Naima loves helping folks find their purpose and follow their dreams while deepening their faith. Often called The Hollywood Christian, she believes everyone should find a reason to dance daily, enjoy the 80 degrees and a breeze of the LaLa at least once, and have her Grandmother's bread pudding or sweet potato pie on holidays. Both are divine! :=) -- Dr. Naima Lett, Author: Confessions of a Hollywood Christian, CoPastor: Hope in the Hills, Beverly Hills
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Yet, our best attempts still only recreate a smidgen of the real Spring that’s happening outside. The LaLa’s Official Flower, the Bird of Paradise, is in full bloom all over the city and it’s beautiful. This South African transplant’s brilliant orange-golden, purplish-blue peaks decorating our yard make me constantly halt and say, “Praise God!”
The Master Stylist
For isn’t God the Original Master Stylist?
Doesn’t He know how to put stuff together and make an “Oh no He didn’t!” statement?
I love Jesus’ words in Luke 12:27-28, “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”
If God clothes the birds of paradise and their pedals sing outside our window, can He not clothe you, me, family, friends? Jesus says “how much more will He clothe” us! How much more! Thus, He gives the command to not worry.
Fam, as Spring breaks forth and flowers burst open, please be reminded that the same Master Stylist who dresses the grass of the field in splendor is able to take care of you and me.
Yesterday, we celebrated: Halfway Home, Keep Running, with Lent Day 20 of 40.
Today and over the weekend, please be encouraged in your joy.
I’ve spoken to several artists and professionals who have been struggling recently with just really tough times. Economic tightness and pushing uphill to “make the dream” come true has been weighing folks down.
Money Cometh
They keep hearing TV tales of other folks saying, “Money cometh!” and wondering why it’s not happening for them.
Last Sunday, I preached from Luke 12. Jesus reminds folks not to worry, especially over daily provision. But here’s what jumped out. When Jesus is asked to settle a family dispute over money, he rebukes a sense of greed and then says: “…not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (vs 15)
Come again
Jesus says that our life does not consist of our possessions, even when we have abundance.
I’ll say that another way:
Our life is not about the stuff, Fam.
Hey, I know this isn’t a popular message right now, especially in the LaLa where many in our family of faith are too chasing fame and fortune (in Jesus’ name). But I’m going to put it out there anyway, since Jesus did.
Our life is not about the stuff.
So, what’s life about?
Jesus says seek God’s kingdom, lay up treasures in heaven, you know, stuff that has nothing to do with acquiring wealth and platforms and worldwide domination and influence, even if we tell ourselves it’s for Him.
That doesn’t mean that we don’t pay our bills (please pay your bills!) and take care of our families. We can have homes and transportation and clothes and wealth. The key is that our life is not wrapped up in the stuff.
We can shout…
We can shout “Money cometh” to the heavens if we like, but if you seek my spiritual advice, I’ll probably pray that you receive work by which that money can cometh in your direction. And then I’ll probably ask what your purpose is, what God has laid on your heart and if you’re doing what you’re born to do. :=)
Have a beautiful weekend!
Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima
Not as in the rehab facility for ex-cons…
But as in DAY 20 of our 40 day Lent.
How are you?
Hanging in there?
Marathon, Not a Sprint
Lent is more like a marathon than a sprint.
The 28th Annual L.A. Marathon kicks into gear next Sunday, March 17th. It “never” rains in Southern California, but 2 years ago, the LaLa was lit up and it rained allllll day. By the time runners came through the halfway point around Beverly Hills, you would’ve expected many of them to just sit down somewhere. But they didn’t. As you see above, on the famous Rodeo Drive, runners kept on running.
Soak and wet.
But they kept on running.
Keep Running
I don’t know what your obstacles have been, but be encouraged today, Fam. We can choose to keep running. Soak and wet. But we can keep running.
Obstacles, like storms, are expected. But we can keep on running right on through the downpours.
That’s what Paul did. When saying farewell to the elders of Ephesus, Paul explained in Acts 20:22-24, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Paul understood that he was going to face some obstacles, even prison and hardships. But he determined to keep running and finish the race that he had been given.
Can We Get Some Runners?
Fam, can we run like this?
As our elders would’ve said, ‘Come hell or high water’, we’re gonna finish our race! LOL!
We may not be running in the L.A. Marathon, but we can make it on this fast through Easter! Actually, one of our brothers is running in the L.A. 5K, and will be able to relate to this post probably better than all of us. :=)
Let’s do this!
20 down. 20 to go!
Father, Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven…
See you at the finish line.
I’ll be the one dancing with a piece of cheesecake,
Naima
“In just ONE word, how do most people describe you?”
“Direct.” I filled in the blank on my new acting coach’s survey several years ago.
Apparently, the turn-of-the-century shakeups in our industry demanded that artists now do our own development and figure out our brands and types in order to distinguish ourselves amidst thousands working in the LaLa.
One Word or Phrase
We were informed that of Hollywood’s notable everyman stars, Tom Hanks was the “nicest” guy in Hollywood, Will Smith was the most “likeable”, and Denzel Washington was known for his “swagger” and “walk”. Before Tom Cruise jumped on couches, he embodied the “maverick”. Jennifer Aniston claimed “America’s Sweetheart”, while Halle Berry played up her “sex appeal”.
In one word or two, we were expected to sum up the very essence of who we were. That was the cornerstone for laying a solid foundation for success, or so we were told.
What about you?
In just one word, how do most people describe you? ______________
This is a great exercise for all of us, not just artists. It’s a wonderful way to see if our own values and character line up with how we actually impact people’s lives. For example, Will Smith could not maintain the brand of most likeable star if he was horrible to people. TMZ or tween-Tweeters would find out the truth and expose him.
Same thing with us. If we describe ourselves as life-of-the-party, but others describe us as party-pooper, there’s a disconnect somewhere. If we say “Most devoted parent”, would our children back that up? Clive Davis sold us the image that Whitney was our world-class diva in gowns to-die-for, while Bobby Brown’s reality series painted a very different picture. Our one word or phrase has to actually be true.
What about others?
Have you ever tried it with others? Go head. Do it!
As a part of the workshop that I mentioned above, we had to do 2 things: 1) Ask our friends to describe us in one word, and 2) Ask strangers in the mall who just met us to describe us in one word (through a partner). Then we compared all 3 lists of one-word descriptions: ours, our friends’ and folks who just met us. If all 3 lists had similar words, it meant that we had a great understanding of ourselves and our brand and could easily incorporate that into our artistry as well as marketing. If all 3 lists didn’t sync, there was usually an identity crisis. LOL!
My one-word descriptions from all 3 lists were very similar: direct, straightforward, honest, candid, real, passionate, forthright. And folks wanted to see me keep portraying characters that lined up with that persona: lawyer, detective, judge, women who got things done. None of my friends were surprised when God called me to preach. NONE! I have to laugh about that.
How about you? Do your lists sync?
What about Jesus?
We’ve been studying the Book of Luke during this Lenten season leading up to Easter, and Luke 9:18-20 recounts when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
Jesus’ one word is Messiah a.k.a Christ. He was almost thrown off a cliff the first time He announced to His hometown of Nazareth that He fulfilled the Messianic scriptures (Luke 4:14-28). He is the Son of God and was crucified for claiming to be one with God, a King. He proved to be the Messiah as God raised Him from the dead, He ascended into heaven and promised to return. Can you believe this controversy still rages today? Whether or not Jesus is truly the Messiah, the Son of God, or a mere prophet? Who do you say that He is?
Just One Word, Fam
One word or phrase is usually how our entire lives are summed up when we leave this place. We each get an epitaph that sums up our time on earth.
Voice actor Mel Blanc’s epitaph reads “Man of 1000 Voices” with “That’s All Folks” as a nod to his famous work as Porky Pig, Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Daffy Duck, etc.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s engraving rings, “Free at Last!”
I’d like mine to simply say something like, “She preached!” or “The truth sets free!”.
What about you, Fam?
What’s your one word… or phrase?
History Channel’s “The Bible” series (yesterday’s blog) is just the beginning.
Hollywood’s floodgates are bursting open with a plethora of films (based loosely on the Bible) sailing full speed ahead. The first one, due in theaters in 2014, is Paramount’s Noah starring Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe.
Here We Go!
The Hollywood Reporter asked as early as October 2011if “Moses, Noah and Judah Maccabee are the next Bella, Batman and Harry Potter?”
Citing the success of blockbusters like Mel Gibson’s 2004 The Passion of the Christ, which was made for $30 million and grossed over $611 million worldwide, it sounds like Hollywood has sought ways to get in on the money-making action. And in the last 10 years, independent filmmakers like Tyler Perry and the Kendricks Brothers (Fireproof, Courageous) have proven that there is a faithful Christian market who is hungry for faith-based films and will fill movie theaters in support of said films.
What Happens When?
But what happens when that faithful, faith-based audience shows up for your big budget, biblical film and it’s biblical accuracy is questionable?
That’s what just happened with the History Channel’s “The Bible” series. The Times reports that the History Channel scored the “highest-rated scripted drama on cable for the year” spot so far with 13.1 million viewers, and the History Channel celebrated trending at #1 on Twitter. That’s definitely a WIN for faith-based films because that many viewers ensures other networks will want to produce similar material to pull that kind of audience (which equals ad revenue and more money).
The problem is that I haven’t spoken with a Christian yet who wasn’t disappointed (slightly to outright) in how the series changed the biblical text. Lots of creative license was taken by the producers of the show. How many of those 13.1 million viewers do you think will actually come back after being so let down? I’m encouraging folks to keep watching so that we can be a part of the conversation that takes place within our culture, BUT, as a lifelong Bible student whose been through 2 seminaries, I sure do see why folks are upset.
What’s Coming?
First glance looks like we may get more of the same “creative license” in the upcoming films.
NOAH
After reading an undated script of Noah, industry insider Brian Godawa, told the Christian Post, “If you were expecting a Biblically faithful retelling of the story of the greatest mariner in history and a tale of redemption and obedience to God you’ll be sorely disappointed.”
REDEMPTION OF CAIN
Will Smith is reportedly producing and possibly directing the Redemption of Cain, a film penned by his wife’s Jada’s brother Caleeb Pinkett. It’s said that “the film tells the story of Cain and Abel with a vampiric twist” and is scheduled to start shooting in July in London, Jordan and Morocco. You read that correctly: Vampire Twist. Yes.
PONTIUS PILATE
Brad Pitt is rumored to be attached to play Pontius Pilate for Paramount’s film. Deadline reports, “Rather than a straight-ahead biblical film, Blasi’s script reads almost like a biblical-era Twilight Zone episode in which a proud, capable Roman soldier gets in way over his head. [Pilate’s] arrogance and inability to grasp the devoutness of the citizenry and its hatred for the Roman occupiers and their pagan gods leads him to make catastrophic decisions.”
MOSES
There are 2 Moses films. Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg (Prince of Egypt, Lincoln) is attached to direct Gods and Kings for Warner Brothers and Academy Award® nominee Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven) is rumored to direct Exodus for Fox. Not a lot has been written, as the two studios race towards production. So we will likely learn more as we know which film will actually get made.
GOLIATH
Finally, I have a little hope for this one. Relativity’s Goliath is being directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Day the Earth Stood Still). I actually met Scott, who received his undergrad degree from BIOLA (my D.MIN work is at BIOLA’s Talbot School of Theology), and I’m hoping he’s able to stay close to the biblical text. We’ll see.
HOLD ON!
Hold on to your horses or carriages or arcs or whatever, Fam! The flood’s a’coming!
I’m glad that there will be more biblical stories on the big screen; but we must set our expectations, Fam. We can’t expect them to be altogether biblical. We can, however, pray that they will at least produce dialogue. That’s looking at the upside of things. :=)
Let’s know God’s word and be ready in season and out of season to share the truth. Paul charged Timothy in 2 Tim 4:1-5, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
Sounds good to me. Let’s preach the word, be ready, keep our head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist and fulfill our ministries.
The History Channel aired the first 2 hours of its 10-hour series of selected stories from Genesis through Revelation produced by husband and wife – Mark Barnett (Producer of Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice, Shark Tank and The Voice) and Roma Downey (Star of Touched by an Angel, and portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus). The couple decided to produce the series 4 years ago and spent almost 6 months of 2012 filming it in Morocco.
My apologies, Fam. I haven’t seen it yet, as Kevin and I spent time with friends last night. But I recorded it and look forward to seeing what all the controversy is about.
Folks are Hot
My survey of reviews this morning yielded the following consensus: Folks are hot! Which is a little confusing because the cinematic footage looks great… not the old-fashioned Wisemen-in-bathrobes Christian drama variety. The History Channel spent millions.
But money isn’t the issue this time. It’s the content. It’s rubbing people the wrong way – from the journalist/children’s book author/mommy who is disappointed that the content seems too graphic to share with her four kids to The Hollywood Reporter critic who asks, “Who is this for?”
THR summarizes, “The Bible (series) never seems to figure out how to present itself… Sometimes it stays true to scripture, but then does things like adds angels with ninja skills to spice things up. That’s one thing the Bible itself really doesn’t need — it’s a complex and lyrical work full of prophesies and call-backs and a sense of being one, organic, intertwined story. Unfortunately, The Bible (series) is fractious and overwrought. Others are sure to pick apart the deviations from the sacred text… In the end, this is the most well-known and popular book in the history of humanity for a reason — it’s exciting and interesting and full of hope. The Bible (series) is unfortunately none of these.”
Ouch, right?! Something tells me it’s probably not “that” bad, but I’ll have to catch up next Sunday and get back to you.
Don’t Mess With the Bible
I think what the History Channel is learning is that folks don’t want you messing with their Bible. Most dissenters seem to complain that the creators take unnecessary artistic licenses with the Biblical stories. One review noted that at least the series was upfront with its intentions and “begins with this get-out-of-jail-free disclaimer: ‘This program is an adaptation of Bible stories that changed our world. It endeavors to stay true to the spirit of the book.'”
In a recent interview, Mark and Roma explain that they assembled a team of faith leaders, scholars and theologians to help them portray the series “in the true spirit that the sacred text was written”. They assert, “We’ve told the stories of the Bible in a way to grab the viewers’ attention and draw them in wanting to know more about the Bible.”
I guess my question is, Can we tell the stories in a way to grab our audience’s attention AND stay true to the Biblical text?
To Add or Not to Add
Look I get it. I’ve had the awesome privilege of traveling the world creating and performing one-woman plays about biblical women for over a decade. When writing monologues for Eve, Jezebel, Leah & Rachel, Tamar (David’s daughter) & Tamar (Judah’s daughter-in-law), Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, Esther, Hannah, Sarah, the Woman at the Well, Mary & Martha, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of Jesus (to name a few), I have often had to creatively fill in gaps while doing my best to stay true to the Biblical text.
Some might accuse me of ‘adding’ to the story, though I have been more than willing to explain (on numerous occasions) how I’ve done the work of a theologian to exegete the text and portray an interpretation that squares with solid, Biblical doctrine. Even before I was ever called a preacher, I took seriously my role as a communicator of God’s Word through drama and studied the text with the same intent of a preacher called to unpack God’s Word.
That being said, what I’ve done my best to avoid is changing dialogue or words that are given verbatim in the Biblical text. If a conversation is written i.e. Mary and Gabriel, why then try to make it up? If a conversation is not written i.e. Leah & Rachel, I’d ask, “What could this have sounded like” based on the facts that are given in the text? Does that make sense?
I think folks are angry at some of The Bible series that outright changes dialogue and events that are crystal clear in the Bible. I saw the trailer for Jesus walking on the water and was surprised that in the film, Jesus calls for Peter instead of Peter asking Jesus, and all of Peter’s language is omitted including “Lord, save me.” That story and dialogue is crystal clear in Matthew 14. I don’t know why the writers felt the need to change it. I get why folks are hot!
I Still Think We Should Watch
Fam, I still think we ought to watch the series. Here’s why:
1) So that we can be a part of the conversation. There have been commercials and big billboards advertising The Bible around the LaLa for over a month. Not just Christians are tuning in. I like being part of the discussion, which means I’ll be watching the episodes.
2) We are called to examine the Scriptures and know the Truth. Acts 17:10-12 recounts when Paul and Silas go to the synagogues in Berea, and the Berean Jews are called noble because “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”
The Bereans examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. We can learn from them. No way do we sit passively on the sidelines waiting for producers to tell us what is true. We examine the Scriptures to see if what the film portrays is true. And if it’s not, we know where it deviates and where it is faithful. Feel me? But I do the same thing with all ‘historical’ films, many of which deviate from some of the actual events.
The Harlem Shake has officially made a comeback!
…and is looking good at 30 years old.
The newest version, which has taken over the internet (and many college campuses, military bases, fire houses, swimming pools, and even airplanes… YES, AIRPLANES!), debuted at #1 on the Hot Billboard chart last week, after Billboard adjusted its ranking to include YouTube hits.
Times Have Changed
Remember when artists toured non-stop and prayed for enough radio spins and record sales to make #1? Not anymore! Now it’s all about iTune downloads and YouTube views. With over 100,000 Harlem Shake-type videos being uploaded, the song has had at least 400 million views and counting.
The producer, DJ Bauer, who studied at City College in New York, recorded the dance-craze song in his bedroom in Brooklyn in May 2012, posted it on his SoundCloud, and was happy when it got picked up as a free digital download through a dance hall label. But in February 2013, the song was used on 1 YouTube video of 4 friends clowning and the rest is history. What started as a free download has turned into serious cash as Bauer gets a piece of the advertising revenue generated every time anyone clicks on a video using his song.
Harlem Wants Its Shake Back
But everyone’s not happy with Bauer’s success. Several complaints have sprung up, especially from Harlemites, that Bauer should be the last person benefiting from the Harlem Shake.
The dance was originally called the Albee after its creator Al B. who used to perform it in Harlem starting in 1981 during the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic at Rucker Park. Al B. says he fashioned the dance after how he figured Egyptian mummies would dance. Because they were all wrapped up, all they could do was shake (Inside Hoops). This ain’t deep, Fam.
Once the Al B. caught on all over Harlem, it became the Harlem Shake and 20 years later, in 1981, Puffy/Puff-Daddy/P.Diddy/Diddy/Sean Combs re-popularized the dance in the video of one of his Bad Boy artists, G. Dep. So, basically, this is the 3rd life of the Harlem Shake, but now, a DJ figured out how to monetize it.
Just Wondering…
Did Puffy pay Al B. when he popularized the dance in Bad Boy’s video? Probably not.
Will Bauer pay Al B. or Puffy anything off what he’s making through YouTube hits? No.
Would Al B. have had to put his choreography on video back in 1981 and copyright the moves and/or trademark the name and sell products of him doing the dance in order to capitalize now? Is anybody getting paid for creating the Electric Slide dance? Just wondering…
I don’t even know how one begins to try to compensate in this situation. I mean, maybe Bauer could’ve given a shout out to Al B., like Michael Jackson did to James Brown and Fred Astaire, but Mike didn’t send anybody a check when he re-popularized their moves. And Usher and Chris Brown and Justin Bieber aren’t sending Mike’s estate a check. See what I mean?
Having Fun
I’m all for compensating artists for our creativity; I just don’t know how that happens in this case. All I know is there are millions of people around the world having fun right now doing a silly dance to a song that a young DJ mixed in a small bedroom in Brooklyn. What you gonna do?
Dance is a celebration. When David took Goliath out, 1 Samuel 18:6 says, “… the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres…” They had a big old party in the streets. The whole town got involved. They probably out-shook the Harlem Shakers.
What’s my point, find a reason to dance today. Shake, celebrate, have fun. Make a joyful noise. Even if everything ain’t the way we want it to be, it’s still better than it could be. Besides, some of the videos, like the Army one above, are quite hilarious.
How does one manage to fall up the steps… at the Oscars®?
Ask Best Actress Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence.
As the 22-year old starlet went to collect her statue on the Dolby Theatre stage towards the end of Sunday evening, she tripped on her Dior Haute Couture gown and experienced what folks are calling “the fall heard round the world.” Hollywood’s so dramatic!
But I’m not writing this to revel in a fellow artist’s awkward-nightmare-come-true. I want to applaud the way Jennifer bounced back. What a recovery!
What a Recovery!
There was absolutely no pretense. Jennifer experienced the fall, took a moment and buried her face in her hands, picked herself back up, mounted the stage, and then acknowledged what had just occurred:
“You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell — it’s really embarrassing. But thank you. This is nuts!”
She didn’t stay crumbled in a ball on the steps. She got up, chuckled about it and kept it moving! When asked after the awards by a reporter what happened, Jennifer laughed, “What do you mean, ‘What happened?’ Look at my dress! I tried to walk up stairs in this dress. That’s what happened. I don’t actually… I think I just stepped on the fabric and they waxed the stairs.”
Candid Truth
As someone who has been called candid all my life, I so appreciate a kindred, candid soul! I’d even argue that Jennifer’s willingness to be present and honest is what has endeared her to the industry and the public.
On the industry side, Jennifer is highly acclaimed for her work in independent films, winning the Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook and being nominated for Winter’s Bone. On the public side, Jennifer’s film, The Hunger Games, broke records last year as the 3rd-largest opening weekend of all time bringing in $152.5 million in three days for a non-sequel film. It went on to make over $408 million in the US and over $686 million worldwide, making Jennifer the highest grossing action heroine ever. Move over Angelina Jolie!
What You See…
During an age of fake reality shows and Hollywood smoke-and-mirrors, people tend to think “what you see is what you get” with Jennifer and they like that. She often puts her foot in her mouth by saying exactly what she thinks instead of what’s appropriate.
Jennifer explained to Elle Mag recently, “I never know what’s going to come out of my mouth, and it’s horrible. When I get older, I’ll be more mature and poised… One day, I’m going to grow up…” She even shared, “$10 million (for film) and I’m still living in my parents’ condo…I’ve always lived in a tiny rat-infested apartment in New York, or a little condo in L.A., or a normal house in Kentucky. I think it would be very bizarre to live in a big mansion by myself.”
Most folks hear her and think, “She’s normal, just like me.” That’s what makes her likeable. Haven’t we all had a tumble or embarrassing moment at some point? We can relate.
Take Notes
I haven’t met Jennifer, I don’t know her spiritual beliefs, and I can’t vouch for her character; but I think we can take notes from the freedom she has experienced in just being who she is.
Jesus told His disciples in John 8:31-32 that if they held to His teaching, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The truth sets us free, especially when we are rooted in Christ’s teaching; but also when one is living life without pretense.
So many artists move to LaLa Land and think they have to “become” someone other than who they are to “make it”. People climb corporate ladders and morph into different people when they’re on the job. Isn’t it refreshing today, on this 14th day of Lent, to know that we can just be. Perfection isn’t required. And if we fall, we can get back up.
Falling Up Steps
I hope that we never fall up any steps on one of THE most significant days of our lives, but if we do, hopefully we can (like Jennifer) acknowledge it, laugh about it, and keep it moving.
That’s the million dollar question everyone was asking when Academy Award winner Ben Affleck’s ARGO seized the top honors from the SAG Awards, Producers Guild, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, Golden Globes and Critic’s Choice Awards for Best Picture. By the time the Academy Awards® rolled around Sunday, ARGO was the frontrunner and did indeed win.
“I am really amazed and stunned,” admitted Affleck, when they won the SAG Award.
He’s not the only one.
The official film synopsis reads: Based on real events, the dramatic thriller “ARGO” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event.
ARGO’s director, producer and star is Academy Award® winner Ben Affleck. Ben enlisted his buddies to produce as well: Academy Award® winning actor/director George Clooney and Academy Award® nominated producer/writer Grant Heslov.
So, why are folks so surprised that ARGO kept pulling away with the Best Picture Award?
Because…
Because, more than once, that’s the only award it has received for the whole night. Folks see all these other films winning for best actor in leading role, best actor in supporting role, best actress in leading role, best actress in supporting role, best screenwriter, best director, etc., and then fast forward to the last award of the night, “And the winner is…ARGO”?
That would be like our American gymnastic team winning no individual medals but walking away with all-around GOLD for BEST TEAM. That’ll definitely turn some heads!
Why it won
My theory is that ARGO won because, in the film, Hollywood is the unsung hero. I know everybody outside Hollywood thinks the film says that our military operatives are the heroes, but Hollywood walks away thinking “We saved the day!” Who wouldn’t vote for that?
I also argue in my previous review that Hollywood loves a comeback and Ben Affleck has a huge comeback-kid, redemption story this season. I explain that people love redemption, and we, as Christians, especially identify. (Romans 8:11, Paul describes the new life that we live through God’s Spirit, “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you…” We know a comeback when we see it.
LA Times bestselling author and awards reporter, Steve Pond, has a more simple theory. He says, “People just like ARGO.” And in our popularity-contest-awards-race, likability wins!
And the Moral of the Story…
We can learn a lesson, Fam. Whether we’re in Hollywood or not, before we pour thousands of hours creating, writing, producing and working on our next project, let’s ask one simple question, “Will the people we want to love this project really like it?” If the answer is “YES!”, we’re likely on to a winner.
Note of Caution
Just as I reiterated before, if you decide to see the film, now that it’s won an Academy Award, note that ARGO is Rated R for language and violent imagery. And though it’s “based on a declassified true story”, Ben Affleck chose to cast himself in the lead role instead of an actor of Hispanic/Latino ancestry who could actually reflect the true Mexican ethnicity of the real CIA operative that was portrayed, Antonio “Tony” Mendez (Tony’s interview: The Fascinating Story Behind Argo). Could’ve been nice to see the true ethnicity portrayed on camera. Just saying…
All in All
I enjoyed the political thriller with laughs aspect of ARGO, but I probably would’ve still voted for Les Misérables or Lincoln for Best Picture. Most of the Academy obviously disagreed with me, but all three are good films.
The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There’ll be sun! –Tomorrow, “Annie” 1977
The sun is definitely coming out –
for Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis.
The 9-year old, who made history as the youngest Oscar® nominee ever for Best Actress in a Leading Role, has landed the dream role of Annie in Sony’s upcoming remake of the 1982 twice-Oscar®-nominated film by the same name.
Will Smith and his wife Jada originally decided to produce Annie with Sony in 2011 as a star vehicle for their daughter Willow Smith, who was busy Whipping Her Hair back and forth. But it takes time to put a film together. And now, 2 years later, Willow (almost 13 years old) has apparently grown too old to play the 11-year old orphan Annie.
So Quvenzhané, has been tapped by the Smiths to carry the film, fresh off her mega-buzz, Academy nomination, and a bevy of signature puppy purses. Talk about dreams come true!
Hard-Knock Life
But Quvenzhané is also finding out that in Hollywood, all that glitters ain’t gold.
First, outrage trickled through social media as Oscar® red carpet reporters like Kelly Osbourne opted to call Quvenzhané (pronounced kwuh-VEN-zhuh-nay) “Little Q” or “Annie” instead of learning how to pronounce her real name.
James recounts how Oscar host Seth MacFarlane joked “about how it will be sixteen years before Quvenzhané is too old for George Clooney”, and how online site The Onion tweeted to millions of followers, “Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhané Wallis is kind of a c*#t, right?”
I agree with James who wrote, “As if it wasn’t bad enough that she was sexualized in front of her peers during what was undoubtedly the most exciting night of her life, but to be further humiliated on a social networking site and called one of the most degrading terms that can be used toward women is reprehensible.”
Lord Forgive Us
What is the world coming to when we think it’s OK to call a 9-year old child such a derogatory term? I’m not trying to offend you, Fam, by including the language in this post, but I’m hoping you will be as repulsed as I am and cry out for this kind of behavior to STOP. The Onion’s president issued an apology after receiving tons of angry backlash, but MacFarlane and the careless correspondents ain’t apologizing. What if that was YOUR child?
Sometimes, all I can think is, “Lord, forgive us. We don’t know what we’re doing.”
Anybody have one of those moments lately? Where the folks around you, at your job, in your house, on your Facebook or Twitter have just gone straight alien, and you know they don’t know what in the world they’re doing. They’ve lost it. And you think, “Lord, forgive them”.
Jesus isn’t the only one who asked God to forgive His murderous offenders. I was going through Acts of the Apostles recently and was reminded that Stephen, who was stoned on Paul’s watch, did the same thing: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”Acts 7:58-60
I hope that somewhere in her little 9-year old world, Quvenzhané can bypass some of the bitterness that can result from holding grudges against idiots and simply say, “Lord, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.”
Sun’ll Come Out
Hopefully, all of this will fade in the background as Quvenzhané prepares for her role as little orphan Annie for the big screen. Her parents are working hard to keep her life normal and grounded as she has filmed three other films since Beasts of the Southern Wild, for which she was nominated.
Hopefully, the sun will come out for her and her little God-light will shine. After all, she is noted as the only actor during this awards season to “thank God for all my blessings” in her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards (“Winners Thank Harvey Weinstein 5 Times More Than God”), an article referenced by a friend.
Not that we can assume that everybody who thanks God in an acceptance speech is sincere, but she sure seemed like it. I’d say this little starlet is on the right path.
