination you have to suck up to the right people. The oscars haven’t been about talent in years. If actors haven’t figured it out yet it’s their own fault.
‘It’s not about race’ whiners are first to complain when a predominantly white industry that maintains it’s whiteness via a white network is called out for trying exclude non-whites.
Put it away already.
And make a list of all those ‘right people’ who are PoC.
I think Idris was snubbed because the film was released on Netflix. Would Hollywood give online streaming so much power? No.
It was released in the theater as well.
sooo black actors….. realize that this is kinda a white only thing….. let’s come up with our own award show…. called the idk,,,, still thinking on that and everynow and then nominate actors of other races and try to be fair….. but seriously…. do it
Oprah Diddy Will La Reid Bill Johnson all the black billionaires and millionaires and such….. donate for this seriously starting 2016.
This is why mags like jet essence latina etc were created bec at one point vogue, allure, marie claire, elle, W wouldnt hire black models or have them get a cover…..
I know ppl are going to go…. o no that’s segregation but bloody hell…. i mean the oscars are NOT getting it…. they claim its off merit… well JOY sucked and truly not oscar nom worthy….. so stop asking for a seat at the table and create YOUR OWN table to invite WHO ever you want
I don’t understand why all of a sudden, “Straight Outta Compton” is being hailed as some kind of cinematic masterpiece. All of the reviews I read were lukewarm, at best. That being said, it does sound as if Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan were snubbed, so overall, I think that the criticism of the Academy is warranted. I just don’t know why SOC is being used as a mark of criticism for it.
It has an 88% RT score and a 72% metacritic score – lukewarm isn’t the word to describe its critical reception. It was a box office as well as critical hit.
Okay. Well, as I said, most of the reviews I read didn’t hate it but also didn’t love it. But obviously, I didn’t read the majority of reviews.
@EOA that’s okay hon, I’m kind of a film nut hence why I know all of this stuff lol, I wasn’t trying to be condescending and I apologise if it came across that way 🙂 that’s one of my resolutions for 2016 lol, bear with me.
@Dani2, honestly, no problem. I didn’t go to the sources regarding the critics ratings, though I was aware that the film was a success at the box office.
Because at this point we don’t know what excuse the Academy used anymore.
Black actor/actress gets positive critical reviews – no nom.
“Well the film itself was not very successful.”
Black film become box office success – no nom.
“Well the material wasn’t intelligent enough.”
Intelligent material about the unique black experience – no nom.
“Well they didn’t campaign.”
There is ALWAYS an excuse, so when a film makes all four requirements for achievement and STILL isn’t nominated?
I completely agree that there is a problem in terms of who is being nominated and why. But it was my sense that many critics found SOC a worthy subject matter (and that, for instance, O’Shea Jackson, Jr.’s performance was really good) but that the film itself wasn’t considered great. But overall, as I said above, I think that the criticism of the Academy is warranted.
Your perception of the reviews is the problem because the stats say otherwise. So the real question here is about your perception.
Or why you only chose to read ‘lukewarm’ reviews.
I didn’t “only choose to read ‘lukewarm’ reviews.” I read lukewarm reviews. But by all means, please call me a racist because I happened to read lukewarm reviews of Straight Outta Compton.
FWIW, I believe that Hollywood has a diversity problem and I think it is ridiculous that Ava Duvernay and David Oyelowo weren’t nominated last year and that Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan weren’t nominated this year. I didn’t realize that one’s allegiance to “Straight Outta Compton” is what determines who is or isn’t racist, though.
Listen to some of these White people commenting that it’s not about race. It’s not JUST about race but race is definitely a factor.
You have to provide context for your opinion instead of just dismissing all the “white people” as being blind to racism. if you explain it to us we will listen, we want to understand.
But I am also tired of sweeping generalizations of all white people being presumed racist and put in a position to having to prove that we are not.
lol, * You’re* tired of sweeping generalizations. Do tell.
How does what a lot of people supposedly ‘presume’ based on (repeated evidence that doesn’t prove the contrary but) mainly sentiments expressed on the internet affect the white people being ‘generalised’ again?
You are so blind. Do you think none of the white people living today ever experienced oppression and injustice? You have no idea what horrors my family went through.
Unless there is empathy on both sides and a willingness to have dialog nothing can improve. Anger helps nothing, it shuts down the dialog, it is destructive. Unfortunately most people live the whole life and never learn it and continue to stew in their anger and blame. People like Gandi and Mandela are so very rare.
Watch the movie “Endgame”, you’ll see what I am talking about.
Another thing that shuts down dialogue is denying and minimizing the experience of other people. That is what you are doing when you label people talking about racism, a very real thing,( see Black Lives Matter), as angry and destructive. That is the opposite of empathy. And I don’t need to see any movie to understand that.
” That is what you are doing when you label people talking about racism, a very real thing,( see Black Lives Matter), as angry and destructive.”
No, I specifically said that it is wrong to presume or insinuate that all white people are racist.
I also asked for context, i.e. specific real people experiences. I am here because I want to understand and have a meaningful discussion not because I want to be a punching bag for all of you, thank you very much,
Farhi, everyone putting forth intelligent answers to these questions have do it on a fairly frequent basis. You need to read their answers much more carefully because it honestly sounds like you’re choosing to remain ignorant.
Awards are all bought and paid for to have a nice ceremony where people blow smoke up each other’s behind. As an outsider, I see how business owners would want to buy accolades for people that relate to the majority and “the standard” that is white in the U.S. Similarly to how Presidents and Presidential candidates have to suck up to any groups with Christian identity because it is no doubt the standard religion in this country. Equality only comes when the majority can decide for minority (see most recently gay marriage) and that rule is not gonna change unless there is significant shift in the population (not just percentage but also in power and mindset).
@Farhi
‘You seriously think that a 60-something white Academy voter thinks – I will not vote for this black actor because he will become a voter too and that will undermine my white supremacy? Seriously?’
No.
They think: ‘I really liked the white guy, he gave the best performance. It was genius. It reminded me of a white guy from 50 years ago. I can see him getting traction from this and having a long career. I could slot him into this part my producer friend is funding and several other projects, he’s such an everyman.’
And sometimes the white guy is a white woman but lo and behold it does exactly the same work as your suggested thoughts because *miracle* only the white guy seems to ever have that special genius everyman default setting sparkle, and it’s just pure unfortunate coincidence that this is always the case.
Why would they be thinking about white supremacy? That would be racist.
I like your comment.
@EOA
Why’d you want me to call you a racist? You seem to be getting around to doing all by yourself. Re-read, I’ve never mentioned it. Seems like it’s coming back to your perception again.
Oh yes, and you did it again! Yes, yes, I am racist because I picked up your rather blatant insinuation that the fact that I mentioned I read lukewarm reviews of SOC makes me racist.
Dear. It is okay. If you want to call me a racist, you can. You’re wrong but you are certainly well within your rights to do so. But let’s not pretend like you were trying to do something else. Otherwise, you are just making incoherent, nonsensical accusations against me, and I can’t imagine that someone who perceives herself to be as smart as you perceive yourself to be wants to be thought of as incoherent and nonsensical, do you?
However you want to choose to see it, see it. That’s exactly my original point. Your take away was what you perceived and then took as the whole picture. So you’re doing nothing more that you did already and it’s probably a waste of time addressing you further.
I’m sure plenty of other people will be able to read what I actually wrote. Instead of getting defensive about what I didn’t.
What you actually wrote is “Your perception of the reviews is the problem because the stats say otherwise. So the real question here is about your perception.
Or why you only chose to read ‘lukewarm’ reviews.”
So, please, since you seem to think your statement is so clear, explain to me what you meant? I mean, it’s pretty clear to me what you meant – you meant to imply that because my perception was that critics were lukewarm on the movie, I was somehow racist. But apparently you meant something different? If so, I’d appreciate you’d explain what it is you meant, unless you continue to prefer to be cryptic so that you can have the cake of calling me racist and eat it to by denying that you’re calling me racist.
The Oscars & Golden Globes to me are a crock of sh-t. I was kind of interested up until a couple of years ago – I just can’t stand the campaigning. It’s now mostly a bunch of w-nkers having an ego wank party. It’s devoid of artistic integrity.
@Fahri
Maybe I’m blind because I didn’t see you answer the question other than to tell me to watch a film.
And please explain this ‘anger’ and lack of ’empathy’ you’re referring to and where it shows up in my comments, particularly where leaves the internet and turns up in real life as ‘oppression’ of ‘generalised’ white people.
I’m so sick of the Oscars not reflecting, y’know, life. No black people anywhere. No Asians (which is equally weird, if not more so, since I can’t actually think of a single film this year which had any Asian characters of note). Black actors aren’t being nominated, but Asian actors seem to be missing entirely. The women’s parts are usually just that of the wife of girlfriend, who gets to say a few words (but only in the context of supporting the male lead).
WTF?
Does this reflect ANYONE’S reality in 2016? We live in a globalised, multicultural world. In every workplace I’ve been in for the last 20 years, there are people from every conceivable background. Yet the Oscars are so very male and white. It’s getting more and more noticeable.
Uh huh. Because nominating a black man and giving him two awards is SO racist. I could seriously provide a list of all the POC nominated in the last 20 years. Goodness gracious. Get a life.
The list of black winners and nominees
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_black_Academy_Award_winners_and_nominees
Just saw creed and Micheal really gave his all you could tell! I wish they nominated Idris, Micheal and Will, they all have better performances than half the names in the best actor / supporting actors category and at least equal to the other half.
Idris got robbed. As painful to watch as it was, ‘Beast with no Nation’, his performance was astounding. As for the ‘Revenant’, my husband was able to stay awake through it however, I fell asleep 15 minutes in. Of all the movies Leo D has performed in, this is the one that’s supposed to solidify his Oscar?! If anything, the Departed should have been right up there not to mention Blood Diamonds, Basketball Diaries etc., and just my take, ‘Django’ —- that for me was exceptional acting on his part…to the point he scared the crap out of me.