Wayner's Taste of Oscar Glory

Here's a 1989 picture of Wayner visiting the Bingo Hall that used to be run by Paul Haggis's father. In high school I often worked that smokey room to help raise money for my sister's figure skating club. Last time I saw the building, it had been sitting empty for many years and knowing London, it's probably been converted into the city's 27th Home Depot.

I haven't seen Crash ... er, Crash yet, but it's been taking some flack since winning the Best Picture, even from the hometown critic. Cronenberg's complaint about the 'borrowed' title is probably the most legit, especially considering that he changed the name of his film about twin gynecologists to Dead Ringers to keep it from being confused with the Swarzenegger flick, Twins.

As for the other critics, keep in mind that the Oscars are seldom about 'the best' and in recent years, the choices have become sillier and sillier. Look at this list of Best Picture winners; looking back, some of those choices are completely forgettable. Gladiator? Titanic? And Rocky, remember, beat Taxi Driver for Best Picture. This year, Grizzly Man ... clearly 2005's best documentary in a year of strong docs ... wasn't even nominated!

So, whether you loved or hated the film, an Oscar Crash-lash is unnecessary. Films like Grizzly Man and A History of Violence will still resonate with the audience long after "winners" like Out of Africa are long forgotten. And every time Oscar snubs a complex film, they reinforce the notion that it's an award that doesn't have much value.

Out of Africa ... try watching that now and see how long you last ...!

 

9:39 AM , # ,

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