Monday, March 8, 2010
Didn't You Know? Oscar Doesn't Like Sci-Fi Blockbusters
Before everyone gets in a huff about the fact that a comparatively unseen, small film like "The Hurt Locker" could beat a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut like "Avatar", let me remind everyone of a salient fact that is usually lost on no one, but, somehow, this year, got lost in the shuffle: Oscar, generally and traditionally, does not like blockbusters. Especially sci-fi blockbusters. Remember "Star Wars"? "Spider-Man"? "Harry Potter"? I could go on and on, but the fact is this: If a film is a commercial success, it's likely to be an Oscar failure. "Titanic" and "Lord of the Rings" are notable exceptions. Oh, the Academy may recognize technical achievements like cinematography and special effects, but Best Picture? For a sci-fi, fantasy, action/adventure, or animated movie? There's a better chance of a black man being elected President. Oh, wait--that already happened. Well, you get my point. The bottom line, for all you science fiction/fantasy/action/animation fans--and believe me, I'm right there with you--is that you should consider yourselves lucky that "Avatar"--and "District 9"! (not to mention, "Up")--were even nominated. That's only ever happened twice before ("Star Wars" and "E.T.").
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Hey Charles, ever since the Oscars of a few years ago when crap movies won lots of Oscars, like Old Country for old men or something like that. I told Mike, now that crap movies are winning Oscars. Hollywood will start making crap movies! If I see one more "Cartoon" movie being released I'll scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To me any movie that does not have a live physical actor in it is a cartoon movie, call it CGI, Animae, whatever it's a cartoon movie & I will not see it! Everything from Bambi to Avatar Doesn't hold an interest. Plus, I knew the fact that Sci-Fi does not win Oscars.
ReplyDeleteWell, Rob, you may know that sci-fi doesn't win Oscars (for best picture, that is), but the general public seemed to have forgotten that fact, when they assumed that "Avatar" was a shoo-in for the award. However, I would urge you to reevaluate your opinion of animated films. They're not just for kids anymore; you've missed some quality stuff, boycotting animated films on general principal.
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