02/26/2007
A Round-up of Reactions from Last Night's Oscars
Despite its length, one too many extended montages, and an absolutely intolerable acceptance speech from Ennio Morricone, I (unlike many) actually enjoyed the Oscars this year. Unlike last year, I didn't feel any deep disappointments about certain movies not winning, although if I had to choose a personal favorite for Best Picture it would have been Babel.
Here are a few notes from around the web on last night's ceremonies:
List of Winners [imdb]
ANALYSIS
Why Marty and 'Departed Won Four Oscars: "It made a lot of money so the public liked it enormously. It had classy actors and a crackling script. Marty Scorsese was the sentimental favorite going into this contest. And, well, a comedy never wins Best Picture. And Academy members either loved or hated Babel. Despite what the Oscars pundits tell you, this isn't rocket science: all a motion picture needs to snag the award is for about 1,300 voters to feel passionately enough about it and mark their ballot accordingly." [nikke finke]
Blow by blow [the envelope]
Liveblogging The Oscars: Here We Go Again: "Jodie Foster is crushing both Melissa Etheridge and Ellen DeGeneres in the Most Flattering Lesbian Hairdo race." [defamer]
Runway vs. Red Carpet: how the dresses looked on the models vs. the actresses. [ohnotheydidn't]
Finke Final: I Bear the Scars of Oscar: "About Ellen, I thought she'd make a great host. I thought that -- and I was wrong. Dressed in her maroon velvet pantsuit and white wingtips, she looked like she was in a smoking outfit worthier of Joan Crawford. (Now, Joannie would have gashed someone with a wire hangar to get this party started!) I kept waiting and waiting for DeGeneres to crack a few jokes, or at least any jokes. But none came out. Instead she stood in center stage and did her "I'm cute and lovable" impression. Criticizing her when she's like that is like kicking a dear but retarded puppy. But she's also piddling in millions of living rooms."
GONE GREEN
Oscar presenters receive glass buttplug object to commemorate absence of swag, reduction of carbon emissions: "'To commemorate the emissions reductions, Simon Pearce will provide each presenter with a beautiful hand blown glass sculpture. Long a champion of clean energy, Simon Pearce fuels its Vermont-based glass furnace with hydroelectric power.' I'm not sure how a glass sculpture that looks like ... well, you know what it looks like ... came to be the second half of the Academy's token of appreciation. Apparently it was selected by "gifting consultants" at Donum Elite Gifting. Who's going to question the judgment of professional gift consultants?"
RANDOM NOTES
Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts walk the red carpet together, both pregnant?
Voting is a strange thing. Ellen's Al Gore election joke. [think progress]
Al Gore accepts award for An Inconvenient Truth [think progress]
Al Gore's big announcement.
The view from backstage: "Al Gore was introduced to Seinfeld after winning the documentary feature award for 'An Inconvenient Truth.' 'Man, global warming has to be the hardest way to win an Oscar,' the comedian told the former vice president. "
Salute to the Queen in Helen Mirren acceptance speech. Helen Mirren to Barbara Walters: "I Was Brought Up In An Anti-Monarchist Household"
The Elton John Oscar Party in 5 parts with Marc Malkin: "A moment later, it's my turn to say, "Oh, my God," as Victoria Beckham walks in. Can you say hot? Her body is smokin'—she's nowhere as skinny as she looks in photos. She immediately walks to the bar and orders a glass of white wine. She and two female pals clink their glasses with a toast. Tara Reid is here with OK! magazine editor in chief Sarah Ivens. We have a group stare at Posh. Ivens agrees with me that Posh's body is quite fine and in good health. Reid, Ivens and I look around, but no sign of Posh's hunky hubby, soccer superstar David Beckham."
ON THE SIDE
In exile: Jennifer Holliday had a moment when she was allowed to belt out "And I'm Telling You" from the roof of the nearby Roosevelt hotel.
God Wins Best Supporting Actress: "Last night, God was again nominated for and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. In the words of Jennifer Hudson whose physical form was honored by the academy for embodying and facilitating the supreme acting skills of God, "Look what God can do." If you weren't impressed with any of His previous miracles, maybe this one will do the trick." [zack arnstein/huffington post]
Apple's talked-about iPhone commercial.
Analysis of iPhone commercial. [gizmodo]
List of actors who appeared on the iPhone ad.
Posted 8:40 AM EST by Andy in Apple, Film, Los Angeles, News | Permalink
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Al Gore should have won for best fiction work. The Inconvient Truth is so blown out of porportion. I love how he calls it a moral issue. So if someone doesn't believe that global warming exist as Al Gore perceives it that person is bad? Come on.
See what a real climatolgist has to say about the Inconvient Truth and Global Warming.
This is his bio before I give the link.
Pat Michaels is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and a research professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia. According to Nature magazine, Michaels is one of the most popular lecturers in the nation on the subject of global warming. He is a past president of the American Association of State Climatologists and was program chair for the Committee on Applied Climatology of the American Meteorological Society. Michaels is a contributing author and reviewer of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He was an author of the 2003 climate science "Paper of the Year" awarded by the Association of American Geographers, for the demonstration that urban heat-related mortality declined significantly as cities became warmer. His writing has been published in the major scientific journals, including Climate Research, Climatic Change, Geophysical Research Letters, Journal of Climate, Nature, and Science; and his articles have appeared also in the Washington Post, the Washington Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Houston Chronicle, and the Journal of Commerce. He has appeared on ABC, NPR's All Things Considered, PBS, Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, BBC and Voice of America. He holds A.B. and S.M. degrees in biological sciences and plant ecology from the University of Chicago, and he received his Ph.D. in ecological climatology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1979.
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8021
Posted by: Matt | Feb 26, 2007 9:02:14 AM
So,my boyfriend and I picked up The Departed at Blockbuster to see why it deserves the Oscars.
In the first few minutes, Matt Damon is calling someone a homo, faggot, queer. Nice.
DiCaprio called someone a homo later in the film.
This hate speech wasn't necessary. It didn't add anything to the film.
Teenage boys who see movie stars using this kind of language are certain to imitate them. It only perpetuates anti-gay violence.
The film also used the n-word a couple of times.
I know they were just trying to "keep it real" -- but I can do without that dose of reality from entertainment.
Dreamgirls would have been a better choice for best film -- wasn't even nominated. Probably too faggoty.
Posted by: Fritz | Feb 26, 2007 9:03:13 AM
Bleh! For the first time in thirty years I skipped--deliberately--the Academy Awards. Several friends got together along with several other similar gatherings around the country and watched Brokeback Mountain. A new tradition: skip the gay Super Bowl and marvel anew at truly magnificent filmmaking. Even Jennifer Hudson's deserving win this year cannot make up for the homophobic slight last year. If Hollywood does not respect my family, we will not support their products.
Posted by: rudy | Feb 26, 2007 9:27:11 AM
The Dreamgirls were GOOD, as was Ellen's joke about Brits at the Oscars.
Posted by: jmg | Feb 26, 2007 9:35:12 AM
Hi,
Perhaps you are interested in the German movie that won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
"The Lives of Others" portrays life in communist East Germany and focuses on the totalitarian powers of the secret police, whose stated goal was "to know everything."
We have posted several reviews and the trailer with English subtitles on our blog and recommended a few more German movies, which are available in the US:
http://atlanticreview.org/archives/590-Oscar.html
Posted by: Josh in Berlin | Feb 26, 2007 9:45:43 AM
I thought the show was quite fantastic, and untypically relaxed and casual..I personally have to give all the credit to Ellen, she really worked her magic in her opening speech when she told the nominees that this year was all about celebrating them..that took the stake out of it I think.
I was very happy with most of the winners, including Al Gore, Melissa Etheridge, Jennifer Hudson and Helen Miren (whom I might add is looking quite hot for her lady her age! lol)
Ps: And sorry, but I think the link to the defamer article is unnecessarly homophobic - cause there's more to Jodie, Melissa and Ellen than their lesbian "hairdos". Plus I've never seen such reductive observations being made about heterosexual women.
I also find the Finke Final (retarded) commentary suspect; but hey that's their opinion!! it just seems bizarre to me they aren't finding anything positive to say about Ellen's gig aside for her wardrobe and the type of jokes they expected from her.
Posted by: Da | Feb 26, 2007 10:00:00 AM
If only the whines of global warming deniers could abolish greenhouse gases, we'd be well on our way to correcting our problem.
Posted by: Rey | Feb 26, 2007 10:13:12 AM
the halfass set design, can we talk about that ??? !!!
spray painted chipboard and quilted vinyl made to look like E.T.'s whorehouse... was celine dion the set designer ?
tho we love ellen, she was toal flat last nite, no fizzle... a few scripted zings, but not animated or swift like oscar hosting requires. she must have been too nervous.
encouraging to see etheridge win over the 3 dreamgirl efforts, and you know eddie murphy is throwing fits and vases today.
sad to say, there was not a high point, nor a low point the entire evening... and the relentless montage schtick has become as big a yawn as the event itself.
Posted by: A.J. | Feb 26, 2007 10:13:15 AM
yes, but could they really have handed eddie murphy an oscar last night knowing that norbit was in the theatres? likely not. i don't know, though. i'm boycotting dreamgirls. i skipped the awards as well. i only cared about one nominee, and she was a lock.
Posted by: arkadin | Feb 26, 2007 10:23:21 AM
As for Jennifer Hudson and most Grammy winners, God is not the one doing the work - they are! They should take pride in that and not give God the credit.
Posted by: Frank | Feb 26, 2007 10:32:56 AM
Matt, enough!! We get it: you don't believe in Global Warming, your LOVE Bush, and everyone else is going to hell. So it's okay for your and your kind to judge the rest of us, but when Gore tells you that Global Warming is a moral issue he's an ass?? Educate yourself Matt. Don't criticize things you don't understand. The bible is a good read but it's hardly fact.
Posted by: Wayne | Feb 26, 2007 10:39:29 AM
Wayne,
I did educate myself. Thank you. I don't recall in my posting where I said Mr. Gore was an ass. I have no love of Bush or any politician for that matter. They are all liars. Did you even read the article before you went on your yelling spree. Oh, and I do believe in global warming, just not the dooms day apocaliptic version that is being sold by the media these days.
Posted by: Matt | Feb 26, 2007 10:50:10 AM
The non-doomsday version of global warming sounds like so much more fun. Visiting my family in the midwest at Xmas will be like a trip to Palm Springs.
So excited!
Posted by: Rey | Feb 26, 2007 11:05:28 AM
Let's see, IMHO...
-Ellen did a good job.
-PAN'S LABYRINTH should have won over that other movie no one has ever heard of... I mean, they won in almost every category they were nominated for and not best foreign film?
-Helen Mirren was good in Lifetime's Original Movie THE QUEEN, just like she was in TEACHING MRS. TINGLE, but if you saw Penelope Cruz in VOLVER you know she did a much better job.
-Alan Arkin was awesome in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, as was paul dano who did not receive a nom.
-I'm happy Forest Whitaker won (i didn't see the movie) but I was really hoping for Ryan Gosling he was great in HALF NELSON.
-Martin Scorsese and THE DEPARTED were really good and I feel good about their win... not so obvious charity award like the one for Jennifer Hudson... I wonder how many memebers of the Academy who voted for her are regretting it. She was and looked a mess!!!
Posted by: Ameba | Feb 26, 2007 11:12:52 AM
I don't understand why Jennifer Hudson got an acting award when she basically sang herself into an Oscar and for only one song !!
By those standards the "real Jennifer" should have goten an honorary Oscar as well.
Posted by: zabadak | Feb 26, 2007 11:39:45 AM
It's always bizarre to hear celebrities and moguls talk about global warming, meanwhile using a private jet with the carbon footprint of a small island nation. Nevermind the energy consumption to light their mansions. Give me a break.
Posted by: none@none.com | Feb 26, 2007 11:51:30 AM
Norbit doesn't have a thing to do with Eddie's nomination, so I don't see how it matters. I'm glad he lost, but for the same reason that Scorcese won. Getting an award because you lost it for 20 years or got no acclaim from your peers is silly. Ellen and Pilobolous were great, but while the show was bloated, I can't think of what to cut to make it a half hour shorter.
Posted by: 000000 | Feb 26, 2007 12:04:26 PM
Actually, Im sure Norbit does have something to do with Eddies loss. There have been various reports of various acadamy members saying they simply couldnt vote for him after seeing even a billboard for Norbit around town.
Now onto the most important question: Tom Cruise was there, but which closet did he have his child bride and baby locked up in?
Posted by: Kit | Feb 26, 2007 12:25:02 PM
Ellen was a great host. Fun and relaxed.
Al Gore was hilarious. So was Jack Black.
The show needs some editing. It went on too long.
A.J. I completely disagree about the set design. It was fresh.
The musical performances were spectacular. So were the dancers.
The biggest disappointment was best picture. The Departed is a medicore film and a remake. Little Miss Sunshine should have won. The past several years the Academy has chosen movies that will not withstand the test of time.
Posted by: Jack! | Feb 26, 2007 12:37:26 PM
Curious here - when are we ever going to get over ourselves? Truly we're our own worst enemies.
The big conspiricy and slight of last year? Get serious. All it was was that picture got more votes in a silly contest.
So and so is gay, please come out? After so many years (and I mean YEARS guys), you think you'd move on. Is nothing more interesting to waste time on?
That said, I heard from a friend of a second cousin that Ryan (too cute for words) Gosling was with a certain 'male...'
KIDDING!
Posted by: mark | Feb 26, 2007 12:51:26 PM
Who the fuck is Nikke Finke and why should I care? Wait, I read his/her auto blowjobs and answered the question for myself: NOBODY and I shouldn't.
Thought Ellen would be a great host but she wasn't? Good, bad, indifferent, why would anyone imagine that Ellen, or any other performer who has grown rich and popular with a certain shtich would suddenly alter it? Ellen was "piddling" in everyone's living rooms, yet Finke bemoans Borat's absence on stage which would have probably resulted in some literal piddling, so desperate is this guy to shock. Sherry Lansing's fantastic plastic surgery? With all due respect to her many philanthropic efforts, she looked like a burn victim under a cheap wig with neck tendons so pronounced it looked like her head was being held onto her body by thick steel cables covered in artificial skin. Travolta was secretly outing himself with the remark about singing in a dress? Helloooooo, he was joking about/plugging his role in "Hairspray." Second instance of confusing a movie with life, and yet also a specific lame camp allusion that should have been retired long ago: the association of Joan Crawford with coat hangers is solely from Fayne Dunaway in the film "Mommie Dearest" (which eclipsed the book from which it was taken). Someone who really knew enough about film to write about it should have referenced, e.g., HER ax-wielding role in "Strait-Jacket." Jack Black was funny? I never knew that was one of the meanings of insufferable. The only thing lamer than that routine was the opening film of mostly behind the scenes industry talking heads [Finke got that one right]. I never thought I'd miss Billy I'm My Own Biggest Fan & No I Can't Wipe This Smirk Off My Face Crystal.
Finally, Helen Mirren added after referencing an antimonarch upbringing that studying Liz for the role had led her to not just admire but to love her.
Posted by: Leland | Feb 26, 2007 1:22:46 PM
Jennifer Holliday needs to just shut up! Let J.Hud have her day. Yes, J.Holliday originated the effie role, but she didn't write the show or the song. Jeez. Give it a rest already.
I never watch the Oscars, but my roommate and his friend coaxed me into seeing it. I was pleasantly surprised. Ellen was fresh. seein all the Latin men got me hot. And no tom Cruise to be seen. Yayyy!
Posted by: Lito S | Feb 26, 2007 1:23:03 PM
Tom Cruise was there, and gave a rather long and lengthy speech for the lifetime achievement award thingy.
Posted by: Chris | Feb 26, 2007 1:54:16 PM
Mark, There was no "big conspiracy" last year, just simple homophobia. Of course, it is a popularity contest, that is why the members can (and do) vote their prejudices with impunity. The Academy Awards have a long history of selecting inferior pictures over more worthy films, for many reasons. The snub to Brokeback was not out of character but simply a manifestation of collective internalized homophobia.
If you know anything about the craft of movie making, you know that Brokeback was a much better movie on many levels. If you do not, then you have little to bring to this discussion.
As for speculation about who is gay, I was responding to a previous post celebrating the appearance of three homosexuals on stage but the celebration was premature, if not ill-advised, because two of the three are still hiding in the closet.
There is nothing to get over. One either has the knowledge and interest to participate in the discussion, or, in your case, you do not.
Posted by: rudy | Feb 26, 2007 2:04:32 PM
With Bruce Vilanch writing most of the "material" for the show you can't have high expectations, however, I found better things to do than to watch and didn't miss it.
Posted by: anon | Feb 26, 2007 2:18:53 PM