2012 Academy Award Nominations: Best Short Film, Live Action

Best Short Film, Live Action Nominees:

Pentecost (2011): Peter McDonald

Raju (2011): Max Zähle, Stefan Gieren

The Shore: Terry George

Time Freak (2011): Andrew Bowler, Gigi Causey

Tuba Atlantic (2010): Hallvar Witzø

Review: "The Tree of Life" is a Spacey Family Odyssey

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 6 (of 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux

The Tree of Life (2011)
Running time: 139 minutes (2 hours, 19 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for some thematic material
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Terrence Malick
PRODUCERS: Sarah Green, Dede Gardner, Grant Hill, Brad Pitt and William Pohlad
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Emmanuel Lubezki
EDITORS: Hank Corwin, Jay Rabinowitz, Daniel Rezende, Billy Weber, and Mark Yoshikawa
COMPOSER: Alexandre Desplat

DRAMA/HISTORICAL

Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler and Tye Sheridan, and Kameron Vaughn

The Tree of Life is a 2011 family drama written and directed by Terrence Malick. In the film, the origin of the universe and life on Earth plays side-by-side with the memories of a middle-aged man having a spiritual crisis.

Jack O’Brien (Sean Penn), an architect, is unhappy, a lost soul in the modern world. While watching the planting of a tree, Jack’s mind drifts through his memories of life as a teenager in the 1950s. His family lived in a sprawling neighborhood in Waco, Texas. There was his father, Mr. O’Brien (Brad Pitt), and his mother, Mrs. O’Brien (Jessica Chastain), and two younger brothers, R.L. (Laramie Eppler) and Steve (Tye Sheridan).

When he reaches adolescence, Young Jack (Hunter McCracken) is faced with a conflict. He must choose between accepting grace or nature, as embodied by each of his parents. Jack’s mother, Mrs. O’Brien believes in grace, which is gentle, nurturing, and authoritative. Mr. O’Brien embodies nature and is strict and authoritarian. Mr. O’Brien, who easily loses his temper, believes that you have to take what you want and also that his wife’s emphasis on love is foolish. Mrs. O’Brien teaches her children that the world is a place of wonder. Through his memories, a kind of trip through time to the past, Jack will try to reconcile his complicated relationship with his father. He also hopes to return something precious that is lost to his mother. Also, various scenes concerning the dawn of the universe and the formation of the Earth play out between scenes of the O’Briens.

In some ways, The Tree of Life is an experimental film, particularly in the way that Malick uses literal visuals in an abstract way to tell a story about the meaning of life and about the reconciliation of parent and child. The juxtaposition of both the universe and Earth’s past and future vividly recall Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. In fact, the way The Tree of Life’s special effects are created (without computer-generated imagery or CGI) is reminiscent of the special effects in 2001.

Malick’s film is both ambitious and humble in that he attempts to encompass all of existence, but channels that through the infinitesimal lives of flawed people. Those characters cannot come up with the big answers, but through love there is reconciliation and, if not answers, then, there is understanding of the relationships most precious to us.

The Tree of Life is an impressionistic story, and the viewer will have to pick and choose through images and colors to decipher the family drama at the center of the film. And this is a real family story, full of startling conflicts and ugly battles. There is, however, convergence and peace and love and beauty. The cast has to receive a lot of credit for their work; these moving, layered performances bring the literal to this often fantastic film. The trio that brings the O’Brien boys to life: Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler and Tye Sheridan, gives performances of complexity and profundity that are rarely seen in young actors – even among those that have received Academy Award nominations.

The Tree of Life can be perplexing and achingly slow. Malick also needed to put more emotion on screen and could have made more of the film a conventional narrative. Still, The Tree of Life is moving and deeply spiritual and also more ambitious than most films that star actors of the caliber of Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.

7 of 10
A-

NOTES:
2011 Cannes Film Festival: 1 win: “Palme d'Or” (Terrence Malick)

Monday, January 23, 2012

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Latest Naruto Shippuden Anime Straight from Japan to Hulu

VIZ MEDIA BRINGS NARUTO SHIPPUDEN ANIME TO HULU PLUS SUBSCRIBERS THE SAME DAY AFTER BROADCAST DEBUT IN JAPAN

Latest Action-Packed Ninja Adventures Straight From Japan To Stream For Fans Beginning With Episode 245

VIZ Media has announced the simulcast of the latest episodes of the anime series NARUTO SHIPPUDEN on the Hulu Plus subscription service (www.hulu.com/plus). Beginning January 19th, Hulu Plus subscribers will be able to simulcast the latest episode of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN in high-definition just an hour after broadcast debut in Japan. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Episode 245 (rated TV-14, subtitled) and new episodes will be broadcast weekly.

Users of the free, ad-supported Hulu service will also be able to catch the new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN segments one week after their initial run on Hulu Plus; the episodes will also be available on the company’s own VIZAnime.com site.

In the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN adventure, Naruto begins his training to control the power of a Tailed Beast with Killer Bee as his new master. In order to do so, one must fight with the Tailed Beast’s head on and absorb its chakra, converting it into one’s own power. Using the key entrusted to him by Jiraiya, Naruto unlocks the seal to release Nine Tails, and the battle between the two begins.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens. The manga and anime series (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for teens, and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘T+’ for older teens), depicting the adventures of ninja-in-training Uzumaki Naruto, is one of VIZ Media’s most successful properties and has captivated millions of fans across the Americas, and Europe The NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN animated series are co-productions of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc., and Pierrot Co., Ltd.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

More information on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at http://www.naruto.com/.

Review: "Underworld: Awakening" is Not Quite Awake

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 5 (of 2012) by Leroy Douresseaux

Underworld: Awakening (2012)
Running time: 88 minutes (1 hour, 28 minutes)
MPAA – R for strong violence and gore, and for some language
DIRECTOR: Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein
WRITERS: Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, and Allison Burnett; from a story by Len Wiseman (based upon characters created by Kevin Grevioux and Danny McBride and Len Wiseman)
PRODUCERS: Len Wiseman, Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, and Richard Wright
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Scott Kevan
EDITOR: Jeff McEvoy
COMPOSER: Paul Haslinger

FANTASY/ACTION/HORROR with elements of sci-fi

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, Stephen Rea, Theo James, India Eisley, Sandrine Holt, Charles Dance, and Kris Holden-Reid with Wes Bentley

Underworld: Awakening is a 2012 action horror film and is the fourth movie in the Underworld film franchise. Awakening is a direct sequel to the second installment, Underworld: Evolution (2006).

Six months after the events depicted in Evolution, humans discovered the existence of vampires and Lycans and began a war to eradicate the two races. Selene (Kate Beckinsale), the vampire Death Dealer, was captured and imprisoned in cryogenic suspension (put on ice, so to speak) during this war. She awakens 12 years later and manages to escape from Antigen, the facility where she was imprisoned. Selene has returned to a world that believes that vampires and Lycans are no more, but is this true?

Selene discovers that another test subject escaped from Antigen, a girl named Eve (India Eisley) who has a shocking connection to Selene. Now, the Death Dealer must protect Eve from the head scientist at Antigen, Dr. Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea), who wants to experiment on Eve. Selene allies with a young vampire named David (Theo James), but his father, Thomas (Charles Dance), considers Selene and Eve a danger to his coven. Meanwhile, Detective Sebastian (Michael Ealy), a human, has inadvertently discovered a conspiracy that threatens both humans and vampires.

First, I must admit that Underworld: Awakening is now the least of the four Underworld films. I say “least” instead of “worst” because I like this franchise, and the movie isn’t that bad. Truthfully, though, the first half of Awakening is a disaster; it’s as if a director had a big budget and still produced a cheesy, sci-fi horror flick destined for a Saturday night premiere on the Syfy channel. In the second half, when the screenplay unleashes Selene and allows her to be the ass-kicking Death Dealer we all know and love, then, the film comes to life and manages a decent finish.

Two other things of note: Awakening takes the mayhem and violence of this series to new heights, even for a franchise about werewolves and vampires. There is a level of gore here that will make even some hardened veterans of science fiction/fantasy/horror violence catch their breath. Secondly, the supporting characters are entirely wasted. What is the point of even having Michael Ealy’s Detective Sebastian in the movie; did the producers/studio just want a black guy in the movie? The character is actually good and has potential, but like the others, he is under-utilized.

Underworld: Awakening is actually something of a rebirth of the franchise, as it essentially starts the story on a fresh path. That’s not why this movie is a misfire. Underworld: Awakening is simply half a decent movie that has to drag along a really bad other half.

5 of 10
C+

Sunday, January 22, 2012

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43rd NAACP Image Awards Nominations Announced

The NAACP Image Award an award bestowed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The award honors outstanding achievements by people of color in film, television, music, and literature. The awards are voted on by members of the NAACP.

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards winners will be announced in a ceremony, February 17, 2012 and broadcast live on NBC.

MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES

Outstanding Motion Picture
• "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)
• "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• "Tower Heist" (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
• Eddie Murphy - "Tower Heist" (Universal Pictures)
• Laurence Fishburne - "Contagion" (Warner Bros. Pictures)
• Laz Alonso - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Oliver Litondo - "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)
• Vin Diesel - "Fast Five" (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
• Adepero Oduye - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Emma Stone - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Paula Patton - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Viola Davis - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Zoë Saldana - "Colombiana" (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
• Anthony Mackie - "The Adjustment Bureau" (Universal Pictures)
• Charles Parnell - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Don Cheadle - "The Guard" (Sony Pictures Classics)
• Jeffrey Wright - "The Ides of March" (Columbia Pictures)
• Mike Epps - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
• Bryce Dallas Howard - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Cicely Tyson - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
• Kim Wayans - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Maya Rudolph - "Bridesmaids" (Universal Pictures)
• Octavia Spencer - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
• "I Will Follow" (AFFRM)
• "Kinyarwanda" (AFFRM)
• "MOOZ-lum" (AFFRM)
• "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)

Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
• "A Separation" (Sony Pictures Classics)
• "Attack the Block" (Screen Gems)
• "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (FilmDistrict)
• "Le Havre" (Janus Films)
• "Life, Above All" (Sony Pictures Classics)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary - (Theatrical or Television)
• "Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" (Sony Pictures Classics)
• "Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey" (Submarine Deluxe)
• "Sing Your Song" (HBO Documentary Films)
• "The Rescuers" (Michael King Productions)
• "Thunder Soul" (Roadside Attractions)

WRITING (for film)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture - (Theatrical or Television)
• Alrick Brown - "Kinyarwanda" (AFFRM)
• Ann Peacock - "The First Grader" (National Geographic Entertainment)
• Dee Rees - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Elizabeth Hunter, Arlene Gibbs - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Tate Taylor - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

DIRECTING (for film)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture - (Theatrical or Television)
• Alrick Brown - "Kinyarwanda" (AFFRM)
• Angelina Jolie - "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (FilmDistrict)
• Dee Rees - "Pariah" (Focus Features)
• Salim Akil - "Jumping the Broom" (TriStar Pictures)
• Tate Taylor - "The Help" (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

43rd NAACP Image Awards Nominations: TV Categories

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards winners will be announced in a ceremony, February 17, 2012 and broadcast live on NBC.

TELEVISION CATEGORIES


Outstanding Comedy Series
• "Love That Girl!" (TV One)
• "Modern Family" (ABC)
• "Reed Between the Lines" (BET)
• "The Game" (BET)
• "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
• Dulé Hill - "Psych" (USA Network)
• Malcolm-Jamal Warner - "Reed Between the Lines" (BET)
• Phil Morris - "Love That Girl!" (TV One)
• Pooch Hall - "The Game" (BET)
• Terry Crews - "Are We There Yet?" (TBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
• Tatyana Ali - "Love That Girl!" (TV One)
• Tia Mowry-Hardrict - "The Game" (BET)
• Tracee Ellis Ross - "Reed Between the Lines" (BET)
• Vanessa Williams - "Desperate Housewives" (ABC)
• Wendy Raquel Robinson - "The Game" (BET)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
• Craig Robinson - "The Office" (NBC)
• Damon Wayans, Jr. - "Happy Endings" (ABC)
• J.B. Smoove - "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO)
• Nick Cannon - "Up All Night" (NBC)
• Tracy Morgan - "30 Rock" (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
• Amber Riley - "Glee" (FOX)
• Gabourey Sidibe - "The Big C" (Showtime)
• Keshia Knight Pulliam - "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" (TBS)
• Maya Rudolph - "Up All Night" (NBC)
• Sofia Vergara - "Modern Family" (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series
• "Boardwalk Empire" (HBO)
• "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
• "The Good Wife" (CBS)
• "Treme" (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
• Andre Braugher - "Men of A Certain Age" (TNT)
• Hill Harper - "CSI: NY" (CBS)
• L.L. Cool J - "NCIS: Los Angeles" (CBS)
• Taye Diggs - "Private Practice" (ABC)
• Wendell Pierce - "Treme" (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
• Chandra Wilson - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• Khandi Alexander - "Treme" (HBO)
• Regina King - "SouthLAnd" (TNT)
• Sandra Oh - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• Taraji P. Henson - "Person of Interest" (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• Corey Reynolds - "The Closer" (TNT)
• Ice T - "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
• James Pickens, Jr. - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
• Nelsan Ellis - "True Blood" (HBO)
• Omar Epps - "House M.D." (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
• Alfre Woodard - "Memphis Beat" (TNT)
• Anika Noni Rose - "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (NBC)
• Archie Panjabi - "The Good Wife" (CBS)
• Diahann Carroll - "White Collar" (USA Network)
• Loretta Devine - "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)
• "Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith" (ABC)
• "Luther" (BBC America)
• "The Least Among You" (Showtime)
• "Thurgood" (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• Esai Morales - "We Have Your Husband" (Lifetime)
• Idris Elba - "Luther" (BBC America)
• Laurence Fishburne - "Thurgood" (HBO)
• Louis Gossett, Jr. - "The Least Among You" (Showtime)
• Samuel L. Jackson - "The Sunset Limited " (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• Anika Noni Rose - "Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith" (ABC)
• Jenifer Lewis - "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)
• Rosario Dawson - "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)
• Taraji P. Henson - "Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story" (Lifetime)
• Tracee Ellis Ross - "Five" (Lifetime Movie Network)

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
• Aaron D. Spears - "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)
• Bryton James - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Emerson Brooks - "All My Children" (ABC)
• James Reynolds - "Days of Our Lives" (NBC)
• Texas Battle - "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
• Christel Khalil - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Julia Pace Mitchell - "The Young & the Restless" (CBS)
• Tatyana Ali - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Tonya Lee Williams - "The Young and the Restless" (CBS)
• Yvette Freeman - "The Bold and the Beautiful" (CBS)

Outstanding News/ Information - (Series or Special)
• "BET News Exclusive: The President Answers Black America" (BET)
• "Judge Mathis" (Syndicated)
• "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" (HBO)
• "Unsung" (TV One)
• "Washington Watch with Roland Martin" (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series
• "Anderson" (Syndicated)
• "Oprah's Lifeclass" (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• "The Doctors" (Syndicated)
• "The View" (ABC)
• "The Wendy Williams Show" (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Series
• "All-American Muslim" (TLC)
• "American Idol" (FOX)
• "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC)
• "Sunday Best" (BET)
• "Tia & Tamera" (Style Network)

Outstanding Variety Series or Special
• "2011 BET Awards" (BET)
• "Black Girls Rock!" (BET)
• "Oprah Presents: Master Class" (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
• "Prince! Behind the Symbol" (The Africa Channel)
• "UNCF An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan" (BET)

Outstanding Children’s Program
• "A.N.T. Farm" (Disney Channel)
• "Dora The Explorer" (Nickelodeon)
• "Go, Diego! Go!" (Nickelodeon)
• "I Can Be President: A Kid’s-Eye View" (HBO)
• "My Family Tree" (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program - (Series or Special)
• China Anne McClain - "A.N.T. Farm" (Disney Channel)
• Keke Palmer - "True Jackson, VP" (Nickelodeon)
• Lance Robertson - "Yo Gabba Gabba" (Nickelodeon)
• Leon Thomas III - "Victorious" (Nickelodeon)
• Zendaya Coleman - "Shake It Up" (Disney Channel)

DIRECTING (for television)


Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
• Jay Chandrasekhar - "Happy Endings" - The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
• Kevin Hooks - "Drop Dead Diva" - Mother's Day (Lifetime)
• Leonard R. Garner Jr. - "Rules of Engagement" - The Set Up (CBS)
• Miguel Arteta - "How to Make It in America" - Mofongo (HBO)
• Salim Akil - "The Game" - Parachutes/Beach Chairs (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
• Ernest Dickerson - "Treme" - Do Watcha Wanna (HBO)
• Ken Whittingham - "Parenthood" - Opening Night (NBC)
• Kevin Sullivan - "NCIS" - Tell-All (CBS)
• Paris Barclay - "Sons of Anarchy" - Out (FX Network)
• Seith Mann - "Dexter" - Get Gellar (Showtime)

WRITING (for television)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
• Arthur Harris - "Reed Between the Lines" - Let's Talk About Ms. Helen's Son Part 1 (BET)
• Prentice Penny - "Happy Endings" - The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
• Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil - "The Game" - Parachutes....Beach Chairs (BET)
• Vali Chandrasekaran - "30 Rock" - It's Never Too Late For Now (NBC)
• Vince Cheung, Ben Montanio - "Wizards of Waverly Place" - Wizards vs. Angels (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
• Cheo Hodari Coker - "SouthLAnd" - Punching Water (TNT)
• Janine Sherman Barrois - "Criminal Minds" - The Bittersweet Science (CBS)
• Lolis Eric Elie - "Treme" - Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues? (HBO)
• Pam Veasey - "Ringer" - Oh Gawd, There's Two of Them? (The CW)
• Zoanne Clack - "Grey's Anatomy" - I Will Survive (ABC)

43rd NAACP Image Awards Nominations: Music Categories

The 43rd NAACP Image Awards winners will be announced in a ceremony, February 17, 2012 and broadcast live on NBC.

RECORDING CATEGORIES

Outstanding New Artist
• Committed (Epic)
• Diggy Simmons (Atlantic Records)
• Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. (Columbia Records)
• Mindless Behavior (Streamline/Conjunction/Interscope Records)
• Wynter Gordon (Big Beat/Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Male Artist
• Anthony Hamilton (RCA Records)
• Bruno Mars (Elektra Records)
• Cee Lo Green (Elektra Records)
• Chris Brown (Jive Records)
• Common (Warner Bros. Records)

Outstanding Female Artist
• Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)
• Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)
• Ledisi (Verve Forecast)
• Mary J. Blige (Geffen)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
• Boyz II Men (Benchmark Entertainment/MSM Music Group)
• Cee Lo Green feat. Melanie Fiona (Elektra Records)
• Mary J. Blige feat. Drake (Geffen)
• Sounds of Blackness (Malaco Music Group)
• The Roots (Island Def Jam Music Group)

Outstanding Jazz Album
• "Chano y Dizzy" - Terence Blanchard and Poncho Sanchez (Concord Music Group Inc.)
• "Friends" - Stanley Jordan (Mack Avenue Records)
• "Guitar Man" - George Benson (Concord Jazz)
• "Legacy" - Gerald Wilson (Mack Avenue Records)
• "Road Show Vol. 2" - Sonny Rollins (Emarcy)

Outstanding Gospel Album - (Traditional or Contemporary)
• "Becoming" - Yolanda Adams (N House Music Group)
• "Church on the Moon" - Deitrick Haddon (Verity Gospel Music Group)
• "Hello Fear" - Kirk Franklin (Verity Gospel Music Group)
• "Something Big" - Mary Mary (Columbia Records)
• "The Journey" - Andraé Crouch (RiverPhlo Entertainment)

Outstanding World Music Album
• "Afrodiaspora" - Susana Baca (Luaka Bop)
• "Carnival Fever" - Brother B (King Chero Records)
• "Live at 2011 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival" - Boukman Eksperyans (MunckMix, Inc.)
• "Sounds of Blackness" - Sounds of Blackness (Malaco Music Group)
• "The First Grader" - Alex Heffes (Varese Sarabande)

Outstanding Music Video
• "25/8" - Mary J. Blige (Geffen)
• "Hear My Call" - Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)
• "I Was Here" - Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• "Someone Like You" - Adele (Columbia Records)
• "Where You At" - Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)

Outstanding Song
• "Best Thing I Never Had" - Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• "Fool for You feat. Melanie Fiona" - Cee Lo Green (Elektra Records)
• "I Smile" - Kirk Franklin (Verity Gospel Music Group)
• "So In Love feat. Anthony Hamilton" - Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)
• "Someone Like You" - Adele (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Album
• "4" - Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
• "F.A.M.E" - Chris Brown (Jive Records)
• "I Remember Me" - Jennifer Hudson (Arista Records)
• "Lasers" - Lupe Fiasco (1st & 15th/Atlantic Records)
• "The Light of the Sun" - Jill Scott (Warner Bros. Records)