Two Out Of Three

lsaunders
February 26 2007, 10:07AM

I was so elated to see Ms. Hudson capture that win for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards Ceremony last night. She is such a dynamic new personality and the first few minutes of Dreamgirls when she appeared on screen, I knew a Star was born. Please, Ms. Hudson, stay positive, and continue to move foward. Congratulations!!!!

mattdude
February 26 2007, 10:21AM

Interesting stat about who the members of the Academy are and shows a little more diversity would be a good thing, and not only blacks, Asians, native Americans and Latinos as well, even though you didn't mention numbers for them. I was glad to see the two who won win, they deserved it, although that dress Miss Hudson wore was just howled awful, Andre Leon Talley, why that one???

As for Murphy, who I don't really care for as an actor or comic, that vile movie "Norbit" sunk his ship since it was hyped so much while he voting was going on, which hopefully will make him think twice about his ongoing stereotypical movies, as this one was a total bashing of black women and unacceptable in 2007.

Karim
February 26 2007, 10:54AM

Last night just shows that we have a long way to go.

Reality Check
February 26 2007, 10:59AM

Why do we care so much about the Oscars? I mean...really? We're sitting here complaining about actors who gross MILLIONS of dollars to do their jobs (more than most of us will ever see in life). There are many people who go to work every and who make considerable contributions to society, yet they go unrecognized. And we're complaining about a stupid award show for HIGHLY COMPESNATED actors? Give me a break. So what if they don't ration out Oscars to blacks like they do to whites....I say to the actors, take your FAT paychecks and be happy you live in a country where you can make that sort of money. I'm sorry, but I for one am not shouting racism at the Oscars. Who cares.

Derrick
February 26 2007, 11:07AM

IMO the lack of black academy winners stems from lack of involvement. For whatever reason black actors and actresses aren't actively involved in the voting process. Could it be that they don't pay their dues? If you notice there weren't that many in attendance, where was Halle and Denzel? If you notice older actors stay involved even when not working, where was Sidney and others? We can't expect inclusion when we turn out in mass to the Essence Awards but not the premiere awards for their craft.

Andy in Seattle
February 26 2007, 11:08AM

While I applaud everything you say about Hollywood being lily-white even as it trumpets itself about "diversity" (and it bent over backwards to look racially inclusive in Michael Mann's montage--though a noticeable exception of no mention of gays and lesbians, and I would guess more than 1.9% of the membership is gay or lesbian)... there's always the distinct possibility that Eddie "Fags, Don't Be Lookin' At My Ass" Murphy's performance was, well, just okay. (Watch his homophobic and AIDS-phobic rants in RAW again and then tell me you feel sorry for him.)

Frankly I had expected Murphy was going to win only because he made so many members a whole lotta money. Alan Arkin won his Career Appreciation award (a common occurrence at the Oscars) and Jennifer Hudson now faces the daunting task of avoiding the Best Supporting Actress curse of disappearing in to career purgatory after taking home a statue. Let us hope she doesn't become the next Mira Sorvino, Linda Hunt, Miyoshi Umeki...

deejay
February 26 2007, 11:40AM

After that "shiteous" (a la Perez Hilton) hot mess of a movie, Norbit, I was elated that Eddie was passed over. If white folks had release something so degrading and mean-spirited about blacks, we would be up in arms. "How you durrin?", indeed!

Glad to see Jennifer get her moment in the spotlight. Follow your dreams, sis!

AS for Forest Whitaker, I frankly didn't think his performance was Oscar worthy, but if Oscar is good enough for Julia Roberts and Marisa Tomei, then I ain't hatin'.

Finally, Spike Lee is due a nod for his body of work. If not by the Academy, then some damn body. His films have launched or given exposure to so many mainstream talents. He's earned his.

j. brotherlove
February 26 2007, 11:46AM

Good points, Keith. I would add that blacks need to invest more in the production and distribution of quality films.

We have to step out of the box and push to tell different stories about ourselves. It's great to see us creating more film. But romantic comedies, hip hop melodramas and Tyler Perry movies ain't gonna cut it.

CPAPhD
February 26 2007, 11:51AM

I, too, am elated over the wins. And I also agree that when we start investing more in our own films, we'll improve the quality and be the mainstays for the awards. Like Ellen said last night, without Black and Gays, there would be no Oscars! LOL

Blue
February 26 2007, 11:58AM

Kudos to Jennifer and Forrest, that made my night. Forrest is such a great actor, and I feel Jennifer's gonna be a great star. I was elated to see some wind taken out of Beyonce's sails ... I'm so tired of her ass! As for Eddie ... I have to agree with the above poster - when I watch Raw I have a hard time looking at any of his other films because the things he said were horrible. Besides, I think he was only okay in Dreamgirls. Jamie did a better job, I think.

C. Baptiste-Williams
February 26 2007, 12:25PM

Definitely a congrats to Jennifer and Forrest for their wins...

But to the comment about Eddie and Raw... that was so long ago, people grow, change and learn. I am sure there are few things in our pasts that we would do differently as well. We should stop being so judgemental.

bubba
February 26 2007, 12:26PM

I don't recall the offensive parts of "Raw" that people here are referring to. "Norbit" definitely appears to be an exercise in mediocrity. Yet, "Coming to America," "Harlem Nights" and "Boomerang" are 3 of my all-time favorites. Still, his work in "Dreamgirls" underwhelmed me, and I don't think a previous lack of acclaim is the reason to win an Oscar. You either deserve it or you don't. Though Forest Whitaker's character is presented more as a supporting role, his win was great. For me, he never came from that good ol' boy network of black masculinity like Denzel and Jaime Foxx, and now his personality will be exposed to many more in upcoming films. That's real progress to me. But I have to say, it would be nice for us to get Oscar nominations that have no relation to parts in musicals or biopics. Just think, you have to sing & dance in "Chicago" or "Dreamgirls" to get ahead unless you play the likes of Ike & Tina, Ray Charles, Ali, Amin, etc., if not other notable blacks with extraordinary lives.

deejay
February 26 2007, 12:51PM

"...Though Forest Whitaker's character is presented more as a supporting role, his win was great. For me, he never came from that good ol' boy network of black masculinity like Denzel and Jaime Foxx, and now his personality will be exposed to many more in upcoming films. That's real progress to me..."

Good point. He definitely brings a different level of intensity and artistry to the craft.

bubba
February 26 2007, 1:17PM

I forgot to add that the 2 out of 3 title of this post undermines the work of other talented African Americans. The industry can't just change on the surface, with the most prominent people winning awards. Siedah Garett was nominated for an Oscar too. She's been a mainstay of the music business for years, having worked with Michael, Quincy and Madonna. I also recall a black man on stage, having won for something more technical in a group of 3. It's those behind the scenes people whose greater numbers will make the movies a better experience for us all.

Andy in Seattle
February 26 2007, 2:21PM

In RAW, Eddie scolds the "fags" in the audience--and NOT playfully--to stop looking at his ass. He also worries about "our women" going out with "fags" and coming back home with "that AIDS on their lips."

Was it a while ago? Sure. Did Eddie ever apologize? Not to my knowledge. If he wants a real shot at an Oscar, how about he step out of the plus-size-women-mocking drag suits and use his money and newly-aquired acting-respect to finance and star in The Bayard Rustin Story? If the make-up geniuses can make him look like the entire Klump household I bet they can make him look like the man who organized the March on Washington. The story even has enough tragedy in it for the 98.1% white folk membership to vote for it.

As for Oscar ignorance of great black performances, where's the groaning about Shareeka Epps being passed over for Half Nelson (among many others)?

Cadence
February 26 2007, 2:52PM

So you think the Black voters would vote for Black nominees regardless if they gave the best performance? Come on Keith, you're better than that.

cmoney
February 26 2007, 2:59PM

That's shocking that there are so few African-Americans in "the Academy". That explains a lot of the terrible award decisions they have made in the past and their bias toward movies with an English accent (Queen, The Last King of Scotland, any movie with Judie Dench). Nevertheles, I was elated to see Jennifer Hudson win. She gave a phenomemal performance and the Oscar is the perfect comeback to the way she was insulted and booted off American Idol. The Oscar show, btw, was the absolute most boring piece of programming I have ever sat through. PBS couldn't have made it more unitneresting. Jennifer Hudson was the highlight of the show. Eddie Murphy--I don't know that he was the best nominee in his category, but I don't think "Norbit" had anything to do with his non-selection. For one, he is Black. Two, he is mostly known for comdeic performances, which never gets you points at The Oscars. Three "Norbit" was a good movie--go see it before you judge it.

Patrick
February 26 2007, 3:15PM

But did you actually watch LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE??? Alan Arkin was superb. To say that his award was because of a his body of work is an insult to what he brought to that film. He received the last laugh in the film and he was dead!!! Eddie was great in DREAMGIRLS, Djimon was outstanding in BLOOD DIAMOND, Mark Wahlberg was one of the best things to happen to THE DEPARTED and Jackie Earle Haley brought humanity to a repulsive character in LITTLE CHILDREN. I do not think it is fair to editorialize last night's show as a snub to African American filmmkakers. I ask our host of this blog to tell us how he knows there are only 110 African American members of the Academy out of 5830? Is that information public. I work for the Academy, as a director with access, and I do not know that number. Thank you Bubba for your post. And the other black man on stage was Willie Burton. He holds the most nominations in his craft. Check him out.

jazzi
February 26 2007, 4:34PM

I'm as pleased as punch that Jennifer won! She held her own in Dream Girls & deserved that award. Congrats to ya, Jen! I hope more quaility work comes her way. With natural acting ability & that voice, she can't loose. Forest did his thing too. He deserved his Oscar. I don't know if this is his first but if it is, it's about time!

Lito S
February 26 2007, 5:06PM

I'm glad Eddie didn't win. I don't even think he deserved a nomination. His character wasn't that much different than anything he played on Saturday Night Live.

lostindodge
February 26 2007, 5:42PM

I think they got it right this time. Kudos to Helen Mirren, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson and Alan Arkin.

Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy were in what I thought was a mediocre film, and Ms. Hudson's performance was indeed outstanding; Eddie's was not, so I am glad the members of the Academy didn't make that leap.

Black actors and actresses have won one of the Oscars in the acting categories 49 times, about 15 percent of the total awarded. Pretty good representation for 13 percent of the population and not particularly rare.

Andy in Seattle
February 26 2007, 6:10PM

Eddie doesn't help his future chances by bolting from the auditorium right after losing, not even staying to see the rest of the show (including castmate Hudson's win and speech).

see http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254767,00.html

Nobody likes a sore loser, no matter what color he is.

Ty
February 26 2007, 7:35PM

I should first say I've not seen nor have any desire to see any of the movies or the Oscars awards show, but, Murphy lost because he's a lame actor, and one "good" role does not make up for many bad and offensive ones. And, somehow I doubt if the black members of that "Academy" would make a dent in the nasty stuff coming out of Hollywood that is negative, and sending to the world the image that black men are all thugs or drug dealers and black women loose and promiscuous. This poster has no need for anything that comes out of Hollywood since all it knows is GREEN and could care less about any effect some of that trash has on society.

Peace

chicagoangel
February 26 2007, 7:37PM

Wasn't the Academy pressured into giving Denzel and Halle their Oscars in the first place? YEP! So every time black people get nominated is historic? IMO nope!

nytheatreguy
February 26 2007, 8:21PM

Black actors and actresses have won one of the Oscars in the acting categories 49 times, about 15 percent of the total awarded. Pretty good representation for 13 percent of the population and not particularly rare.

Lostindodge, am I misunderstanding what you wrote or did you not mean to say 49 Black actors have won Academy Awards? By my count (and I could be missing somebody), the only Black actors to claim statues at the Oscars are Hattie, Sidney, Lou, Denzel, Whoopi, Cuba, Halle, Jamie, Morgan, and now Forest and Jennifer (and yes, Denzel won twice).

And for the poster who said Blacks have only won for roles in which they're either singing and dancing or for biopics, Whoopi won Best Supporting Actress for playing a psychic in Ghost, though it was only a payback for the much-deserved Best Actress Oscar she was denied for The Color Purple several years earlier.

curious887
February 26 2007, 8:34PM

I'm glad Jennifer won. She deserved it. Sorry, but I like Eddie Murphy. I thought he was superb in Dream Girls and I wish he would have won. Eddie was offensive in Raw. Watching that show made me feel horrible. Gays were nothing but "faggots" and one big joke to him. And his insensitivity regarding AIDS was horrific. But for all of you who don't know it, he has apologized. If I can find the link to his very public apology issued several years ago, I'll post it here. Eddie was a funny, brash and offensive young comic. His comedy hurt a lot of people, me included. But he is now a man in his 40s and apparently very different from his younger self. I don't recall the apology verbatim, but he said something like please do not judge him as a mature man for what he did as an uninformed boy. I say his apology should be accepted and we should move on.

Mark Norris
February 26 2007, 11:10PM

I along with many others were very excited to see Jennifer and Forest get awards they so richly deserve. Along with Forest I also was pulling of Peter O'Toole to win. I think that as far as us getting to where we need to with regard to the Academy Awards........WHY??? Why is it that in order to feel justified or worthy, we have to have the approval of what some call the BIGGEST awards show? I have never got the sense in that. We have the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Soul Train Awards (Lady of Soul Awards), Source Awards, Vibe Awards, etc. etc. Aren't a people who are doing our own justifying. That is just my opinion. If you ask me, we are putting our own stamp of approval on ourselves.

Giovanni
February 26 2007, 11:56PM

Murphy was okay but I would not call him brilliant in Dream Girls. Actually if the Academy really wanted to reward the best performance by a male in a supporting role then the Oscar would have gone to Jackie Earl Haley from "Little Children". Also Pans Labryinth and Children of Men would have been nominated for best picture and one of the two would have won instead of the piece of crap aka The Departed.

curious887
February 27 2007, 2:21AM

Follow this to see Eddie Murphy's apology: http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/id137.htm

bellah
February 27 2007, 1:48PM

Lito s you took the words out my mouth. Eddie Murphys performance was straight out of SNL. It was a replay of his James Brown performance. Eddie is ok as an actor when somebody else is writing , producing and directin. The only thing that I have enjoyed is his occasional use of Elders. Redd Fox, Della Reese, Richard Pryor, and Eartha Kitt. Beyond that he is a big bore. Didnt like any of his standups. And what was up with his inability to let go of Babyfaces ex?

As for Forest. Forest has a body of work that is to be truly admired. Remember the Crying game. He has been a fav for a long time. A true man of class and dignity. A accomplised writer, director and Actor.

Yea Forest.

saint james
February 27 2007, 2:22PM

The wins for black nominees do seem to have something in common. In my opinion they fill a stereotype. That may also be because of the roles afforded many black actors in mainstream films. Hatte McDaniel played a devoted slave; Whoopi Goldberg was NOT a psychic but a fraud who stole folks money pretending to be a psychic. Sidney Poitier's role as a black man who ends up building a "shapel" for nuns and teaches them a negro spiritual filled a certain stereotype. Denzel Washington was a rebel soldier/slave, His best actor win was for a crooked cop!. His Malcolm X role (arguably his finest) was not given the award. Halle Berry was a abusive mother and a white man's sex toy.

I do NOT take away anything from the actors' performances. They were very good in their roles (with the exception of Halle Berry IMO) She was given the award when other actresses did not do what she did on screen, Cicely Tyson, Diana Ross, Carroll, Bassett, et al. Brought dignity and honor to their roles.

Derrick from Philly
February 27 2007, 2:54PM

Yes, Saint James, and all very difficult roles if you want to go beyond stereotypes--which is what these fine actors did.

BITTER
February 27 2007, 6:51PM

"Best Supporting Actress curse of disappearing in to career purgatory after taking home a statue. Let us hope she doesn't become the next Mira Sorvino, Linda Hunt"

Linda Hunt is ugly; Jen Hudson is NOT.

Jeff Smith DC
February 27 2007, 7:26PM

Did anyone see Blood Diamond? If you had you would know that Djimon Hansou is the only person who should have gone home with the best supporting actor oscar. His performance was really best actor worthy. It was definitely the finest, most emotionally drenching performance I ever witnessed. Eddie’s (doing it in the hot tub) performance was good. Alan's performance was better. But Djimon's performance was magnificent. I get choked up just thinking about. Recently Oprah asked him did he have any children. His answer was no. When you see his performance you will understand why she asked that question. Mark's performance was forgetable. I thought they made a mistake and confused him with Matt Damon.

GMJ
February 27 2007, 7:43PM

As much as I am happy to see Whitaker and Hudson winning, I also think it is important to mention the people behind the scenes. At this year's ceremony, sound engineer Willie D. Burton was one of the three people who won an Oscar for Sound Mixing for Dreamgirls. This was Burton's second win in seven nominations. His first Oscar was for Bird (which starred Forest Whitaker). Burton and another sound engineer, Russell Williams II are two of the not-so-well known African-American Oscar winners who have won a total of 4 Oscars. Many people might not know this fact because most people don't pay much attention to the craft awards. Nonetheless, as a fellow audio engineer, I think it is important to have minorities employed in all areas of filmmaking and not just in front of the camera.

Andy in Seattle
February 28 2007, 12:28AM

BITTER: last I knew, it was Best Supporting ACTress, not a beauty contest.

My point was that I sincerely hope that she, like others who won Best Supporting Actress (Meryl Streep, Jessica Lange) are able to avoid being pidgeonholed and instead strike out and develop into fine actors, and not just a one-hit powersinger who blew us away with one outstanding song. I look forward to her next works and she develops--and doesn't storm out of awards shows when she doesn't win, neglecting to support her castmates and looking like a fool (like Eddie did).

Eddie apologizes? Good for him. Put some deeds with the words and play Bayard Rustin or produce a film on James Baldwin or do some ACTING on Broadway (like even Diddy did). Don't act entitled to an Oscar just because you quit hiding behind make-up or Shrek-amation and actually played a human being. And when you win every award but one, be a man about it.

Regan DuCasse
February 28 2007, 12:11PM

I'll get all warm and fuzzy about Hollywood when the statue goes to black costumers, cinematographers, directors and screenwriters. I am a SAG member, and our newsletter will sometimes have a piechart breakdown of ethnicities and the earnings within that group.
It's a constant of 65% white males in front of the camera, 90% behind it earning the most money and working the most.

Hollywood is in no place to pat itself on the back for nominees and winners just yet.
Forest Whitaker's body of work can well be considered for this well deserved award.
And Eddie Murphy surprised the hell out me, and deserved the nomination.
But, unfortunately we still have a long way to go as far as full visibility goes.

Adam
February 28 2007, 2:25PM

An openly gay woman hosted the Oscars. Black or white, that's progress.

saint james
February 28 2007, 2:37PM

Derrick,

My point is the Academy tends to award black actors based on their majority view of black life in America. Cases in point: Sidney Poitier in "Lilies of the Field" as opposed to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" or Whoopi Goldberg in "The Color Purple" as opposed to "Ghosts" or Denzel in "Malcolm X" or "Hurricane" as opposed to "Training Day".
As I stated the actors' performances were stellar in every case but the awards seem granted to black actors on what is closer to the stereotypical view of black people in this country.

Ron Lee
March 12 2007, 4:31PM

ST.James you are right about Hollywood and their cast system. If you think about it in "The Last King Of Scotland" the white supporting character actually stole the show, it seems hollywood was too eager to project this image of a black tyrant,that was in reality trained,financed & sponsored by the british.The white character is seen as a lover though Ahman,has 3wives.The white character gets in good graces with the nations leader but does nothing to help the people and is not a positive enfluence. Hell he sleeps with one of his wives. The"QUEEN" pure propaganda. The movie was suppose to be about the reaction of death of Diana Princess of Wales. In reality it was an exoneration of the British Monarchy, Hollywood style,lights,cameras,action. All is forgiven hollywood style. "DREAMGIRLS" well Hudson did a superb job she should think her cast,had it not been for them there wouldn't have been no Movie especially BEYOUNCE. Someday D'SUPREMES STORY will be told,I hope a Black Director do the casting&lighting.

Jona
March 20 2007, 9:57PM

yeah i agree with Jeff from DC - Djimon Hounsou SHOULD have taken that oscar his performance was off the charts. when he had the scene with his son after he had been with the RUF -wow. abt the last king of Scotland i see ur point ron lee, but Forest Whitaker was amazing and deserved best actor even if the film gives the white 'weakish' character more credit than he's due.