I admit I don't think I know more than 70% or so of the poster quotes. But it's one at a time, right, so I'm going with:
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, This is the war room." -
Dr. Strangelove, or: How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb."Concerning my stance on the Oscars, I don't actually consider it "boycotting". To me it's just a reaction to having my naive belief removed that quality and beauty and truth in acting and filmmaking would actually get the reward - that the Oscar truly still managed to "mean" something in that regard rising above the small-town prejudices, the superficial glamour, the campaigning, the insatiable need for empty entertainment news to be yacked out to fill the papers and TV screens, the whole general "Razzle-dazzle". I don't see it like that any more. I must admit that I was also very disappointed when Fellowship of the Ring didn't win back in the day (I still think that's the one of the 3 "Rings" films that deserved the Oscar, rather than Return of the King) - but "A beautiful Mind" on all accounts also was a worthy winner if not my favourite by a long shot. Also there was the possibility of an award down the line at the end of the "Rings" trilogy, and at any rate and most importantly "Fellowship" lost because of prejudices against Fantasy films rather than because of something as serious and insupportable as homophobia; - so my pathetic little illusions weren't shattered then. Now they have been.
I look at what you say.......;
It also occurs to me that Jake and Heath will eventually be nominated again, fine actors that they are. Then where will the boycotters be? Torn between a rigid stance on principle and watching our boys being deservedly honored.
I don't have much of an interest in watching the Oscars, unless it would be to see Helen Mirren win for "The Queen."
...and I realize; yes. I'd like to see Heath and Jake being awarded and I'd sure like to see Helen Mirren being honoured for "the Queen". My problem however is that I honestly don't see the Oscar as a badge of quality anymore, something that really signifies the kind of appreciation and honour I'd like these people to have. That's just gone.
That's sad to me because I'm the kind of person to get very involved in certain films and to cheer them on and to enjoy all the mention they get in the pre-Oscar races and such. Part of the point is, I think, that I've wanted to let certain actors and filmmakers know how much their film meant to *me* - how much their efforts and message moved and inspired *me*. Since I can't get to ever communicate that in person (and would be struck dumb if I ever had the chance
), I'd until last year considered the Oscars as
*the* stand-in symbol of appreciation being handed over on behalf of ordinary moviegoers like me. And now, almost one year down the line from last year's travesty, I realize that symbolism's gone for good. The Oscar last year became the symbol of people with prejudices that I do not at all want to represent me.
But then, of course, there's still the entertainment value....
The Oscars have never been the last word on film quality and my favorite hardly ever wins. You just have to take it for what it is.
Yes, I've been thinking that nevertheless it's still Entertainment with a capital E. It's fun and so forth. There's no reason to take it all so deathly seriously, the way I do. But I think that after having seen Heath Ledger having to sit through that ceremony last year, it just can't be plain *fun* for me anymore. I felt so badly for him and I still do. For some reason I feel worse for him than for the rest of the BBM crew. Maybe because it's so obvious he's uncomfortable with that kind of show, maybe because he's the one of the nominated actors/actresses I thought deserved the award the most.... maybe because since his *is* the main part in BBM, and that out of the blue he created and delivered a performance that I still almost can't *believe*........ Anyway, to me the "Best Picture" award would also have been a special acknowledgement of Ennis, as well as an encouragement to the real Ennises in this world, and the Crash win seemed such a slap in all their faces that the Oscars stopped being entertaining to me as of that moment. Watching actors I'd like to see profoundly thanked and honoured being trotted out for big Entertainment to be slapped in the face by bigots like that while having to smile as polite "losers" do - it hurts. It's not entertaining anymore, if it ever was.
*Sigh*
I'm not trying to convince anyone else here. I'm sure as heck not advocating a campaign to "boycott the Oscars!". I'm just explaining my position. Which has to do with much more than boycotting in order to send a message. I don't think such a message would penetrate with the AMPAS anyhow.
