Yesterday evening it was Oscar night, this means staying up till 2 AM to be able to watch the 4-hour show. Avid to see the stars in their glamourous frocks and elegant tuxedos, we cocoon in front of the tv to admire the glitter of a dreamed world unreachable to many. Cinefiles world-wide cross their fingers to see their favourite movie decorated.
For years, I have watched the Oscars and stayed up all night for it. What a waste of valuable sleeping time has it been this year. The stars were there, the haute couture was there, Steve Martin was OK (I prefer Billy Crystal) and even some speeches made sense (M.Moore - Adrian Brody), but lately I am wondering who is actually representing the Academy? Who determines the winning movies? A committee of 6000 viewers, who only saw three out of a 100 movies and just checkmarked the list with that one movie? Elliot Gould confessed he did it for the Pianist - good choice though.
The quality standard of Oscar winning movies is waning. The entertainment factor is too much determining their success. "Make a movey EVERYBODY loves," Steve Martin said and you'll win the golden statue.
Chicago is exhilarating, Chicago is dazzling, Chicago is entertainment and that's it. So why did this movie win Best Picture? Mr John - Cellophane- Reilly touches your heart, Catherina "Velma" Zeta-Jones is paving her way to became one of the qualitatively best actresses in the world, but Zellweger is annoying, and her body looks more fit to be starred in The Pianist, instead of Chicago. Chicago received 6 oscars, Gangs of New York none and The Pianist only three. Something is wrong here.
Quality or Popularity? The Oscars have become predictible in almost every way. Popular movies are claiming territory at the Oscars: Titanic (1997à, A Beautiful Mind (2001) and now Chicago. I must confess that I am a bit disappointed.
By the way, don't we see the same trend at Stallion Licensings. Stallions, making name at competitions, but not in the breeding world, collect hundreds of breedings a year, but they do not improve the breed, nor the stock.
--Astrid Appels
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