Lately there’s been some talk about what factors really matter when trying to win an Oscar. Read the full post.
Nov 10
2008
04:14 PM ET
Are the Oscars a popularity contest?
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The Oscars are subjective. Any time you’re given a list of nominees you’re being asked to judge the judges’ personal biases come into play. It’s a fact of life. We all do it when we decide whether or not to watch a film, tv, etc. As such people win who shouldn’t while outstanding work goes completely unrecognized. If you can’t handle that then watch something else. It’s your call.
Funny enough, maybe the Golden Globes, or even BAFTA’s ARE a bit more accurate/skewed to what deserves to win. In my opinion, films like ‘Atonement’ & ‘Babel’ were the best films of their respective years. Both won GG, neither won the Big one (even winning only 1 Oscar each). Since there’s only 80-some-odd voters in the GG (for instance), I think the chance for getting it “right” is higher. Out of 5,000 AMPAS (not sure of the actual number), a lootttt of finagling can occur. I fid that I match up in many categories (the last few years) with GG and BAFTA results. Interesting.
All the Oscars for acting were righteous this year. The only one folk could quibble about was Tilda Swinton in MICHAEL CLAYTON, because her character was not really understood clearly. Cotillard, Bardem, and DDL were all just the best in the field last year. Cotillard, in particular, had no idea what to expect in terms of the Oscars being a “campaign” until the last days, so she can’t be criticized for having done everything she was asked to do to support LA VIE EN ROSE. On the charm issue, there’s no doubt that she dazzled everyone.
The whole Oscar process confuses me. Although there are moments when certain performers did deserve their wins, I wonder about that year when Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, AND Sidney Poitier all received Oscars. After how many years, the top Oscar categories just happened to be taken by African Americans? I wonder what the Academy was trying to prove that year? I don’t even think Halle Berry’s performance was the best that year.
yes, its a popularity contest, and also a money contest…how does a movie like Shakespeare in Love win over Saving Private Ryan? They can’t be compared…but Weinstein did a great job in buying the Oscar…(rumour has it the campaign was over $14million in ‘for your consideration ads and such)…Paul Newman won, but only later in his career, not for the meaty roles he excelled in…Liz Taylor won for Butterfield 8, only after nearly dying the previous year, not for her much better work in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof…its subjective and favoritism plays a big part…
Jennifer Connolly wins an Oscar for a good not great performance while Sigourney Weaver remains Oscar-less after acing it in Gorillas In The Mist. But then Titanic won over L.A.Confidential. Go figure. No, you shouldn’t have to be Prince Charming to win an Oscar. Tho’ God knows, Rourke & Penn can be plenty charming when they want to.