n case you Mortals haven't figured it out already, 2004's big story from Tinseltown, as they call that Kingdom of Controversy (Los Angeles, for you more unenlightened Mortals), was the triumph of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, when it became the first sci-fi/fantasy movie ever to win the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year. But in Lloyd Grove's Lowdown, as published in the March 2nd, 2004 New York Daily News, Sir Elton John grumpily ranted about Frodo's triumph, calling the ceremony "the most boring Oscars I've ever attended." Indeed, Sir Elton complained that Annie Lennox' ballad, "Into the West," which won for Best Original Song, did not deserve the honor.
Sir Elton, methinks ye should shut up! You were simply ticked off because of Michael Eisner's then impending deletion as CEO of Disney (which, of course, has since gone down --- cold, I hasten to add!); I don't think for one moment that you're feeling the love tonight. And at this point, I'd better elaborate:
For far too long, the science fiction and fantasy genres have been overlooked and ignored by the more snootier clientele of the motion picture community. I'm old enough of a Wizard, in fact, to remember how the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences allowed (and here, I use that word lightly!) Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope to land Oscars in the so-call'd 'technical' categories, only to be beaten to the Best Picture throne by Woody Allen's Annie Hall. Many of us Magic-users ranted 'We wuz robb'd!' that night, I can tell ye!
We in the sci-fi/fantasy community had to contend ourselves with stuff like the Saturn Awards if we wanted to properly honor our peers for a lifetime of service to this vital field of fiction. But now, thanks to the vision, diligence and unrelenting determination of one Mortal --- Peter Jackson --- and the constant dedication and loyalty of friends, fans and admirers throughout the Multiverse --- science fiction will now never again be overlooked at the Academy Awards. Because as of right now, we in the sci-fi/fantasy community herewith resolve that we won't be overlooked again! We're going to make sure that Mortals like Sir Elton John eat their words and understand, in not too simple language:
In the Realm of Imagination, as in all Realms, you either lead, follow or get the hell outta the way. And, by Merlin's beard, your Dragonmaster can guarantee that the Hobbits will be leading for many more aeons to come!
Hast thou a problem wi' that, Milord?