I live for moments like Three Six Mafia winning an Oscar. Every day, I wake up and hope for something like that. I don’t take too much from the fact that they actually won the thing. Oh no, it’s all about the acceptance speech.
It is in the acceptance speech that the fun starts. See, people are generally so happy when they get an award that they don’t stop and think what they might want to say. Especially when they don’t expect to win. So when Juicy J, Paul and the rest got up there to win the award, we knew we were going to get something pretty spontaneous.
And when brothers are being spontaneous, they really don’t give a damn about what white people think.
And it’s those moments that I live for.
The biggest hubbub about Three Six at the Oscars was Terrence Howard’s decision not to perform “Hard Out Here For a Pimp”–which is actually a pretty good song, definitely out of step with most of the Mafia’s catalog. I kept forgetting to write about that, but I’ll say it now–Howard’s a clown for not performing the song.
What’s the reason? Some have said he didn’t and should not have because he’s not a rapper. Whatever. He did a capable job on the soundtract, so there’s no reason that he shouldn’t have done it on the stage.
Others have tried to tell me that he didn’t want to represent that on the largest stage. See, that qualifies as caring about what white people think. No good with me. Plus, he had no problem doing that shit when there was a check on the line, and he had no issue when “Hustle and Flow” got a nationwide release. No problems at all.
If he got a little weak kneed doing that song in front of the Academy, then he’s got some issues that he needs to clear up. Big ones. Playing that role and rapping on that song are the reason that those same white people know his name. This was a career defining moment–and he put on a helluva performance, btw–and he didn’t perform the song that served as the emotional centerpiece of the movie. That makes absolutely no sense.
Sounds like tapdancin’ to me, and that’s just no good. Further, it makes no sense.
What also bothered me was the way that so many people felt the need to put this song in a larger context to justify its nomination. Ludacris introduced the song and had to use other songs that have won Oscars to somehow show this song deserved to be nominated. There was absolutely no need for that. The song was about a pimp in a movie about a pimp. There was no need to say anything more than that. To defend the song in a moment like that reminds me of what them country folks say–a hit dog will holler. Think about that one for a second.
(And props to Jon Stewart, who managed to handle the situation with great humor without poking fun at Three Six for simply being who they are.)
But oh no, that’s not what bothered me most from the Oscars. The worst thing to happen that night was that “Crash” actually on Best Picture.
You gotta be fuckin’ kidding me. That oversimplified movie won Best Picture. A movie that boiled racial animus down to a world where people get fed up and volley racial slurs and stereotypes won Best Picture.
Wow.
And don’t get me started on the plot, which was chaotically perfect by design but still took away from the socially important message the filmmakers tried to convey.
When “Crash” came out, I saw it. It was okay. It was obvious that it was one of thsoe movies I had to see just so I knew what people were talking about. And what were people talking about? How thought provoking it was. How it pulled no punches and forced people to reconsider their views on race.
If “Crash” made you rethink anything, you weren’t rethinking. You were just thinking for the first time. I firmly believe that anyone that finds “Crash” to be a great film needs to go get a library card.
The problems with race in America are way too nuanced to be encapsulated like they were in this movie. This wasn’t “Do The Right Thing,” which used a fantastic metaphor–the blazing hot day–to show what simmered below the surface. “Crash” was far more lazy in trying to make its point, and that made it something I didn’t feel bad about seeing but not worth no eight dollars.
And it’s the Best Picture.
Wow.
For those looking for signals on how far we have to go in terms of race, look no further than that award. Absolutely befuddling.
(If you liked Crash, please get on here and let me know why. I saw it so long ago that I can’t give direct examples.)
Well, that’s that. Going to the ACC tournament this week, so I’m pretty happy with the universe.
Oh, and does anyone know the score of the Carolina/Duke game?
25 Comments
by james
About Crash-
I liked the movie because of the emotion that it created in me. From early in the movie (when Terrence Howard’s wife was molested), I was emotionally hooked. Furthermore, there were a lot of well rounded characters – ones that weren’t simple, who had good and bad charactersitics.
That said, looking back I felt like the movie relied too much on contrived emotion (for instance, who isn’t going to feel for the little girl trying to protect her father? or for a husband forced to watch his wife get raped?) This is what I think you mean when you say that the movie is overly simplistic. I think this simplicity is what comes when you make a movie about race – the interesting thing about Do the Right Thing is that its not just about race – it’s about people. It’s lessons are highly applicable to situations where race isn’t the issue.
Crash, however, still deserves praise. Most movies today are plot driven instead of character driven. So when you get more than one character in a movie (Such as Crash provides, despite its plot driven nature), you tend to get exctied. Moreover, there a lot of white people with library cards who still don’t understand that racial issues poison us everyday – lot’s of us didn’t grow up having it shoved in our faces. We know that racism occurs, but we’ve never really seen it (yes, that makes us niave). One of the benefits to crash is that it shows it – even if it is simplistic.
Good points. The one thing I forgot to mention–Crash would have been good for a lot more if it added to the dialogue instead of rehashing it.
by Stephanie
First off, I loved the fact that 3 Six Mafia performed the song, as opposed to Terence Howard (in the guise of DJay). It would kinda be like Joaquin Phoenix performing as Johnny Cash (if any of those songs had been nominated), a little weird. Not really sure about the tap dancing for the man part. Could just be that as an actor, he wasn’t really in the same place (you know the whole method thing), that he was when he executed his performance in the movie. Also, heard that some older black actors encouraged him not to perform the song, so who knows. How fantastic is it that 3 Six are now Oscar winners! I also agree that all of the placing the song within a context thing was a bit out of hand. And who knew Taraji Henson could blow!
Saw Crash a long time ago, so I’ll try to recall as much as I can. I was definitely surprised at the Best Picture win, not because I didn’t think it was a great movie, but because Brokeback was definitely the one to beat. I have a question for you. If you don’t think that Crash deserved to win the Oscar, then what should have? I have to admit, I haven’t seen any of the other nominees, so can’t really talk about how Crash compares to them. I do know that I had an emotional response to Crash. Yes, it was a little cheesy and ham handed in spots, but to me it was more about the intersection of the various lives involved, and I thought the direction and overall style of the movie illustrated that beautifully. Also, I think that it’s a very “L.A.” movie, and is sort of meant for the audience that voted it best picture. Hollywood types who are content to orbit around each other, and don’t realize that there are all sorts of lives lived beyond the tips of their own noses. Also, saw Chapelle’s Block Party yesterday. There’s definitely an interesting article to be written about the Bed Stuy of Do The Right Thing vs. the Bed Stuy mostly alluded to in this film.
I do agree that Crash was a very Los Angeles movie, and perhaps that adds to the effect for a lot of people. I lived in SoCal for two years and that aspect of things didn’t do much for me, to be honest. Like you, I haven’t seen the other nominees, so perhaps I’ll rephrase–if “Crash” was the best movie of 2005, 2005 was the worst year in movie history.
And I’ll have more on Chappelle’s Block Party tomorrow. If you haven’t seen it, go now. Fuck your job and your boss. Go.
by Ben
Hey, at least “Brokeback Mountain” didn’t win.
by AliaJSmith
I loved Crash.
I am so excited that an indie movie, with an ensemble of actors instead of one dominant lead character, took Best Picture. I screamed and clapped as loudly for Crash as I did for 3-Six (Three-6?)…
…because though it may be simplistic, and though it may raise issues that you think about all the time, the vast majority of Americans (including my stepmom and stepsister) don’t think the way you do – they don’t have to. Crash forced the audience to take an honest look at itself and identify all of those undercurrents we like to pretend don’t exist (I thought Sandra Bullock’s character was probably the best example…)
And of course, I’m no movie critic, and I’m definitely not an expert, but I think the main reason I loved Crash was that it was just beautifully put together – the way all of the stories and people were connected, reinforcing the idea that all of us, different as we are, are somehow joined, even though we’re not always aware of it.
A romantic notion? Definitely. But worth thinking about anyway…
by Valencia
I’ll say this, I saw Crash and thought it was good….for folks who really didn’t get (or want to believe) that this stuff happens everyday and that minorities aren’t just saying that. I’ve heard folks, white, black, etc., say that it isn’t this way and the world has changed, “you are just holding onto to a past grudge,” blah blah blah. They think because it’s a new millinium, the old day tactics don’t stand. Yes they do, and they have been consistently. Just more subtle but that’s even worse in my book. So I thought here is a movie to make those people think.
I thought it was great that 3 6 Mafia got an Oscar…blew the minds of many. Also Ms. Henson had no problem getting up there and singing her part…she did do theater at Howard U. I’m still not sure how I feel about Terrence Howard not even being on stage….just doesn’t sit right with me.
But that’s the thing–the tactics have changed. Many sentiments have not, but tactics have definitely changed.
by hseuss3000
Crash wasn’t Malcom X or Hotel Rwanda, but it was pretty good. Plus it’s the Academy Awards, and I was glad a movie I’ve actually seen or heard of won something. The movie didn’t create new dialogue for me or anyone that has been subject to discrimination and asked why, but it was articstically cool.
As for Terrence Howard, that nigga was Greg Sparks and there’s nothing more embarassing than that. Hell, he was even in that terrible 50 Cent movie. If he thought enough of 3-6 to let them perform in front of an audience that would probably never see them that’s commendable. However, if he was worried about what them white folks thought, he deserves to be stuck on UPN for the rest of his career.
Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the Seuss.
by Kirk
I’m just glad I didn’t have to watch Jamie Foxx try to be Ray Charles again.
by microbano
For starters, using popular culture as a bellweather to determine “how far we have come in terms of race in America” is an exercise in futility. In fact, using popular culture as a bellweather to determine how far we’ve come in terms of ANYTHING in America save and except how far we’ve come in terms of the sophistication of our marketers and the creativity or stagnation of our popular artists.
With that out of the way, I think BoJ is missing the reason Crash won best picture. I agree with him in parts – I did not walk out of it thinking that it had much to do with race at all. It was manipulative and well-crafted and reminded me more of American Beauty than it did of Malcolm X or Do the Right Thing or Hotel Rwanda or even The Constant Gardner. It had every Hollywood cliche packed in there (think of the penultimate car crash) and then made you forget that they were cliches at all simply because they were so well done. I walked away from Crash thinking it was about isolation, and just how hard it is to make the human connections that lead to sound thought in a place where everyone has individual climate control.
The only other nominated film I saw was Brokeback Mountain. Which would have gotten my vote over Crash in a second. But then, perhaps that’s an indication of how far we’ve come in terms of gay rights in America.
by tavares
I tend to think I am up on the race issue.
I also thought Crash was a great movie. I even identified with Matt Dillons character. As a black dude, that is hard to do…especially after what he did to Terrence’s wife. Even if it leaves the world blind, vindication is the mantra of too many human relations. It’s the easy way out…it’s the release for the frustrated. This does not make it right…but it helps you understand. Race relations are complicated at times…look at what is going on in Southern Cali:
http://quimoto.com/viewtopic.php?t=1191
Crash helped mainstream kumbaya people understand this.
Matt Dillons potna with the flatulence problem was the scary racist. He can sneak in and out without being noticed, but his latent racism is much more dangerous.
The lil Hollywood shuffle scene was classic. I wonder if Robert Townsend got some loot for that.
Did anyone notice Luda smirking when he was dissing today’s hip hop?
“De La Soul is here to stay like racism” – posdonus
by Left Coast Vic
Like other folks on this board, I didnt peep all of the movies nominated for “Best Picture.” But I did see Crash and Capote.
Capote was the isht hands down. Its one of the more complete movies I have seen in a while.
To me, Crash was mediocre at best. Some of the storyline was cool, the rest was just down right absurd. It doesnt even hit me on that native-Angelino level. Come on, name a white cop who is willing to pick up a hitch-hiking black dude in the middle of the night? Also, when have the cops cornered someone with drawn guns, and then just left?
BTW – I am not getting car jacked by no Larenz Tate- looking dude. I will take my chances swinging.
Straight up, Larenz Tate’s about a foot shorter than me. Now I’m tall, but not that tall.
by mamis62
Three things:
1) Perhaps Terrence Howard didn’t perform because he just didn’t want to PERFORM. There’s a big difference between doing a song in a recording studio and doing it in front of 1 billion people on live TV.
2) FWIW, I thought Ludacris’s remarks were kind of funny — wasn’t he just making a bunch of double entendres of songs that were obviously not sexual? “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” was from The Lion King. I dunno, I liked it.
3) I didn’t hate Crash, but I thought it was unremarkable. I’m always happy when independent movies made for little money do well, but IMO Brokeback Mountain was a brilliant movie, far better than Crash. Oh well.
by eauhellzgnaw
A lot of people seem to be very upset by Crash’s victory. I had no real desire to watch it. I even rented it and let it sit before I returned it. It just seems like some mediocre Hollywood attempt at “edginess.” If Terence Howard ducked out because he was ashamed, I wouldn’t fault him as much as you do. Now, you’re right about the fact that he took the paycheck, and that this part has probably increased his salary significantly; however, in interviews, he clearly had reservations about playing a pimp. The fact that the Academy will for the most part only recognize black folks who play demons (Denzel) or ridiculously stereotyped characters (Halle) could have weighed on him as he was on the biggest stage of his life. As far as 3-6-Mafia, I really don’t care, as I didn’t care about Eminem’s song last year. I have never liked their music, and even if I did, I wouldn’t need the Academy Awards to valide it. The AA is a joke, foreal. Why folks are still invested in any Awards show is beyond me.
by Shot Clock
I think when you consider the originality of the movie Crash it is easier to see why it won Best Picture. It’s originality is also what won the best Original Screenplay Oscar. I think that the fact that Brokeback Mountain and Capote were adapted screenplays from novels had something to do with it.
As I watching the moments leading up to the Best Picture award I really thought that Brokeback Mountain would win it because I thought maybe it was a chance to make a social statement about the controversial topic of homosexuality. And then after Crash won the Oscar, I thought, well that makes sense…why not give the Oscar to a movie that focuses on another controversial issue (racism) instead of another controversial issue (homosexuality). I think that ultimately the Academy might have been more apprehensive to a relatively new (in terms of legislation) topic in film such as homosexuality than a more prevalent epidemic such as race. In my head, I was thinking that the predominantly white people in the Academy with the votes will probably have an easier time defending giving Best Picture to a movie dealing with race relations than gays. Ain’t that a trip?
Anyways, I agree with the fact that when the originality of the screenplay met the tales of the bigger-than-average characters of Crash and the innovative and new-style direction of Paul Haggis, it’s hard not to give that award to them. I haven’t seen all the nominated films but it’s actually refreshing to know that a movie like Crash can win a Best Picture. It’s usually a overly serious and boring drama or a sci-fi that just isn’t that interesting to anyone who isn’t familiar with Froto or Darth Vader.
As far as Terrance Howard not performing, I don’t think anyone should take it personally. He’s a grown man who exercised his freedom of choice. I don’t think anyone should be offended, because as someone said, it’s kind of like the equivalent of asking Joaquin Phoenix to perform Johnny Cash, and then scrutinizing him if he declined. They’re actors and not musicians. I think Howard just let the musicians (Three 6 Mafia) handle it; I don’t blame him.
All and all, if you really look at the movies that came out this year, including Munich and Capote, as well as racially-based movies such as King Kong and Crash, and movies that deal with the issue that America will eventually have to deal with in Brokeback Mountain, I think the majority of critics would say that 2005 was one of the best years for motion pictures in American history. I may not agree with all of them, or love all of them, but they’re have been a handful of great original works this year.
If Phoenix was asked to perform a Cash song–which is a totally useless comparison, but whatever–do you think he’d turn it down because Johnny popped pills? I don’t.
by Rex
Oh, Jesus Fuck! Get off Terrence’s ass…
🙂
I abhor actors who think they can get up there and pull off a live performance that they did in a movie. There’s a reason they’re actors, and not vocal performers. He had all the benefits of movie magic to get that song just right for the film. I applaud him for letting professionals performers do it.
Everything I’ve seen about Terrence leads me to believe he’s a smart dude, an incredible actor, and probably not a good singer/rapper. He’s just moved himself from a nameless character actor into a budding A-list star. Why fuck it up by bombing at the Oscars by doing something that he originally did by “acting?” (By the way, he’s a pretty good guitarist as evidenced in “The Best Man.”)
Don’t we have enough J-Los out there? Actors who can’t sing for shit?
No, I don’t think Joaquin nor Reese would have performed either. I thought they sounded great in the movie, but later listened to them on iTunes, without the visuals big screen, and it was very mediocre. There have been plenty of actors who sang in films who didn’t perform at the Oscars, not singers who act (Queen Latifa pulled it off because she DOES sing).
–
Anyway, I just saw Kirby Puckett passed away on ESPN. That sucks. I remember seeing my first pro sporting event of any kind in 1988–Milwaukee Brewers vs. California Angels–and Kirby was 20 feet away from me in right field. He’s the ONE thing I remember from that event.
by Rex
Sorry, I’m having a bad day, and vented on this board…
I do the same thing all the time. But the other difference between this and any Cash example–Walk the Line used actual Cash recordings. Terrence Howard performs these songs on the soundtrack.
by Rex
Unless I’m misunderstanding your point, the soundtrack on iTunes (and probably in stores as well) for “Walk the Line” was actually Joaquin and Reese all the way. No actual Cash recordings. At least that’s what I’ve heard from critics, etc.
In which case, I don’t know what I’m talking about.
by strong4u
I think T.H. was smart not to perform the song. He wants to be taken as a serious, diverse actor and not typecast. It’s already hard enough out here for a pimp without being pigeonholed into certain characters. In addition, Three-6 Mafia looked like fools in my book, mainly because I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. The vocals by the beautiful Ms. Taraji Henson is what I remember most.
I can’t believe I’m typing this, but after hearing all of the nominated songs, I thought Dolly Parton’s was the most moving. The message in her song was very powerful and last night was the first time I heard it.
Instead of talking about how Howard would be typecast by performing this song–btw, would he be typecast if he had to win an award for that role?–why isn’t anyone protesting the set of attitudes that creates the potential for being typecast?
by williethepimp
J-lo is a dancer. As for Howard, I see nothing wrong with letting the songwriters perform the song.
by Rex
Yes, Jennifer Lopez did start out as a dancer, I forgot. You’re right. But, she first came to prominence as an actor. I really liked her movies early in her career. I wish I had a school teacher like her in “Jack the Bear.” After Selena, I think she just became too popular and did every role offered to her…
And then, she opened her mouth, and sang…
Anyway, sorry, I’ve been guilty of steering away from Bomani’s original topic.
by Rex
Oops! I menat the movie “Jack”—scratch “the Bear.”
by Kirk
I agree with Rex. I’d be much happier if alleged actors would quit trying to sing too, and vice versa. No more Madonna movies, no more Mariah Carey movies, and no more Jamie Foxx albums. For that matter, no more Jamie Foxx TV shows, movies, commercials, print ads, or public appearances of any kind would be nice too.
And the Johnny Cash/Joaquin Phoenix analogy is ultimately a useless one. I see the point that’s trying to be made, but it’s way way off. Cash, for better or worse, is considered a legend by a whole lot of people, especially after having died relatively recently. Three Six Mafia, on the other hand is not. Had anyone gone up there and tried to do a Johnny Cash song, they’d have had to dig Johnny up and have him sitting next to them so they could at least try to claim it was a duet. Otherwise, no dice.
On the other hand, the majority of the people watching and involved with that awards show couldn’t care less about Three Six Mafia. Anybody could have gone up there to do the song, and very few people would have noticed the difference.
by Tiff
Here’s the thing-Crash should have won if it was (relatively) the best movie of the year. Even without having seen the other nominees, I find it a bit hard to believe that that was the best thing the Academy could have come up with. Much of the accolades and hype for the movie centered around its purported attempts to push the envelope and really explore issues of race and racism in a meaningful way. I believe it failed on both counts. It wasn’t a terrible movie, just not that great. My cousin told me it was the best movie she’d seen in a long time so I sort of had high expectations. I did see a lot of contrived situations (bordering on after-school specials) with a great cast of actors. I did see a lot of emotional tear jerkers (and I’m always good for a cry in a movie!). But here’s the reason why it should not have won-I didn’t walk out of that movie thinking any differently about race. Throwing up a bunch of random sterotypes on screen doesn’t constitute nuance or deep thought or bravery. More importantly, it just isn’t that interesting.
by Ron
I’m with you. Crash wasn’t worth Best Picture, unless it was Best Mediocre Picture. I mean, the cast was fine and the people in it pretty much acted well.
But the story felt so disingenuine that I wasn’t really sure how to feel about it other than to leave and cleanse myself of having ever seen it, because it was clear that some people were gonna go in there and feel like it was some sort of meaningful film on race.
As for Three 6 Mafia, I watched the Oscars JUST to see them perform and I didn’t realize they’d put them on last of three songs and then they’d end up pulling the win.
I don’t think Terrance Howard, as a Best Actor nominee should have performed at the Oscars. I think that was the real issue. If he wasn’t nominated, I don’t know that there would’ve been the same hooha about it.
It’s not about the kowtowing to white people, though he tends to overact in his interviews, just like he does in his movies to me.
That’s just me though.
by rattlerbrat
How it pulled no punches and forced people to reconsider their views on race.
Except for the punch that would’ve explored the relationship between the white D.A. and his young, black assistant whom he just so happened to be fucking. Can’t have that.
When was the last time the Oscars were decent, anyway? When Triple 6 Mafia is in the category with the only deserved win, that’s saying a lot. (Well, them and Reese Witherspoon.)
by If all teachers were this hot...
Everybody I know was calling me the night of the Oscars, you know, since I’m from Memphis and all. Since you brought them up, allow me to make a few points that I’ve been dying to share: 1) No, March 6 (the day after the Oscars aired) will never be dubbed “Three6 Mafia Day” in Memphis. The Three6 victory will definately not be the “Atlanta celebrates OutKast’s album of the year deal” in M-town. White folks just ain’t havin’ it. 2) Some idiot sent an email over a listserv I subscribe to and started ranting about Three6 being given the win because the Academy is afraid of the NAACP. Like, when the fuck do YOU expect the NAACP to champion a cause like racial discrimination against Three6 by the Academy? Right after the Klan does, that’s when.