THE 86th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

[Jet]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

Do you think it is a better film than American Hustle?

Or is it politics?

I think it's always politics. Think of how many times people like Stephen Spielberg have been passed over. I don't know why that is, except that there's real control in an industry worth billions. Film making isn't that simple; people answer to major corporations and to investors who look for billions in returns. There's canvassing and campaigning that goes into this and you wonder about fairness. George Clooney came out this past year in criticism of (I believe heads of Sony Pictures, don't quote me here...I don't have the story in front me) who controls what kind of movies are being made. Corporations have a major say, and that's scary to me to think of their weight on film making. As for The Wolf of Wall Street, the collaborative team of Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter (Boardwalk Empire) and the influence of Leo DiCaprio in the title...I just feel it'll win. I could be wrong, but these are big men with big influence and backed with big money, you know? I am a huge fan Terence Winters' work, but this flick is rough.
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I don't like either movie to be honest. In fact, I don't like most of the nominated movies. I appreciate the meticulous recreation of the 70s in American Hustle...from sculpted wall-paper to frosted figurines to 4-inch polyester knotched lapels and dropped collars to music by America and Chicago. I grew up in the 70s and this movie brought back things I haven't seen in years. But I'm tired of in-your-face movies that are brutal and aggressive. I have had a steady diet of that all year. And I take breaks with series like Downton Abbey, documentaries, some comedies, family films and classic movies.

The nominated films this year are over the top gritty or have such serious subject matter which seems to be the bent this year, as opposed to good a mix of films. When you consider that AIDS, the brutality of slavery, disaster, cancer, family dysfunction, con games etc. and a hearty party of mix of raunch and drugs dominate this year's films, you haven t wonder if there is another precedent being set. This bothers me; I wonder what powers that be are making what kind of statement.

Films overlooked include The Butler, Saving Mr. Banks, and All is Lost (Redford is great in this film about an aged man pitted against the sea.) It almost reminded of Old Man and The Sea with Spencer Tracy.

I won't watch the Oscars; I'm not a fan of the nominated movies.. I do think that art direction, costume design and direction in these movies are impeccable and deserve consideration.

I would love it if Bruce Dern won. He's been around forever and deserves an Oscar for Nebraska. I don't think he'll win...but we're losing our classic actors and I think the Academy should look at his work and the 50 or so years he's put in with supporting roles. This is a big nomination for him and I hope he wins.