Oscar Best Picture Nominee: Selma

With the Oscars coming up in a little over a week, I decided I would take these next few days to discuss my opinions of the Best Picture Nominees.

"Selma"

Directed by Ava DuVernay

Written by Paul Webb

Starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tom Wilkinson and Tim Roth

Based on Martin Luther King's campaign to secure voting rights for black citizens, "Selma" focus' on the organization of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965 and the violent attack by State Police Officer's that became known as "Bloody Sunday".

The story of Selma, Alabama is an incredible one. And while this movie captures the events that happened and the people involved, at times it fails to capture any emotion.  Presented more like a History Channel exclusive documentary (Pre-Pawn Stars and the decline of the network), I felt like this was more an imagining of a High School text book than a movie.

There is controversy surrounding this movie, because Al Sharpton believes that David Oyelowo and Ava DuVernay deserved nominations. And while he is right about Oyelowo (although every actor nominated for Best Leading Actor deserves it and Oyelowo was just an unfortunate snub due to lack of space) he is wrong about DuVernay.

"I have an opinion on everything because I became a minister at the age of 9

which means I'm an expert in everything including film making, the way the

Academy Award nominees are chosen (Angry White Guy in an Office picking

anyone who isn't of color) and of course, quilting."

-Al Sharpton… Probably

In fact, there are only two weaknesses to this movie. Oprah Winfrey, who should have no part in acting in movies and Ava DuVernay. Her directing made a potentially beautiful, emotional film about the civil rights movement, into a flat, reserved story that was hard to connect with. The common misconception among filmmakers who make films based on actual events is the assumption that the audience will be emotional for the sake that it is a historical occurrence. 

The shining light in this film are the performances of a few actors, primarily David Oyelowo's portrayal of the late Dr. King. His speeches are stirring and inspirational as they were when spoken by MLK himself. He, along with the song "Glory" (nominated for Best Original Song), provide the only emotional foundation of this film. 

And despite what others would say, I believe other films deserved the Best Picture nomination before this one did. It may seem contradicting for me to say this now, but this movie is worth seeing. I just think calling it one of the eight best pictures is a bit of a stretch.

Perhaps it's because of the events that occurred on this bridge,

but Edmund Pettus just sounds like a name of a racist.

My Rating: 7.5/10