It’s been about 20 years since I watched - no, even cared about - the Oscars. At first it was simply because I had other things to do. Soon afterward it was because I came to see Hollywood as the cesspool of godless, amoral cretins it is.

So I could not be happier that I avoid the ceremony like a plague, especially after seeing the kind of inarticulate, dorm-room-activist tripe that passes for an acceptance speech these days (skip ahead to about 7:00):

As I reflect in my shame, I would remind Mr. Penn that I do so in the good company of solid majorities in 44 states who have voted to reject gay “marriage.”

Also note: A country where John Kerry loses by 4 points sucks. A country where Barack Obama wins by 6 makes him proud. Whatever, Spicoli.

Blah blah blah.  He is a good actor, but is on the wrong side of this issue.  And which side was “hating”???

Every year, Hollywood engages in perhaps the most public excercise of self-pleasuring in human history. The movie industry gathers to proclaim that what it does is an “art” and a “science”. It gives awards (with some exceptions) to movies about vile creatures and vile deeds, movies with no moral compass except that which glorifies the “culture” of Hollywood, and movies about itself and its celebrities. That “Milk” and “The Reader” weren’t great box office successes only reassures the “Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences” (wow, isn’t that impressive)that the members of the “Academy” that they possess a moral sophistication and sensitivity greater than the booboisie to whom they direct their movies. To hear them in their self-congratulatory frenzy is to to hear them proclaim that what they have done is produce works the equivalent of Dante, Michelangelo, and Shakesspeare. The quality of screen writing leads one to suspect that contemporary writers have mastered the art of using the f-word as noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition and conjunction. That and about 800 other words, mostly profance, comprise the extent of their vocabulary. The depth of social analysis and commentary spewing from the mouths of “actors” leads one to believe that they haven’t gotten beyond 4th grade in their education. And they are offended if thoughtful people do not take them seriously.

I watched a good movie last night instead of the Oscars - “Bella”, a movie which was just about everything the movies given awards at the Oscars are not.

If you want to watch something really inspiring, get “Warriors of Honor” from Netflix.  It’s a documentary about the influence of Christianity on Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.  Definitely non pc in every possible way.  Wonderful stuff.  My whole family was moved by it. I watched it twice.

I have not seen “Warriors of Honor” but will try to find it. “Gods and Generals” covers much the same ground and IMHO is a great film in spite of some unfavorable (and spiteful) reviews which say things like ‘the language is not believable’ (which is very ironic as often the exact, historic words of the principals were used in the dialogue).

There is also a wonderful music video from Bob Dylan as an extra (attention: Baby Blue), called “Across the Green Mountain.” That alone is worth the price of the DVD, which is often sold together with “Gettysburg,” another great film by the same director, and with many of the same actors.

We should start supporting well-done films and books which represent traditional values. They are definitely out there; I see many of them at Worldfest Houston each spring. National Review Online just came out with a cool list of ‘conservative’ movies on their website, BTW.

4 Richard, I wonder what happened to the plans for producing “The Last Full Measure,” which was to be a part of the Civil War trilogy by Michael Shaara?

Did Ted Turner drop it?

Thanks for the summary, Greg. I could only stomach 5 minutes or so for all the reasons listed.

I’m encouraged, however, by this morning’s burning question across media outlets: did this year’s awards do better or worse than last year’s worst-ever T.V. ratings?

The slippage of relevance reminds me of another american institution…

To my knowledge, “The Last Full Measure”, the third in the Shaara trilogy, has been through some pre-production work but has been pushed to the back burner because of the lack of profitability of “Gods and Generals.”  Instead they are making, and rewarding, some of the tripe that was feted last night.

Ah but Greg, you have missed a few things by not watching.  First, you missed a flagrant (at least from my perspective) attack on Scientology by Martin and Fey—right there in LA, the home of the mother ship! And more importantly, you missed the magic and grace of a “song and dance man” (with particular emphasis on that fourth word) leading the show.  Speaking of song and dance folk, could anyone tell me if HSM3 got any love?  I stopped watching after Wall-E won. Thanks.

I felt that the Academy Awards this year were actually better than usual.  (NB. I worked in that industry for 35 years as a production manager/producer of films and tv before going into the mission field)  The song and dance man derided above was much more pleasant than the often semi lewd jokes and skits of previous years.  Slumdog Millionare’s music and dance presentations were enlivening and beautiful.

To top it all off, a film with values won, Slumdog, not Milk or Doubt.  Having almost all the cast and crew brought from India and brought up to join the producer on the podium to accept the best picture award was a show of the value of all the people working on the film, not just a few “stars”.  People as a whole were valued, not derided or forgotten.

Yes, some political statements were made, but far fewer (Sean Penn primarily) than in previous years.  Seeing people come to honor their craft and having the ability to do it in an entertaining way was nice.  The publics’ fascination with this is what amazes me.  I am interested because it is a big part of my past and some (though fewer and fewer each year) are my friends or acquaintances, but why “you” or others would watch other than for the song and dance numbers always amuses and somewhat terrifies me.  We idolize our entertainers (that includes sports and political figures too!) far too much and forget that the person who gives us outstanding service in any field of endeavor should be honored.
Capt.Scott
Quest Bible Mission <svquest.com>

I was a film major in school, and as a cinephile I watch the Oscars every year.  I thought last night’s ceremony was drearier than most, although Jackman was fine.  I fast-forwarded through many of the speeches for the first time this year, although I (unfortunately) heard both Penn’s and the one from Milk’s screenwriter (his name escapes me).
But come on, don’t condemn the whole industry.  There is some remarkable art that was recognized last night.  Even the movie Milk, while a work of propaganda, was a well-crafted and artful production.  Wall-E was a joy.  I also enjoyed Benejamin Button, although it is hard to see past Brad Pitt even though he is a fine actor.  Anyway, I like the Oscars, so nanny-nanny-boo-boo to you.

P.S.  thankfully, HSM3 did not win any awards, although I got pretty tired of seeing Zac Efron on stage.

I did not vote in favor of Proposition Eight and I’m proud!

I’m proud that I don’t live in the cereal state, home to nuts, fruits and flakes!

Well the good lady and I decided to avoid the Oscars by deliberately choosing to watch HBO’s ‘Taking Chance’ on the Sunday rather that Saturday evening.  We found it far more edifying and an important reminder to us as Americans. just what the price of Freedom that allows this dolt to mouth off.

Far more edifying than a Traitor who assisted Saddam Hussein saying I should be ashamed as a resident of California.

My good lady and I then had a wonderful conversation recalling all those who for us are the ‘Old School’ of Hollywood.  The men (and women) who dropped their careers to serve in uniform; Jimmy Stewart (Brigadier General USAFR), or Lee Marvin (buried as Cpl, USMC).

One wonders when “wallywood’ will really step up to the plate like their predecessors.

Alasdair

There is good news for those like me who have come to feel that watching the Oscars is not only a waste of time, but are starting to have a sense that it involves actual participation with and condonation of evil. But who srill feel attracted to it anyway. It’s now and from now on possible to watch the show while following the liveblog on the new conservative website Big Hollywood wherein the ridiculity, decadence and aesthetic mediocrity of the proceedings are lovingly dissected by people connected to the industry.

I watched “Patton” instead.  Mucho mas edifying.

I stumbled into The Reader on an afternoon out of town and found myself watching a truly evil movie.  Although “beautiful” in all the best Hollywood ways, the holocaust is trucked in simply and only to provide “depth” to the astonishingly shallow self-flagellating regrets of an unhappy man.  How sad for him that the Holocaust had to happen and that he had to shack up (at age 15) with a woman who worked for the Fuhrer!  What a bummer!  And we’re all supposed to tear up that he’s now going to reveal his dark secret to his estranged daughter.  Boy, isn’t life hard when you care so much and do so little!  Come to think of it, that rather sums up Hollywood itself.

I didn’t get to see much of the awards.  But I would recommend Slumdog Millionaire to you all.  It was a good movie, I thought!

Just back from work. Yes Cennydd, it appears that “Last Full Measure” is not being made, at least for now, although “Gods and Generals” after a disappointing run in American theaters, recouped somewhat in the Asian market, where American combat films (doesn’t matter which war) are popular, and also did/is doing ok in the DVD market.

I sure wish that Last Full Measure, the third film of the Civil War trilogy would, in fact, get made, although after all this time, new actors might have to be found for some of the parts.

Meanwhile Babette’s Feast was a wonderful, uplifting movie with strong religious themes, and Chariots of Fire is a pure classic for anyone who has not already seen it. The true story of ‘The Flying Scotsman’ is even more inspiring - he died of a brain tumor in a Japanese interment camp just two weeks before release, but not before helping countless others, especially the teenagers in the camp, and making peace between the businessmen and missionaries. I also hope the NRO list of the “50 best conservative” films is the beginning of more information-sharing among those who value the Permanent Things. Perhaps one of these days, we can have our own ‘Academy Awards.’

Yeah but Greg.. It was “courageous” of the committee to give the oscar to Spicoli.  Er, Madonna’s first husband.  Er, Penn. 

On a more serious note, anyone catch what happened with Gran Torino?

I usually only watch one or two hours of tv a month, but for some reason I did watch the awards last night… (ok, I know the reason, I’m secretly a Hugh Jackman fan I watched only because he was hosting…)
I’m so out of touch with what is at the movies that I watched trying to find films that I may be able to show my youth group in the future.
It is really hard to find anything that I can show the teenagers that is not cram-packed-full of sex and violence and profanity.
Seeing that post above about a conservative film list I became hopeful and tried to look it up.
I found a list of 25 that had ‘300’ on it! I saw that movie (I used to fence and am a sucker for anything with sword play in it) as I recall the film had about 10 killings per minute in it. (this is probably a conservative estimate, mind you).
Ok, there were several good films on the list, but can any of you tell me where can I find some lists of ‘safe’ but not lame movies? Something with action, and yet morals?...  Anyone?

For a list of good films, and some not so, but interesting check outthe Reel Spirituality website of Fuller Theological Seminary’s Brehm Center.  LOots of good stuff.
Capt.Scott

Sometimes it seems to me that I spent my childhood at the movies - and watching the “late show” on TV at home. It has now been years since I went to a movie theatre to see a first-run movie (Shakespeare in Love). And I’ve just realized that nobody seems to be showing the classics on TV anymore either? Unless you think a classic is a movie made in 2000?

Everyone knows Mel Gibson has a new Civil War movie in the works, right?  He announced it Sunday night (22 Feb).  Check out the sneak preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1nluSJfxCg