Few thoughts on Oscar 2013

First of all, I've to declare that I've not seen any of those nominated movies (except Les Miserable). So, I wouldn't be able to judge the results from an artistic merit. So, my opinion is more based on what I know of the Academy based on their history and political sentiment.  For being a long time movie fan, though I couldn't go to movies as often as I like due to family engagement, I do still pay attention to see what's new and good in the market. So as to use that as chatting materials in social circles.

Anyway, I don't have a broad scope of opinions to cover all the winners or losers. I just want talk about few of them. First of all, Argo is a pro-American movie, so does Lincoln. However, the former is more a "feel good" movie that not as heavy and 'academic' as the latter. That helps the voter to make the choice. Furthermore, the snub of Ben Affleck in the best director nomination would give an extra boost to its winning. Spielberg is still the "king" of Hollywood, but he had won before with Jews and veteran support. Given Obama is still in the White House, Lincoln is appeal would somehow be diminished a bit. Also, with Daniel Day Lewis won his third best actor award, that should be enough.

Jennifer Lawrence won the best actress. It is just another chapter of the ongoing trend of best actress winner: relatively young (vs. the best actors), pretty, and some of them would be considered as 'up and coming' in the business. Checking Wiki, the winners in the past decade or so, except Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren, most of them fit that category (as a matter of fact, I think Anne Hathaway's win in best supporting actress also fit this image). Jennifer Lawrence is young and good, so I wouldn't think that would cause any controversy. Actually, this award consolidate her status as the 'it' girl in Hollywood. Come to think of it, she (or her manager) definitely succeed big time in the showbiz and she is gonna (maybe already) comment the biggest paycheck in Hollywood among actresses. Why I say that is because, she has been equally successful in both artistic (with the award'S') and commercial movies like The Hunger Games and X Men prequels. So, we are surely see her unstop in the coming decade unless she goes Lindsay Lohen!

Ang Lee won the best director is considered to be a surprise in the West media. I heard that Life of Pi is an amazing achievement. But, it is not unheard of Academy discarding great cinematic works. So, the reason why I'm kinda surprise is because Ang did (if I remember correctly) murmur or bad mouthed the Academy for not rewarding Brokeback Mountain the best movie back then. Cuz, the Academy does usually remember this kind of things, and may never award to some people again no matter how good their works will be. Anyway, this award did solidify Ang's position as a master in handling difficult movie subject. If not for his failure in Hulk, if he would be given a chance to direct some potential blockbuster again, his success would even be elevate to the exclusive club of directors like Spielberg, Cameron, etc.

Anyway, just my two cents in this latest showbiz news.