Oscar, Oscar, Oscar.

 

 


 

                So, the subject of the relevance, in regard to the Academy Awards came up today before the broadcast and the answer is simple. They are NOT.  They haven’t been for years now, long before a pandemic threatened to destroy the movie going experience. To paraphrase Norma Desmond, movies are still big, it’s the minds that are getting smaller. The minds of the studios. The minds of the public. The minds of the Academy. Small minds. Now studios have never been broad minded, it’s all about money and dumbing down the product to the lowest common denominator - but God damn it there was a time they made at least five relevant movies each year.  And without having to be PC.  Great movies are great regardless of topic or director and it is that greatness that deserves awards. That greatness that is relevant.

                And as far as the public’s concerned, since when has the public been the best the best judge of what’s good.  Tonight’s broadcast is a perfect example of being dumbed down, with a few exceptions, it felt like it was the People’s Choice Awards from the local trailer park. Personal opinion, inclusion, diversity, and political correctness have ruined the ability to achieve greatness. Now, I know I sound like those old guys (which I am) who rail all day long against affirmative action - but what happened to the right person for the right job folks? Not every race can play every part, not every diverse tragic story makes for a great movie. When you water down the process in the attempt to please everyone, you lessen quality.  Public (and actors) stop being so God damn sensitive and learn how to take a joke - you know who you are.

                But most of all, the finger of blame points squarely at The Academy. You trimmed and realigned your voting membership in an attempt to appease some hurt feeling out there.  I understand, with old Hollywood dying off, you need new blood, but membership need to understand, you’re THE Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, not The Blockbuster Movie Awards. You expanded the Best Picture category to ten, when in recent years you’ve been hard pressed to fill ten slots. If an animated feature is good enough for an Oscar, it should stand with other Best Picture nominees and not get its own category to appease Pixar. How long before you split the categories into sub-genres like The Golden Globes or worse?  Hosts that have no business hosting, wannabe thugs who have no business winning, muddled broadcasts.  It sure used to be relevant - it was the damn Oscars!  Be bold and bold movies will come back. The kind of movies that deserve an Oscar. Theaters will come back, big screens, a shared experience instead of chilling at home (TV has an its own awards) Movies you can proudly announce as a Best Picture and relevance will come back. Until then you’re just another award show (yawn).

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