A fortnight ago Joaquin Phoenix launched an attack on the tradition of the film industry’s awards season, telling People magazine “It’s a carrot, but it’s the worst-tasting carrot I’ve ever tasted in my whole life. I don’t want this carrot.” Joaquin’s wonderful simile aside, his comments bring into question again the purpose and relevance of ceremonies such as the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Oscars.

I’ll admit to being one of those film enthusiasts who follows the Oscar race like a hardened football fan watches Match of the Day; this is my Premiere League. I have pulled all-nighters to live stream the Oscars and Golden Globes, but in recent years, I, like Joaquin, have become jaded with Hollywood.  The King’s Speech is a prime example. Whilst it was a decent film, it was also classic Oscar bait; there is nothing the Academy love more than a British period drama.

I think that’s part of the problem. Awards season has become less and less about rewarding innovation and talent, and more about ‘nice’ films, not to mention who’s controlling the purse strings; it might just be easier to rename the Oscars ‘The Weinsteins’ for all the variety we see at the Kodak Theatre. As for the ceremonies themselves, the Academy has struggled to produce a show in recent years to top Hugh Jackman in 2009 and the Golden Globes are known now more for Ricky Gervais than any award they’ve actually given out.

At least in Britain we’ve finally brought Stephen Fry back to the BAFTAs after several years of cringing at Jonathan Ross, but even so, the BAFTAs have always been a more polite and typically British affair. Part of the reason I’ve always loved the Oscars is the showmanship. The ceremony used to be a celebration of everything film represented, so quintessentially Hollywood. Perhaps there’s light at the end of the tunnel though. Seth McFarlane is slated for Oscar duties this year, and the fabulous Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are hosting the Golden Globes. Regardless of who wins what, I’m tuning in for them alone.

But does Joaquin have a point? He’s not the first actor to reject the notion of awards. Marlon Brando refused to accept his 1973 Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather, due to the treatment of Native Americans in television and film. Before him, George C. Scott refused an Oscar in 1971 reportedly saying of the Oscars, “I don’t want any part of it.” Phoenix is tipped to receive his second Oscar nomination this year for The Master and should he win, it will be interesting to see if he takes the award or stays true to his word.

Still I can’t help but admire Joaquin, partly due to the fact I’m Still Here has made a generation of film critics lose sleep over the difference between performance art and mockumentary, but mainly because he seems to genuinely not give a damn what the rest of the industry thinks about him. He’s just there to make movies, and that’s what it should be about; not who gets the nice trophy for the mantelpiece.

Hannah Woodhead