[lbo-talk] Re: oscars

[Sean Johnson Andrews]

I didn't even know Crash was nominated.  I thought it was a pretty mediocre 
film--the same depth (and tediousness) of politics and characters that I'd 
expect from an average TV show.  Evidently they sent far more screeners out 
to Academy members and Brokeback and others didn't because of fear of piracy 
(dolts) so, in addition to being a good "safety" vote to keep the right wing 
at bay, it is possible that more people saw it (either way, a fact that 
makes the phony PAC ads for oscar candidates that peppered the show all the 
more relevant--not really about art but insider politics).  That's a shame 
because I'd say they should have been watching North Country or Hustle and 
Flow--much better films in my opinion.

On the whole I expected more from Stewart.  Mostly just snark and a few one 
liners.  Still, not much else he could do to save that broadcast.  Seems 
like one place that his telling the Aristocrats joke would have been 
fitting.  Outside of that, his derision for all their attempts at self 
congratulatory tripe was palpable.  Actually, though he didn't do a great 
job of being their monkey (which was, I suppose, what I expected), his dry 
humor did much to reveal to me just how banal that event is.  I always know 
that it is, but last night I found it tedious to sit through more than five 
minutes at a time.  I've been ashamed to be interested in watching that show 
in the past...this time, he might have ruined it enough to keep me from 
being tempted again.  For that, I suppose, I owe him thanks.

-s

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Devine" <jdevine03 at gmail.com>
To: "LBO" <lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org>
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: [lbo-talk] Re: oscars


> an additional point:
>
> one explanation of why "Crash" did so well at the Oscars is that so
> many of the cast and crew were represented in the academy. -- JD
>
> On 3/6/06, I wrote:
>> I watched the Oscars all the way through for the first time (because
>> of John Stewart). It's interesting that the academy diversified its
>> portfolio: the top six awards went to six different movies.
>
> ___________________________________
> http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk
>