2 ^ BENNETTBANNER * APRIL 14, 2000
OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION • OPINION
We should raise our
standards, tastes in Black films
This year, two Black actOTS wHctc nominated for Academy
Awards. Newcomer Michael Clarke Duncan was nominated for
best actor in a supporting role for The Green Mile. Denzel
Washington was up for best actor in The Hurricane.
Come Oscar night (March 26), I was sure they would win;
however, Duncan lost to Mchael Caine, and Washington lost to
Kevin Spacey, whose role was in this year’s Best Hctilre,
American Beauty.
Monya Tomfinson
Editor
Caine and Spacey are
excellent actors, but I was
disappointed: Black actors
were passed over again.
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STUDENT OPINION POLL:
We should raise our
standards, tastes in Black films
Photos by Candace Evans, Chief Photographer
Should we boycott all films that don’t
feature Black actors? Perhaps. But more importantly, we
should raise our standards and tastes of films we want made.
Films like The Hurricane. The Green Mile, and The Best Man are
what we need more qf as oppos&d to Booty Call, I Got the Hook-
Up, and The Player’s Club. I’ve seen the latter films and while I
was entertained, it didn’t take much thought to watch those films.
Too often, we get the films with the one Black character who
makes the jokes (Will Smith in Men in Black and Chris Tucker in
Rush Hour) and not the films where the Black character truly
affects the outcome (Jhe Negotiator ‘s Samuel L. Jackson and
The Matrix's Laurence Fishbume.)
But we also should take responsibility because we support the
Scream J’s and not the Love and Basketball's. Black filmmak
ing is beginning to improve, but we still have a laig way to go.
Until then, Duncan and Denzel will just have to settle for just
sitting in the audience at the Oscars.
The opinion expressed in this column is that of the author and does not necessarily
r^ct the opinion cfthe entire Bennett Banner staff.
COFFIE COLEY
CLASS: FRESHWOMAN
MAJOR: MASS COMM
HOME STATE: MARYLAND
The best film should be "The
Green Mile."
Best Actor: Michael Duncan
Best Actress: Nia Long
KAMILAH SADDON
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: MASS COMM
HOME STATE: MARYLAND
Demel Washington should win for
est actor. Best actress should be
Nia Long. Lastly, "The Best Man”
should win an Oscar for best film.
FELICIA WASHINGTON
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: BIOLOGY
HOME STATE: WASH D.C.
Best actor should be Denzel
Washington. For best actress J
think Angela Bassett and the
best film should be "The Best
Man."
i
INGRID BRAXTON
CLASS; SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: PSYCHOLOGY
HOME STATE: NEW YORK
Denzel did very good this year,
and you can't get any better than
Mia Roberts. My two top films
this year are “Pitch Black" and
"Final DesttnaUon."
TIFFANY SAMPLE
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: ACCOUNTING
HOME STATE: MARYUND
TIQUITTA HALL
CLASS: SOPHOMORE
MAJOR: FASH. MERCH/BUS.
HOME STATE: WASH. D.C.
For best actor, I think the award n,,/u ^
should so For ,
■wrtssU shouU bt Julia Kobem