We’re a few days away from the Oscars, the annual celebration of the artistry of the medium. As the major studios increasingly pivot to blockbusters, one could argue the show is even more important than ever in shining the spotlight on the kinds of movies that are getting more difficult to make. Would “La La Land” have made over $340 million worldwide were it not in the awards conversation all season long? Would the tiny “Moonlight,” featuring no major A-list names, have played in over 1,100 cinemas were it not for the heat generated over the last few months?
These are artful, beautiful movies telling stories that are increasingly more difficult to get funded, but according to Oscar host Jimmy Kimmel, movies are just for fun, and in that vein, “Deadpool” should’ve been nominated.
“I would have liked to have seen ‘Deadpool’ get nominated,” he told Variety. “I do think there’s a certain type of movie that’s not considered for awards. It’s a shame, because there’s nothing serious about the movies; they’re an escape.”
I’m not exactly surprised that the guy famous for celebrities reading mean tweets on his talk show doesn’t look for depth in his cinematic choices, but for many Academy members (and moviegoers), film is more than just a vehicle for empty entertainment. But hey, no one is asking Kimmel to be a critic, he just has to make a few wisecracks on Sunday night, and present the presenters, for which he is more than qualified.