True Story: So This Is Cinematography Now?

(via Joseph Kahn)
Behind the scenes of 'Avatar'
Things just got really interesting at film school...

APERITIF: What 'Avatar' is trying to say about the future of being 'White' in America, PT. 1

Congratulations to K. BIG!!

I'd also like to congratulate all the hypemen who brought 'The Hurt Locker's' post-Box office presence back to center stage by penning the ultimate metanarrative: directordivorcegate-2010.

(Forget that lackluster list of contenders--the real award should go to you!)

But Bigelow v Cameron beefs aside, my personal (and, largely, FAILED!) 'Precious' campaign aside, please allow me to sip my Hater-ade one mo' gain.

preOSCAR: The AMPAS "PR Nightmare of epic proportions"

The narrative around the narratives:

Sooooooooo...the top Oscar contenders--each weighing in with 9 noms apiece for their films Hurt Locker and Avatar--are ex husband and wife!

Yes: Kathryn Bigelow--only the 4th woman to be nominated in the Oscars' Best Director category, and the absolute 1st woman to receive the DGA honor--used to be Booskied up with James 'produceamoviebymebabyandbeaZillionaire' Cameron.

HOWZ'ABOUT THAT!?

Before I get into what John Luchetti said over at FilmStage.com, let me just share this little PSA with the Kathryn Bigelow haters and biters: SIT. DOWN. SHUT. UP.

Folks who binge on -isms never fail to amaze me. People are really trying to discredit her hustle on the premise of a relationship that's been over since 1991. This may come as a shock to some, but I was a full 3 feet shorter in 1991. So if you are that pressed to play Blocker, go 86 yourself.

That being said--you should know by now that I'm an 'Avatar' hater. I can't comment on 'Hurt Locker' beyond saying, I would've never guessed Bigelow directed it, and a mighty 'POW!' to her for wrestling with the big boys on their so-called turf. This is an EXTREMELY major deal when only 6% of the industry is female at the directorial level and even more shameful where cinematographers are concerned, according to Dr. Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. writing for TheBlackBoxOffice.com.

I don't have an issue with James Cameron, so don't think I'm trying to flip the script, but I'll give full vent to my 'Avatar' beef once we get to Oscars week. Trust and know my reasons aren't hardly as patriarchally contrived as the people I just shouted out. I'm very interested, however, in whether or not Luchetti is right. He believes the fact of Cameron's ex-husband status may--and should--get in the way of an 'Avatar' win. Cameron's already enjoyed overwhelming success at this level per 'Titanic', but I'm writing to say two things in particular.

1) I don't think Bigelow would want a sympathy Oscar at the hands of her ex's goodwill and sportsmanship.

2) I don't think Lee Daniels would care for a 'sympathy' Oscar, either. BUT in the name of giving folks their flowers before they're dead, why don't we quell this alleged media-storm before it's time by drumming up the Academy in 'Precious' favor?

Because when has the Academy ever really given an Oscar to Black folks for their actual body of work? It seems to me, that they give melanin-ized nods when they anticipate a drought or happen to remember their 'commitment to diversity' workshops. There's always this backed up stream during some Awards seasons, as if to make up for lost time.

No, really. Look at this list of nominees--not even winners--in the history of the Oscars in Black via Entertainment Weekly. Compare this against the track of Black Oscar winners in the most contentious categories via Indiana University.

So while Bigelow would be the 4th nominated woman, Daniels is only the 2nd Black director nominated, period.

And even after I've intimated my case for a Lee Daniels win...I realize this is ridiculous. It's like fighting for crumbs in the Big House, when we need to just take the whole loaf and burn down the house.

GRRRRRRR....

ONLY Because I heart Tsu'Tey...

...and because I'm in the middle of this self-imposed 'Avatar' deconstructionist project (as we draw nearer to Oscars 2010)--I ran across a story from NaviHomeTree.com which just so happened to mention that Laz Alonso will be starring alongside Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and the incomparable Ruby Dee, as well as Loretta Devine in the pol-com 'Love, Barack.'

Here's my stutter step:

Alonso plays a "handsome, dynamic African American working for the local McCain office."

Hm.

He'll fall in love with Sherawat's character--an Obama volunteer coordinator in the month leading up to--you guessed it--Election Night 2008.

(Is that right...)

All resentment aside, keep on the lookout. According to IMDB, the film is still in the pre-production stages. An interesting concept. Gee, POTUS--look whatcha done did to H'W'D. smh

Since Avatar is begging for attention and all...

with their Golden Globe-ing selves...

I'll give it.

BY POSTING ABOUT LAZ ALONSO AGAIN!

Soooooooooooo...

I was randomly oogling again, and learned that the 'Avatar' used to be a broker on Wall St. (!)

No wonder. No flippin' wonder. He has that jerkish charm, no? This sliver of "Yes, I know. No photos please. And try not to drool. Next."

And Cuban. (Significant because I spent a few weekends ago watching parts 1 and 2 of 'Che.' THA. BIZNESS. And now feel the need to attribute threads of revolutionarium to his physique.)

I see.

That is all.

POST SCRIPT

Maybe it is a waste of a post--BUT when we're discussing eye candy THIS good....

I just can't resist. Shame. Shame. Shame. #smh.com

(From the top: off-guard Laz, sleep-deprived/drunk Laz, ooh a glimmer of Wall Street Laz, full smile Laz, half-smile Laz)

yesi'mHATIN: 'Avatar' tops $1bn ww, and $8m on a schoolday

And the only reason i'm breaking my silence (again...) on 'Avatar' is cuz, yes, I'm HATING!

James Cameron has made it official: he's not worried about competition, he IS the competition.

smh

All I'm saying...is it took a 3-D, 10-foot-tall and aqua blue Zoe Saldana (and Laz Alonso!!!!!!!!!!!) to tell the same story most...browner films been told [sic].

But don't be surprised when we really do take over a planet...

and project a whiteman avatar to 'save' it.

Jus sayin'...not hatin' this time. Just saying.

Now that i'm thinking about it...I recall hating on 'Titanic', too. It just wasn't as deep because I was madly in lust with Leonardo DiCaprio.

okay, so...is it me?

Or is Laz Alonso just the simple truth? Sorry...nothing else.
That is all.

When FOX News says they like a movie...

you should probably run for cover.

Check The Phenomenon, Politics and Art of 'Avatar' .

After I heard the basic story behind 'Avatar', though, I must say...I'm not surprised FOX News is half-behindedly endorsing it. Cuz it's really like...Zoe Saldana as a blue Pocahontas (the Na'vi people in the movie are supposed to be, like, "noble savages") but in Second Life, if it were 1492 in the future.

<*eyeroll>

So Pinkington basically suggests that the "meta-politics" of James Cameron's flick will resonate with lovers of the GreatWhiteHope trope--those who secretly or openly believe in the saving grace of a single-handed white person to tame the savages and save the white, or capitalist beneficiaries of the world.

Pinkington won't exactly own up to his accusations about how he expects "the left" to identify with 'Avatar', so instead he chalks up his admissions to "i report, you decide."

So allow me to translate:

Empire is going to think [and by that, i mean they already think] this is a great idea >> planetary imperialism.

So does art really imitate life?

just saying...just sayin.