Wednesday, 18 February 1998

READERS RANT AND RAVE ABOUT OSCAR
WRITER OF THE DAY: From David Poland: "There's been some serious ranting and raving via e-mail lately, so I decided to let you, the readers, rant for yourselves this week. I stuck with letters on the Oscar nominations, so don't feel bad if you were left out. And remember, just because I picked the letters doesn't mean I agree with them all. It just means that they made me think or laugh or just shake my head in disbelief. I hope they do the same for you."

From EIN Patron: "I am very upset by the fact that the film Eve's Bayou and actors Djimon Hounsou and Rupert Everett did not receive Oscar nominations. It's obvious that the Academy practices both sexism and racism. I've lost great respect for the Academy. I don't even care who wins what. The whole thing is a joke."

From Krillian: "Fire whoever that twit was on E! who said Amistad not getting a Best Picture nom was racist. I've seen all five nominated movies, and all five were better movies."

From Andy W: "While I'm annoyed about Rupert Everett not getting a nomination, in retrospect, it's obvious why he didn't get one. The Academy can only nominate one actor playing a gay person per year or else it starts to get uncomfortable. And while Rupert Everett stole the show in My Best Friend's Wedding, it was a light comedy, whereas Kinnear's very good performance was in a more serious, dramatic comedy by James L. Brooks, who I would've said was an Academy darling until he failed to get nominated for Best Director. The Academy was obviously going to pick Kinnear."

From Martin C: "I don't think Leonardo DiCaprio deserves any kind of Oscar attention, and his acting peers thought so too. I think it's hilarious that Titanic grabbed a nomination in all major categories except Best Actor. Too bad Leo, learn to act."

From Ryan N: "I was upset that Djimon Honsou, Rupert Everett and Leonardo DiCaprio were passed up by Oscar. Anyone who bought into the love story aboard Titanic did so because of the chemistry between Winslet and DiCaprio. I fail to see how the film can get 14 nods without one for such an important part of the film. And Honsou -- I mean, he learned Mende for God's sake! All Hopkins did was put on an accent and give important-sounding speeches. And as for Everett -- who could forget 'I Say a Little Prayer for You?' And Everett's just as much of a comeback as Robert Forster or Peter Fonda."

From Erin P: "Chant with me, Dave. 'Leo didn't get the nod, this proves that there is a God.' Be advised that I'm your regular 19-year-old college girl. However, Leo just doesn't do it for me. He's a fine actor, but his performance in Titanic was a star turn, not an acting turn. He could have played Jack Dawson in his sleep. And, you know, Leo sometimes looks kind of like a girl. Witness The Man In The Iron Mask trailer. He screams girl. It's a little scary. The travesty that we should all be crying about is Oscar's snub of the fine performances in The Sweet Hereafter, especially Ian Holm. And don't get me started on Gloria Stuart being nominated for sitting in a chair. That is just flat out WRONG. Alison Elliott, Christina Ricci, Joan Allen, Sarah Polley. Hell, I gave a better performance than Ms. Rocking Chair just by not throwing popcorn at the screen every time I saw one of those awful Hard Rain trailers. And Kim Basinger gets nominated because she looked good and was surrounded by great performances in a great movie. I feel sick."

E ME: Let the flames begin!