Coming up. The path to the white house in 2016. It apparently includes comments on president obamas religious faith from some potential gop candidates. Hey, there, everyone. Its high noon in the east. 9 00 a. M. Right here in the west. Welcome to weekends with alex witt from los angeles. We begin with developing news. A somaliabased terror group is issuing new calls today for terror attacks on western malls. The Group Al Shabaab released a new video overnight calling for westgatestyle attacks on Shopping Centers across the world, including the mall of america in minnesota. Now, it is the same group that claimed responsibility for the attack on a mall in nairobi, kenya, back in 2013. Already, the mall of america says they are taking the threat seriously and will have enhanced security. The department of Homeland Security secretary jeh johnson is urging people to be vigilant. I would say that if anyone is planning to go to the mall of america today, theyve got to be particularly careful. And as the statement you read indicates, there will be enhanced security there that will be apparent to people federal security as well . There will be enhanced security there, but public vigilance, Public Awareness and public caution in situations like this is particularly important. Nbcs Kristen Welker is live at the white house for us. So kristen, with a good sunday to you, what other precautions is the white house taking due to this threat . Reporter well, look the Administration Says they are taking this threat very seriously. They are in discussions, investigating the video. Heres what we know so far. According to top u. S. Officials, al shabaab released that video, which calls for attacks on shopping malls in canada and here in the United States. In it the terror group references the attack on the mall in kenya which left more than 60 people dead. A Statement Last night, a spokesperson for the National Security council told me quote, protecting Public Safety and National Security is our highest security. We are aware of the reported call from al shabaab for westgate style attacks against Shopping Centers around the world to include the United States. In recent months, the fbi and dhs have worked closely with our state and local Public Safety counterparts and members of the private sector to include mall owners and operators to prevent and mitigate these types of threats. So essentially, alex officials are stressing that their Security Posture hasnt changed in the wake of this video, because theyre already on tightened alert, when it comes to mall security and also protecting other places that draw large crowds. Now, meanwhile, the mall of america also released a statement, saying the mall is aware of the video and that quote, we will continue to monitor events with the help of federal, state, and local Law Enforcement agencies. We will continue to follow the situation, along with Law Enforcement, and will remain vigilant, as we always do in similar situations. So really calling for increased vigilance. Now, as for al shabaab, a little bit of background. It is a somaliabased terror group that has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks, including a Suicide Attack at a hotel in mogadishu on friday. That left 25 people dead. The terrorist group has recruited heavily in minneapolis. That city has the largest somali population in the United States. Law enforcement officials do not believe there is any specific or credible threat against the United States, a really important point to underscore alex. Still, they are investigating that video and they are taking this very seriously. Alex . Yeah kristen, you mentioned the fact that theres been some recruiting there in the minnesota area. It so makes me wonder why the mall of america dish mean i mean, that would be the closest of the large wellknown malls across this country, and are other malls specifically named . Reporter well, other malls are named in canada and then a shopping area in the uk. Important to underscore when you talk about where they are targeting specifically one official making this point, alex, said this is really more of a call to action. They are urging their followers to take some type of action. So the fact that they have named these malls really more of a call to action than a specific threat. But, again, dhs secretary jeh johnson and other top officials here are calling for increased vigilance. Alex . Okay. Nbcs Kristen Welker at the white house for us. Thank you so much. Well talk more about the threat to americas mall with adam schiff coming up in just a few minutes from now. Meanwhile, new concerns today that three missing british schoolgirls have made their way to syria to join isis. The three were last seen boarding an International Flight to turkey. It is not certain where they are now, so that is raising concerns among authorities, as well as the girls families. Nbcs katy tur is outside Scotland Yard in london. Katy with a good day, what are you hearing from the families . Reporter alex their parents are understandably upset and growing more so by the hour especially considering that one british newspaper, the telegraph, is reporting, citing turkish Intelligence Officers that the girls were able to meet up with isis smugglers when they landed in turkey and they have already crossed the border into syria. Five days gone and their loved ones are still pleading for the girls to come back. Just told them to come home. Like, everyones missing them. Everyones worried. Its a couple weeks before the exam and we just hope that nothing serious is going to happen to them. Reporter 15yearold sh, a 16yearold, and a second 15yearold boarded a flight to istanbul on tuesday. Their families fear the three plan to cross the border to join isis in syria. Walking through security many were struck by how normal the girls seemed in tight jeans, leopard print accessories, and trendy thickrimmed glasses. Experts say isis is trying to lure people young people worldwide, using its powers of persuasion, through slick online videos and twitter propaganda. Theres a real risk that isis is deliberating targeting and recruiting teenage girls. Because what theyre trying to do is they say, maybe you dont like living in your home country, maybe in the United States in europe or elsewhere, why dont you come and work with us, and well give you exactly the pure life that supposedly we can provide. Reporter the girls families have declined interviews but released statements begging their daughters to reconsider. One reading, we understand that you have strong feelings and want to help those you believe are suffering in syria. You can help from home. You dont have to put yourself in danger. Please dont cross the border. Please come home to us. Our mum needs you home and is really worried. We are not mad at you. We love you. Reporter experts say preventing this is really a topdown effort, from the community all the way to the family members and the parents, but they say that if you are really concerned, lock up their passports. Alex, back to you. Okay. Thanks so much nbcs katy tur there in london. Well other news now, a Minneapolis Police officer is recovering today after being shot while responding to a burglary call. A single shot hit that officer while he was in his squad car on saturday. Police have one person in custody and they say that the officer was likely the intended target of the shooting. He is in satisfactory condition. A 40ton whale is free after getting caught in a fishing line more than a week ago. The humpback whale got tangled up off the coast of hawaii in a synthetic fishing line. It was attached to a red bowie. A 6footpiece of that line is still stuck in a wound, though experts say it should fall out over time. A weekend spauscewalk is being called a success. The walk lasted about 6 1 2 hours and those ports will receive americanmade capsules beginning in 2017. There are two Additional Space walks scheduled to complete that rewiring job. Another frozen week lies ahead, sorry to tell you about that, after a week of warmer temperatures at least the weekend, lots of snow and sleet, though. In kentucky, there were fears of flooding after the roads in louisville became covered with slush and ice. Pretty hard there, for the drivers to stay in control. The stuck cars were abandoned, in fact, across the region. Two cars that were slid off on 71 coming here and i was going to stop and be the Good Samaritan samaritan, but i was afraid i was going to get stuck as well. In eastern tennessee, ice was the big problem there, and then the wind. Trees and power lines came crashing down. It just sounded like we were just getting, just showered with the ice pellets. Everything is just breaking snapping. So we still have a lot of trees coming down with the high winds. So thats going to cause even more problems. Thousands of customers were left without power. The governor declaring a state of emergency there. And then a bit further east maryland and the washington, d. C. , area saw several inches of snow on saturday which eventually turned to sleet and rain. Heading north to connecticut, a kind of fun way to cope with all this snow. The kids young and old, taking to the slopes in cardboard sleds. That actually does look like fun. Well, meteorologist paul goodloe from the Weather Channel is joining me now with more on all of this frozen forecast for much of the nation. Paul . Our next winter storm is still dumping snow right now across colorado including denver. It doesnt look that great on the radar. Thats because we have 12 14,000foot mountains around so it obscures some of that. But snowing heavily, over a foot in boulder, and dumping on the ski resorts. But getting there is the big concern. Meanwhile, another part of this system is giving rain and thunderstorms moving into dallas and ft. Worth. Right now, with this afternoon and this evening, just rain but then tomorrow cold air starts coming in and more moisture on top of that. And we have a serious concern with some freezing rain and some ice setting up here across dallas and the metroplex. Again, everyone in the pink and the purple thats sleet and freezing rain. All monday long in dallas you can see hours upon hours of sleet and freezing rain. Its going to ice over that entire city there, and eventually push on into louisiana and mississippi, even into birmingham alabama, into tomorrow night. Thats that purple. Thats that freezing rain. At the same time, were still getting plenty of snow still falling across colorado. Look at that. Southwestern colorado, a couple of feet of snow. Snow mass aspen, still getting close to a foot of snow as well. Were also watching 3 to 5 inches out here in amarillo. I40, look for plenty of snow across areas of texas and new mexico, but the big concern, alex is this storm could paralyze dallas in terms of travel with all that ice, all monday long. Alex . Okay. Paul goodloe thank you very much for the heads up on all of that. Wisconsin Governor Scott walker and his answer to a question about president obamas religion. Is this all about the primaries . E market. But at t. Rowe price weve helped guide our clients through good times and bad. Our experienced investment professionals are one reason over 85 of our mutual funds beat their 10year lipper averages. So in a variety of markets we can help you feel confident. Request a prospectus or summary prospectus with Investment Information risks, fees and expenses to read and consider carefully before investing. 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Homeland security secretary jeh johnson today said he takes seriously a threat made by an Al Qaedalinked terror group against shopping malls, including minnesotas mall of america. This latest at the same time from al shabaab reflects the new phase weve evolved to in the global terrorist threat in that you have groups such as al shabaab, isil publicly calling for independent actors in their homelands to carry out attacks. Anytime a terrorist organization calls for an attack on a specific place weve got to take that seriously. Well the mall of america, in a statement, says it has implemented extra security precautions. Some may be noticeable to guess and others wont be. Lets bring in california congressman, adam schiff. The congressman is the top democrat on the house intelligence committee. And with a welcome to you, sir, and a particular pleasure to have you here in the studio with me to talk about all of this. What would you say to somebody after hearing the secretary, somebody who says im going to go shopping today at the mall of america . I would say, go shopping at the mall. We dont want this to change how we behave and how we act in our lives. The reality is that these terrorist groups are all competing with each other. Theyre kind of throwing into the ether these messages on social media, urging attacks on the west. They may be nothing more than that, but we do have to take them seriously. But i would encourage people to go to the mall if that was their plan and not be deterred. Secretary johnson also expressed concerns about groups like this trying to do recruiting, target their efforts here in the United States. What do you think about security policy, in terms of how that has changed to thwart those efforts . Well were trying to use what the secretary describes as a whole government approach where obviously we try to stop these terrorist groups where they live but were also trying to make sure that foreign fighters dont come back into the country, that were working well with the communitybased organizations, religious organizations, to make sure that we can spot people who are becoming radicalized or at risk of radicalization. Sowear trying to do all of the above, and really all of that is necessary. Back in the immediate aftermath of 9 11 it was mainly about stopping core al qaeda and these attacks that were planned overseas and launched in this country, but now we have a much more diffuse threat that in some ways is more difficult to defend against. The good news is, theyre not likely to be able to carry off those massive attacks like they did in 9 11. But nonetheless, we are very much at risk of these lowtech lowlevel, but nonetheless, lethal threats. But, sir, in your position youre privy to all sorts of intelligence information that were not. How concerned are you that there is the specifics of the mall of america being named here . I mean i know you say everybody, go shopping and have your routines as planned, dont alter that but when you think about the details that you know how concerned are you . Well im concerned about the general threat. I dont think we have any information apart from this video that there are operatives in the country that are targeting a mall or that weve had firefighters return from somalia, who are actively engaged in this plotting. So we dont have any specifics apart from this video, but i am concerned that you know, if you look around the globe right now, you see attacks in canada you see attacks in paris and belgium, australia, you see a pace of attacks around the world, about one every month or so. And were not immune from that as weve seen in boston. So there is a real concern, at the same time, this is going to be with us for a long time and we simply have to go about living our lives. Okay. Something i want to talk to you about, which is about iraq and a concern, the New York Times having printed all of the details that were afforded to the reporters there, by u. S. Centcom officials, about the plans to retake the retake the iraqi city of mosul. Something they would like to do. Were talking 20 to 25,000 troops. Were even being told april to may as a time frame for this. Does this make sense to you . We have plenty of people who are saying, why give away our plans . Im a little puzzled by it. And im disturbed, frankly, that this is something that the secretary of defense didnt know was going to happen the white house didnt know was going to happen. Are shoe your the white house didnt know . I take them at their word. I find it all perplexing. Im not sure we gain much by advertising this. And the concern i would have frankly, is that it puts pressure on the coalition to go forward with this time frame, even if the iraqis arent ready. And the one thing that i dont want to see happen is i dont want to see the iraqi forces go to take mosul when theyre not ready yet and they have to call on the american cavalry. That is something i dont want to see happen. Do you know if the white house has responded specifically by the letter sent by senator mccain and senator graham asking if they had approved this . They were questioning, how would the pentagon allow this information to be put out, u. S. Centcom officials doing the information, how would they allow that if the white house wasnt on board . You know, i dont know the answer to that. And i find it even more inexplicable that the secretary of defense didnt know and wasnt brought into this. You know i will say this though. That the information that was provided by centcom isnt going to be of any great surprise to isis. Theyve known generally that the Iraqi Government wanted to launch this offensive in the spring. They know about what it would take to be done. So i dont think all that much has been disclosed. At the same time im not really sure what was the thought or purpose behind it. As you know the new secretary of defense, Ashton Carter has been in afghanistan and has been meeting with the new president there. He has said that the u. S. May be slowing down the complete withdrawal of troops from afghanistan. Talk about the ideology of that why the change and if youre concerned at all that would put remaining u. S. Troops in jeopardy. I think theyre telegraphing essentially, alex, this is going to happen. We have a much better relationship than we did with karzai, but this is driven more by the facts on the ground. The fact that we still need a big enough military footprint to get the intelligence that we need in the region. I think thats one of the factors. I also think that theres the potential of talks with the taliban right now. And we want to keep the pressure on. We dont want to signal that they can wait us out. I think that can also be militating in favor of a slightly slower drawdown pace. But i think, essentially, from what were hearing, this is very likely to happen. I know that ive asked you about upcoming visit by israeli Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu. Youve said that you will attend when he addresses congress should that inevitably happen because theres been some question about that as well. But it seems like there is a war of words right now. And his message to stop iran from any nuclear development, and, tell me where you think that stands right now, and why you think some of your democratic colleagues have said we will not attend any speech that he may give. Well i think they feel and i think theyre right, this is an invitation that should have never been extended in the way it was and at the time it was. Right around the time of the israeli elections, without informing the white house. It injects a level of partisan politics into the u. S. Israeli relationship that is very destructive. I understand where my colleagues are coming from. I think frankly the best outcome, although i dont think its going to happen is for the Prime Minister to give a classified briefing to members of congress. We have a large, closed auditorium where we can speak very candidly because it will be classified that would meet his objective of giving his most unvarnished thoughts to the congress about this potential agreement with iran. At the same time, it would take it a little less out of the political realm. That, i think, would be the ideal, although i have to admit, i dont think its going to happen. Okay, representative adam schiff, youre probably headed back to washington very soon, arent you . I am this evening. Oh, well enjoy that snow. I have a couple of days in l. A. , which ill enjoy it here. A preview of tonights Academy Awards. Birdman versus boyhood . Plus the division between the general public and the academy elite. 21. Could something that small make an impact on something as big as your retirement . I dont think so. Well if you start putting that towards your retirement every week and let it grow over time, for twenty to thirty years that retirement challenge might not seem so big after all. At kraft we start with eggs oil, and our own crafted vinegar. All expertly blended to make our mayo. So you can take whatever youre making from good to amazing. Get inspired at kraftrecipes. Com start the interview with a firm handshake. Ay,no dont do that try new head shoulders instant relief. It cools on contact, and also keeps you 100 flake free. Try new head shoulders instant relief. For cooling relief in a snap. Ring ring progresso i cant believe im eating bacon and rich creamy cheese before my sisters wedding well its only 100 calories, so youll be ready for that dress uhhuh. You dont love the dress . I love my sister. 40 flavors. 100 calories or less. If you take multiple medications, a dry mouth can be a common side effect. Thats why theres biotene. It comes in oral rinse spray or gel so theres moisturizing relief for everyone. Biotene, for people who suffer from a dry mouth. Its time 2340unow for todays number ones. Since the Academy Awards show is just hours away well focus on tinsel towns ultimate awards fest. May 16th 1929 that was the first Academy Awards. It charged an admission price of just 5. Only 15 oscars were awarded, whereas 50 will be handed out tonight. And get this, that first ceremony in 1929 was only 15 minutes long. Compare that to the longest oscars telecast in 2002 that went 4 hours and 23 minutes. Im on the street mark housetohouse is the deadliest job here, man. Got some sort of savior complex . Well best picture nominee american sniper has americanearned over 300 million. And at 2 hours and 14 minutes, it is the second longest. Why does that matter . Research by collider. Com shows that the majority of best picture winners have run 2 hours or longer. Through the year 2010 54 of the 80 best picture winners were longer than 2 hours. And the longest nominees won best picture 40 of the time. So all that means the winner will be he didnt even ask he just cut it. I mean, its my hair. Boyhood, because that is the longest best picture contender, clocking in at 2 hours and 45 minutes. Only three others are more than two hours long. Birdman is a minute shy of 2 hours, but that doesnt matter to prediction website, 528. It picks birdman based on all the other awards it has already won. With money on the line the oddsmakers make boyhood the heavy favorite followed by the imitation game and the grand budapest hotel. But maybe you can settle for a divining rod or some sort of ouija board to figure it out, or you can just call moviefone. Why dont you just tell me the name of the movie you selected. Got to love cramer. Those are your number ones. In just a moment a comprehensive look at who is likely to win and why. Youre watching weekends with alex witt live from los angeles. Sarah blakley had a simple idea that turned into a brilliant business. She cut the legs off a pair of panty hose leaving the top part, and called them spanx. She research and wrote her own patent selffunded the company with 5,000 in savings, and did focus groups with friends and family. She still owns 100 of the company, becoming the youngest female billionaire in the world. For more on the seven days of genius, visit msnbc. Com. Okay lets go go, go, go. Woah go right, go left, go left stop now go. shouting lets go i gotta go can i go . Yup you can go. beeping alert woah there you go way to go lets go buddy, lets go anncr the ford fusion. We go further, so you can. [ male announcer ] legalzoom has helped start over 1 million businesses. If you have a business idea, we have a personalized legal solution thats right for you. With easy stepbystep guidance, were here to help you turn your dream into a reality. Start your Business Today with legalzoom. Turn around every now and then i get a little bit hungry and theres nothing good around turn around, barry i finally found the right snack [ female announcer ] fiber one. For most people, earning cash back ends here, at the purchase. But theres a new card in town. Introducing the citi® double cash card. It lets you earn cash back when you buy and again as you pay. Thats cash back twice. Its cash back with a side of cash back. The citi double cash card. The only card that lets you earn cash back twice on every purchase with 1 when you buy and 1 as you pay. With two ways to earn, it makes a lot of other cards seem onesided. Whats that thing . I moved our old Security System out here to see if it could monitor the front yard. Why dont you switch to xfinity home . I get live video monitoring and 24 7 professional monitoring that i can arm and disarm from anywhere. Hear ye the awkward teenage one has arrived dont be old fashioned. Xfinity customers add xfinity home for 29. 95 a month for 12 months. Plus for a limited time, get a Free Security camera call 1800 xfinity or visit comcast. Com xfinityhome. Welcome back to weekends with alex witt. Now to the headlines at the half. Ash carter just landed in kuwait. Earlier he spoke with soldiers in kandahar on the second day of his visit to afghanistan. Carter told soldiers that the Afghan Security forces now, quote, stand a chance of prevailing over the taliban. Secretary of state john kerry says there are significant gaps in the Nuclear Talks with iran. Kerry says he and his iranian counterpart will meet in geneva for another round of talks. They have until the end of march to agree on any political framework for the deal. In texas, several hundred prisoners apparently seized control of a part of a federal prison. Those rides first erupted friday night in raymondville texas. Inmates reportedly starting fires and breaking into the yard. On saturday officials said inmates were compliant, but negotiations ongoing. As many as 2,800 inmates will now have to be moved, because that prison is uninhabitable due to all the damage that they caused. Lets go to politics now. Wisconsin Governor Scott walker in the middle of a controversy today over what he told the Washington Post about president obamas faith. In an interview with dan balz and robert costa, the president ial potential candidate said he didnt know whether the president was a christian. Saying, i never asked him that. Youve asked me to make statements about people that i havent had a conversation with about that. How could i say if i know either of you are a christian . Those commence come after walker has received intense criticism for not coming out against comments that Rudy Giuliani made at a dinner he attended in new york city last week. That is where the former new york city mayor said the president doesnt love america. Well joining me now, the senior congressional reporter for politico. Manu, good to see you again. Lets talk about these comments. Are these the kind of statements that are just about trying to get support from the far right as you go into the primary season . Yeah i think its a sign of a candidate whose trying to please everybody and not upset anybody. And is nervous about taking a position that could provoke a backlash. And youve seen this not just on those two issues that you referred to about the president s Christian Faith and whether or not he loves his country, but also walker has punted about whether he believes in evolution. Hes punted on issues of foreign policy, as well. Youre looking at a candidate whos sort of had a rocky rollout after a very wellreceived speech in iowa. And i think it speaks to both his caution as a candidate as well as someone who has not really dealt with the National Media in the way that hes going to have to in the next couple of years during his president ial run. Absolutely. And probably even more were focusing on it because its been done, kind of a one, two, three punch in a concentrated amount of time. Lets talk about the fallout from Rudy Giulianis comments about the president. Heres what senator Lindsey Graham said this morning on abcs this week. Lets take a listen. I love rudy but i dont want to go there. The nations very divided. President obama has divided us more than hes brought us together and i dont want to add to that division. I have no doubt that he loves his country. I have no doubt that hes a patriot. So you hear senator graham there. Hes certainly echoing the sentiments, similar ones of jeb bush marco rubio, rand paul. Why isnt walker taking the same stance coming out more forcefully against what giuliani said . Yeah its a very easy thing to do, to repudiate what jewel giuliani said. I dont think youre going to really upset Many Republican voters. I dont think he was ready for this backlash, i dont think he thought it would be reported and cause this kind of controversy. I think the interesting thing here, too, alex. When governors run for National Office they often talk about their executive experience, how they know how to run a state. But they dont really deal with federal issues. They dont deal with controversies that the National Media is paying attention to. And walker is certainly trying to learn on the job. And this is a very difficult thing to do when youre such a hotly youre such a prominent player, in a potential nominee for your party. Yeah, absolutely. But the you look at the big picture, manu how much do you think this damages the gop . Does it at all taint the party . Does it make political watchers get a bit cynical thinking okay, hes just talking preprimaries . You know, im not sure how much longterm fallout this will have. I think that probably the next time someone says something that the media will be focused squarely on that and well sort of forget what giuliani said but certainly, this will raise questions about whether walker is ready for primetime and thats something that his people and him are certainly going to have to be prepared for going forward. But as they plan their future, how much do these potential 2016 gop candidates have to think about surviving the grinding primary, which involves certainly a lot of conservative voters. The tea partyers i mean it seems the president s easy to criticize under these circumstances. And its such a long process between now and next year when the Iowa Caucuses start. Scott walker could be all the way the bottom of the rung by candidates by then or he could be dominating the field. Theres so much time for anyone to Say Something thats going to take them off their game. And were talking also about jeb bush, for instance as a possible frontrunner, and certainly hes going to raise a lot of money, but we have not seen him as a candidate yet, and well see how he deals with the media when he starts getting pressed on some of these more sensitive issues and controversies that emerge over the next several months here. Okay. Politicos manu raju thanks so much. Thanks, alex. Next up a discussion about the many controversies surrounding tonights Academy Awards including questions about the lack of nominations for the movie, selma. Hes got supporters. Detroit. New york. Los angeles. Enciting large scale arrests and sympathy marches. The getaway vehicle for all the confidence you need. Td ameritrade. You got this. Im jerry bell the second. And im jerry bell the third. Im like a big bear and hes my little cub. This little guy is nonstop. Hes always hanging out with his friends. Youve got to be prepared to sit at the edge of your seat and be ready to get up. Theres no deep couch sitting. Definitely not good for my back. This is the part i really dont like right here. doorbell whats that . A package its a swiffer wetjet. It almost feels like its moving itself. This is kind of fun. That comes from my floor . Eww this is deep couch sitting. [jerry bell iii] deep couch sitting hey, gracie. You know how our family has. Daddy and mommy. And me yeah, thats right. 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Lets go now to hollywoods big night. A lot of people are looking forward to a night of film and fashion, of course. But this year the pregame talk has been all about the snubs, the actors actresses, films, even some snubs at history. Nbcs kristen dalghlgren has more on what might be the most controversial awards in years. Reporter what is usually hollywoods golden night has for some a certain tarnish this year. Controversy surrounding many of the nominated films and actors. The nominees are reporter it started when nominations came out. Heres a look at the 20 nominated actors and actresses. A lack of diversity sparking a trending twitter hashtag, oscarsowhite. I dont believe the membership of the academy is racist or theres any agenda at work here but it was one of those things where it was a glaring omission and people called them on it. Reporter the issue hitting especially hard in a year that selma, a year about the civil rights, is among the nominees. But its director and actors were shut out, leading some to an outcry. For others though selma is marred by accusations it altered history, falsely portraying president johnson at odds with Martin Luther king jr. But its not the only film taking such heat. The imitation game, the theory of everything, and fox catcher are all being called out by some for telling skewed versions of reallife events. Then Police American sniper. Perhaps the most controversial of all. The story of chris kyle called prowar propaganda by some who accuse the film and its director, Clint Eastwood of whitewashing the story. He presents a sympathetic portrait of this guy, but it is warts and all, and people are kind of using it to support the position they want. Reporter Kristen Dahlgren nbc news new york. Well for more on this controversy, lets bring in our special oscar panel. Kelly carter buzz feeds Senior Editor nicky novak, entertainment correspondent forstra, vh1, and Dominick Patton, a senior write for hollywood. Welcome to all of you. Get rest up and ready to go. I want to talk first about the controversy thats been generated by selma. Ill start with you, first, dominick, its even generated its own hashtag, oscar so white. Although some saying that it was really a publicist messup. That they didnt get the screeners out in time to the Academy Voters thus the inability to fairly disperse the potential votes. What do you think . I think some of thats true. I think that there were they were a little bit behind in getting the film ready. So there was a little bit behind if getting stuff out to people. And the way they work youve got to factor in that people will need time to watch these. I think that definitely was a factor. But i think that some of the controversy is legitimate. I think that there are issues about diversity in the academy. Ill be honest i think there are diversity issues in america, in general. If you want to use this as a microcosm, you can. But i ultimately think you have to gauge and judge a work on its merits. And selma has been nominated for best picture. Thats not too bad. Well absolutely, not too bad, indeed. And best song as well, its up for that. But, why, kelly, do you think people are so disappointed about selma. Did it not get the viewership at the box office . Was that part of the problem as well . No, i think there are a couple of issues at play. You know, first off, i think that selma was a solid film but i think it kind of delivers what were expecting to get from oscar films. And, you know, truthfully, it was my favorite film of the year. I think it should win best picture. It wont, but it should. I think theres a little bit of an exhaustion. I think that, you know africanamerican viewers are kind of sick of the same evergreen stories being greenlit and presented as you know, the only kind of africanamerican stories that we can see at the box office you know . And i think, you know, showing kind of the uglier sides of American History and like labeling it as this is, you know, the dynamic roles or the most dynamic roles that black actors can get in hollywood is a problem. Yep, for sure. And i think thats kind of thats a part of that conversation you know when you kind of tub selma. Thats a very interesting point. And also to that point, we have to remember, as we talk about this years controversy, last year, 12 years a slave won. So when we talk about this debate, we have to stay in the now and we have to stay in a larger perspective, simultaneously. But in terms of that perspective, and ill put this to you, niki lets look at the Academy Voters makeup. Oscar voters nearly 94 , caucasian, 77 male, blacks are about 2 of the academy, latinos, even slightly less than 2 . The oscar voters have a median age of 62. So, im curious, does this reflect the makeup of the industry overall . It doesnt seem like it does. I definitely dont think it does. And especially me being part of young hollywood, i think these are people who have been in the academy for years. I think, you know, the president of the academy has spoken out this year that it is time for change, but i think that changes arent happening fast enough. And the president of the academy is an africanamerican woman. And i think that whats happening is the change that we hope is happening in america, which is there is an inclusion element that people are realizing, its not just the good thing to do its the right thing to do. Do you think, kelly, that the Academy Voting process should be changed . Some people have suggested that. Um possibly because the only way to kind of slide in there, of course is to get nominated and win something, so that you can be you know, invited to be a part of the academy and be a voter. Its kind of probably one of the most egregious examples of the old boys network, you know, as it stands right now. So i agree with cheryl i do think that some changes have to happen. I dont anticipate any changes happening, but i think if you want to see some significant change with what the academy does, it has to kind of start at that level. And theres been some criticism about the accuracy of these films. Selma and american sniper are the two that come to mind in term of historical accuracy. But nikki, should hollywood expect to adhere to accuracy . I mean we have to remember this is entertainment. This is entertainment. These are not documentaries. We have to remember, this is entertainment. And i dont really think that factored into the academys voting. I dont think that was actually an issue. I do think in the case of selma, it was more an issue of getting people behind the movie early enough. I think that was a huge part of it. But also Entertainment Weekly released an article this week where they anonymously interviewed one of the actor the oscar voters and she says she stands by her decision. She just didnt think it was a Strong Enough film and she didnt think the direction was creative new to deserve a directing nomination. Do you think, dominick think its okay to bend the truth a little bit to make for a compelling story . I think if you go see shakespeare, ill tell you, youre not seeing what william shake shakespeare wrote. Lets be honest, we trim and edit with everything we do. Its part of the entertainment, its part of our own attention span. I think there are legitimate issues looking at selma in particular about the real role Lyndon Johnson played in the vig civil rights movement. There are real issues looking at the imitation game and the theory of everything, and a slew of issues looking at americanamerican sniper. But ultimately, you have to remember, im telling a story. No one is pretending these are documentaries. And sometimes we fail to appreciate the nuance in the filmmakers, which is the good skill for filmmakers where they do address issues but they dont emphasize them. Theyre moving along to tell a greater narrative. I think thats incredibly important. Kelley, do you think this is a successful direction for hollywood to take real stories and turn them into films, from a box Office Perspective and from an overall storytelling and narrative. It seems like so many of late have done that and done it well. I do think. And i think hollywood is seeing what the response is like from viewers and well probably be seeing more of these reallife stories or real stories come to life, you know on the silver screen, and i dont think thats a bad thing. I think its a good thing. And as to what dominick was saying, this is per usual with hollywood. This is not a new story that hollywood alters the truth in cinema. Its not a documentary. Its, fact is fiction in some cases. Quickly, nikki, american sniper, so many are saying propaganda, there are people who have criticized that. Whats the general, conventional wisdom in hollywood about that . I think american sniper was one of those movies that you know, Clint Eastwood has come under enormous criticism for not sticking to the story. I think the box office really speaks volume to how the public feels about that. The fact that people are going out to see it and are supporting it. And if you look at polls this week, you know you ask the public what should win for best picture . Its overwhelming american sniper. Isnt that interesting . Well, 300 million at the box office you cant argue with that. So speaking of who should win, were going to talk about that everybody. Is it boyhood, birdman . Coming up next well look at why each contender is so unique. Plus, another contender for best picture, the grand budapest hotel, heres that. Whos this interesting old fella . Dont you recognize him . May i invite you to dine with me tonight . And it will be my pleasure to tell you my story. I make a lot of purchases for my business. And i get a lot in return with ink plus from chase. Like 60,000 bonus points when i spent 5,000 in the first 3 months after i opened my account. And i earn 5 times the rewards on internet, phone services and at Office Supply stores. With ink plus i can choose how to redeem my points. Travel, gift cards even cash back. And my rewards points wont expire. So you can make owning a business even more rewarding. Ink from chase. So you can. Introducing. A pm pain reliever that dares to work all the way until. The am. New aleve pm the only one to combine a safe sleep aid plus the 12 hour strength of aleve. They lived. They lived. They lived. dad we lived. Thanks to our subaru. announcer love. Its what makes a subaru a subaru. Here i am. Rock you like a hurricane. Fiber one now makes cookies. Find them in the cookie aisle. It is all about the oscars. Well bring back our special oscars panel. Nikki novak, kelly, and Dominick Patton a Senior Writer for deadline hollywood. Lets start with boyhood, not surprisingly lets all take a look. Yes yes yes all right. All right. Dont worry about it. I weshish we could use the bumpers. Bumpers are for kids. What are you, 2 years old . You dont want the bumpers. Life doesnt give you bumpers. So im curious, kelley what you think the appeal is of boyhood. We were just talking about real films, reallife stories being put into film. This isnt a story, but it sure feels like real life. Well a couple of things. One, i kind of often describe it as like a Reality Tv Show that exists on a network that no ones really watching. Thats what it felt like. And i think that audiences probably related to the stories of, you know, growing up in like divorced homes and kind of dealing with alcoholism and so on and so forth. That said, i didnt really like it. But i think that i think that the technique behind it too, the fact that a director took you know, 11 or 12 years to create a film people are really responding to that. People who have the power to vote, are really responding to that, and thats why its up for contention. Yeah, dominick not much of a plot, still fascinating, though if you consider the concept alone, shot over 12 years. Ill read something about what a writer said from the uk telegraf, who said it this way. Its Patricia Arquette who seems unassailable as the mother in boyhood, she gives a shaded and completely alive performance that serves as the beating heart of the film. Making a normal film would be special enough. To have done it over 12 years feels like a miracle. Is that concept enough to make this a best picture contender . And i also want to ask you, remember the artist . It was stoo unique a few years ago, thats kind of the reason people thought it may have won . I think with the artist, right off the bat, it was a movie about hollywood, essentially. Hollywood loves movies about hollywood, right . And thats why a lot of people are looking at birdman this year, because its an actor movie and about a process that a lot of people look at and think, i know that guy or ive been that guy. Then boyhood, the fact that it was made for under 3 million. The fact is it took these offers who are indy royalty, and with richard linkletter, and made this process. I think it really makes Academy Members because thats who really were talking about today. It makes them feel like yeah thats the best of what we do. Thats Creative Process in action. Now, having said that and when i was a sundance earlier this year i talked with ethan hawke a little bit about this. He said i saw boyhood when it first came out at sundance the year before. A lot of people said nice little movie, but it wont go anywhere. Look at how well its done. For a 2 million budget the thing has made over 45 million or 50 million. Patricia is killer in this role. She won yesterday at the indy spirit. And youre not going to lose money if you bet on her for tonight. Birdman, weigh in on that one, kelley i mean nikki. Your thoughts on whether its a comeback film for Michael Keaton, and if thats enough to generate the best picture, perhaps, for him. The director has talking about Michael Keaton and sang his praises and said he is responsible for the success of the film. Hes given hes given that to Michael Keaton. The voters, historically they love a good comeback story. Michael keaton throughout this award season between his speeches and his demeanor, has really, you know, spoken from the heart. Hes won over a lot of people. I still think Eddie Redmayne is going to win for best actor. However well, you are bringing us to what i want to do right now. Kelley, ill start with you. Well put up a full screen of your picks for the best. Kelleys got birdman, Michael Keaton julianne moore, and Patricia Arquette. The last three, arent those pretty safe . Those are locked in i think. I vote with kelley. Me too. Really . Okay well lets see not even an argument. Bad tv. Are you hedging your bets . Okay you say Eddie Redmayne. Its a little bit of wishful thinking, i think what he accomplished in this film was one of the best performances of all time by an actor. Fantastic. Dominick, lets throw up yours. Where you are. And you are . Am i the sad last one . Oh, you you cant do that look i make a career out of hedging bets so im not going to say anything about that. 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And one of the most important topics well get to today is the fact that almost 200,000 americans who serve our country in the coast guard, secret service, and Border Patrol will not be getting paid next week because congress is playing politics with their National Security. But, the most important issue were going to tackle today is congress most sacred duty. Whether or not to send our young