OSCAR THREAD- Page 3

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 10:38am

I'm with Craig on this ceremony... a snoozefest. Jon Stewart's was terrible... and I'm a big Daily Show fan. About the best thing I can say is that he didn't tank as badly as David Letterman in his infamous turn. He was better than Letterman, but not as good as Chris Rock... which still puts him close to the bottom of the heap of recent hosts. His opening "jokes" were weak and "off"... and his timing was way too slow. He only slightly made up for it later in the evening when he relaxed enough to improv some one-liners a bit. That's when he came off the best, which isn't saying much. But I agree that the entire tone of the evening (not just from the host) was funereal.

Dolly Parton is a goddess. She can still strut around the stage with scary face lift and all, and knock an audience dead (which wasn't very far off from where they started) with her talent. I have nothing against a rap song winning for Best Song... but I'd prefer a good one. Still, I think this is a sign of the future, as movies and music forge ahead. I don't think it's such a bad thing. I do believe that their acceptance speech had more energy, surprise and genuine gratitude than the rest of the evening's winners put together. It was refreshing during such a stale ceremony.

As far as the other awards, they were predictable and predicted by most in the industry... with the exception of Best Picture. While I was a bit disappointed that BBM didn't take home the top prize, there is a part of me that's always glad to see an upset. It shows me that the canon of critics awards aren't always an indicator of what the Academy peers (not critics) will choose. (17 previous critics awards for BBM vs. 1 for Crash, yet Crash wins the Oscar.) The last time I recall a Best Picture "surprise" that big was when Braveheart won, with VERY few people predicting that as well.

I also hate evenings that are labeled "a return to glamour," somehow desperately trying to make this show special by proclamation, when every other previous Academy Awards show has also been "a return to glamour." Do they think we don't remember those? I don't recall the Beach Party themed Oscars... or the Toga Party, or Casual Friday Oscars. So, guess what? It ain't a return to glamour this year either. I wish just once someone would say... yeah, it looks like a slight variation of the same old sh*t we saw last year. At least that would be an honest response. I did think the opening graphic montage of all the famous iconic film locations and performers walking around while we panned through a sort of heavenly hybrid of a Cinema City was very well done and got me jazzed for the (otherwise dull) evening.

I'm hoping that next year there are a wide variety of films we (as a collective movie-going audience) are more passionate and excited about. I hope the crowd sitting at the Kodak Theatre wakes up (and has a reason to), and I hope they can find a better host that can start the show off with a bang, ala Crystal or Goldberg, and keep it there for the rest of the marathon.

EDIT: I will say that the absolute highlight of the evening for me was Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep's terrific and appropriate tribute to Robert Altman. Pure genius, by these incredible women. I kept thinking how much I wanted to see them in a film together, right now.

Updated On: 3/6/06 at 10:38 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 10:45am

I am so happy that Brokeback Mountain didn't really win any of the major categories (well, except for best director). I thought Brokeback Mountain was soooooooooooooo boring and the acting was mediocre. I can't believe there was so much hype about that damn movie! The only loss I was dissapointed with was with the best actor category. I was really rooting for Joaquin Phoenix <---- Hope I spelled his name right. I thought that he did an excellent job playing Johnny Cash. I'm most happy about Reese Witherspoon winning her oscar, she deserved it.

I was also laughing my but off when that one song from Hustle and Flow won. That was great.

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 10:45am

And soon, B12B, you'll be able to:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0420087/

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 10:47am

I still can't disagree more about Stewart's job. I am begining to wonder if part of it is "generational" difference showing its ugly head again.

The show is not "exciting" and the people in the crowd are pretty rightfully bored. I guess I just don't have those expectations. I really hated the music under the speeches, I felt it was distracting, but that part was better than last year's cheap awards in the aisles nonsense.

I agree that the "return to glamour" is just plain stupid.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 10:50am

Give Dolly her Oscar back, g--dammit!


ETA: Oh, and what was with the completely random and useless montages of clips? Seriously, what a waste of time! (I apologize if this has already been discussed and I missed it.)

Updated On: 3/6/06 at 10:50 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 10:52am

I would have to say the only reason why this year's oscars were not that exciting was because last year alot of the movies that were nominated were ones that were released in alot of movie theatres and they were ones that alot of people saw. This year's movies, I believe, not alot of people had a chance to hear about, except for a few.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 11:04am

smartpenguin78--- I totally forgot about that! The music under the speeches was so AWFUL! I thought it cheapened and undermined any chance of sincerity from the recipients. God, they didn't have a chance.

The music in general was terrible. Every time they came back from a commercial, it sounded like the Elephant Man was dying on screen again. Talk about "funereal!"

EDIT: And Kitzy---Thanks for the link! Yay!

Updated On: 3/6/06 at 11:04 AM

[broadway86]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 11:06am

Easily, the most boring Oscar ceremony I've ever seen. I was thrilled for Hoffman, Witherspoon, King Kong, the Brokeback screenwriters, and Lee.

Now... I'm going to say something, and then I'll leave it alone: I am shocked and appalled that Brokeback didn't win. On the other hand, in some warped way, I'm kind of glad. With or without the Best Picture award, this movie had nothing to prove. It had an unmatched amount of international prizes, phenomenal reviews all across the board, respectable box office, and cultural significance. The fact that it didn't win says more about the Academy than it does about the film. It has been said that many of the voters flat-out refused to see it.

Now, I believe that Crash will be suffereing the backlash that Brokeback has endured for the past couple of months. I'm not worried. There have been many, many legendary movies that did not win the the top award. Brokeback Mountain will be one of them. Updated On: 3/6/06 at 11:06 AM

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 12:50pm

So, when's the next time a gay-themed picture will be the front-runner at the Oscars? Can you say NEVER?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 12:57pm

I actually liked Jon, I thought he was funny.

I'm not upset at all that Crash won. I do disagree with the statement made that BM: "I thought Brokeback Mountain was so boring and the acting was mediocre." I didn't find it boring and the acting was not mediocre. I'm not a huge fan of Michelle Williams, but this is the best thing she's ever done. Know if the other Dawson Creek kids could do something besides be stupid (and I'm talkin to you Katie). Now with Jake and Heath (Btw, Heath, you looked terrible. Shave, for Christ's sakes) they were good too. Jake made up for Jarhead (now that movie was boring and mediocre).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:19pm

^^^I'm sorry, but Brokeback Mountain was just a really boring movie for me!! I probably wouldv'e wanted Walk the Line to win best picture. But can someone please tell me what they loved and see in Brokeback? Anyone?! I'm just curious...
Updated On: 3/6/06 at 02:19 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:28pm

ShErRy --- There are quite a few threads already discussing everything good and bad about Brokeback Mountain... with a lot of heated debate, actually.

I suggest you search for "Brokeback" on the OT Board, and you'll find them if you're curious as to what people think.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:29pm

I'm just happy the Penquins won.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:30pm

^^Oh I know there are ALOT of threads about Brokeback, I'm just too lazy!

[Kringas]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:33pm

I thought Brokeback was a haunting story of the transmutative power of love. I found it a widely universal, yet painfully specific, tale celebration of love at all costs.

It changed my life. Just like ReNT.

[broadway86]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:52pm

But can someone please tell me what they loved and see in Brokeback? Anyone?!

I thought it was a beautiful drama, filled with nuances and secrets that can only be uncovered by a second (or third) viewing. It also featured some of the best acting I've seen all year. I felt the pain of the lead character and his wife. Just an all around haunting and powerful movie. A future classic, I guarantee it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 2:56pm

"^^Oh I know there are ALOT of threads about Brokeback, I'm just too lazy!"

Then it's safe to assume you really don't want to know what other people think if it is not worth the effort on your part.

I agree with pretty much 99% of everything best12bars said. The one exception is the part about being glad to see an upset, which I was not.

And the Tomlin/Streep intro for Altman was indeed the highlight of the evening. If only Stewart or Stiller had come up with something as brilliant. The Stiller thing could have been cute and clever if it had not gone on SO DAMN LONG. The funniest part was Spielberg's reaction because he said what we were all thinking.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 3:02pm

I agree with Broadway here, who basically said what I felt: BROKEBACK will actually be more famous as the lauded film that failed to get the big prize. It's in good company, with ALL ABOUT EVE and SUNSET BLVD, for example. But the list is endless of classics not rewarded.

It competed with a movie whose producers sent out 130,000 dvds to all creative union members in mid-December (I got one, though I'm not an academy voter...) Focus didn't feel the need to do so with BROKEBACK, as it was peeking in theaters. But you can bet they're wishing they had. In the final analysis, I wouldn't be surprised if more academy voters actually saw CRASH because of this mailing.

[jasonf]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 6:56pm

My favorite part of the show was Ben Stiller and the green screen thing. I was laughing hysterically at that bit.
I watch The Daily Show EVERY night - I was disappointed in Stewart's monologue, but he had several great one-liners throughout the night. I think the monologue was a combination of the writing and delivery not being up to par. Oh well.

I actually predicted 18 of the 21 awards I guessed at (I don't count short subject - who gets to see those films, anyway???) -- missing a sound one, makeup, and SONG (yes, got Ang Lee AND Crash right). After listening to those songs, I still think that Dolly Parton should have won - "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" was just terrible.

[Luscious]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 7:02pm

"I agree with Broadway here, who basically said what I felt: BROKEBACK will actually be more famous as the lauded film that failed to get the big prize. It's in good company, with ALL ABOUT EVE and SUNSET BLVD, for example. But the list is endless of classics not rewarded."

Auggie... just for the record, ALL ABOUT EVE won the 1950 Best Picture Oscar. It was nominated for 14, and won 6; Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Sound, and Best Costume Design. Hardly overlooked or unrewarded. But you're right in that Oscar has bypassed many great movies. In the end, it doesn't mean a whole hellava lot. But I still wish BROKEBACK had won. Oh well... in my mind, it did.

Updated On: 3/6/06 at 07:02 PM

[LaVieHilary]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 7:15pm

Much of the Oscars has to do with politics and all about who liked what and who is friends with who etc.
I saw Brokeback Mountain twice and thought it was good and have yet to see Crash. I'm sure Crash was well deserving, but the fact of it is- people like Crash better of who voted. Just be happy for all you people who dislike Crash that it is an ensamble cast movie and did not win any acting awards.

I enjoyed the Oscars this year. The only thing that I would have changed is Jon Stewart. He did the best he could but it was not up to my standards. Personally I like Billy Crystal better or Chris Rock. (pahaha oh god that beginning sequence was hilarious)

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 7:16pm

Whoops! thanks, lucious. I was too tired, and frankly should've remembered that.

[Luscious]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 7:19pm

I was in the process of editing my post while you were posting yours. I added...

But you're right in that Oscar has bypassed many great, even classic, movies. In the end, it doesn't mean a whole hellava lot. But I still wish BROKEBACK had won. Oh well... in my mind, it did.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 7:34pm

But can someone please tell me what they loved and see in Brokeback? Anyone?!

I know you're just being childish and you don't really care about why others loved it, but here are my impressions anyway:

-- The film has that special Ang Lee quality of being both incredibly moving and yet refrained with its emotions. The experience is similar to that of reading poetry.

-- It's beautifully shot. The open vistas, the sweeping landscapes, the rivers of sheep. The vastness of the landscape effectively evokes the loneliness of the two protagonists.

-- Powerful, layered performances from an untested young cast.

-- A closely-observed portrayal of closeted life in working-class rural America. It's a world that's alien to me, and I was fascinated by all the detail of herding sheep, living above a laundromat, the life of a ranch hand.

-- A surprising, stereotype-defying portrayal of gay men. Oh, and they actually have butt sex in this one.

-- The film manages to be both universal in its emotions, yet particular in being about the gay-specific experience of the closet.

-- Lovely, heartrendering score (though I do see my friend's point when she said it was like a score for a documentary funded by the Film Board of Canada )

-- The richness of the film, its subtexts and intentional ambiguities, makes subsequent viewings all the more enjoyable.

-- The amazing dialogue. As an English major, I live for this stuff.

-- A heartbreaking story about the road not taken.

[broadway86]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 8:24pm

Bravo, bluewizard. *bows*