A few lingering Oscar curiosities

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Yo Yo Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 03:39 PM EST

Not so sure I agree that winning would ruin young Abigail, after all Anna Paquin is still acting and hey Tatum has that show on MyNetwork TV (lol), and in the grand scheme, most supporting actress winners end up sucking anyway (uh, Mira Sorvino? Marisa Tomei?).

Seriously, I love that Eddie Murphy diva'd out about losing and then tried to pass it off as planned all along that he was going home to be with his family after they announced his category anyway. Ha ha, now THAT would have been a show to watch.

And on more thing... a lot of the best pictures have sucked. Craptanic foremost among them, I rooted for the iceberg.

P.S. Bring back Jon Stewart.

scout Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 02:40 PM EST

A Couple of Words I would like to share:
1. ELLEN - I was laughing out loud the entire time she spoke. For all those who think she is awkward and boring, then you don't understand how intelligent her humor is. She has an incredibly witty and dry sense of humor that I guess some of you just cannot wrap your brain around.
2. The Departed will look fine in the years to come, think Titanic.
3. Did Apacalypto win anything? Hope it did not because that movie was completly untrue and horrifying.
4. I think JHud will be fine - she is so unique to the acting world that no matter what she does, be it sing or act, she will be successful.
5. Eddie Murphy makes me sick and that makes me mad about Beyonce not clapping.
6. Babel is the worst. Watched it before The Departed and there is not even the slightest comparison btw. the two. The Departed was amazing!

ceej Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:12 PM EST

I can appreciate Eddie genuine disappointment. I hate it when celebs act like losing is some type of honor. 'oh, i'm just glad i was nominated" That's so for fake. Losing sucks! All that hype and ego-stroking Eddie had to go thru, he should be pissed. Nice to see him react like a real person would, rather than some phony-baloney.

ceej Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:08 PM EST

Mirren & Caligula? Wayyy before my time. Kingdom of Heaven? Great script, lackluster performances by cast and crew. And the Rocketeer is a classic.

Hudson? Ditto aa. There are so few quality roles for women, even fewer for African American women, and a even smaller number for a curvy one. She and the rest of the "Black Hollywood Elite" should put their heads together and make their own path, rather than wait for someone to clear a path for them.

Personally, I'd take the Oscar and run. She could have a great career (and accolades) on wax (Grammy), Broadway (Tony), and TV (Emmy). She has a chance to join another very elite club: the 4-peaters.

yssys Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:05 PM EST

The Departed was a good movie, but not a classic, not even a classic Scorsese Film, when he received the Oscar i felt like i was watching him receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. In my opinion, the best movies of the year weren't even nominated, those were: Children of Men and Pan's Laberynth.

MD Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:46 PM EST

Hand me my blindfold and cigarette - I hated the Departed! Not even one of
Scorsese's best films. I was sad to see it win - I hated last year's best pic too - CRASH was boring.
I understand Arkin's point about Abigail but boy - what an upset that would have been! I didn't like Jennifer on IDOL and I really don't like her now.

GeeMoney Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:23 PM EST

I think that shows like the Oscars have been on the decline for years because nowadays there are so many other things to do besides go home and watch television. Back in the day, people either went outside with friends or came home and watched TV. Anyways, Abby Breslin shouldn't have won because we don't need another Tatum O'Neal. Eddie Murphy lost probably due to Norbit and The Departed ROCKED. Those who say it wasn't a good picture should be shot.

Matt Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:14 PM EST

I don't get all this Seinfeld hoopla at all. He was presenting an award, and he gets up there and does a comedy routine? Why? And he does the same old smarmy, mean-spirited schtick he's been doing since the '80's. I guess people want him to host next year because they forget his so-called comedy, since he's been off-the-radar for a while...? I'm sure I couldn't take 4 hours of his, "So what's the deal with documentary shorts?" kind of thing. No thanks.

Fatima Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:17 AM EST

Be fair to Spike people...it was a banner year for him. Inside Man was an audience and critical smash, and I can assure you that if When The Levees Broke wasn't on TV, it would have been a nominated. Spike is on the right track again people!

Tyler D Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 11:10 AM EST

Man, Alan Arkin rocks! He's the old cranky dude who is now always blunt because he has no worries. Plus, he's right about the loss being better for Breslin in the long run.

I'm Seinfeld's biggest supporter (I still think the finale was underrrated in terms of being the appropriate ending to the series), but be careful what you wish for if you're asking him to host the Oscars. Seinfeld's comedy is cynical and caustic at times, so he probably wouldn't spend so much time celebrating Hollywood. I don't mind that, but there would be alot of people upset by that brand of comedy. People had problems with Rock or Stewart, so why would Seinfeld fair any better with such an uptight audience?

bb Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 07:01 AM EST

I'm glad Babel didn't win, it was nearly the same movie as "Crash" and that was no way better than the sublime Brokeback Mountain. And yes you will see Jennifer Hudson again, Spike Lee wants her in a film badly. (of course his films as of late suck).

Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 05:51 AM EST

The worst show of disrespect came when Beyonce & Daddy refused to clap when Alan Arkin won. If the situation had been reversed (Murphy won, Arkin didn't applaud), you can bet "racisim" accusations would be flying.

Jakeem Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 04:15 AM EST

I thought Seinfeld rocked and made more of an impact during his brief remarks than Ellen did all night! The biggest problem with Ellen as host is that she tried to go across the grain by NOT doing topical humor. A fatal mistake.
My biggest problem with the telecast is how rudely the non-actors are treated when they win. If awards are presented to two people for art direction and set decoration, respectively, they should both get a chance to give acceptance speeches.
As soon as one finishes, the music swells before the second can even get to the mic. Such disrespect!

toosense Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 03:37 AM EST

Well, I don't think they have done Jennifer Hudson any favors, at all. It has been The Year of Her Life, indeed. And yet, and yet...I feel bad for anyone whose Life peaks at age 23? 25?. Having had this kind of Cinderella year - career-wise, it definitely is all downhill from here....sorry to say. And , like Alan Arkin, I am very glad they didn't saddle the little girl Abby with the kind of kiss of oblivion such an award so young/early in career can bring. Hope Hudson can hold it together in the immediate future, and the long haul.

thomas Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 02:27 AM EST

the departed is nowhere near the classic level of goodfellas! I yawned through parts of it. I would NEVER put it in the same breath as CLASSICS LIKE goodfellas, taxi driver, raging bull - or the b list - alice doesn't, king of comedy - new york x2 - to me its in the same misfire category as casino - every scene was like - it was cooler in goodfellas. departed woulda worked for me if the mobsters were italian (nicholson -miscast - uugly to look at - deniro woulda worked). leonardo - leonardNO- MIScast - please, when he was banging vera faminga (yeah right) - soundtrack yawn....every song in goodfellas fit the scene and rocked - I hunted for those songs 'cause i wanted to rehear them. When it won, i personally didn't even care. It was like this is to mean that all your classics shoulda won.

Matt Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 02:21 AM EST

Am I the only person who found Seinfeld's ossified schtick a cringe-worthy low point in the evening? Yes, it was good to see him back in the spotlight, but my God, how many times have we heard these punchlines? Movie tickets are expensive? Really! Theater floors are sticky? Get out! Seinfeld's standard, smart-aleck whine delivery added an extra layer of staleness to the whole affair. The whole thing seemed very 1996. Interesting to compare him to Ellen, whose off-kilter delivery and willingness to go for the bizarre non-sequitur gave the majority of the long ceremony an extra touch of surprise and comic glow.

t-bird Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 02:19 AM EST

things i hated about the oscar show
#1. How many reaction shot of will smith and mark walhberg do i have to look at? I guessestimate that the camera zoomed in on them 25 times each. was anyone else in the audience.
2. speaking of -- why don't they let those temporary "seat fillers" be STARS? wHEN I look in that audience, i want to see famous people - cher, redford, hoffman, steisand, lynch, julie andrews. winning an award should be a lifetime guarantee of a seat. people should win in the presence of past winners.
3. i know that the academy thrives to appear diverse, but do they ALWAYS HAVE to invite spike lee and smauel l. jackson (lou gossert jr too, but I didn't spot him this year). what they they done of importance this year?
4. presenters - jack nicholson - 2 years in a row for best picture - queen latifah - two years for best song - tom hanks again - jlo - again - tom cruise again - arent there anybody else around? mix it up (it was great to see gwenthy, nicole jfost

Karla Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 01:48 AM EST

There's a special prerequisite for People's Choice voters. If your IQ approaches room temperature, you're disqualified from voting.

c.e. Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:55 AM EST

I only have one question and I hope no one takes this the wrong way. If everyone, myself included are this informed on films and actors, how come the People's Choice Awards suck? Who is voting on those?

Joseph Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:43 AM EST

The Departed sucked? Wow, simply stunning

casey Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:22 AM EST

The Departed sucked. Completely. I don't understand why everyone thought this movies was so great. In leiu of any real character development, we saw two foils pitted against each other. And rather that real plot twists, we got violence. Babel was robbed.

Harry Wed, Feb 28, 2007 at 12:20 AM EST

I really wish people would stop bitching about the Oscars being soooo long. The majority of people watch the Oscars at parties where everyone's talking and hanging out. The running time just gives everyone more time to do it.

And Eddie Murphy's an ass.

Fatima Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:59 PM EST

So true. When they showed her reaction she seemed like she was laughing about it or something. It was a very poor decision. And I agree about her in English to a certain extent, which is why I was just blown away at how good she was in her own language. She really shouldn't bother with English roles at all when the divide between the quality of acting is that wide. I didn't want Mirren to lose at all, but I was cheering for Cruz along with her.

Ceballos Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:47 PM EST

That WAS weird Fatima...and unfortunate that they didn't show Penelope speaking in her clip...especially since it would've been her speaking in Spanish...her speaking in English is like nails on a particularly irritating chalkboard.

Fatima Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 11:35 PM EST

I posted this on the live blog but it got swept away...

Was anyone else really annoyed that for Penelope's clip, they showed the scenes where she is singing? Granted the scene made me blubber like a baby, but it WASN'T HER singing. Its obviously someone else. Couldn't they have found a clip where she was speaking? I was overall sad that they didn't show longer clips for each actor.

Tony Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:50 PM EST

Ditto Tommy G's suggestion on hiring new writers, although not necessarily for the host, but for the announcer! One of the announcers (I forget who) introduced "The Departed" as a remake of the "Japanese" movie, "Infernal Affairs". Wow. "IA" was from HONG KONG, not Japan. One of the few times they even mention the original source material at the awards and they blow it. What an insult.

RTMS Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:47 PM EST

I too thought it was a waste to give Hudson the Oscar. Talented singer?Yes, talented actress? NO! She won't be heard from again. Those actresses who lost must be green with envy that they simply lost a popularity contest in this instance.

sam Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:45 PM EST

Ellen is a sweet person and she tried hard, but people are reviewing her personality and not her performance. She was awkward and not funny (except for one or two lines). Don't have a host at all, cut the time and the montages unless they mean something and don't sing those awful songs in full.

Silas Bent Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:21 PM EST

I am mad nobody mentioned Helen was just in Shadowboxer that was released in the summer! How is that not her Norbit?!

Philip John Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:04 PM EST

I was really hoping for Ms. Barraza's win, she was really intense.

colbyfan Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 10:02 PM EST

There are too few real contests at the Oscars. When you know who is going to win minus one 'surprise' winner, then what's the point of watching? I used to like watching to root for my favorites or see who won between 2 or 3 terrific performances. Now, it seems like the industry people who vote have their minds made up months ahead. And if viewers disagree strongly with even most of the nominations - Jennifer Hudson is to Kate Winslet what Cher was to Glenn Close - then it's just too frustrating to even think about much less watch. But, I love the Oscars and I love movies so I watched. I thought the show was entertaining this year - Ellen was fine and I preferred the kinder, gentler tone overall. Jerry Seinfeld would be a terrible host - the guy has the empathy of a stick.

t3hdow Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 09:51 PM EST

to 'me!':

The problem with the Oscars isn't the number of awards they give out. It's how slow the show stretches to freaking eternity. I think most of the eastern coast viewers can agree that anything above thre hours is just overkill. Hell, anything above two hours is overkill.

I understand giving the people behind the scenes recognition - especially since their importance to making films is underemphasized compared to the $20 million a movie AAA actors - but there must be a better way to do this.

aa Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 09:45 PM EST

i'll be surprised if jennifer hudson has many more quality roles but that speaks to hollywood's myopia not her talent.

aa Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 09:44 PM EST

the fact that people actually saw the departed probably had something to do with the increased viewrship. its a great movie and will defintely stand the test of time. jen hudson was probably also a factor. when you consider that more people vote for american idol than the president i'm sure some folks wanted to see her.

Jim Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:31 PM EST

Nope, in fifteen years, people will look at "the Departed" and wonder, "Why the heck is THAT the best picture of the year?". Especially when "The Children of Men" is going to live for many years and become a classic.

brandonk Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:11 PM EST

I would be surprised if Jennifer Hudson did much acting. I think she's a much better singer, and that's probably what she'll concentrate on.

me! Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 08:01 PM EST

Ok, unlike alot of you on here, I really enjoyed the Oscars! Granted, there were some winners that I wouldn't have picked. Even though I didn't see that german film, how can ANYTHING be better than Pan's Labryinth!? I truly felt it should have won EVERY award it was nominated for & should have been in for Best Picture! What an amazing film & just because it was in subtitles & wasn't in too wide of a release doesn't mean it shouldn't appreciated. I was happy that it did get a few awards though.
Also, what everyone seems to forget is that if it wasn't for the other "boring" awards during the oscars, there would be no movies! The people behind the scenes do deserve the same respect as the actors! It's amazing when you go to the movies & see people leave RIGHT when the movie ends & not take time to see how many people help make the film. You never know, you might know someone in there. =)
So, I thought that Ellen did a great job and I truly was entertained watching the 4+ hr. show!

Kristi Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:40 PM EST

Just have to say i couldn't have agreed more with Alan Arkin, poor poor child stars, anyone happen to hear of Britney Spears? She is this one child star who seems to be having a rough time as of late...

DR Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:37 PM EST

I don't think it matters WHO hosts the show if it's gonna run over 4 hours! AARRGGHH! And to put the awards all out of order, as well. I don't think so. As for who won and who lost, meh, it doesn't matter to me too much, it's just a trophy which doesn't guarantee success in this world. Halle Berry had some major stinkers after she won her Oscar (hello, "Catwoman"?!?), and despite the fact that Kate Winslet has never won, she's still picking good films and doing what she does best. As for Alan Arkin, I can understand where he's coming from, but he should have been a bit more tactful, it was the kid's time in the spotlight for crying out loud! And finally, Eddie Murphy. Uhm, can we say "Norbit"? Talk about bad timing. Usually the stinkers get released AFTER the Oscar has been won (see Foxx, Jamie and "Stealth", released AFTER he won the Oscar for "Ray"). I think between "Norbit" and the seeming popularity of "Sunshine", he was sunk. *shrug*

Megha Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:19 PM EST

Really, why must EVERYONE rag on the wholesome family entertainment that is "The Rocketeer"?

Fatima Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 07:05 PM EST

Alan Arkin has a point, but it seems nasty coming from him just because he's proved himself to be a big joyless grump. Murphy or Arkin - it didn't matter who won. I just knew I would never like to have dinner with either.

I would gladly eat burgers with Helen Mirren though.

mike Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 06:53 PM EST

It doesn't matter who the host is. The telecast is too long with stretches of awards no one cares about. I DVR'd it this year and watched most of it in fast-forward the next day.
There are too many award shows leading up to the Oscars. You can only care about hearing Helen Mirren's thank yous so many times until you just don't care.
I was thrilled to see The Departed win. I saw it the day after I saw Babel. No competition.

Stacey Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:57 PM EST

It probably wasn't her time. Wish she had won over Jennifer Hudson, at least she has acting experience. But if she's serious about acting, she can only get bigger and do better. She has plenty of chances. She's still young. 10 years old is pretty young for an Oscar. So it's not a tragedy that she didn't win. If she has the will, she will get it one day.

Yodlee Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:52 PM EST

She's still young. She has plenty of chances and she really didn't seem to mind that she didn't win. She genuinely seemed happy to be there. Can't wait for her next movie!

Sarah Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:48 PM EST

Laura,
Didn't you notice that Matt Damon kept changing his SIM card when he called Jack? And that Jack wasn't actually at the graduation, he just drove around near it? I got the impression that Jack had groomed the character for a long time, to become his mole. I thought it was a fantastic genre picture, and Leonardo Dicaprio's performance will help it age well; he was amazing and totally underrated for that movie.

And I can only take so much Jerry Seinfeld at a time... he hasn't changed his schtick since his show was on. Yuck. I'd love to see Conan O'Brien, but I don't think the Academy would 'get' him.

I also am skeptical about how much more we'll hear from J-Hud. One performance does not a career make.

Tommy G. Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:44 PM EST

If they asked me (ha! Fat chance on that one...), next year they oughta:

1) Ask Steve Carrell to host.

2) Get some new writers. Someone who'll bring back the humor.

3) No more pseudo Debbie Allen dance sequences!!!

4) More gratuitous shots of Jack Nicholson!

5) Start the Oscars before 8:30 PM Eastern/7:30 Central. Some of us have to get up on Monday morning, guys...

Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:31 PM EST

I think Eddie Murphy was upset because his buzz died as the result of voter disgust for some tasteless Norbit billboards in Hollywood. Or so I read in one or two gossipy rags. Anyway, the Oscars are a joke: if a film/actor/actress/etc. isn't campaigning for a nomination, then it/he/she won't get one. And voters are looking to vote for the film/actor/actress with the most buzz in most cases ("Ryan Gosling has no buzz, so what's the point in voting for him/even watching my screener of Half Nelson?"); on rare occasions there are "upsets." Eddie backlash gave Arkin an Oscar (Arkin probably deserved it more, yes, but Eddie didn't deserve to be punished for Norbit).

Robert Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:27 PM EST

I don't think the Departed is going to look that good after time, because when we're talking about all time greats, then the intelligent filmgoers are going to compare it to Infernal Affairs, which is infinitely superior. The Departed doesn't hold a candle to Infernal Affairs, but it wasn't bad.

It's a shame that none of the best movies of the year, that will hold up for years from now (Children of Men, Pan's Labryinth, The Prestige, or United 93) were nominated for Best Picture.

Also - why rag on the Rocketeer? It was infinitely better than Babel or Dreamgirls. Plus, the director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven was actually good.

Tom Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:27 PM EST

First of all, Helen Mirren has nothing to be ashamed about with Caligula. It was almost 30 years ago. Give her a break.

Jennifer Hudson is talented, and while i admit she's going to have trouble finding roles as strong as Effie White, she has that incredible voice to fall back on.

Jerry Seinfeld is too arrogant and rich for my tastes. Ditto for Eddie Murphy, one of the most joyless comedians I've ever seen.

Ellen was good, but she had no bite.

The Departed was great. Glad Babel lost.

Ken M Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:15 PM EST

I agree Jerry Seinfeld nailed his spot on the Oscars. I haven't laughed out loud like that in a long time!

Sven Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:14 PM EST

1. A little of Jerry Seinfeld goes a long way. He would be no better than Ellen. If the producers want milkbone variety hosting, then go with one of them. If they want an edge (which unfortunately does not to be the case), then keep looking. John Steward did a fine job, with Chris Rock coming a close second.
2. Hopefully Jennifer Hudson will just disappear, along with anything Dream Girls related. It was a travesty she was even nominated, let alone won.
3. Eddie Murphy is an idiot for behaving the way did, but I expected nothing less. He has not ever been known for his maturity.
4. I watched the whole damn show, but that does not mean I liked it. I will be back next year, but please cut it down to 3 and change.

paz Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:12 PM EST

You know what really bugged me about the awards? After the winners in the acting catagories finished their acceptance speeches, they practically ran off the stage leaving the presenter of the award way behind trying to catch up. What happenened to walking off together and sharing the moment? I thought it looked awkward. Maybe next year they should mention this at the nominees luncheon.

Noel Murray Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 05:10 PM EST

Last I checked, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is pretty widely respected, especially in its longer DVD version.

No stink there.

laura Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 04:57 PM EST

I think in 5 years The Departed will look silly. All the action takes place on cell phones! Those phones are going to look ancient in a few years...mark my words. BTW--how did they know EVERYTHING about Leo's family but NOTHING about Matt Damon's connections? Jack N. showed up at his graduation from the academy for gosh sakes! Plus, why had no one ever thought to check Matt's cell phone for calls when they suspected a leak? Duh.

Marci Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 04:50 PM EST

Eddie Murphy's an ass with a huge ego. I'm glad he didn't win.

Auriana Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 04:50 PM EST

What was wrong with Kingdom of Heaven? It was a well acted/done historically accurate that portrayed the Crusades well. One of my favorite movies of the past few years.

As for The Departed. I don't agree that it was the best movie of the year and out of those nominated I had hoped for Letters from Iwo Jima to take the win. I havn't been happy with the last few years of Oscar winners and nominees. The last time I was excited for a winner was Return of the King. Last time I actually loved all the nominees save one (probably just because I never saw it) was 2001.

Josh Tue, Feb 27, 2007 at 04:45 PM EST

Hey watch it, I love The Rocketeer. Kingdom of Heaven wasn't bad either (though the script was pretty bland).