The Academy Awards

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Once every year the key people of the film industry gather together for the most important award show on the planet. They celebrate themselves and their art while film nerds around the whole world is watching to see what films to keep an eye out for. Alas, it isn't time for Cannes just yet. In just 5 days another award show is kicking off, The Academy Awards. This is the part of the blog where I'll soon stop pretending I don't care about the Oscars, but first let me say I keep asking myself why do we care? Politics consistently overshadow the main categories and unless you're a filmmaker who makes documentary shorts, it's really hard to care about that particular category or the other minor ones when we have no chance of watching the films nominated. If only they would care enough to somehow distribute these films to the public. A nice little DVD would work, or easier yet, just distribute them online and throw a few cents to the filmmakers for every person who watches the films. Easy.

This year I care particularly about the Oscars because I am curious whether Avatar can buy its way to fame and glory. Well alright, I'll concede it already has the fame. I'm rooting for the only film nominated for best picture I haven't seen yet, and that's The Hurt Locker (I'll be watching it on the weekend). Now I'd root for other films if I thought any of them had a chance. Up for instance is sadly just window dressing. 10 nominees doesn't exactly make it doubly exciting. No, it's strictly a two horse race in that category with The Hurt Locker being a slight favorite at this stage. The reason why I'm a bit worried that Avatar might take it is because the Academy often pick the films that wont be remembered in a few decades time. Shakespeare in Love won Best Picture Oscar a decade or so ago, it's actually a perfectly decent film, but it's hard to find on Best of the Decade lists and such. Go further back and the mistakes they've made become more apparent. Many people will tell you Raging Bull was robbed for instance, Hithcock's Psycho was never even nominated and films like Cimarron and Cavalcade (hands up who has seen any of them) won Best Picture awards for their respective years.

So I'll say it. Take away the money from Avatar (i.e. the special effects) and it has no merits. None. At least they got it right when not giving it nominations in the writing or acting categories. That's why I'll be hoping James Cameron's ex-wife will sweep the awards this year. No woman has ever won the Best Director award at the Oscars. True story. Bigelow started directing about two decades ago so maybe they feel ready to give it to a woman now. Heck, maybe in a few decades Ang Lee should try again for Best Picture with Brokeback Mountain 2, their attitudes towards gay people might have changed even.

PS: If there are any big surprises at the Oscars this year please let it be Carey Mulligan for Best Actress.

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