In some of the more stupid words uttered by a human being that I’ve ever read, Daniel Radcliffe, star of soon-to-be released horror flick 'The Woman in Black', revealed his dismay at the lack of attention given to the Harry Potter franchise by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“"I don't think the Oscars like commercial films, or kids' films, unless they're directed by Martin Scorsese…"
Emm… How about The Lord of the Rings? Peter Jackson’s fantasy-epic trilogy garnered 30 Oscar nods, winning 17. Indeed, The Return of the King, won every category it was nominated for (11). The trilogy earned nearly $3 billion at the box office and, I think its fair to say, captured the hearts and minds of children worldwide.
And what about Avatar? James Cameron’s $2 billion, Eiffel 65 inspired, space box office smash garnered a host of Oscar nominations, and not just the techy ones.
And what about Disney Pixar’s dominance at the ceremony since Toy Story? Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think Pixar’s animated pictures are searing, adult dramas… They are, in my mind at least, the cinematic encapsulation of a kids film.
The list of both commercial AND kids films which have received Oscar nominations, at least, goes on.
But… We can go further. If we’re to take ‘commercial’ by its dictionary definition meaning of relating to “activities concerned with making money or profits", I would submit that I’ve never heard of a film that set out to lose money. Therefore, by process of deduction, I think its fair to say that the Oscars, and indeed the movie-going population at-large have something of a pre-occupation with ‘commercial films’, in so far as they have a pre-occupation with any film.
A quick look online also tells me that Martin Scorsese hasn’t directed every film ever made…
The Potter films failed to attract any noticeable attention from Oscar. Radcliffe may not have helped his own cause with these remarks, given the petty politics that are at play amongst Hollywood’s elite, who don’t take criticism gracefully.
Source: Guardian Film
