Oscar Omissions

I am startled that no mention was made of Esai Morales and his dynamic performance in “La Bamba.”

Mathews writes that he composed his lists from various sources around town. Is it possible that not one person in town mentioned Morales?

Few actors on Mathews’ list had the electricity and complexity that Morales brought to his role. He had the unenviable task of bringing humanity to a basically unlikable character, and he succeeded brilliantly.

It’s too bad that all the media hype about the new Latino influence in Hollywood turned out to be just that, hype, in a town where only certain ethnics seem to be acceptable, while mere lip service is paid to the rest.

MICHAEL STIPANICH

Los Angeles