Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role George Clooney SYRIANA
Achievement in Visual Effects KING KONG Joe Letteri, Brian Van't Hul, Christian Rivers and Richard Taylor
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT Nick Park and Steve Box
Best Live Action Short Film SIX SHOOTER Martin McDonagh
Best Animated Short Film THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION John Canemaker and Peggy Stern
Achievement in Costume Design MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Colleen Atwood
Achievement in Makeup THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE Howard Berger and Tami Lane
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Rachel Weisz THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Best Documentary Short Subject A NOTE OF TRIUMPH: THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORMAN CORWIN Corinne Marrinan and Eric Simonson
Best Documentary Feature MARCH OF THE PENGUINS Luc Jacquet and Yves Darondeau
Achievement in Art Direction MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA John Myhre (Art Direction); Gretchen Rau (Set Decoration)
Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Gustavo Santaolalla
Achievement in Sound Mixing KING KONG Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges and Hammond Peek
Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) "IT'S HARD OUT HERE FOR A PIMP" FROM HUSTLE & FLOW Music and Lyric by Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard
Achievement in Sound Editing KING KONG Mike Hopkins and Ethan Van der Ryn
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year TSOTSI South Africa
Achievement in Film Editing CRASH Hughes Winborne
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Philip Seymour Hoffman CAPOTE
Achievement in Cinematography MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA Dion Beebe
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Reese Witherspoon WALK THE LINE
Adapted Screenplay BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Screenplay by Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana
Original Screenplay CRASH Screenplay by Paul Haggis & Bobby Moresco; Story by Paul Haggis
Achievement in Directing BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN Ang Lee
Best Motion Picture of the Year CRASH Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman
Well, best picture was ridiculous. Crash was good, but not THAT good.
I was surprised the Hustle & Flow song won. It was a tough break for the losing nominee from King Kong, "It's Hard Out Here For A Chimp."
"He looks like a perverted roofer who knocks off early on warm spring days to drink beer and ogle teenage girls at the river, but wrestles like a man who actually cares about his job." ---DVDVR's Raven Mack on "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray
I was expecting to be disappointed by the Best Picture winner. I thought it would be impossible for Brokeback Blahblah to not win. All the while, I was hoping against hope that my personal favorite movie of the year, Crash, had some shot at winning it. But being released so so long ago I thought it was actually the LEAST likely to win it. Glad those voters proved me wrong. Excellent movie. Best movie by FAR out of all those nominated for an award this year.
1. Rest easy, Academy. Since Reese Witherspoon won, I've put the gun down.
2. Best line of the night: "Martin Scorsese? Zero Oscars. Three Six Mafia? One."
I have to say that I was actually glad to see a movie other than Brokeback Mountain won Best Picture. Now, I have not seen it, but I plan to. But everyone I've talked to who has seen it has had a similar sentiment: "It's okay, but it's kinda overrated."
I commend everyone involved for being willing to tackle such a daring topic, but maybe now everybody will shut up about it being a "smashing success" that will "force people to re-evaluate their attitudes and opinions." It's a movie. And it's very, very rare for a movie to change attitudes. And this one isn't going to do that. People aren't going to walk out of it going "wow, maybe gay people aren't so bad after all."
I guess the point of this, made in a rather meandering way, is that I find myself becoming less and less interested in movies that are "important." Do I want to see challenging movies? Sure. But do I want to have those same movies shoved down my throat as being the thing that will allow us to achieve total enlightenment? No. And that's the way the best picture nominations seemed to be presented this year _ that if you hadn't seen all these movies, why, you must be an ignorant thug that oppresses others.
And it's part of another problem: were any of these movies any fun? This seemed like a bit of a downer year.
Originally posted by CrimedogPeople aren't going to walk out of it going "wow, maybe gay people aren't so bad after all."
Exactly. The biggest thing people forget when they say something like that is that if you hate gay people, you're not going to be seeing this movie in the first place.
I'll go out and say it: I think Jon Stewart was good. I really enjoyed the energy he brought the show, especially after a couple acceptance speeches almost killed it off. The show definately had a lot of 'Daily Show' moments (Cordry's voiceovers were great) but that was probably the best way to make use of him.
That line was probably the best, although I liked the one he opened the presentations with about them being done in order of talent.
Stewart was funny, but there wasn't a single memorable moment among the acceptance speeches (although I was amused that -- unless I missed something -- the rap group's acceptance speech was the only one to get bleeped *and* the only one that mentioned Jesus) and so, well, the night just drug on and on.
And then, at the end -- Crash. By FAR, my least favorite of the five nominees (apologies to the esteemd StingArmy) and the one I was really rooting against (yes, I've seen all five). It's not that I hated Crash or anything -- I think it's worth watching -- I just didn't think it was very good.
On a personal note, I had the crappiest prediction ratio I've had in years.
--K
Last 5 movies seen: Howl's Moving Castle - 7 Men From Now - The Hobart Shakespeareans - The Ice Harvest - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Crash was easily the weakest of the five Best Picture candidates. Literally every other nominee was more worthy of winning the big one. And Best Original Screenplay? What the fuck? Stacking improbable coinicidence after improbable coincidence on top of each other, coupling it with naked emotional button-pushing (pretending to shoot a little girl?!) and calling it layered and complex film-making?
Bah. Things were going well 'til the last gong. Stewart was funny, the acting awards went to the right people, and then...damn. I mean sure, pull back on the Brokeback Mountain love if need be. At least pick one of the actual great films that was up for it though. Was ticking Good Night, And Good Luck really too much of a "Liberal Pinko Hollywood" move?
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
I believe Colbert was the VO guy in the attack ads.
I encourage all of you to try and watch foreign film loser "Paradise Now" for a pretty good look at the desperate state many Muslim youths grew up in, explaining (and condeming) the suicide bomber mindset. It's the kind of movie that you see and the ending stays with you. Not because it's a surprise, but through the emotion alone.
Originally posted by oldschoolheroCrash was easily the weakest of the five Best Picture candidates. Literally every other nominee was more worthy of winning the big one. And Best Original Screenplay? What the fuck? Stacking improbable coinicidence after improbable coincidence on top of each other, coupling it with naked emotional button-pushing (pretending to shoot a little girl?!) and calling it layered and complex film-making?
Bah. Things were going well 'til the last gong. Stewart was funny, the acting awards went to the right people, and then...damn. I mean sure, pull back on the Brokeback Mountain love if need be. At least pick one of the actual great films that was up for it though. Was ticking Good Night, And Good Luck really too much of a "Liberal Pinko Hollywood" move?
Ah, politics...
Clooney was spot-on with his opening joke ["I guess I'm not winning Director..."]. He HAD to win something, so he won in the weakest category (Match Point & Crash were the smart money in Original Screenplay, and Clooney ain't gonna beat Academy faves Ang Lee & Spielberg for directing). The other three acting wins (Witherspoon, Hoffman & Weisz) were all slam dunks considering how the guilds & Globes went, and especially considering that all three of their films won nothing else. Brokeback won Adapted because...well, it HAD to, considering how over it was. Adapted is a nice pat on the head for a job well-done. Ang Lee's Director win was as good as Brokeback could hope for, especially considering that no matter how good the movie was/is, it cannot truly escape the "gay cowboys" stigma. Best Picture is becoming representative of each particular year of filmmaking, which is why we're getting so many "safe" choices [Unforgiven, Forrest Gump, Titanic, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Chicago, The Return of the King...]. Just LOOK at the list of winners: there are very few "issue" movies that win these awards, and those that do usually are made by folks with ton of cred with the Academy [See: Steven Spielberg's Holocaust drama Schindler's List (1994), Clint Eastwood's euthanasia film Million Dollar Baby (2005)]. This year, the Academy's love for Ang Lee wasn't enough to overcome their uncomfortability in voting for a downer film about cowboys in love. While that's a shame, I thought all five films in this year's Picture category were damn good, so there you go.
Looking Ahead to Next Year: Martin Scorsese tries to FINALLY get his Oscar with The Departed. Ed Norton returns to film with The Painted Veil. Schindler's List writer Steve Zaillian directs All The King's Men. Steven Soderbergh busts out some Che (starring Benecio del Toro). Robert Deniro directs The Good Shepherd.
DVDs; Blog Calgary Flames: 33-17-7 Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights: 24-24-9
Just in case any of you haven't seen Crash, let me give you a quick synopsis of the plot:
Racism is bad. It's bad to be a racist. No, seriously, stereotypes...they're bad too. Being a racist person who believes in stereotypes is bad. Oh, and did you know that racism still exists?
For TWO HOURS they drill this over and over. TWO FREAKING HOURS. That movie is about as subtle as a baseball bat to the face. If this was the best picture out of those five, then we might as well declare cinema dead and buried.
God help us all...Sandra Bullock AND Ludacris were in a movie that won the Oscar for best picture. If this isn't a sign of the apocalypse, I don't know what is.
"Oh, I'm a sad little man? I've thrown a bloody kettle over a pub...what have you done?"
Originally posted by VanillaSkySandra Bullock AND Ludacris were in a movie that won the Oscar for best picture. If this isn't a sign of the apocalypse, I don't know what is.
Here's two signs you missed: 1) The fact that Tony Danza was also in it and 2) The fact that Tony Danza was in it and was NOT playing a guy whose character's name was "Tony".
I'm still in shock from what happened last night. The officiating was atrocious. I can't help but think what would have happened had Heath Ledger not had that touchdown called back or that bogus holding penalty against Randy Quaid not been called.
And don't even get me started on that phantom touchdown by Ludacris. He clearly did not cross the goal line.
I know, I know you are saying "sure there was some bad calls, but Jake Gyllenhaal obviously dropped too many easy catches and Ang Lee had some horrible clock management at the end of each half!"
Maybe...but now the world will never truly know.
For shame! For shame!
Hey LA! Come see my sketch comedy group! SHOW NAME: Flaming Box of Stuff WHEN: Saturday, November 5th at 10pm WHERE: Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 5919 Franklin Avenue TICKETS: Available at UCBTheatre.com or by calling 323-908-8702 MORE INFO: www.ucbtheatre.com www.flamingboxofstuff.com
I gotta say, though, that I agreed with most of the choices.
Admittedly, I haven't seen Brokeback Mountain, but from what I did see, Crash was the movie that has stood out since I saw it last summer and made it to Oscar day, which is rare in this "Oscar Season" race we have these days . I think Crash deserved Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.
Yes, Crash was EXTREMELY heavy-handed, which cost it some points, but I don't think the movie is really as about racism as people think it is. In Crash, racism in LA is merely the tool used to focus on why people are so disconnected from each other (thus the need for them to... wait for it... Crash into each other).
You, the audience, are not supposed to really "know" any of the characters in Crash. They all put up walls with themselves, with each other, because we're all afraid and that's the human condition, blah blah. Then we see the characters show other sides of their personality later under extreme circumstances (and a litle Deus Ex Machina).
I think Magnolia ultimately did a better job of this than Crash, but Crash still stands out as a good movie on its own.
I think Philip S. Hoffman deserved Best Actor, Reese deserved Best Actress, and that the awards pretty much went where they should have gone.
Stewart tried his best to keep the show moving and he had some great moments, like when he was preaching Scientology. I'm glad Colbert even got to have a moment or two. Who would have thought, 5 years ago, that the Daily Show people would be all over the Oscars?
Originally posted by SKLOKAZOIDI think Magnolia ultimately did a better job of this than Crash, but Crash still stands out as a good movie on its own.
Ugh...
When I saw Crash I told my girlfriend "wow, someone really liked Magnolia..". This movie tried to rip off Magnolia right down to the Aimee Mann-like song. I think Magnolia is a billion times better than this movie. It is layered, beautiful, and hits you hard while not being completely obvious of what it's goals are. Crash is like Chris Masters (brash, plodding, beat-you-over-the-head powerful) whereas Magnolia is Chris Benoit (technical, intriguing to watch, and does the subtle things right).
Man, that has to be the dorkiest analogy ever.
"Oh, I'm a sad little man? I've thrown a bloody kettle over a pub...what have you done?"
Originally posted by SKLOKAZOIDI think Magnolia ultimately did a better job of this than Crash, but Crash still stands out as a good movie on its own.
Ugh...
I can't agree more. I've seen Magnolia atleast two dozen times and I STILL hate that fucking movie.
I should PROBABLY explain that... but I won't! Let's just say I watch it PRAYING that I see it in another light, but ultimately, I still fucking hate that film. Shit, I just might watch it AGAIN later tonight, just to see if my thoughts change on it.
-----
I thought John Stewart had 'line of the night' with his "...Bjork couldn't be here tonight. She was trying on her Oscar dress and Dick Cheney shot her." quip, but only because I LOVE Bjork and even I have to admit that that was the WORST outfit ever in the history of bad outfits... EVER!
George Clooney also had a good one with his "...Oscar winner George Clooney, sexiest man alive 1997, Batman..." cause that's EXACTLY what I envision on his tombstone now.
John Stewart certainly made the show watchable this year, I'd say that given the chance, he can be this decades Johnny Carson or Billy Crystal, if he sticks to it for a few more years.
Originally posted by CerebusI've seen Magnolia atleast two dozen times and I STILL hate that fucking movie.
I should PROBABLY that... but I won't! Let's just say I watch it PRAYING that I see it in another light, but ultimately, I still fucking hate that film. Shit, I just might watch it AGAIN later tonight, just to see if my thoughts change on it.
You sound like one of those guys who hates RAW... yet keeps wasting two hours of their life every week tuned in, just to make sure they still hate it.
After two, I'm not having Mindy, but I do like Ben & Kate. They aren't characters, that's a different show. I also took on New Girl. Need to restock the sitcom depth chart with 30 Rock, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, and probably Community all ending.