It used to be that movie fans worldwide would, with much-anticipation, tune into the Oscars. Waiting to see who won Best Picture meant something, both culturally and historically. Not anymore.
Will Smith slapping Chris Rock was just the icing on the cake. Even without Smith’s horrid assault, this Oscars ceremony was already on its way to infamy. You kept checking the time, waiting for this poor miserable dog of a show to end. There was barely any entertainment to it, let alone actual investment.
Maybe it’s because Hollywood movies just aren’t as culturally relevant as they used to be. One can remember a time when Best Picture winners such as “Gladiator,” “Titanic,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Forrest Gump,” and “The Lord of the Rings” we’re actually seen by millions of Americans. Now? Whose actually seen “CODA,” “Nomadland”? These just weren’t films that America got excited about.
The American film industry has long jumped the shark these last 10 or so years, opting to a) concentrate most of its dollars on sequels, reboots, remakes and superhero flicks and b) injecting into its serious-minded films the kind of political quota’ed rhetoric that continues to divide American on a daily basis.
Its no surprise then that the Oscars have had flailing ratings this last decade. Yes, Sunday’s telecast had an increase in viewership when compared to last year’s pandemic-inflicted ceremony, but it still managed to be the second lowest-rated Oscar ceremony in history.
The idea of awards shows is also now seen as just a ridiculous concept. Watching the 1% showering the 1% with trophy love is just not something that’s compatible with our current societal zeitgeist.
Remember when, back in August, we learned “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth” would be playing in only around 350 U.S. theaters, "maybe fewer"? Well, it's fewer. A lot fewer.