No. There was a curtain, just like always. If they had had giant flag backdrop, and every last presenter said something about the troops, would you have been happy, or would you have called it cynical? Nicole Kidman said that the Oscars are a tradition, and that it's important to uphold traditions. Do you agree or disagree?
Was there any mention about the troops save that lame throwaway sentence at the end?
Adrien Brody mentioned his friend serving in Iraq. Michael Moore was roundly booed when he started spewing. Chris Cooper said only that he wishes us all peace (I'll bet the troops do, too).Beyond that, it was pretty apolitical all around.
Last I looked there were NO screaming headlines about how the Academy Rewards were a cosmic patriotic spectacle never before witnessed by the mind of Man.
No, they were just the freakin' Academy Awards. They're an award show for the entertainment industry. They aren't a political event. They aren't there to serve anyone's agenda. You're the one who keeps insisting that it has to be something that you want it to be. I find it interesting, though, that there were both pro- and anti-war protestors on the street last night, everyone wanting the Oscars to serve their purpose.
And what of the standing ovation for Roman Polanski, a known child molester, who found sanctuary in FRANCE?!? Is that the kind of message the Hollyweird culture sends and I’m supposed to writhe in orgiastic glee?
Learn a little more about that case and we'll talk. Actually watch The Pianist, a very, very good film, and easily the best-directed film of the year. Again, Hollywood isn't sending any message except that this was the best directing job of the year. YOU'RE the one who thinks it's some insidious message Hollywood is trying to beam into your skull.
As far as the Leftists who gave the votes to Moore the Pig, what‘s your point? Assuming you’re in the business, how about you firing a few missives to your guild, instead, if you can’t stand the backlash from the Heartland?
I'm not in a guild job myself, nor am I one of the 5000-odd Academy members. Nor am I one of the couple of hundred who vote in the Documentary category. I was shocked, not only that a bad documentary won, but that there was a Holocaust doc that didn't win.
People like me don’t eagerly feed at the trough of Deviance and wanton violence and gratuitous nudity, you name it. Hollywood might bring you a paycheck, but it brings nothing to me but feelings of disgust. And there’s nothing in last night’s Display of the Self-Absorbed to change my thoughts any time soon.
Well, good for you. Obviously you're not the target market Hollywood is appealing to. When there are enough people like you that Hollywood thinks they can make money off you, rest assured that they will provide something suitable for your palate. Because trust me, Hollywood is not about advancing a political agenda. It's about making money.
Never forget that I’M the customer. I’M the one who goes to the theater or video store or clicks the buttons for pay-for-view, transferring my hard earned cash to Jackboot Valenti and the various craft union heads and Rodeo Drive shopkeepers.
Or not.
Hey, no one holds a gun to your head and makes you pay. You don't like the movie, don't go. You don't like the Academy Awards, don't watch. But don't get your panties in a twist when they don't reflect your particular worldview. I was at an ice cream store yesterday, and there wasn't one patriotic message. My grocery store didn't make an announcement supporting the troops. Not everything has to.