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Sean has a suggestion on how to improve the awards proceedings: "Get the Oscars out of Hollywood. Move it to Dallas. In addition to the current Academy, open the committee membership to a pool of 300 film critics, university professors of literature, film and/or philosophy, professional writers, and some normal folks. From this pool, randomly pick the final selection committee at the last possible moment (so they can't be 'campaigned'). Include more independent films. Give much more prominence to the directors, story creators and script writers, cinematographers … [And] make the 'stars' sit in the back of the room."

Sharleen writes, "I watched the Oscars with tongue in cheek like I usually do. It was a bunch of bunk like usual." But, contrary to the majority, she actually thought Michael Moore had some good things to say in his controversial rant: "It's ironic that the Americans are so adamant about free speech but when someone says something controversial, the orchestra is told to drown them out." She concludes, "The only moment I feel anything when watching these award shows is when someone who doesn't expect to win and deserves to win actually wins … [like] Adrien Brody."

In defense of the Oscars, Jean writes: "I love the movies, always have, and the yearly Big Night is a big night for me. Though my family and friends think it is a waste to watch all that glitz I find it a delightful change from serious, disturbing and/or boring TV fare. There was a time in my life, short-lived, when I stopped attending movies because I was told they were sinful. Happily I came to realize that it is what is inside that causes sin and I need primarily to be discerning about what kind of movie I attend and what its primary message is. Going to the movies, like reading a novel but taking much less time, helps me to learn about other cultures, see life from different perspectives, grapple with moral issues. It broadens my horizons. The Academy Awards night is a big exercise in nostalgia along with plain old entertainment."

Next week: A few words with Ed Solomon, writer/director of Levity and Men in Black. Plus, more religious press reviews of Phone Booth.

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March (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47