The 2019 Oscars gave just about everyone something to celebrate as well as criticize. What else is new? Even with a more diverse slate of nominees and winners, many people felt the need to shit all over the Best Picture winner "Green Book." I didn't think it was the best film of last year but I certainly didn't think it needed to be pummeled into the ground either. Many viewers were upset at civil rights hero and Senator John Lewis for introducing a clip from this film. Because he felt the film was important, many viewers and commentators rushed to the conclusion that poor old misguided Lewis didn't even see the movie. How do you know this is true? Is it possible that someone his age may still have a different world view of race relations than the younger filmmakers who supposedly are more enlightened and 'woke'? It's certainly possible. But does that make it right to condemn him for his views? You certainly have that right but with all the things he has done to help improve race relations in this country, I don't think throwing him under the bus is necessarily the correct response but, then again, that is the exact drawback of social media: People tweet their first emotional responses without thinking rationally first. I know this because I see all of the deleted tweets and apologies that occur the next day.
Spike Lee won his first competitive Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay but apparently turned his back and started walking out of the theater when "Green Book" was announced as Best Picture. Is this really the message he wants to send to young people? I honestly don't know. Octavia Spencer is one of the producers of "Green Book." Do you think she would have helped make this movie if she didn't really believe in it? Again, I honestly don't know.
Personally, I believe Robert Redford should have been nominated for his performance in the 70s throwback heist film "The Old Man And The Gun." I think it was a very nuanced and gutsy performance. However, I'm not going to bitch and moan about it. And do you know why?
Because I believe we currently have a government that is not working for the people and the decisions they are making are causing ripple effects across the entire world that we will not be able correct any time soon. Once the proverbial horse is out of the barn, its very difficult to wrangle him back in again. To me, real life and death matters a bit more than winning or losing. I'm sorry if I seem more concerned about the state of the world than who won what award but I guess I'm just funny that way.
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