Thursday
Jan222009
Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson Nominated for Oscars
Thursday, January 22, 2009 at 7:40PM The Blogmother 
Whew! I guess the Hollywood branch of the NAACP will be mothballing their picket signs this year.
Two Black folks(the annual Oscar minimum) got nominated for acting awards, Viola Davis and Taraji P Henson. They both were nominated for roles that did not involve them going topless and having relationship with Billy Bob Thornton or sanging so winning is a long shot, but I did want to mention that two Black women were nominated for acting awards. Davis was only in 'Doubt' for 11 minutes, but she is getting rave reviews:
Davis is on screen for only 11 minutes but to watch her is to understand an entire life. It is an object lesson in what an actor can convey in a short space of time. She seems to carry her family history in her face: the violence at home and her unswerving love for her child. And she looks dowdily embattled but unassailable in her shabby fawn overcoat. Source
I saw Benjamin Button. It was basically Forrest Gump with really great makeup.I won't say anything more.
In other news, Tyler Perry's "A Family That Preys" failed to garner a single nomination, But you can pick up the DVD at Walmart for $14. Getting your DVD to Wal-mart shelves is much better than winning the Oscar.
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Reader Comments (20)
Judi Dench won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her, I think it was, three minutes of screen time in the movie Shakespeare in Love; so that means Viola Davis has as good a chance as any of bringing home one of the golden statues. Besides, Davis is one of the best actors out there, these days. I hope this nomination gets her more [good] roles/work.
I'm not shedding any tears for Tyler Perry.
I have been going crazy trying to survive with limited internet access!! I am an addict for sure. I tried to get in the White House because the Obamas opened it up immediately but the lines were of course INSANE. Oh well I'll have to come back and try again unless he pisses me off but so far so good! Anyway, considering Taraji was up there sanging that Pimp song a few years ago it would be nice for her to go back as an actual acting nominee. She kinda snuck in there and vaulted over Jada, Vivica and 'em. Who woulda thunk it? And Oprah wanted that role in Doubt for a reason. She got Barack elected though so she did good! You were too wrong but sooooo right about Madea.
Actually, Viola Davis is the one most likely to win here. She either won or tied for many of the critics awards. She could "split" the vote with her Doubt co-star Amy Adams but nearly everyone I talk to felt that she literally stole the show. Acting opposite Meryl Streep is like walking through a jungle - either kill or be killed. Meryl is notorious for knocking her scene partners out and mopping up the floor with them but Viola held her own. That alone should impress voters.
Taraji was great but her role is very stereotypical mammy and voters aren't familiar enough with her.
My money is on Ms. Davis
@hollywood I was trying to be positive but you are right. Tarajii's role was basically a stereotype.
I like Taraji. She is building up a nice career and I hope she gets a chance to one day carry a film. As far as her "mammy" role, hey Hattie McDaniels--who had talent to burn--got an Oscar for playing a "mammy." At least that is what I hear because I have never watch Gone With The Wind. What Taraji has going for her is that Buttons has 13 nominations so that means people in the academy like the film.
I have never heard of Viola Davis before Doubt. However, I don't think that there is an actress alive more grateful for her role. Screen time with M. Streep. Wow! Give me a break. She will not win because of the "Oprah Winfrey--Margaret Avery effect."
Different World and fictitious Hilman alum Marisa Tomei may win. I hear she was great in The Wrestler. Penelope Cruz, what a diverse nominating class, for her the victory is in the nomination sort of like Will Smith for Ali.
Prediction: Howard alum Taraji Henson squeaks pass Hilman alum Marisa Tomei.
I think Viola Davis is beautiful and talented. Congratulations to her.
In other news, Tyler Perry’s “A Family That Preys” failed to garner a single nomination
I'mma need for folks not to get me almost fired from laughing so hard at the office. Darn you and your rapacious wit, Gina.
Viola is rather awesome, so yay for her! I like Taraji as well, but less excited about the role for which she was nominated, for reasons already stated.
Darn you and your rapacious wit, Gina.
I am glad somebody gets my sense of humor since it gets me into so much trouble online. :)
For a while had a gig as a theatre critic at a time a variety of black actresses had opportunities to shine in ways they couldn't on film. Viola Davis has been in Broadway and off-Broadway theatre for years. She would bring the house down with EVERY performance. Time stopped when she entered the stage. She regularly played against more popular actors, and easily dwarfed them. I'm surprised to hear that folks have never heard of her or are shocked that she can 'hold up' against Meryl.
Oh, and I'm ecstatic about her nomination. But very unhappy my girl, Sally Hawkins from Happy Go Lucky, didn't get nominated.
I've been an admirer of Viola Davis' work for years, even before I knew her name. I hope she wins, but I wonder if most of the voting members of the Academy will actually be familiar enough with her work to vote for her - particularly up against these other well-known actresses.
Now, I can't say that I am Tarajj Henson biggest fan or a fan at all for that matter. The thing that I remember the most about her is her very pronounced eyes. However, I visited the Benjamin Buttons site and her nomination is not included in headlines that the open the site! WHAT ..... I'm sorry but shouldn't the actors who made the movie a success be mentioned before best visual effects?
CONGRATULATIONS to these 2 talented, beautiful sistas! Whoever wins (I hope they both do!) I will be happy for her! Sistas representing our talent to the world on the big screen, the tradition continues!
@ Sandra, who said: ...but I wonder if most of the voting members of the Academy will actually be familiar enough with her work to vote for her...
Voting Academy members are required to watch all of the performances of the actors in the category that they are voting for. Voting members are sent DVDs of the movies; although, some members will go to the theatre to see the movie. The vote is for the performance, so it is not necessary that a voting member be familiar with an actor's [past] work in order to cast his vote for that person.
Of course, the voting is done on the Honour System, for some voting members will give their votes to those whom they know personally (a friend), or those whom they feel were snubbed in years past by the Academy. And not all members watch all of the movies they are sent--but most do. Most voting members abide by the rules. (Viola Davis will probably get George Clooney's vote: He admires and respects her talent, and they are good friends. When she got married, as a wedding gift, he gave her his villa in Italy to stay at for her honeymoon.)
@daphne
Actually, I think Perry will get the last laugh.
The Oscars have been shedding viewers like crazy for nearly a decade. The one exception was the year that Lord of the Rings: Return of King swept the Oscars, which enjoyed a big jump in ratings.
Bottom line, the Oscars need at least one blockbuster to avoid losing more viewers. The current picks for Best Picture don't fit that bill as explained below:
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/smason/2009/01/22/oscarsnub/
In short, falling ratings and too many obscure picks reinforce the image of the Oscars being "out of touch" and on the decline. Contrast this with Perry's success going in the opposite direction.
There is such a thing as an awards shows trying to be too "hip" for its own good.
Viola Davis played Fantasia Barrino's mother in that Lifetime movie. It reran last week.
I went to IMDB.com to look up the cast (didn't know who anyone was except Kadeem Hardison, Loretta Devine, and of course, Fantasia), and wow. That's a huge step to go from a cheesy Lifetime movie (it was a decent movie, but cheesy and overacted at parts) to an Oscar nomination. Best of luck to her.
Curious,
I am furious. How can you not give Taraji at least third billing? I can understand the studio not over promoting the Oscar nominees, but to give Taraji no billing is inexcusable. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Good luck to both of them (although Taraji annoys me ever since seeing her in that ridiculous movie "Baby Boy"). Here's to hoping that one of them (Viola!) gets it.
Viola is a wonderful actor. I've never seen her on Broadway but I understand she is always outstanding.She was Antwon Fisher's deadbeat mother in the movie Antwon Fisher. And I've seen her on several of the Law and Order shows.
Good luck to both Taraji-(who was great in Talk to Me but made me laugh and not in a good way in Baby Boy) and Viola.