March 25, 2002

There's an Oscar-Shaped Hole on PJ's Mantle
Razors

As a long-time fan (not to mention fellow countryman) of Peter Jackson, I'll admit to being disappointed when A Beautiful Mind bagged the Oscars for Best Director and Best Film (even though Russel Crowe's a local boy too). But then PJ himself said he wasn't expecting to win in those categories, and FOTR took home the awards for Original Score, Visual Effects, Cinematography and Makeup (all no-brainers, really) so I can't really complain.

But it got me thinking - since LOTR is a trilogy, and since TTT and ROTK will probably be up for Oscars in the next two years, will the three movies be judged on their individual merits or as part of a whole? Does missing on a Best Director Oscar this year mean PJ's already screwed for the next two? For that matter, how different will TTT be from FOTR in terms of style, especially since half of it takes place on the outskirts of Mordor and the other half in a beseiged Rohan? Will it be just a continuation of the first flick, or stand out on it's own (like The Empire Strikes Back stood out from the Star Wars trilogy)?

All rhetorical questions, but anyway - thoughts, anyone?

PS (To anyone outside of New Zealand): Check out PJ's earlier movies if you can. Never mind The Frighteners and Heavenly Creatures (already well-known overseas) I'm talking Bad Taste, Meet The Feebles and Braindead. All low-budget, all twisted and gory, all brilliant (especially Braindead). Not sure how available they are in other countries, so I guess you'll just have to come down here to find them.

Ok, I've done my bit for the local tourism industry. Goodnight.