tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post707619712324196191..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: A few more Oscar thoughtsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58791492968807590642008-02-27T09:27:00.000-08:002008-02-27T09:27:00.000-08:00Times change and people have other things to do.Times change and people have other things to do.Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83982049485355345312008-02-27T07:14:00.000-08:002008-02-27T07:14:00.000-08:00Hollywood needs to start making mainstream movies ...<I>Hollywood needs to start making mainstream movies again. There’s no middle ground.</I><BR/><BR/>I wish one of the winners had pointed this out in his or her acceptance speech, and ended it by saying, "Hey, adults -<I>- take back the multiplexes!</I>"<BR/><BR/>Get rid of the beancounters, get rid of the franchises, get rid of the marketing tie-ins. Focus on movies. Movies with a heart. Movies with a brain. Movies with genuine humor. <BR/><BR/>The movie industry is now geared towards the sensibilities of 19-year-old frat boy males. For it to survive, it needs to get past that, and <I>soon.</I>VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58836678977630745292008-02-26T21:50:00.000-08:002008-02-26T21:50:00.000-08:00More mainstream movies doesn't necessarily mean du...More mainstream movies doesn't necessarily mean dumber movies. I remember the years when The Crying Game won, or when American Beauty won Best Picture awards. Nobody sees those movies anymore, let alone taking the time to rewatch them. But how come there doesn't seem to be any Casablancas, or It Happened One Nights, or One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nests being made? Why can't anyone in Hollywood tell stories that are both profound and accessible? While such movies aren't made every year, they used to be made with more frequency in the decades previous to this one. The movies nominated this year were probably the best of this year, and in any objective sense, were good movies, but their lack of commercial success is not necessarily an indictment of audiences. I don't think any one of these will stand the test of time. <BR/><BR/>To be sure, every example that I can think of movies that were both good and popular, also had a Genuine Honest-to-Goodness Hollywood Star in them -- at least one, and sometimes several. Whether the charisma and talent of the Genuine Hollywood Star elevated or energized the material, or vice-versa, could be argued. Nonetheless, there's seems to be a symbiotic relationship between the Star and the "great story" which I don't think is a coincidence. I think the recent parade of movies peopled by earnest and good but more or less anonymous actors -- both in these arty independant movies and in the tentpole movies, is one factor ensuring that Oscar nominated movies are unpopular and popular movies aren't Oscar worthy. And that's why there's a real lack of interest on the part of the general public. <BR/><BR/>Consider the two large blockbuster franchises, the revived Batman one and the Spiderman one. Despite the mass numbers of people that saw these movies, most people still would think Christian Who?? and Toby Who?? Both are fine actors, and will likely have long careers, yet I doubt they'll have more name recognition than they currently have, and no one's going to come home from work on a Friday night and say "gee, I think I'll go see Christian Bale's latest." To put it another way, if you have trouble remembering what they look like, then they're not Genuine Honest-to-Goodness Hollywood Stars. To put it yet another way, I've seen every movie that George Clooney, or Jack Nicholson ever made, both good and bad. I will never want to say that about Christian Who? or Toby Who? When people here say that in order for the Oscars to draw a larger audience, they need to feel they have an interest in it, that's what they mean.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I totally agree with the observation that there were only two stars at the Oscars that night: Nicholson and Clooney. Even Harrison Ford didn't seem much like a star. Also, while I've never minded the Academy Awards Show's producer giving a nod (and the exposure) to up-and-coming young faces in the presenters' lineup, this year seemed to have a large number of anonymous wannabes who's talent and "star"-like powers are not terribly evident.<BR/><BR/>I don't know. Perhaps the era of The Movie Star is truly dead. Perhaps the pictures will only get smaller and smaller. Somehow, that's a depressing thought.BrigittaVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10465029942438386364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73957995124133700792008-02-26T21:49:00.000-08:002008-02-26T21:49:00.000-08:00One more thing:Braveheart, Gladiator, Forrest Gump...One more thing:<BR/><BR/>Braveheart, Gladiator, Forrest Gump, and Titanic are all movies that remind me why I love watching movies. I've never understood the hate movies like that get when they win. They're fantastic movies that I'll still be watching 20 years from now. They're timeless classics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22005594625050751672008-02-26T21:43:00.000-08:002008-02-26T21:43:00.000-08:00Wasn't there one year where the best costume nomin...Wasn't there one year where the best costume nominees basically put on a fashion show on stage? They should do stuff like that again.<BR/><BR/>And say what you want about the song or movie, but Celine Dion singing "My Heart Will Go On" was HUGE. Same with the old Disney movie songs (Lion King, Aladdin, etc.) Where did those HUGE movie songs go?<BR/><BR/>I really think that's what the Oscars needs. For costume design, put on a show. For visual effects, show a 30-second clip showing awesome visual effects for each movie. For songs, have HUGE musical numbers.<BR/><BR/>Another thing: Where did the "movie recap" thing go? Don't you think they needed it more this year than ever? They used to show a minute-long clip or so detailing each of the Best Picture nominees. Why'd they do away with that?<BR/><BR/>And you're right, the presenters need to be big-time stars, not teen choice awards nominees.<BR/><BR/>Honestly, the Oscars can be long if they're entertaining.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85477764301795224382008-02-26T20:01:00.000-08:002008-02-26T20:01:00.000-08:00Why DUMB DOWN the award for "Best Picture" by requ...Why DUMB DOWN the award for "Best Picture" by requiring it to be seen by the millions of mouth-breathers required to make a movie a financial hit?<BR/><BR/>Ken, you knock reality shows because they are stupid. No Country and There Will be Blood are BETTER QUALITY movies than the ten best box office winners this year. Or is "quality" now determined by the lowest common denominator - the mayor's targeted audience??? <BR/><BR/>Juno made tons of money - the script sucked. I couldn't believe the dialog the writer put in the mouths of those kids.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70812537970333846962008-02-26T19:42:00.000-08:002008-02-26T19:42:00.000-08:00Want proof that Ken is 100% correct? Just look...Want proof that Ken is 100% correct? <BR/><BR/>Just look at the list of nominees and winners for best picture <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Picture" REL="nofollow">here</A>. <BR/><BR/>Scanning down the list from the 70s, 80s, and 90s (sorry, gotta go with when I was alive), you see that almost every year contains two or three crowd pleasers. The 00's don't seem to have as many, and this year and last year have a couple of small sleepers, but nothing that reaches the status of a Titanic, Sting, Star Wars, or even a Pulp Fiction. <BR/><BR/>You picked a good year with Forest Gump. In 1994, that crapfest beat out Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Quiz Show, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Every movie but Quiz Show is one that has/had a wide following, and Quiz Show was still a pretty good movie. <BR/><BR/>But ugh, Forest Gump. It's where Robert Zemeckis let his love of effects overcome his ability to tell an enjoyable story.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923161793979910495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76260917416931233642008-02-26T17:35:00.000-08:002008-02-26T17:35:00.000-08:00Hollywood needs better MARKETING of great films an...Hollywood needs better MARKETING of great films and better awards production. But as Courtney said, it is an awards show. Even the VMAs are boring. And people watch that to see the performances of popular singers. Do you think they remember who won what in what year? No. It's Britney or Amy Winehouse.<BR/><BR/>Just because YOU chose to watch tentpole crap instead or YOU didn't get a movie, doesn't mean 5 Norbits need to be nominated in every category every year. If you really think box office equals quality, then Shrek the Third, Spider-Man 3, and I Am Legend should have gotten awards. Transformers, The Golden Compass, and Pirates WERE nominated in the "boring categories." <BR/><BR/>Some of the Oscar critics need to unclench the stick. <BR/><BR/>Not you, Ken.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89105597577582136572008-02-26T17:25:00.001-08:002008-02-26T17:25:00.001-08:00I've always thought Christopher Walken would be th...I've always thought Christopher Walken would be the greatest host the Oscars have ever seen. The man can dance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59313715560092460572008-02-26T17:25:00.000-08:002008-02-26T17:25:00.000-08:00Hey, I liked all the Best Picture nominees, but I ...Hey, I liked all the Best Picture nominees, but I didn't feel any of them were one for the ages. Excellent, well made, artistic films? Sure. Films I can see becoming classics, heads and shoulders above the rest? No.Tim W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16860726607106078491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10794597661649764142008-02-26T17:16:00.000-08:002008-02-26T17:16:00.000-08:00And your idea of boffo mainstream moviemaking woul...And your idea of boffo mainstream moviemaking would be...? "Braveheart" "Gladiator", "Forrest Gump", "Titanic"? Pleeeeaaase do we really need to resurrect drivel and call it art. We finally get a year loaded with interesting, thoughtful, original films and everyone wants Doomsday back. <BR/><BR/>And No Country's ending was McCarthy's ending and no he was not writing a made for hollywood screenplay. Can you say allegory for chrissake? When evil this way comes in this world it does not always have a happy hollywood ending. You can't sit with that? Wait till they make "Blood Meridian"!ockyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06247668576341873790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10967283235981011652008-02-26T15:33:00.000-08:002008-02-26T15:33:00.000-08:00Ken, I didn't miss your point. In fact, I was pr...Ken, I didn't miss your point. In fact, I was pretty sure you stole your point from me. Oh, well.Tim W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16860726607106078491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76498219327493515592008-02-26T15:23:00.000-08:002008-02-26T15:23:00.000-08:00FWIW, my remarks have been directed more at the re...FWIW, my remarks have been directed more at the replies here than at Ken's original post.<BR/><BR/>The studios do seem to have lost interest in developing anything that lacks a merchandising hook. The adult audience is an afterthought at best. An earlier generation got From Here to Eternity; this one got Pearl Harbor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73133154617927253062008-02-26T14:47:00.000-08:002008-02-26T14:47:00.000-08:00Thanks for all the comments.I think some of you ar...Thanks for all the comments.<BR/><BR/>I think some of you are missing my point (which I'm sure is my fault for not expressing it clearly). I'm not suggesting the Academy lowers their standards. I am suggesting movies can be made that have some substance and gravity and still be a boxoffice hit. FORREST GUMP for example. <BR/><BR/>What I wouldn't give for an ANNIE HALL or THE STING. <BR/><BR/>Oscarcasts are far more interesting and enjoyable if you have a stake in what wins.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38626817893502457852008-02-26T14:21:00.000-08:002008-02-26T14:21:00.000-08:00Uh..is it meant to be a show or an honoring of tal...Uh..is it meant to be a show or an honoring of talented and accomplished people, with the rest of us allowed to watch?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55580869197682928772008-02-26T13:26:00.000-08:002008-02-26T13:26:00.000-08:00I agree that Ratatouille should have had a Best Pi...I agree that Ratatouille should have had a Best Picture nomination. I also think that Into the Wild should have had a nomination as well. <BR/><BR/>War & Drug movies are just so overdone right now.Megalionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16728988423240566112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84092148842513837012008-02-26T13:19:00.000-08:002008-02-26T13:19:00.000-08:00One other thing....Does anyone else find it odd th...One other thing....<BR/><BR/>Does anyone else find it odd that the Oscar telecast always gets nominated for an Emmy? <BR/><BR/>If someone made a really compelling documentary about the Emmys, do you think they'd nominate it for an Oscar?<BR/><BR/>And if so, would the world as we know it suddenly and violently come to an end?<BR/><BR/>It is something to ponder. <BR/><BR/>Finally...the most overlooked performance of the year? The pit bull that chased Josh Brolin across the river in "No Country For Old Men."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44267003261142420292008-02-26T13:13:00.000-08:002008-02-26T13:13:00.000-08:00Thanks, Ken, for amplifying my feelings. I'm a non...Thanks, Ken, for amplifying my feelings. I'm a non-biz guy who is a movie goer. I did see Something, Something Blood last week just to know what all the hoopla was all about.<BR/><BR/>Kee-rect, Sir. Don't hire a cable TV comedian as MC and recruit real MOVIE stars to attend. I don't consider Josh Rogain and his look-alike as worthy candidates.<BR/><BR/>I surprised you didn't mention the Gary Bussey whacko moment during Metrosexual Ryan's interview with Mrs. Affleck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32281502237649626402008-02-26T12:46:00.000-08:002008-02-26T12:46:00.000-08:00I have a complaint with everyone who complains abo...I have a complaint with everyone who complains about the Oscars. Actually, I have two. #1 - The Oscar ceremony has been "boring" for years. Everyone keeps expecting it to be some entertainment spectacular, but it never is, because they keep interrupting the entertainment with those darn award presentations!<BR/><BR/>That brings me to #2 - It's an awards show. Why does it have to be entertaining? I've been to a lot of awards dinners where I work, and they're boring as hell. The reason the shows are so long is because of all the "entertainment" stuffed into them between acceptance speeches.<BR/><BR/>Don't get me wrong. I love film. I spent thousands of dollars (which I'm still paying off) getting my degree in film. The Oscars is still my equivalent of the Super Bowl, regardless of the presentation. I like to see who wins and who they thank...and who they're wearing. :) <BR/><BR/>Once people accept that the Oscars are probably going to be long and boring, they'll enjoy it more.Courtney Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14883388688827401670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42143369705857518932008-02-26T12:35:00.000-08:002008-02-26T12:35:00.000-08:00To generate the most viewers, the Oscars would hav...To generate the most viewers, the Oscars would have to restrict their nominations to the most commercially successful Hollywood product. And since such films usually lack artistic quality, this would negate the entire stated purpose of the awards, which is to honor the highest artistic achievements of the year. They rarely fulfill that purpose, but without it they'd just be the People's Choice Awards. <BR/><BR/>The only reason for the Academy to cater to mass taste at award time would be to boost ratings. I'm sure the network would love that, but wouldn't that be the tail wagging the dog?<BR/><BR/>And the bitching over length gets boring. Make some food, watch with friends, chat during the parts that bore you. If you have no friends, channel surf. I don't watch football, but are people riveted to the screen every second of the Super Bowl?<BR/><BR/>If you hate the show but care about who wins, go about your business and check the results periodically online. I'm amazed that folks go on about this every year as if they have a stake in the Neilsen results.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2104618322359672712008-02-26T11:54:00.000-08:002008-02-26T11:54:00.000-08:00Unless the host is embarrassingly awful, which Jon...Unless the host is embarrassingly awful, which Jon Stewart is not (far from it), that is not the problem with the show IMO. <BR/><BR/>Jon Stewart was charming! He was classy, somewhat subtle, yet hilarious without ever being annoying, silly, pretentious, or degrading. He should be welcomed back every year. I love him. Tom Hanks would be a great choice as a top celebrity host who also has the ability to be funny as hell.<BR/><BR/>Average people like me watch the Oscars for different reasons: for the grand spectacle of it; to see who looks fabulous and who looks like a train wreck and to judge them all for it; for the competitive aspect of it, regardless of the types of films nominated, etc. I think that those average people mostly couldn't give a crap about anything but the major awards. The show is seen as boring because the suburban soccer moms and dads who watch don't give a shit about Sound Mixing and Documentary Shorts (please, NO offense is meant to the people whose careers are in those areas, but the broadcast could be shortened without that kind of stuff).<BR/><BR/>I know, I know, the Oscars are basically an egotistical orgy for those in the industry, but then they wonder why folks like me stop watching and find it boring. Well, that's why.....for me, at least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9113225240399725432008-02-26T11:36:00.000-08:002008-02-26T11:36:00.000-08:00You want to help the show? Don't televise the sho...You want to help the show? Don't televise the short film winners. No short animation, documentary or live-actions short awards need to be on TV as NOBODY has seen those movies. Not even the majority of the academy members, as you have to go to a special screening to see them so you can vote on them. Maybe a few film critics have taken them in at festivals, but that is it. And let's be honest, many TV pilots (especially the unaired, quirky ones) are better than those short live actions films. Why waste 20 minutes with people we've never seen getting awards for movies we could never have seen? I'd much rather give the other winner an extra 30 seconds each (so they have, and this is crazy, a full minute) for their acceptance speeches. That way they can get though the laundry list of thank yous and say something heartfelt or funny-- you know the whole point people tune in for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58769441483435763252008-02-26T10:59:00.000-08:002008-02-26T10:59:00.000-08:00do they honestly care about the ratings? I wouldn'...do they honestly care about the ratings? I wouldn't. It's supposed to be about patting themselves on the back (or "recognising the great art" or whatever they want to call it), and they have the "muscle" to do it and shove it down america's throat every year. I think they should go the opposite way. Let people walk down the aisle of the theater and give a speech for as long as they want. Who cares if the show goes longer and they have to end at 12:35 instead of 12:00 sharp? This is the "best director" or "best makeup artist" or "best dolly grip" of the year, they're better than everone else, let them do what they want. Who gives a fuck if it'll get enough audience to sell some cheetos?<BR/><BR/>you might argue that it's going downhill, and that it has to sustain its ratings to retain that "muscle", but I saw it's a pretty tall hill, just look at the Grammys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2624496130436564002008-02-26T10:58:00.000-08:002008-02-26T10:58:00.000-08:00Hollywood should start making mainstream movies ag...Hollywood should start making mainstream movies again? Have you been living under a rock? Go rent Transformers, Ken. Intelligent movies always get nominated for Best Picture, and for good reason.<BR/><BR/>And to refer to Jon Stewart as merely a "late night cable pundit"? Obviously you're a bit out of touch. That AARP card arrive in the mail yet? The man is more popular than anyone on network TV.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49137100014918183652008-02-26T10:45:00.000-08:002008-02-26T10:45:00.000-08:00At least Harrison Ford was actually there, to remi...At least Harrison Ford was actually there, to remind us that he has never won an Oscar and Indiana Jones IV might be the second most fun thing to do with a whip this summer.Richard Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04094016831874148306noreply@blogger.com