The Departed.
"Martin Scorcese calls The Departed the first movie I've ever done with a plot."
Good one. Well, if Marty has a weakness it's that he loses track of his stories. The Departed is a perfect example: for the last 45 minutes it forgets completely about Dignam, Mark Wahlberg's character, and leaves us with contrivances that would be solved in an instant if he ever showed up on screen. Finally he walks on and leaves us with a cheap ending.
I stand by my reaction that The Departed was not a great film. It was a very good one. Infernal Affairs was a great film. The reason The Departed won, I think, is partly because it was finally Martin Scorcese's moment, and partly because of its brilliant concept. I don't appreciate the producer not thanking the Hong Kong original, which actually delivered on said concept in a way The Departed did not.
As usual, the best picture award has not gone to the year's best movie. But how could it, since the year's best wasn't even nominated.
At least nothing important went to Babel.
And that's it for my blog on the Oscars. Goodnight everybody!
Monday, February 26, 2007
And now it's time for Best Picture
I still say it'll be Babel. Though I'd be happier seeing Little Miss Sunshine win and will be happy if it goes to The Departed.
The way the awards have gone, it could go to any of them. This has been a really eclectic awards night.
The way the awards have gone, it could go to any of them. This has been a really eclectic awards night.
Martin Scorcese!
Good for him, good for him. The man deserves the award and everyone in the room knows it. Check out the standing ovation. Feel free to double-check your TV screen.
I lost count of my prediction rate, but I'm pretty sure it's around 50/50.
I lost count of my prediction rate, but I'm pretty sure it's around 50/50.
Best Lead Actor
So the winner is Forest Whitaker. Is anyone surprised?
I'm glad that he won. Forest Whitaker's a veteran actor who's never had trouble getting work, and he doesn't get very many accolades. I'm sure he's enjoying it while he can.
Classy speech too.
I'm glad that he won. Forest Whitaker's a veteran actor who's never had trouble getting work, and he doesn't get very many accolades. I'm sure he's enjoying it while he can.
Classy speech too.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Best Lead Actress
I predicted Helen Mirren. Like every other critic.
Incidentally, kudos to Ms. DeGeneres for her comment on the running time.
Incidentally, kudos to Ms. DeGeneres for her comment on the running time.
And the winner is...
The Departed.
It deserves the award. But this means Children of Men officially received nothing. Which pisses me off.
It deserves the award. But this means Children of Men officially received nothing. Which pisses me off.
Why the Oscars are too long
Will Smith and his recently shaved head are here to present the latest pointless montage: a look at America through its movies.
Best song
It wouldn't be an overblown Oscar presentation without a gospel choir in the background.
I find it interesting that Bill Condon allowed Beyonce Knowles to upstage Jennifer Hudson, which he never did in the film (he even turned Hudson's first big number into a duet).
They're followed by Ellen DeGeneres, who says she could never follow it up, and John Travolta and Queen Latifah, who can. (I love John Travolta's comment: "I love a full-figured woman who knows how to sing. But enough about me...")
I'm guessing that Dreamgirls will win, the question is for...
WHAT? It's Melissa Etheridge?! This is an outrage!
I like Melissa, but "I Need To Wake Up" wasn't among her best work.
It was written for An Inconvenient Truth. That's probably why.
I find it interesting that Bill Condon allowed Beyonce Knowles to upstage Jennifer Hudson, which he never did in the film (he even turned Hudson's first big number into a duet).
They're followed by Ellen DeGeneres, who says she could never follow it up, and John Travolta and Queen Latifah, who can. (I love John Travolta's comment: "I love a full-figured woman who knows how to sing. But enough about me...")
I'm guessing that Dreamgirls will win, the question is for...
WHAT? It's Melissa Etheridge?! This is an outrage!
I like Melissa, but "I Need To Wake Up" wasn't among her best work.
It was written for An Inconvenient Truth. That's probably why.
The winner is...
Little Miss Sunshine.
Better than Babel.
Michael Arndt had to quit his job as Matthew Broderick's assistant to write the screenplay? That's bad discipline.
Does this mean Little Miss Sunshine is gonna win for best picture?
Better than Babel.
Michael Arndt had to quit his job as Matthew Broderick's assistant to write the screenplay? That's bad discipline.
Does this mean Little Miss Sunshine is gonna win for best picture?
Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst
Its not the same when he isn't upside down.
I predicted Babel. My fingers are crossed it doesn't win.
I'd also rather Little Miss Sunshine not win. Too paint-by-numbers. Though it would deserve the award more than Babel.
I predicted Babel. My fingers are crossed it doesn't win.
I'd also rather Little Miss Sunshine not win. Too paint-by-numbers. Though it would deserve the award more than Babel.
Best Original Score
The best part of this award is seeing Penelope Cruz onstage.
Babel deserves this award. Here's hoping it doesn't take home awards for itself, its director, or screenplay.
Babel deserves this award. Here's hoping it doesn't take home awards for itself, its director, or screenplay.
I really hate Celine Dion.
I just wanted to say that.
And I like pop music.
Celine and Water. What is it about Canadians hating their own?
And I like pop music.
Celine and Water. What is it about Canadians hating their own?
Best documentary feature
Call me crazy, but I'm guessing An Inconvenient Truth is gonna win.
It isn't one of my predictions though, so if it loses I'm still 2 for 5.
It's good to see Jerry Seinfeld performing again. His riff on movie theatre practices is funny and relevant. As funny as that phrase isn't.
It isn't one of my predictions though, so if it loses I'm still 2 for 5.
It's good to see Jerry Seinfeld performing again. His riff on movie theatre practices is funny and relevant. As funny as that phrase isn't.
Best documentary short
The Blood of Yingzhou District.
Like every other Oscar blogger, I haven't seen or really had the opportunity to see the documentary shorts, so I have nothing to say to that.
Like every other Oscar blogger, I haven't seen or really had the opportunity to see the documentary shorts, so I have nothing to say to that.
And the winner is The Lives of Others
Guess it rode that last-minute buzz after all.
Until I see it though, I maintain that Pan's Labyrinth should have won.
Until I see it though, I maintain that Pan's Labyrinth should have won.
Best visual effects
See what I wrote about sound.
This time, Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest wins. And you know what, I can't deny it deserved it.
This time, Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest wins. And you know what, I can't deny it deserved it.
I can't object TOO much because I loved Pan's Labyrinth
But Children of Men was robbed. Cinematography teachers will be using that unbroken take in their classes for years to come.
That means Pan's Labyrinth is now 3 for 3.
That means Pan's Labyrinth is now 3 for 3.
Best cinematography
Children of Men had better win.
Incidentally, notice how none of the nominees are nominated for best picture, a rarity (thanks to the Toronto Star's Peter Howell for pointing that out).
Incidentally, notice how none of the nominees are nominated for best picture, a rarity (thanks to the Toronto Star's Peter Howell for pointing that out).
Yeah
So Ellen DeGeneres walked in with a papoose just as my friends were talking about carrying babies.
Also, why wasn't Emily Blunt nominated for an Oscar?
Also, why wasn't Emily Blunt nominated for an Oscar?
...The Departed.
Figured.
Rent Infernal Affairs. Trust me.
And note to the Academy: it's a Hong Kong film, not a Japanese film. Japan is home to some great filmmakers. Just not the ones who created Infernal Affairs.
Rent Infernal Affairs. Trust me.
And note to the Academy: it's a Hong Kong film, not a Japanese film. Japan is home to some great filmmakers. Just not the ones who created Infernal Affairs.
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