What a way to start the year

15 Jan, 2017 - 00:01 0 Views
What a way to start the year

The Sunday Mail

Tinashe Kusema The Big & Small Screen —
WHAT an eventful start to the year! So much to talk about, so little time and space. I have just decided to brush through some of the most topical issues of the weeks gone by, specifically the passing on of one of Hollywood’s beloved actresses, the advent of reality television in Zimbabwe and last week’s “Golden Globe Awards.”

On December 27, 2016, the world and more specifically “Stars Wars” fandom, woke up to the sad news that beloved actress and feisty “momma” Carrie Frances Fisher had passed on. She was 60 years old.

For those not in the know, Carrie Fisher is a Hollywood legend. With over 41 years in the business, and roughly 89 films and television appearances, her death will certainly be felt for years to come.

Despite all these numerous films and television shows, her most popular role to date is that of Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise.

We were first introduced to her golden bikini wearing Princess Leia role back in 1977 and since then, we have seen her through numerous accolades, roles, celebrity appearances and fights with drugs.

After having succumbed to a heart attack, Fisher was finally laid to rest on January 6, together with her mother Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds, who died a day after her daughter, reported to have succumbed to a stroke.

It remains to be seen what effect Fisher’s death will have on the rebooted “Star Wars” trilogy, especially considering that the latest instalment “Star Wars — Episode VIII”, due for release in December.

Having already filmed her scenes before passing on, Fisher’s General Leia will have to be written off somehow and on the plus side could see a boom on the box office. It is last motion picture after all.

It remains to be seen how they will treat her death, but I hope the CGI is tasteful and that they do not try bringing in another actress to fill her boots. Those size 20 boots are way too big for any mortal actor or actress.

Enough about that.

The “Golden Globes” have come and gone and boy, did they deliver! The show held at the Beverly Hilton last Sunday is arguably one of my favourite awards’ ceremony of the year, behind only our local “National Arts and Merit Awards.”

For me, the show serves only three purposes and that is to ignite debate to the “Academy Awards (Oscars)”, bring both film and television together under one roof and create some of those memorable moments that make Hollywood what it is.

This year it delivered on all fronts. Firstly, it is almost a given that “La La Land”, the American modern-musical, is certainly going to dominate this year’s Oscars.

Sadly, I am yet to get my hands on a copy of the film, but its dominance certainly makes it a front-runner for Oscar glory. The film walked away with the Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy Award and Best Actor (Ryan Gosling), and Actress (Emma Stone) in a Musical or Comedy.

It also took home the Best Director (Damien Chazelle), Best Screenplay and Original Score and Song gongs.

Another Oscars’ contender, “Fences”, sadly only walked away with one gong and that was Best Supporting Actress in Motion Picture (Viola Davies).

For those who have watched the film, you cannot rule out Denzel Washington for his role in “Fences”, come the Academy Awards.

There was also some recognition for Donald Glover who walked away with the gong for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television series.

The multi-talented actor/rapper/singer/songwriter/director/producer and writer was rewarded for his work on the television series “Atlanta”, which he stars, wrote, directs and produces.

Not to be outdone, there were also gongs for the much-acclaimed series “The People v O. J Simpson-American Crime Story”.

Away from the winners, one of the major highlights of any “Golden Globe” edition is usually the “moments” created on stage whether it be Taraji P. Henson waving off the wrap-up signal in 2015, Ricky Gervais cringe-worthy hosting jobs in 2010 and 2011 or Amy Poehler and Tina Fey’s stellar job hosting in 2014 and 2015.

This year’s award for “Golden Globe” moment of the year goes to the duo of Meryl Streep and US president-elect Donald “King Joffrey” Trump. The “King Joffrey” nickname is new and something he was given by host Jimmy Fallon.

I hope it catches on, please hashtag it from now on. While accepting her Cecil B. DeMille Award (the equivalent to a Lifetime Achievement Award), Streep took it upon herself to call out Trump on making fun of a disabled journalist, and some of his careless actions, during the presidential race in 2015.

Her speech was well poised, articulate, and elegant. It hit the nail on the head, and Trump’s comeback, via twitter, was to call Streep overrated and deny ever-making fun of the journalist, Serge Kovaleski. Kovaleski suffers from a disease that affects he joints and use of his hands.

One need only watch one film from Streep’s repertoire and google the said incident to see how bonkers and weak Trump’s reply was. I have seen many of her films, my favourites being “Stars Wars” and “Iron Lady”, and would like to know at least three actors or actresses Trump values.

Back home, Zimbabwe got its first taste of what would be in store if we tried to venture into reality television.

“Keeping Up with the Chidemes” as the incident is now infamously referred to, saw rapper Desmond Chideme (Stunner) and his wife Olinda’s marital problems spill over into the media via Facebook.

While the topic has been already dissected by the media, I believe it is a cautionary tale of the potential that our famed broadcaster (ZBC) are letting go to waste.

I have already spoken at length, on this column, about the potential reality television has and how the industry is sitting on its laurels but indulge me for a second.

Imagine if we could place the Chideme household in a controlled environment, put cameras all over (Big Brother Style) and just let them loose. Based on recent events, you can also add a supporting cast made up of people like Enock “Nox” Guni and his wanna-be rapper friends, a whole hosts of people (chief among them Rutendo Matinyarare) into the mix.

All these combustible characters, under one roof, could make for some stellar entertainment.

Our famed broadcaster (ZBC) also dropped the ball by not latching onto this story, instead letting Ruvhenheko Parirenyatwa totally mess it up on her Facebook page.

She failed to control the interview, ask or press on the important questions and in the end let emotion and sentiment take control.

On whether I believe this story to be true or a publicity stunt, I will say this much; Stunner is either a genius or just the douche-bag we have all grown to know him to be.

On one hand, I hardly think that the guy has the intellect to come up with such an elaborate ruse. If he does then kudos to him and his wife and partner-in-crime, Olinda, for she deserves an Oscar for that performance.

Better yet, give her a script and camera and watch her do her magic.

As far as Nox and the Matinyarare guy are concerned, one needs a competent manager and the other a life. Advice — you do not make a statement while drinking beer and then insult your audience and Rutendo needs to learn that vile comments do not make you a celebrity.

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