That won't stop me, but there's more to it.
"If anybody's [planning on] boycotting the Oscars, don't, because Chris Rock is gonna annihilate every one of us [leaders of Hollywood studios/distribution companies] in the first 20 minutes of the show, and it will be well worth watching", Weinstein Co. founder Harvey Weinstein told the Hollywood Reporter this week. (Probably.) Will the tremendous Mad Max: Fury Road become the first post-apocalyptic action movie to win Best Picture? Lady Gaga will also return to the Oscar stage to sing her best original song-nominated hit Til It Happens To You.
Detracting from the festivities this year are some shocking snubs - Star Wars: The Force Awakens, one of the biggest movies in history, failed to make the best-picture cut, while Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) and Michael Keaton (Spotlight) were likewise ignored. While plenty of sci-fi, fantasy and horror films have been nominated in the past, they typically never go home with gold, other than in numerous technical categories. But the consequent outcry from all quarters has generally resulted in a more nuanced examination of prejudice than anything heard in the GOP debates.
Academy Awards show producer Reginald Hudlin said in January that Rock was rewriting his monologue, though a rep for Rock quickly said that the comedian had made "no decisions about the content of the show".
Just four days ahead of the 88th Academy Awards, Black Hollywood came together last night (Feb. 24) at the All Def Movie Awards to celebrate the African American talent that will definitely be missing at the famed ceremony. "I'm not saying that the Oscar necessarily helps Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts in their prime, but at the same time, it makes them all that more cast-able and desirable to directors".
Yes, as much joy and innovation as the indie-scene brings, they are often not seen as much other than "that little movie" to Oscar voters.
Diversifying the field can also mean there are more people to choose from for recognition. "[The larger issue] is really an Academy question, but in terms of doing the show, we're determined that we were going to be the most diverse show ever in terms of who is presenting", he said. And if there's an improvement in the program's generally down-trending ratings, well, at least that will lead to more interesting discussions.
Larson's main competition comes from the equally youthful "Brooklyn" star Saoirse Ronan, 21, who's been here before: She was nominated eight years ago for "Atonement".
In addition, the Mexican auteur is admired for virtually going to the ends of the Earth to achieve his vision. Immigration advocate and outspoken Trump critic Inarritu would only be the third person to do the trick in the directing category as well. Two years in a row? "And I believe art has a responsibility to represent humanity as it truly is".
As for all those Caucasian actors, odds-on-favorite logic goes as follows. Hardly any other actor has been talked about as much with regard to these awards.
The Buzz: In 2011, balloting rules were changed to allow up to 10 nominees (double the previous five) for Best Picture.
Expect a repeat for last year's victor for "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)". Academy prejudice works in complex ways. It might be possible that Jennifer pulls out another Oscar win yet again or as many are predicting, it is definitely Brie's to win.
It's a big world, and over the years winners - mostly from Hollywood - didn't always reflect the vast possibilities of cinema.
As for the academy's diversity migraine, it should be eased by all of the money made from Sunday's telecast.
What the #OscarsSoWhite controversy and television's improving-yet-not-great diversity record shows is that there's a lot of room for improvement and a need to continue the dialogue on the issue of diversity in entertainment.
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