BLANDLIFE

Sports, Politics, Entertainment and Whatever Captivates the Idle Mind

Subscribe via Email

The Oscars, Why do I still care? and Renfro DISSED.

I don’t have television in my house, and I was busy writing an essay last night as well, so I didn’t see any of the actual telecast. However I did frequently refresh the IMDB homepage for the winner announcements (it seemed to be the fastest updating site on the web). Seeing how poor the viewer audience was last night I suspect that was what a majority of people did last night. The telecast was down 21% from last year.

When someone asked me if I was excited about the show this year, I had to say no. Why? Well two of my favorite filmmakers of all time were nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. So the awards really couldn’t go wrong. Not the case. The reason I worship these filmmakers is for their unique vision and originality. While the Coens made and incredible film, it (as they admit) is more McCarthy’s story than theirs. And P.T. film left me very underwhelmed. To much Daniel Day Lewis in a book that was about his son. Now it is fine that he made changes to the story, to make it his own, but the changes made no sense in the end. It was a visually stunning movie but so was JESSE JAMES and I would rather look at Brad for 3 hours than Daniel Day Lewis.

If you remember last year everyone was rooting for Marty to win. One, because he deserved it and two because he belonged amongst the Oscar winning directors. As much as I worship the paper they write on, I feel uncomfortable about The Coen’s being there. And apparently so do they. It is a little strange to me when the producer, who gave them the book to adapt, was more excited and vocal about the win then they were.

The Coen brothers reprised their lopsided-personality act backstage — Joel spoke comfortably and at length, while Ethan appeared visibly flustered — but both agreed their work on “No Country for Old Men,” as with all their films, was a joint collaboration.

“We’ve always viewed movies the same way … There’s no real division of labor,” Joel said. “It’s a collaborative process from top to bottom.”

Asked about how the long awards season had been treating him, Ethan replied, “Oh boy … eeeh … I try not to think about it, it’s kind of a … oh, ugh … hmm …,” and shrugged.

Producer Rudin proved more forthcoming about his feelings on winning his first Oscar.

“It’s amazing, there’s nothing like it, and especially with these two guys,” he said, gesturing to each Coen brother at his side. “I think it’s the best movie we’ve been involved with, I loved it from the first moment I saw it, and I think it’s a total tribute to Joel and Ethan. So, it’s thrilling.”

However I think Joel and Ethan will take great pride in knowing that even though they won, this Oscar telecast was a tremendous flop.  And many say that it is because of the type of films in the Best Picture category.  Reading that put a smile on their faces I am sure

I guess it also reminds me of the whole LDS, Weezer thing and the current FOTC craze. I know it is lame to think like that but I am on both sides of the fence.

Because what really bothered me about last night was the category that I hold closest to my heart. That of original screenplay. After last night, it seems that all hope is lost for new and original ideas to come through film. This woman who was awarded best original screenplay last night really disturbs me. Primarily how she has used a film that mocks and laughs at teen pregnancy to launch her budding screenwriting career and at the same create acceptance of her sad past. She made some terrible choices in her life, much like the young teenage girl Juno in the film. And just like the film, the bad choices she made are funny have little effect on the outcome of their lives and attitudes.

What am I talking about? Well her glorious past of stripping, how glamorous and wonderful it was. I don’t know what is worse giving Grammy’s to Amy Winehouse or an Oscar to Cody. I don’t know how many things about this woman bother me. First off is the name. For those of us who speak spanish, and the rest who know just a little should all choose to be offended that she goes by her stripper name Diablo Cody. (which is a terrible name at that) However her real name Brooke Busy Hunt, is quite good, one that would actually lend credibility to her career instead of taking away from it. If I ever had the opportunity to interview her I would refuse to call her by that ridiculous name. From now on it is Brooke. How can her family as she said in her acceptance speech

“I want to thank my family for loving me exactly the way I am.”

Accept her when she goes around not even acknowledging who she is. Denying the fact she is part of the Hunt clan. Well you family is stupid too, they were the ones that raised you, or actually didn’t raise you. She is more like a feral being, and that is why America loves her. How did this happen America’s sweetheart is an ex-stripper and peep show worker. Now you may know what a stripper does and think that isn’t that terrible, a girl has to work right. (She had a college degree, and quit her current job because she was bored with it). But do you know what peep shows are. It is for those strippers that can’t dance. And as Brooke reminded all of us last night, she could not dance and was not an exotic dancer (as John Stewart put it) no she was a stripper, straight-up. But since stripping wasn’t exciting enough she had to expand her horizons and go in to the back room to do peep shows. Here is a brief description of a modern day peep show:

For live peep shows, booths surround a stage upon which usually female sex workers perform stripteases and sexually-explicit poses. Customers (generally male) enter booths with windows or shutters which open when money is inserted in a coinbox mechanism. In some cases, booths include paper towel dispensers,^[1] for customers that are engaging in masturbation. The customers and the female sex workers can mutually agree to a fee for a “private dance”. The “private dance” takes place in a peep show booth with a clear window and seating space for only one customer.”

Unfortunately I have been unable to track down where this quote came from and her blog detailing her past sexual exploits is not backed up that far but note: “Her time in the strip club world would not be limited to stripping. Later she would indulge readers with her exploits in private shows and simulated intercourse.”

No wonder little Juno had no problems sitting on Paulie’s lap, her character had no moral boundaries. It makes me sad to think that is what we award for Best Original Screenplay. This Brooke, has no class, no style, no talent. I have no fear that her career in film will be short live. The movie did not make over 100 million dollars because of the amazing screenplay. It made so much money, because they told the screenplay was amazing and hailed Brooke Busey Hunt as the fresh new voice of women in cinema. Come on ladies, say something, it makes you look really bad.

On one hand it made me think, hey if she won, then there is a chance that someday I could win one. Then on the other hand why in the hell would I want to be in the same category as this person. Which takes me back to my comments on the Coens’ win.

In defense of the film and to quiet the naysayers.  It was funny at times and Ellen Page is very gifted.  But $100 million it is not and Best Original Screenplay it also is not.  Unfortunately for those people that “loved” this film will return to it in the future and be thoroughly disappointed and in fact disturbed by the terrible behavior of the characters in it.

Well I know one thing will make me feel better, the one award she does deserve is the Worst Dressed.  But she should be given credit if you look at her a while ago, plastic surgery does make changes, but it doesn’t give brains, talent or tact.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.

Powered by Wordpress | WP Bliss theme by WP Remix
Copyright 2007. BLANDLIFE. All rights reserved

• Home
• About
• Archives
• DarkSide
• Store