In his column titled \Dems, Academy Share Fear of Change"" (opinion, March 3), Nick Barbash shows his complete lack of understanding for the movie industry.
He says: ""... Hollywood protected itself by awarding its own 'Million Dollar Baby' instead of giving the Oscar to an outsider film like 'Napoleon Dynamite.' But 'Dynamite' was a huge hit and is on its way to modern classic status, while 'Baby' and many other of this year's other Oscar nominees were box office flops.""
Where on earth did you get the idea that ""Million Dollar Baby"" had flopped at the box office? It's still in theaters, and is currently heading towards $70 million domestically according to www.imdb.com. In fact, none of this year's best picture nominees could be considered ""flops,"" especially considering how low-budget some of them were. If you had done a little research you would have known that.
Second, I beg to differ that a film like ""Napoleon Dynamite"" should be considered ""brilliant."" It certainly has not obtained ""modern classic status."" Now, I admire the film, but I think it has become much more of a cult icon than anything else. Would they ever have awarded best picture to ""Office Space"" or ""The Rocky Horror Picture Show?"" No. These are good films, but they're not at all on the same level as ""The Godfather"" or ""Schindler's List.""
But the Academy did nominate a fantastic ""outsider film"" called ""Sideways."" In fact they nominated several independent productions in their major categories. Isn't this what most people complain about? That the Academy only seems to recognize these independent films they've never heard of? Other ""outsider"" films nominated that you have failed to distinguish: ""Maria Full of Grace,"" ""Ray,"" ""Vera Drake,"" ""Hotel Rwanda"" and ""Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.""
""Million Dollar Baby"" is the true modern classic here, and the Academy was very brave in nominating and awarding it 4 of the top 6 categories, while in competition with a heavyweight like ""The Aviator."" Nick, I have no problem with you not liking the film, but I do have a problem with you spreading misinformed and flat-out false information regarding it.
Jeff Kryka
UW-Madison Junior
Music Composition
