Bill GreenOscars obsessions....
February 25th 2008 14:39
So each year when the Oscars come around i refuse to watch tv. You see living in Australia means that we get all the action several hours after it has taken place, thus meaning that our newreaders ruin the secret and surprise. So i mute the television and place everyone i know on a media ban. It never works, no one shares my dicipline. In fact when someone mentions "oh man i cant believe cate blanchett did not win, man she was a killer bob dylan" i cry. I couldn't it help tearing up not becasue i wanted her to win, but becasue it subsequently ruined O night!
So there, now you have a small insight into my obsession which has been flourishing for the last 11 years. The Oscars for me are a painting of a dream, dancing for a fews hours early i in the year. You see i am highly ambitous and driven in all i do and to watch people who must too be as ambitious be granted their dreams, to have them just "happen" in plain view is something i become spiritual about. Some years i develop an intense research regime where i watch all the films and i read up on the contenders and their chances. This year i had my favourites, my definate dream winner; this winner was Juno.
Now Juno has recieved loads of acclaimed criticism for its freshness, sincerity and integirty. The story was gold and the acting was cut rate. But i knew from the get go that it was the "little miss sunshine" contender. It was the film that was good, but it was no Departed or Cuckoo's nest; it was no sure thing;it was no heavyweight blockbuster. But i figured the Oscars where always able to deliver an overwhelming underdog surprise. Think Adrian Brody over Daniel Day lewis and Jack Nickolson, think Gwyneth Paltrow over Cate Blanchet. But then again there are always those nominees that no one expect to win becasue they are too young, they are first timers, they have not put in the years to earn such an honour, enter keisha castle-hughs and haley joel osmont. This i probebly the category Ellen Page sits in. she is young, and despite a funny, fresh and endearing performace there was no chance she would win.
Now i was not obsessive as i can be with my hope for the winner. In the past i had made vows that if my "ones" did not win i would brake the godamn television (my ones being The Departed, Crash , U2 (for song), Rachel Weisz). Page did not come to this list, but Juno did. The film was that little bit of true to life that has been missing from hollywood for a long time.
Now the oscars have pissed me off to no end the recent years becasue i have become astute enough to realise that indy films will never ever be recognised. This annoyed me becasue some of the most poignant true to life stuff exists in this category. but the show goes on with the glitter and i guess thats how it will always be. Juno for me was that little bit indy that i really wanted to come out on top.
Now i must confess i have not yet watched No country for old men and i have heard all great reviews. it could very well be a classic. But juno is just not that, it is a small film with a massive possibility to share something that is unshakebly real and unique.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by elliscurrerbell
yeah oscars are crap at indie recognition. but im just a sucker for them! festivals are great but they are no academy awards.
superficial i know...