Oscars Drops New 'Popular' Film Category After Criticism

[Brian in Mesa]

Oscars Drops New 'Popular' Film Category After Criticism

https://www.newsy.com/stories/oscars-changes-mind-about-popular-film-category/

After announcing in early August the 91st Oscars would be adding a best 'popular' film category, the Academy has changed its mind.

The reason — according to a press release: "The Academy recognized that implementing any new award nine months into the year creates challenges for films that have already been released." The statement also said the Academy will continue to "examine and seek additional input regarding this category."

One thing the statement doesn't mention is the amount of criticism the original announcement got from people across the film industry.

Actor Rob Lowe tweeted, "The film business passed away today with the announcement of the 'popular' film Oscar. It had been in poor health for a number of years."

 

[oaken1]

they should just dump the oscars entirely

 

[Stout]

they should just dump the oscars entirely

Well, a lot of it is a joke, like the CFB playoffs, but a lot of the technical awards are really important.

 

[DutchmanAZ]

Well, a lot of it is a joke, like the CFB playoffs, but a lot of the technical awards are really important.

Honest question - important to who? Those in the business? I know I have zero cares in the world about it as do most I know. It’s never come up in a conversation.

 

[Chaplin]

Honest question - important to who? Those in the business? I know I have zero cares in the world about it as do most I know. It’s never come up in a conversation.

Doesn’t matter. The ratings disagree with you. I know a lot of people that don’t watch either, and I’m in the industry. Doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for them.

Every industry have some sort of awards, it’s just these are much more visible because of the fact that the industry itself is so exposed.

 

[Stout]

Doesn’t matter. The ratings disagree with you. I know a lot of people that don’t watch either, and I’m in the industry. Doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for them.

Every industry have some sort of awards, it’s just these are much more visible because of the fact that the industry itself is so exposed.

Also good points.

 

[Rivercard]

Every industry have some sort of awards, it’s just these are much more visible because of the fact that the industry itself is so exposed.

The Oscars are more visible because that's what Hollywood wants. Awards shows are basically just a 3 hour advertisement for the industry. A way to motivate people to go out to see films, or buy music, or whatever is being awarded (having 10 nominees now for best picture is a blatant example). That said, I do enjoy watching the Oscars and generally respect the Academy's integrity. The Grammys however are a complete joke.

 

[Chaplin]

The Oscars are more visible because that's what Hollywood wants. Awards shows are basically just a 3 hour advertisement for the industry. A way to motivate people to go out to see films, or buy music, or whatever is being awarded (having 10 nominees now for best picture is a blatant example). That said, I do enjoy watching the Oscars and generally respect the Academy's integrity. The Grammys however are a complete joke.

Grammys work just like the Oscars, at least the purpose is the same.

 

[Rivercard]

Grammys work just like the Oscars, at least the purpose is the same.

Grammy seem to just fawn over the top sellers, not exactly an experience in art appreciation.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

Just give everyone a participation award.

 

[Raindog]

I never even heard the original announcement of the new category... but it would have qualified as the stupidest thing I had ever heard, if I had. I doubt that people who like "popular films" could give two craps if those films win an Oscar. My honest opinion is that most highly commercially successful "blockbusters" are usually okay - not artistically terrible, not artistically great. So an award for those types of films is akin to a participation trophy in sports - in other words, why bother?

The Oscars as whole generally don't come close to honoring genuinely great films on an annual basis, but they don't (usually) do too badly either in honoring "worthwhile" films. So I have no problem with them in that regard. As Rivercard said above, they are nowhere close to be as egregious as the Grammys, which are the bottom of the barrel as far as honoring actual artistic merit.

 

[NJCardFan]

Grammy seem to just fawn over the top sellers, not exactly an experience in art appreciation.

I'd have to disagree a bit. Beck winning for Morning Phase wasn't because it was a top seller. It is a brilliant album. Kanye West interrupting his award speech made it even better because West contended that Beyoncé should have won and should have been recognized for it's artistry which is ironic because unlike Beyoncé, Beck writes and produces his own music whereas Beyoncé's stuff, while entertaining, is created by a whole production team.