Oscar's Two Faces

This is interesting... 16 years ago Martin Scorsese released a movie that many in the Protestant/Catholic mainstream found to be a blasphemous depiction of Jesus Christ.  The Last Temptation of Christ cratered at the box office earning only 8 million dollars domestically. Nevertheless  the Academy jumped to nominate Scorsese as Best Director. This year the Academy overlooked Mel Gibson for the same honor.  Regardless of ones feelings about faith, to argue that The Passion of the Christ was not a directorial triumph simply makes no sense.  (Not to mention that it earned over 350 million domestically and won the People's Choice Award for Best Drama Picture !) So what's up Oscar?

Comments

[SWeaver]

I think my point wasn’t clear. The nay-sayers against the roughly $40 million Bush inauguration decry the money could have been spent else where. The lion’s share, I believe roughly 75% of the $40 million, was from private and corporate donations (not taxpayers money). At any rate, Bush spent, in some calculations, less than Clinton on his second term inauguration when Clinton’s figure is adjusted for inflation. I didn’t hear any liberal nay-sayers when the democratic President did the same thing our current President has done. That’s my point. They talk about money wasted, and that’s when the comparison to the awards shows comes into play. No, taxpayers don’t pay directly as such for these award shows, consumers do.
As the saying goes, “you get what you paid for.”
Here’s a good link on what I’m talkin’ about. http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050119-103531-1062r.htm

[David Byrd]

I believe Mr. Weaver is in error in his characterization of the inaugural festivities. The last time I looked, military flyovers, body armour, patriot missile batteries, a no-fly zone, bullet-proof limousines, overtime pay for police and Secret Service, and other items used in the inaugural were not paid for by donations. Those things came from the Homeland Security funds -- you know the money we are supposed to be spending to prevent terrorists from attacking our country again -- and Homeland Security gets its money from Congress. And where does Congress get its money (I'm, talking the public stuff not the billions spent to get reelected)? From you and me -- from our taxes.

Now I agree, there are alot of these awards shows and they are as schmoozy and sappy as you can get. The Oscars, the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors' Guild Awards, the Grammys, the People's Choice Awards, the American Music Awards, the Country Music Association Awards, etc.

And its no secret why they put these things on -- to SELL ADVERTSING and the GET YOU TO BUY their (movie ticket, CD, DVD, etc). But they also foot the bill for the stuff -- The Hollywood Foreign Press Association does the Godlen Globes, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does the Oscars (with some healthy contributions from Pepsi and other sponsors). The Country Music Association pays for the CMA's, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences pays for the Grammys along with several sponsors including Heineken Beer, Continental Airlines, Cadillac, Seven Up and Hilton hotels.

But I'm not sure they dip into the PUBLIC coffers -- Our pockets -- and call it "our" celebration.

Frankly if the inaugural's MY celebration as an American, why didn't I get an invitation? I paid my taxes last year, but maybe not enough of MY Benjamins went into the Republican Coffers for my name to make the "A" list.

[SWeaver]

Once again, consider the source.

Also, I hear a lot of "wasted" money spent talk (though I understand it was actually private donations) concerning Bush’s inaugural ceremony/celebration costs. A national celebration for the nation’s majority-elected President.

The mostly “left” perspective objecting to the inaugural money spent, once again, is silent when it comes to its own self-gratifying spending of much more money with its countless annual award ceremonies…to itself.