| 3/06/2006 |
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT
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I'm sure there are only a few people blogging about the Oscars so I couldn't wait to put in my two cents worth. Plus... I rant about Brokeback Mountain a little bit.
I was pleased to hear that Jon Stewart would be hosting. I don't regularly watch the Daily Show, but when I do, I enjoy his style of humor. That being said... I think he did a good job at hosting a tough gig. Oscar hosts seem to be on trail for being just as funny at hosting as they are at their regular gig. I don't think that is a fair assessment. Jon Stewart is funny in his own way because of the subjects he tackles. The Oscars are a far cry from your typical news and politics-type show. He seemed like he was trying his best to get the blood pumping in an otherwise sleepy show.
Seriously... did they hand out Ambien as part of the Oscar gift bags? And did everyone take it right before they sat down? Where are the Roberto Bernigni's standing on chairs? Where are the Halle Berry crying jags? Where are the Adrian Brody kiss-fests? The closest we got was Reese Witherspoon's touching acceptance speech to her family.
Ok. Yeah. So Reese won, and good for her. I know there was talk about Walk The Line being like the 'white Ray'. Which, while I can see the comparison, is a little superficial. Though, it does make me wonder why Walk The Line wasn't nominated for Best Picture.
I'm not sure how the window of eligibility works, but haven't Crash and Cinderella Man both been out forever? I didn't hear much about Crash when it comes out in the theaters. Or at least I don't recall much about it. Other than Scott's raving review.
Best Actor had a strong group this year. I thought Heath Ledger gave an amazing performance. I think Joaquin Phoenix sounded a lot like Cash, but I have a hard time picturing him as Johnny Cash. I think the acting ability of Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent. I can see why he won. Though, there is the part of me that just cringes at the voice he uses in Capote's for that length of time. They said he tried to stay in character even when not filming. I'd think that'd be wise or else I know I'd having fits laughing at every time he switched it on and off.
Supporting Actress went to Rachel Weisz. I've got The Constant Garden sitting on my TV right now, waiting to be watched. I've heard it is a complex suspenseful movie. I guess I'm just trying to psyche myself up and prepare for it. What I do know is that when I saw Brokeback I felt Michelle's Williams pain and anger as she discovers what her husband has been up to with his 'camping buddy'. I think she did an excellent job. I was rooting for her, but with obvious bias towards the movie itself.
Support Actor went to George Clooney in Syriana. I've not seen the movie. Like I said before... When were Crash and Cinderella Man technically released? It seems like they've been out forever. I'm pretty sure I was at my old job when it was originally released. It's been that long.
Best Director went to Ang Lee. I'm sure it's been said many times in better ways than how I can say it, but... Seriously? How easy can it be to tackle the subject of a long-standing love story of gay cowboys and not make it seem like a really cheesey porn? So good for him.
Best Picture went to Crash. I've got this in my movie queue. I'm looking forward to it. It should be pretty heavy. I just hope I'm in the mood for heavy when I see it.
There has been a lot of press about how Crash upset Brokeback Mountain. There has been a lot of press in general about Brokeback because... it's a movie about two men in love. I'm so torn overall the talk about it. On one hand I think it would be kinda cool to see a mainstream movie whose lead actors portray gay characters win the ultimate movie award. Then again, on the other hand we have the details of the movie itself. Both characters are married, but unhappy. So rooting for their love is rooting for the break-up of what technically is a marriage. Jake Gyllenhaal turned it down at first because it was a gay cowboy movie. Has he ever said what changed his mind? Perhaps. I honestly haven't heard. I think both Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal have spoken out about the roles they played, but overall I'm not sure anything that either of them has said could really be quoted as being terribly supportive of any gay community. They talk about the deeper meanings of the roles. Ok... And? The 'roles' were great. I get the impressions from interviews that Jake and Heath have given that they have repressed a lot of what happened during filming. Any personal feelings on how there are men and women who go through those type of struggles every day?
Now don't get me wrong. I still loved the movie. I will end up buying it when it comes out on DVD. I'm just not as convinced that the actors who played the conflicted lovers were as in to psyched about it as some hope they were.
Plus, did Hollywood forget about the other gay-ish films that were also up for Oscars? Transamerica... Capote... With both of them it was about the actors playing the roles, Felicity Huffman and Philip Seymour Hoffman respectively. With Brokeback it was the roles being played by the actors. There was so much hype about Brokeback winning that now that they haven't it seems like the entertainment media is scrambling to write about why they were so wrong going into all this.
Ah... I love entertainment! |
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I posted this @ 3/06/2006 03:56:00 PM.............Need a link?..........
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