The Oscar trend continues with members of the Academy seemingly living in a different universe than the film-going public.
Mostly shunned at the 80th Annual Academy Awards was the uplifting, light-hearted surprise hit “Juno” (won Best Original Screenplay), but honored with major awards were two dark and violent offerings; this despite the fact that “Juno” had a significantly greater box-office take than any of its competitors.
“No Country for Old Men,” a story about an insane murderer, took Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture trophies, while “There Will Be Blood,” the tale of a brutally sadistic oil tycoon, was the recipient of Best Cinematography and Best Actor gold statues.
Hollywood ignored the box-office and turned a blind’s eye to a recent Reuters/E-Poll survey as well, one in which “Juno” beat the competition again. In a poll of 1,100 adults, 29% of respondents chose “Juno” for best picture, 25% picked “No Country For Old Men” and 20% “Atonement.”
More significantly, the survey confirmed the growing gap between fans and Academy voters. About 72% said the Academy’s best film choices were influenced by critics and Hollywood insiders.
James Hirsen is a media analyst, Trinity Law School professor and teacher of mass media law at Biola University.
I found the darkness disappointing as well (No Country and There Will be Blood). They were both such slow, almost evil films.
what’s wrong with the humanity and cleverness of Juno?
maybe the theme is still a little touchy with some
literary awards have become discredited over time because of the gap between the “elite” and the “public”
so who needs awards anymore?