"…and the Academy Award goes to...Predictable Choice #3

Started by TADeans, October 30, 2004, 07:37:28 PM

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TADeans

When filmmakers such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Martin Scorsese come up, what comes to mind? Hopefully, that they're all some of the greatest people of all time to create film. Yes, but then there are those who might say, "He's the greatest director to never win an Academy Award." Well, my Academy caring friend, I tell you that you should've ended that sentence six words earlier.

"He's the greatest director," and I agree with that.
But, that "he's the greatest director to never win an Academy Award?" So, sorry, but you can take that little golden statue and stick it somewhere else other than in your hand.

Who, what, when, where, and why was that moniker ever created?

I am, in no way, a fan of awards. First of all, they single out a certain filmmaker that has 'excelled' beyond all others. Excuse me? If you knew anything about film, you'd know that there is an infinite amount of things that people can do with it. In turn, why should we single out the 'Best Director,' when there are so many in a single year?

Case in point, take the motion picture year of 1997. Let's recap, shall we? 1997 was the wondrous year that Paul Thomas Anderson really broke onto the scene with "Boogie Nights." It was the year that Atom Egoyan made his heartbreaking masterpiece, "The Sweet Hereafter." It was when Curtis Hanson made the unforgettable "L.A. Confidential." It was the year that Quentin Tarantino finally stopped acting in his own movies and delivered "Jackie Brown." 1997 was the year that Kevin Smith made one of the most original romantic comedies of all time, "Chasing Amy." It was finally the time that the U.S. was delivered Hayao Miyazaki's masterwork, "Princess Mononoke." Lastly, it was the magical year that James Cameron spat out the waterlogged period piece, "Titanic."

Ah, good times and bad, it was a great year to be in the theatre.

So, where does that recap take us? Well, just as we ended it with "Titanic," that's where the Academy began. "Titanic" was nominated for a record tying 14 Academy Awards, and took home, another record tying, 11 of them (including Best Director). As you might have guessed, I'm not the biggest "Titanic" fan. However, I don't want to diminish James Cameron's feat. I think it was extraordinary what he did on that film. To actually build a near-exact replica of the Titanic is amazing. And to get money-loving movie studios to cough up $200 million as a budget is quite another feat in itself.

So where this argument really began, and where it really starts to kick in, is the fact that Cameron won the Award. No, you don't say. He won the award that year. Well, darn, I might've guessed that it would've been P.T. Anderson's porn epic; because you know how the Academy loves unflinching nudity and sexual depictions. Actually, I might've guessed it could've been Atom Egoyan's little seen psychological drama; because the Academy just loves them some arthouse film fun. Hmm, or maybe I would've picked, Miyazaki's anime adventure; because, as you know, the Academy has always recognized animated films. But, when I really think about it, "Titanic" makes perfect sense...

-Period Film (Check)
-Heartthrob Cast (Check)
-Big Budget (Check)
-Top Grosser (Check)
-Well-known Director the Academy has yet to give an award to (Check)

Well, everything seems to be in place. I guess we can overlook far superior and original films from that year. After all, originality scares what kind of people more than regular folk – Academy members, of course!

Now, if someone tacks on those six words to the reaction of mentioning Hitchcock, Kubrick, or Scorsese, then you know they'll be tuning in to the Awards ceremony. I mean I know I will! Because, this year, I just can't wait for them to ignore "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and give all the awards to "Ray," or whatever other film has the 'buzz' near that time.
You can always rely on the Academy Awards. So next time you tune in, be sure to mark everything down that won; and that way you can rent everything from that year that didn't!

meatwad

ummm  :?:

there has to be an academy awards thread to post this in

Stefen

The fuck? You're not a mod. I vote for complete xixax anarchy on nov 2nd.

Lets talk about beer.
Lets ask thrindle.
lets pimp on our john deere
tell me what you are listening to.
What do you think of Shia Lebeouf?

Tell me, all in this thread.
Falling in love is the greatest joy in life. Followed closely by sneaking into a gated community late at night and firing a gun into the air.

pete

obvious observations and rants paired with You Don't Know Jack-esque catoegory titles don't make for a great thread.
c- for good effort.
"Tragedy is a close-up; comedy, a long shot."
- Buster Keaton

matt35mm

Quote from: TADeansIt was finally the time that the U.S. was delivered Hayao Miyazaki's masterwork, "Princess Mononoke."
This was in 1999, not 1997.  And what's wrong with Titanic?  I'm tired of people dissing that movie.  That shit was boss.

Thrindle

Quote from: peteobvious observations and rants paired with You Don't Know Jack-esque catoegory titles don't make for a great thread.

Dude, that's xixax in a nutshell...   :roll:
Classic.

socketlevel

yeah i agree,

usually i find four of the five films nominated are good, then the other one gets it.  they love the safe choice, usually the epic.  the last great film to get it was silence of the lambs, which reveals to no surprise that there was no half decent epics made that year.

American Beauty was alright but there were at least five better films when that won.  Wish it went to Malkovich.

in the 60s, 70s, and 80s it seemed the accademy was willing to be a little more controversial with their choices.

-sl-
the one last hit that spent you...

Stefen

I cant tell the difference between the academy awards and the mtv movie awards. Which one has the best kiss?
Falling in love is the greatest joy in life. Followed closely by sneaking into a gated community late at night and firing a gun into the air.