Again, I watch a movie for entertainment, not to be "influenced". If anyone is going to influence anyone, it is going to be ME! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

My brother used to live near where Denzel Washington had a buddy. I hear he is a down -to-earth person. Mr. Washington. Not so much his buddy.

The Academy Awards is a highly produced entertainment spectacle designed for self-promotion. I do NOT go to movie theaters since I get enough entertainment to suit me from N, Prime, and Max. I only saw Dune 2 which was excellent. When I was younger and went to theaters often, I rarely agreed with the Academe's best picture choice. So, whatever their criterion for best picture is up to them and I really don't care. It is like a dog show, which I also don't watch.

I have rarely agreed with the Best Picture choice either. I definitely thought Saving Private Ryan was way better than Shakespeare in Love.

A psychologist might say that every stimulation influences every organism, even people. Movie directors know that they can influence the audience if they so desire. And MOST movie goers/ watchers want a movie to push them to tears or otherwise impress them intellectually and emotionally.

It takes a MENTALLY strong person to attain fame and NOT be controlled by it. Example the Batman suicide. (Actually, The Joker)

Me neither. But I think there is a big difference between picking a winner and excluding a movie from even being considered because it failed to meet some arbitrary diversity/DIE/quota criteria.

Heath Ledger died from an accidental prescription drug overdose according to the Medical Examiner.

He was great as the Joker.

Yes, that was a shame, he was a great actor. Imagine how many other great roles that he could have been in if he had lived longer. Everyone desires FAME, but few can pay it's price.

Fame would be very low on my list of goals. I see some of the people who have earned it and am rather revolted by fame's choice.

Totally agree!

I assume that the Academy is a private institution and they can determine rulings as they wish. But this is yet another reason why we no longer watch Awards shows. And very seldom spend our $$$ on most movies now. Bizarro World.

Top Gun: Maverick needed to be seen on the biggest screen available. Think I saw it three times at the Old Mill Playhouse. Tom Cruise, from what I have heard, is a rather decent person.

We saw it at home on our huge screen and great sound system. No sticky floors or side conversations. Our popcorn and drinks. And ability to pause the movie when nature calls. Our favorite way to watch any movie now…. Plus saves $$$. bonus.

Nature does call a lot. Hard to get any further than a two hour movie.

Personally, it’s a stretch to go 1.5 hours… One of the minuses of getting old.