[Lancey Howard]

BUMP

A very well written and thoughtful piece.
Personally, I allow myself to get caught up in the hoopla of the Oscars and I usually watch the show, but I also realize that, often, I have not seen any of the films which have been nominated. Occasionally I will have seen one of the films, like Titanic, or Lord of the Rings, or Saving Private Ryan, but most of the titles are totally unfamiliar to me. That is, not only have I never heard of the films, I don't even know anybody who has ever heard of the films.

So when Saving Private Ryan was defeated for 'Best Picture' by a movie called Shakespeare In Love, I decided I would simply watch the Oscars show, observe the Hollywood culture on display like watching germs through a microscope, and try to have a good laugh. But never in a million years would I give two craps what movie or what star wins what prize.

[CFC__VRWC]

...I decided I would simply watch the Oscars show, observe the Hollywood culture on display like watching germs through a microscope, and try to have a good laugh.

I'll take watching the microbes any day - they're more entertaining.

[ggekko]

"Chicago" is a childish, stupid movie but it does illustrate a phenomena which is plaguing Hollywood: the curse of post-modernism.

At this point in time we lack writers of depth and broad culture. The screenwriting profession is even more bereft of talent with the possible exception of David Mamet (whose output has been very incosistent).

Hollywood's solution to the cultural decline problem is to endlessly recycle movies and themes from 1930s, 1940s and 1950s; Hollywood's Golden Age. Many of the re-hashed mvoies become insufferable because auteur-influenced directors attempt to make ironic references to the original film either cinematographically or in terms of the plot.

"Chicago" is another sad example of this trend being drenched in cynical cliches and attemtps to be too clever.

[Tymesup]

Saving Private Ryan was a powerful and moving film. I wouldn't go to see it today because it starred Tom Hanks.

During the "Lewinsky scandal"*, Hanks said he was sorry to have given Mr. Clinton $10,000, an admirable comment. The next day, Hanks said he was sorry he hadn't given Mr. Clinton $20,000, the words of a weasel.

* The Lewinsky scandal was about an ordinary citizen (Paula Jones) and her right to a day in court.