OSCAR THREAD

[EugLoven]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:33pm

While the Oscar predictions were discussed in this thread:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=885211&boardname=off&dt=102

Now that the show is over, let's have a post-Oscars discussion here.
GET IT STARTED!

My random thoughts:
- I'm happy for all the winners. This wasn't a "one film dominates" year. A wide range of winners froma great beautiful "maverick year" for cinema
- Yes, I've a personal bias. I wish "Brokeback Mountain" would have won Best Picture, but I'm not denying "Crash" was an amazing film. "Crash" had a more all-encompassing theme for many more audiences whereas "Brokeback" had a more personal message. Both powerful and landmark films.
- I'm also very impressed with the number of "First Time Nominee/First Time Win" awards. It was a relatively young winner year.
- I'm a little embarrassed for the Academy and "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp"
- Congratulations to all.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:35pm

Howls Moving Castle not winning, BB not winning, and the serious lack of original somgs (only 3?!) were the unfortunate highlights for me. Jon Stewart, however, was hilarious. Much better than Chris Rock and his standup...I mean 'hosting' last year.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:35pm

You so know this will turn into a Crash vs. BM debate.

So instead I'll say that I was surprised most by Best Song and Best Supp Actress.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:36pm

I'm over the moon. I was rooting for Crash, Reese, and Philip Seymour Hoffman and am so thrilled that they all pulled off wins.

I thought it was a great ceremony overall. Jon Stewart did a good job. The one thing I didn't like were all those montages; they were unnecessary and a waste of time.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:38pm

Tiff, you were surprised by supporting actress? I thought Rachel was a lock. But best song was definitely a shock!

[zepka102]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:40pm

i think it was the best oscars telecast in years and all awards were well deserved

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:40pm

Was the buzz for her to be a lock? I just watched Constant Gardener a couple of nights ago, and I just thought that Michelle Williams and Amy Adams had more difficult parts and pulled them off with aplomb. I like Rachel Weisz, but I don't think she deserved it compared to these two.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:41pm

Agree, Zeppy.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:42pm

Stewart gets a C in my house. It was mostly toothless, and the Angelina Jolie adoption joke -- a retreat of a retread -- defined the first 20 minutes. Not nearly fresh enough, after the brilliant opening.

He seemed timid, cowed, not the Stewart th Daily Show fans wanted, and not mainstream enough funny to wow non-politicos.

[zepka102]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:42pm

who were the big winners? king kong and geisha? i love it... variety... it makes for a more interesting awards show

[EugLoven]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:45pm

I also agree, Zep.
Tonight's broadcast was very pleasing, glamourous. Jon Stewart was awesome. It was very political (big surprise), but very respectable. It was a real work of art. I am always so impressed by the Technical Directors who create such a great piece of live television.

There were some VERY CLEAR agendas this year. Go to the Box Office. Don't pirate and don't wait for things to come to DVD. Go to the Box Office!

2005-06 was SUCH a remarkable year for film. There really is NO winner in my book. All of these movies, all of them were SO SPELLBINDING and MEANINGFUL!

The effects of movies do not end after the Academy Awards. This is just a nice reminder to continue to go out and watch watch watch American cinema.

I loved the montages.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:45pm

Jon Stewart was good-I was apprehensive- Bruce Villanch wrote the material, right? He's so talented.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:47pm

That's one thing you and Corine have in common, Jane.

King Kong and Geisha were the big winners in the technical categories (King Kong got, what, 3-4? And Geisha got...3?). I think Crash got 8, according to the TV but I didn't think it was that high.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:49pm

What? What do we have in common?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:49pm

Without making this a BROKEBACK vs. CRASH debate, I think BROKEBACK not winning tarnishes the Academy's reputation more than it says anything about BROKEBACK as a film. The Oscars' draw as an awards ceremony has been going down the drain for the past ten years.

[Jane2]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:51pm

My one major disappointment-Reese over Felicity.

Oh-also that rap song. ugh.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:52pm

I had a feeling Hustle and Flow would win best song when my 47 year old mother kept singing, "You know it's hard out here for a pimp" all night. When my dad added in, "Because a whole lotta bitches talkin' ****," I knew it had it in the bag.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:52pm

I'm shocked everyone here is so quick to embrace the Stewart stewardship. I thought the writing -- Vilanch and company -- was fairly tame and not cutting edge, or even cutting edge lite, as we expected.

But what the hell? I think every movie did well enough tonight. We BROKEBACK fans have to go with writing, directing, and music. Not a bad representation for a movie that a year ago wasn't Oscar bound. And has made the most.

Watch for Fox News to find some spin here about "not buying into the homo agenda..." But what agenda did Hollywood supposedly embrace with its annointing CRASH? Holding a mirror up to our bitter, racist society? Will Fox say "bravo, Hollywood?" and run photos of Condoleeza hugging Bush?

[EugLoven]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:53pm

Here comes the gay boy...

Yes, race is important. Yes the movie "Crash" was remarkable. I loved it. Watched it twice back to back. Powerful lesson especially for young people.

But as far as cultural significance, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that homophobia is a much LARGER and IMPORTANT issue today than racism. Racism has a name, has a face, has a huge library of books, movies, music, and historical moments...

But homophobia is TODAY'S social epidemic. Unspoken, hidden, and current political fuel. There is no class or group of people today other than homosexuals who are having LEGAL legislation being written and passed to BAR them from human rights.

Ergo, I would have liked "Brokeback" to win over "Crash" because the message would have been that much louder. But yes, I do believe that when 20 years pass, we will be remembering "Brokeback" more than we will remember "Crash".

Still, both are remarkable award-worthy films.

[Over_the_Moon]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:55pm

I really wish "good night and good luck" could have had some more recognition.






...it's hard out here for a pimp.

[gavrochegirl]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:55pm

In the Deep scared me. I won't say why, though.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:58pm

For me the question of the night was what was on Charlize Theron's shoulder?

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/5/06 at 11:58pm

It was Hefty bag chic.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 12:01am

Stewart was told to tone down his political commentary because this is not his show, but the Academy's show.

I am not sure what you expected of him. This was not the Daily Show. This had a different audience.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 12:02am

I thought the "political ads" for best actress were hilarious.