So Peter Jackson didn't get the Academy Award for Best Picture/Best Director. Better luck next time.

[Neville]

What's so surprising? I shouldn't say this, but I was convinced that Howard would win. Reason? Well, the Oscar rarely (lately) falls on blockbuster movies (like it or not, LOTR is one, despite being good) because everybody knows Hollywood is almost unbeatable in this cathegory (european studios are too small for those big budget films). The Oscars, being among other things Hollywood tribute to themselves and its annual four-hour running advertisement, pretend to present an image of Hollywood as makers of "good", "serious" and "artistic" films. Hence, Oscar goes to the film taht matches Hollywood standards of being "good", "serious" and "artistic", even if it stinks "Oscar vehicle" from miles away.

And no, I don't approve Howard's award. Howard is at best a mediocre director who lacks the artistic approach, the boldness and the imagination of real filmmakers, something Robert Altman and Peter Jackson have tons of.

BTW, does nominating Robert Altman mean that they finally accept the guy is talented or is it just that all those Hollywood producers expected him to collapse and die of a heart attack during the ceremony, thus getting rid of one of the more talented and disturbing elements in "their" bussiness?

[Neville]

What's so surprising? I shouldn't say this, but I was convinced that Howard would win. Reason? Well, the Oscar rarely (lately) falls on blockbuster movies (like it or not, LOTR is one, despite being good) because everybody knows Hollywood is almost unbeatable in this cathegory (european studios are too small for those big budget films). The Oscars, being among other things Hollywood tribute to themselves and its annual four-hour running advertisement, pretend to present an image of Hollywood as makers of "good", "serious" and "artistic" films. Hence, Oscar goes to the film taht matches Hollywood standards of being "good", "serious" and "artistic", even if it stinks "Oscar vehicle" from miles away.

And no, I don't approve Howard's award. Howard is at best a mediocre director who lacks the artistic approach, the boldness and the imagination of real filmmakers, something Robert Altman and Peter Jackson have tons of.

BTW, does nominating Robert Altman mean that they finally accept the guy is talented or is it just that all those Hollywood producers expected him to collapse and die of a heart attack during the ceremony, thus getting rid of one of the more talented and disturbing elements in "their" bussiness?

[Flangepart]

I don't watch the Oscars, i have a life...such as it is. The "Vibe" of self-satisfaction turns me off, and the mental inbreeding that shows up in the theaters makes me yawn. Why Bother? Independants have at least a chance to make with unuseual flicks, and my tastes are such the Academy would never conciter me "Normal". So there. I know what i like, i am content with my tastes, and don't need some "Spoiled rich kid" to validate my sence of fun. And with that, its time to watch my tape of Adult Swim. Later!

[Matt S]

To J.R.

"At least [Lord of the Rings] and Black Hawk Down, the ONLY TRULY DESERVING films, came away with awards."

Apparently you haven't seen Gosford Park.

[Vermin Boy]

You may be onto something there, about Altman... I KNEW nominating subversive-yet-talented directors like Altman, Jackson, and Lynch was too good to be true!