Every time I see an ad for Eddie Murphy’s upcoming Norbit — which appears to be a two-joke-pony of a movie, with the jokes being "Eddie Murphy is in fat-lady/elderly-Asian drag!" — I wonder: Are Oscar voters seeing this god-awful trailer, too?
When they view that scene of Big-Lady Murphy’s gut obscuring her bikini bottom (pictured), is the memory of the actor’s Dreamgirls performance as James "Thunder" Early similarly obscured? When GeekBoy Murphy gets repeatedly crushed on the bed beneath his girthier woman, are voters’ inclinations to choose Murphy as Best Supporting Actor similarly trampled? And when Murphy sensuously washes a car to the tune of Pussycat Dolls’ "Don’t Cha," while, for lack of a better term, putting ‘em on the glass (NSFW!), do Academy members reach for their pencils and check off Mark Wahlberg on their final ballots?
Oh, also, Thandie Newton? What the hell are you doing in this movie?
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Yes, I’m much more concerned about Thandie Newton being in that. Eddie has hurt his career a million times. Its a new concept for Thandie. What is a beautiful English rose doing in this crap fest?
I was thinking the same thing evertime this trailer comes on, and yes i think it will hurt his chances, this came out at the worst time for him, i am looking to see an upset in this category on oscar night, since he is the front runner right now. Anyway do i really care?
Just as I was thinking that Eddie Murphy had finally become a serious actor, he goes and makes this crap again? Am I the only one who is sick of certain actors playing 30 roles in one movie? (usually because no other decent actor would agree to appear in them)
I sure hope Norbit hurts his chances. Murphy does not deserve an Oscar. Which means he will probably win.
Doesn’t anyone have a sense of humor anymore???
I thought that, too, when I first saw those ads. Could they have thought of a worse time for that film to premiere? But then again, what if it’s uber-successful? That could plant another seed in people’s heads.
Dear God, I hope so. Give it to Wahlberg!
I agree with the person who’s more worried about Thandie Newton than Eddie Murphy (I mean, this IS what he does). In fact, I should run over to that earlier post and put Thandie Newton’s name on the list of film actors who deserve their own TV shows if this is the caliber of role being offered to her.
Still, though the timing of the release for this movie IS unfortunate for Eddie Murphy, I take a perverse pleasure in imagining future commercials/DVD releases touting “Academy Award winner Eddie Murhpy…” (followed by something like the pic accompanying this post)”…in “Norbit!”
I highly doubt it will. I agree that the first commercial I saw for the movie I was disappointed. However, recent commercials and the new trailer are promising in my opinion. It is what Murphy does well.
I agree, why is Thandie Newton in this film. and I don’t think this hurts his chances at an oscar. For me he’s not a lock. It’s a pretty competitive field. I like Jack Earle Haley from Little Children, talk about an effective, powerful performance. But even Mark Whalberg is better than Murphy… Norbit is not going to help for sure.
I think Norbit looks OK, at least it will be better than Epic Movie, and I don’t think it will hurt his chances.
Slezak, you owe me at least two photos each of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gisele Bundchen and Jessica Alba for subjecting my eyeballs to that.
Thandie Newton prides herself on being ever so intelligent. I would think her above a film like Norbit. After all she graduated from Cambridge(said in snotty British accent. Had to be the money. I don’t know much about her, but I am guessing that she is probably married to a “regular bloke” and is the primary bread winner.
No it should not. Although I do not expect for this movie to have much quality (my 13 y/o brother can’t wait to see it), it actually showcases Murphy’s talent. How many actors have enough skill to play several characters in the same movie like he did in the Dr. Do Little movies or Coming Back to America? Murphy has voiced memorable cartoon characters, made memorable turns as Reggie Hammond and Alex Foley & is nearly a national treasure! Yep, I said it. An oscar is long overdue!
A movie like this makes me wonder what the hell movie stars like Eddie Murphy think when they read a script like this!? What is the pitch that gets delivered in order for them to do it?
Is it easy money that motivates actors like E.M to take on these projects?
Nah, I don’t thin it will hurt at all; the Oscar is in Eddie’s bag. And Howard, I’m with ya on the Jessica Alba photos!
No I don’t think this will hurt his chances. I’m not going to rush out ans see Norbit but I don’t think it looks that bad.
Thandie Newton is a great actress maybe she just wanted to take a comedy break?
My eyes! My eyes! Please take that pic down. It’s not as bad as that Rod Stewart pic you had up a few months ago, but it’s definitely worse than that Borat green thong pic. And Norbit might hurt Eddie’s chances. That movie just reminds me of all the things he’s done that were just awful. It might remind voters as well.
Note to self: After a long day of work, I don’t want to SEE that.
Sooo funny Matt! I love the Comeback!
Actually, if it is anything like the Klumps, when after the initial joke, you realize that he creates real characters, it may be OK. I think it was EW or NYT who wrote about the Klumps that if it weren’t such a broad comedy, Eddie should be considered for an Oscar.
Oh, please. If the Academy isn’t aware of “Pluto Nash” and “Haunted Mansion” and “Daddy Day Care” and numerous other movies of dubious quality that Murphy has been in over the last couple of decades, then I doubt they’ll be aware of this movie, either. Anyway, lots of nominees’ and winners’ next movies are not exactly Oscar fare. “Catwoman,” anyone?
Dear Oscar,
For your consideration, please do not be such an uptight, crass, rude, stuck up person as the people are who are writing badly about Eddie Murphy’s chances to get an Oscar. Please Oscar, remember what you are voting on, THE PERFORMANCE. NOT any other performance that Eddie, or Helen Mirren (The Woods, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Teaching Mrs. Tingle), Peter O’Toole (Phantoms, Supergirl) Forrest Whitaker (Battlefield Earth, Species, Johnny Handsome), Mark Walberg (Hellooo…Marky Mark), or almost any actor in history has done.
Oscar, Please remember as well, that we as the public, enjoy going to see our acting royalty live it up, camp it up or however you want to put it: HAVE A GOOD TIME, BEING IN A DUMB MOVIE!! Life is serious enough, that’s why there are all types of movies.
People remember, “Loosen up, there isn’t a one of us that hasn’t made a fool of themselves, but still can pull out all the stops and do something that should be commended.”
I’m not stick-thin myself, but even I don’t want to see THAT. Oh, my eyes!
I still think Eddie will lose the Oscar. I was pretty surprised he won the SAG because I don’t think he’s that well-liked, but I don’t think he’ll pass the Academy test.
Alan Arkin is a much better choice…cause really, Eddie Murphy was still playing Eddie Murphy. He was just wearing retro clothes and had to sing a couple songs.
Can Hollywood please stop making fun of fat people and heavy black women in particular?
And can they hire and American sista to play an American sista? Thandie’s American accent was horrible in Crash!
If Borat, for whatever reason, can win a Golden Globe and get nominated for an Oscar, then Eddie Murphy has a chance of winning.
Totally true Slezak…they could have waited until March 1.
It’s no Oscar for Eddie.
“Thandie Newton prides herself on being ever so intelligent. I would think her above a film like Norbit. After all she graduated from Cambridge(said in snotty British accent. Had to be the money. I don’t know much about her, but I am guessing that she is probably married to a “regular bloke” and is the primary bread winner.”
Dee — my thoughts exactly.
Helen Mirren made Shadowboxer last year, her Queen(s) year.
Leave Eddie alone.
He is a genius.