Just a final note before I force myself to go to bed: in light of the capture and possible execution of some American soldiers by Iraqi forces, I find Mr. Michael Moore's Oscar remarks especially disgusting and inappropriate. That, coupled with his deliberately unattractive appearance and unpleasantly boorish manner, might also have been the impetus behind the booing he received at tonight's ceremony. I certainly hope so.
On the whole, I was actually pleased more often than not at the restraint most of the actors and other Hollywood types showed. Perhaps they were only restrained out of fear for their careers, but it was welcome nonetheless. Susan Sarandon looked as if she had been sucking on a lemon all night, but wasn't half the bitch she could have been. The foreign guys who said stuff about peace seemed more sad and confused than angry, and that made them kind of endearing.
On the whole, though, the Oscars remind me of the annual Christmas party the mortgage company I used to work for back in Miami would throw every year. The family that owned the business was wealthy and they always gave their employees a nice extravaganza in one of the fancy motels on Miami Beach (though they were stingy about the bar; we usually only got two or three free drink tickets). They would have little ceremonies where the they'd pick the Employee of the Year, things like that, have a Christmas raffle, and so one. Everyone dressed in their best, there were talent shows put on by different departments, dancing, speeches by the bosses and the owner of the company and so on.
The Oscars are just an annual party for the employees of the big Hollywood entertainment industry. There is actually very little glamour in working in the movies; it's all about money and deals. The only people who get really excited about the pearls of wisdom dropping from the lips of the "stars" are the undereducated peasants in the media.
Posted by Andrea Harris at March 24, 2003 02:11 AMWell said. In perspective, it's not much more than a trade show with awards. People just buy into the hype.
Best picture is not much different than Best Cordless screwdriverat he Home Improvement Awards™.
Next year, nobody will remember who won.
Posted by: mike at March 24, 2003 at 02:25 AM(well, sometimes there's some glamor)
There is also some choice chaos, lies, and backbiting in the industry, which is always entertaining (when you're not the victim of it).
Posted by: jkrank at March 24, 2003 at 04:00 AMHollywood is very silly. I'm from LA and have been around a while. I knew back in the 60's I'd better stay away from these types of people when guys started showing me their headshots. Who cares!
Posted by: Milan at March 24, 2003 at 08:57 AMDidn't watch, but heard some stories on the way to work this morning.
Marty Ingalls with an American flag sewn into his jacket
Steve Martin getting off a good line at Moore's expense (and the boos for Moore)
Posted by: Ken Summers at March 24, 2003 at 09:27 AMIf you don't like the cretins that inhabit Hollywood don't buy their product. Hollywood runs on money, if movie takings start to suffer they will listen and quickly. I, for one, don't plan to watch any TV (but news) and movies for a very long time.
Posted by: Andrew at March 24, 2003 at 01:28 PMI personally support Micheal Moore's comments,
and would hope that more poeple who have an opportunity to be in front of a microphone for
any reason would be courageuos enough to speak
out against this spinless, greedy president and
his viscious religious/oil war.
If those soldiers die, it is there own fault for
taking a paycheck to invade a soveriegn country
on the orders of a power corrupt government.
I think Moore's comments brought a little honesty
to an otherwise vapid display of self-congratulatory, back slapping, fashion show.
I suggest you go rent all of his movies, so you can actually be informed on the issues instead of just listening to the white mouthpieces on the major network, who have never heard of independent thought, much less looking into the larger issues involved in bloodshed.
Posted by: robert at March 24, 2003 at 01:50 PMOur "spinless" president? LOL.
I fully support Moore's right to open his yap on any subject whatsoever. Everytime he does he reveals his idiocy. It's a beautiful thing.
Oh, we must all go immediately out and read and see all the great man's works so that we may become a member of his cultish fan club! Michael Moore: Noam Chomsky for the short-bus people.
Posted by: Andrea Harris at March 24, 2003 at 01:58 PM"If those soldiers die, it is there own fault for
taking a paycheck to invade a soveriegn country
on the orders of a power corrupt government."
Feel the love.
Posted by: Kevin McGehee at March 24, 2003 at 02:50 PM"No war for religious oils!" Puts that whole "anointing in oil" stuff in the Bible in a whole new light.
Posted by: Andrea Harris at March 24, 2003 at 02:57 PMI suggest you go rent all of his movies, so you can actually be informed on the issues ...
Like the issue of just how dishonest Mr Moore is.
... instead of just listening to the white mouthpieces on the major network ....
I think we were listening to a white mouth-piece on the stage on a major network last night.
Posted by: *** Dave at March 24, 2003 at 03:00 PMGrassroots counter-holiday: Buy a Gun for Michael Moore Day, April 15
Pass it along to friends and blogs. Definitely want/need Photoshop posters.
In the vein of Meryl Yourish's "Eat an animal for PETA day."
You WILL be amused.
Just think that there may be thousands more guns in the hands of responsible Second Amendment-loving citizens BECAUSE of (despite) Michael Moore!!!!
Posted by: Aaron's Rantblog at March 24, 2003 at 03:42 PMYo, Mike, just who did win Best Cordless Screwdriver this year?
Posted by: Francis W. Porretto at March 24, 2003 at 05:23 PMcourageuos
No comment needed.
against this spinless, greedy president
Spinless? I thought you guys were complaining about too much spin. Make up your mind. Jeez!
viscious religious/oil war
"viscious"? Did you mean "viscous", by chance? Trying to make a clever pun on oil? Or are you just a fucking mental retard?
it is there own fault
"Their", tard.
soveriegn
Nice try.
Moore's comments brought a little honesty
Great point, except for the fact that his "documentaries" are about as factual as a Fox alien autopsy show.
listening to the white mouthpieces
Ah, racist as well as illiterate. What a wonderful example of today's youth you are.
Posted by: Niccolo Machiavelli at March 24, 2003 at 09:43 PMSshh! Robert thinks "Alien Autopsies" was real!
Posted by: Andrea Harris at March 24, 2003 at 09:49 PM