The Academy Awards. I can't take it anymore. I realize that I am at fault for checking my Google Reader for film blog posts about the changes in the Oscar ceremony, the cheat sheets for those who haven't seen the nominated films, the survival statistics of Oscar winners, the
Vanity Fair after party, the acceptance speeches drowned out by the orchestra, the battles for the underdog nominations, the battle for the Best Actress Oscar, the red carpet lineup, Oscar winner leakage, the possible
Slumdog Millionaire sweep, and the Marlon Brando-style possible return-from-box-office-poison triumph of Mickey Rourke. Will host Hugh Jackman be able to persuade the audience to forget
Australia? In the past, I used to co-write an Oscar prediction article with
Dr. K, but this year I'm burned out on the whole glutinous mass of news coverage, previews, studio promotions, commentaries, commentaries on commentaries, and all of it swirling about in a sheer constellation of hype. No more! I may go live in a cave until Monday. I may hide in a soundproofed room and listen to whale sound tapes. I may regret it later, but whatever happens, I will try to get far far away from the Oscars.
The Academy Awards. I can't take it anymore. I realize that I am at fault for checking my Google Reader for film blog posts about the changes in the Oscar ceremony, the cheat sheets for those who haven't seen the nominated films, the survival statistics of Oscar winners, the Vanity Fair after party, the acceptance speeches drowned out by the orchestra, the battles for the underdog nominations, the battle for the Best Actress Oscar, the red carpet lineup, Oscar winner leakage, the possible Slumdog Millionaire sweep, and the Marlon Brando-style possible return-from-box-office-poison triumph of Mickey Rourke. Will host Hugh Jackman be able to persuade the audience to forget Australia? In the past, I used to co-write an Oscar prediction article with Dr. K, but this year I'm burned out on the whole glutinous mass of news coverage, previews, studio promotions, commentaries, commentaries on commentaries, and all of it swirling about in a sheer constellation of hype. No more! I may go live in a cave until Monday. I may hide in a soundproofed room and listen to whale sound tapes. I may regret it later, but whatever happens, I will try to get far far away from the Oscars.
Comments
The full-hype(r) coverage is indulgent even for an industry known for glorifying unbridled narcissistic excess. It is understandable that you'd get burned out.
If you do happen to hazard a glimpse at the Medusa, perhaps through the mirror of Tivo or ET, I'm sure your reflections will be fun and interesting.
But JUS is so right: indulgence of the first-order. I'll agree also that your thoughts will be interesting once you emerge from the cave.
I say take a break, step away from the set and enjoy the "real world"! ;-)
Get Smart was about the stupidity of men, you thought The Happening was good because it showed man as appropriately helpless, I can cite more examples.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, i just found that curious
Thanks for your understanding. My soundproofed chamber is all stocked with food, wine, and whale tapes.
sophomorecritic,
I may appear to be sort of feminist (and what's wrong with being feminist?) because I like to write about the crisis of masculinity in movies. Where can one find the self-assured men exemplified in Howard Hawks films nowadays? Also, I was raised on Pauline Kael, so some of her influence may also show.
Filthy.
This year the Oscars were a turning point for me. I learned two things. 1) I will never sit down and watch the Oscars alone with my wife again. It's boring.
2) I will stop taking them so seriously and just enjoy the spectacle.