The Oscar trend continues with members of the Academy
seemingly living in a different universe than the film-going public.
Mostly shunned at the 80th Annual Academy Awards
was the uplifting, light-hearted surprise hit “Juno” (won Best Original
Screenplay), but honored with major awards were two dark and violent offerings;
this despite the fact that “Juno” had a significantly greater box-office take
than any of its competitors.
“No Country for Old Men,” a story about an insane murderer,
took Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture trophies,
while “There Will Be Blood,” the tale of a brutally sadistic oil tycoon, was
the recipient of Best Cinematography and Best Actor gold statues.
Hollywood
ignored the box-office and turned a blind’s eye to a recent Reuters/E-Poll
survey as well, one in which “Juno” beat the competition again. In a poll of
1,100 adults, 29% of respondents chose “Juno” for best picture, 25% picked “No
Country For Old Men” and 20% “Atonement.”
More significantly, the survey confirmed the growing gap
between fans and Academy voters. About 72% said the Academy's best film choices
were influenced by critics and Hollywood
insiders.
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