Talkin' Shit About A Pretty Sunset

I watched Jim Jarmusch's "Down By Law" a while ago on DVD and included was an interview of John Lurie at Cannes Film Festival back in the '80s. In the commentary part on the DVD Lurie is talking about how high he was while doing the interview and how he was so let down by the whole thing. He thought it was going to be a big party but it was all about people looking over your shoulder while talking to you to see if anyone important is in the room. During the interview he's looking agitated and smoking nervously, barely even looking at the camera. In the present-day commentary part Lurie says he hated Cannes because it's ridiculous to give awards for someone's art. I never thought about that until that DVD. I mean, can you imagine if you had an art competition? Picasso vs. Calder or something?

This is pretty much like the Oscars, isn't it?: A bunch of self-important people giving awards to each other in a grand competition.

Not that I won't be interested to see who "wins", but maybe Chris Rock has a point (below). Do most Americans really give a flying shit who wins these things? Ok, it's not all bad, but let me just mention some movies that actually won Best Picture in recent times (in order of most to least number of Oscars): Titanic 1997; Shakesphere in Love 1998; Forrest Gump 1994; Chicago 2002. Lord ...

From Drudge:

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Veteran members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have grown concerned over the choice of Chris Rock as host of this month's awards show.

Concern deepened after Rock claimed only gays watch the Oscars.

"I never watched the Oscars. Come on, it's a fashion show," Rock recently declared.

"What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one!"

Rock added: "Awards for art are fucking idiotic."

Academy members have privately called for Chris Rock to be removed as host, sources claim, fearing Rock may "tarnish" the reputation of the Academy.

"Simply put, this is a disgrace," one veteran Hollywood mogul, who asked not to be identified, said from Los Angeles.

"This guy is out there saying 'awards for art are fucking idiotic' and he is hosting the show produced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? I guess the joke is on us!"

One nominated actress questions whether producer Gil Cates was even aware that Rock has "never watched the Oscars."

Other unpublicized comments made by Rock threaten to throw the scheduled Feb. 27 broadcast into complete chaos.

What will Rock be wearing to the show?

"Nothing against people who aren't straight, but what straight guy that you know cares? Who gives a fuck?" Rock explained.