Lifestyles

Potter to Oscars: “Avada Kedavra”

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Among the breathtaking ball gowns and lavish composure, I noticed that something was missing at last Sunday’s Oscars.

As I sat patiently before the television I realized this marked the last chance for the Harry Potter series to be recognized for the worldwide success they had achieved last summer. Surely earning the number third spot for highest grossing film of all time must mean something, right?

No.

Though our favorite mop headed, green-eyed wizard achieved to conjure the most brutal of Professor Snape’s potions he obviously did not possess magic strong enough to charm over the Oscars.

Over the last decade the adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s successful British novels have racked up a total of 12 nominations, all of them have been for technical or craft categories. Guess how many they have taken home?

None.

I will never understand how the long-awaited “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” was not recognized for best picture. Potter himself was “slightly miffed” when he discovered the ultimate film had only received three mediocre nominations in art direction, visual effects and make up.

In an interview with the Radio Times Daniel Radcliffe expressed his disappointment with the Academy for not honoring the final installment of the eight-part series.

“There’s a certain amount of snobbery. It’s kind of disheartening. I never thought I’d care. But it would’ve been nice to have some recognition, just for the hours put in,” Radcliffe said.

As Sunday came and left, so did Potter’s dreams of one day being a recipient. No golden statuettes were rewarded to the film, for it lost them in all three categories, two of which were awarded to “Hugo.” Yes “Hugo,” the story about a boy befriending a self-operating machine that has the ability to write.

I understand that it is a heartwarming story with a phenomenal cinematic experience, nevertheless Radcliffe continued to harp on the Oscars, saying what was on everyone else’s mind: “Why is this nominated and [“Harry Potter”] not?”

The Academy can sugar coat their explanations all they want, but the harsh truth is that the boy who lived got snubbed, plain and simple as can be.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I definitely think there is bias when it comes time to roll out the red carpet. Radcliffe is correct; the Academy should have given recognition to the fine English ensemble, such as Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith, who dedicated 10 years of their life to this project.

At the end of the day I have comfort knowing that when the curtains go down, the Oscars will soon be a forgotten memory, while Harry, Ron and Hermione continue to enchant muggles every night with bewitching tales of bravery.

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