I didn't do too bad with my picks, except for Best Picture and a couple that I tried to play harder and not smarter with. In total, I picked 19 out of 24 correctly, which is better than last year but not as good as 2003 when I had 21 out of 24. I tried to estimate the surprise by incorrectly choosing Dillon for Best Supporting Actor and Walk the Line for Sound Mixing, and just got Cinematography and Best Picture wrong, though I was very tempted to pick Crash. Should have done it. And I actually got three out of four in the crapshoot, which always helps the numbers.
I have to say, the show was pretty boring last night. Stewart did just fine as host, and the political messages were kept to a minimum, though Stewart's bit about bringing the statue down did nothing but bring the crickets out - totally fell flat. In fact, the funniest thing about that joke is that he picked "Jimmie Caan" for some reason to beat on it with a sandle. Just the idea of that is funny.
The opening got some chuckles, and his monologue worked, for the most part. But nothing memorable. The show really did not take off until Clooney won for Supporting Actor. And I liked his acceptance speech. Not a long list, thankfully, but I have to wonder exactly how brave he thinks he is for supposedly going against the grain. There is a whole world out there that feels exactly the same way, George. You are not introducing them to something new. But thanks for looking out for us.
And Dolly Parton...where did the rest of her go? Her breasts are still there, but the bottom portion of her body has somehow been replaced with a stick. Still, she sounded good and it was great to see her as I love her. It's too bad they did not allow her to present something once her song was over.
I have to say, I did not care for the music playing over the winner's speeches. I get what Cates was going for here, but it just seemed rude and little offputting to the winner. In fact, I think Rachel Weisz lost her train of thought because of it. True, the show was over by 11:30pm. So reallly, they could have allowed some speeches to go a little longer, and certainly allowed the second winner in a group to speak. I mean, did you see the make-up guy for Narnia totally jump in front of his female counterpart when they got to the stage. He lists this incredibly long and boring list, and then when she goes to speak, the music plays and we get nothing. There has to be a better way. Frankly, I am of the opinion that the show is going to be long, so we should just accept that. It will be over when it's over.
I appreciated that Russell Crowe is apprently not as touchy as Leo DeCaprio. Crowe has no problem showing up to the Oscars, and presenting, when he has been snubbed. Leo, however, cannot be seen if his name is not announced as a nominee. Even if Crowe is a bit of a brute, I like him anyway. He seems like a decent enough fellow who just has an anger management issue. Don't we all?
And I have to say, the sheer number of montage sequences was overdone. I mean, we are worried about time, but we have enough to include three different montages and an incredibly long speech/plea by the Academy president to "go to the movies." Yes, we know ticket sales are flagging. But rather than bore us both at home and in the theatre, how about making some better material?
I liked that they brought back some clips of the short films, but I wish they would do the same with documentaries. Once again, I know no more about the different nominees now than I did before the show. If they are going to go through the trouble to include such in the prime time broadcast, they need to clue the audience in about what is competing. If not, move those awards to an earlier banquet and don't waste our time.
Not much to say about the folks that won for song. I have no idea what they said, but they seemed happy enough. Would that some of the other winners had the same kind of excitement. However, there is something to be said for respectfully winning, and these guys straddled that. I guess I am one of those that still thinks everyone should wear a tux and the like. But even Larry McMurtry wore jeans. So maybe I'm the odd one out here.
The Honorary Oscar to Robert Altman went well. Tomlin and Streep did a nice job riffing off of each other, trying to duplicate the signature sound of an Altman film. And the old man is still somehow getting around, and working as he alluded to. He seemed more gracious than I have ever seen him, so maybe the experience humbled him just slightly. Doubt it, but maybe.
And finallly, it was great to see Witherspoon and Hoffman take home the major acting Oscars, as we assumed they would. They both gave nice speeches, and each seemed genuinely nervous, which is strange considering that both knew they would win. It shows, I suspect, that Oscar still has that special something that no other award can equal. Most of us might find them tedious and meaningless, but they are nothing of the sort to an actor. And was it me or did they decide to change the order of giving actor and actress out? It appears they decided to award those before the clock hit 11pm, which it did directly after Reese Witherspoon walked offstage after winning. Not bad, but the only thing saving the finaly thirty minutes from being a Brokeback-fest was the shocking win by Crash as Best Picture.
Guess I have to see that now. Good thing the DVD is sitting on the floor of my den at home as we speak. All in all, a slow and boring night punctuated by a few shining moments, but nothing special. Even the "necrology" seemed somehow soporific (no pun intended.) The claps for people now dead (which I have always rather disliked) were rather tepid, and it took a little while for Clooney to change direction in the show. The audience both there and at home was not quite ready to look back.
In Contention is already looking ahead to next year, listing films that may be in the running or have the potential. A bit early for me. Rather, I will be looking forward to the debut of season 6 of the Sopranos come next Sunday night. I won't start talking 2006 Oscars until probably 2007, but when that time comes, you know I will. If you have been following my slight Oscar coverage, thanks. And if not - why not? You should have been. Shame on you. But thanks for reading now. That is all.
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