An Overlooked Masterpiece

In anticipation of Sunday's big playoff game, we've been a nervous wreck as we try to determine whether the Chargers will beat the Jets by six touchdowns or seven. So we decided to soothe our nerves by watching one of the most underrated films of all time, "Capricorn One."
We've seen this flick probably a dozen times, and it never loses its appeal. Written and directed by Peter Hyams and released in 1978, "Capricorn One" is the story of the first manned space flight to Mars, which the U.S. government fakes, and the resulting cover-up.
Featuring an all-star cast that reads like an old "Battle of the Network Stars" roster, "Capricorn One" had something for everyone -- intrigue, conspiracy theory, (fake) space travel, investigative journalism and of course, chase scenes involving a crop duster and Black Hawk helicopters. The film starred Elliott Gould, Hal Halbrook, Brenda Vaccaro, Karen Black, a young D.A. Jack McCoy, Barbra Streisand's husband, Bosley from "Charlie's Angels," Joe Rossi from "Lou Grant," Doogie Howser's dad and a special appearance by Kojak.
Oh, and we certainly can't forget the star who, uh, steals the show, which isn't a surprise in light of his armed robbery conviction in recent years. The movie features a dramatic tour de force by none other than O.J. Simpson, or as he's currently known, Nevada Department of Corrections Offender No. 1027820. In his portrayal of astronaut John Walker, O.J. doesn't speak more than 12 words in the whole picture, but he makes every one of them count. What his performance lacks in spoken lines, it makes up for in compelling sighs and facial expressions.
Somehow, "Capricorn One" received no Academy Award nominations, and the members of the Academy who are still around from 1978 will have to live with that indignity.
A quick check of the Oscars from 1978 reveals that "The Deer Hunter" won for Best Picture, which is a shame to those of us who have seen "Capricorn One."
We can only imagine how Orenthal James Simpson's life might have been different if had he won an Oscar for "Capricorn One." When you win an Academy Award, as they say, that's something they can never take away from you.