I wasn’t particularly surprised by Oscar Night, except for the larger than usual number of awards to foreign artists – not a bad thing.
But about those documentaries…. For those who don’t know, unlike the fictional films, Academy members do not vote in the documentary category unless they have gone to a screening and signed in, proving they have seen the nominated films. Few do. Maybe a hundred or so people; I am not sure. This means that division is essentially corrupt, controlled by a small group with an ax to grind. You saw the results last night.
Meanwhile, I had some fun dreaming of a new Casablanca. Doubt it’s possible.
Thanks, Roger. I knew I’d read there was something wonky about the documentary category; now I know why!
-Scene-Stealth bomber in background revving up and ready to go.
-George Clooney holding Susan Saradon in his arms and whispers
“We’ll always have Fallujah”
They did have some sort of doc disclaimer at the end, when they briefly attempted to show how they handle the vote.
My two cents about the Academy Awards.
I did not see all of the Best Picture flicks so I am at a disadvantage but I felt that No Country for Old Men was just not up to historic Academy standards. Heck, itís not even up to the Coen Brothers standards. I love their movies with their mixture of violence and quirky humor but this movie had almost no humor and sunk to just another non-plausible and cynically violent flick. Javier Bardem was excellent, however.
I did not see There Will be Blood but Daniel Day-Lewis always gives a stellar performance so I have no qualms on that award.
I predicted several months ago that Marion Cotillard would be a solid choice for Best Actress and was not disappointed with her award.
I really liked Atonement but I loved Juno. If she plays her cards right and is selective in picking her parts, Ellen Page could be a major force in the industry for years to come.
I’ve got a job to do, too. Where I’m going, you can’t follow. What I’ve got to do, you can’t be any part of.
I’m no good at being a terrorist, it doesn’t take much to see that the Israeli/Palestinian problem don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you’ll understand that.
Obama in a letter to his Iman
to that doc winner’s speech:
“Splay it again, Sham.”
rewrite:
“Don’t display it again, Sham.”