Will and Jada aren't going. Spike Lee will be courtside at the Knicks. Tyrese Gibson and 50 Cent want Chris Rock to step down as host of this year's Academy Awards. I get it. I really do. The #OscarsSoWhite hashtag is on-point. The voters dropped the ball last year when they failed to give a nomination to anyone of color in major categories. Ditto for this year, and years before this and last year.
Having said all of this, each nominee these past two years in top categories have been deserving. It's not as if Will Smith was snubbed for Concussion in place of David Spade for Joe Dirt 2. Snubs happen. But to flip it back to the start, something clearly needs to be done. Below, I've compiled a list of nominees of color over the last 15 years that should've received nominations and even won the statue. Before you read my choices (and feel free to put yours down in the comments section below), I'll say this: anyone who is asking Rock to step down is wrong. If ever you want your voice to be heard on these colorless omissions, Rock is the guy. Anyway, read on and weigh in.
Best Picture
Antwone Fisher
Creed
Fruitvale Station
Hotel Rwanda
Straight Outta Compton
Best Actor
Chadwick Boseman - Get on Up
Michael B. Jordan - Fruitvale Station
Oscar Isaac - Inside Llewyn Davis
Derek Luke - Antwone Fisher
David Oyelowo - Selma
Best Actress
Sanaa Lathan - Love & Basketball
Gugu Mbatha-Raw - Belle
Kitana Kiki Rodriguez - Tangerine
Adepero Oduye - Pariah
Michelle Yeoh - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Best Supporting Actor
Benecio Del Toro - Sicario
Idris Elba - Beasts of No Nation
Jamie Foxx - Ali
Samuel L. Jackson - Django Unchained
Jason Mitchell - Straight Outta Compton
Best Supporting Actress
Viola Davis - Antwone Fisher
Shareeka Epps - Half Nelson
Taraji P. Henson - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Thandie Newton, Crash
Ziyi Zhang - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Best Director
Ryan Coogler - Fruitvale Station
Ryan Coogler - Creed
Guillermo del Toro - Pan's Labyrinth
Ava DuVernay - Selma
F. Gary Gray - Straight Outta Compton
For additional Oscar coverage from A-Sides, click here.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman:
Jon Chattman's music/entertainment series typically features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists featured on the series include Imagine Dragons, Melissa Etheridge, Air Supply, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, fun, Bleachers, Charli XCX, Marina and the Diamonds, and Bastille.