OSCAR Night!

The 83rd Academy Awards is history now. Not one to pat myself on the back but, hey, did I not predict the winners? The awards ceremony tried to target a younger demographic this year by placing Anne Hathaway and James Franco as hosts. From what I read and have heard, it didn't work.

I respect them both for taking on this daunting task which subjected them to criticism for their performances to what they wore. Fact is, in this economy, your 18 to 34 year olds no longer have the money to spend on an evening for two that could easily cost more than $30 if they choose to have popcorn. Don't think any of them care what was worn and who it was designed by because it seems so ridiculous in a world where four years of college does not guarantee a job. Sure, they still go to the movies but would rather spend the money on comedy, chick flicks or action features that never receive accolades.

For the most part great movie performances are attended by those who appreciate and can afford them. My one miss in predictions was "The Social Network"; I thought this movie would appeal to the masses and have a following. Saw it and it was really good but, didn't hold a candle to "The King's Speech". How many 20 somethings rushed out to see this one?

As it has been and always will be, OSCAR night is for those who truly love acting and a really good movie. More often than not the winners will come from a flick that so few had seen. Eighty three years ago when the first OSCAR was presented the ceremony was attended by 270 and was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. One could purchase a ticket for the event for $5. The statute was not officially named OSCAR until 1939 and there are two different stories as to its origin. One was that Bette Davis named it after her first husband Harmon OSCAR Nelson another, the Executive Secretary of the Academy reflected that the prize resembled her late uncle OSCAR.

The Best Picture award traditionally does not go the movie that has achieved the biggest box office success or the one that decades later we deem a classic. "The Wizard of Oz", "Citizen Kane" or "Gone With the Wind" never won the grand prize. Nor did "It's A Wonderful Life". Movies who did take home the GOLD that we've all seen are "Casablanca" '44, "From Here to Eternity" '54, "Sound of Music" '66, "Midnight Cowboy" '70, "The Godfather's I and II" '73 and '75, "Platoon" '87, "Forest Gump" '95 and "Titanic" '98. No one will be watching "The King's Speech" in 2021 but, like "The Breakfast Club", "Christmas Vacation" and all the other award not-worthy classics a favorite will come from the year 2011.