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."
Yeah, Hollywood, I am questioning your patriotism, or rather, your lack of it.
If both films are quietly pushed aside, then the ratings will be abysmal. Last year, the Lord of the Rings popularity delivered good ratings. This year, there's really nothing out there besides these two films to generate buzz.
"The whole Sodom and Gomorrah thing about Hollywood will come up again."
LoL. Yeah...???
Related...
All Drudge could say for "Team America" is that, on opening day, it came in second to the shark movie. That falls short of hailing "Team America" for what it really is and claims to be: the movie that puts the "F" back into Freedom.
Do you teach?
Hollywood and most of the movie industry are a joke...W and Mel could care less.
"Do you teach?"
No, but I must say you are a rarity in academia.
Mel doesn't need their accolades or silly awards. His success shows in his bank account.
I make an idol of no man or woman but he is pretty cool about all this.
(Reuters) Actor Mel Gibson gave $10 million to two Los Angeles hospitals on Tuesday to help children with serious medical problems who cannot afford treatment or get proper care in their own countries. The actor, whose Christian-themed movie "The Passion of the Christ" was a box office smash this year, gave $5 million to the Mattel Children's Hospital at the University of California Los Angeles, and $5 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a statement from the hospitals said.
When you look at the product coming out of Hollywierd these days, it's fairly easy to see why 'the Passion' would get snubbed.
What with 'demonology', mass murderer fixations, 'guy on guy', 'girl on girl', self gratuitous sex and violence raining supreme, why should we expect them to honor a man who served and died for others?
The values of 'the Passion', the man who produced it and the concepts of Christianity that each inspired, are as invisible to Hollywierd, as it's morals are to us.
We will never respect each other. From my perspective, that is fitting. If Hollywierd were to honor 'the Passion' it certainly wouldn't be a resounding postive event, so who cares what they think. Pan it Hollywierd. Make my day.
Wonder how much that fat peice of sh*t Moore gave to any hospital.
Well...there are closeted academics out here...who are conservatives. I've outed myself because I write letters to the local rags and I pass out Pro life stuff. I have not yet been sent to the Gulag for right wing teachers, but I don't expect to win any awards for teaching either...those are reserved for the die hard bleeders...lieberals/communists/socialists. I do not care AT ALL!
I would say that about 30% of teachers in general are conservatives. It's not a great number but it's better than the trial lawyers. I would have it no other way...I reach many people this way...chipping away at the left wing monolith of higher ed day by day.
If Passion is not nominated..for ANYTHING and F9/11 is...they can say goodbye to any ratings they may have. If the were smart, they'd nominate THE PASSION, for ratings, if nothing else.
Good question. Personally, I do watch the pre-oscars shows on LA tv stations as the chicks arrive and sashay up the red carpet...some nice T&A, no need to have the sound on.
I don't watch the awards ceremony because I don't care what the actors think of each other.
Good for you. A brave soul.
The "born agains"? Gee, so respectful!
Guess what Hollywood, I haven't watched any of your ceremonies since 2002 when you couldn't keep your mouths shut about your political views. Before that I was down to watching maybe 15 minutes tops.
The Passion of The Christ is the best film made this year. The best film made in the last decade at least. It deserves the highest honor, and it achieved it from the people.
Sure, if you exclude it or it doesn't win we're going to state the truth of why that is. Just as we'll state the truth about why a propaganda piece is in consideration.
But Mel, nor we, need your seal of approval. You rank right up their with the Nobel peace prize. It just doesn't have the same meaning when Arfat and Jimmy Carter win it.
Does anyone actually care about the Oscars except Hollywood?
Heck, I don't even care about 99.9% of what Follywood passes off as entertainment. I can't remember the last movie I saw, Return of The King, I think.
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