Snubbing Michael Moore

Congratulations to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for getting this one right! The Academy snubbed Michael Moore`s "Fahrenheit 9/11" in this year`s Oscar nominations. Moore reportedly withdrew the politically hostile film from contention in the documentary category not only because he planned to air it before the November elections (a disqualification under Academy rules), but also in the high hopes that it would be nominated for best-picture. Moore`s hopes were dashed when the gamble backfired and the film was shut out across the board.

"Fahrenheit 9/11" is the latest revisionist "fantasy" film by Moore and, not surprisingly, follows the same recipe as his previous films--the absurdly inaccurate, irresponsible, and arrogant works "Bowling for Columbine," "Stupid White Men," and "Dude, Where`s My Country?"

Commentator Mark Smith gives one possible explanation for the rejection: "Perhaps Hollywood decided, ‘We don`t want to be reminded of our bitter defeat in November (in the presidential election), and the best way to forget it is not to talk about Michael Moore at this year`s Oscars."`

In commenting on Moore`s being shut out from the nominations, the editorial writers at the Wall Street Journal noted that all members of the Academy would have recognized Moore`s "Fahrenheit 9/11" as "sophomoric, meretricious filmmaking." The Journal also had this to say: "Ultimately, Mr. Moore`s fatal misunderstanding was of Hollywood itself. To be nominated for an Academy Award, Mr. Moore has to win the election. You can say many things about Hollywood, but there is one Tinseltown verity that will never change: It doesn`t reward losers."