And The Oscar Goes To......

[may2]

Here's what Ebert says.

[SweetOblivion]

Jun 25, 2009 9:46:06 GMT -4 @may2 said:

Here's what Ebert says.

Here's my unpopular movie opinion: I don't give a shit about Oscar ratings. They're supposed to be about giving out awards. To say that they have to change things because too many indies and not enough blockbusters are being nominated, and thus nobody is watching is crap.

Plus, it's been frustrating in years past to watch big budget crap win simply because it is big budget. That being said, if this change means more comedies/musicals can get nominated, then great. There are so many comedies out there that deserve to be nominated but aren't because dramas are "respectable".

</end crabby rant

[divasahm]

I mentioned this in another thread, but the Golden Globes have always had ten nominees, albeit separated into Best Drama and Best Comedy/Musical categories. Given that, it's not so hard to imagine what the ten Best Picture nominees will look like from the Academy.

[may2]

They are making more changes and I don't like them. The honoray Oscars and Thalberg award are some of my favorites.

[Sunnyhorse]

I like those, too, and I'm sorry that they're being removed from the broadcast. All the producers have to do to make the telecast fit into the allotted time is get rid of the @#$%^&* production numbers that everyone hates anyway.

[Deleted]

ITA. I hated the "Musicals are back!" number this year which was way too long and felt so out of place in a year when no musical was nominated for anything. I know, they probably did it mostly to keep Jackman in his comfort zone but that number alone took too much time from pretty much everything else. Production numbers and montages suck IMHO though this year's montages with the focus on recent films was ok.
Speaking of hosts, apparently Kevin Spacey has said he would like to do it. I'd so campaign for that.

[huntergrayson]

I think they should try out either a dual-hosting gig or have no host, just give the banter to the presenters.

I thought Hugh was fine but after NPH's legend-wait for it - Tony hosting gig, I would love to have him host. But he probably won't as long as it's on ABC.

It is straight up bullshit to drop the honorary awards from the telecast - if the producers think people think they're boring, well, that's the fault of the producers and not the recipients and they should make it an interesting presentation. There's a long line of talent who got screwed by the Academy until they got an "honorary" award (Hitchcock coming most quickly to mind), so for a talent to wait a lifetime for recognition, only to have it go unseen by the public, is NOT a good move for them to make.

[angelaudie]

Oscars announce the new Academy members. Ok, I get inviting some of these people. Anne Hathaway was nominated so it makes sense to invite her. Same can be said with Michelle Williams. James McAvoy and James Franco have never been nominated but they are talented guys with good bodies of work so I get inviting them. But Tyler Perry? SERIOUSLY?! It's becoming even more difficult to take you seriously Academy!

[divasahm]

Wow--Rory Kennedy has been invited to join the Academy. Hope Cousin Ahnold doesn't get his feelings hurt.

[proper stranger]

WTH is Michael Cera doing on that list?

Jun 29, 2009 12:56:31 GMT -4 @huntergrayson said:

It is straight up bullshit to drop the honorary awards from the telecast - if the producers think people think they're boring, well, that's the fault of the producers and not the recipients and they should make it an interesting presentation. There's a long line of talent who got screwed by the Academy until they got an "honorary" award (Hitchcock coming most quickly to mind), so for a talent to wait a lifetime for recognition, only to have it go unseen by the public, is NOT a good move for them to make.

Agreed. Some pretty memorable moments have come out of the honorary award. Although it was before my time, Charlie Chaplin's return from exile to accept his award is probably one of the more famous Oscar moments. I remember being so moved when Deborah Kerr received her honorary award. These awards recognize the history of movie-making and it's a shame to lose them, when the Academy could just chack a couple of cheesetastic production numbers instead.