Why didn't Denzel Washington & Spike Lee get Oscars for 'Malcolm X'?

[WilliamPitt]

Was there a better movie in the running that year? I can't recall. This movie, if I remember correctly, did not nearly get enough acclaim after it came out.

[MuseRider]

1. I am watching it now

at least partly with kids home and friends hanging out. It is certainly well done.

[Droopy]

2. It's the elephant in the living room syndrome

They are black. That's what it boils down to.

[Bombtrack]

3. I think that has been a running line of questioning in pop culture

that Denzel was denied the oscar. Not so much for Spike. But definetly for Denzel.

[Bat Boy]

4. Just for reference...

Best Picture

The Crying Game, Stephen Woolley, producer (Miramax)
A Few Good Men, David Brown, Rob Reiner and Andrew Scheinman, producers (Columbia)
Howards End, Ismail Merchant, producer (Sony Pictures Classics)
Scent of a Woman, Martin Brest, producer (Universal)
Unforgiven, Clint Eastwood, producer (Warner Bros.) (Winner)

Actor in a Leading Role

Robert Downey, Jr., Chaplin
Clint Eastwood, Unforgiven
Al Pacino, Scent of a Woman (Winner)
Stephen Rea, The Crying Game
Denzel Washington, Malcolm X

Directing

Robert Altman, The Player
Martin Brest, Scent of a Woman
Clint Eastwood, Unforgiven (Winner)
James Ivory, Howards End
Neil Jordan, The Crying Game

[Syrinx]

5. I thought Unforgiven was very good

And I don't usually care for westerns.

[WilliamPitt]

9. 'Unforgiven' was that year?

OK. I feel a little better, Funny...I was watching Unforgiven today. Odd.

[Syrinx]

11. well that's what someone posted below, I think it's correct

Otherwise it was Schindler's List. ;)

EDIT: well, make that "above."

[Baja Margie]

6. Because they're Black & the film was too controversial.

[Syrinx]

7. I don't think it was racist

What group in the US is more liberal than the motiion picture academy?

[mark414]

14. but why

Why did Halle have to let a white man pop her to get a Oscar
Why did Denzel have to be crooked before he took it

(from jadakiss 'why')

[Syrinx]

15. if it was racist, I don't think...

That getting fucked by Billy Bob Thornton would've helped Halle's chances.

As for Training Day, man that was an awesome performance.

There's plenty of racism in the world, it only helps the bad guys when we imagine it where it doesn't exist.

[Swamp Rat]

8. Can't have no uppity Nigras gettin' high falutin' ideas

dat dey are equal to da Master Race...:crazy:

Another Hollywood crime if you ask me. Why don't we just give them an Oscar anyway and nullify the awards for that year?

[JCMach1]

10. Because it was a cinematic failure... one of Spike's worst

offerings...

He should have got best picture for 'Do the Right Thing'

Malcolm was overblown and tedious,,,,,,,,,

[Champ]

12. He got his oscar in his most convincing role

Training Day

[Syrinx]

13. I really liked that movie

But it seemed strange for Denzel to be playing such an evil guy.

[DeaconBlues]

16. The movie was great until the very end

The little kids standing up and saying, "I am Malcolm X!" was a little cult of personality for me. It reminds me of some sort of propaganda pic for some left-wing dictator. "I am Mao!" "I am Stalin!" It almost ruined the whole flick for me.