Uninspiring New Oscar Promo

This just in: They really want you to watch the Academy Awards. But let's look at the reason why you won't, "you" describing the millions and millions of people who don't follow this stuff all that closely: You know what movie will win Best Picture, and it's something you've never seen. You don't really care whether Sean Penn or Mickey Rourke takes home Best Actor. And it's all liberal self-congratulatory hogwash. So that's one crowd. Then there's the more devoted moviegoer, someone who has seen Slumdog or Button or any of the other top nominees. The moviegoer wants The Dark Knight to do well where it's nominated and would like to see Mickey Rourke and Kate Winslet get Oscars. The Heath Ledger thing's a bonus. But because you're a more devoted moviegoer, you've heard about all the changes to this year's telecast: Secret presenters, a less than rosy red carpet, the hamstrung Best Song medley that Peter Gabriel has backed out of, and the removal of a comedian as the Master of Ceremonies and the addition of Hugh Jackman as host. At best, you're kind of on the fence. You'd watch the first 30 minutes and the last hour - because that's when they give out the good awards - but now that they've changed everything up, you have no idea what the Oscars will look like. So you may have to watch just so you won't miss what you want to see. And that's great. I'll say that there are fewer devoted moviegoers than there are people who just turn on the TV to see movie stars, so I'm not sure that's enough to overcome a general apathy that might exist this year. But I think people in both groups can agree that this latest Oscar promo, featuring Jackman and directed by John Singleton, does not send a very strong message.
Video courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter Honestly, if that were for any other show than the one I'm obligated to watch, I'd make a point of not being home that night just to make sure there would be no channel surfing mistakes. If that's the sort of whiz-bang genius we should expect from the actual show, we're in trouble.

Comments

[Will]

Yeah, I'll just be waiting for your report. Not feeling any urgency to watch the broadcast. I don't think the tables are set for any major upsets or surprises, and I don't feel like I'm rooting for any specific pictures to win. It will be a good night to file my tax return, or quite possibly re-organize my sock drawer.

[Get The Big Picture]

The irony is, three of the four acting categories are still kind of up in the air. It's just that none of the potential winners are huge movie stars. Great actors, sure, but that's not the same thing.

[Lillian James]

Wow. That was terrible. And depressing. But I can't not watch the Oscars. It's like the highlight of my cinematic year. And I wouldn't be too quick to say Hugh Jackman's the wrong choice. Sure, he's not a comedian, but he's definitely got some character and charisma to help him out. But we'll see. I still vote for Conan O'Brien to host sometime.

[Lynne]

You who are expressing doubts regarding Hugh's hosting of the Oscars haven't seen him host the Tonys.