A few thoughts from watching the Academy Awards tonight:
- Amy Adams singing Happy Working Song alone on stage should win an Oscar for bravery.
- George Clooney is the iconic leading man of our era. He’s the heir of Cary Grant and Clark Gable.
- How many freeking statues does Jack Nicholson have? Also, does he always get a front row seat?
- John Stewart? Funny man. Too bad his humor was (often) too smart for the room. His comment about “staying the course” with Iraq war films had me rolling. I got the sense that most of the people there didn’t realize he was making fun of them.
- That guy who waxed the floor in front of the presenter podium is gonna be out of a job come tomorrow morning.
- Daniel Day-Lewis could scare the stink off a sewer rat.
- I’m glad The Bourne Ultimatum got some recognition for editing and sound. It’s not the kind of move that does well at the Oscars, but man, that was well made flick.
- Giving the Oscar for Best Song to that claptrap from Once is nothing but pure indie snobbery.
Anybody else watch?
1. Bravery…yes. But maybe I’m assuming your mean for singing such a horrible song. In fact all of the songs from Enchanted that were performed were a disaster on eery level.
2. Ok
3. He has 3 and was nominated 12 times. And yes he always gets to sit in the front row. Would you be the guy to tell him he’s sitting in the second row?
4. John Stewart. Funny man, yes. Tonight? Not so much. Seriously, I know you’re a fan but this performance was pretty lame. Even as the Oscars go. Wii tennis? That was funny when Conan did it 2 years ago with Venus Williams.
5. haha…yeah. I really wanted that tool Colin Ferral to take a spill. So close…
6. Yep. And make you cry. The dude’s amazing.
7.Seriously? Common….that movie is universally bad. Editing? If the award was to elicit motion sickness and make sure that the viewer had no possible way to follow the action then yes. It was the best.
8. I didnt see it but I want to after the guys speech. What should have won? Happy working song? blech.
9. (Here’s my addition) Golden Compas for best VFX?!!!! WTF?!!! That movie had some of the worst, most horribly executed effects I have seen in a long time. Transformers was vastly superior on ever single level. The effects in that movie were seamless and flawless. At the end of the movie I found myself dumbfounded in the fact that I bought into the fact that there were giant robots that could turn into cars. When I watch Golden compass I think “wow, that polar bear looks awful and that is the worst comp I have ever seen.”
Now…on a personal note. Where was 300? I dont want to sound like sour grapes but common. It should have at least been nominated.
I forgot that was this year … too early in the season I guess. Did you guys get any nods at the technical awards?
Regarding which song should have won - I was amazed at how many great songs didn’t make the final cut. I really liked Enchanted, but 3 nominations seemed a bit much. How about Do You Feel Me from “American Gangster”?
One of the only awards I agreed with was Atonement for Best Score. I was bummed that Atonement didn’t get more recognition (like Cinemetography!!), but to be fair I didn’t see the Old Men or the Blood movies.
2008 will now be remembered as…
The Year Diablo Cody Gave Oscar a Bad Case of Gonorrhea.
Apparently, all you need to write a hip and relevant script these days is a book of Mad Libs, and the ability to pickup dollar bills with your lady bits.
The VFX oscars are a bit different than the other categories. There is a committee and they invite movies to a “bake off.” The films VFX supervisors give a presentation to the panel who then vote on who should be nominated. From there it goes to the academy.
300 was invited to the Bake off and by all accounts did very very well. In fact everyone I know that was there told me it would get a nomination. Then….nothing.
Often times the academy votes for the movie they liked the best not for the individual category that it is supposed to be judged on. In this case I cant for the life of me figure out why Compass won. It bombed and most people that did see it didnt really like it on any level. Color me confused.
I think it’s because Hollywood hates Jesus.
Heidi - Amen. The score for Atonement was some of the most inventive music I have heard in a very long time, and was integral to and woven through the story in such innovative ways. Dario Whatshisnuts totally deserved the award.
I was, however, bummed that Johnny Greenwood did not get nominated for the score of There Will Be Blood. Apparently there was some kind of disqualification? Anyone know anything about that?
Here are the details
link
How about NONE of Eddie Vedder’s songs from Into The Wild getting nominated? That movie, in my opinion, was probably the most overlooked this year. Yes, Hal Holbrook was nominated, and shouldn’t have beaten Javier Bardem, but there were a good six or seven categories that movie SHOULD have been nominated for that it wasn’t.
So - I have some thoughts. Surprised?
I had all sorts of mixed reactions to the musical performances from Enchanted. I thought Amy Adams was great, but I was really surprised how much of that song working in the movie was due to the hilarious visuals that go with it. It wasn’t very entertaining on it’s own.
So, how is it that Broadway sextuple threat and Aaron Sorkin’s former muse seemed totally stiff and out of voice? Kristin Chenowith is amazing, but her performance was totally outshone by Amy Adams. Knowing a bit about Chenowith, and what she’s really capable of, I can only chalk it up to poor execution on behalf of the arrangers and producers. They should have raised that song about a 3rd and gotten into the sweet part of her voice.
The last song from Enchanted? All I have to say is… umm.. nothing. It was really bad.
I have more thoughts… in a moment…
Ok… so…
No Country For Old Men is a great movie, no questions asked. I did not object to the ending as many did. I thought it was poetic and completely congruent with the arc of the story.
I don’t know if you remember the 79 best picture winners or not, but I had a strange experience watching it. I was amazed how, starting at about 2000, the winners just seemed to pale in comparison to past winners.
Gladiator vs. Lawrence of Arabia… hmm.
A Beautiful Mind vs. A Man for All Seasons… hmm.
Million Dollar Baby and Crash vs. Rocky and In The Heat of the Night… hmm.
Are they just not aging well? A Beautiful Mind is a fine film… but a classic? The epitome of everything all the creative minds in the world could film in that given year?
So then I think something like this:
The Godfather vs. There Will be Blood…. Yup. Absolutely. It’s that good.
I think the academy missed the opportunity to add a movie that will stand the test of time to the canon. They seemed to think it was enough to give the prize to Daniel Day-Lewis, but there’s more to that movie. I love the Coens, but PTA has just simply become an iconic filmmaker, and that movie deserved it hands down.
Of course, to be fair, if you compare No Country to a movie like The French Connection, or The Silence of The Lambs, I do think it occupies that lofty territory in the history of crime and procedural dramas.
Oh, and this is for Aly only –
Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan is still total bullcrap 9 years later.
But wait!!! There’s more!
So the whole Once thing… Ok… look. So it’s obvious that Schwartz and Menken are masters and totally knocked it out for Enchanted. They are a big reason why that movie worked. I hope they get points on the gross… yeah right.
I have such fondness for Once. It was like a little private movie made just for Chad. It felt like it was a personal love letter. That song, in the movie, is just breathtaking, because Glen’s character is teaching it all the way through the first chorus before she starts to get it and play along. It’s executed just so sweetly, so beautifully capturing the moment of creative birth.
There’s a sequence later in the film where they spend a weekend in a recording studio, and Michael, I defy you to watch that sequence and not be transported back into that bubble that so few have been inside, that bubble where art is created frantically and haphazardly and is somehow working. I just smiled and smiled and smiled.
Claptrap? I said good day, sir.
(I will admit that I hated them singing to click and strings. Just the 2 of them please, and feel free to retire, Mr. Conti.)
I’m spent.
No, I’m wrong, there’s more.
The whole Bourne Ultimatum thing… That movie was one of the top 5 of the year, hands down. It should have been nominated for the big prize. Also, next year, the Academy needs to create a new category called,
“Best Action Trilogy Ever and Why Can’t The Rest of You Bozos Be Like Them” category.
The Bourne Movies would just be awarded every year. It’d become tradition, like the montages.
P.S. Jeremy - 300 was really good, too! We all enjoyed the half-nekkid lady.
the only thing I have to add is that the domain HollywoodHatesJesus.com is still available. Parody site, anyone?
Umm, I thought the binocular and bad dream montages were funny. And stuff.
And the dresses were real purty.
Pure indie snobbery? Michael, I now have no doubt in my mind that you haven’t seen Once… if you had, you probably would have fell smitten to the lead characters (guy and girl… they are nameless in the movie) and also fallen in love with that song… The scene where they sang that in the movie was extremely moving. It’s far from snobbery to vote for that song in my opinion.
Really? No one cares that a skanky douche who can’t actually write won the oscar for Best Original Screenplay? Sigh…..
I care Zack. I watched approximately 10 seconds of the show and that’s the part I saw. When she stood up and started walking to the stage, I closed my eyes. I care.
Ack… I enjoyed Juno.
(running for cover…)
Things that need to be changed for next year :
1) Bill Conti needs to retire. We appreciate the 17 years, dude, but your arrangements are getting stale and cheesy. (And I’m not even the professional arranger/musician…)
2) Bruce Vallinach (oh, I can’t spell) and his crew also need to be put out to pasture. The disparity between their usual crap and the sharp stuff from the Daily Show guys was alarming. And let’s not forget Jon’s supernatural quick wit. (My favorite? After the “Once” guy’s ultra humble speech, Jon turns to the camera and quips “Wow, that guy is so arrogant…” Pair that with “Wanna know what we do during the commercial breaks? We sit around and make catty comments about what you’re wearing at home.”)
I also agree that Amy Adams has ultra cajones.
And yes, I want George Clooney in the worst way — which is standing up in a hammock.
Chad, we all know that you enjoyed Juno. I’m just sad that you’re apparently losing your hearing. What a bummer that must be, being deaf and all - since you’re a musician and a composer and such. Hearing loss is one doodle that can’t be un-did, homeskillet.
I will admit that there have been times where my judgement has been compromised, movie-wise. We saw Juno at the new Arclight and it was Friday Night and we were on a date, and I knew there might be some good love in my future.
Perhaps my judgement was skewed. A DVD viewing will clear it up.
Carrie, I could not agree more - standing up in a hammock is absolutely the worst way.
I love Bill Conti, though, and I disagree that his time is up. I think the Oscars should be orchestral, a little more staid and classic. Who would you suggest to replace him? I mean, me, of course, but since I’m busy conducting the New York Phil all next season, who would be your second choice?
Totally skewed, Chad. You of all people should know you can’t accurately judge a film with ‘tang on the brain, dude.
Wow. If I can sit on a couch and do nothing else, I am thrilled with anyone’s attempt to humor me.
LOL
Thank you for helping us regain our perspective here.
Chad, I am glad you commented because I worried I was a conversation killer. It is fun to hear these “insider” perspectives. Although I don’t make an interesting critic, you’ll love me someday when I’m in your audience. :)
-Hopefully like how we would love it when Teri Reisser came to our small group concerts, because her enthusiasm was contagious.
This is diverting from The Oscars - and anyone, please feel free to talk about The Oscars, I enjoy reading - but during dark days it has occurred to me how profound and serious humor is. There were days in 2007 that just beat the crap out of me, and then at night I would catch David Letterman and he would tell me a joke. I thought he was the nicest man. He was telling me a joke, and didn’t demand anything in return. I needed that.
So, “that guy is so arrogant..” , “we make catty comments about you..” - I laughed at ‘em both.
Hehe… I was actually thinking that I killed the conversation with my 8 consecutive posts. Also, I hate to admit it, but I don’t think that doing occasional work for Disney Channel quite qualifies me as an insider.
Although… for the first time ever, I got to watch the best picture winner the night of the ceremony on my little SAG screener DVD, so that was pretty cool.
Yes, Mike, big orchestral triumph marches sometimes work at the Oscars, but only if the theme song was also big. Fr’instance, the “Sweeny Todd” march sounded great…I dunno. Just bugged me.
But then, I make my living trying to teach kids the distance formula. When among you guys, I just consider myself the population of Peoria.
And hey, big brother, don’t sell yourself short. Some of us live vicariously through your Disney Channel stuff. And it impresses those aforementioned students I have.
I, uh, didn’t watch the Oscars or any of the winners (sue me. Ramon and I are joyously making our way through Sex and the City - which we never saw during their run), but one thing I’d like to say: Tilda Swinton is a god - I have the biggest girl crush on her EVER and I think she should have won an Oscar like 70 movies ago. I’m not particular which one, though I have to say that her portrayal of the archangel Gabriel in Constantine was the performance that got me literally gasping for air. The crush is real, people. And if the media doesn’t stop complaining about the way she dresses, acts and IS, I’m going to start up the letter bomb craze again. I’ll be the new Unabomber, with way prettier hair. Ms. Swinton is funny, gracious, GORGEOUS and a fantastic actor and oooh, Lordy, I kind of hate myself for not watching Michael Clayton already.
You need to see it Cerise. Seriously amazing movie. And Tilda Swinton deserved her Oscar.
Reason # 5,492 to love Gretchen.
Congratulations, Cerise — you have now put Addison Road on the official government watch list.
Oh you think it took until NOW to get on that list?
Oh, hell no. But Carrie, you’re very right. If we weren’t on it before, we surely are now. I’ll send you a copy of my mugshot (pretty hair and all).
hey, I liked happy working song… but I wish they had picked her to sing How do you Know instead. I thought Chritine Chenowith (sp?) kinda butchered it. How do I know about this stuff?
1. I thought having her sing alone was a mistake on the producers’ part.
7. Ditto. Part of the reason why I enjoy those movies is the excellent scoring by John Powell, although there hasn’t been much new material over the course of the trilogy.
8. I disagree. I thought the movie was interesting. Although a little like watching an extended music video with no real plot, I was impressed by the songwriting and was glad to see them win that award.
I think the Schwartz and Menken songs served the film well, but that none of them deserved an Oscar. I haven’t seen August Rush yet and didn’t care for the song.
I just watched “Atonement” for the first time. (I’m a little behind the times.)
The alternative sources for percussion (rhythmically clicking typewriter, angry mother beating on car) were aesthetically perfect. This soundtrack brilliantly submitted to the plot, which is the point of a film score. Most film composers are likely too full of their original ideas to do this, so hats off to Dario Marianelli, whoever he is.
Sometimes the best ideas are so simple.
I feel the same way about Marky Mark.