by El Zorro Viejo (aka; Jim)

And what do I do? Watch the Oscars, of course. Makes perfect sense. Instead of doing something worthwhile (like cleaning up my office) I sit like a blob and watch Hollywood's love affair with itself. OK, I gotta admit that I was glad to see the Rings Trilogy get all those awards. Even though they gave them to Return of the King, we all know that it was the three movies together that were being recognized. I think that there should be a category for ensemble cast, though. The people who were in front of the cameras for all three movies were as much a part of the experience as any of the other honorees. In fact, the Academy should have come up with a special category for movie projects like this. Then all those other great single films could compete with each other on a more or less even footing. It must be hard for a two hour film to compete with over nine hours of building drama. This would open the way for a new genre of film: the Fantasy Epic, that would have to have at least three segments. Movies of Terry Brooks stories, or Eddings works, or (shudder) Jordan's ongoing saga, or Terry Goodkind's work, or...well, you get the idea.

Anyhow, I am glad for Peter Jackson. I have to think that Tolkien would have, for the most part, approved of the translation of his work to film. While some things were changed, on the whole Jackson remained faithful to the spirit and flow of the books. Personally, I think that of all the books written during the Twentieth Century, the Rings Trilogy will be one of the few that stand the test of time and are read, and enjoyed for what they are, into the far future. The Trilogy will be one of the lasting treasures our age bestows upon our descendants. So, cheers for Jackson and crew. --> Aside: I thought Annie Lennox got real involved with Oscar. I remember when she was half of the Eurhythmics (sp?) and one of rock's major iconoclasts. Well, obviously we all mellow with age, 'cause she certainly glommed onto this particular Icon...*grin*

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. ©El Zorro Viejo 2002-2005