Posted on 10/17/2004 7:15:21 PM PDT by Paul Atreides
Despite shattering box-office records and dominating headlines for months, "The Passion of the Christ" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" face real obstacles in the race for an Oscar nomination for best picture.
As Senior Writer Sean Smith reports in the current issue of Newsweek, many of the high-placed studio executives, producers, Oscar strategists, publicists and Academy members interviewed think that "Fahrenheit's" chances depend on the results of the presidential election, and all say that a "Passion" best-picture nod is almost unthinkable.
"A lot of older Academy voters, who are largely Jewish, refuse to even see this movie," says one Oscar-campaign vet. "There's a level of animosity toward this film that is very real. When I talk to the members, I hear it over and over and over again."
Complicating matters, says one exec, is the sense, fair or not, that Mel Gibson marketed the film as something Hollywood couldn't, or wouldn't, make. "It's a little weird to trash the establishment, and then to come knocking at the establishment's door during awards season."
But if "The Passion" gets shut out, there's a concern that some Christians could protest and – worst-case scenario – boycott the Oscars. "The born-agains will come out screaming that it's another case of censorship," says one source. "The whole Sodom and Gomorrah thing about Hollywood will come up again."
Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit" faces an entirely different problem, Smith reports in the Oct. 25 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, Oct. 18). Most insiders believe its fate is inextricably tied to the election – but they can't agree on whether a Bush or a Kerry win helps Moore the most.
"If John Kerry wins, 'Fahrenheit' gets nominated," says one exec. "Then it becomes 'the movie that changed the course of American history,' and the perception will be that Moore contributed to Bush's loss."
Or not. "Its chances are zero if Kerry wins, because then the protest is over and everybody feels better," says another source.
But,says one Academy member, "If Kerry loses, it gets nominated as a big 'f--- you' to Bush."
Hollywood letting their lack of morals hang out as usual.
Schools have showed Moore's film all over, so go for it before the election
I wish someone would get up on stage and just ask them all, on live television: "How many homeless, sick kids, and elderly you could make better lives for with what you are spending on gowns, tuxedos, jewelry, parties, limos, etc. for just one night?"
Not surprising in the least.
Petty grievances. Isn't that what Jesus scorned?
Oh I forgot. They didn't exactly care for Him and His Teachings.
Apparently it's some Jewish thing.
Amen.
I would show it before the elections. If Michael Moore can show his before, then you can certainly give another view before the elections. You're students should see the opposing view.
I'd like to be the one who'd hand him the kleenex made out of a $1,000 bill ;)
Our entertainers' politics are not entertaining -- time to vote with your remote.
Every time they show the commercials for "The Day After Tomorrow," I get a warm feeling inside, seeing that tornado hit the Hollywood letters on the hillside.
"so much for any remaining idea that they're interested in the art or the talent."
OR......... FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION which "art"(har har) is suppose to be about. They bellow about it ALL THE TIME when it's THEIR artistic expre$$ion$ being marketed. Hypocrite$, we see who you are.
I appreciate the feedback...FR is the best!
I will show it next week during class. It should be a blast!
"There's a level of animosity toward this film that is very real. When I talk to the members, I hear it over and over and over again."
Another example of the new blacklist. It's just an award so I can't get too worked up about it, but one can only imagine what goes on behind the scenes.
The new blacklist is the same old story - only the players have changed.
Oh well, their loss.
"any advice anyone?"
Start working on your resume.
Good!
Well, Mel Gibson is probably sobbing on his way to the bank.
The best course of action for Hollywood lefty cooks would be to punish Gibson's work by inclusion - i.e. nominate [modestly, in only a few categories], and then award it at most one Oscar, among the crowd of other people and mounds of their work, so as if to say: "good, but really nothing extraordinary". Ostentatious EXCLUSION of his work only adds publicity and attracts attention to it. But I would not hold my breath waiting for them to figure it out.
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