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Oscar Ambivalence

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 3, 2006 4:33PM

2006_03_oscars.jpgChicagoist hasn’t posted much about the Oscars this year, and we think we’ve figured out why.

While we like to sit up here in our ivory tower and think we’re above most awards shows, we really dig the Oscars; it’s like our Super Bowl. We get really drunk, eat too much, and scream at the television. So clearly we enjoy the experience. And it’s not like it hasn’t been a good year for movies, despite what others will tell you. Still, we haven’t even been able to get caught up in the Best Actress/Supporting Actress races, which are still wide open while the other top 5 categories are all but locked up.

Our ennui boils down to one simple fact: the films and performances we liked the most aren’t going to win.

Of the Best Picture nominees, Good Night and Good Luck was our fave. Note-perfect. Sure, Brokeback was great, but GNGL reminded us of the last golden age of filmmaking: the rise of the auteur filmmakers of the 1970s. Plus, we can't watch Brokeback without thinking of that Cartman quote.

While Michelle Williams has come a long way from Duckface, Scarlett Johansson’s work as Nola in Match Point was underrated this year. And holy hell, what do Laura Linney and Joan Allen have to do to get nominated for, much less win a Best Actress award? Ladies, it’s time to start trolling for parts where you are dying or disfigured onscreen.

So we’re less excited this year, but still looking forward to the show, if for no other reasons but Jon Stewart and the likelihood that we will clean up in this year’s Oscar pool. You can read our post from last year on how to win in three easy steps. Check Oscarwatch.com for the rundown on those lesser-known categories. The Envelope has some podcasts that’ll give you good talking points during your Oscar party, and though you’re too late for the Outguess Ebert contest, you can still take a look at The Man’s picks here if you’re too lazy to come up with your own.