(...Story Continued from Previous Page) so who knew she was so damn funny?
When accepting her Best Supporting Actress win for "Michael Clayton," the red-haired Brit hilariously capped her
speech by mercilessly teasing co-star George Clooney: "George Clooney...
you know. The seriousness and dedication to your art, seeing you climb into that
rubber bat suit from "Batman and Robin," the one with nipples, every morning,
under your costume, on the set, off the set, hanging upside at lunch. You rock,
man. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Ever the class act, Clooney took it like,
well, like George Clooney -- a man.
Am I Crazy Or ...
Was seeing acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee and his "Jungle Fever" star, recent tax evader Wesley Snipes, sitting together as essentially dates
kind of heartwarming? And they looked fantastic. Maybe they'll make
another movie together? I'm sure Snipes would be happy. The IRS is another
story...
Edgiest Jon Stewart Joke
"Julie Christie was absolutely amazing in 'Away From Her.' Brilliant movie. It was a moving story of a
woman who forgets her own husband. Hillary Clinton called it the 'feel good
movie of the year.' "
Buzz Off
Can Jerry Seinfeld please stop promoting
that damn bee movie? We saw you on Oprah. We saw you on Letterman. We saw you on
Larry King. We get it. You made freaking "Bee Movie." And yes, we know it will be available on
DVD this March. And showing the montage of great stinging film moments didn't
make us want to rush out and buy (ugh!) "Bee Movie." Seriously, we'd so rather
watch that hilarious Bill Murray bee sequence from "Rushmore" over Jerry's entire animated classic.
Bad in Black
One would think black is basic -- that it
flatters all who wear it. But the usually perky and lovely Jennifer Garner appeared downright dour in her dark
frock, looking both unhappy and uncomfortable in such a gothic get-up. Helena Bonham Carter (where was she, anyway?) she is
not.
Ladies in Red
Perhaps in the spirit of all the violent
movies nominated this year, many actresses opted for bold red dresses. Helen Mirren, Anne Hathaway, a stunning Katherine Heigl channeling Marilyn Monroe, Heidi Klum and, uh, Miley Cyrus all went primary. Wait, what the hell
was Miley Cyrus doing there?
Am I Crazy Or ...
Is Amy Adams becoming really irritating? I don't dislike
the lovable star, but her appearance this year left me with conflicted emotions.
As she performed "Happy Working Song," one of the three nominated songs for her
film "Enchanted," I was both embarrassed and overwhelmingly annoyed by her Betty
Boop/Snow White impersonation. Did she even want to perform this? And to make
matters worse, little Miss Adams continued her cutesy, goody-goody act while
presenting the award for Best Original Score. Typecast much? I hate to say this,
but she needs to play a hooker/heroin addict/convicted murderer stat. That
cuteness is starting to curdle.
Best Jon Stewart Joke, Part
2
"There is a great variety in the nominated films this year. Even
'Norbit,' got a nomination, which I think is great. Too often
the Academy ignores movies that aren't good."
Technically Speaking
Why do Scientific and Technical
Achievement Awards always have to be handed out by Hollywood's latest
babe-du-jour? I know, I know. I'm sure all those guys slaving over their
computers and gadgets and inventions more than enjoy the presence of sexy Jessica Alba (who looks terrific pregnant, by the
way), but why not something new next year? How about Philip Seymour Hoffman presenting the award --
preferably as his Ned Beatty/Wilford Brimley-esque character of "Charlie Wilson's War."
Am I Crazy Or ...
Did the more hysterical of the two
winning directors of Best Documentary Short Subject ("Freeheld," which I'm sure
is a fine short film) provide the most unintentionally hilarious line of the
evening: "It was Lt. Laurel Hester's dying wish that her fight against
discrimination would make a difference for all same sex couples that face
discrimination every day. Discrimination that I don't face as a married woman."
The sentiment was nice, but why did she sound like Sally Struthers?
Ruffled Razz-Ma-Tazz
Aside from an incredibly dapper
George Clooney, who looked a cross between Cary Grant and Clark Gable with his slicked-back
hair and perfect tux, this year's male attire was decidedly relaxed though
strikingly attractive. Most everyone appeared a little unkempt (mussed hair,
unshaven face, less-traditional tuxes) and yet not at all slobby. They were in
fact elegant and eclectic. Viggo Mortensen looked extraordinary rocking a
Vincent Van Gogh beard and knee-length dinner jacket. Daniel Day-Lewis' longer hair and more retro tux was
fetching. And Javier Bardem, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Harrison Ford all appeared with a
little bed head ... which was actually very sexy. I'm not even going to start
with Johnny Depp.
Least Surprising, Most Deserving Win
I think he's a
genius (sorry to all of you out there who think him a ham), so I was ecstatic
when the entirely deserving Daniel Day-Lewis picked up his golden boy for his
powerful performance as insanely ambitious oil-man Daniel Plainview in Paul Thomas Anderson's masterful "There Will Be
Blood." But come on -- everyone knew it was going to happen. As Tony Curtis said in "Sweet Smell of Success," "The cat's in the bag and the bag's in
the river." I'd add something about milkshakes but that's getting a little
played out ...
Best Jon Stewart Joke, Part 3
"Democrats have an
historic race going. Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama. Normally when you see a
black man or woman president, an asteroid is about to hit the Statue of
Liberty."
Diablo Disappoints
Diablo Cody, beloved
hipster-ex-stripper-screenwriter-goddess, wins Best Original Screenplay for the
indie hit "Juno," a movie soaked with quippy one-liners that either delighted or
seriously exasperated audiences -- and all she can come up with is, "I
especially want to thank my fellow nominees." Or, "This is for the writers!"
Diablo! Honest to blog! Where was your arsenal of smarty-pants wisecracks and
pop-culture Soupy Sales-isms? This is the Oscars, Home Skillet. This is your
time on stage. As you wrote, this is "one doodle that can't be un-did." But hey,
you pulled off the leopard dress, tats and your Louise Brooks bob. So at least
you looked great. But ... another thing. What was with your glum exit offstage?
Was Harrison Ford taking you to Oscar detention?
Most Surprising Win
Wow! No Julie Christie for Sarah Polley's lovely, heartbreaking "Away From Her."
We thought Christie was a shoo-in. But talented French hottie Marion Cotillard was the spoiler, picking up Best
Actress for her performances as iconic French chanteuse Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose." I'm thinking all those mixed CDs Academy
voters picked up at Starbucks (I'm only guessing these exist -- those
International flavor collections) with that strange-voiced French lady actually
compelled them to do a little Piaf research. Nevertheless, though we were
rooting for Christie, it was tough not to be happy for Cotillard, who appeared
definitely shocked and as she said, "speechless." She also looked wonderful in
white. Jean Paul Gaultier does a gal good.
The Real Enchanting "Once" Upon a Time
Glen Hansard (he of
the Irish band The Frames) and Czech musician Marketa Irglova performed their
soulful, beautiful song "Falling Slowly" from their charming, touching, musical
indie "Once." She on piano, he strumming a battered old guitar he's had since he
was a teenage busker (street singer) in Ireland. It was gorgeous (though why did
the camera choose to end on orchestra conductor Bill Conti? It was their moment,
not his.) Next to all of those painfully corny "Enchanted" songs, some of which
played like ads for Clorox Bleach (I could have sworn someone sang "Mama makes
brights, bright like the sunshine ..."), the two channeled the late great Elliott Smith (remember him in his white suit, standing next
to Celine Dion ... And losing?!). But the refreshingly
independent Hansard and Irglova won! And we cheered when Hansard stated, "Make
art! Make art!" Jon Stewart extended their moment by allowing Irglova, who was
cut off by the over-anxious orchestra, to movingly extend her gratitude. What a
moment.
The Dudes Abide
Though some of us were also rooting for
Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood," Joel and Ethan Coen's brilliant "No Country
For Old Men" was an entirely deserving winner for both Best Director (in their
case Best Directors) and Best Picture. Their bloody, beautifully acted, poetic
adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel was soulful, inventive, mysterious and
truly horrifying. Though this is one of their best pictures, we Coen fans
are also taking this as a win for "Blood Simple," "Miller's Crossing," "Barton Fink," "Raising Arizona," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and of course, "The Big Lebowski." And you know, had "No Country" lost, don't
think we wouldn't see "Lebowski" vet Walter Sobchak storming on stage screaming:
"Has the whole world gone crazy! Am I the only one here who gives a sh*t about
the rules?" So with that, congratulations to the Coens.
What was your favorite moment at the Oscars? Least favorite? Write us at
heymsn@microsoft.com
Sound off: Comment on this story
Kim Morgan is a film writer who runs the MSN Movies Filter blog and has
contributed to many outlets including LA Weekly, Reel.com, DVD Journal, Salon
and The Huffington Post. She was a film critic for The Oregonian and served as
DVD critic on Tech TV's "The Screen Savers." She's also appeared as guest film
critic on AMC's "The Movie Club," E! Television, Reelz, Starz and "Ebert &
Roeper." Read her blog at SunsetGun.com. |
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