This morning’s presentation of the 2016 Oscar nominations left Creed and Straight Outta Compton fans feeling like their favorite films of the year weren’t nominated for Best Picture. But like Ice Cube said to TMZ, they shouldn’t be worried.
Creed was an amazing film led by the brilliant Ryan Coogler, who made Philadelphia look magnificent on the big screen. The story of a boxing legend’s youngest child who overcomes all the odds to earn respect, while another legend, Rocky, embarks on a fight against cancer, is absolutely award-worthy. Sylvester Stallone was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and even though it didn’t nab a Best Picture nod, Creed didn’t get “snubbed” by the Academy Awards.
Straight Outta Compton will always be a masterpiece. The story F. Gary Gray and Ice Cube brought to the big screen was scintillating in every way. They picked the perfect cast, the shots were remarkable, and the movie was as entertaining as every film that got a Best Picture nomination. Still, Straight Outta Compton wasn’t “snubbed.”
TMZ made a big deal about two White Straight Outta Compton screenwriters getting nominated for Oscars, but they are race-baiting. Those White screenwriters did a phenomenal job telling the story and they are the people Ice Cube hired to write his movie. In the words of comedian Kerry Coddett, my 2016 resolution was to stop all the fake outrage.
With the exception of Brooklyn, which I never heard of but don’t deny that it’s a great film, The Big Short, Bridge Of Spies, Mad Max, The Martian, The Revenant, Room, and Spotlight are all outstanding movies. I’ve seen them all, twice. They are deserving of a Best Picture nomination. So again, Compton didn’t get snubbed. Compton and Creed were each nominated for the categories they deserved.
I don’t know why Creed and Compton weren’t given nominations for Best Picture and I’m not going to imply that it was because they’re Black films. But what can’t be ignored is the lack of color in this year’s nominees is all too familiar and equally disappointing.
Will Smith didn’t get a nomination for his Concussion performance as Dr. Bennet Omalu, but the Best Actor nominees all played great roles as well. But I don’t believe Smith wasn’t passed over in order to add another undeserving White actor. Everyone nominated this year earned it.
Hollywood has finally started making movies to show that Black people are more than just slaves, drug dealers, and murderers. They are doctors, lawyers, soldiers, musicians, and bankers turned boxers who just so happen to befriend legends. They are directors who create beautiful works of art. It’s about time to start recognizing them on the grand stage.
Xilla Valentine | Follow me @BlogXilla
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty, Universal
2016 Oscar Nominations Op-Ed: “Straight Outta Compton” & “Creed” Didn’t Get Snubbed At All was originally published on globalgrind.com
