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University Daily Kansan, March 30, 198
Conservative values dominate Oscar awards
By MIKE GEBERT Contributing Reviewer
Ronald Reagan may have left Hollywood, but he left a little of his homespun philosophy behind.
That's likely to be the lesson tonight when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hands out its 53rd annual Oscars before a worldwide television audience. Clearly, from the film industry, the down-home appeal are in and trendy violence and New York intellectualism are out. Traditional values are on the rise everywhere and the Oscars should reflect that by favoring concerned craftsmanship over intellectual flash fiction. Values at the expense of cinematic diltumfantasy.
Both can be seen by the films Oscar favors and the ones he ignores. The principal nouniness are the five Best Picture nounies, "Coal Miner's Daughter," "The Elephant Man," "Ordinary
People," Raging Bull, "and "Tess," along with major nominees in other categories like "Fame," "Melvin and Howard," "Resurrecer," "The Great Saintini," "Private Benjamin" and "The Great Santini."
Consider the films Oscar deliberately passed by: "Altered States" (two minor nominations), "Dressed to Kill," "Stardust Memories," "The Shining." Among them they represent the New York intellectual elite and, mostly, the state of New York's criminal underworld connotations. Further, they are the products of star directors—Russell, DePalma, Allen, Kubrick—a breed generally disliked by Oscar.
THE BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR AND ACTRESS nominations have gone after newcomers with a vengeance. None of the Actress
Unlike last year, when "Kramer vs. Kramer" mopped up, there should be a fair amount of suspense tonight. Still, there are fairly clear-cut winners in each category . . . or so one might
EXHIBIT OPENING of the KU Design
Exhibition at 9:30am in Galloway Galler
Exhibition at 10:45am in April 13.
On Campus
FACULTY RECITAL by the Oread String Trio at 8 p.m. in the Swartooth Recital Hall in Murphy RI.
UNIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES presents Robert White, former U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, on "U.S. Policy in Central America" at 1:30 p.m. in woodruff Auditorium in the University
TOMORROW
TODAY
WESTERN CIVILIZATION FILM SERIES will show "Hiroshima, Mon Armour" at 7 p.m. in the basement of Lippincott Hall.
THE TAU SIGMA DANCE CLUB will meet at 7 p.m. in 242 Robinson
STUDENTS' ANI-NUCLEAR ALLIANCE
will meet at 7:30 p.m. in Parlor C of the Union.
ASIAN SECURITY POLICIES COLLOQUIUM will present Martin Weinstein on "Japan's Security Policy" at 8 p.m. in the Council Room of the Union.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT COLLOQUIUM will host Helen Vendier on "True is Best Music: Structure in 'To Autumn'" at 8 p.m. in the Big Fight Room of the Union
nominees has ever been nominated and three—Cathy Moriarty of "Bull Rag," Diana Scarwid of "Inside Moves," and 82-year-old "residence"—are making their thimble debut.
Eileen Brennan of "Private Benjamin" and Mary Steenburgen of "Melvin and Howard" are likewise hardy household names, but that could change tonight for Steenburgen or Moriarty, the two leading contenders. I'd say that Steenburger's koooky, yet realistic performance should give her the award and on her her way to stardom.
**STUDENT RECITAL** by Don Wampler, contoh, and John Prescott, trumpet, at p.10 in *The Oxford Dictionary*.
Perhaps the toughest competition of the night is in the Best Supporting Actor category. Four newcomers are up against Jason Robards, whose portrayal of Howard Hughes in "Melvin and Howard" could make him the second man ever to win three acting Oscars.
the competition is heavy--young Michael O'Keefe of "The Great Santini," Joe Pesci of "Raging Bull," and two from "Ordinary People"; Judd Hirsut's portrayal of the psychiatrist makes him a worthy contender, but the smart money is on Timothy Hutton, whose impressive debut in film history, and should give him the award.
THE OTHER MAJOR AWARDS provide a modicum of suspense. There were hardly any original screenplays this year—none among the Best Picture nominees, "Fame," "Private Benjamin," "Mon Oncle d'Amérique" and "Brubaker" should provide little competition for Bo Goldman's screenplay for "Melvin and Howard."
are aki Kurosawa's "Kagemusha" and francois Traffault's 'The last Mastor.' Both directors have won numerous times before; and both directed Kurosawa but Traffault film is the better-tiked.
In the Screenplay Adaptation category, "Breaker Morrow," "The Elephant Man," "Cool Miner's Daughter" and "The Stunt Man" should still win for "Orphard People."
THE BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM competition is interesting mainly because it covers a wide range of the world leading directors, like Bernard Lepartin, Resnais, Fellini, etc. the leaders in this category.
THE BEST DIRECTOR OSCAR will be one of the most interesting awards. Each of the nominees is worthy, but there are reasons why each might not win. Richard Rush of "The Stunt Man" is considered an outster; in Hollywood's eyes, his nomination is reward enough.
Oddly enough, Roman Polanski's conviction for statutory rape and his subsequent flight to France could his chances of winning for the state have been reduced by the trial-by-headline and has some sympathy.
The front runner has been considered Martin Scorsese, whose long overdue first nomination was for "Raging Bull"; "Burk Redford's debut with" Ordinary People" was the main competitor. The idea was that Redford was considered a director, and that he directed the directors. But that all changed when the Directors Guild of America—a group believed to think a lot like the Academy—gave Redford their award for Best Director, much to the surprise of everyone, including Redford. It seems that Redford's clean image and his tremendous skill with actors, in what is adored as an excellent film should give him the nod over the sordid, obsessive (and rather brilliant) Scorsese.
THE BIG QUESTION IN THE BEST ACTOR CATEGORY is not who will win but why Donald Sutherland's portrayal of the father in "Ordinary People" was passed over for Jack Lemmon's one-not, pathetic performance in *Hillary*, nominee and two-time winner. Lemmon wouldn't need another nomination for this latest rehash of his "Days of Wine and Roses" performance.
Sutherland, a much underrated actor, deserved it and should have had it. The rest of the three-time nominee (not to mention one of the greatest living American actors) Robert Duvall
of "The Great Santini," and second-time
murderer John hurt of "The Elephant Man." But
"The Great Santini" is not a murder.
He will probably join Lemonm as the only man to win an Oscar in both the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories for his ex-honorary portrayal of Jake LaMotta in "Raging Bull."
THE BEST ACTRESS CATEGORY is filled surprisingly these days, with strong competitors. Usually, the few female stars have trouble finding enough work to stay busy. But Ellen Burstyn of "Resurrection," Goldie Hawn of "Ordinary Benjamin," Mary Tey Moore of "Ordinary Benjamin," Rowdies of "Gloria" and Sissy Spacek of "Coal Miner's Daughter" all gave fine performances.
The major competition is between Moore and Spacec: the rest were big actresses in small pictures. Popular sentiment would give it to Moore and her performance is certainly worthy of an Oscar. But Hollywood has a soft spot in its heart for trouppers, who people, though they are not as well-known, give accomplished performances. That's why Sissy Spacec, the extraordinarily fine and versatile star of "Coal Miner's Daughter," will get the recognition she deserves tonight.
AND THEN THERE'S BEST PICTURE. There's a belief in Hollywood that Oscar picks a different kind of film each year. That's why the tough war movie "The Deer Hunter" was followed by the personal, warm drama of "Kramer vs. Kramer."
This would tend to preclude "Ordinary People," but don't count it out yet. "Cool Miner's Daughter" is acclaimed mainly for Sissy Spacek's performance, and that will be rewarded elsewhere tonight. "Tess" is too wonderful, but "Ragged Man" and "Ragging Bail" are too specialized in appeal and not that likable. The clear leader is "Ordinary People" after all—but with a crazy and wonderful a thing as the Oscars, nothing's certain until they open the envelope.
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THE FINAL CONFLICT
THE LAST QUEEN OF THE WEST BOROUGH
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Play starting date will be determined at the meeting FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT RECREATIONAL SERVICES AT 864-3546
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Celebrate the ARTESIAN NEW YEAR at The Harbour Lites
Monday, March 30 7:00 p.m.-Midnight
Cans & Bottles of OLYMPIA only 50c
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SPIRIT SQUAD TRYOUTS-1981
Be a part of a great tradition!
Dates for tryouts for the K.U. Spirit Squad have been set.
ll students interested in trying out should meet in Allen Field House at 5:00 p.m. on March 26th for an informational meeting. The first clinic will be held after the meeting.
No previous experience is required to trvout.
Requirements
Enrolled in at least 12 hours Weight in proportion to Height A genuine interest in K.U. athletics
CLINICS:
March 26-27-30-31
PRELIMINARIES:
April 4th
April 1-2
5:30-7:00 p.m.
FINALS:
ALLEN FIELD HOUSE
April 11th
ALLEN FIELD HOUSE
WINDSHIELD CENTER
BREEZE THROUGH EXAMS WITH THE KU SAILING CLUB
- LEARN TO SAIL CLASSES
- FLEET OF 10 BOATS FOR MEMBER USE
- PERRY YACHT CLUB FACILITIES
- INTER-COLLEGIATE RACING TEAM
SPRINTS
- SPECIAL FILMS AND LECTURES
- PARTIES • CRUISES
SPRING ORIENTATION MEETING;
WED. APRIL 1, 7 PM, KANSAS UNION PARLOURS