Opinion

Anti-American awards: An Oscar veteran ignored

The Issue: Whether Kathryn Bigelow was unjustly overlooked for Best Director in the Academy Awards.

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John Podhoretz is correct again (“Oscar’s Sad Snubs,” PostOpinion, Jan. 11).

The two movies considered shoo-ins for Oscar nominations have been snubbed because, in their main plots, “Americans act heroically against Islamic enemies of the United States.”

At least the liberal Oscar voters are consistent, as they downplay any pro-American message.

Regarding “Zero Dark Thirty,” liberals must have had strokes realizing that President Obama had to share his glory with George W. Bush, who long ago set the stage for Osama bin Laden’s capture.

David Bergstein

Manhattan

I have stopped watching the Oscars for the exact same reason that Podhoretz details.

Every nomination and winner goes through a politically correct test. Was the film, actor, actress or director left-leaning enough? Was the film kind to minorities? Women? Islam?

I don’t listen to movie reviewers — except Kyle Smith — about which movies are worth seeing. If it tells the story of how great America and its citizens can be, I’ll give it a shot. If it knocks America, I wouldn’t even watch it for free.

I feel sorry for Kathryn Bigelow, but she knew what she was getting when she crawled into bed with James Cameron.

But poor Ben Affleck — he made the mistake of telling the truth. Pity the truth teller.

Charlie Honadel

Staten Island

Maybe Podhoretz is right that there is a political reason for Bigelow’s not being nominated for the Best Director award.

When I saw “Zero Dark Thirty,” the audience was riveted. You could hear a pin drop during the entire film. This is one of the best films I have ever seen.

I was proud of the film’s gripping depiction of the gutsy CIA officer and the true American heroes who succeeded in taking out bin Laden.

Politics or otherwise, why in blazes wasn’t Bigelow nominated for Best Director?

The Academy has clearly lost its way.

Mark Meirowitz

Manhattan