‘Precious’ straight to DVD before Perry, Winfrey intervened?

This critic thought “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” stood out as 2009’s best film.

Plenty of folks agreed with me, and it made the cut as one of 10 Best Picture nominees last year.

But did you know the film would have gone straight to DVD if not for the intervention of two powerful people?

That’s what Tyler Perry says in a new interview tied to his weekend release “Why Did I Get Married Too?”

Perry, an unconventional mogul, says after he saw the film he decided to throw his support behind it. Later, Oprah Winfrey did the same.

Their clout made it possible for the film to get theatrical distribution, he says.

Wow.

Imagine one of the best movies of the year might not have been deemed “good enough” to earn a theatrical berth.

That says plenty of the current movie scene. And you can bet the upcoming films based on “Operation” and “Stretch Armstrong” will have no problem securing 3,000 – or more – theaters upon release.

(Photo: Tyler Perry used his clout to gain exposure to last year’s critical hit “Precious.”)

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Related posts:

1. Oprah + Perry = ‘Precious’ hit
2. Where’s the love for Tyler Perry?
3. ‘Precious’ – The Oscar race begins
4. Free ‘Meat’ at FEARnet.com