I just don't care who wins and loses but i like the fact that we have this gold standard for movies where artists award each other. Also i would not feel comfortable with the most prestigious awards going to movies that only want to entertain you.
Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists?
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Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
The Oscars are far from being the gold standard for artistic achievement. I agree there should be stuff out there that honors movies that aren't just trying to entertain you, but the Oscars only reward a specific kind of movie and only if it's in English. (With rare exceptions).
The Oscars love biopics and issue movies about currently popular topics and currently popular villains in the United States, and they absolutely adore large amounts of talking. Reflective movies, artistic genre movies, metaphorical movies, movies that are not between 90 and 180 minutes in length, visually oriented movies, cinematography oriented movies, movies from the perspective of a person living in a poorer country, all get the shaft and the Oscar committee raises hell at the prospect of them even being considered.
If artistic movies are what you're looking for, you can probably get better recommendations from the Sight & Sound poll than you can from the Oscars.
The Oscars are far from being the gold standard for artistic achievement. I agree there should be stuff out there that honors movies that aren't just trying to entertain you, but the Oscars only reward a specific kind of movie and only if it's in English. (With rare exceptions).
The Oscars love biopics and issue movies about currently popular topics and currently popular villains in the United States, and they absolutely adore large amounts of talking. Reflective movies, artistic genre movies, metaphorical movies, movies that are not between 90 and 180 minutes in length, visually oriented movies, cinematography oriented movies, movies from the perspective of a person living in a poorer country, all get the shaft and the Oscar committee raises hell at the prospect of them even being considered.
If artistic movies are what you're looking for, you can probably get better recommendations from the Sight & Sound poll than you can from the Oscars.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
I like that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences exists. They do a lot of important film and film history preservation work. Their research library is terrific.
I couldn't care less about the Oscars, except that without the ceremony, AMPAS probably wouldn't be able to raise nearly as much money. A necessary trifle, I suppose, that occasionally gets it right.
I like that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences exists. They do a lot of important film and film history preservation work. Their research library is terrific.
I couldn't care less about the Oscars, except that without the ceremony, AMPAS probably wouldn't be able to raise nearly as much money. A necessary trifle, I suppose, that occasionally gets it right.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
It's been a very long time since I watched the Oscars. I don't go to movies anymore, and the last time I saw most of the movies that were nominated was back in 1977/1978 (there were a lot of science fiction and fantasy nominations that year).
I suppose the ceremony is a good way of advertising the movies and it helps keep certain fashion designers in business.
It's been a very long time since I watched the Oscars. I don't go to movies anymore, and the last time I saw most of the movies that were nominated was back in 1977/1978 (there were a lot of science fiction and fantasy nominations that year).
I suppose the ceremony is a good way of advertising the movies and it helps keep certain fashion designers in business.
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Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
It's an American award show, other countries have theirs. The more artsy stuff also has its own award shows. These are movies that attract a regular all ages audience.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
So you're saying you're glad the Oscars exist because they celebrate a moderate level of artsiness rather than too popular or too artsy? What's the point of having a show that just celebrates one specific level of artiness? If we're going to claim, this is about American movies, then there's no reason not to include mainstream movies. Just make it about Hollywood films without the pretense.
Why should art recognition be segregated by country of origin? Shouldn't art just be art? It's not like Americans don't have access to foreign movies.
I'd rather see an award show that rewards great mainstream films like Guardians of the Galaxy and the LEGO Movie than one that pretends to be about art but ignores the most artistic films. Under The Skin was in English and it got ignored too.
If the Oscars are going to make the claim that they are about art, then let them be about all art, not just a specific type of art. Otherwise, just drop the pretense and include all great Hollywood films even if they are mainstream films.
So you're saying you're glad the Oscars exist because they celebrate a moderate level of artsiness rather than too popular or too artsy? What's the point of having a show that just celebrates one specific level of artiness? If we're going to claim, this is about American movies, then there's no reason not to include mainstream movies. Just make it about Hollywood films without the pretense.
Why should art recognition be segregated by country of origin? Shouldn't art just be art? It's not like Americans don't have access to foreign movies.
I'd rather see an award show that rewards great mainstream films like Guardians of the Galaxy and the LEGO Movie than one that pretends to be about art but ignores the most artistic films. Under The Skin was in English and it got ignored too.
If the Oscars are going to make the claim that they are about art, then let them be about all art, not just a specific type of art. Otherwise, just drop the pretense and include all great Hollywood films even if they are mainstream films.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
I think the Academy does good work and if they want their three hour long circle jerk once a year, I think they've earned it. Sure there are snubs, but they also do good work in bringing attention to a lot of deserving people. Doesn't mean I have to watch it.
I think the Academy does good work and if they want their three hour long circle jerk once a year, I think they've earned it. Sure there are snubs, but they also do good work in bringing attention to a lot of deserving people. Doesn't mean I have to watch it.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
It attracts a big enough audience.
Because borders segregate countries and other countries have their own award shows. The same reason i hate when the NBA champion is called world champion.
It attracts a big enough audience.
American Hustle is mainstream, just not a blockbuster.
Because borders segregate countries and other countries have their own award shows. The same reason i hate when the NBA champion is called world champion.
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Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
I look forward to the Oscars every year, even though I never really get to see any of the nominated films before the show itself.
I look forward to the Oscars every year, even though I never really get to see any of the nominated films before the show itself.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
The Oscars are a popularity contest--both the nominees and winners are determined by whoever runs it--but they're considered prestigious awards because enough people have said they are over the years.
Otherwise, they really just serve as a gauge of how similar or different your tastes are to a particular group of voters. They really shouldn't be considered anything more than that, IMO.
The Oscars are a popularity contest--both the nominees and winners are determined by whoever runs it--but they're considered prestigious awards because enough people have said they are over the years.
Otherwise, they really just serve as a gauge of how similar or different your tastes are to a particular group of voters. They really shouldn't be considered anything more than that, IMO.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
Bottom line, the movie has to be seen and liked by enough voters to get a nomination. If your favorite avant garde movie doesn't get a nomination it was probably because not enough Academy voters saw and liked the movie.
BTW, as far as acting award shows go, I have come to respect the SAG Awards even more than the Oscars.
There are some who would argue that the Oscars are too artsy and therefore out of touch with mainstream tastes. There are others who would argue that the Oscars award only big mainstream popular movies. I've watched them since the 1960's and some years the award artsy fartsy and some years the more popular mainstream movies get recognized.
Bottom line, the movie has to be seen and liked by enough voters to get a nomination. If your favorite avant garde movie doesn't get a nomination it was probably because not enough Academy voters saw and liked the movie.
BTW, as far as acting award shows go, I have come to respect the SAG Awards even more than the Oscars.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
I like the fact that it exists mainly because in my lifetime it always has. Which is admittedly a stupid reason, but there it is. The Oscars coming on - even if I don't watch - is a nice rare piece of stability in a rapidly changing life and world.
I do kinda wish they would amend their rules to give recognition to more of the movies, actors, etc, that I like and/or find to have artistic merit - but everyone has their own opinions and I'm sure there are people who feel the same way I do about that who would pick completely different movies, actors, etc. I don't have to like their picks - the winners are voted on by members of their academy, not by us. I vote with my wallet, and if I feel strongly enough (and remember), I'll vote for the People's Choice Awards and similar.
I like the fact that it exists mainly because in my lifetime it always has. Which is admittedly a stupid reason, but there it is. The Oscars coming on - even if I don't watch - is a nice rare piece of stability in a rapidly changing life and world.
I do kinda wish they would amend their rules to give recognition to more of the movies, actors, etc, that I like and/or find to have artistic merit - but everyone has their own opinions and I'm sure there are people who feel the same way I do about that who would pick completely different movies, actors, etc. I don't have to like their picks - the winners are voted on by members of their academy, not by us. I vote with my wallet, and if I feel strongly enough (and remember), I'll vote for the People's Choice Awards and similar.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
Why do movies warrant awards ?
What possible value can an award have that you have to campaign to receive ?
How can it be valid if people are regularly overlooked for their best work, yet eventually get a 'We're sorry' award for a lesser film ? i.e. Al Pacino.
I'd happily do away with them.
Why do movies warrant awards ?
What possible value can an award have that you have to campaign to receive ?
How can it be valid if people are regularly overlooked for their best work, yet eventually get a 'We're sorry' award for a lesser film ? i.e. Al Pacino.
I'd happily do away with them.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
I don't care about the Oscars any more than I care about the insurance industry's Salesman of the Year awards. Neither have anything to do with my life but I don't begrudge them their fun. The very needy actors have so many awards that I'm just glad they don't televise all of them.
I don't care about the Oscars any more than I care about the insurance industry's Salesman of the Year awards. Neither have anything to do with my life but I don't begrudge them their fun. The very needy actors have so many awards that I'm just glad they don't televise all of them.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
Humans enjoy awards - winning them, and competing for them. It is not logical. But it is true.
Why does *anything* or *anyone* deserve an award for being what it is or doing what it does?
Humans enjoy awards - winning them, and competing for them. It is not logical. But it is true.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
And one could argue that the Oscars at least serve a useful purpose in calling attention to non-blockbuster type movies.
I mean, as cool as it would be for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to win Big Picture, let's be honest here . . . it didn't need an Oscar to be a hit. Plastering "Academy Award Winner" on the DVD wasn't going to make a big difference, sales-wise. Nobody went to see GUARDIANS because they thought it was going score big at the Oscars.
But an Oscar nomination can be the difference between life and death for something like BIRDMAN or BOYHOOD or SELMA or whatever. And the Oscars give the studios an incentive to take a chance on "prestige" pictures that aren't necessarily going to sell action figures (not that there's anything wrong with that).
And one could argue that the Oscars at least serve a useful purpose in calling attention to non-blockbuster type movies.
I mean, as cool as it would be for GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to win Big Picture, let's be honest here . . . it didn't need an Oscar to be a hit. Plastering "Academy Award Winner" on the DVD wasn't going to make a big difference, sales-wise. Nobody went to see GUARDIANS because they thought it was going score big at the Oscars.
But an Oscar nomination can be the difference between life and death for something like BIRDMAN or BOYHOOD or SELMA or whatever. And the Oscars give the studios an incentive to take a chance on "prestige" pictures that aren't necessarily going to sell action figures (not that there's anything wrong with that).
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
I do, I like that it's a way to draw attention to films that at least may be good but on their own might not get a lot of viewers (and often I think the nominees and winners are at least reasonable and deserve that increased attention) but the last few years most haven't seemed good enough to watch.
I do, I like that it's a way to draw attention to films that at least may be good but on their own might not get a lot of viewers (and often I think the nominees and winners are at least reasonable and deserve that increased attention) but the last few years most haven't seemed good enough to watch.
Re: Anybody else does not care for the Oscars but likes that it exists
Acadamy Award on the box is more of a negative for me because the majority of best picture winners are in my view garbage. It didn't use to be that way. Look up best picture winners before the 1970s and most of them were movies that were popular with both critics and movie-goers. Not coincidentally the 70s was also the beginning of the blockbuster and for whatever reason acadamy voters thumb their noses at those type of movies. Why else would a piece of boring garbage like Annie Hall get best picture over Star Wars, a film that revolutionized the entire industry?
The award show itself is a total farce. I'm glad that the people who work on making movies get recognition for their work but I think many have an overblown sense of their importance.Really, I refuse to sit through all those hours of the show just to watch a bunch of pre-madonnas on a microphone act like what they're doing is SO important in the grand scheme of things.
So yeah, count me as one of those people who could care less about the Oscars.
Acadamy Award on the box is more of a negative for me because the majority of best picture winners are in my view garbage. It didn't use to be that way. Look up best picture winners before the 1970s and most of them were movies that were popular with both critics and movie-goers. Not coincidentally the 70s was also the beginning of the blockbuster and for whatever reason acadamy voters thumb their noses at those type of movies. Why else would a piece of boring garbage like Annie Hall get best picture over Star Wars, a film that revolutionized the entire industry?
The award show itself is a total farce. I'm glad that the people who work on making movies get recognition for their work but I think many have an overblown sense of their importance.Really, I refuse to sit through all those hours of the show just to watch a bunch of pre-madonnas on a microphone act like what they're doing is SO important in the grand scheme of things.
So yeah, count me as one of those people who could care less about the Oscars.
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