The State of the Race – Holy Crap!

I say Holy Crap, but Ryan’s email to me actually said Holy Fuck! This news comes to me while vacationing in Yosemite. Ten years of watching the Oscar race I’ve never seen such a dramatic change and I’m wondering what was the motivating factor.

Either not enough interest by the general public?
Too much focus on a handful of “Oscar movies” that no one sees — hence, it’s become like a predictable (for the most part) vacuum?
They are tired of defending themselves against the haters who accuse them of having bad taste?
They just like to shake things up every now and then?
It’s a matter of having to improvise, adapt and overcome or else face extinction?

Nothing could have breathed more life into a mostly flaccid race than this most unexpected and delightful development. I’m looking forward to seeing how many more films and studios have a shot in this kind of race, with such wide open possibilities.

I’m going to venture a guess that, with so many opportunities in the Best Picture race, the focus will be slightly more heated on the lead acting categories. But that’s just a random thought on how it might impact our experience.

Also, I’m thinking that the Foreign Language race could benefit from a similar change.¬†¬† Either way, from high atop the Sierras, I’m thrilled.¬† Way to go, AMPAS.