Star wars

AS THE famous, the glamorous and the downright outrageous take their seats on March 24th for Hollywood's annual orgy of self-congratulation, there will be less backslapping than usual. By the test of Oscar nominations, the six big studios have had a disastrous year. Only one of the films they have made in the past year--Sony's “Jerry Maguire”--has a chance of winning anything serious. Otherwise, the studios have failed to match on quality even that stylishly vapid favourite, “The English Patient”. More and more blockbusters seem to be made partly as a showcase for special effects and a few big-name stars; and partly to provide raw material for theme-park rides, computer games and toys.