Ah culture! It's the thing that separates us from the animals. Whether it's the stunning beauty of the Venus de Milo, Mozart's Requiem, or the Shamrock Shake, the Earth is replete with impressive monuments to society and culture. For many of us our earliest exposure to culture can often be a museum. After all who doesn't love a good field trip and the opportunity to get out of school for a few hours and check out some dinosaur bones? Well if you feel your culture scope is lacking when it comes to the Oscars, I have some excellent news.
Last night was the 92nd annual Academy Awards and amidst PARASITE crushing everyone in its path and Joaquin Phoenix milk shaming us, Tom Hanks dropped a delightful bit of news for Oscar fans. Eight years after it was announced, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will finally open on December 14, 2020. And if you were expecting that the museum might consist only of Errol Flynn's Robin Hood outfit behind glass, think again. In addition to exhibits, the museum will also offer specialty screenings and educational programs. Of the museum's opening museum director Bill Kramer had this to say:
“We cannot wait to welcome the whole world to the Academy Museum. When our doors open on December 14, our thrilling combination of exhibitions, screenings, and public and educational programs will create unparalleled experiences for movie lovers everywhere.”
Hollywood has been the hotbed of cinema for over one hundred years now. I find it passing strange that it took this long to create a museum solely for the purpose of filmmaking in L.A. It may have had something to do with the hefty pricetag however. The museum cost a reported $388 million although thankfully most of that was covered by fundraising and cash donations. In case you weren't aware, moviestars tend to have lots of money. The aforementioned Tom Hanks will co-chair the museum along with actress Annette Bening and Bob Iger.
So what do you guys think of this news? If you were vacationing in L.A. would you check this out? Is it a complete waste of money? Sound off in the comments below!