The first awards were presented in 1929. The first Best Picture award went to "Wings". I have seen that movie, believe it or not, and read about the making of the film. It is truly amazing work for its time.
Fast forward to present day : I have resolved, yet again, to not watch the current awards show so as to avoid ranting and hollering at the television when a succession of people who make their living pretending to be someone other than who they are deign to take the opportunity of their moment in the spotlight to tell the world how to behave (that is a really long sentence, yes). When this happens, I begin to spew a vitriolic gospel punctuated, nay, brimming with abrupt common profanities.
My spouse barely raises an eyebrow anymore.
I confess, I will end up watching the show, at least for a while. I will rant and holler. It's what I do.
Wondering about the trophies?.
The Oscar statuettes used to be made in Chicago.
Then, just like Marshall Field & Co., and their famed Frango Mints, Jays Potato Chips, the Chicago (now Arizona by way of St. Louis) NFL Cardinals football team and a lot of other stuff that I will research some other time, Oscar went elsewhere. If the trophy source is of interest, here's a link to the current maker and their story (click) Oscar not Mayer .
As for the performances and productions, this year I have seen more of them than I customarily would have seen, thanks to the contemporary express method of delivering content which bypasses our local theaters, in my case Apple TV. The big categories are always of interest:
Best Picture Nominees - there are 9 nominees! I've seen 5 of them. My guess is either The Joker or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. That's out of the films I have seen, so if it's one of the others, I cannot comment, other than to snort derisively. Note: if you cannot snort derisively, I can train you to do so. I am, as they say, adept in this skill.
Best Actor - 5 nominees, I have seen 4. Predicted winner : Joaquin Phoenix in The Joker. Mesmerizing performance!
Best Supporting Actor - I pick Anthony Hopkins in The Two Popes. Hopkins is one of the best ever.
Best Actress - I only saw one of the 5, so "I got nothin'" here.
Best Supporting Actress - same story.
Best Director - I pick Quentin Tarantino, who I think is absolutely nuts, for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which was, in my opinion, absolutely terrific. I think the actual chosen winner will be the venerable Martin Scorcese for The Irishman, because Scorcese is part of the old guy network that will want to reward what might be his last best effort, and it was a terrific movie, so I think they're going to give it to him.
There's a lot of other categories that are recognized for their wonderful work, but admit it, you don't really pay that close of attention either. There is one area to which I have been paying more than usual attention : cinematography. I'm picking The Joker for this one.
Douglas Fairbanks hosted the very first Oscars. Billy Crystal hosted the show NINE times. There's no host for this year's show, but it will nonetheless grind on for hours, and we will ask ourselves on Monday why we watched it yet again.
Hooray for Hollywood!
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