"I especially felt sad for "Lincoln," with only two victories for its 12 nominations. This was a different kind of film for Steven Spielberg, a film whose pleasures were restrained, interior and subtle, a film in which the director placed himself at the service of the script and the acting, not his own reputation. This is what Affleck recognized when he gave a special shout-out to Spielberg in his acceptance speech, calling him "a genius." It would have been nice if the rest of the academy had shared his sentiments. " Washpost
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I doubt that "Lincoln" is a film that I would like, but the academy's treatment of Spielberg over the years is incomprehensible to this outsider. The general quality of his work has been exceptional. In this instance they "stiffed" both him and his movie. The general subject of Lincoln himself did not seem to elicit the kind of idolatry common these days. Seth McFarlane made a joke about John Wilkes Booth having been the actor who had most gotten into Lincoln's head. I would have expected a hostile reaction but there wasn't much of that. Daniel Day Lewis, (a method actor) who won a third Oscar for living as Lincoln for months, said that he was glad that at least the film was not a musical. Puzzling.
I thought the "Red Carpet" dresses were sillier than in many other years. SWMBO forced me to watch this vulgarian nonsense. She always does so. As a result I have a long, long memory of these spectacles. IMO women who are so skinny that they have a hard time holding up a strapless dress with a train should not wear one. The sight of these walking skeletons tugging relentlessly at the sides of their bodices to maintain the required modesty was sad.
The production of the Oscar show itself was pathetically amateur. The whole thing was a lot like a high school musical. And what was that business with Shatner? He was always a pathetically bad actor. To have him appear in order to kibitz on McFarlane's performance as host was an ironic comment on the whole proceeding.
People like Seth McFarlane and Jon Stewart are bad choices for this "gig" as host. The Oscar show is all about people loving themselves and feeling sure that everyone else loves and admires them as much as they do. SM and JS specialize in telling the audience that they are ridiculous. The massive egos gethered in that giant hall do not want to hear themselves mocked, ergo....
Lastly, Michelle Obama is not our queen. Why would she think it appropriate to appear on this "dog's breakfast" of a show as one of the egotists? She not only appeared but she used a group of military officers as "props' for her performance. At least the president did not appear costumed as his hero Abraham. pl
Yes, Spielberg is a great director, like him or not, and it's safe to say he will get one more Oscar before he's through and/or a special Oscar in his dotage. This year Academy voters seem to have gotten sick of the Lincoln campaign (also a factor in Private Ryan being denied Best Picture). Lincoln was also not a highly "directed" movie - mostly very fine and unflashy work from Spielberg, I thought.
Don't forget to add to your list Ang Lee, who with this year's win for Life of Pi has now won Best Director twice (first time was for Brokeback Mountain).
Posted by: Stephanie | 28 February 2013 at 04:15 PM
"cal
Some of Spielberg's work seem to me to be not too bad, but there definitely seems to be prejudice against him. McFarlane's anti-Jewish remarks (delivered through Ted )were surprising."
Col.
The McFarlane thing was satire I believe.... to make a joke of "Jews run Hollywood" perception/accusation among some in the public.
I believe all scripts for host have to be approved or reviewed so I doubt there was ad libbing.
But then that begs the question of what was the point of making the joke about any Jewish presence in Hollywood?
I though to myself that it was possible certain 'sensitivities" were increasing due the Hagel-Jewish Lobby shit storm and those sensitivities were trying to do some self deprecating humor to lighten it up..but who knows.
I thought it odd though.
And I really didn't get Michelle Obama's appearence either....unless it was some kind of Obama payback to liberals in Hollywood.
Posted by: Cal | 03 March 2013 at 12:18 AM