The Academy Awards
February 1st 2007 09:25
If you've ever read one of my other blogs, Old Movies, you've probably come across the occasional (or excessive) mention of the Academy Awards. The truth is, I'm obsessed with the Oscars. I don't know why, it kind of depresses me because almost everyone else I know either...
A) Finds them boring.
B) Despises them for being behind-the-times.
or
C) Appreciates them for the wrong reason (EG. For the fashion, bleyuck!)
Anyway, I didn't let this stop me from picking up this book a couple of years ago. It's the kind of book that an odd person like me can really go ga-ga over. Definitely a collector's edition (it was certainly pricey enough!)
It's quite a huge book, almost the size of a small coffee-table, and it goes through the Oscars year-by-year. We get photos of all the winners in their winning-roles, information on the history of the Awards, the controversies, the nominess who got gypped, interesting facts and trivia, and all sorts of Oscar-related miscellany.
My favourite part is probably the pictures of each winner in their winning role... there are lots of photographs in here that I'd never seen before, and the blurb under each winner explains what they won for and how their career went before and after the winning of the award. As such, we get seldom-quoted information about lesser-known winners such as James Dunn and Broderick Crawford. An absolute delight for an Oscar-nerd like me.
There isn't much else I can say about this book. I've had it for ages but I was waiting until Oscar-season (which is now) to talk about it. It's an incredibly well-researched book and the writers aren't officially connected to the Academy either so all the juicy goss has been left in. I hear there's a revised version out that has the latest winners in it too.
A) Finds them boring.
B) Despises them for being behind-the-times.
or
C) Appreciates them for the wrong reason (EG. For the fashion, bleyuck!)
It's quite a huge book, almost the size of a small coffee-table, and it goes through the Oscars year-by-year. We get photos of all the winners in their winning-roles, information on the history of the Awards, the controversies, the nominess who got gypped, interesting facts and trivia, and all sorts of Oscar-related miscellany.
My favourite part is probably the pictures of each winner in their winning role... there are lots of photographs in here that I'd never seen before, and the blurb under each winner explains what they won for and how their career went before and after the winning of the award. As such, we get seldom-quoted information about lesser-known winners such as James Dunn and Broderick Crawford. An absolute delight for an Oscar-nerd like me.
There isn't much else I can say about this book. I've had it for ages but I was waiting until Oscar-season (which is now) to talk about it. It's an incredibly well-researched book and the writers aren't officially connected to the Academy either so all the juicy goss has been left in. I hear there's a revised version out that has the latest winners in it too.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Have you got a favourite best picture winner of all time?
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I'm pretty fond of Last Emperor, A Man for All Seasons and Amadeus.
Also, Godfather and Godfather II - no one can argue the Academy didn't get it right those years.
how bout you JD?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Man For All Seasons and The Last Emperor are disgracefully under discussed..
My top 3 (Excluding your choices) would be:
1.One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest
2. The French Connection.
3. All About Eve
Rounding out a top 10
4. From Here To Eternity
5. Platoon
6. The Apartment
7. The Deer Hunter
8. On the Waterfront
9. In The Heat of the Night
10. Ghandi
Comment by Tel
*Thank goodness for Video Ezy where I can avail of the oldies but goodies.*
Why not ~ I've always enjoyed watching the Oscar night although, at tiimes, they can be so long winding. I esp love the golden years of Hollywood. Quality acting which challenges a lot of our senses. I'm glad we're coming up with more and more superb actors and quality films to... not just 30 minutes of car chasing, etc. and similar time-wasters.
You've mentioned really great films, but I'll never be able to handpick say 10 because I love too many of them, almost the same degree.
And your mention of Amadeus. Hindsight, It's very interesting how people liked or enjoyed the movie, at the expense of Mozart's life story immensely twisted.
Cheers!
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I'm backing 'The Departed' this year, but if 'Little Miss Sunshine' wins I won't be too miffed.
Comment by Tel
As I said, I also love those mentioned, and would love to add
The Sound of Music, Oliver!, The Sting....
ones immediately on top of my head.
Have a good day!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Tel
I love Newman in "Cool Hand Luke" and Redford in "Out of Africa" -- amongst others.
G'day!
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I like looking back at who won, who was nominated and which one through popular culture has withstood the test of time.
Eg 1980 Oscars. Ordinary People won Best Picture but Raging Bull is considered as one of the all time classics.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Love & stuff
Mrs M