“The whole goddamn thing is a meat parade.  I don’t want any part of it.”  George C. Scott, on the Oscars

Sure enough, Scott walked the walk.  Upon being nominated for his milestone performance in Patton, Scott told the Academy he would skip the ceremony to watch a hockey game on TV.  They sent him the award anyway, and he refused it.  Likewise, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with the Oscars.  The best movies and performances often don’t win.  Hell, sometimes they don’t even get nominated.  

Still, I loved seeing Tom Hanks win for Philadelphia and thank his gay drama teacher.  And when 11-year-old Anna Paquin, who won for The Piano and stood onstage with absolutely no idea what to say.  Or even the snarky moments, like when Shirley MacLaine won for Terms of Endearment and whispered to co-star Debra Winger:  “This is half yours.”  Winger, who loathed MacLaine, shot back:  “Okay, I’ll take half, then.”  

It’s good theater.  For this episode of Cinemavino, we talk about the Oscar noms.  Once again, the Academy got a buncha picks right, and whole buttload of ’em wrong, too.  Having seen all the Best Picture films already, I’ve got some strong opinions.  Damn it, Academy…I just can’t quit you.

My pic for the best film of the year:

1917 (2019)