Oscar Talk
Published October 04, 2002
I was talking with a co-worker today about the Oscars. Somehow it came up in conversation and we started talking about some of the movies that have won 'Best Picture' and as a result, I have to offer some thoughts here regarding some of these films and the ones they beat to get the award. Some are just astounding. This will be a series. Let's start with the one that still makes me gag when I hear about it: Titanic.
Aside from the special effects, this movie deserved Best Picture (1997) as much as Rosie O'Donnell deserves to be next month's Playboy Playmate. Just look at the story. We all know that sooner or later the ship is going to sink, so how did James Cameron fill the time in between? He gives us a story that's older than Strom Thurmond: the rich girl who is engaged to the rich asshole, but falls in love with the charming and handsome poor boy.
Now, in reality, the poor people did not resemble Leonardo DiCaprio. Hell, even the rich people looked dirty in the early 1900's. DiCaprio, playing 'Jack Dawson' would more likely have resembled the guys you see sleeping under the West Side Highway in New York City, instead of the pretty boy you saw on screen. And check out those names. Leo gets a cool name - Jack Dawson. Sounds like a quarterback or a private detective. What did the rich asshole, Billy Zane get for a name? Caledon Hockley. It sounds like something you rub on your feet. "Got athlete's foot? Rub some caledon hockley on it and that itching will vanish!" If I were Rose (Kate Winslet), I would have dumped him just for having such a stupid name.
Oh and let's not forget the erotic and romantic scenes in the Renault touring car. And that script!
Jack: Where to, miss?page 1 | 2
- Oscar Talk
- Published: October 04, 2002
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- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Drama
- Writer: Jay Caruso
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Comments on this articleComments
Kathy, 'L.A. Confidential' is one of my favorite films of all time. It was an instant classic and everything you said is 100% spot on.
That movie was in every way what a 'Best Picture' should be and it's a crying shame that dreck like 'Titanic' should win simply because it made so much money.
I agree about Titanic and a whole lot of other oscar winners. Please write about "A Beautiful Mind" beating the likes of "Gosford Park", etc.
I get the idea your trying to get across. Why does this happen? The Oscars are a popularity contest. I give up on them.
You seem incredibly bitter. And with a box office gross of 600 million, I truly doubt people were vomiting as much as you say.
cant wait for the oscars!!what does the world think of the Oscars??
results may shock you!
Oh I'm so happy to hear that someone else recognizes what an absolutely abysmal film Titanic was. I didn't go quite as bonkers as everyone else did over LA Confidential... but it was a better film than Titanic by far.
Anyone else remember when James Cameron was cool?
Titanic was boring. Usually if a movie gets recognized by some industry, I end up not liking it. Forrest Gump is another movie that it's almost Unamerican for me to hate. If I say it out loud, people freak out. American Beauty...was that the one where it rained frogs? It just seems that you have to pander to the bizarre OR you have to make a hugely expensive movie (recreating a tricked out ship that you're going to sink) to get an oscar.
This article is great! I agree 100%. How about Shakespeare In Love beating Saving Private Ryan?
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L.A. Confidential was the best of the year and the decade. A classic that will last. Brilliant acting from all the principles. Dynamite script. Awesome cinematography. Set design, costuming, and soundtrack right on the money. And best of all, no sappy love theme.