A Matter of Taste - Best Actress; The Hate U Give

Happy Friday, Oscarwatchers.

Things are still creeping along here at Awards Wiz, but some progress is on the horizon. Although I have still yet to hear anything back in weeks from the folks at Amazon in regard to "Beautiful Boy" (or my hope to do interviews with Nic, David, Felix, and Timothee) I did hear back from the "Roma" team over at Netflix. They are planning to set up a local screening of "Roma" for me to see in the next couple of weeks.

What that says to me, is that Netflix is going for the win and that Amazon isn't. These little things matter when it comes to Oscar wins.

But...not going to defend the offenses here (Mission Statement #1)...although it is really hard.

Sexism and Internalized Sexism in the Best Actress race

I was on Facebook a couple of days ago, and saw a post from Awards Daily about star power in the Best Actress and another about "A Star is Born" having potential to win Best Picture/Actress...something that hasn't happened since "Million Dollar Baby."

The comments on these posts are fascinating. One person didn't even include Gaga on their list of 5, putting Natalie Portman in instead. (First of all, Portman is going supporting - know what you are talking about people.) And others, many others (mostly men, but some women), say she isn't even good in the role.

To say Gaga isn't good, is just hilarious to me. That being said, people might be thinking I'm nuts saying Toni Collette isn't great in "Hereditary."

When it comes to "A Star is Born" there is a disconnect here between the majority of people/critics and those who feel the need to comment on Oscars websites and social media pages. The question is...what difference will it make?

I think there is something else going on with the Gaga situation. I'm not a sociologist, but watching Oscarwatching, journalism and social media change over the years I have noticed that people do not like when a young, beautiful, successful woman is in the running for Awards. And if they win...watch out. People are still raging about Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone. If the actress is older, it's ok. (Frances McDormand and now Glenn Close) And as long as a beautiful women gets "ugly" (Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron) that appears not to be a threat.

This doesn't happen in the Best Actor race.

The Hate U Give

A couple of days ago I saw "The Hate U Give." This film is based on a young adult novel by author Angie Thomas, adapted by the late Audrey Wells and directed by George Tillman, Jr. It stars the incredible Amanda Stenberg as Starr, Regina Hall as Lisa Carter, Issa Rae, Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, K.J. Apa, and more.

Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds -- the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what's right.

YA is right in my wheelhouse. Earlier in the year I was blown away by "Alex Strangelove," found myself thoroughly enjoying "For All the Boys I've Loved Before," even revisited the end of "Eclipse" on the telly this past weekend. Sure...some of it's a bit ridiculous, but it's fun.

With the exception of the final Harry Potter film, I have rarely talked about YA in the same context as Oscar, but I had heard rumblings about "The Hate U Give" having potential. I went in a bit cynical, to be honest, but I was immediately won over by Stenberg, and by the end of the film, I was in tears. 

This is another rare occasion of the perfect combination of cast, screenplay and director. Starr's speech at the end of the film is a powerhouse of words and raw acting. K.J. Apa's character could so easily have gone off the rails, but everything that comes out of his mouth is full of sincerity. This film asks questions that need to be asked. I believe that starts with the Screenplay.

When I left the theater I tweeted that I thought the Academy should consider Well's Screenplay for the Oscar. This led to a couple of responses to my tweet...which led me to Metacritic. Some good reviews, but a less positive one at the New York Times. 

How could a screenplay I find Oscarworthy (at least of a nomination)...one that perfectly balances this subject matter while staying true to its YA roots be called "wonky" by the Times? 

A matter of taste, I guess.