Oscar Politics

It's always popular to release films at the end of  the year to garner the most attention for award season. Some films will even go in a very limited release during December to get in contention. Mix that with studios, executives, and producers taking ads out in publications and billboards to promote the film for why it should win, we have quite the political movement.

Gladiator, a summer release, has been the earliest released film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Back in 2004, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was released in Feb, making it nearly impossible for much award action. If they would've released the film later in the year or a mere couple of months earlier, guaranteed nominations would've been dealt. Not all studios put out movies just to gain awards, but it brings unlimited amounts of attention to the film and its team.

From Shakespeare in Love beating Saving Private Ryan to Crash beating Brokeback Mountain, politics during Oscar season will always be around, weather we like it or not. The part that bothers me the most is that the "Academy" actually buys into it.