The Oscars are no longer the stuff of traditional Hollywood elite, but rather a platform for mass appeal. The recent shift from network television to YouTube streaming has marked a turning point in the Academy's approach to reaching its audience. Gone are the days when Oscar voting was dominated by insider pundits; instead, voters are increasingly influenced by public opinion.
The nominations this year have reflected this shift, with mainstream films like "F1: The Movie" and "Weapons" scoring surprising nods in major categories. This is a departure from the traditional Academy fare of "Wicked," which was snubbed entirely despite being one of last year's biggest nominees. Instead, it's horror movie "Sinners," led by Wunmi Mosaku's powerful performance as Annie, that has captured the imagination of voters.
The Academy's strategy seems to be focused on courtship – on getting people to talk about movies, to see them and care about them. And if that means embracing unexpected genres like action racing films ("F1") and supernatural horror movies ("Sinners"), so be it. As long as these films are generating buzz among viewers, the Academy is listening.
It's not just Mosaku who has benefited from this approach; Amy Madigan's over-the-top performance in "Weapons" has also caught the eye of voters, despite the film being a horror movie. The way that audiences have rallied around both "Sinners" and "Weapons," creating fan edits, accounts, and analyses in their wake, has clearly made an impact on the Academy.
The shift towards a more democratic approach to voting is not unique to this year's Oscars; it's part of a broader trend. As social media platforms continue to shape public discourse, the way that people discuss movies – and how those discussions affect Oscar voters – will only become more important in the future.
Ultimately, the Academy's move away from traditional elitism towards mass appeal is both fascinating and frustrating. On one hand, it's encouraging to see an institution embracing change and seeking to connect with its audience on a new level. On the other, there's always the risk that this approach could result in some winners being undeserved – if we define "undeserved" as anything less than absolute Oscar certainty.
As for what defines Oscar-worthy films these days, it seems that it's no longer so much about the film itself but rather about who's watching and what they're saying. The Academy may not always get it right, but its willingness to listen – at least in part – is a sign of a maturing institution.
The nominations this year have reflected this shift, with mainstream films like "F1: The Movie" and "Weapons" scoring surprising nods in major categories. This is a departure from the traditional Academy fare of "Wicked," which was snubbed entirely despite being one of last year's biggest nominees. Instead, it's horror movie "Sinners," led by Wunmi Mosaku's powerful performance as Annie, that has captured the imagination of voters.
The Academy's strategy seems to be focused on courtship – on getting people to talk about movies, to see them and care about them. And if that means embracing unexpected genres like action racing films ("F1") and supernatural horror movies ("Sinners"), so be it. As long as these films are generating buzz among viewers, the Academy is listening.
It's not just Mosaku who has benefited from this approach; Amy Madigan's over-the-top performance in "Weapons" has also caught the eye of voters, despite the film being a horror movie. The way that audiences have rallied around both "Sinners" and "Weapons," creating fan edits, accounts, and analyses in their wake, has clearly made an impact on the Academy.
The shift towards a more democratic approach to voting is not unique to this year's Oscars; it's part of a broader trend. As social media platforms continue to shape public discourse, the way that people discuss movies – and how those discussions affect Oscar voters – will only become more important in the future.
Ultimately, the Academy's move away from traditional elitism towards mass appeal is both fascinating and frustrating. On one hand, it's encouraging to see an institution embracing change and seeking to connect with its audience on a new level. On the other, there's always the risk that this approach could result in some winners being undeserved – if we define "undeserved" as anything less than absolute Oscar certainty.
As for what defines Oscar-worthy films these days, it seems that it's no longer so much about the film itself but rather about who's watching and what they're saying. The Academy may not always get it right, but its willingness to listen – at least in part – is a sign of a maturing institution.
! It's awesome that they're listening to the public and embracing unexpected genres like "F1: The Movie" and "Weapons". I mean, who wouldn't want to watch Wunmi Mosaku's powerful performance in "Sinners"? 
It just goes to show that the Academy is adapting to the changing times. And yeah, some people might say it's a risk that they'll crown undeserving winners, but I think it's all about giving more people a chance to shine 
. Plus, social media is already shaping public discourse, so it's only fitting that the Oscars are catching up 
. I'm intrigued to see how this trend continues in the future! 
I love how the Oscars are finally opening up to new voices and perspectives 
. It's amazing to see films like "F1: The Movie" and "Weapons" getting recognition, even if they're not what you'd traditionally call "art house" flicks 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good horror movie? 
Amy Madigan's performance in "Weapons" was insane! I'm so glad the Academy is listening to its audience and trying to make it more inclusive 
. It's all about representation now - if people are talking about it, it matters 
. But at the same time, you have to wonder if this shift towards mass appeal is going to compromise on artistic merit 
! the oscars have become so much more than just an event for snobby hollywood folks. it's now all about what resonates with the masses, and let's be real, who doesn't love a good action racing film or supernatural horror flick? 
wunmi mosaku's performance in "sinners" is giving me LIFE 
and amy madigan's over-the-top vibe in "weapons" has me dying 
. it's so refreshing to see the academy embracing change and trying to connect with its audience on a new level. of course, there's always gonna be some controversy, but hey, that's just part of the game right? 
. More people have access to screens and streaming platforms than ever before, so it's only natural that they'd have more say in what gets recognized as "good" 
at the end of the day, it's all about public opinion and social media buzz 
i mean who wouldn't wanna see some crazy action racing flick like "f1: the movie" get some major nods? and amy madigan's performance in "weapons" is straight fire 
the way fans are creating all this buzz around these movies is making the academy listen and that's dope 
but at the same time, it's scary to think about how much social media can influence what wins. like what if people just love a movie because of a viral trailer or something? 
! It's great that the Academy is listening to public opinion and trying to connect with their audience on a new level. Fingers crossed they get some of the winners right this time 
. The fact that social media is playing such a big role in shaping movie discussions is wild 
. I guess it just goes to show how much influence our online conversations have on real-life events 
. Can't wait to see what the future holds for the Oscars! 
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"f1: the movie" and "weapons" are crazy examples of this shift, but it's also kinda refreshing? the academy is finally listening to public opinion and trying to make movies that people actually care about 
it's not always gonna be a guarantee that they'll pick winners that everyone will love, but at least they're trying to connect with their audience on a new level 
the way people are rallying around "sinners" and "weapons" online is wild too...
. I mean, we're living in a time where social media can make or break a movie's popularity, so it's about time the Oscars catch on. The fact that films like "F1" and "Sinners" are getting recognition shows that the Academy is willing to take risks and try new things.
. I think this shift could lead to some really great movies being recognized in the future. Of course, there's always gonna be some winners who might not entirely deserve it, but that's just part of the process.
and wunmi mosakus performance as annie in sinners is giving me life 
its like the academy is finally listening to what people are talking about on twitter and tiktok