Either way, there's plenty of ammunition to damage Hollywood.
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."
Mel must be very upset.
If he made Jesus gay Mel would be drowning in oscar nominations.
(who watches the oscars anyway????)
All this Oscar analysis is painful. I stopped watching the LOscars years ago. That's Lefty Oscars.
All this Oscar analysis is painful. I stopped watching the LOscars years ago. That's Lefty Oscars.
I quit watching as well. I don't remember the last time I saw the Oscars.
Good and I will snub the Oscars and rent the Passion as well as WMD on Oscar night!
fahrenheit winning and G.W. losing would be nightmare..
not too mention a whole litany of other reasons
Somehow I doubt that Gibson will be losing any sleep over it.
Dracula fears the light. Satan fears God. Film at eleven.
What is funny is how they expect everyone to believe that MM won't be getting it anyway.
a tempest in a tea pot.
why dont we all just start a boycott of the Oscars...... take down their ratings.... send it to the floor.....
SHOCK AND AWE...
F-9-11 was in the bag for Best Picture long, long, long ago.
Either way, there's plenty of ammunition to damage Hollywood.
Well, so much for any remaining idea that they're interested in the art or the talent.
Fortunately, Gibson has had all that and he knows what bridges have been burned. I've never taken any of these award shows seriously because there is no way you can without closing your eyes and mind to what is going on.
I'm sure the Oscars are going to be really important on Judgment Day.
"The whole Sodom and Gomorrah thing about Hollywood will come up again."
Oh?
And when, exactly, did it ever go away?
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