When Oprah Winfrey led a parade of A-listers on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival recently, comparisons to the Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan' quickly came to mind. The reaction from onlookers was rapturous.
There to promote 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,' Winfrey appeared genuinely touched by the rabid Canadian reception, clutching her hand to her heart in thanks. But the real love at the festival was saved for the movie, which took home the People's Choice Award.
No small sign there. Last year's winner of the same award was the eventual Oscar magnet 'Slumdog Millionaire.'
Award buzz has been following the star-boosted film since it wowed the Sundance Film Festival, sweeping the jury and audience awards. Variety, in one of the first reviews, called the film "a diamond -- clear, bright, but oh so hard."
Clareece "Precious" Jones (played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe) is an illiterate teen pregnant for the second time by her father and living in Harlem with her destructive mother (Mo'Nique). The film gives stunning, real-life performances from Paula Patton as Precious' inspirational teacher, and Lenny Kravitz as John, a nurse. Even the normally sparkling Mariah Carey, as an unglamorous social worker, wore dark circles under her eyes and a slight mustache, telling The Oprah Winfrey Show, "this is ugly man."
Early talk on the uncompromising Lee Daniels-directed movie pointed to one problem: marketing the complex film to a wide audience.
That problem all but disappeared when Winfrey and Tyler Perry came on as executive producers. "What do you think it means," Mo'Nique thundered to W magazine about Oprah's clear stamp of approval, "when the person under God says the movie is good?"
Oprah's PR blitz on behalf of the film in Toronto, left many crediting the talk-show queen with marketing her first award coupe for the movie. It also left Time magazine wondering "Can Oprah Lead Precious All the Way to the Oscar?" Time, and Oprah, will tell.
You are a jackass, Oprah has a voice and people listen to her. She has a daily platform in which she can promote whatever she wishes. If you don't like that fact that a black person has that much power get over it.
You sir are a racist idiot. If you had an ounce of sense, or kept up with the REAL world, you would know that ALL races are experiences hard times! Hello, the year is 2009 not 1909..Drop the racist views, your ignorance is showing..
you were asked something else.and all of a sudden you are talking about oprah..bloodsuckers.is there anything you racist are good for?you need a pain killer.oprah is has being there for all race in case you dont know!you better read more or watch more...and stop hating..
I saw this film at the Sundance Film Festival where it won a top award and praises. The film is amazing and thank you Oprah & Tyler Perry for getting it out to the public. No matter what you think about Oprah, see this movie. If it doesn't get to you, you have no heart and no soul. Previously named Push until a major release of the same name hit theaters, the story is gut wrenching and triumphant.
And no, I'm not a critic or expert, just a fan of one of the best things I've ever seen on the screen.
I read ,the book "PUSH" and it is a must read. I read many of the comments and everyone has their opinion. Racism and abuse is in all races. I think that it is wonderful that two very sucessful people see what u do not see a brilliant movie. Dont judge just go see it.
Don't know if Mo'Nique was being sarcastic or not, I hope she was because if ANYONE views Oprah as the person "under" God, you've got some serious issues!!!
Last time I checked, O ISN'T a perfect being!!!
Please, enough with praising O as if she was the 2nd coming because she's NOT!!! *rolling eyes*
The movie.. I'll see it but not because O or Perry have their names attached to it. I don't care who has their names attached to a great movie because it's the movie, the message it sending that counts in my book.... Peace
Oprah has it going on,and she cannot be stopped.She is one of the richest person in the world and she is bring up Tyler Perry showing him the game and she knows how to play it.Over 98% of people who were polled said that they would not want to live in the world if Oprah was not here
oprah & obama would make a perfect couple.maybe he could star in her next movie.I have no desire to watch anything either one of them have to say.obama's wife could go back to I hate America & white people church.
When Oprah Winfrey led a parade of A-listers on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival recently, comparisons to the Beatles on 'Ed Sullivan' quickly came to mind. The reaction from onlookers was rapturous.
Comments
(30)Add a comment
Saturday 03 October
By atragon
WTF is Oprah and why should anyone listen to her? She is not God. She is a very good opportunist. She learned from Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By mike
get a life people, if okra excites you, you have a problem..........
Saturday 03 October
By Andrea
You are a jackass, Oprah has a voice and people listen to her. She has a daily platform in which she can promote whatever she wishes. If you don't like that fact that a black person has that much power get over it.
Saturday 03 October
By jackie
she looks likeagirl that tried out for Idol,,and left cruing, because they laughed at her...Oprah go to Barrack and Michelles..
Saturday 03 October
By je9tot
Oprah better lay low, she is not as popular
as she was 2 years ago....her racist side is definetly showing!!
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By Sly
Does ANYONE still watch or listen to Oprah?
She is just another lobbyist for the Obamas.
Don't forget that Oprah was also a member of Reverend Wright's church like the Obamas for 20 years.
Oprah only cares about taking OUR tax dollars to advance a constant Welfare State for the black community.
People who REALLY care help others to become productive and proud citizens - not parasites!
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By Sharnell
You sir are a racist idiot. If you had an ounce of sense, or kept up with the REAL world, you would know that ALL races are experiences hard times! Hello, the year is 2009 not 1909..Drop the racist views, your ignorance is showing..
Saturday 03 October
By John
O is an Obama tool! I think she is so star struck that she can't see the forest for the trees.
Reply
Sunday 04 October
By barnigo williams
you were asked something else.and all of a sudden you are talking about oprah..bloodsuckers.is there anything you racist are good for?you need a pain killer.oprah is has being there for all race in case you dont know!you better read more or watch more...and stop hating..
Saturday 03 October
By Danny D
Oprah will make "Precious" as big as "Beloved"!
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By L Snow
I saw this film at the Sundance Film Festival where it won a top award and praises. The film is amazing and thank you Oprah & Tyler Perry for getting it out to the public. No matter what you think about Oprah, see this movie. If it doesn't get to you, you have no heart and no soul. Previously named Push until a major release of the same name hit theaters, the story is gut wrenching and triumphant.
And no, I'm not a critic or expert, just a fan of one of the best things I've ever seen on the screen.
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By peanut
Oprah or not. Go see the movie. If it's even half as good as the book, you will be moved.
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By deestes
I read ,the book "PUSH" and it is a must read. I read many of the comments and everyone has their opinion. Racism and abuse is in all races. I think that it is wonderful that two very sucessful people see what u do not see a brilliant movie. Dont judge just go see it.
Saturday 03 October
By JR
You racist AHOLES do know that the people that created Oprah are your fatazzed white wifes and mothers that watch old pork chops
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By american
Soooo true!
Saturday 03 October
By Renegade
Oprah is an arrogant, racist, sexist, pig.
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By E. Martinez
Don't know if Mo'Nique was being sarcastic or not, I hope she was because if ANYONE views Oprah as the person "under" God, you've got some serious issues!!!
Last time I checked, O ISN'T a perfect being!!!
Please, enough with praising O as if she was the 2nd coming because she's NOT!!! *rolling eyes*
The movie.. I'll see it but not because O or Perry have their names attached to it. I don't care who has their names attached to a great movie because it's the movie, the message it sending that counts in my book.... Peace
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By uswarrior1111
Yeah, as much as she helped Chicago get the Olympics!
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By wayne
Oprah has it going on,and she cannot be stopped.She is one of the richest person in the world and she is bring up Tyler Perry showing him the game and she knows how to play it.Over 98% of people who were polled said that they would not want to live in the world if Oprah was not here
Reply
Saturday 03 October
By annie49 -South Carolina
oprah & obama would make a perfect couple.maybe he could star in her next movie.I have no desire to watch anything either one of them have to say.obama's wife could go back to I hate America & white people church.
Reply