Do Oscars go to worthy films no one watches?

IT’S absolutely true that, despite all the hoopla, the Oscar awards are habitually given to movies which the majority of the public don’t agree are the best, and often don’t understand (Mail). The best film should be just that — the best of the best. The Oscar voters seem to forget that it’s entertainment that drives us to the movies, not politically correct lectures. Some films may contain good performances, but that doesn’t automatically make them good films. Ignoring films that the public adores only makes the Academy Awards seem such an out-of-touch, merrygo-round of back-slapping selfcongratulation. Guardians Of The Galaxy was an accomplished piece of sheer entertainment, but went ignored by the movie Gods of Holly-mpus. But then, what do we know? We’re only the punters who pay to watch and, in doing so, pay their wages.

MARTIN RICHMOND, Falkirk. TOBY YOUNG argues that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts was out of touch with the people when Birdman won the Best Picture Oscar instead of American Sniper (Mail). He claims the film taking the most money at the box office is the most worthy. But when it comes to public opinion, expressed commercially, the music genre can demonstrate a point. The Rolling Stones’ classic song Brown Sugar was kept off the No. 1 spot by that totally forgettable Knock Three Times. So much for public opinion. I’m 62 and have seen both the films in question with my son, who is 16. We both agreed that Birdman is by far the better film and that Michael Keaton gave the performance of his life. Enough said.