Issue Date: February 15, 2004
The truth about Oscar
Most of the chatter surrounding the Academy Awards is bland and rehashed, and the Internet is no exception. But, as with the films themselves, if you look long enough, there are a few sites worthy of recognition.
For openers, skip the diplomatic sites by the major movie studios and entertainment magazines. Instead, head to OscarWorld.net, which has opinionated history and tidbits in lists such as Facts, Figures & Trivia; Memorable Oscar Speeches; and the Best & Worst Oscar Moments. The very worst moment, according to the site's founder, Jason O'Brien, was 1986's opening production, which he recalls featured Telly Savalas, Pat Morita and Dom DeLuise singing a version of "Fugue for Tinhorns." "Just picture that in your mind -- or on second thought, maybe not," says O'Brien, a member of the American Film Institute.
Be sure to search the visually bland site for features like his Oscar picks for each year, his 10 Best Films of the Year and Best Films of the Decades.
For impressive statistics to spout at your post-Oscar party, head to www.littlegoldenguy.com/home.asp. Using pulldown menus, ask questions like "Which director had the most nominations between 1927 and 2002?" (William Wyler, 12) and "How many Best Picture winners had no acting nominations?" (nine, including "Braveheart").
At entertainment.howstuffworks.com/oscar.htm, find out how many films foreign countries can submit (one), where Oscar got his name (an Academy librarian supposedly said the statuette looked like her uncle Oscar), and how much the trophy weighs (8 1/2 pounds).
With all the Oscar factoids you pick up at these sites, play the trivia game at movies.yahoo.com/oscars. If you win, you can thank Where on the Web -- just keep it short.
-- Laura Shin
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