Despite all pretensions, dissensions, and interventions, the Oscars are still the awards to beat - in terms of shock and awe, in terms of name-brand appeal, and in terms of some pretty good films. Dissenters from the Oscar parade are as old as the Oscars. Whether it is the Razzies, people who have declined the Oscar, or all those other punk award wanna-be's, the Oscars rule, at least for one night every year, and tonight's the night.
The 78th Annual Academy Awards, awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences kicks off in less than an hour, this year from the Kodak Theatre on the corner of Hollywood and Highland, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST/8 p.m. EST. Comedian/political satirist Jon Stewart, host of the Daily Show, will host for the first time. He commented, when informed he would be the host, "As a performer, I'm truly honored to be hosting the show. Although, as an avid watcher of the Oscars, I can't help but be a little disappointed with the choice. It appears to be another sad attempt to smoke out Billy Crystal."
The Razzies, in case you were wondering:
WORST PICTURE: Dirty Love
WORST ACTRESS: Jenny McCarthy, Dirty Love
WORST ACTOR: Rob Schneider, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigalo
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Paris Hilton, House of Wax
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Hayden Christensen, Star Wars: Episode III--Revenge of the Sith
WORST ONSCREEN COUPLE: Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell, Bewitched
WORST DIRECTOR: John Asher, Dirty Love
WORST SCREENPLAY: Dirty Love
WORST SEQUEL OR REMAKE: Son of the Mask
MOST TIRESOME TABLOID TARGET: Tom Cruise: Katie Holmes, Oprah's Couch, the Eiffel Tower and Tom's Baby
Chip in below with your thoughts on the Oscars as they proceed, trivia, and later, with your opinions on why the Oscar should have gone to...
The nominations, in case you missed them earlier:
Best motion picture of the year
Brokeback Mountain (Focus Features)
A River Road Entertainment Production
Diana Ossana and James Schamus, Producers
Capote (UA/Sony Pictures Classics)
An A-Line Pictures/Cooper’s Town/ Infinity Media Production
Caroline Baron, William Vince and Michael Ohoven, Producers
Crash (Lions Gate)
A Bob Yari/DEJ/Blackfriar’s Bridge/ Harris Company/ApolloProscreen GmbH & Co./Bull’s Eye Entertainment Production
Paul Haggis and Cathy Schulman, Producers
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Aaman
Walk The Line should have been nominated for Best Picture, and Silent Waters, from Pakistan for Best Foreign Film
2 - Aaman
Billy Crystal, Chris Rock, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, make zany experiences declining to host the Oscars, and Mel Gibson in Mayan decline - then Jon Stewart wakes up in bed (with who?)...
An auspicious beginning
3 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
damn the UK and it's lack of coverage!!! Aaman, you are doin me a great service, and sundry others, i'd wager. be sure an report all there is to report with regards Kirsten's dress, hair etc. and also, Murderball winnin best documentary would be lovely.
4 - BrokenBack
Funny gay-themed pastiche of classic Westerns
5 - Aaman
Best Supporting Actor goes to...George Clooney for Syriana
I think he sure deserved it
6 - Lisa McKay
Jon's opening monologue was pretty funny - I thought he looked really nervous at the start but warmed up a bit after he got a couple of laughs.
7 - Aaman
Oscar for Visual Effects better not go to Narnia
8 - Pratyush
No Star Movies working here in Calcutta, India.
Bah.
9 - Aaman
The Visual Effects Oscar went to King Kong - a remake that sure was fabulous
10 - Lisa McKay
I find the music playing during acceptance speeches to be highly intrusive and annoying.
11 - Aaman
Camille Paglia and Cintra Wilson are simul-critiquing the Oscars
12 - Aaman
Best Animated feature film went to "Wallace and Gromit" - I haven't seen it, but I wish it went to "Howl" - Miyazaki is so good, even though this might not be his best
13 - Aaman
All the short films are available for download on iTunes, and it makes sense now to watch 'Six Shooter', which won 'live-action short'
14 - Aaman
And to follow-up, best animated short is given to 'The Moon And the Son'
15 - Aaman
What connects Chicago and a Geisha?
16 - Lisa McKay
Besides the costume designer?
17 - Aaman
the Oscar award for best costumes
18 - Sister Ray
Jennifer Annison looked great (so did Russell Crowe :->). I liked that she cut the comedy. I didn't get Ben Stiller's skit.
19 - Aaman
Anyone notice that fishes moving in harmony seems to be the in-thing in advertising - Mcdonalds and JCP used the same thing
20 - Lisa McKay
Most of the gowns have been lovely, except for that flower-thingy on the front of Naomi Watts' dress.
21 - Aaman
Best Supporting Actress went to Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain:)
Actually Rachel Weiss in Constant Gardener:)
And the music is annoying
22 - swingingpuss
Wal-mart had the best ad so far, perhaps surprisingly - short and sweet, and stylish, unlike 'Tab - the local energy drink for women'
23 - Lisa McKay
Lauren Bacall was a bit scary.
24 - Sister Ray
Kudos to Ms. Bacall, and it was fun seeing all those black and white movies.
I must be in a curmudgeonly mood tonight - Jon Stewart is really annoying me.
The guy from "Hustle and Flow" looked so different from how he looked in the movie.
25 - Aaman
Best documentary goes to the richly deserving "March Of the Penguins", who take a few fake penguins up on stage