Welcome to our online chat with Jon Niccum, Journal-World Entertainment Editor.

The chat took place on Friday, March 3, at 1:00 PM and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Hello and welcome to today’s chat with Jon Niccum, Journal-World Entertainment Editor.

I’m Isaac Bell, World Online assistant editor, and I’ll be moderating today’s chat.

We’ve already got several questions from our readers, so let’s get started.

Jon Niccum: Greetings faithful movie-goers and studio hangers-on.

FJ formerly of Overland Park: What’s your favorite Oscar telecast memory from year’s past?

Jon Niccum: Adrien Brody kissing Halle Berry after winning for “The Pianist.” It resulted in a standing ovation from the group I was watching it with.

Sean, Lawrence: It seems like Hollywood only goes with the weird, strange and fringe movies these days. Do you think Hollywood has gone too gay with Brokeback Mountain, TransAmerica, and Capote, and will Hollywood ever recover to become “normal” again?

Jon Niccum: “Hollywood” is going less and less fringe these days. The movies you cited are all indies made outside of the mainstream. Hollywood would much rather force-feed you a “Dukes of Hazzard” or “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo” — sequels, remakes, TV adaptations. The fact that these movies you mentioned got Oscar nominations is a creative victory. I’m not a big fan of “Brokeback,” but I’d much rather see it nominated than “Bewitched.”

Journal-World Entertainment Editor Jon Niccum responds to reader's questions.

Ryan, Lawrence: Jon, I see where “Revenge of the Sith” did not get many nominations for this year’s Oscars. Do you feel George Lucas is getting ripped off or is it just that people suffer from Star Wars burnout? Thanks.

Jon Niccum: The only thing the movie would really qualify for is effects/technical-oriented nominations. (It did get one for makeup.) But from a technical standpoint, “Sith” is not even all that interesting compared to, say, “King Kong” — which was a better looking, and just plain better, production. I’m kind of glad Lucas and ILM doesn’t just get an automatic nomination these days.

FJ, behind the velvet rope: What’s the Academy’s biggest blunder so far?

Jon Niccum: If you’re talking this year, I’d say it’s mislabeling actors in categories they don’t belong in, just so it’s easier for them to get a nomination. Case in point: Jake Gyllenhaal for “Brokeback Mountain.” No matter how you slice it, this was a leading performance. To me, it’s unfair — as if KU were competing in the division II basketball tournament just so they could have a better chance of winning.

Cal, Lawrence: Why is it that comedies always get slighted during the Academy Awards? Why does it seem like that only those films that portray some odd circumstances or “sad” plots get nominated? I read that some actors consider doing comedy tougher than drama. Any thoughts?

Jon Niccum: What comedies would you have suggested get nominations? I only saw two this year that were worth noting: “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and, to a lesser degree, “Wedding Crashers.”

I guess Vince Vaughn could be considered for Best Actor, and “Virgin” might merit a screenplay nomination. Otherwise, I’m rather thankful junk like “The Producers” earned nothing.

FJ from Overland Park: The older I get, the less the Academy Awards seem to matter. Am I jaded, or has the process and the pageantry lost relevance.

Jon Niccum: Call me a geek, but I’ve been watching the Oscars every year since I was 10. They’re the only awards show that I enjoy, and I haven’t lost a bit of enthusiasm about them. So, yes, you are jaded.

Moderator: This does bring me to ask, though: Are there too many awards shows? Does having award after award dilute the purpose of the Oscars?

Jon Niccum: Yes, there are too many awards shows. Get rid of People’s Choice, Golden Globes, SAG, etc. Maybe keep the Indie Spirit Awards. Definitely keep the Razzies.

Jean, Lawrence: Are you surprised that the same actress who gave us Legally Blonde is in contention (and well deserved, I feel) for the Oscar this year in the Best Actress category?

Jon Niccum: I thought Reese was great in “Legally Blonde.” Let’s not forget this is the same gal who came out of nowhere to field terrific performances in “Freeway” and “Election.” Sure, she does some romantic-comedy losers every now and then (“Sweet Home Alabama,” for instance). But for the most part she’s a really consistent performer.

FJ in Overland Park: What’s the best film not nominated for any of the major awards this year?

Jon Niccum: Most of the films in my top five of the year earned a major nomination (“Crash,” “A History of Violence,” “Munich,” “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room” and “Pride & Prejudice.” But my number seven film, “Sin City,” was totally ignored. It should have been a frontrunner in supporting actor (Mickey Rourke) and visual effects.

Moderator: Do you have a favorite Oscars host? A least favorite?

Jon Niccum: Of the hosts still living, I like Chris Rock and Steve Martin.

My least favorite is Whoopi Goldberg.

FJ outside of Overland Park: Which Academy Award category is more competitive, short-feature or documentary?

Jon Niccum: Documentary.

FJ near Overland Park: Do you think dramas and comedies should have separate Academy Award categories, like they do for the Golden Globes?

Jon Niccum: No. Because comedy and drama is a very subjective concept. I remember the year Jack Nicholson won a Golden Globe in the dramatic category and said in his acceptance speech, ‘Wow, I thought we were making a comedy.”

Micah: What’s it take to become a movie expert anyway? How can I get paid to watch movies all day?

Jon Niccum: I don’t get to watch movies all day because I’m mainly writing and editing and doing stuff like this. But, getting a degree in film criticism sure didn’t hurt me. And working on a bunch of movies also taught me stuff film school didn’t. As for getting paid to do this for a living, that’s definitely the hard part of the equation.

Moderator: That’s all the questions for now. Thanks for taking the time to be with us, Jon.

Jon Niccum: Thanks for the excellent questions. See you all at my house Sunday for an Oscar/toga party. Come dressed as your favorite Roman senator.