I Would Like To Thank The Academy

For giving Sean Penn the Oscar for Best Actor. MY GOODNESS I couldn't bear the hype about Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler any longer. All this talk about a stunning performance, deep, powerful etc is pure bullshit. I saw this documentary looking movie [it was made on a $6 million budget after a lot of people pulled out when they heard Rourke was in it]. Nic Cage was supposed to play the lead before Rourke stepped in. In all honesty for this type of movie Rourke definitely would have played it better than Cage without a doubt. The budget was not the issue. I've seen great films done on a lesser budget.

I watched with an unbiased opinion. I saw two movies in one night at the cinema back to back. Seven Pounds and The Wrestler. I had to Google the release date of Seven Pounds to make sure the release was before December 31st 2008 in the USA after I had watched the movie. Anything after this date doesn't make the cut for the Oscar nominations. ALL BIAS ASIDE. Will's performance WAS WORTHY of an Oscar. Even if you think the film wasn't that great or complicated, he delivered in that film and moved the hell out of me. Seriously I was like "Wow" when it was over. Yes it was sad, but I was sure I was looking at a front runner for an Academy Award and potential winner. I then saw The Wrestler and cleared my mind. Decided to give Mickey Rourke a fair shot for the just under 2 hour movie and let him work his acting magic on me.

**POOF**

This was Mickey Rourke, playing Mickey Rourke.

**Looks around. Tumbleweeds pass me by.**

What in the hell was so fantastic about HIS performance I'm still wondering what garnered a nomination when Will was totally snubbed across the board. He was so snubbed it was like the movie wasn't even made or released. Like a dog just walked on by and pissed on his shoes. He was only recognised by his peers [Black award shows and only three of them]. I am not even playing the race card in this blog [it's not a colour issue], but seriously what happened at the Screen Actors Guild, Golden Globes, BAFTA and the Academy Awards? Did he piss off Jewish Hollywood or something? He was nominated for The Pursuit of Happyness and this [his performance] was on par, if not better. Remember this wasn't even about liking the movie, I'm talking about Will's sole performance. So before anyone wants to comment on the movie I'm talking about THE P.E.R.F.O.R.M.A.N.C.E. In Hollywood the film doesn't even have to be good or make money for an actor to be recognised in the role for a nomination. I'm even a little mad Rosario Dawson wasn't even nominated either.

Back to Rourke and Penn. I haven't seen Milk but I have seen the trailer in the cinema and when I saw the trailer I said to myself, that Sean Penn's performance has Oscar written all over this [I saw the trailer weeks before I saw The Wrestler]. I was more inspired by Penn in a trailer and loved what I saw and thought "damn I'd be surprised if he's not up for Best Actor" than I was from viewing Mickey Rourke in the WHOLE of The Wrestler. In all honesty Rachel Evan Wood albeit small her performance was the most, real, moving and powerful in this film. She almost reduced me to tears dealing with her mainly absent father [Rourke] in this movie.

My dad was MAD when Mickey Rourke won the BAFTA for Best Actor. I had to explain to his old Jamaican self that you get it for that role in particular regardless of your Hollywood history. My dad thought Rourke didn't deserve the award based on him being a bad boy and being away from the spotlight. Again it's not about his personal life or behaviour but what he delivered in this role. I actually had to tell my dad this is hardly Rourke's first movie since 9 and A Half Weeks, the man has been working and earning money quite well over the 80's, 90's and 00's. He's being hired, he hasn't been shunned [that badly] so why all these idiots are calling it a comeback like he's been off boxing for most of his career is beyond me. Comeback as in first major headlining flick in a while yes. Comeback as in a huge career break no.

But thank God for Penn shaking up the Oscars just a tad. All the money was on Rourke, and this category actually made me mad that there was all this hype over Rourke and ignoring other worthy actors this year. For once Brad was GOOD and we hardly heard anything about him this year.

Well let me just say this. If Benicio is not up for Best Actor next year for Ché, then the [acting] world has lost it's damn mind.

Don't even get me started on Kate Winslett. I may blog about that English bit of fluff another time.

Jennifer Hudson 2. Beyoncé 1.

I was just doing a search for Jennifer Hudson to see if she made it out to the Academy Awards and to see what she was wearing. Some of you know I barely pay attention to the news anymore, and one of the top results mentioned J-Hud's Grammy win a few weeks ago. I remembered Beyoncé has famously gone on record as saying she wants to be the first black woman to win a Tony Award [theatre], a Grammy [music] and an Oscar [Film].

I thought bloody hell, it was just Jennifer Hudson's desire to sing and if it were her agenda to get all three then she's two down, one to go. Already an Academy Award and now a Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson has only been in the spotlight for a couple years compared to Beyoncé's decade. I could definitely see Jennifer doing Broadway [if Fantasia can do it so can J-Hud], and maybe getting a Tony one day.

"I want to be the first black woman to win an Oscar, a Tony and a Grammy. I already have the Grammys, so I just have two more awards to go."

Better hurry up Bey, Jennifer Hudson is winning this race by accident and it's your dream which you're actively pursuing. It will be interesting over the next 10 years to see how this pans out.

I don't know why but Jennifer Hudson to me just seems like one of these rare starlets that was just destined for fame and stardom naturally, as opposed to Beyoncé being pushed into hers via her over bearing father, and working so hard to make it happen. Jennifer Hudson faded into obscurity after not even winning American
Idol and had to audition for Dreamgirls and was given no special treatment. Then BAM it was J-Hud mania. No one was hunting for J-Hud to be in this role whereas for Beyoncé she may have been a first choice before even auditioning. Now with the very public news story of her mother, brother and nephew who were tragically murdered, it's good to see her back on the scene. My eyes watered watching her sing the national anthem at this year's Superbowl. That deep breath she took before she sang encompassed a lot for her, you could tell. The whole world knowing your business, and still being in the process of grieving, that's a sistah who has my respect.

I wish both ladies the best in their careers but wouldn't it be something if it was indeed Jennifer Hudson who was the first black woman to win an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award, especially after all those rivalry rumours between the pair?

HE WON!!! Noel Clarke

Remember I blogged some weeks ago giving major props to Noel Clarke and then prompting the Brits to vote for him for an Orange Rising Star Award? Well my man took the award home. Sitting amongst Academy Award winning and nominated stars Noel is now a known name and memorable face in one evening amongst the Hollywood elite and British public and film industry, who may just sit up and take notice of a new great black British export.

Being a fan of Kidulthood and Adulthood as well as the man himself, I'm feeling seriously proud for the man tonight.

Loving it!! Just love it when a brotha succeeds!!