Black Reel/ NAACP Image Awards Preview: Best Actor RacePosted by Wilson Morales
November 30, 2013
It goes without saying that 2013 is by far the greatest year in Black Cinema. From Fruitvale Station to Lee Daniels’ The Butler to 12 Years a Slave, along with documentaries like Free Angela & All Politcal Prisoners, 20 Feet From Stardom, and America Promise, we have more than one legitimate film in contention for major accolades as the year comes to a close. With several organizations ready to post their “Top 10” and “Best of” lists, some of these films mentioned as well as other films and the talent involved in front and behind the camera will be talked about.
Focusing on just “Black” films and talent alone, we have the upcoming Black Reel Awards (Dec. 18) and the NAACP Image Awards nominations. This is certainly the year where there shouldn’t be a nominee included by default, i.e lack of qualified names. Today, we’ll preview the contenders for the Best Actor category, which is the most competitive field there has ever been. When you look at the films that these six highlighted men were in, the common themes that were present included racism and violence. Some of these individuals have received a higher profile than others, but everyone put in an equal amount of effort in bringing in a bravado performance.
Here’s a look at the six strongest in the field of Best Actor:
Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave
After supporting turns in Salt, 2012, American Gangster, Talk to Me, Inside Man, and Children of Me, someone finally gave Chiwetel Ejiofor a role that would his change his profile. As the free man who captured and turned into a slave, Ejiofor delivered a performance that not only will be remembered, but will sure garner attention in other major awards.
Forest Whitaker – Lee Daniels’ The Butler
– This is the hardest working year Whitaker has had. Not only is the Oscar winner a producer on the critically acclaimed ‘Fruitvale Station,’ but Whitaker himself led the charge in the star-studded film of ‘Lee Daniels’ The Butler.’ Whitaker showcased a level of dignity and compassion in playing the role of butler Cecil Gaines, who served eight presidents during his tenure at the White House.
Idris Elba – Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Folks have been waiting for Elba to finally get a role that would take him to places where his colleagues like Will Smith and Denzel Washington have gone. From playing Stringer Bell on HBO’s The Wire to roles in Daddy’s Little Girls, This Christmas, Takers, and Thor, Elba was ready for the big screen. In playing an iconic figure like Nelson Mandela, he showcased not only the politician Mandela is, but but the man, husband, and father we rarely hear about. His commanding performance is what brings ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ to life.
Chadwick Boseman – 42: The Jackie Robinson Story– Boseman, a relative unknown entering this year, had the task of convincing the audiencing he was Jackie Robinson in ’42’ and showcasing the struggles he went through the first African American to play Major League Baseball. What he did was deliver a grace performance that led to its box office success, grossing over $90M, and capturing his next big screen role, playing another iconic figure: James Brown in ‘Get On Up.’
Michael B. Jordan – Fruitvale Station
– Jordan has been on the scene since he was first noticed as young Wallace in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire, but he wasn’t getting attention in the film world until he got a role in Max Landis’ ‘Chronicle.’ In his first lead role in Ryan Coogler’s award-winning film, ‘Fruitvale Station,’ the California born native brings charm and sensitivity in the role of Oscar Grant, whose life was cut short when he was fatally shot by an officer while handcuffed.
Isaiah Washington – Blue Caprice
Washington delivers a captivating performance as one of the Beltway snipers in the feature film debut of writer-director Alexandre Moors. A veteran of films (Love Jones, Romeo Must Die, The Undershepherd) and television (Grey’s Anatomy), Washington’s portrayal of John Muhammad was not only haunting, but exposes the inhumanity that exists in individuals.
Here are some other noteworthy performances that should also be considered:
Omari Hardwick – Things Never Said
Terence Nance – An Oversimplification of Her Beauty
Leroy McClain/ Charlie Barnett – The Happy Sad
Michael Rainey Jr. – LUV
Skylan Brooks – The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete
Jacob Latimore – Black Nativity
Wendell Pierce – Four
Ja Rule – I’m in Love With a Church Girl
Chadwick Boseman – The Kill Hole
Ty Hickson – Gimme The Loot
Amari Cheatom – Newlyweeds
Gbenga Akinnagbe – Home
