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Saturday, Nov 7, 2009
One of the best parts of the annual Oscar show is when they review those filmmakers who have died in the past year. Having Queen Latifah sing "I'll be seeing you" was very nice but having the camera move in and out and all around made it impossible to read the names and occupations of the dearly departed. I was getting motion sickness.
And where were the special tributes to Paul Newman and Charlton Heston? Gregory Peck rightly received a tribute the year he died but it seems Paul and Chuck were dissed. Sad.
than 3+ hours to watch it (hours I'll never get back). snnnzzzzzzz.....
How come when Sean Penn calls Hollywood commie homo-lovers it's endearing, but when Glenn Beck does it he's a homophobe? Double standards!
Because Penn says it as a joke; Beck believes it.
Say what you will about Sean Penn's politics. It's what's on the screen that counts. His second Oscar for best actor puts him in the same company with Fredric March, Gary Cooper, Spencer Tracy, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks and Daniel Day-Lewis.
I admit that I am partial to musicals - and when I heard that Hugh Jackman would be hosting I was actually quite excited since there was a good chance that he would do a musical number. The man can act, dance, sing, and he's just great looking. I loved the opening extravaganza. Much better than I ever expect from the Oscars.
But even better, there were no Julia Roberts, or Halle Berry moments, by which I mean, moments where I sat in bemused astonishment as a truly mediocre talent received the prize that is (rightfully or not) considered the pinnacle of acheivement for an actor/director. I've seen many of the films this year, and I did not think that Slumdog Millionaire was a work of genius, but I did like it, and I do think that Danny Boyle is very good (28 Days Later, Sunshine are two of my faves). Plus the soundtrack was amazing.
The heartfelt speeches were amazing - starting with Penelope Cruz. My roomie and I were passing the tissues for much of the rest of the evening. And seeing Kate Winslet win was the pinnacle. She deserved that Oscar just for being the amazing talent she is.
Great curtain, good lighting, super redesign of the seating, but it went on at least half an hour too long. The medley after an hour or so was the kiss of death. Better than last year, but that's damning with faint praise.
I thought it was by far the WORST Oscar ceremony I've ever seen (and I've been watching for over 20 years).
I agree with the earlier poster about the misguided camera work during the montage, and also feel Latifah should have sung less (I like when they actually play clips with audio during the tribute).
But I thought the most ironic moment was when -- not thirty seconds after shouting about the return of the musical, Jackman killed it with that atrocious number. I know, Baz Lurhman was the "mastermind" behind it, but when the lights came up -- Jackman was the one standing over the body with the metaphorical knife in his hand.
I am asking because I have never seen her act particularly well in any movie. She is a decent actor, but I suspect she won it for just being British.
The movies in the best picture category were rather weak this year.
I thought Jackman paled in comparison to the great hosts of the past. I thought the musical numbers had no connection, in many cases, to the award show we were watching. I missed the offstage voice telling us that this oscar was "[fill in the blank]'s third nomination, and first win". I sorely missed seeing clips of the nominated actor's work, and I could not help but wonder why there seemed to be a celebration of how the movie going public ignores great films like "The Reader". I was hoping for a remake that would take out the lengthy speeches by the winners of art direction, costume design and other awards. Loved Fey and Martin, though. They should've been the hosts.
Indians are Hollywood's new black people.
I liked how Sean Penn took half a step toward the podium before his wife had to grab his chin from behind and snap his head around for a perfunctory (for his part) kiss. Once at the microphone, Oscar in hand, he proceeds to thank his "best friend": not her. Ouch. The speech, whatever you think of its politics, makes no mention of his wife or family. "How does he do it" indeed.
That was about 15 times as charming (and enjoyable to read) as the usual caustic slice and dice that Cintra Wilson does.
Maybe it is me, but I was squirming through the entire opening song. Hugh Jackman is no Billy Crystal, and it felt forced.
I agree with the Memorial tribute. The camera was moving around way too much, and I also missed the clips of the work. They could have left out the song. Tina Fey and Steve Martin would have made better hosts. Without them and Stiller, this Oscar was devoid of any humor, a tradition.
I too would have liked a tribute to Newman.
BTW, who is choosing the hosts for these Red Carpet shows. Every year, they get worse and more trivial. No wonder Sean Penn has it out with the press.
Wall-e is a masterpiece and should not have been banished the the "Best Animated" category. I loved Slumdog Millionaire but I will remember 2008 as the year when an animated film was truly the best picture. Wall-e's transcendence was made all the more clear by the animation montage where the robot looked on as the clips from the other animated features flashed by featuring a good deal of noise, crashes and silly looks. At that moment, Wall-e was one of us, looking on and wondering why such a thoughtful and beautiful movie must be lumped into a category that it has so obviously surpassed. Here was an animated character clearly demonstrating a level of interest and depth and that would not be matched by most of the living actors in the room.
Wall-e should have been Best Picture and with each Pixar movie it becomes more and more clear that the animation categories serve as much to protect the live action actors and directors as they do to recognize achievement in animation.
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Once one obtains Seriousness credentials in the Washington media, they are irrevocable no matter one's conduct.
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