Oscars So Wh...Wait, No They're Not!!!

                 For the last two years, the Oscars have had only white nominees for acting. This has led to a controversy about how the voters are less inclined to vote for minority groups when it comes time. But are they really or is the finger being pointed the wrong way? It seems as though this lack of diversity issue only comes about when black actors don't get nominated for an Oscar. Hell, the three people truly speaking out against this topic are Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee. Is there a connection to the fact that Mr. Smith did not get nominated for his performance in Concussion? A good performance, to be sure, but not Oscar worthy. Is there another connection to the fact that Lee's film, Chi-Raq was left out at the Oscars? It was a well intentioned film that should be respected but certainly not up there in the big leagues. The answer to this is a resounding "of course." This year, host Chris Rock and nominee Mark Ruffalo both have decided not to boycott the Oscars. Clearly this has something to do with the fact that Ruffalo is nominated and Rock was not  in anything set to get him a nomination in 2015. What I'm saying is that the Oscars are not a racist program but before I definitively state that, I'd like to look at the history of the Oscars to show why this is.

                The Oscars, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an organization run by a black woman, mind you, has been around since 1928. It has changed somewhat over the years but all in all, has still kept the same tune. For example, although it used to be that the Oscars straight up awarded a nominee for their body of work that year rather than a singular performance, the Academy does still do that to some degree. I'm not just talking about the honorary awards (this year, by the way, they are giving it to Spike Lee, a black man.) Rather, Jack Palance may not have won for City Slickers if it had not been for his entire field of work. The most drastic change in the Oscars over the years is their ability to honor all different types of people. Can anyone honestly say that an African American or Hispanic would have been nominated in 1930? Of course not! Nowadays, the best get honored, no matter what the color of their skin. If the Academy voters were truly racist, why have there been wins such as Forest Whitaker, Octavia Spencer, Lupita Nyong'o, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Monique, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry and nominations for Gabourey Sidibe, Viola Davis, Don Cheadle, Terrence Howard, Will Smith, Ruby Dee, Taraji P Henson, Barkhad Abdi, Eddie Murphy, Djimon Honsou, Quvenzhane Wallis and Queen Latifah since 2000 alone? If the Oscars were truly racist, they'd make sure none of these nominations or wins existed.

                   This brings me to a point I'd like to express in some length. Over the weekend, I debated someone I didn't even know (they commented on a mutual friend's post) on Facebook about this subject. First, they pointed out that Idris Elba was a huge snub for Supporting Actor in Beasts Of No Nation, a film very few saw and a category with a few dozen people who could have been nominated. He also pointed out that Abraham Attah should have been nominated in the category of lead actor over Bryan Cranston's performance in Trumbo. Valid point. Cranston is a terrific actor but that performance wasn't very good. However, would more people not have replaced him with another child actor, Jacob Tremblay, an incredibly gifted performer, in Room, regardless of skin color? I mean Tremblay got a lot more talk across the world. If the argument is that they would have voted for Tremblay over Attah because of skin color then I guess most of the world is racist. Last year, David Oyelowo was admittedly a big snub for his brave and absorbing performance as Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma but the 2015 Oscars featured a couple dozen possibilities for a Best Leading Actor nomination. Oyelowo was one of many snubs that year. Ava DeVurnay, a black woman, also didn't earn a Best Director nomination for Selma but once again--stacked categories. My point is--this would be a much stronger argument if there was a performance from a minority to point out from the last two years and go--"now they gave the best performance in that category hands down."

                      The weakness of this argument also shows when this person on Facebook brought in the idea that Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was a "token Hispanic" nomination for this year's Oscars for his direction of The Revenant. The Facebook Arguer (as I will call him from now on) said that Emmanuel Lubezki did all the work as cinematographer and Inarritu is getting none of the credit for what made that film so great. However, upon doing just a minute worth of research, I found a pile of reviews that did nothing but praise Inarritu for his direction and co-writing on the film. It's as if people who argue this topic just say what they want to hear. When I tried to point out that not enough people saw Beasts Of No Nation to really have built up its awards contention, The Facebook Arguer replied with "No one saw 45 Years and yet (Charlotte) Rampling got nominated." Okay, but 45 Years has only been in New York and LA up until the day you were arguing that while Beasts Of No Nation has been available on Netflix for months. The Facebook Arguer then declared himself the victor of the argument and even had a buddy of his back him up. What's up with people I don't know wanting to argue with me about this? It's almost like what I'm saying about this subject is so valid that it intimidates them. If these are the representatives of this debate, it's no wonder no one's taking this seriously.

                       Lastly, the boycotting of the Oscars by Will and Jada and Lee sounds much more meaningful than it is. It's not like the Academy is sitting there going "three of the thousands of celebrities who show up to this are boycotting it and may make a few of the millions of regular viewers not watch..what ever are we going to do?" In actuality, no one cares. Sure, Will and Jada and Lee have made the Academy work to diversify their voters and Rock's monologue is now going to be a speech about this topic but let's face it--it's just so they can stop hearing people whine like little children. In actuality, it's a free country, you're grown adults and no one cares what you do. Will and Jada and Lee are the equivalent of a four year old who acts up by pointing out to their mother how much they're misbehaving. To complete this article, I'd like to give you a tweet from actor David Krumholtz--"That moment when somehow, inexplicably, Hollywood isn't nearly liberal enough. #OscarsSoWhite is ridiculous and racist in itself." Indeed, Mr. Krumholtz. Now keep trying to get the Academy to throw a few token minorities into the mix, regardless of whether or not they were the best, Will, Jada and Spike.

Ten Worst Films Of 2015!!!!

Here they are, the most dreadful films of 2015. The ones that made me regret throwing my money down and sucked the life right out of me. Before I get into this list, I would like to point out that some horrible films I saw in 2015 were fascinatingly bad and therefore made me at least enjoy them a little in my own perverse way. Therefore, dreadful but interestingly bad films such as Aloha, Rock The Kasbah,  Fantastic Four, Pan and Mortdecai will not be making my list. Before I get to the list, some dishonorable mentions are in order. I regret to inform everyone that films such as Hot Pursuit, Jupiter Ascending, Seventh Son, Scouts Guide To The Zombie Apocalypse, The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials, In The Heart Of The Sea, Everest and the immensely disappointing The Good Dinosaur could not quite make the list. So here are the ones that did manage to make it on this list of disasters...
(10) Allegiant

I didn't like Divergent but I went into Allegiant with an open mind. What I got was an exercise in tedium that confirmed for me that I couldn't care less about the last installment. This is as bad an example of the problem with Young Adult adaptations as there ever will be. This is especially disappointing because there is talent in front of and behind the camera. 

(9) The Gallows 

I almost feel bad for putting this film on the list because apparently the two writer-directors (who seem like nice guys) got screwed over by the studios. This is believable since the premise had potential and a nonsensical last minute twist at least showed a hint of effort. However, the film is every stupid horror cliche you could think of involving four of the most unlikable characters put together in  a film. Unfortunately, the character who is most unbearable is the one with the camera so he doesn't just immediately scram.

(8) Paul Blart Mall Cop 2

I don't hate Kevin James like a lot of people do. In fact, I sort of enjoy the guy. He's earnest and has the ability to be extremely funny. That's why I went into Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 with a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, I walked out of that theater with my soul crushed and a realization that Happy Madison Productions has turned James into a jerk. Seriously, for someone so likable, he sure portrays Blart as a nasty guy in this film. The first film was actually alright because James was likable and you were rooting for him. Here, you just wish he and the film would both go away.

(7) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

Talk about a cash grab! Although Jennifer Lawrence's other film of 2015, Joy, was pretty terrible, it at least had a few (and I mean a very few) moments of something good. With not a single exciting moment and a plot that lazily throws everything at the wall with nothing sticking, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is not merely dull but shameless.

(6) Fifty Shades Of Grey

This was based on "Twilight" fan fiction that was written by a woman who has shown in interviews she probably doesn't know how to read on her Blackberry. Need I say more? Fifty Shades Of Grey was a truly deadening experience that made me yearn for the days of Twilight. 

(5) Unfinished Business 

Unfinished Business did the unthinkable in 2015. It took incredible talent such as Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, Nick Frost, June Diane Raphael and James Marsden and made them all boring a-holes. A comedy with not a single laugh, this film felt like torture from beginning to end. It was a barely 90 minute comedy that felt like days. The only silver lining is it flopped which means audiences at least know what to skip sometimes. 

(4) Irrational Man 

Irrational Man was Woody Allen's confirmation that he may be smart to retire while people still remember his classics. While a lot of his recent ones have been no great shakes, this was the first time I was actually angry at an Allen film. With not a plot to speak of, this was one truly awful film that never came close to deciding whether it should be a comedy, drama, murder mystery or anything.

(3) American Ultra

This was the film that was more famous for its screenwriter, Max Landis crying like a baby over the fact that the film flopped and acting like audiences were bad people for being smart enough to skip out on this stinker than for being released. American Ultra was a horrible film (if you even want to call it that) the likes of which I had never seen before. Landis acted like it was such an original idea when it was actually just a total rip off of the TV show Chuck, a far superior property. No worries, though, because Landis proved that he was lying when he acted like he cared about original ideas in movies by writing another film that may show up further down this list.

(2) No Escape 

Just like Brooklyn was a film that very old fashioned, so was No Escape. However, unlike Brooklyn, it was for all the wrong reasons. The fact that a film this offensively racist could get made in 2015 is absolutely shocking. I like Owen Wilson and Lake Bell a lot and I think John Erick and Drew Dowdle have potential as young filmmakers. However, this was an incredibly unpleasant sit from start to finish and one that I only wish I could take back.

And hands down the worst film of 2015 is....

(1) Victor Frankenstein

What an unholy mess this was! After American Ultra flopped, Landis went on Twitter and acted like he cared about the lack of original ideas in Hollywood. What's the next screenplay under his belt? Victor Frankenstein, a completely unoriginal abomination of a film that makes me cringe to even think about. Of course, Landis even attacked The Revenant and Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy personally on the day this film's embargo was lifted. I have a feeling he realized what a stupid film he had written and wanted to get attention for something else. When the first line of your film is Igor (Daniel Radcliffe) admitting how unoriginal the film is, you have a problem. This was an experience where I felt like I was going to die every second. The only good thing to come out of this film was a second major flop written by Landis in 2015. Soon enough, not even riding on daddy's coattails will keep little Max in Hollywood. Congratulations, Max Landis, you can't write an even somewhat competent screenplay if your life depended on it and the only reason you are allowed to make the studios lose all this money is because you have a dad who made some decent films a long time ago.

There they are, the worst films of 2015. Let's hope 2016 features a lot less films like these and another huge flop penned by Max Landis to end his career. 

Ten Best Films Of 2015!!!!

Here they are--those films that made my 2015 film going year so wonderful. I saw a lot of films that should be on this list in 2015. Unfortunately, not all are going to get representation. It's weird..I complained toward the middle of this year that 2015 has not been a good year for film but now that it's 2016, I realize how wrong I was. So my apologies to films such as The Gift, Eden, Me And Earl And The Dying Girl, It Follows, Danny Collins, Trainwreck,  Black Mass, The Martian, Slow West, All Things Must Pass and The End of The Tour for being shut out. Here are the ones that managed to make it in..
(10) An Open Secret

An Open Secret is Amy Berg's powerful, devastating and revealing documentary that chronicles sexual abuse in Hollywood mainly from stories of child stars from the 1990's and early 2000's. Even though Hollywood wants to keep people away from this film, it is a powerful experience that needs to be had. Berg doesn't try to sugarcoat any of this nor does she try to add any kind of uplifting schmaltz at the end. It may not be enjoyable but it damn sure is important.

(9) Inside Out

This will be higher on a lot of others's lists for good reason. Inside Out is a beautiful film with a brilliant concept that also teaches children that being sad and frustrated and disappointed and disgusted and scared are not only great but necessary. This will surely stand the test of time as a learning tool for all future youth. Even if you don't have kids or are not one yourself (I'm in that category,) the themes are so universal and the film so fun that it's a must see.
(8) Love And Mercy

Love And Mercy is an absolutely gorgeous and absorbing film about the life of the genius behind The Beach Boys--Brian Wilson. Told through two different periods in time, with Paul Dano portraying a younger Wilson and John Cusack portraying an older one, there is power and beauty oozing from every scene. The film also manages to be simultaneously fun, striking, sad and uplifting, a difficult task by any standard.

(7) Ex Machina

Featuring hands down the best scene of the year (involving a dance floor and a consistently chilling performance by Oscar Isaac,) Ex Machina is the kind of film that fortunately doesn't have time for a lot of set up. Almost immediately after the film starts, we get the brilliant interactions between a geeky tech company employee (Domnhall Gleeson) and the company's no-nonsense owner (Isaac) taking place in the owner's beautiful house on a gorgeous plot of land. The film also features a breakthrough performance by Alicia Vikander as a robot that the men put the Turing Test on.

(6) 99 Homes

The better of the two housing crisis films from 2015 (the interesting but flawed The Big Short being the other,) 99 Homes features dynamite performances from Andrew Garfield, Laura Dern and especially Michael Shannon, an absolutely fascinating actor who continues to surprise with every new role. Unfortunately met with no box office success in its short theatrical run, I just hope that Ramin Bahrini's incredible film finds a large audience in no time. It is a thrilling, inventive, provocative and incredibly timely piece of work. 

(5) Brooklyn 

One of the most lovely films I have ever seen, Brooklyn features a dynamite and darling performance from the always great Saoirse Ronan as well as incredible supporting work from Emory Cohen, Domnhall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters. Everything about this film is warm, touching and downright incredible. A sure fire Oscar contender, this is a film that truly fits the phrase "they don't make them like that anymore."

(4) Mad Max Fury Road

Mad Max Fury Road was the best reminder all year of why cinemas are an absolute must to have. A non-stop thrill ride with great performances from Tom Hardy, Nicolas Hoult and Charlize Theron in particular, this is an always thrilling, absolutely mind blowing and life affirming experience.

(3) Spotlight 

Following the Boston rape allegations against Catholic Priests and the massive cover up, Spotlight is a devastating film that also knows everything there is to know about journalism. Watching this film is a powerful and engaging experience but also an educational one for those who don't know about the cutthroat and dedicated world of field journalists.

(2) Steve Jobs

Featuring great performances across the board from Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jeff Daniels, Katherine Waterson and many others, Steve Jobs is how a biopic about the Apple founder should be done. Written beautifully by the brilliant Aaron Sorkin and directed with infinite pizzazz and freshness by Danny Boyle, this film is a fast paced, wonderful look at one man's life through all its ups and downs. 

And my favorite film of 2015 is.......

(1) Room

Featuring an astonishing performance that is sure to take home the Oscar from Brie Larson and an equally powerful one from newcomer Jacob Tremblay, Room is an at once visceral, sad, palpable, claustrophobic, charming, uplifting and altogether wonderful film about the unbreakable bond between mother and son. I urge anyone who hasn't already seen this film to go out and see it in theaters (where it needs to bee seen) immediately. There is no other film like it and surely will never be!!! Also, check out a similarly powerful performance from Larson in the criminally overlooked drama Short Term 12.