Oscars: A Snob's POV

As usual, I won't be watching the Oscars this year, even though my new digital video recorder would save me from all those commercials. To paraphrase the title of a recent release, "I'm just not that into you, Hollywood." As much as I've been itching for a good night at the movies, I just haven't been able to bring myself to bother with some of the nominated films and performances. Even with Cate Blanchett, the Curious Case of Benjamin Button only barely peaks my curiosity.

Still, I have to admit I'll be the first to go online Monday morning to see who won. Will the amazing Kate Winslet win for (what's for her) an average performance in an average movie? Could Robert Downey Jr. possibly win best supporting actor for his blackface comedic role? (I know -- he's a darkhorse.) What about Marisa Tomei for playing the opposite of her famously snubbed comedy win for My Cousin Vinney? And in a thin field, will the greatly entertaining but overrated Slumdog Millionaire actually take the big one?

It's exciting for this filmmaker (though hard for me to fathom) that so many people are so into the Oscars. I'm not that into Hollywood, but the night will be worthy of the excitement if at least one of those foreign language nominees turns out to be a hidden gem.