I'm aware this news is two weeks old, but I didn't see a thread for it anywhere and think it's definitely warranting some discussion.

 

The Oscars are to bring in a new category that should be effective from next year's ceremony

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-45115581

 

The Oscars are introducing a new category for outstanding achievement in popular film.

 

It's among three changes which were approved on Tuesday by the Academy's board of governors.

 

It means films which are popular with the public but less so with critics will be more likely to win an Oscar.

 

Superhero films such as Black Panther are among those which could now stand a much better chance of being recognised during awards season.

 

It's understood the change will come into effect in time for the next Oscars ceremony in February.

 

In a message to its members, the Academy said eligibility requirements for the new category and other key details would be "forthcoming".

 

In previous years, films which have done well at the box office - including Mamma Mia, Avatar and the Mission Impossible franchise - have been snubbed by the Oscars.

 

An outstanding popular film category may also go some way to allay criticism that many of the films acknowledged by the Oscars are "increasingly irrelevant" and do not reflect what the viewing public want to watch.

 

This hasn't gone down particularly well with a lot of people as you may suspect, there's talk that they may go back on this, but it remains to be seen.

 

What are your thoughts on this? Personally, I'm with the backlash here. While I can see that it may help in diversifying films and making it more open to the younger audiences. This essentially seems like an excuse to give Black Panther/The Avengers or Mamma Mia an Oscar and goes against what they are about, money is the reward for popular films, they don't need an Oscar as well as that.

Omg I completely forgot I didn't post about this here but I think I went off about it in enough group chats to make my opinion clear 😂

 

An abhorrent idea. I'll probs write an essay when I'm back from holiday haha 😂

I don’t really see the point in this. It’s nice that some of the often snubbed movies will get recognised at the Oscars but for what reason? For being popular? Will it be based on the most popular movie of that Oscar season (ie the biggest box office hit) or are they just gonna vote on which their favourite film was in this time and ignore what actually matters like regular Oscars are for

I don’t really see the point in this. It’s nice that some of the often snubbed movies will get recognised at the Oscars but for what reason? For being popular? Will it be based on the most popular movie of that Oscar season (ie the biggest box office hit) or are they just gonna vote on which their favourite film was in this time and ignore what actually matters like regular Oscars are for

The reason is almost definitely the TV ratings for the awards show, after this year's Oscars hit record lows. Fans of a major blockbuster such as Black Panther are more likely to tune in if they know it's going to win something; if it's not nominated at all they probably won't bother.

 

I don't really care either way but definitely feel the backlash is justified. I'd rather not see movies winning an Oscar just based on how much money it made.

I'm all for it, the Oscars voters have been so far up their own arses for so many years now it needs a freshness involved. Just because a movie is popular does not mean it's not good. Sure there are some terrible films which become popular, but largely any film that is nominated for this award will both be popular with the Critics and with the Audience.

I see Rooney's point, however, I feel like this is just a way for them to be able to award/even nominate Black Panther without receiving backlash when they want to snub it from the main category. It just feels so forced and doesn't seem like it's a natural progression for it lol.

 

I also feel like it cheapens their main award a bit.

 

(Oh and surely it's gonna go to Black Panther? Even over Avengers </3)

I see Rooney's point, however, I feel like this is just a way for them to be able to award/even nominate Black Panther without receiving backlash when they want to snub it from the main category. It just feels so forced and doesn't seem like it's a natural progression for it lol.

 

I also feel like it cheapens their main award a bit.

 

(Oh and surely it's gonna go to Black Panther? Even over Avengers </3)

 

See I disagree with this entirely, a lot of the reason the awards are losing popularity with the mainstream is due to the voters. The best films (regardless of whether they're a blockbuster or an indie) should be voted for as the Best Picture, but there is such an anti-mainstream protest over the past 10-15 years.

 

I mean look at all the Best Picture winners.. if you go back 20-30 years all the winners were Top 10 box office hits yet somehow it's become a myth that the films nominated should be little indie films. There's a pattern with the voters too, they are prefer US-centric films that often have a social or political message. Usually these days if a popular film gets nominated it's a complete token and stands zero chance of winning the main award. It's been a shift over the past 10 years especially to critically lauded films with a message. Which is all very well and good but it defeats the idea of a Best Picture for me.

I feel very much the same about the voters. Can't remember if they've made substantial changes to the voting panel in the last few years (they certainly should have after the #oscarssowhite thing), but if not that's something to be looked at too.

 

The Outstanding Achievement category reminds me of the Global Success award at the BRITs. That's been a thing for several years now and it hasn't exactly ruined the BRITs, but it just comes across as a "token" award. But they're trying to target casual viewers who most likely don't see it as any less of an award than the others.

Cancelled for the 2019 Oscars *.* now time to see if it's cos they're giving it time to refine it for the year after or they're gonna quietly sweep this under the rug like it never happened

Oh that's good to hear, now just awaiting the uproar when Black Panther doesn't win anything :kink:

I am sure Black Panther will sweep some technical/costume awards...not sure about main categories though!!!