The overall merit of this great movie-going endeavor remains questionable.
That said, before I get to my predictions, let me first preface this (at considerable length) by saying there are several very important films I still haven’t seen.
And most of these happen to star the nominees for Best Actress.
Of the films in that category, I’ve only seen one.
Of the films in that category, I’ve only seen one.
One.
I’ve literally viewed more episodes of Lizard Lick Towing this year than I have films with Best Actress nominees.
I’m what’s wrong with America.
Anyway, I’m missing a few key female performances. And that actually concerns me.
Up to now, most of the big OSCAR talk has been about the fact that all 20 of the acting nominees are white. The Academy Awards show on Sunday will be like going to a Weezer concert.
I think there's certainly room for healthy debate about who deserved to get a nomination, and who didn't. Specifically, whether or not David Oyelowo should have received a nod for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma."
But my immediate concern isn't so much about race. It's about sex.
How is it that I've only seen one film with a Best Actress nominee?
Quite simply, it's because only one Best Actress nominated film was also nominated for Best Picture.
And that seems a little strange.
Up to now, most of the big OSCAR talk has been about the fact that all 20 of the acting nominees are white. The Academy Awards show on Sunday will be like going to a Weezer concert.
I think there's certainly room for healthy debate about who deserved to get a nomination, and who didn't. Specifically, whether or not David Oyelowo should have received a nod for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr. in "Selma."
But my immediate concern isn't so much about race. It's about sex.
How is it that I've only seen one film with a Best Actress nominee?
Quite simply, it's because only one Best Actress nominated film was also nominated for Best Picture.
And that seems a little strange.
Even combined with the three Best Supporting Actress nominees who also happen to be in Best Picture films, it’s still only four women out of a possible ten.
At least according to my math, which is historically unreliable.
Compare that to the men, where only one Best Actor nominee, Steve Carrell (“Foxcatcher"), was not in a film nominated for Best Picture, and it's clear that there's a huge divide.
In total, seven out of the ten nominated actors, for both lead and supporting roles, are in films that are up for the highest honor.
Final score: Men 7, Women 4.
At least according to my math, which is historically unreliable.
Compare that to the men, where only one Best Actor nominee, Steve Carrell (“Foxcatcher"), was not in a film nominated for Best Picture, and it's clear that there's a huge divide.
In total, seven out of the ten nominated actors, for both lead and supporting roles, are in films that are up for the highest honor.
Final score: Men 7, Women 4.
Does this mean anything. Maybe so. And maybe not.
All I know is that I've missed far too many of these strong female performances.
All I know is that I've missed far too many of these strong female performances.
Is Hollywood simply just not writing good films for female leads? This year it's hard to say.
Because, on Sunday, at the big Weezer concert, despite their films being widely overlooked, actresses like Julianne Moore and Reese Witherspoon will be celebrated for their amazing performances.
So I’ve heard. I haven’t seen “Still Alice” or “Wild.”
I was too busy trying to knock off Best Picture nominees.
OSCAR PICKS 2015
BEST PICTURE
“Boyhood”
BEST DIRECTOR
Alejandro G. Inarritu, “Birdman”
BEST ACTOR
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
BEST ACTRESS
Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Damien Chazelle, “Whiplash”
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