C'mon Hollywood: Separate Oscar category for best comedy?
Feb. 14, 2012
Considering that after two years of expanding the best picture nominations to include ten nominees, before modifying this rule by allowing UP TO ten nominees (with nine nominated this year), something like EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE still gets nominated, while BRIDESMAIDS gets the shaft, maybe he has a point. One way to do it would be to limit each category to five nominees. Some have said that this may result in a bunch of unworthy films being nominated for Oscars, and while this may be true- the category could be broader than one would think. Many of the Golden Globe nominees for best comedy/musical only vaguely fit into that category, and there’s no reason the same rule can’t be applied to the Oscars.
I say, why not? If there are categories for best documentary, and best animated film, why not a category for best musical or comedy? Perhaps a way to do it would be to allow UP TO five nominees in each category, that way, in a year such as this, something like BRIDESMAIDS could be nominated alongside a film like THE ARTIST or THE DESCENDANTS, both of which would fit nicely into a best comedy category.
Perhaps though, the biggest opposition would be from Hollywood itself, as I imagine a director like Alexander Payne would resent being consigned to the best category ghetto, which, let’s face it, would probably be regarded as somewhat less prestigious than the best drama category. Also- would this make the Oscars too much like the Golden Globes? Would all of a sudden we be seeing a whole bunch of unworthy films being touted as “Academy Award Nominated”? It’s certainly a risk, but then again, the cachet of the Oscars is already dwindling. This is a pretty tedious year for Oscar nominees, and for a more interesting selection of nominees, one’s better off checking out the Critic’s Choice Awards (full disclosure- I’m a voting member), the AFI top 10, or some of the film critic’s guild awards.
But enough of my blabbering, what do you think? Is Apatow onto something, or are we better off leaving the Oscar’s as is- flawed as they may be, but a classic in their own way?
| Source: | JoBlo.com |
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Its simple...
More importantly, fuck "Bridesmaids" and definitely fuck the Oscars this year.
More importantly, fuck "Bridesmaids" and definitely fuck the Oscars this year.
Anyway, I agree that the Oscars are broken (mostly in the out-of-touch pretentiousness of the Academy), but I don't think adding a Best Comedy category is the proper fix for that. The Academy should just get over their prejudice towards
Anyway, I agree that the Oscars are broken (mostly in the out-of-touch pretentiousness of the Academy), but I don't think adding a Best Comedy category is the proper fix for that. The Academy should just get over their prejudice towards certain genres of films and truly be an assessment of what the best films of the year were, not just the most "important."
Yeah, like that'll ever happen.
Choices should be hard
This really all comes down to widespread misconception of what the Oscars is. It's prestigious because it was the first, the statue is iconic, and Academy Award Winner has a different ring to it than Critic's Choice or Golden globe Winner. I think Apatow wants to be an
This really all comes down to widespread misconception of what the Oscars is. It's prestigious because it was the first, the statue is iconic, and Academy Award Winner has a different ring to it than Critic's Choice or Golden globe Winner. I think Apatow wants to be an Academy Award nominee. That's what this is about. Well, McCarthy and Kristen Wiig are now, so that's something. Will they win? I think Octavia Spencer's gonna edge out McCarthy, and Wiig and Annie Mumolo will likely lose out to Michael Hazanavicius. But wait, "The Artist" is a comedy too. You may not agree with it, but while I agree that "Bridesmaids" should've got that ninth spot (since "Drive" didn't), I don't believe a new category is necessary.
No
I have to disagree
That said, A comedy category is a bad idea. Films nowadays constantly blur the line between comedy and drama that there will always be an issue of which is which. 2 categories would just pander to those who think that there favorite comedy of the year is worth being
That said, A comedy category is a bad idea. Films nowadays constantly blur the line between comedy and drama that there will always be an issue of which is which. 2 categories would just pander to those who think that there favorite comedy of the year is worth being honored. Frankly, only "Midnight in Paris" and "50/50" are the only comedies this year that deserve real recognition.
If a movie is good enough, then it will be honored with the rest of the general films. I'm also started to lean against the animated Category now that we have 3 animated films make it to the top nomination.
What you need is to completely change the composition of the people who vote for the Oscars. Bring in people who actually know what makes a good film in this day and age. People who aren't a bunch of
What you need is to completely change the composition of the people who vote for the Oscars. Bring in people who actually know what makes a good film in this day and age. People who aren't a bunch of old dudes who remember Hollywood's "golden age". This should make it harder for studios and the Weinsteins to make pandering Oscar bait tailored to the tastes of a particular group of people, and force them to take actual creative risks with their prestige pictures.
Someone just has to kill all the members of the Academy (after thanking them of course) and then replace them with people who actually know a thing or 2 about films.
Someone just has to kill all the members of the Academy (after thanking them of course) and then replace them with people who actually know a thing or 2 about films.