"Career Achievement" Oscar Winner
Enjoy the moment Kate. God knows you're not getting it again. And you didn't actually deserve it you bitch.Definition-An Oscar that an actor, actress, or director wins after multiple nominations or many years in the movie business, but doesn't actually deserve and is only awarded the award because it's been long overdue.
Origin-Lots of long time speculation by movie fanatics (like myself) and critics. So it's more like a conspiracy. Ok not really.
Qualifications for the Award-
Has to have 20 years of experience, or over 50 years of age, or have at least 5 other nominations.
Someone who has possibly deserved it more in another year, but won over someone else who deserved it more years later.
Someone who fits the qualifications cannot be counted for the theory if they outright deserve it. (Example: Martin Scorcese-2006)
If the person fits the qualifications, but won earlier in their career, they can't be counted.
All the examples-(in chronological order)
For Best Actor-
1973-Jack Lemmon-Save the Tiger
Jack plays disgruntled businessman Harry Stoner who questions his faith in the decency of society and looks to regain the love for life he once had in his youth. That basically sums up the role.
Previous Nominations- 1959 for Some like it Hot, 1960 for The Apartment, and Days of Wine and Roses in 1962.
Who should have won-Al Pacino in Serpico. Pacino's character development was nearly flawless in Serpico. How he adapts to the mood of the character throughout the film is nothing short of Oscar-Worthy. Although, Pacino was glad to lose according to recent sources. I just hope it doesn't happen again, like maybe next year..................
1974-Art Carney-Harry and Tonto
Art plays old fucker Harry Coombes in this delightful comedy? Wait a minute, this is a comedy? I own this movie and love it, but it's never funny. Anyway, Harry gets kicked out of his New York apartment to live with his son in LA. Along the way, he meets some interesting characters(but not too interesting) and takes his beloved cat, Tonto with him.
Previous Nominations-No Oscars. But, plenty of Emmy's.
Who should have won-Al Pacino in The Godfather:Part Two. What an outrage! I wasn't even born before this happened and I'm furious! The Godfather part one and two are among the greatest films ever! Al Pacino is at his absolute best and there's no doubt the academy screwed up big time here.
1976-Peter Finch-Network
Alright, Peter was amazing in this role. It was like he watched the 1931 version of Frankenstein on an endless loop everyday before shooting and emulated Colin Clive. He was insane and totally focused in his portrayal of anchorman Howard Beale. The film begins with Beale getting fired. After this unfortunate occurrence, he begins with this mad on air raving while finishing his tenure with the company. Oddly, the news ratings explode because of Beale, he proclaims one of the greatest quotes in film history, he gets killed because he takes things too far. The End
Previous Nominations-Just one. For Sunday Bloody Sunday in 1971.
Who should have won-Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver. De Niro does what Finch does(goes insane over a period of time) only a little better probably due to a simpler plot which allows De Niro to progressively change with the story. So, I guess it's more of the situation that work in De Niro's favor, but he didn't get the prize at the end because......ya know. He got to say a famous line in his movie though.
1981-Henry Fonda-On Golden Pond
Fonda plays another old fucker(this seems to be a popular choice for the academy. Give it to the guy who's old and is about to die soon. Or so it seems.) who is retired along with his wife(Katherine Hepburn) living in their summer home near a pond called Golden Pond. Henry's real life daughter(Jane Fonda) visits with her fiance and son as her and Henry try to get along and eventually do. That's the story.
Previous Nominations-For The Grapes of Wrath in 1940 and 12 Angry Men in 1957(as a producer.)
Who should have won-Paul Newman in Absence of Malice. Call it a crapshoot if it would have been him, but his portrayal of dead mafia boss's son Colin, is ridiculously well done. I can't say that about Fonda. Fonda was good, but Newman was way better.
1986-Paul Newman-The Color of Money
Newman plays Fast Eddie Felson again in this sequel to The Hustler(1961) that doesn't quite measure up to it's predecessor. Substitute young Newman for Tom Cruise, Jackie Gleason for old Newman, a totally invested Robert Rossen for a not so committed Martin Scorsese. Guess what you get? A good film that isn't as memorable, but an Oscar for Newman? Make Sense? Didn't think so.
Previous Nominations-For Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1958, The Hustler in 1961, Hud in 1963, Cool Hand Luke in 1967, Absence of Malice in 1981, and for The Verdict in 1982.
Who should have won-William Hurt in Children of a Lesser God. Not too many people(men especially) can sink to the sensitivity level that William Hurt did in this one. He totally convinced me that he was truly in love with a deaf woman. He won the previous year for Kiss of the Spider Woman , so the academy thought "he's already got his, so lets give it to Newman already." Horseshit.
1992-Al Pacino-Scent of a Woman
Pacino plays Lt. Colonel Frank Slade in this captivating tale of two men, one young, one old, who find common ground as they feel out each others differences, and become friends over a disreputable trip to New York. Did I mention Pacino is also Blind in this movie? Yeah, that and this shit theory won it for him, even though the script and direction were honestly in question.(Blow me if you disagree. This same guy directed Gigli. The least they could have done is some Jo-Lo TandA, but I'll cover that horrible movie another time.) Anyway, absolute bullshit.
Previous Nominations-For Serpico in 1973, Dog Day Afternoon in 1975, ...And Justice for All in 1979, along with some supporting nominations.
Who Should have won-Denzel Washington in Malcolm X. Ok, so the film itself isn't even as close to as memorable as it should be.(Considering the historical significance of the character.) It was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too long(credit to Spike Lee) but the intensity Denzel brings to the table in this scares me at some parts in the movie. I have to say, I personally don't care for the real Malcolm X, but Denzel made me care about him. And remember, this was before we figured out that Denzel is just a really good one-dimensional actor(passion, but nothing else) and we all got sick of him.(If I told you in 1995 that Johnny Depp would be a top-3 most successful actor today and Denzel and Tom Hanks were almost nonexistent, would you have believed me?
2001-Denzel Washington-Training Day
Denzel plays renegade undercover narc Alonzo Harris in this film. Alright, for the god honest record, he wasn't that convincing in this. His best moment was at the end right before he got shot-up. Nothing else really pulled my attention. Anyway, Alonzo takes Ethan Hawke's character Jake on his first day of narc training, through the god-awful, desolate land known as inner-city Los Angelas. Jake finds out Alonzo's crooked, he gets his in the end like I said, and Jake goes home. Fin.
Previous Nominations-For Malcolm X in 1992 and The Hurricane in 1999.
Who should have won-Sean Penn in I am Sam. Remarkable. Astounding. Astonishing. This year's best. Yes indeed, Sean nailed this role. But, because of the theory and this bullshit, Penn went home empty-handed. I didn't know a guy who fully convinces me he has down syndrome(or whatever) loses out to a guy in a worse movie, and is not even nearly as convincing. Mind-Boggling.
For Best Supporting Actor-
1971-Ben Johnson-The Last Picture Show
Johnson plays Sam the mighty lion in this coming of age classic. His character is well respected, apprehensively, but perhaps a dolt to say the least. The depression just grows more and more on the people in this film, to the point of feeling absolute pity for them. Ben Johnson does this really well, but not as much as I'd like for an Oscar winner.
Previous Nominations-None. He was in a solid 53 movies and TV shows up to this point though.
Who should have won-Leonard Frey in Fiddler on the Roof. Frey is super good as Motel, the husband to Tzeitel, Tevye's(lead character) oldest daughter. His character of fear, hope and delight behavior in poverty with the true love that is clear for his character. Frey does what most supporting actors(or lead actors) wish they could do in this.
1987-Sean Connery-The Untouchables
Alright, I loved this movie. One of my favorites, but what is up with his accent in this? And who the fuck thought a super thick Scottish accent could sound Irish? This is why Brian De Palma is extremely overrated. This film has to be the luckiest film of all time. It was a few bad scenes away from being terrible. But, luckily, everything went right. Robert De Niro as Al Capone? Sounds stupid, right? But it worked. Kevin Costner making too many dumb faces in close-ups? Somehow, it worked. Charles fucking Martin Smith? The geeky douche from American Graffiti? It worked. Alright, enough about the film itself, lets go into Connery's character. There's not a lot to say. He was really good, but not great. End of story.
Previous Nominations-None. But James Bond deserves an Oscar, right?
Who should have won-Morgan Freeman in Street Smart. Okay, so this movie is mediocre at best. The whole thing focuses on Christopher Reeves' character, whose development is just unconvincing as hell and the story just goes in weird directions where you're constantly telling yourself "It's a movie, and this is why it's happening"(this horseshit theory will be covered on here. I can promise you that.) But, enough about the awfulness, Morgan Freeman saves this movie. He's in it for about 4 or 5 scenes(If you wanna count the one as a "scene") for a total of 10 to 20 minutes. Anything good or great about this movie contains a Freeman moment. He plays a pimp for God's sake! And as far as we know, he's nothing like this in reality. How he rebounds from this in other movies years ahead shows the versatility of a great actor. They should have given him this unanimously.
1991-Jack Palance-City Slickers
You're fucking kidding me right?
Previous Nominations-For Shane in 1953 and Sudden Fear in 1952.
Who should have won-Anyother nominee?(sound) But, really. Ben Kingsley in Bugsy. So he wasn't in that movie for more than 15 minutes. Blow me. Ben Kingsley has such a natural ability to automatically play any character at any given time. Did you see him in Schindler's List? How about Sexy Beast? And how about Gandhi? Wasn't he so good he scared you? So, Kingsley plays Meyer Lansky, famous gangster, the brains of the Segal-Lansky crime outfit. How much more did he have to convince you, Academy? Idiots.
1998-James Coburn-Affliction
Coburn plays the hardass dad to Nick Nolte. Actually, it's more like ogre master. Coburn looks terrible in this film. (his appearance, not the role. He's actually pretty good.) It's like the Academy thought Coburn was dying during the filming and wanted to hand him the award out of sympathy. The pity award. That's something worth mentioning when you reflect on a outstanding film career. He actually did pass away less than five years later though. What a shame.
Previous Nominations-None as always with these certain tough guy actors. But his first film was in 1959 and he was 69 when he played this role. So, yeah.
Who should have won-Billy Bob Thorton in A Simple Plan. Thorton's portrayal as the dumb, loser brother of Bill Paxton(who was equally as good) carries shame, guilt, and just the biggest bag of regrets in this film as anybody I've seen in a long time. Thorton captures his character's pain, anguish, and bag of regrets incredibly well. Less than a handful of guys could have captured all that at the time of the film.
2006-Alan Arkin-Little Miss Sunshine
Can everybody say it on 3 with me? One..Two....Three....! MOST OVERRATED FILM OF THE LAST TEN YEARS!!!!!!!! My god did everyone drool over this kinda good crapshoot film? It wasn't that good people!! Besides for The Departed, no critically acclaimed film even mattered in 2006. I guarantee you if you ask 10 people if they actually remembered this movie today, without giving them any hints, almost all of them would say no. Totally forgettable, overrated crapshoot. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't that good either. As for Alan Arkin's role in this, all I have to say is, Alan, I love ya, but give it to somebody who actually tried.
Previous Nominations-For The Heart is a Lonely Hunter in 1968 and The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming in 1966.
Who should have won-Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children. Damn was he great in this or what. Unbelievable grittiness mixed with a character of sorrow and pain. Yet, there's a strange sense of innocence of his character. Earle Haley plays a registered sex offender who's just been released from prison. The way he's able to deal with each situation throughout the film and allow the audience to see the fear and quiet mayhem he brings. I only hope this is his first of many nominations.
For Lead Actress-
1983-Shirley Maclaine-Terms of Endearment
Maclaine was incredible in this film, let me say. She plays the mother of Debra Winger who also like her, trys to maintain a joyful life while dealing with obsticles. I wouldn't put her in here except the simple fact that James L. Brooks character's in his movies always have an offbeatness to them. They have a strange unlikness unlike many other director's characters. I'd have no problem with her winning except for her character doing stupid shit that I just can't quite get into. Other than that, she deserves it. But, there's got to be somebody that year who was more likeable.....
Previous Nominations- For Some came Running in 1958, The Apartment in 1960, Irma la Douce in 1963, The Turning Point in 1977, and believe it or not, for Best Documentary, The Other Half of the Sky: A Chinese Memior in 1975.
Who should have won-Meryl Streep in Silkwood. (The movie North Country ripped this movie off. I just thought I'd mention that.) Streep sinks so low, I lose focus with who she is when I thought about it several times throughout viewing this. She plays a character that not many woman can play, and pulls it off beautifully. If a character loses their identity in the process of a film, and pulls any and every viewer's attention who saw this, (not many people saw this) to the point where everyone is cheering for her to make it out, than she deserves an Oscar. End of story,
2008-Kate Winslet-The Reader
She was the whole reason I came up with this post. She's really electrifying in about five scenes in this movie, and pretty good the rest of the time. Winslet plays a woman living in Post World War Two Germany who has an affair with a 15 year old. Yeah, that's the story. I went to see this in theaters on a Saturday night, the first week it opened.(yeah, that's how I killed a Saturday night) Only 4 other people showed up. So, I'm guessing it didn't do wonders in the box office. But, anyway, Kate's pretty good in this, but was a lot better in other movies. The Oscar ultimately should have went to someone more deserving....
Previous Nominations- For Sense and Sensibility in 1995, Titanic in 1997, Iris in 2001, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in 2004, and Little Children in 2006.
Who should have won-Anne Hathaway in Rachel getting Married. Several people mentioned to her what an excellent job she did in this at the Oscars, (including Judi Dench during a presentation) I thought somebody would've hand delivered it personally. Same deal with Streep in Silkwood, an attractive woman sinking rock-bottom low to play a part, pulling it off wonderfully. Hathaway plays a recovering drug addict who goes home from rehab to attend her sister's wedding. She's everything you want from this type of character. She's moody, ungrateful, depressed, but yet somewhat joyous about being home. Nobody, and I mean nobody could have done as well as she did. It's alright, Anne. Just get naked already and it will come.
For Best Director-
2002-Roman Polanski-The Pianist
The lone recipiant in this category, this is defiently one of Polanski's best.(That's not saying a lot though) The pianist is a remarkable holocaust film starring Oscar theif (just kidding,....but not really) Adrian Brody. Brody's character loses everything, including his family, scavaging through World torn Poland, trying to stay alive. I don't have a lot of negative things to say, other than this films characters, besides for Adrian Brody, have terrible balance. None of the characters offer any more than one solid emotion, with no versatility. Other than that, he deserved it. But,..............yeah.
Previous Nominations-For Rosemary's Baby in 1968, Chinatown in 1974, and for Tess in 1979.
Who should have won-Martin Scorsese for Gangs of New York. This would be a crapshoot if he didn't derseve it, but he did. 7 nominations...and zero wins for this extraordinary epic. This is an instant classic and much more rewatchable and memorable than The Pianist. The screenplay and story was better, the roleplaying was better, and most importatly, the direction the film had was better. Marty could have won 3 Oscars up to this point, but the academy's judgement is flawed and the timing was just bad. It's ok, he'll get his in the end.
