I told you it would be predictable, and it was. So much so that I predicted every major category correctly a month ago. For a complete list of the winners of last night’s Academy Awards, click here.
The two categories that hung me up were Best Sound Mixing (which went to “Slumdog Millionaire,” even though “The Dark Knight” won Best Sound Editing! wtf?) and Best Foreign Language Film. At least one of these could have been picked better had I read this interesting post over at Tom O’Neil’s Gold Derby.
About the royally-screwed up Foreign Film category, Tom writes: “There are only a few hundred Oscars voters in this category, which is not listed on the main ballot. Only academy members who attend screenings of the five nominated films may pick the winner. For some bizarre reason, it’s not OK to vote in this category based upon viewing DVD screeners. But that’s fine in all other feature-film races.” He knew “Waltz with Bashir” wouldn’t win, and even knew “The Class” wouldn’t upset it! Nice going, Tom!
We’d like to thank the thousands who entered our 2009 Oscar Pick ‘Em challenge this year, and I wanted to let you know that we are hard at work tabulating all the scores. We will announce very soon who the winner of the 6-mo. Netflix subscription is.
Well, there was a lot of singing and dancing (though none of it by Peter Gabriel or Bruce Springsteen) during the telecast last night, and I have to say the set designs were pretty damned amazing. What did you think of either the winners or the telecast? Here’s your chance to sound off right here.
Eric is the Editor-in-Chief of Scene-Stealers.com, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and contributor for The Pitch. He’s former President of the KCFCC, and drummer for The Dead Girls, Ultimate Fakebook, and Truck Stop Love . He is also the 2013 Air Guitar World Champion Mean Melin, ranked 4th best of all-time. Eric goes to 11. Follow him at:
{ 37 comments }
Nothing really surprising. Most of the winners were predicted. The Academy Awards are political.
Penelope Cruz winning Best Supporting Actress was political. Far better acting performances came from Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Adams. Any one of those three would have been a better choice to win the Oscar.
Sean Penn winning Best Actor was political. Playing a Gay character alone should not qualify someone to get an Oscar. His performance in Milk was good (not GREAT).
As a mater of fact, I would have liked to have seen a Gay actor playing a Gay character. There are many talented Gay actors and Hollywood should give them a chance to play some of those major roles in major cinema. Sean Penn’s performance was nothing special. Frank Langella and Mickey Rourke gave incredible acting performances and neither won. Of course, Like Sean Penn himself his father and brother are producers and directors. It is politically a good idea if you are an actor to vote for him (especially if you want an acting job). I am sure he was campaigned around Hollywood.
Nothing really surprising. Most of the winners were predicted. The Academy Awards are political.
Penelope Cruz winning Best Supporting Actress was political. Far better acting performances came from Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Adams. Any one of those three would have been a better choice to win the Oscar.
Sean Penn winning Best Actor was political. Playing a Gay character alone should not qualify someone to get an Oscar. His performance in Milk was good (not GREAT).
As a mater of fact, I would have liked to have seen a Gay actor playing a Gay character. There are many talented Gay actors and Hollywood should give them a chance to play some of those major roles in major cinema. Sean Penn’s performance was nothing special. Frank Langella and Mickey Rourke gave incredible acting performances and neither won. Of course, Like Sean Penn himself his father and brother are producers and directors. It is politically a good idea if you are an actor to vote for him (especially if you want an acting job). I am sure he was campaigned around Hollywood.
Did anyone notice that Heath Ledger was not included in the “Actors That Have Passed On” Memorialf Reel with Queen Latifah?
Brad Renfro was not included either. Both died during 2008.
OMG! These had to be deliberate omissions! How could they just overlook these two actors. I bet there are others they forgot.
Did anyone notice that Heath Ledger was not included in the “Actors That Have Passed On” Memorialf Reel with Queen Latifah?
Brad Renfro was not included either. Both died during 2008.
OMG! These had to be deliberate omissions! How could they just overlook these two actors. I bet there are others they forgot.
He was in last year’s montage, and was even mentioned onstage in Daniel Day-Lewis’ acceptance speech. Renfro died before the Oscars last year as well, but was not included in last year’s memoriam montage, and there was a minor hulabaloo about that last year!
He was in last year’s montage, and was even mentioned onstage in Daniel Day-Lewis’ acceptance speech. Renfro died before the Oscars last year as well, but was not included in last year’s memoriam montage, and there was a minor hulabaloo about that last year!
Amy Adams was completely undeserving of a nomination, unless we’re now handing out awards for being perky in a serious drama.
Viola Davis had one job to do in her ten minutes or so: be an uncaring mom. It’s not a challenging task for an actress. She too didn’t deserve a nomination.
Amy Adams was completely undeserving of a nomination, unless we’re now handing out awards for being perky in a serious drama.
Viola Davis had one job to do in her ten minutes or so: be an uncaring mom. It’s not a challenging task for an actress. She too didn’t deserve a nomination.
As far as the show went, I was very happy with it. It always felt like it was moving along, even though the runtime wasn’t shorter. Hugh Jackman did a very good job. A couple of caveats, though:
1) The “people we have lost” montage was ill-executed. Who thought it would be a good idea to put a spotlight on Latifah while showing mostly incomprehensible slides of those who’d passed away? Were we supposed to look at her or squint at the slides? Some of the type on those slides was illegible on TV, which is an insult to the memories of the fallen.
2) The oddball musical number that incorporated bits of previous Best Songs was pointless and irritating – as soon as you recognized the tune, they’d move on to another one. It was jarring and completely unnecessary. Cut it, and you don’t have to relegate the three nominated songs to 90 seconds (or 45, whatever).
As far as the show went, I was very happy with it. It always felt like it was moving along, even though the runtime wasn’t shorter. Hugh Jackman did a very good job. A couple of caveats, though:
1) The “people we have lost” montage was ill-executed. Who thought it would be a good idea to put a spotlight on Latifah while showing mostly incomprehensible slides of those who’d passed away? Were we supposed to look at her or squint at the slides? Some of the type on those slides was illegible on TV, which is an insult to the memories of the fallen.
2) The oddball musical number that incorporated bits of previous Best Songs was pointless and irritating – as soon as you recognized the tune, they’d move on to another one. It was jarring and completely unnecessary. Cut it, and you don’t have to relegate the three nominated songs to 90 seconds (or 45, whatever).
I remember an excellent scene in Doubt where Sister James (Adams) tells Sister Beauvier (Streep), exactly what she thinks of her. The lightbulb above Sister Beauvier (Streep) burns out and Sister Beauvier (Streep) responds uphased by Sister James comments and says “Look what you have done now” while pointing to the bulb at the ceiling.
Viola Davis played Mrs Miller the mother of the Black boy who was possibly being molested by Father Flynn (Hoffman) in the movie Doubt. She had a very small part but her acting was so tremendous that it cannot be forgotten.
>#4 POSTED BY Dan, Feb 24th, 2009 9:39 am
>
>Amy Adams was completely undeserving of a nomination, unless we’re >now handing out awards for being perky in a serious drama.
>
>Viola Davis had one job to do in her ten minutes or so: be an >uncaring mom. It’s not a challenging task for an actress. She too >didn’t deserve a nomination.
I remember an excellent scene in Doubt where Sister James (Adams) tells Sister Beauvier (Streep), exactly what she thinks of her. The lightbulb above Sister Beauvier (Streep) burns out and Sister Beauvier (Streep) responds uphased by Sister James comments and says “Look what you have done now” while pointing to the bulb at the ceiling.
Viola Davis played Mrs Miller the mother of the Black boy who was possibly being molested by Father Flynn (Hoffman) in the movie Doubt. She had a very small part but her acting was so tremendous that it cannot be forgotten.
>#4 POSTED BY Dan, Feb 24th, 2009 9:39 am
>
>Amy Adams was completely undeserving of a nomination, unless we’re >now handing out awards for being perky in a serious drama.
>
>Viola Davis had one job to do in her ten minutes or so: be an >uncaring mom. It’s not a challenging task for an actress. She too >didn’t deserve a nomination.
Dan,
Apparently you must have been partially asleep when you watched the scene with Viola Davis in Doubt. At first, she appeares to be an uncaring mother but if you listened and watched the scene in it entirety you would have felt differently.
Mrs. Miller (Davis) is accused of being uncaring by Sister Beauvier (Streep). Mrs Miller (Davis) explains that her son is Gay and that his bilogical father is beating him severely for being Gay. She tells the Sister that Father Flynn is basically a blessing for her son because he is acting as a mentor.
AND, we (the audience) dodx not know for sure that Father Flynn is actually molesting the boy. It appears that he could be but we never actually see any substantial evidence supporting the accusation. All we know is that Sister James notices some peculiar activity between Father Flynn and the Black boy and that she informs Sister Beauvier of the peculiar activity. Sister Beauvier is jumping to conclusions with out any real substantial evidence. For all we know, Father Flynn could have been helping and counseling the boy deal with his sexual orientation.
And yes, that 10 minutes was better acted and far better deserving of an Academy Award than what Penelope Cruz did in Vicky Christina Barcelona.
—
Woody
Dan,
Apparently you must have been partially asleep when you watched the scene with Viola Davis in Doubt. At first, she appeares to be an uncaring mother but if you listened and watched the scene in it entirety you would have felt differently.
Mrs. Miller (Davis) is accused of being uncaring by Sister Beauvier (Streep). Mrs Miller (Davis) explains that her son is Gay and that his bilogical father is beating him severely for being Gay. She tells the Sister that Father Flynn is basically a blessing for her son because he is acting as a mentor.
AND, we (the audience) dodx not know for sure that Father Flynn is actually molesting the boy. It appears that he could be but we never actually see any substantial evidence supporting the accusation. All we know is that Sister James notices some peculiar activity between Father Flynn and the Black boy and that she informs Sister Beauvier of the peculiar activity. Sister Beauvier is jumping to conclusions with out any real substantial evidence. For all we know, Father Flynn could have been helping and counseling the boy deal with his sexual orientation.
And yes, that 10 minutes was better acted and far better deserving of an Academy Award than what Penelope Cruz did in Vicky Christina Barcelona.
—
Woody
Woody,
I know you are pretty critical of your own films, but come on!
Woody,
I know you are pretty critical of your own films, but come on!
I DVRed the show and watched it in about 20 minutes. That made it a lot better. Mickey Rourke was robbed.
I DVRed the show and watched it in about 20 minutes. That made it a lot better. Mickey Rourke was robbed.
Dan I agree with your point about the Latifah signing moment while honoring those that have passed in the last year. It is a disgrace to the people that worked hard in the industry and to have their one last moment overshadowed by a woman who did Taxi and Last Holiday. I also hated the idea of taking away the clips of the actors and actresses roles they were nominated for and even the best picture set up. It seemed like the nominee’s were being eulogized and who wants to hear just how wonderful an actress Meryl Streep is. the clips set up the body of work for which those people worked so hard to earn the nomination, and they were robbed of that final moment to get the audience intrigued to see their work if they have not alredy. I personally was looking forward to seeing which clip they were going to use for Heath as every damn part of his turn as the Joker was magnificent. Hugh Jackman was good, would have liked to have seen a split view showing Jolie/Pitt while Jen Aniston was onstage, and GET RID OF BEYONCE1
I am very satisfied that Mickey Rourke wasn’t the winner. His performance of himself was nothing spetacular. He just took a lot of steroids, bleached his hair, and delivered his lines. Nothing special! And that movie (The Wrestler) is pure cliché: the fighter can’t relate to his daughter, he is in love with a stripper… Come on!! Can’t they be original?
That said, I’m very happy for Sean Penn. His performance was GREAT (not good, as Mike, poster #1, said). He stripped himself of the bad boy image and became a whole other person, and his performance turned Milk into a great political movie.
The things I didn’t like:
– too many comercials;
– Jai Ho for best song (Down to Earth is way better and contributes so much to the ending of Wall-E!);
– Viola Davis didn’t win Best Supporting Actress (tough I love Penelope Cruz);
– Waltz With Bashir was ignored (it should’ve been nominated for Best Animation, instead of Kung Fu Panda);
– Wall-E didn’t get any Sound awards (!!);
– Hugh Jackman singing and dancing.
I am very satisfied that Mickey Rourke wasn’t the winner. His performance of himself was nothing spetacular. He just took a lot of steroids, bleached his hair, and delivered his lines. Nothing special! And that movie (The Wrestler) is pure cliché: the fighter can’t relate to his daughter, he is in love with a stripper… Come on!! Can’t they be original?
That said, I’m very happy for Sean Penn. His performance was GREAT (not good, as Mike, poster #1, said). He stripped himself of the bad boy image and became a whole other person, and his performance turned Milk into a great political movie.
The things I didn’t like:
– too many comercials;
– Jai Ho for best song (Down to Earth is way better and contributes so much to the ending of Wall-E!);
– Viola Davis didn’t win Best Supporting Actress (tough I love Penelope Cruz);
– Waltz With Bashir was ignored (it should’ve been nominated for Best Animation, instead of Kung Fu Panda);
– Wall-E didn’t get any Sound awards (!!);
– Hugh Jackman singing and dancing.
Clark
Waltz With Bashir was a foreign film, and wasn’t a big budget movie, it hasn’t even been released in KC (they were banking on it winning), so why should it have been put in the animation?
Jai ho was the best of the three songs nominated; it was up beat, and allowed the movie to end with a bang.
I too agree about The “people we have lost” montage, my dad and I was very annoyed that at several times we couldn’t read the names.
I didn’t mind Queen Latifah singing, she has a very good singing voice (just watch Chicago)
I had a slight problem with the musical is back number, this year there was High School Musical 3 and maybe a few others (obviously I had no real desire to see them if I can’t remember them)
All in all I was pretty happy with it, I liked everyone nominated, the only thing I would have had a problem with it winning would have been Benjamin Button, and Brad Pitt it was not that great of a movie to be nominated for picture, and his performance was nothing great, it was a typical BP performance.
Clark
Waltz With Bashir was a foreign film, and wasn’t a big budget movie, it hasn’t even been released in KC (they were banking on it winning), so why should it have been put in the animation?
Jai ho was the best of the three songs nominated; it was up beat, and allowed the movie to end with a bang.
I too agree about The “people we have lost” montage, my dad and I was very annoyed that at several times we couldn’t read the names.
I didn’t mind Queen Latifah singing, she has a very good singing voice (just watch Chicago)
I had a slight problem with the musical is back number, this year there was High School Musical 3 and maybe a few others (obviously I had no real desire to see them if I can’t remember them)
All in all I was pretty happy with it, I liked everyone nominated, the only thing I would have had a problem with it winning would have been Benjamin Button, and Brad Pitt it was not that great of a movie to be nominated for picture, and his performance was nothing great, it was a typical BP performance.
Clark- What made “The Wrestler” great was how effortlessly it created a gripping emotional story within the boundaries of that which you term a cliche. If you thought Rourke was just “reading his lines,” that means he embodied his character so well you forgot you were watching acting. But, I digress.
It was REALLY annoying to not see the “people we have lost” fullscreen. That was the one part where it should be required to give them some fullscreen time.
Jackman was a total pro, and the musical numbers were well done. I loved the ribbing of “The Reader” (“I haven’t seen ‘The Reader’!”) and the Anne Hathaway moment was very funny. Even the musical montage with everybody was fun in that “Moulin Rouge!” mash-up Luhrmann style (he produced that segment).
I also liked having past winners come out to honor the current nominees, but that meant no clips of their performances and it also tended to let some of the presenters nourish their worst tendencies to over-praise.
The set design, as I said before, was amazing, and i loved how they took the audience through the process of producing a movie. Overall, it was way different than anything we’ve seen, and that was enough for me to enjoy it, even if almost every win was completely predictable.
Clark- What made “The Wrestler” great was how effortlessly it created a gripping emotional story within the boundaries of that which you term a cliche. If you thought Rourke was just “reading his lines,” that means he embodied his character so well you forgot you were watching acting. But, I digress.
It was REALLY annoying to not see the “people we have lost” fullscreen. That was the one part where it should be required to give them some fullscreen time.
Jackman was a total pro, and the musical numbers were well done. I loved the ribbing of “The Reader” (“I haven’t seen ‘The Reader’!”) and the Anne Hathaway moment was very funny. Even the musical montage with everybody was fun in that “Moulin Rouge!” mash-up Luhrmann style (he produced that segment).
I also liked having past winners come out to honor the current nominees, but that meant no clips of their performances and it also tended to let some of the presenters nourish their worst tendencies to over-praise.
The set design, as I said before, was amazing, and i loved how they took the audience through the process of producing a movie. Overall, it was way different than anything we’ve seen, and that was enough for me to enjoy it, even if almost every win was completely predictable.
Did anyone notice how scary Sophia Loren looked? She looked like a witch that was about to cast a death curse onto Meryl Streep! And poor Meryl looked liked she was squirming and hanging onto her daughter in the front row.
Did anyone notice how scary Sophia Loren looked? She looked like a witch that was about to cast a death curse onto Meryl Streep! And poor Meryl looked liked she was squirming and hanging onto her daughter in the front row.
I was certain Streep would get the nod after watching her in “Doubt”. I was hell-bent on seeing it after missing the stage version at the KC Rep last season. I believed that right up until I watched “The Reader” on the Friday before the Academy Awards broadcast – Winslet was wonderful in that role! I thought Hathaway might be a dark horse, but she has plenty of time and plenty of roles that will come her way based on her versatility.
Regardless of the ‘flak’ behind Penn winning and seemingly edging out Rourke for Best Actor… it was a stretch for him to be in such a role, much like his role in “I Am Sam”, for someone to take on a role that is a departure from their own persona, is something to witness – we forget the “Bad Boys/Spicoli” image of Penn as a young adult and witness his emergence as a seasoned actor in “Deadman Walking”, “Mystic River” and now “Milk”. I do believe it was a tough decision, but the better role won.
I had no true direction as to which way the Academy would turn in the area of Best Supporting Actress… after chosing individuals in minor roles (i.e. Basinger – “LA Confidential”) I thought Davis might have a chance as I was deeply moved by her performance… I also thought Tomei might reprise her role as an award winner for her performance in “The Wrestler”… Henson’s performance did not move me, nor did it move the academy (I’m actually not certain she should’ve been nominated if it were not for ‘Button’ having such clout with nominations) but it was the film I did not see that garnered the award for Penelope Cruz.
There were a few snubs (i.e. Gran Torino) some were deserved (i.e. Revolutionary Road) and a few surprises (i.e. Robert Downey Jr! Wow – now that’s a brave nomination, but somewhat deserving – that film delicately set him up for that. It will never happen like that again).
I thought ‘Slumdog’ got all it deserved and that ‘Button’ got too much.
The event itself went smoothly and Jackman did a nice job in hosting (although some of the musical numbers were a stretch – was it just me or was it painful hearing him sing “You’re the One That I Want”?).
All in all I give it a “Minor Rock Fist Up” and look forward to seeing what the Academy has in store for us next year (We may see Downey and Foxx back at it).
I was certain Streep would get the nod after watching her in “Doubt”. I was hell-bent on seeing it after missing the stage version at the KC Rep last season. I believed that right up until I watched “The Reader” on the Friday before the Academy Awards broadcast – Winslet was wonderful in that role! I thought Hathaway might be a dark horse, but she has plenty of time and plenty of roles that will come her way based on her versatility.
Regardless of the ‘flak’ behind Penn winning and seemingly edging out Rourke for Best Actor… it was a stretch for him to be in such a role, much like his role in “I Am Sam”, for someone to take on a role that is a departure from their own persona, is something to witness – we forget the “Bad Boys/Spicoli” image of Penn as a young adult and witness his emergence as a seasoned actor in “Deadman Walking”, “Mystic River” and now “Milk”. I do believe it was a tough decision, but the better role won.
I had no true direction as to which way the Academy would turn in the area of Best Supporting Actress… after chosing individuals in minor roles (i.e. Basinger – “LA Confidential”) I thought Davis might have a chance as I was deeply moved by her performance… I also thought Tomei might reprise her role as an award winner for her performance in “The Wrestler”… Henson’s performance did not move me, nor did it move the academy (I’m actually not certain she should’ve been nominated if it were not for ‘Button’ having such clout with nominations) but it was the film I did not see that garnered the award for Penelope Cruz.
There were a few snubs (i.e. Gran Torino) some were deserved (i.e. Revolutionary Road) and a few surprises (i.e. Robert Downey Jr! Wow – now that’s a brave nomination, but somewhat deserving – that film delicately set him up for that. It will never happen like that again).
I thought ‘Slumdog’ got all it deserved and that ‘Button’ got too much.
The event itself went smoothly and Jackman did a nice job in hosting (although some of the musical numbers were a stretch – was it just me or was it painful hearing him sing “You’re the One That I Want”?).
All in all I give it a “Minor Rock Fist Up” and look forward to seeing what the Academy has in store for us next year (We may see Downey and Foxx back at it).
Andie (#12),
So what if Waltz With Bashir isn’t a big budget movie? It’s BETTER, and that’s what counts! The Oscars should go to the good movies, not to the ones that spent more money.
I agree with you that Brad Pitt didn’t do anything great in Benjamin Button but… Jai Ho is the best of the three songs? It’s upbeat, but very irregular, and we don’t even know what the lyrics mean. Just watch the end credits of Wall-E and see how beautifully Down to Earth matches and closes the movie.
Andie (#12),
So what if Waltz With Bashir isn’t a big budget movie? It’s BETTER, and that’s what counts! The Oscars should go to the good movies, not to the ones that spent more money.
I agree with you that Brad Pitt didn’t do anything great in Benjamin Button but… Jai Ho is the best of the three songs? It’s upbeat, but very irregular, and we don’t even know what the lyrics mean. Just watch the end credits of Wall-E and see how beautifully Down to Earth matches and closes the movie.
The awards are rigged. Always have been. Cruz didn’t deserve to even be nominated. She can barely speak English and is a horrible actress in any language. I figured Viola Davis would have won..or even Marisa Tomei.. actually any of the other best supporting actress nominees should have won over Cruz. I just don’t get the big deal about her. She is very average-looking and, more importantly CAN’T ACT.
Wall-E should’ve won for Down to Earth.. No excuses for that.
As for Slumdog Millionaire, despite it’s incredibly stupid title -was an OKAY movie.. It didn’t deserve 8 awards. Maybe for Best Picture, but not 8! For crying out loud.. It was ridiculous.
The Wrestler got snubbed.
The awards are rigged. Always have been. Cruz didn’t deserve to even be nominated. She can barely speak English and is a horrible actress in any language. I figured Viola Davis would have won..or even Marisa Tomei.. actually any of the other best supporting actress nominees should have won over Cruz. I just don’t get the big deal about her. She is very average-looking and, more importantly CAN’T ACT.
Wall-E should’ve won for Down to Earth.. No excuses for that.
As for Slumdog Millionaire, despite it’s incredibly stupid title -was an OKAY movie.. It didn’t deserve 8 awards. Maybe for Best Picture, but not 8! For crying out loud.. It was ridiculous.
The Wrestler got snubbed.
Becky,
I totally agree with everything you said.
———-
#17 POSTED BY Becky, Mar 7th, 2009 7:06 pm
The awards are rigged. Always have been. Cruz didn’t deserve to even be nominated. She can barely speak English and is a horrible actress in any language. I figured Viola Davis would have won..or even Marisa Tomei.. actually any of the other best supporting actress nominees should have won over Cruz. I just don’t get the big deal about her. She is very average-looking and, more importantly CAN’T ACT.
Wall-E should’ve won for Down to Earth.. No excuses for that.
As for Slumdog Millionaire, despite it’s incredibly stupid title -was an OKAY movie.. It didn’t deserve 8 awards. Maybe for Best Picture, but not 8! For crying out loud.. It was ridiculous.
The Wrestler got snubbed.
Becky,
I totally agree with everything you said.
———-
#17 POSTED BY Becky, Mar 7th, 2009 7:06 pm
The awards are rigged. Always have been. Cruz didn’t deserve to even be nominated. She can barely speak English and is a horrible actress in any language. I figured Viola Davis would have won..or even Marisa Tomei.. actually any of the other best supporting actress nominees should have won over Cruz. I just don’t get the big deal about her. She is very average-looking and, more importantly CAN’T ACT.
Wall-E should’ve won for Down to Earth.. No excuses for that.
As for Slumdog Millionaire, despite it’s incredibly stupid title -was an OKAY movie.. It didn’t deserve 8 awards. Maybe for Best Picture, but not 8! For crying out loud.. It was ridiculous.
The Wrestler got snubbed.
yeah sophia loren looked like the ghost of a girl that was murdered on her prom night, and then emerged from the grave 50 years later to have her revenge.
yeah sophia loren looked like the ghost of a girl that was murdered on her prom night, and then emerged from the grave 50 years later to have her revenge.
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