Thursday, February 23, 2006
"Gump Dumps Pulp" and Other Stories
No, it's not a Dr. Seuss tale. It's the true story of the 1994 Academy Awards. Somehow, a large group of voters decided that "Forrest Gump" was a better film than "Pulp Fiction." Not fucking likely. Hell, "Gump" wasn't even second best that year in my opinion, as "The Shawshank Redemption" was also nominated. "Pulp Fiction" was a nearly perfect film, brilliantly written, directed, and acted. Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary took home the film's only statue, for the screenplay, although I believe that was only because "Gump" was in the other screenplay category ("Pulp" was Original, while "Gump" was Adapted). Even more criminal was Tarantino losing the Director award to Robert Zemeckis. I've seen "Gump." Once. I just don't get it. I actually spent a period of a few years being pissed off at Tom Hanks after these awards. With hindsight being 20/20, I admit that my rage towards Mr. Hanks was misdirected (and disappeared anyway after "Saving Private Ryan"). So, I hereby offer a public apology to Tom Hanks for my behavior. It doesn't change the fact that "Pulp Fiction" was robbed.
Also that year, in the only category that "Pulp" lost that didn't tick me off, was Martin Landau ("Ed Wood") winning Best Supporting Actor over Samuel L. Jackson. Classic performance. Tom Hanks' second consecutive Best Actor trophy should have gone to Morgan Freeman for the afore-mentioned "Shawshank Redemption."
Let's put this sorry episode behind us and move on to 1995. Ah, yes: "Braveheart." No complaints here. Easy choice for Best Picture, as the other nominees were "Apollo 13," "Babe," "The Postman (Il Postino)," and "Sense and Sensibility." "Braveheart" is fantastic, and Mel Gibson also took home a well-deserved statue for Directing. "The Usual Suspects" also came out that year, and took home Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Kevin Spacey). It actually should have been nominated for Best Picture as far as I'm concerned. "Suspects" (along with "Se7en," which was also released this year) is one of those movies that make me wish I would get amnesia so I could see it again for the first time. One other note: nice to see Nicolas Cage take home Best Actor.
I'll do another 2 or 3 years next time.
Also that year, in the only category that "Pulp" lost that didn't tick me off, was Martin Landau ("Ed Wood") winning Best Supporting Actor over Samuel L. Jackson. Classic performance. Tom Hanks' second consecutive Best Actor trophy should have gone to Morgan Freeman for the afore-mentioned "Shawshank Redemption."
Let's put this sorry episode behind us and move on to 1995. Ah, yes: "Braveheart." No complaints here. Easy choice for Best Picture, as the other nominees were "Apollo 13," "Babe," "The Postman (Il Postino)," and "Sense and Sensibility." "Braveheart" is fantastic, and Mel Gibson also took home a well-deserved statue for Directing. "The Usual Suspects" also came out that year, and took home Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Kevin Spacey). It actually should have been nominated for Best Picture as far as I'm concerned. "Suspects" (along with "Se7en," which was also released this year) is one of those movies that make me wish I would get amnesia so I could see it again for the first time. One other note: nice to see Nicolas Cage take home Best Actor.
I'll do another 2 or 3 years next time.
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Funny. As much as I think that "Pulp Fiction" should have cleaned up at the Oscars the Best Supporting Actor loss is one of the most dissapointing. Jackson's performance was top-notch and naturalistic as hell. I think the biggst problem is that he was nominated for supporting actor. Was he really any less of a lead than Travolta?
In the long run though "Pulp" will "outlive" Gump, developing a fanbase with each new generation of movie lover's.
In the long run though "Pulp" will "outlive" Gump, developing a fanbase with each new generation of movie lover's.
I didn't want to reply at first since I hate to disagree with you guys.
But, I figure you wouldn't mind.
Let me be the lone voice of opposition to your Pulp Fiction fan club. As much as I enjoyed Pulp Fiction, I did think it was inferior to Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Quiz Show and Clerks & Ed Wood (for that matter.)
I also think Bob Zemekis has had a far superior career to Tarantino and is, frankly, a better filmmaker.
I did think Jackson put in the best performance in Pulp Fiction and was nominated against an equally great Martin Landau. I would have been happy if either on had won.
Finally, can't decide if Pulp Fiction will ever be as big a brand as Forrest Gump. But, I promise to ponder that question next time I dine at Bubba Gump's in Time Square.
But, I figure you wouldn't mind.
Let me be the lone voice of opposition to your Pulp Fiction fan club. As much as I enjoyed Pulp Fiction, I did think it was inferior to Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Quiz Show and Clerks & Ed Wood (for that matter.)
I also think Bob Zemekis has had a far superior career to Tarantino and is, frankly, a better filmmaker.
I did think Jackson put in the best performance in Pulp Fiction and was nominated against an equally great Martin Landau. I would have been happy if either on had won.
Finally, can't decide if Pulp Fiction will ever be as big a brand as Forrest Gump. But, I promise to ponder that question next time I dine at Bubba Gump's in Time Square.
This is what's beautiful about America! A spirited debate over which film is better: the one about the retard who sits around on park benches, or the one with the man-on-man ass rape!
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