I enjoyed your Academy Awards review—26/03/01. It's refreshing to see the awards in context with normal life. Bread is denied but the circuses are relentless.
Congratulations,
SR
27 March 2001
I wanted to drop you a note about David Walsh's piece on the Academy Awards. Mr. Walsh was talking about my Monday morning. I am a teacher who does not have a television or a radio that picks anything up but the local commercial radio, so my connection with the outside world is limited at best. On the morning after the awards, I stopped and bought a US Today because it was the only paper available and found to my disgust that the only thing I could find within the article covering the Oscars were what dress Jennifer Lopez was wearing and that the real Erin Brockovich was being sued by one of her ex-husbands. In a fit of rage I tore the paper to shreds only to turn around and see one of my students waiting in my office door. I explained myself, and she looked at me and said, “Why are you so mad? The Oscars aren't for you anyway.”
Perhaps there is hope for the future.
Good writing, keep it up.
TW
27 March 2001
Dear Editor,
Your article on the Academy Awards was right on the money. It is sad how the American media encourages adulation of these members of the ruling class. Many of the movies are mindless, saturated with violence, and lend nothing to the intellectual development of the mind. The problem is that Hollywood producers, and actors are members of the elite American ruling class. The fact that Russell Crowe can whine about only making $10 million a movie shows how far they are removed from the American worker. The silly commentary which fawns over the dresses, the jewels, the limos, etc., is truly sad. The people in Hollywood have no concept of revolutionary idealism, and sacrifice. Thanks for a great article.
GG
27 March 2001
This article by David Walsh is really excellent, as are his reviews in general.
Congratulations on your insights.
BT
27 March 2001
The whole show was very subdued. I fully agree with you about the quality of the films this year. I thought Gladiator was one of the most shallow films I have seen in years, how anyone can compare it with Spartacus is beyond me.
The hero in Gladiator, like the hero in Braveheart (a best film winner), both had the woman in their lives attacked and brutally killed. What does this mean? Is this the only way filmmakers think audiences will accept the brutal actions of the hero? A “they did it to him first” mentality.
When they show you clips from films from years ago that's when it strikes you the most how poor and mundane films have become. Clips from Red Shoes, Black Orpheus and Sons and Lovers
The songs and dance numbers were embarrassing, they are every year.
It was a very sad show.
TF
27 March 2001
See Also:
The 73rd Academy Awards: Hollywood displays its wares
[27 March 2001]