Article: Academy of Idiots

Titanic may have sweeped the awards last year but this year the Oscar’s really missed the boat. I have never been so disappointed in the Oscar nominations than I am this year. It’s a travesty. There is something wrong with almost every single category. Let’s make a list, here.

Travesty #1 - Best Picture - I agree with the obvious choice of Saving Private Ryan and Shakespeare In Love, but The Thin Red Line? Elizabeth? These should not be included. What happened to this Summer’s sure bet The Truman Show? It’s an amazing film that fits right into the Oscar mode. What about Pleasantville? Or Gods and Monsters, which won many festival and critic awards.

Travesty #2 - Life Is Beautiful - A great film to be certain but it IS a foreign film and therefor in my opinion should only be nominated for Best Foreign Film. Still, part of me is glad it was recognized, but it definitely should not be up for Both awards.

Travesty #3 and #4 - Shut-outs for two of the best films of the year. Rushmore and Opposite of Sex. Rushmore, at least should have gotten Bill Murray a nod for him incredible subversive performance. Opposite Of Sex should have received several awards for Best Actress (Christina Ricci was AMAZING), Best Supporting Actress (Lisa Kudrow can act, believe it or not) and best screenplay. It had a witty original script unlike any thing else released that year.

Travesty #5 - Best Actor - No nod for Jim Carrey. What! The Golden Globe wasn’t enough for you. It’s plain and simple ass-talker discrimination and I won’t stand for it.

Travesty #6 - Best Supporting Actor - A nod for Ed Harris. When he won the Golden Globe I was surprised to say the least. It’s a good performance, but all he does is act creepy and wear a beret.

Travesty #7 - Best Foreign Film - First off, there’s no nod for the acclaimed Celebration. Second of all I have a question to ask the academy: Do you consider Canadian Films to be foreign? Obviously not, because otherwise the excellent Red Violin (which won all the Canadian film awards) would have been nominated. The Academy doesn’t seem to realize that Foreign does not mean "not in English". This was also the case last year with Canada’s The Sweet Hereafter which was nominated for Director, Screenplay but not Foreign Film.

Travesty #8 - Dark City and Babe 2 not up for any technical awards. Hello? Art Direction????

Travesty #9 - Every single nominee for Best Special Effects. What Dreams May Come had impressive effects, some of them did not work at all. Mighty Joe Young’s effects were borderline. Armageddon’s effects were murky and dull. Why not nominate Pleasantville which used effects…umm…effectively. Or Small Soldiers. Those little buggers looked REAL!

Travesty #8 - Truman Show not up for best score. If you’ve seen the movie you know that the awesome music was an integral part of the film.

Travesty #9 - Billy Crystal not hosting. I guess Whoopi’s okay. I hope.

Travesty #10 - The Oscars are now on a Sunday. I’ll miss my Simpsons!!!

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