As far as unqualified voters go, I lead the way – at least when it comes to the Oscars.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the annual contest that pits actor against actor, movie against movie. I, too, can get caught up in the hype with Oscar parties, contests and pools to predetermine who and what will win.
Problem is, all my guesses are virtually uneducated, based more on popularity than skill. I do eventually get around to watching the movies that have been nominated, but not usually when they’re still in theaters and certainly not before the Oscars are awarded. I’m generally a once-a-month movie-goer, preferring instead to rent a movie and watch it at home at my own convenience. Need to get a glass of water? Hit the pause. Phone rings? Pause again. Want to make dinner and get the kids settled? There’s nothing like popping a DVD in close to midnight for a late-night viewing.
So when it comes to picking my choices for the Oscars, it’s a popularity contest of sorts, based on my movie-going experiences of the past – which makes the Best Actor contest this year virtually impossible. George Clooney, Viggo Mortensen, Johnny Depp, Daniel Day-Lewis and Tommy Lee Jones. How do you choose? George Clooney has certainly had some winners in the past, yet how do you ignore Johnny Depp’s stellar career (21 Jump Street excluded)?
Then there’s the Best Actress pool: Cate Blanchett, Julie Christie, Marion Cotillard, Laura Linney and Ellen Page. That one’s a little easier – although having never heard of Ellen Page prior to this year’s contest I was convinced of her ability by the people I chatted with at Wehrenberg Theater this week.
As far as Best Picture, it’s anyone’s guess. In addition to being a stay-at-home viewer, I’m also a like-all-kinds movie watcher – so the differing styles in this year’s selection does me no good in making my picks.
It’s probably a good thing the folks at the Oscars don’t call me for my vote.