Comments on: Are the Oscars a popularity contest?

By: Momo

Momo — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:52:45 +0000

Marlon Brando won for Godfather and refused to accept the award. Instead he had some Indian lady show up there and give a speech about Native Americans. Then they nominated him the very next year for Last Tango in Paris. So clearly it’s all based on the performance.

By: Jemima

Jemima — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:55:53 +0000

Jennifer Connolly wins an Oscar for a good not great performance while Sigourney Weaver remains Oscar-less after acing it in Gorillas In The Mist. But then Titanic won over L.A.Confidential. Go figure. No, you shouldn’t have to be Prince Charming to win an Oscar. Tho’ God knows, Rourke & Penn can be plenty charming when they want to.

By: donner

donner — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:23:29 +0000

yes, its a popularity contest, and also a money contest…how does a movie like Shakespeare in Love win over Saving Private Ryan? They can’t be compared…but Weinstein did a great job in buying the Oscar…(rumour has it the campaign was over $14million in ‘for your consideration ads and such)…Paul Newman won, but only later in his career, not for the meaty roles he excelled in…Liz Taylor won for Butterfield 8, only after nearly dying the previous year, not for her much better work in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof…its subjective and favoritism plays a big part…

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:58:27 +0000

The whole Oscar process confuses me. Although there are moments when certain performers did deserve their wins, I wonder about that year when Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, AND Sidney Poitier all received Oscars. After how many years, the top Oscar categories just happened to be taken by African Americans? I wonder what the Academy was trying to prove that year? I don’t even think Halle Berry’s performance was the best that year.

By: kitvancleave

kitvancleave — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:31:59 +0000

All the Oscars for acting were righteous this year. The only one folk could quibble about was Tilda Swinton in MICHAEL CLAYTON, because her character was not really understood clearly. Cotillard, Bardem, and DDL were all just the best in the field last year. Cotillard, in particular, had no idea what to expect in terms of the Oscars being a “campaign” until the last days, so she can’t be criticized for having done everything she was asked to do to support LA VIE EN ROSE. On the charm issue, there’s no doubt that she dazzled everyone.

By: John

John — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:34:26 +0000

Funny enough, maybe the Golden Globes, or even BAFTA’s ARE a bit more accurate/skewed to what deserves to win. In my opinion, films like ‘Atonement’ & ‘Babel’ were the best films of their respective years. Both won GG, neither won the Big one (even winning only 1 Oscar each). Since there’s only 80-some-odd voters in the GG (for instance), I think the chance for getting it “right” is higher. Out of 5,000 AMPAS (not sure of the actual number), a lootttt of finagling can occur. I fid that I match up in many categories (the last few years) with GG and BAFTA results. Interesting.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:18:07 +0000

The Oscars are subjective. Any time you’re given a list of nominees you’re being asked to judge the judges’ personal biases come into play. It’s a fact of life. We all do it when we decide whether or not to watch a film, tv, etc. As such people win who shouldn’t while outstanding work goes completely unrecognized. If you can’t handle that then watch something else. It’s your call.

By: RyRy

RyRy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:05:40 +0000

in response to eve:
you’re a retard…
Julia Roberts owned the award since feb when the movie came out… Burstyn has won an oscar (Best Actress in a Leading Role) for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974). Ellen Burstyn was not present at the awards ceremony. Martin Scorsese accepted the award on her behalf. There is only one actress who has yet to be given a damn oscar… KATE WINSLET… fingers crossed this year…

By: patrick

patrick — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:37:33 +0000

If you want popularity, watch the People’s Choice awards. The Oscars are recognition of art.

By: patrick

patrick — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:34:31 +0000

A popularity contest? Not since 1989. That was the year Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker deservedly walked away with Oscars, defeating the “popular” Tom Cruise and Julia Roberts. Oscar got those 2 right,thank you very much.