94th Annual Academy Awards Thread

[Cachoo]

I love that the slapdown has woke twitter all bothered and unable to decide which position is correct.

I’m curious to see how this lands with the comedians out there. They may jump to defend Rock which may mean more headaches for Will and Jada.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

I’m curious to see how this lands with the comedians out there. They may jump to defend Rock which may mean more headaches for Will and Jada.

As opposed to (literally) Chris Rock.

 

[Buzz]

It is never okay to resort to violence over something like a tasteless joke. Especially against someone (Chris Rock) who is smaller in size. Millions of young people idolize Will Smith and he showed them the worst possible way to deal with a problem. JMHO

 

[overedge]

I do enjoy a good Hollywood weenie roast: Please next year have Ricky Gervais host. Please, please, please.... I am am now so glad that Benedict did not win on this night. He will have other chances and hopefully better ceremonies.

Either him or Wanda Sykes (on her own). She was giving some serious snarkage last night, it was great.

I haven't seen any of the nominated films and now I don't plan to, with the exception of CODA which I can't see because it's on a streaming service I don't get

However, I love documentaries and I did see two of the feature nominees this year. I was pretty sure that Summer of Soul was going to win, and it's a wonderful film, but if you have the chance to see Writing With Fire, please do. It's a very inspirational and heartfelt film about a group of Dalit (former "untouchable" caste) women in India who run a newspaper/website/YouTube channel that does investigative journalism on their state's politics. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[VGThuy]

I want a host who seems to actually like the art of cinema.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Either him or Wanda Sykes (on her own). She was giving some serious snarkage last night, it was great.

I haven't seen any of the nominated films and now I don't plan to, with the exception of CODA which I can't see because it's on a streaming service I don't get

However, I love documentaries and I did see two of the feature nominees this year. I was pretty sure that Summer of Soul was going to win, and it's a wonderful film, but if you have the chance to see Writing With Fire, please do. It's a very inspirational and heartfelt film about a group of Dalit (former "untouchable" caste) women in India who run a newspaper/website/YouTube channel that does investigative journalism on their state's politics. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The hilarious Wanda Sykes over (IMHO) self-satisfied, self-important Ricky Gervais a million times.

 

[ballettmaus]

It is never okay to resort to violence over something like a tasteless joke.

I'd say it's never okay to resort to violence (unless it's self-defense), period. I think people on social media excuse Smith's slap because it was just a slap and completely forget that we've heard the excuse (he was provoked) often enough when a weapon was involved or from someone who beats their wife and/or child or from someone who committed sexual harrassment/assault. They don't think it's okay then and I think they need to remember that it's not okay now either because often time, it starts small and then turns into something bigger.

That said, Chris Rock was also wrong. Whether he knew or not, maybe simply refrain from making jokes at other people's expense?

 

[Deleted member 1204]

It is never okay to resort to violence over something like a tasteless joke. Especially against someone (Chris Rock) who is smaller in size. Millions of young people idolize Will Smith and he showed them the worst possible way to deal with a problem. JMHO

Especially since I am 99% sure it was all fake. A stupid move that could have all kinds of bad repercussions.

 

[vgerdes]

Especially since I am 99% sure it was all fake. A stupid move that could have all kinds of bad repercussions.

I'd believe that if it hadn't been for the expression on Chris Rock's face. He was completely caught off guard, IMO.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Especially since I am 99% sure it was all fake. A stupid move that could have all kinds of bad repercussions.

Are you saying that Will Smith was possessed by the spirit of Tony Clifton?

 

[screech]

I fully expect Chris Rock to apologize and say he had it coming, therefore taking the blame off Will.
I completely understand Will being upset, but his reaction was way out of line (I can't believe the people on Twitter applauding him). If he'd just done the shouting part of his reaction, it would have been uncomfortable, but more understandable and acceptable. What also gets me is the people comforting/consoling Will but we don't hear about anyone comforting/consoling the person who was actually physically attacked.
I also think that if it were anyone else, they would have (and should have) been escorted out by security, with the award 'accepted on their behalf'. Not sitting in their seat laughing at other jokes in the broadcast. Not at the afterparties laughing, dancing and singing along to their own song, while surrounded by fans. Not praised as being a 'proper husband' for hitting someone.

Was Chris Rock's joke in poor taste? Absolutely, even if he was completely aware of Jada's condition. Was it illegal? No. Was Will's reaction in poor taste? Absolutely, even if he had good intentions. Was it illegal? Yes.

 

[overedge]

Jada Pinkett Smith seems to be more than capable of standing up for herself. The joke was directed at her, and she could have just as easily gotten into Chris Rock's face about it - not that she should have punched him like Will Smith did. This whole "he was just defending his wife" excuse is so tiresome.

 

[PRlady]

Well that’s the thing. Very few of us are straight guys, and the commandment to Defend Thy Woman is ingrained at a young age especially in honor societies. There are a lot of guys, Black and white, who think Will showed the kind of manliness there isn’t enough of anymore.

And there are a lot of women, Black and white, on Twitter saying No Thank You.

 

[VGThuy]

Well that’s the thing. Very few of us are straight guys, and the commandment to Defend Thy Woman is ingrained at a young age especially in honor societies. There are a lot of guys, Black and white, who think Will showed the kind of manliness there isn’t enough of anymore.

And there are a lot of women, Black and white, on Twitter saying No Thank You.

There are also a lot of women applauding Will too saying they expect their man to do that, which goes back to how you said so much of that attitude is ingrained in men.

This whole thing has jump started a whole convo and is revealing some big differences among people.

 

[cocotaffy]

Coda is a recent French movie remake and imo a remake should never be nominated for best movie and best director. Where is the original vision in that ? Happy for Jane Campion and Jessica Chastain though.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

Coda is a recent French movie remake and imo a remake should never be nominated for best movie and best director. Where is the original vision in that ? Happy for Jane Campion and Jessica Chastain though.

I guess you would have hated the Best Picture and Best Director awards for 1958 and 1959.

 

[quartz]

If I were to be insulted by some guy, I would fully expect my husband to get out of my way so I could have the satisfaction of yipping back.

 

[overedge]

The other part of this that troubles me is that Black people are already under-represented in Hollywood, and also marginalized for the most part. Unfortunately I can see this blow-up reinforcing racist stereotypes that Black people are dangerous because they are aggressive and can't control themselves.

 

[Judy]

What Led Up to Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars after taking offense to a joke he told about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith.

time.com

I’m happy I am not a Hollywood star btw.

 

[jenny12]

Yeah, as everyone has said here, violence is never the answer. Will Smith could have waited until his speech and then said, “hey, Chris, that was hurtful” and explained the situation that Jada is going through with hair loss.

Our first instinct shouldn’t be resorting to violence in any situation unless your life is in danger. In addition, while Chris is OK, any kind of punch can lead to serious injury or worse if it connects in the wrong spot.

 

[Vash01]

Sounds like I missed an 'interesting' Oscar ceremony. LOL.

I wouldn't have approved the slap in the face of Chris Rock, no matter how bad his joke/statement was.

 

[screech]

Will has issued a statement that includes a public apology to Chris. IMO it's one of those generic ones that celebrities often do, and happens to come out just after the Academy announced they've launched a formal review.

I can't be bothered to search for a link right now, but I also read that after the slap Academy bigwigs considered having Will removed, but by the time they'd run through the possible scenarios he'd already won and the ceremony was almost over. (So apparently it takes half an hour to determine whether someone should be removed after striking another person).

 

[Allskate]

Will has issued a statement that includes a public apology to Chris. IMO it's one of those generic ones that celebrities often do, and happens to come out just after the Academy announced they've launched a formal review.

Yeah. It took a long time for his publicist to write and release that statement. It's pretty clear that they did it only because of the announced review. I can't take a written apology seriously when it comes out in that timeframe. If there appears to be any real fallout for him in terms of his career I expect that he soon will announce that he's going to counseling.

I am sad for so many reasons that there are people defending and even applauding Will Smith's conduct.

It seems like Smith has no issue with bald jokes when he's the one making them:

Will Smith Cracks Bald Joke in Video Resurfaced After Chris Rock Slap

The joke was in reference to "The Arsenio Hall Show" bassist John B. Williams.

www.newsweek.com

 

[clairecloutier]

I was thinking how it kind of rings a false note for Will Smith to take on this very traditional “protect-my-woman” role when it’s well known that he and Jada have a rather nontraditional marriage.

 

[Desperado]

Saw a comment on Twitter saying that through his whole acceptance speech, he didn't even thank Jada. Can't believe I didn't even notice. All this huffing and puffing supposedly for her and he doesn't even address her in such a big moment.

It was never about her.

 

[overedge]

Saw a comment on Twitter saying that through his whole acceptance speech, he didn't even thank Jada. Can't believe I didn't even notice. All this huffing and puffing supposedly for her and he doesn't even address her in such a big moment.

It was never about her.

TBH his speech sounded like something that his publicist threw together during the commercial break. "You were protecting her just like Richard protected his girls, talk about that for a while."

It says a lot about him, and not in a good way, that he didn't open his speech with "I'm sorry for what I just did" and then carry on with whatever he had planned to say in advance.

 

[overedge]

I also read that after the slap Academy bigwigs considered having Will removed, but by the time they'd run through the possible scenarios he'd already won and the ceremony was almost over. (So apparently it takes half an hour to determine whether someone should be removed after striking another person).

If some random person from the audience ran up and punched Chris Rock, they would have been grabbed and rushed out of there before they had time to turn around.

 

[4rkidz]

Watched Belfast, absolutely loved it. Related as I was a few years younger but remember growing up with the ‘troubles’ and Chitty chitty bang bang.
Tried to watch ’Power of the dog, lasted half hour. Looking forward to seeing Coda.

 

[Cachoo]

Saw a comment on Twitter saying that through his whole acceptance speech, he didn't even thank Jada. Can't believe I didn't even notice. All this huffing and puffing supposedly for her and he doesn't even address her in such a big moment.

It was never about her.

I think we will be unpacking this evening for awhile. I do wonder about how Will sees himself given that Jada had talked about Tupac as a great love. And Tupac was badass which Will is not (and that is ok.) Didn’t he laugh initially when Rock made the joke?

 

[Lacey]

Sorry, I am just a little outraged by Will Smith punching Chris Rock after he (perhaps unknowingly) told a bad joke.

It's a little late for Will Smith to be apologizing to Chris Rock, only after the show announced an investigation the next night.

In fact, the slap never should have happened in the first place.

And when it happened, fast action on the part of the show should have taken place, Will should have been removed. He stayed all night, and could even still be complaining or laughing about the incident at the after parties for which he was allowed to stay.

In my mind, perhaps conservative, Will should also not be permitted next year to give out the Best Actor Award, as is traditional.

And, perhaps the city of LAPD, now that Chris Rock has said he will not pursue the matter, should investigate whether or not Will Smith should be cited or perhaps arrested. Violence is unacceptable.