Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


 OPINION 
2

Oscar-Nom Films Still Slumping; Here's Why

Share

(Newser) – Is the so-called "Oscar bump" fading? Academy favorites like Slumdog Millionaire and Frost/Nixon are stalled at the box office this year; only The Reader has filled more seats since being nominated. Yes, a stream of bona fide Hollywood hits has held them back, but it's more than that, Patrick Goldstein writes in the Los Angeles Times. No one cares about the gold statuettes anymore. "The Oscars have become a hollow brass ring."

Movie lovers can't stand the "serious, adult-oriented films all being released at the same time of the year," writes Goldstein. While recession-era film fans pine for escapism, movie makers are pining for gold. They ought to remember the 1970s, when great directors "were dying to tell great stories. I'm sure they were just as eager to win an Oscar as anyone, but it wasn't the initial spark that fueled their ambition."

Ron Howard poses with the award for feature film nomination for
Ron Howard poses with the award for feature film nomination for "Frost/Nixon" backstage at the Directors Guild of America Awards.   (AP Photo)
Frank Langella portrays Richard Nixon, left, and Michael Sheen portrays David Frost in a scene from the film
Frank Langella portrays Richard Nixon, left, and Michael Sheen portrays David Frost in a scene from the film "Frost/Nixon."   (AP Photo)
A scene from the movie 'The Reader.'
A scene from the movie 'The Reader.'   (AP Photo)
Regis Philbin plays a round of the game with guest Anil Kapoor during an appearance.
Regis Philbin plays a round of the game with guest Anil Kapoor during an appearance.   (AP Photo)
The cast and crew of the Golden Globe-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
The cast and crew of the Golden Globe-winning film Slumdog Millionaire.   (AP Photo)
Brad Pitt is shown in a scene from
Brad Pitt is shown in a scene from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."   (AP Photo)
Sean Penn portrays gay rights activist Harvey Milk in a scene from
Sean Penn portrays gay rights activist Harvey Milk in a scene from "Milk."   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Hollywood needs to take a long look at its obsession with Oscardom, since it seems increasingly clear that the awards no longer deliver the guaranteed marketing bounce that smaller films need to find an audience.
- Patrick Goldstein

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
2 comments
VIEWING:
 
radnip
Feb 17, 09 2:17 AM CST
Boring. Not sure I've seen ONE Oscar movie. Maybe Wall-E. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
drlarrymitchell
Feb 17, 09 12:41 PM CST
I agree with the timing issue. They hold the serious flicks until the last minute, hoping that the thick-headed Oscar Academy will remember them when it's time to fill out their cards. The overt jockeying for position makes it hard to take any of this seriously. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

15 Stories

pop culture


 100 Defining 
 Moments 
 of the '00s 

The iPod, Guitar Hero, Twitter—and some serious moments, too

Oct 30, 09 12:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - From the tragic (World Trade Center attacks, Hurricane Katrina) to the seemingly trivial (Stephen Fry's first Tweet), the Telegraph lists the top 100 defining cultural moments of the decade so far:
  • April 2000: Metallica sues music-sharing service Napster.
  • October 2001: The iPod is released.
  • February
... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Hurricane Katrina • James Cameron • YouTube • Academy Awards • Al Gore • World Trade Center • iPod • September 11 • An Inconvenient Truth • Michael Moore • Michael Jackson • Napster • Metallica • Guitar Hero • Sacha Baron Cohen • Dreams From My Father • George W. Bush • Twitter • 9/11 attacks • Slumdog Millionaire • Oscars • PlayStation 2 • Stephen Fry • tweet • Jay-ZTV • Avatar (film)

 Slumdog's 
 Pinto Joins 
 Woody Flick 

Naomi Watts takes part in forthcoming Allen picture

Feb 24, 09 10:59 AM CST
(Newser) - Slumdog Millionaire’s leading lady is set to be Woody Allen’s next muse in his next project, Variety reports. Oscar sweetheart Freida Pinto will play an ingénue in the untitled picture, which will also feature Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin, and Anthony Hopkins; it will be the first post-Slumdog... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Academy Awards • film • Woody Allen • Naomi Watts • Slumdog Millionaire • Oscars • Freida Pinto

 Slumdog Kids Hit Disneyland 

Child actors celebrate win with Mickey

Feb 24, 09 9:22 AM CST
(Newser) - What better way to celebrate your Oscar win than by going to the Happiest Place on Earth? That’s where the child actors from Slumdog Millionaire headed the day after their film won Best Picture. For some, the whirlwind trip to California marked their first time on a plane—or... More »

MORE ABOUT:
child actors • Academy Awards • Disneyland • movies • Slumdog Millionaire • Oscars

15 Stories


This week's box office winner? 'Friday the 13th'
AFP

A statistician predicts where Oscar gold will strike...
New York

...as does Stephen Colbert
Colbert Nation


Arts & Living  •  Business  •  Opinion 
TwitterFollow @NewserArts on Twitter

 
Academy Awards • box office • The Reader • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button • Slumdog Millionaire • Harvey Milk • Frost/Nixon • Oscars • prestige movies • escapist

from our news partners