(Photo: New Line Cinema)

Summary: A band of pseudo-New Yorkers are scurrying around Manhattan on December 31, 2011. Love, death, teen drama, family, pregnancy and any other sitcom-type hoopla are stuffed into the Garry Marshall film. Characters include: A nurse (Halle Berry), dying cancer patient (Robert De Niro), New York police officer (Ludacris), lonely teen who wants a boyfriend (Abigail Breslin), New Year’s scrooge (Ashton Kutcher), background singer (Lea Michele), soldier (Common) and the list goes on.

Review: I thought 2010’s Valentine’s Day was bad, but New Year’s Eve managed to sink the all-star comedy ensemble bar even lower. Yeah, it’s fun to play spot the A-lister, but attempting to connect the dots of a messy and hokey storyline is quickly exhausting. Directed by the legendary Garry Marshall, New Year’s Eve drags on with its flavorless gumbo of plots that bizarrely merges after school special laughs and Lifetime movie drama.

The story is dopey and the moral lessons are useless, but I doubt any moviegoer who would actually pay to see New Year’s Eve is expecting a good movie. Furthermore, I’m convinced the actors know the Marshall film is a dud, but it is seasonal entertainment and the actors involved can make a nice check for only a few days of work.

One of the most annoying aspects of New Year’s Eve — and there are many to choose from — is the waste of good actors. For example, one scene includes Hilary Swank, Robert De Niro and Halle Berry — three Oscar winners and some of the most respected actors in Hollywood. When would any of us get all three of them in a film? But their talent wasn’t utilized. Couldn’t their one scene have just a tad of soul?

The worst sin of New Year’s Eve is the insulating presentation of New Year’s Eve in the Big Apple. Hopefully, no one thinks New Year’s Eve in New York City is this boring, clichéd and common. A true New Year’s Eve in New York? You wouldn’t even remember it on January 1.  There is one great piece to the movie — the end credits, which included hilarious bloopers that got the most laughs.

New Year’s Eve is in theaters today.

(Photo: HBO)

For a while many wondered if a film about the life of the iconic and pioneering actress Dorothy Dandridge would ever be made. Certainly multiple high profile entertainers made the effort through the years. Model-actress Jayne Kennedy, television star Jasmine Guy, model-actress-singer Vanessa Williams, along with pop megastars Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, all expressed interest in portraying the first Black woman to receive an Academy award nomination for Best Actress.

Ultimately, it was film star Halle Berry who achieved this feat by way of a made for TV biographical drama she dubbed a labor of love. Filmed over a span of a few weeks in early 1998, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge depicted the life of the now legendary starlet – examining her humbling beginnings as a roadhouse circuit performer in the South and going on to become one of the biggest actresses of her time.

Promoted with the tag line, “Right woman. Right place. Wrong time.” the HBO movie also shed light on her personal life, which was filled with much tragedy and heartache. Dandridge died of an overdose of pills in 1965, at the age of 41.

For her efforts, producer and starring actress Halle Berry won an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award.

Last year’s Academy Awards was something to look forward to. However, 2011 is just another predictable awards show that is flavorless for a variety of reasons. From the New York Times to right here at BET.com, there have been rants on the lack of diversity at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Out of the 24 categories, not one African-American was nominated.

This year it is less about Black folks being overlooked and more about Black dramatic films not getting the green light in Hollywood. That said, below are some of the most disastrous Oscar snubs.

10. Denzel Washington in Philadelphia (1993)

Although Denzel Washington had already won a best supporting actor Oscar for Glory, the fact that he didn’t get a best supporting act nod for his portrayal of a homophobic lawyer in Philadelphia was unexplainable. The film received five Oscar nominations (won two), but none for Washington.

9. Halle Berry in Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)

Halle already won her Oscar in 2002 for Monster’s Ball, but 2007’s Things We Lost in the Fire was arguably the strongest performance of her career. She and her co-star Benicio Del Toro were completely ignored during the 2008 Academy Awards. Although the film was a box office failure, it was a critical success, which is usually the formula for most Oscar-winning movies.

8. Samuel L. Jackson in Jungle Fever (1991)

In the late ’80s to early ’90s, the unspoken rule in Hollywood was, if you were in a Spike Lee movie, no matter how brilliant you were, it was rare you would be recognized by the Academy Awards. Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as Wesley Snipes’ crackhead brother was unforgettable, but he was snubbed. The hardest-working man in Hollywood has only received one Oscar nomination, for Pulp Fiction in 1995.

7. Sidney Poitier in In the Heat of the Night (1967)

I guess after giving Sidney Poitier an Academy Award in 1964 (the first Black person to win for a leading role) for Lilies of the Field, they passed on even nominating him for In the Heat of the Night in 1967. His performance went down in history when he hollered ‘They call me Mr. Tibbs!” and smacked a racist white sheriff.

6. Angela Bassett in Malcolm X (1992)

Angela Bassett’s portrayal of the late Dr. Betty Shabazz was impassioned and poignant. Even though Denzel Washington received a best actor nod and there was a Best Costume Design nod, the passing of Bassett was the Academy Awards’ biggest error. Right next to ignoring Spike Lee for best director.

5. “Hopeless” by Dionne Farris for Love Jones (1997)

It’s not only actors and directors who get ignored for the Oscars—musicians do too. Dionne Farris‘ “Hopeless” was a big R&B hit and definitely deserved a nod for best original song from a movie, which was, of course, 1997’s Love Jones. Even though there was a buzz that the song was a contender, it got nothing.

4. City of God (2002)

The graphic film about the violent favelas in Brazil received three Oscar nods, but what left many people amazed was that it was ignored for Best Foreign Film. Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the world, said he was “mad” at the snub.

3. Set It Off (1996)

If Set It Off starred Demi Moore, Gena Davis, Hilary Swank, and Nicole Kidman, the movie would’ve received Oscar nominations across the board—think Thelma & Lousie. Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise all gave incredibly strong performances with a well-written script and good direction by F. Gary Gray. It was no shocker this movie wasn’t received well by the big wigs at the Academy.

2. Do the Right Thing (1989)

It was a national controversy when the Oscars blatantly ignored Spike Lee’s mega successful Do the Right Thing for Best Director and Best Film. The film received two nominations, one for Italian-American Danny Aiello in the Best Supporting Actor category and a nod for Best Screenplay. The legendary Kim Basinger, who was the Angelina Jolie of her time, famously said, “The best film of the year is not even nominated, and it’s Do the Right Thing.”

1. Eve’s Bayou (1997)

Ignoring Eve’s Bayou, which Roger Ebert said was the best film of 1997, was probably the biggest mistake the Oscars ever made when it comes to African-American film. The movie was flawless, with Samuel L. Jackson, Lynn Whitefield, and Debbie Morgan. Ebert famously said, “If it is not nominated for Academy awards, then the Academy is not paying attention.” Well, they surely didn’t.

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FYI – Oscar snubs are not just a Black thing. Latino actors have been unacknowledged for years (not one nomination for John Leguizamo!), and poor Leonardo Dicaprio, Annette Benning (who will more than likely lose this Sunday to Natalie Portman for Black Swan), and Glenn Close have all suffered legendary Oscar snubs and losses.

Due to a vicious custody battle that spread all over the tabloids and the Web, Oscar-winner Halle Berry bailed out of the film New Year’s Eve and Katherine Heigl replaced her. Now The Hollywood Reporter says that Berry is back on the project: “Berry was freed up this week when a judge in Los Angeles ruled in her favor, making it possible for her to travel with her daughter to New York, where Garry Marshall is shooting New Year’s Eve.”

However, Berry isn’t getting the role she originally had. Heigl is keeping her place and Berry will play a smaller role as a nurse.

In the vein of  2010’s lackluster Valentine’s Day, the Garry Marshall flick is padded with interconnecting plots and a massive all-star cast. Just to name a few: Ice Cube, Robert De Niro, Glee’s Lea Michele, Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker, and Sofia Vergara.

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Photo Credit: STS/WENN.com

Earlier in the month Aretha Franklin told Wendy Williams that Oscar-winner Halle Berry would play her in the long awaited biopic on the Queen of Soul’s life. Halle as Aretha? Most people gave it the side-eye – we all love Halle but she just didn’t seem right as Ms. Franklin. Halle agreed! On the red carpet for the Golden Globes she said, “Someone should tell Aretha that I can’t do her justice!” Also adding that she can’t sing.

Well, Aretha responded to Wendy Williams today with an official statement:

“I would have liked Halle Berry to portray the older Aretha in the upcoming biopic of my life based on my memoir Aretha: From These Roots, she was my first, but not my only choice. Everything is subject to negotiation and she shouldn’t underestimate her own talent. There are a number of other leading ladies out there that can definitely handle the role. I never expected Halle Berry to sing, she’s an actress, not a singer. Many actors have portrayed vocalists by lip-syncing to the artist’s original recordings.”

I also thought Halle saying that she couldn’t sing was odd reasoning — most biopics don’t have the actor singing. But, it looks like that was Halle’s nice way of saying she didn’t want the role. Good choice. As much as Halle is Aretha’s first choice it would be miscasting. Plus, Halle still has her dream role of playing Angela Davis!

Do you think Halle should push herself and play Aretha Franklin?  Cast your vote below.

Anne Hathaway is a ridiculously talented actress — if you haven’t seen Rachel Getting Married, rent it immediately. However, the selection of the 2011 Oscar co-host as one of the most iconic female figures in comic books, Catwoman, is a miscast for many Batman fans. Nonetheless, I’m happy it’s not Angelina Jolie.  Zahara’s mama is colonizing everyone’s roles!

Warner Bros. announced that Hathaway will play Catwoman aka Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises, a follow up to 2008’s The Dark Knight.  Hathaway knows how to reinvent herself for a role but this would require a complete overhaul that seems unattainable.  Catwoman?  No.  I see her more as Batgirl!  The clip below is proof.

Anne might surprise us and we all know Halle Berry wasn’t going to reprise her role.  I’d rather see Eva Mendes or Zoe Saldana, but my #1 one pick would be Lucy Liu.

You can’t mention Catwoman without the one who paved the way (shout out to Julie Newmar – the original!), the legendary and late-great Eartha Kitt.  Check out the clip below of Eartha as Catwoman.

Do you see Anne Hathaway as Catwoman?

Looks like Halle Berry as the legendary Aretha Franklin is not completely in the works as reported. The Queen of Soul told Wendy Williams that the Oscar winner will play her in the long awaited biopic. However, on the red carpet for the Golden Globes, Ryan Seacrest asked Halle about the film. She answered, “I can’t sing! If I could carry a tune, I’d consider it. Someone should tell Aretha that I can’t do her justice.”

Considering many people have been giving Halle as Aretha the side-eye since it was announced, it’s good that Halle also agrees she may not be the right fit. But singing shouldn’t be the issue — she was lip-synching in the biopic of Dorothy Dandridge.  Sounds like Halle just feels like she isn’t the right fit…

I think some good selections to play Aretha would be Mo’Nique, Jennifer Hudson or maybe even Viola Davis.  Honestly, I don’t want anyone singing Aretha’s songs – let them lip-synch like Angela Bassett in What’s Love Got To Do With It? Stay tuned…

No shockers last night at the 68th Annual Golden Globes.  Several wins for Glee, Natalie Portman for best actress in Black Swan and tons of bad fashion. As we already know, there is no diversity this year at the award shows so not one person of color won — I guess Precious was a once in a decade event!  Thank God for the NAACP Image Awards…

Notable wins include the legendary songwriter Diane Warren for best song for Cher’s “You Haven’t Seen The Last of Me” from Burlesque, Robert DeNiro receiving the Cecil B. Demille Award, and the most moving speech of the night came from Chris Colfer for best supporting actor for Glee.

The openly gay Colfer said, “All the amazing kids that watch our show and who are constantly told no by…bullies at school and told they can’t have what they want because of who they are. Well screw that!” Considering bullying has been headline news of late, Colfer’s words are highly relevant and important.

The at times drab night was somewhat picked up by Ricky Gervais, who took some stabs at the Hollywood elite like Angelina Jolie (commentating on how The Tourist bombed), John Travolta (those gay rumors), Hugh Hefner (marrying a 24-year-old), Robert Downey, Jr. (drug problems) and of course Mel Gibson.

Other folks in attendance were LL Cool J, Diddy, Lee Daniels, Alicia Keys, Golden Globe nominee Idris Elba (who lost to Al Pacino) and Halle Berry.

There has been tons of talk on Aretha Franklin’s biopic for the longest.  In September, we heard that Halle Berry was playing the legendary Queen of Soul. There was even a press release that said Denzel Washington, Halle and Terrence Howard would all be in the film. Well, today Aretha confirmed on The Wendy Williams Show that Oscar winner Halle Berry will play Aretha Franklin on film.

Now, I know there are many Halle haters out there who feel that she gets too many roles.  But, clearly this was a choice by the Queen and Halle obviously couldn’t say no.  This will be an extreme stretch for the actress, who already immortalized Dorothy Dandridge and whose dream role is Angela Davis.  Nonetheless, what Aretha wants, Aretha gets. I would’ve been curious to see what Mo’Nique or Jennifer Hudson could have done with the role – but Aretha knows her story better than anyone else.  Some artists don’t get any choice on who plays them in their biopic.

What do you think of Halle as Aretha?

As we saw from yesterday’s Golden Globe nominations, this year’s awards season is not going to be the rainbow it was last year — or even the year before. The 2010 Oscars made history when for the first time, a female was awarded best director (Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker), and an African-American writer won best adapted screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher, Precious). Nonetheless, everything will be back to Hollywood “normal” for 2011.

Thankfully, there are groups like the African-American Film Critics Association, which was founded in 2003 by Gil Robertson IV and Shawn Edwards. This year’s winners include Halle Berry for best actress, best actor Mark Wahlberg for The Fighter, and best screenplay for Night Catches Us by Tanya Hamilton. Here is the complete list.

Best Feature Film: “The Social Network,” directed by David Fincher
Best Documentary: “Waiting for Superman” directed by Davis Guggenheim
Best Actress: Halle Berry, “Frankie and Alice”
Best Actor: Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter”
Best Supporting Actress: Kimberly Elise, “For Colored Girls”
Best Supporting Actor: Michael Ealy, “For Colored Girls”
Best Director: Christopher Nolan, “Inception”
Best Screenplay: “Night Catches Us” by Tanya Hamilton
Best Song: “Four Women” composed by N. Simone, “For Colored Girls”
Special Achievement: Lena Horne, Roger Ebert and Melvin Van Peebles.

AAFCA’s Top 10 films of 2010:
1.    The Social Network
2.    The King’s Speech
3.    Inception
4.    Black Swan
5.    Night Catches Us
6.    The Fighter
7.    Frankie And Alice
8.    Blood Done Sign My Name
9.    Get Low
10.  For Colored Girls

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