Tony, I’m going out on a limb here, but you sound like a spoiled white boy who probably lives in your parents house.

Racism?

Where did that come from?

I thought we were talking about how Jamie Foxx’ performance in “Ray” eclipsed Johnny Depp’s and Leo DiCaprio’s.

I said nothing of their race and neither did anybody else.

So, it is you that is making race an issue which is typical.

Whenever someone of color accomplishes something noteworthy, mediocre white people feel threatened and they start bitching about race and affirmative action.

But, hey I’m a misguided hater who knows-it-all. Owen, Would you like some fries with your McRacism? Why is everything considered racist now? You used to be able to have discussions and exchanges without getting all whiny and stuff. We Americans have sure degenerated into a whiny lot.

I don’t think I stated I hated Jamie Foxx. I simply questioned his ability in this particular role. Of course it was better than Dennis Quaid’s in Great Balls of Fire.

John, you mentioned earlier that the actor’s body of work is not considered when awarding the best actor award. But, there was talk a few years back when Denzel Washington wond for Training Day, which was a shaky movie. The talk was that he won the oscar based on his body of work and that it was long overdue. Most felt that Training Day wasn’t his brightest moment.
Do you have any thoughts on this?

I don’t see any work that YOU have done and I don’t think that I will since you’re all on your asses “criticizing” instead of creating something of note.

Jamie Foxx did an extraordinary job in “Ray” and the boy deserved the Oscar.
Imitation is easy. Bad imitations, that is.

The mark of a true actor is one that completing immerses oneself in his role. So much so that you forget that this person is acting.
Jamie Foxx pulled this one off magnificiently.
I actually thought that I was looking in on the life of Ray Charles and I was so happy when Charlize Theron called Jamie’s name Sunday night.
Now Johnny Depp, Don Cheadle, Leo DiCaprio and Clint were good. But Jamie Foxx had the type of performance that cannot be denied.
A little advice to Tony and all the other haters:
It appears to me from the venom dripping from your posts, that you are all embittered by past failings of your own in the arts.
My advice to you. Keep working on your craft and study it as Jamie Foxx studied Ray Charles.
Maybe one day, you’ll be congratulated on a job well done, instead of “hating” on one who has been.
I’m out!

The thing is, when you’re evaluating the performance an actor gives, I think you have to ignor if the character he’s portraying was a real person or not.

Forget for a moment the fact that “Ray” was based on a real person. Ok, now look at Foxx’s portrayal of that “ficticious” character in the movie. The questions are:

1) Did the performance move you?
2) Did the actor make you become emotionally invested in the character (good or bad)?
3) Did the actor make you believe in the character (believe the emotion, the joy, the pain, the love, the anguish)?
4) Did the performance of the actor make you forget you were watching an actor?

When you apply that criteria, I believe (in my opinion) that Foxx passed with flying colours and did give us one of the best performances of the year. Did I think it was better than Depp’s performance? No. But it was certainly good enough that it doesn’t “outrage” me that he won.

Just my two cents worth. Good discussion!

I see your point regarding the performance of the year and not the body of work. But, imitation does not equal talent or creativity. Imitation is easy. It is the first thing that actors are taught in Acting 101 at any local community college. It’s used as a tool in order for actors to develop creativity and learn body movement. It doesn’t demand imagination or depth. Johnny Depp did not pantomime James Barrie. Leonardo Dicaprio didn’t imitate Howard Hughes either. Jamie Foxx on the other hand blatantly studied Ray Charles and purposely intended to mimic him. Being able to copy a persons walk, manner of speech, or hand and facial expressions does not make talent(unless you Tom Ripley). I suspect that the award was intended for Ray Charles not Jamie Foxx. To claim that Jamie Foxx gave the performance of the year is shaky at best. Maybe he gave the performance of his career, but of the year in acting amongst quality talent.

“the gifted one” stated that “this is what people will say when someone did too good of a job. “oh he was a good imitator” he didn’t act.” Well, I personally can imitate many people and animals, does that make me a talent. No. Talent is much more than imitation. Copying is Copying no matter how you word it.

When you have the chance, rent both Finding Neverland and Ray. Sit and watch both in a critical manner. Then decide.

But, from some of the previous posts this issue obviously has racial underpinnings in the eyes of some (or many people). I’m sure if Jamie Foxx didn’t win the backlash would have been something terrible. And, for the record I have never heard of “Black Acting”. What is it? Where is it taught?I thought acting transcended the man made notion of race and skin color.

Here’s the thing. Yes Depp and DiCaprio have a MUCH better body of work than Foxx. Yes, they are both overall better actos. BUT… the Oscar is given to the person who gave the best performance THIS YEAR.

If it’s just given out for their whole body of work, then Tom Hanks would win every year. Foxx’s one role in Ray stands up to Leo and Depp THIS YEAR.

Do i think Foxx should have won? No. But it was certainly close enough that I don’t think it’s a joke that he did.