On Tuesday, the nominees for the 96th annual Oscars were revealed and some of our Black faves from this awards season got their rightly deserved recognition.
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I’m talking folks like consistent frontrunners Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”) and “American Fiction” to some pleasant surprises such as Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction) and Colman Domingo (“Rustin.”) And while we’re more than overjoyed for the folks who secured these coveted and arguably long overdue nominations, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the actors and projects that got overlooked—despite the stellar work.
“Origin”
At the top of that list lies Ava DuVernay’s “Origin.” Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Niecy Nash, John Bernthal and more, the film had an Oscar-qualifying release back in December but due to reasons I’ll never understand, the film was a complete miss at Tuesday’s nominations announcement. Not only was Ellis-Taylor’s performance one of her best, but the film is arguably DuVernay’s best as well. But, considering the subject matter it’s based off of—Isabel Wilkerson’s New York Times Best-Selling book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents”—and today’s increasingly divisive social climate, it begs the questions as to whether or not the voting bodies were ready or able to see the value in a film that asks them to reconsider what they know about racism.
If anything, there should’ve been at least three noms for this film: Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Lead Actress. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, you’re too good for us. I will avenge you soon.
“The Color Purple”
First things first: congratulations to Danielle Brooks for her nomination! But if I’m gonna be completely honest, Fantasia Barrino-Taylor’s near erasure this awards season has been a big miss when you consider this was supposed to be the vehicle for her “Hollywood comeback.” Not only was her character Celie’s plight the focus of the film, but between her impressive acting chops and fantastic vocals—it’s sad that she didn’t at least get recognized. The same can also be said of Taraji P. Henson, who should’ve gotten a nod for Supporting Actress thanks to the way she brough Shug Avery to life. And at the very least, there should’ve also been a nom for Best Makeup/Hair and/or Costume Design. Just a miss all around and a snub that stings a bit more when you compare how the original 1985 film got so many nominations and only received one win back then.
“A Thousand and One”
At this point, I have to question whether or not the voting members and I watched the same film (if they watched it at all, to be honest). Because if they did, then I don’t see how they could see Teyana Taylor’s performance and pay it dust. I mean, it won the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Sundance Film Festival for a reason. Taylor’s stirring performance and A.V. Rockwell’s direction were a cinematic match made in heaven and to see it not get its flowers on the Oscars stage, is a complete oversight that almost hurts to see.
Lenny Kravitz
Now before you go looking at me crazy, no Lenny was not nominated for acting. But his song “Road to Freedom” on the soundtrack for “Rustin,” had been creeping up in the other major awards a song to look out for. Sure, it had steep competition with Billie Eilish and Ryan Gosling for their songs on the “Barbie” soundtrack, but given that Colman Domingo—star of “Rustin”—got nominated, this feels like a slight against them. I guess they couldn’t give them both.
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