Academy Awards (Oscars)

To many this will appear to be a sacrificial mutilation of a great man and the greatest ideological concept in world cinema, but rest assured it is not. This weekend an ageing Italian American will almost certainly be receiving a golden award in front of a gaping audience of peers and admirers. His acceptance speech will no doubt be short and grateful, but it will draw a line under a career and business in turmoil. If Martin Scorcese is offered the Oscar on 27th February 2005, it should be declined and it should be written off. Not only for the sake of Academy credibility, not only for the sake of his past achievements but for the future of film and it's progression ...

We're in the run up to Oscar time again, and as usual Hollywood is buzzing with excitement about who will win what. And the big question is, this time - can Martin Scorcese finally win an Oscar for Best Director? Here are the main categories of interest and my thoughts on each. Best Director --------------- Yes, believe it or not, the legendary director has never won anything he's been nominated for. 1981: Raging Bull (winner: Ordinary People, Robert Redford) 1989: The Last Temptation of Christ (winner: Rain Man, Barry Levinson) 1990: Goodfellas (winner: Born on the Fourth of July, Oliver Stone) I ...

'...and the winner for the most clumsy acting goes to...clissoldjones, for dropping his mobile phone in the Thames' The applause was tremendous and as I stood up I saw Spielberg and an array of Hollywood stars clapping furiously. As I made my way up to the stage my legs felt like they were about to dissolve into a little puddle and my ears rang with the noise. Meg Ryan smiled and handed over the Oscar which I clasped with trembling hands. I waited for the applause to die down and began my speech. 'Wow! This is absolutely brilliant. I'd like to thank everyone...sniff...and (my eyes were now watering)...this is dedicated to all white middle class ...