Although Halle Berry and Denzel Washington were noticeable absent from this year’s festivities, Black men and women brought their A game to the Red Carpet.

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Well this time we can believe the hype about “Precious: Based On the Novel Push by Sapphire,” The movie has actually earned six, count ‘em six, Academy Award nominations. Not bad, not bad at all—especially for a movie many thought no one would see. It’s no surprise that Mo’Nique got a nod for her role as the immensely disturbing character, Mary Jones. She’s been racking up the statuettes for Best Supporting Actress in every award show leading up to the Oscars and it would be a shock if she didn’t win. (However, with the members of the Academy you never know.) But the fame isn’t going to her head as evidenced by her greeting to Matt Lauer and the “Today Show” hosts this morning in which she called him ‘baby’ or somesuch. However, she gets big points for saying, “I’m celebrating this moment with the world. I’m celebrating this moment with Hattie McDaniel.” (McDaniel was the first Black woman to take home the prize in 1939 and the only other two sisters to win have been Whoopi Goldberg in 1990 and Jennifer Hudson four years ago.) Read the full story

Besides Mo’Nique’s big win (the first of the night) and heartfelt acceptance speech, there was a scarcity of people of color crossing the stage at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. In spite of the rain (which is not a black woman’s friend) brothers and sisters did brave the red carpet.

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We’re in week two of our countdown of stories that shaped the images of black women in popular culture. We’ve chosen a dozen stories (the good, the bad and the ridiculous) that captured our attention in 2009. Here’s the story that made our hot list today:

#4: A Precious Year (aka “The Fat Black Girl Wins: “Push” Takes Sundance” originally published January 26, 2009) Read the full story

As I mentioned yesterday, we’ll be talking about Awards for the next three months. Right about now having your name show up on a ballot almost trumps box office numbers (I said almost). Since Mo’Nique has already been named Best Supporting Actress by I think three (and counting) Critic’s Association none of us is surprised that she’s up in the mix for the Golden Globes. Still a ‘go girl’ has to be inserted right there. And I have a big Kool-Aid smile on because I’m overjoyed that Gabourey Sidibe’s work as Claireece “Precious” Jones has also been recognized. But while the movie itself was nominated for Best Motion Picture, Drama, it’s director Lee Daniels  was summarily shut out in the directing category. Read the full story

As “Precious” continues to roll out to theaters across the country the star of the movie, Gabourey Sidibe, has been started to embrace the noteriety that comes with being in the spotlight. She’s done the talk show circuit and now is hitting up the red carpet for film events in New York and Hollywood. Last night she made the scene for The Museum of Modern Art’s tribute to Tim Burton. Maybe these appearance will help dispell the idea that Sidibe is Claireece but we’ve all got to remember that she’s just acting.

So the much talked about film “Precious” finally opens in select cities today (then rolls out across the country over the next couple of weeks). I’m sure a lot of folks are probably saying finally because this flick has been hyped since January when it premiered at Sundance and blew those in attendance away. That is  certainly a long lead time but I’m here to say that the film definitely lives up to all the hype. Read the full story

As many of you already know I’ve been urging you to take your big girl pill and go out and see “Precious” which begins opening in select cities this Friday, November 6th (and will be in wide release November 20th). But may this contest will pique your interest. Read the full story

While many of you are debating whether you’ll actually make it to the theater to see “Precious” next week (umm, take a couple of big girl pill and see it!), the women who plays the title role is already picking up awards for her performance. Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe who plays the illiterate, obese, pregnant, abused teen in the film adapation of “Push” by Sapphire, won The New Hollywood Award at The Hollywood Awards Ceremony last night. Many believe that the Hollywood Awards are a precursor for what’s to come (yes, I’m talking Golden Globes and Oscar) when the full-fledged awards seasons gets in swing early next year. Read the full story

The surprise hit of Sundance, “Precious”, won’t hit theaters for two more months but this weekend it will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. After that there’s no doubt that the buzz for this highly anticipated film from director Lee Daniels will just grow louder (and along with it Oscar buzz for Mo’Nique as the mother from Hell). Anyway, the Los Angeles Times has a great profile of Daniels which includes why he chooses stories that may make many feel uncomfortable. (Remember “Monster’s Ball” and “The Woodsman”, which starred Kevin Bacon as a pedophile?) Read the full story