Comment on the Oscars
Tue, 26 Mar 2002, 06:05 pmAmanda Chesterton10 posts in thread
Comment on the Oscars
Tue, 26 Mar 2002, 06:05 pmLast night at the Oscars in the 'Hooray for Hollywood' documentary-cum-minor-celebrity-vox-pop which preceded the actual awards, the following comment was made:
'I would rather see a mediocre movie than a good play.'
Am I the only person to find this comment ignorant, offensive to the craft (of both stage and screen) and extremely irritating? Furthermore, I thought it was an ill-advised inclusion, considering the British theatre royalty present in the crowd that night.
And yes, I'm sure Hollywood is dislocating its collective shoulder patting itself on the back after giving Halle & Denzel the Oscars. But why has Hattie McDaniel been forgotten so quickly (1939 - Best Supporting Actress for Gone With the Wind)? Surely her recognition, albeit for the supporting role, in a time when the KKK was still an openly active, government-supported organisation was a far greater achievement, than cross-racial accolades in a time when being PC is not only compulsory but very trendy? Had they come out of left field and given an openly gay or lesbian actor an Oscar (for lead or supporting) *then* I would have been impressed... but somehow I think we're going to have to wait a much, much longer time for that. (I'm sorry, but giving Tom Hanks the Oscar for playing gay don't count...)
Amanda Chesterton
'I would rather see a mediocre movie than a good play.'
Am I the only person to find this comment ignorant, offensive to the craft (of both stage and screen) and extremely irritating? Furthermore, I thought it was an ill-advised inclusion, considering the British theatre royalty present in the crowd that night.
And yes, I'm sure Hollywood is dislocating its collective shoulder patting itself on the back after giving Halle & Denzel the Oscars. But why has Hattie McDaniel been forgotten so quickly (1939 - Best Supporting Actress for Gone With the Wind)? Surely her recognition, albeit for the supporting role, in a time when the KKK was still an openly active, government-supported organisation was a far greater achievement, than cross-racial accolades in a time when being PC is not only compulsory but very trendy? Had they come out of left field and given an openly gay or lesbian actor an Oscar (for lead or supporting) *then* I would have been impressed... but somehow I think we're going to have to wait a much, much longer time for that. (I'm sorry, but giving Tom Hanks the Oscar for playing gay don't count...)
Amanda Chesterton
RE: Oscar (the) grouch
Wed, 27 Mar 2002, 03:25 pmI agree that Denzel's performance was very powerful in Training Day, but it didn't strike me as anything that really STRETCHED his capabilities as an actor; whereas Russel's portrayal in A Beautiful Mind really WAS a beautiful, masterful performance, which I believe was the better performance.
BUT - the Academy's have been noted for often giving the top awards to the right actors for the wrong movies....and really, what was so stunning about Russell's performance in Gladiator the year before? I loved that movie, but in that instance, not a big stretch for him, or a hugely surprising performance.
So really, it kind of balances. Denzel was deserving of the award if you take previous efforts into account, rather than simply comparing the two movies.
But what I found unfortunate was the way Whoopi turned the whole night into such a shameless campaign and bitch session about the poor history of black nominations.
Making a few pointed statements (no black servants in Gosford Park, etc) might have been acceptable (apart from the historical absurdity that this film was set in England, not the USA), but she kept at it until it became tedious and really spoilt the impact of her humour.
And then, after the Sidney Poitier tribute, and Halle Berry's tearful triumph, the political aspect of the awards seemed to bespoil Denzel from enjoying the full credit of his achievement.
If Whoopi hadn't carried such a huge chip on her shoulder, it would have been wonderful to witness the two lead Oscars going to their respective winners...as it turned out, it felt like the political agenda took the credit, rather than letting Denzel win it due to his own accomplishment. The papers all scream "Black actor wins" rather than "Denzel wins". It rather seems to perpetuate the racist aspect they were trying so hard to avoid.
...just the impression I got. I shouldn't really be so surprised, awards for the arts are always contentious and somewhat arbitary.
And what the hell was that thing with Glenn Close and Donald Sutherland? A poor impression of Entertainment This Week? Poor Donald seemed like he felt as eggy as it looked.
Cheers,
Craig
<8>-/====/--------
BUT - the Academy's have been noted for often giving the top awards to the right actors for the wrong movies....and really, what was so stunning about Russell's performance in Gladiator the year before? I loved that movie, but in that instance, not a big stretch for him, or a hugely surprising performance.
So really, it kind of balances. Denzel was deserving of the award if you take previous efforts into account, rather than simply comparing the two movies.
But what I found unfortunate was the way Whoopi turned the whole night into such a shameless campaign and bitch session about the poor history of black nominations.
Making a few pointed statements (no black servants in Gosford Park, etc) might have been acceptable (apart from the historical absurdity that this film was set in England, not the USA), but she kept at it until it became tedious and really spoilt the impact of her humour.
And then, after the Sidney Poitier tribute, and Halle Berry's tearful triumph, the political aspect of the awards seemed to bespoil Denzel from enjoying the full credit of his achievement.
If Whoopi hadn't carried such a huge chip on her shoulder, it would have been wonderful to witness the two lead Oscars going to their respective winners...as it turned out, it felt like the political agenda took the credit, rather than letting Denzel win it due to his own accomplishment. The papers all scream "Black actor wins" rather than "Denzel wins". It rather seems to perpetuate the racist aspect they were trying so hard to avoid.
...just the impression I got. I shouldn't really be so surprised, awards for the arts are always contentious and somewhat arbitary.
And what the hell was that thing with Glenn Close and Donald Sutherland? A poor impression of Entertainment This Week? Poor Donald seemed like he felt as eggy as it looked.
Cheers,
Craig
<8>-/====/--------
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