Here’s something to learn about as you go through life and are a pretentious film buff (along with video game buff) like me – good films stand the test of time without the gold statues that everyone goes nuts over. It’s another night where the Oscar’s happened, and you know what – I didn’t even bother watching. After all, my favorite film of last year wasn’t anywhere to be seen (Gone Girl). Seems like every year I watch movies, there are a ton of great films that don’t get any recognition at all. Why? Because the Academy who votes on this stupidity is one of the most crooked institutions of all time that is stuck-up as fuck and doesn’t care who knows it. They are suckers, very picky about film genres, and don’t respect genuine talent nearly as much as they should. The culmination, a lot of people and films that don’t deserve the awards get them. And there are people who take this seriously.
Let’s start by talking about people. Let’s set our clocks back to 1974. You had Al Pacino and Jack Nicholson both giving incredible performances in fantastic films. The former was in The Godfather: Part II and the latter was in Chinatown. Both movies are regarded as classics in their respective genres. For damn good reason. So, who won Best Actor that year? Art Carney, in a film about a dude and his cat. Seriously?! There are a ton of examples like that. Let’s talk about Sigourney Weaver in Alien or Aliens. Not only did she not get the award for either, she wasn’t even nominated. Are you kidding me?! Ellen Ripley is an iconic character. For real, iconic. Her performance in both those movies should have taken that gold statue home with her. Neither did. Then there are the recent films that Leonardo DiCaprio has done, all of which deserved recognition, and none got. It’s insane!
Then there is the problems they have with genres. The Academy HATES popular movies. For real, they hate them. Look at the list this year for Best Picture. It’s a bunch of artsy shit. When everyone saw The Dark Knight and lauded it for the unbelievably-awesome movie that it is, did it take home the gold statue? Did anything? Oh, right, Heath Ledger for his phenomenal performance as the Joker. But you know, had he not died, I have a feeling that he wouldn’t have. The Academy hates superhero movies. Scratch that – they hate popcorn movies in general. Although, they did nominate Avatar for a bunch of awards. The funny thing about that is – that movie is a piece of shit! Why did it win awards? I’ll tell you.
They like preachy movies. For real, Dances With Wolves won Best Picture, and that movie SUCKED! It came out the same year that Goodfellas came out, and that film is rightfully seen as a classic. The English Patient won the Oscar, and that film is one of the slowest and most boring movies that I have ever seen! Who likes that movie?! For real, anyone in my audience, tell me if you like that movie.
And the thing that just bugs me is how science fiction films are continually snubbed. What is their deal with those? For real, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, Inception, fucking Star Wars the list goes on! None of those movies were even nominated! All three of those films were game-changers. All three cemented the careers of their directors as among the best. All three will be remembered for years to come. I ask you all – do you honestly believe that Avatar is going to age well? Be honest. Because I don’t think so. After all, it’s gorgeous to look at, but that’s it. The plot is SO recycled from SO many other preachy environmental movies. Visuals alone do not make a movie. If they did, then people would actually like Michael Bayformers. And we all know what people’s opinion of those are…
This year was interesting to see, for me. Why? Because the biggest films this year were, almost-all superhero movies. And it will be a cold day in Hell when a superhero movie wins an Oscar for anything but visuals. This is a real bummer because there have actually been some truly stand-out superhero films. I can and will argue that The Avengers should have gotten some recognition. Maybe not be nominated for Best Picture, but come on! Something!
I don’t watch The Oscar’s. Why? Because they are boring. And the thing that you all have to remember is – great films stand on their own. The films that are truly remembered aren’t the ones that you are going to remember getting a ton of Oscar’s. At least, not usually. I love Forrest Gump, but I recognize that it isn’t a truly great film. I mean, if we are going to honor a movie about a man with a mental handicap being well-portrayed (and it was. I give Tom Hanks credit. He put heart into that), then why wasn’t What’s Eating Gilbert Grape nominated for Best Picture? There’s another place where Leonardo DiCaprio should have won an Oscar. His performance as Arny was incredible. For real, you can’t argue how well he did that.
So yeah, the Oscar’s suck, and if you actually take them seriously, then you are an idiot. It’s just the Academy’s big circle-jerk.
Until next time, a quote,
“Stupid is as stupid does.” – Forrest Gump
Peace out,
Maverick
Lucien Maverick's Den 