THIS SUNDAY THE ACADEMY AWARDS, live from the Kodak Theater with the Jon Stewart of “The Daily Show” hosting, will be seen on ABC. The annual ritual first began in 1927 as part of Hollywood’s drive in those days to improve its less-than-respectable image. With Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Mel Gibson and Nick Nolte, to name a few, one could say things haven’t changed much.
Supposedly the Oscar got its name when the Academy librarian, Margaret Herrick, remarked that the statuette looked just like her Uncle Oscar and the nickname somehow stuck. But imagine if her uncle’s name had been Frederick. The much-coveted hardware proudly displayed on mantels in the most lavish homes in Beverly Hills would be the “Freddys?”
The Academy estimates that the broadcast is seen by a billion people worldwide. But I’m wondering, with all the long-winded speeches where the winners seem to thank everyone they’ve ever known, how many of those billion are still awake?
There’s also the very popular pre-Oscar show where viewers can see the stars arriving in their limos and catch a glimpse of what they’re wearing as they parade down the red carpet. Narrating the action will be Joan Rivers, who somehow owns the job of self-appointed fashion critic. I have zero interest in seeing movie stars in obscenely expensive outfits and jewelry (And you should see the women!). And if this display isn’t bad enough, having Joan Rivers describe it, I think I’d rather be waterboarded.
Even though it’s all so self-congratulatory, by the time the big night arrives I’m usually in the Oscar spirit. Weeks before, I see as many nominated movies as I can so I’ll have a rooting interest. Tonight I saw “Juno” at the multi-plex, but first I saw “No Country for Old Men.” It was my version of a double feature, see one, sneak into the other (If you work for AMC, feel free to send the bill to the Daily Press).
Before I continue, if you haven’t seen “No Country for Old Men” or “Juno,” I may reveal “spoilers,” a description that gives away too much of the plot. You may want to skip to the last paragraph as I usually try to tie these columns up with a joke, although I confess, as of now, I don’t have one.
I had read the book “No Country for Old Men” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Cormac McCarthy. It was brilliant writing, which I suppose is why they give you a Pulitzer. Although at one point in the novel (here comes a “spoiler”), when Chigurth kills Carla Jean for no apparent reason, other than being a total sociopath, I slammed the book shut, saying “Enough is enough.” That lasted one day, as I had to finish it.
So, as I started to watch the movie, I obviously knew it wasn’t going to be a musical. That said, I wasn’t fully prepared for how evil Javier Bardem would play Chigurth. It’s going to be a while before I casually see another Bardem movie. To change his image maybe he should do a romantic comedy? Even then, I’d worry that right before the big kiss, he’ll kill the whole cast with a cattle prod or a sawed-off shotgun with a silencer (In “No Country” that’s the delightful way he eliminates people).
As for “Juno,” while it was easy to sneak into the theater once in my seat, I couldn’t stop looking over my shoulder (Not for the theater manager, but for Javier Bardem). Within a few minutes, however, I was swept away in the delight that was “Juno.” I had wondered what all the fuss was about (It’s grossed $100,000,000 and only cost $7,500,000). Save a contrivance or two, it was wonderful. And better yet, nobody used a sawed-off shotgun.
Other movies I’ve seen in this dash to the Oscars: “There Will be Blood” (and there was), “Charlie Wilson’s War,” “Into the Wild,” “Michael Clayton,” “Gone, Baby, Gone,” “Away From Her,” and “3:10 to Yuma,” though not all in one night. The first six are definitely worth seeing, but thumbs down on Yuma, the movie that is.
With 72 hours until the big night, here are my Academy Award picks: Best Picture: “No Country For Old Men.” Actor: Daniel Day Lewis. Actress: Julie Christie. Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem (I’d love to see Hal Holbrook win). Supporting Actress: Ruby Dee.
The truth is I’ll be rooting for Ellen Page and “Juno” (Like with $100,000,000 in the bank already they need my help). One thing seems likely. Whoever the winners are, when they accept their Oscar, I doubt he or she will know or care that if Margaret Herrick’s uncle had a different first name, they might have just won a Freddy.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 22, 2008. Read the original PDF.