So we had technical difficulties, so if you weren’t keeping up with me on Twitter, you didn’t get my thoughts (sorry). A few post game feelings though…
You all know how much I’m a fan of Clooney, so I was genuinely surprised/amused at the disgust and hate when he didn’t get the Best Actor award. That one didn’t surprise me at all, but like with Best Picture, some of you clearly are against ‘the Artist’ being acknowledged as the ‘best’ of the year. Well hey, to each its own I guess.
Billy Crystal wasn’t the worst, but man there were some deaaaaaaaad spots at certain points of the show. I think overall though, things went smoothly.
The ‘In Memoriam’ section was the single best part of the show to me personally. There wasn’t any doubt in my mind that Elizabeth Taylor was getting the last mention, but even her part was only 10 seconds at the most. Well done.
A few years back I started saying anyone who wanted to make the argument that Meryl Streep is the best film actor ever (over Brando, Deniro and Pacino even) would get no argument from me. But I still feel for Viola, that had to be rough sitting there.
Overall, decent show. Now we can look forward to next year…
Who I Want to Win: Hm. Good movies this year, but nothing that feels like ‘I’ll stop whatever I’m doing when this comes on cable next year’. I’d say ‘Moneyball’ but now I want to pull a ‘reverse jaded’ move (yep, made that word up) since Pitt was there after the screening to charm us up. So let’s say ‘Hugo.’
Who Should Win: To steal a phrase I’ve heard Bill Simmons say, ‘When we look back at the past 12 months, what’s the movie historically that we’ll say, ‘Oh yeah, that was what happened in 2011?’ And the answer is ‘The Artist’, right?
Who Will Win: Yep, ‘the Artist’.
Last note for the weekend, you can expect the rare weekend post from me since it’s going to be Oscar Sunday. I talked to my partner in crime today, and he’s down, so at the moment we plan to do one of our Martin & Lewis style, ArtFradieu live running commentaries of the show Sunday. Hopefully the All-Star Game will be over by then!
Anyway, for some politically incorrect, bridge burning comedy, come back Sunday night!
Who I Want to Win: The film is earning its own cult, but Nick Nolte was the heart of Warrior, and turned in one of his better performances.
Who Should Win: One of the rare times where who I want to win is I think should win.
Who Will Win: Sadly I don’t have an actual vote, so Nolte might win, but I also know there’s a lot of sentiment for Christopher Plummer in ‘Beginners’.
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Who I Want to Win: I made my loyalties clear early, but if anyone was due for a ‘Sorry, you should have had one of these years ago’ Oscar, it’s Gary Oldman.
Who Should Win: I’m fans of Clooney and Pitt, but Jean Dujuardin drove him the thesis ‘which I believe’ that what makes cinema special is that it’s a visual medium. This is extremely film snobbish of me to say, but you should be able to watch any (narrative) film on mute, and have a general idea of what’s going on at all times. Another debate for another day…
Who Will Win: I wouldn’t be surprised by any of these guys winning, but I’ll stick with Dujuardin.
We’ll go into the weekend with the Best Picture predictions manana…
Who I Want to Win: I might get outcast for saying this, but being partial to comedy anyway, I thought Melissa McCarthy stole every scene in the best comedy that came up last year.
Who Should Win: She’s kind of been the black sheep as far as awards season goes, but Berenice Bejo more than carried her share of the weight in the film everyone’s been jocking this year (‘the Artist’.)
Who Will Win: no reason to think the Oscar won’t go to Octavia Spencer at this point.
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Who I Want to Win: I can’t penalize Viola for whatever feelings I may or not have for ‘the Help’ as a movie.
Who Should Win: There’s an argument to be made for Meryl (as always), but I’ll say Viola should win it.
Who Will Win: Hear me out; it won’t happen, but what if Meryl and Viola somehow split the vote and Michelle Williams sneaks in for ‘My Week With Marilyn’? It’s a performance people seem to like, it just came out on the ‘wrong year’ as they say. Just throwing it out there…
Let’s start the run toward this year’s Oscars with a look at a few behind the scenes categories:
Best Adapted Screenplay
Who I Want to Win: Don’t really have a dog in this fight, I think they were all pretty well written.
Who Should Win: I’ll lean toward ‘Moneyball’ here as the least cinematic idea (building a baseball team with statistics) and turning it into a good film.
Who Will Win: I think this is the first of many awards that the Descendants will be taking home.
Best Original Screenplay
Who I Want to Win: ‘Bridesmaids’. Hard for comedies to get props with this group as it is. Kind of surprised it got a nomination to be honest.
Who Should Win: The most purely original idea to be honest was ‘the Artist’, but I’d defer to one of my screenwriting friends to tell me if the screenplay was up to snuff.
Who Will Win: I think Woody gets some love here…
Best Direction
Who I Want to Win: The hardest film (in my opinion) to direct was ‘Hugo’ by a landslide, so I’d say Scorsese.
Who Should Win: I’ve said it before but this is as strong a top five as I can remember. Now if we’re talking personal preference, don’t get me started on ‘Tree of Life’…
Who Will Win: Probably the director of ‘the Artist’. Probably…
I’ve spent the weekend trying to think of the right way to express my feelings toward Whitney Houston. As I remarked to a buddy of mine (and social media backed it up big time), the sisters loved Whitney Houston like family, so any attempts at sarcasm would get you cut.
Then a few of you reminded me we owe, with little debate, one of the most repeated jokes, black cinema or otherwise, to Miss Houston. Enjoy.
Step one, as is always the case, was creating the script. I caught parts of Clooney on the Actors Studio over the weekend, and I agree with his sentiment that you can take a good script and make a bad film out of it, but you can’t turn a bad script into a good movie. So the first of many sacrifices I’ve been in the process of making has been slashing my social life down to the bone. By the grace of the Humblebragging Gods, there’s always something to do in this town and somebody I haven’t hung out with in awhile (and that’s not even counting private affairs). But as I look at the Mountain I’m trying to climb, I’ve become hyper focused again about the difference between spending half my day ‘just chilling’, and half my day writing and rewriting.
So what can I tell you about the story? Well it’s part stand up style special, part documentary. From a functional point of view that means the majority of the film can be shot in one day. I have no dreams of being Louis C.K. or Chris Rock, but especially with this subject matter, using my sense of humor and comedic timing is the absolute way to go. As I started to think about blueprints, the irony was not lost on me that in many ways I’m going down the path of the original Tyler Perry blueprint (film your stage shows and market the ish out of those bad boys to your core audience). Not that I’m the type to complete dismiss anyone’s hustle, but I was reminded of one of my favorite lines of Malcolm’s from the Autobiography: ‘…anytime you find someone more successful than you are, especially when you’re both engaged in the same business – you know they’re doing something that you aren’t.’
My superhero alter ego aside, this is also a Mountain that I would be insane to even attempt to climb alone. I know who I want to direct it, I know who I want for a crew, at the moment I’m satisfied with the list of people I want to interview for the documentary sections of the film, and have little doubt the brothers and sisters I already have a personal relationship with are going to be willing to help. As I’ve started the early process of building my team, I’ve made sure to drop a little caveat for my non-Muslim friends, of whom I have many: I need your support to make this happen, and you know me well enough to know I’m not ‘seeking’ to burn any bridges. But that said, the nature of the subject matter and my point of view will rattle somebody’s cages (if I’m doing my job right). But just because I can say something, I don’t want any of my people to catch heat because they have to answer to some person or group that has no jurisdiction over me. So I need your support, but if you have to be a ‘silent partner’ or you have to sit back of the theater so your face doesn’t show up on camera, trust, I take no offence. I’ll be glad to know you have my back.
So the first brick has been laid. Now, in no particular order, I have to drop at least 10 pounds, perfect a song, touch base with Film Independent, IFP, SAGIndie, research Wichita, get a ‘number’, and start writing the sci-fi story I came to this town to make in the first place. That’s what I can think of off the top of my head anyway. I’ve got a big Mountain to climb.
But as the young people say, I’m trending upwards…
The Malik Aziz Foundation held its annual Black History Month dinner on Wednesday in an undisclosed location in Beverly Hills. This year’s Guest of Honor was Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, who participated in an interview, followed by a Q&A with our benefactors, trustees, and their guests.
The following is a transcript from the untelevised interview session.
(Our Host Malik Aziz enters the room during the fourth course of the five course meal. On this particular evening, he’s wearing a midnight blue tuxedo from the Tom Ford Collection.)
MALIK: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and thank you all for coming this evening. In the play, Richelieu, Or the Conspiracy, you will find in the Second Act, the Second Scene, the following monologue:
True, This! —
Beneath the rule of men entirely great, The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! — itself a nothing! —
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it!
Our guest of honor tonight is a young Afro-American gentlemen, who is living proof, the pen truly is mightier than the sword. His work has been respected by his fellow writers, as evidenced by his nomination for a Writers Guild award; and also by the coloreds, as evidenced by his NAACP image award nomination.
The Malik Aziz Foundation is proud to welcome to the stage our guest of honor this year, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas!
(Applause as Aaron takes the stage… He gives Malik a look as he sits down.)
MALIK: For those unfamiliar with your past, let’s start with where you’re from, and what inspired you to become a writer.
ART: Wait, wait, wait, hold up, brotha…. Did you just use the word, “coloreds”? And, whatsup with the English accent and the blue velvet suit? What kind of place is this? I thought Popeye’s chicken catered this dinner.
(Malik, shakes his head with discernment.)
ART: Anyway, to answer your question, what inspired me to become a writer was my faith in God, my parents’ encouragement to pursue my dreams and the amount of enjoyment I get from writing. Knaw mean?
MALIK: Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Now, your first Hollywood experience came working on the television version of the popular urban story, Soul Food. What was that like, and do you feel like that experience shaped you either positively or negatively in what your idea of what ‘Hollywood’ is?
ART: My experience on Soul Food was all good. Everything I learned on that show, from how a writers’ room operates, to how you carry yourself as a professional in this industry, was invaluable. Combine that with the fact that I was able to see people who looked like me working together in a business where such “urban” situations are extremely rare and mocked by people like you and I can’t begin to estimate the positive impact it had on me at an early stage of my Hollywood experience. Knaw mean, brotha?
MALIK: Yes, I understand what you mean, but don’t call me brother. Now everyone has different feelings about the ‘film school’ experience. As a part time teacher, I would gather your feelings are better than others. But with the benefit of retrospect would you consider it a good decision?
ART: I consider it a great decision. As an adjunct professor at USC, I’m exposed to some of the most talented and ambitious storytellers in the world. It’s a rush to be around them and it keeps me on my toes to make sure that I’m able to give them something they can hopefully use going forward. Reminds me of a cat I went to film school with who used to be down for the cause. His name was Mali—
MALIK: Moving on! Friday Night Lights. You were there from the beginning. Smash Williams is the cocky, smart mouthed black member of the team in the predominantly white high school. In one of the trademark episodes of the first season (and truly the whole series), Smash goes through something of an identity crisis when he feels singled out, and underappreciated by his coaches and superiors. Did you draw from any personal experience when writing the episode ‘Full Hearts’?
ART: Good question. I think all writers try to draw from personal experience. Certainly, in the case of FNL, we tackled topics such as race and class, which were prevalent in the book and movie that proceeded the TV series. These topics are always interesting to discuss and write about. Certainly, I had experiences to pull from to help inform my writing on Full Hearts, which dealt with Smash going home to confront a past he had left behind, including some humble beginnings. Speaking of humble beginnings, my brotha, don’t you know a little something about that?
MALIK: I’m sorry but these beginnings you elude to escapes me (Malik straightens his conk). Tonight is about you so let’s get back on topic. Your first credit as a feature film writer was the film Cover. For those unfamiliar with the story, it focuses on a woman whose life is thrown into chaos when she discovers her attractive, upwardly climbing African-American husband is in fact, a closet homosexual. Did you draw from any personal experience when writing the film Cover?
ART: Lol…. Okay, I see what this is. The answer? No. That story was built off interviews and based on true stories that happened to real people.
MALIK: Next we come to Numb3rs. Your episode ‘Sneakerhead’ revolves around two characters who have a fetish for high priced tennis shoes. In light of the repeated violence that has taken place as sneaker companies try to release ‘limited edition’ versions of popular tennis shoes, do you feel that this subculture has gotten any of hand?
ART: Yes and no. The shoe companies know exactly what they’re doing. Like Chuck D once said, “I like Nikes, but wait a minute…” The shoe companies profit off the high demand for (really dope) shoes. But, even if the sneakers did not exist, the problem with customers would probably still be there. The demand would simply be for something else. And, because supply and demand aren’t going anywhere, I think the issue starts at home. It has to be ingrained that just because you don’t have a pair of sneakers, your stature isn’t any less. You don’t need them bad enough to trample, fight, or maybe even kill somebody. Full disclosure, I’m a sneakerhead, and what I’ve found is even if you don’t get the pair you want on release day, do a little research and due diligence and things have a way of working out.
MALIK: Assassination Games. If I would have told 13 year old Aaron Rahsaan Thomas that someday he’d write a movie starring the Muscles from Brussels, Jean Claude Van Damme, how would he have reacted?
ART: He would have smiled, been very happy, but not necessarily surprised. 13 year old Aaron had some big dreams. Now, if you told him he’d be interviewed by a brotha from KCK who adopted Michael Caine’s accent while wearing a suit from the Love Boat, he might have been curious…
MALIK: You are as precious to me as you were to your own mother and father; I swore to them that I would protect you. And I haven’t! But moving on, now we come to ‘CSI:NY’. You’ve had a wonderful collection of guest stars over the years, from Edward James Olmos to Ne-Yo. Do you have a personal favorite? Is there anyone you’d like to write an episode for that you haven’t had the opportunity to do so with yet?
ART: It’s all a blessing. Working with talented people who I respect is a joy. And, every episode is a new and different chapter. As for people I haven’t worked with? Anyone who has a good story to tell and believes in telling it well, I’m open to collaborating with. Dropping that knowledge on a sucka, knaw mean?
MALIK: Now let’s talk about this week’s episode. What can you tell us about it?
ART: It involves the world of The Go Game, adult role playing and takes a few twists that you may not see coming. There is one murder victim and someone else who gets kidnapped. Basically, it is truly an episode of television that will change your life. Or, maybe entertain you for an hour. One or the other.
MALIK: Thank you for joining us again, ladies and gentlemen, one more time for Aaron Rahsaan Thomas!
Aaron’s latest episode airs tonight on CBS. Check local listings.
It’s funny how ‘timing’ plays out sometimes. Between Red Tails, the Help, and Sundance, there’s been a lot of public and private conversations already this year about the direction of where black cinema is going. Everyone has their own opinions, but the truth is none of us can look at the landscape and say, ‘This is definitely what’s going to happen next.’ I do think there is one thing we can ALL agree on though…
It’s going to be a LOOOOOOOOONG time before any Hollywood studio even partially bankrolls a film like Malcolm X again!
Personal bias aside, that’s one of many reasons I argued Spike’s epic was the Most Important Black Film ever made, which you can read here:
Today the film comes out on Blu-Ray. Now if you keep up with me at all you know I don’t really use this space for that type of promotion, but like I said, when’s the next time we’re going to get one of ‘these’ out of the studio system? So yeah…
Some quick thoughts on this morning’s nominations…
Best Picture – 9 films, wow. I called 6. Extremely Loud and War Horse haven’t been on my ‘must see’ list, but now I feel obligated…
Best Actor – Gary Oldman, it’s about damn time!!!!! (yes I’m biased, been a fan for decades before he played Commissioner Gordon).
Best Actress – The Globes have made this more interesting than we thought it would be. Viola or Streep? I guess we’ll see…
Best Supporting Actor – Very eclectic list, I just got around to seeing Warrior last week so it’s nice to see people remembered this movie and Nick Nolte.
Best Supporting Actress – Pleasantly surprised for Melissa McCarthy, she really did steal Bridesmaids out from under a great cast of comediennes.
Best Director – What a list!!!! And the crazy thing is the favorite is the only name who’s not already a Hall of Famer!
Best Screenplay – Combining the two categories to ask the question, will Woody show up for a group of his most loyal fans?
