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Oscar has a new name - trash
Soon you will hear; the envelope please, and the Oscar goes to? Since we will be protected from the embarrassment
of another Janet Jackson flashing a body part, maybe the academy will demonstrate their gratitude with
awarding a lifetime achievement to her embattled brother. For dedication and contributions to the betterment of America’s
youth and their education from the archives of the magic one gloved maladjusted molester. It’s all show biz . . . all
that counts is the take at the close of the performance.
The proud legacy of the cinema was not always this way. Assuredly, the trophy for best actor doesn’t
guarantee that it goes to the best accomplishment. Over decades the celebrities rotate, the lights have brightened and the
media coverage has gone global. But one course remains constant, the quality of entertainment reflects the current demands
of the popular culture.
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The Bridge on the River Kwai |
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest |
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Examine the ascent of quality and then the decline of substance. Don’t just blame the actors, the
producers only want to print money and the directors want to push the envelope. The quality of entertainment drifts towards
the pursuit of cash at the expense of story telling. Hemingway has given way for Hefner.
The business of Hollywood is to sell illusions. Once the Louis B. Mayer’s and Jack Warner’s
created dreams, now the product that comes off the screen requires the movie goers to take a quick shower to wash off the
slime. Despite the culture of sleaze, the real descent into garbage usually starts with a defective script.
Rebuke the entertainment industry - they will never censure themselves. The themes and topics for a pitch,
means that only a real player gets to green light a project. What kind of amusement are we left with?
Consider the trend over time. There are gifted actors in every generation. The examples used attempt to highlight
confirmed and solid talent; however, as each movie season ends, the scripts fall short of an Oscar performance. Roberto Benigni’s
comedic antics don’t hold a candle to Cary Grant’s timing. Sorry, Nicolas Cage doesn’t even qualify to carry
Sean Connery’s luggage. And if you want cool - no one can place - Hugh Jackman in the same room with Steve McQueen.
Real tough guys will take Lee Marvin over Vin Diesel and George C. Scott will out command Russell Crowe. Adrien
Brody is no David Niven and Geoffrey Rush doesn’t compare to a Rod Steiger. Sidney Poitier has style, Danny Glover just
lacks class. You won’t find a Wayne or a Sinatra among the crop of Colin Farrell’s or Ewan McGregor’s .
. .
If you think Robin Williams is the best, you never watched Bob Hope. The mere idea that Tim Allen, Eddie Murphy
and Adam Sandler have an audience, speaks to the lack of real humor in today’s society. The joke is on us, if you pay
to watch!
Not much needs to be said about actresses, Kate Hepburn is dead and Nicole Kidman is no replacement. The images
are still the vision of the male viewpoint, when the production is bankrolled and the wager is gambled. The Drew Barrymore
production company would exhibit better acting if the family patriarch was still alive.
The final judge in the worth of a flick, is the willingness to buy a ticket, rent a tape or purchase a DVD.
If you subscribe to premium movies, your cable or satellite provider runs a pipeline of finance for additional masterpieces.
Any social critics that want to tout most of the projects of the skilled Johnny Depp? Imagine his talent if he had a concrete
screenplay. But what do we get most of the time - more Alec Baldwin dribble.
No question; the tacky financiers that push trash are contributing to the continued declivity of the culture.
Yet, the less discriminating among the viewership keep feeding this scum machine. What do you think the prospects will be
for Mel Gibson being nominated, much less winning, next years award for best picture? Doubt that even Steve Martin or Dan
Aykroyd could write a parody that could make a plausible play for that honor.
Movies were once an inspiration. Now they are an inducement to bunk with the “Queer Eye for the Straight
Guy”. Now that’s Entertainment! Reality is changeable, and more important reversible.
The present path leads to tragedy. Our society needs more wholesome comedy, and less cutting edge psychodrama. The NYT proclaims: “In 2003, Sean Penn and Charlize Theron provided the most striking evidence that we are
living in an extraordinary period, one we will eventually look back upon as a golden age of screen acting.” If
this is the new golden age in acting, no doubt refusing to read the “Gray Lady” is just as important as watching
TCM . . . about the only positive contribution of another media mogul, Ted Turner.
SARTRE - February 15, 2004
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BREAKING ALL THE RULES BATR Forum Totalitarian Collectivism Radical Reactionary Inherent Autonomy Global Gulag View from the Mount Solitary Purdah Dueling Twins Varying Verity HOPE M A R K E T S Negotium
