Bad Seeds
In a 2.24 posting that appeared in today’s N.Y. Times print edition, columnist Frank Bruni compares the disappointing Oscar contenders with the season’s stunningly wacko Republican presidential contenders (excepting Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul):
“Perhaps because the 84th Academy Awards fall smack in the middle of an unusually dizzying stretch of the presidential campaign, the parallels between our cinematic and political sweepstakes have come into bold relief. And though Hollywood often sees itself — and is regarded — as a bastion of liberalism, the kinship of the Oscars with the Republican primaries is particularly striking.
“Both pointlessly bloated, the two contests showcase a slew of options without a single one that inspires outsize passion or commands any real consensus. The Republican field also began with a bevy of possibilities. Remember Rick Perry? Herman Cain? Such a sprawling buffet, so many empty calories.
“This year, the movie and political spheres are in peculiarly felicitous alignment. Whether evaluating Oscar contenders or presidential ones, many of us are asking the same plaintive question — is this really the best we have? — and gripped by the same sense that the selection process somehow winnows out or wards off many better alternatives.”
Do you think there will be a joke from Billy about Uggie the dog last being seen on the roof of Mitt Romney’s car?
THis year’s Oscars and the industry’s attempt to push through that online censorship bill leaves me thinking that we might be at the beginning of the end. It happened to the record industry, it can happen to the movie industry too.
EXCEPTING Ron Paul????
W.e.
This is the sort of thing that might be funny and perceptive, if it wasn’t coming from someone who’s neither like Frank Rich.
I don’t understand how the Republicans can get such a poor crop of candidates. These guys are dummies. They don’t know strategy and their pandering to the most extreme Americans.
But maybe it’s intentional? Maybe they know that a campaign against Obama will be a real fight and they don’t want to spend the money to do it, waiting for 2016 instead, and hoping the country goes in the dumper by then.
This year, IMO, there’s going to be a very low turnout!
Ron Paul is as crazy as any of them. You think you like him because you agree with him on drugs and the war, but you’d be surprised why he happens to line up with you.
@Ray hahaha xD True, tho…
Congratulations to all the winners. I’ll be looking forward for the next Academy Awards. I can’t wait for that. – Incredible Discoveries