“American Psycho” author Bret Easton Ellis is sharing my exact sentiments about “Black Panther” not deserving its Oscar nomination for Best Picture. In fact, he actually, shock., claims that Oscar voters are supporting it just for diversity, not because it’s good. Which is true.
On a recent episode of his podcast (via The Wrap), Ellis bashed the quality of filmmaking of “Black Panther”:
“No superhero movie has ever gotten a Best Picture nomination. But believe me, Disney is doing everything in its power to make sure this happens. Even though there is no one out here in La La Land I’ve met who thinks ‘Black Panther’ is that good as a movie. Yet, as a piece of representation, they are supporting it.”
“The entertainment press and the studio is selling the notion that ‘Black Panther’ is a grand piece of cinematic art that cannot be ignored. And this notion is being shoved down our throats and we can only smile in disbelief. Or perhaps understand that this is just the moment we’re trapped in. A joke, a hoax. It’s all fake news, folks,” Ellis said.
He said the Oscars are a good indication of how Hollywood views itself which means they don’t want to be deemed racist by snubbing ‘Panther’:
“Representation is so important to them. And with a huge fatuous inclusivity and diversity push. What the most flattering pose might be in the moment — as if inclusivity and diversity have anything to do with awarding a movie’s merits. Yes, this is the culture the Oscars are pushing, and it is rather nauseating,” he said.
“Hope,” Na’s first film in ten years — his last one being the exemplary “The Wailing” —is a gloriously messy, blood-soaked sci-fi epic that may become a cult classic despite—or because of—its polarizing nature.