Emotionally charged subject matter. .Go Mo'nique Go!!

It's not often that I write outside of my "box"
 
Horse Racing, Baseball, Political Irony and even the wacky world of Professional Wrestling. All of these are things I would describe as being with in my comfort zone.
 
Why then am I writing about Hollywood, Red Carpets, Childhood Obesity & Domestic Abuse? All of these are things being quite obviously outside of my comfort zone.
 
Here is what am I talking about?
 
What topic has become so relevant that is has forced me to abandon my comfort zone in favour of the great unknown? The answer quite simply is Precious (2009).
 
Nominated along with nine of her peers for this years best picture as decided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Precious is a shell shocking coming of age story originally published by author Sapphire under the title "Push"
 
Although the Academy is unlikely to recognize the film as this years "best picture" (epically when a propaganda film like The Hurt Locker is nominated for the same award) Precious has already received an abundance of accreditation's from such respected entities as the Sundance Film Festival and the Big O herself (Oprah Winfrey).  
 
I can let Best Picture go, but we must have the award for Best Supporting Actress!
 
With its emotionally charged subject matter (Sexual Abuse, Mental Abuse, Rape, Literacy & Obesity) you would expect Precious to have an all star cast to rival a big budget picture like Mars Attacks (1996), however all the magic that is Precious is pulled off with a cast of little if not no experience.
 
Singer Lenny Kravitz stars as the charming and slightly flirtatious nurse John who befriend the stories lead character, Claireece. Although Kravitz has appeared in other big screen productions this was the first time the Canadian crooner was responsible for a role other then a cameo (Of course another exception to this rule was Rugrats the Movie (1998) where Lenny provided one of the celebrity voice overs for the Baby Pickles).  
 
"Singer" Mariah Carey covers the role of Miss Weiss, the State social worker assigned to Claireece "Precious" Jones file. Mariah has thrilled audiences with her performance in such classics as State Property 2 (2005) & the Golden Raspberry Award wining Glitter (2001) but this performance is none of that, for Mariah Carey the role of Miss Weiss represents a full on case of silver-screen detoxification. Mariah was almost believable and what she lacked in believability she more then made up for in scope.
 
The title role of Claireece "Precious" Jones is played by rookie actress Gabourey Sidibe. There's not really too much I can say about the previously unknown commodity that is Gabourey, except to say I cannot believe that Precious (2009) was this young ladies maiden voyage.
 
Academy Award Nominee Mo'nique is the reason I've written this article!  
 
Writer, producer, author, comedian extraordinaire Mo'nique takes on the mind blowing role of Mary Jones, Claireece's mother. If you've enjoyed Mo'nique comedy styling's I must warn that seeing Mo'nique as the devil incarnate on the big screen may forever change the way you see the gut busting comedian. You see there is nothing funny about rape or teenage pregnancy or any of the other "really' heavy issue the film deals with and Mo'nique as a cruel & unsympathetic mother left my blood boiling. Never have I seen the personification of evil so clearly on the big screen. More twisted the Brando as Gen Kurtz [Apocalypse Now (1979)]. More hideous then Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West [The Wizard of OZ (1939)] and perhaps more convincing then Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter [Silence of the Lambs (1991)] 
 
Believe it or not? I have'nt spoiled the movie yet. I left out any in depth look at the plot and even held back a sin or two for those who have yet to see the film. 
 
 
The Academy Award will be held on March 7th, 2010.
 
British bookmakers currently have Mo'nique listed as the 1/16 favourite to walk away with Best Supporting Actress Award.
 
Personally I've already bet $1000 at odd of 1/5, go Mo'nique go.  
 
 
Zoltan Black