There is so much to be said about the Academy Awards. Since the birth of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the eventual Academy Awards ceremony, film history is made with each iteration of Oscar night. To this day, it is Hollywood’s biggest night, honoring the achievements of numerous individuals involved in the film industry and celebrating a year’s worth of impactful films.
Behind the scenes, no Oscar night was without its share of drama. Oscar upsets have occurred over time, competition is stiff, and there are often memorable moments to the ceremony–far beyond awards being doled out. Moreover, throughout awards season, Oscar buzz remains a hot topic among film critics and interested moviegoers.
Michael Schulman’s Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears, delves into the Oscars and the highly competitive nature–and entertainment media frenzy–surrounding the award. His writing is entertaining and educational, discussing the history of the Academy, early film achievements, the past and present Academy Awards, and a contemporary look at the ceremony and Academy today. Fans of classic film will particularly delight in his discussions of Frank Capra, Citizen Kane, the notorious 1951 award upsets, and the impact of the Hollywood blacklist.
Oscar Wars is not to be missed–and is a particularly fun read in anticipation of awards season.
Hometowns to Hollywood 