Precious Co-Signer

On May 18th, 2009, Communications strategist David Magdeal spoke with Tanya Kersey on the "Inside Urban Hollywood" podcast. Working on the media campaign for Precious, this is what he had to say.

 

David Magdeal:

"For me the most amazing thing was Mo'Nique. If she's not nominated then there's something wrong. And then the new girl, the one that plays Precious, Gabby, she nailed that to the wall. Everybody in there is really good. You don't even recognize Mariah. I had to even do a double take. Like that's Mariah? Oh. She's really good."

Precious's theatrical release is November 6th. With Oscar's new 10 best picture change, its practically a shoe-in to garner a nomination. Mo'Nique's, Gabourney Sidibe's, and Mariah Carey's performances have all popped up on shortlists for Oscar contenders as well. 

Precious Co-Signer

For my first podcast interview, my distinguished guest was Lamont Pierre, an independent filmmaker by way of Florida. He had also interned under Lee Daniels during the fall that Precious was being wrapped. This is what he had to say:

On Precious:

I remember being in the elevator with Lee in his building one day and I think he had just screened it for some people and he asked me again, for the umpteenth time and was like really, what did you think of it. Because I actually got a chance to see Precious with him one day. He screened it for me. And I told him in the elevator. I was like, look, this film is going to be my generations The Color Purple. And it is. And I stand by that today. People are not ready for this film. They're not ready. 

On Precious' Cast:

Mo'Nique was awesome. Gaby Sidle, Precious, Mariah!I can't stress this enough. You know what, people can hate all they want to until the release date in November. And then it's going to silence everybody. So, it's cool Mariah, just deal with it for a few more months. When that movie comes out, that will be all she wrote. Cause that woman acted her ass off. Excuse my language. She can act her butt off. And this film. She just does it. Like, she does it. Paula Patton. In my opinion, she's giving you Halle-Berryisms, with her performance. Everybody in that film did such a great job. 

Precious Predictions:

I know [Lee Daniels] is very very proud of it. I'm very proud of it to. It was my film. I wish it was my film. It's going to be a hit in many ways. Not only is it going to be critically acclaimed, I think it's going to be great financially for everyone involved. Everybody needs to watch out for that film.

Listen to The Modern-Day Micheaux Podcast Series here. 

PRECIOUS TRAILER

The Precious trailer and poster have finally been posted. Precious is the new "It" movie for me this year (previously it was "The Soloist"). There's been plenty of Oscar buzz talk for Mo'Nique in the Best Supporting Actress category and after seeing this trailer, I am a full believer. 

Oscar Buzz for Mo'Nique

That's right. Its April, only 9 months from the 2010 Oscar Nominations being announced. Most films that will be honored haven't even seen daylight, yet the 41 year old former phone sex operator turned comedian is already garnering Oscar buzz for her role as an abusive mother in Lee Daniel's Precious. 

The Film Experience blog has announced it's monthly Oscar predictions and Mo'Nique has topped the Best Supporting Actress list. "Everyone who I've spoken to who has seen this says 'it's not just hype. She's in'. We'll trust them".  Now the list changes every month but last year Film Experience correctly predicted three-out-of-the-five eventual nominees in April.

Mo'Nique already won the Special Jury Prize for acting at the Sundance Film Festival. Precious also won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance, has been picked up for distribution by Lionsgate, and will receive additional promotional assistance through Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions and Tyler Perry's 34th Street Films. All of which will create a big release and hopefully ensure Mo'Nique's buzz lasts throughout the year. 

Let's not forget, Lee Daneils has a knack for making films that garner Oscars for black women. In 2001, he produced Monster's Ball which made Halle Berry the first African-American woman to win Best Actress. 

My, this month seems all about Lee Daniels doesn't it. At least it's well deserved. Precious is set premiere nationwide on November 9th, 2009.

 

Morgan Freeman is also garnering buzz for playing inspirational leader Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood's biopic The Human Factor. There is also some talk of Djimon Hounsou for The Tempest and Sophie Okonedo for Skin.