The 2006 Academy Awards: A Look Back[Entertainment Week]
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The actors also seemed like they could have used a little shaking up when they were accepting their awards. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney and Rachel Weisz are all the best in their field according to the Academy. Not a surprise to anyone and even they seemed bored with it by now, save for George Clooney, who brought a little life and depth to his acceptance speech. Aren’t these people supposed to be the best actors? Can’t they act a little more excited? Or charismatic? It’s kind of sad when you have to start rooting for whichever one you think will give the least boring speech, instead of whose work merits recognition most. But I suppose that ship has sailed a long time ago anyway. And the Best Picture is... What? The big upset of the night, Crash, winning best picture, tries very hard to be an “important” film. And with Oprah’s enthusiastic endorsement that “every person should own this movie” it is likely to have a boost in popularity. Was Hollywood not even ready to embrace a gay film as the best of the year? Was it the best of the year? Neither is highly impressive. The best thing Brokeback Mountain has going for it, is that it is a gay story. Ask yourself if the story featured a heterosexual relationship if it would have garnered nearly as much attention? And, regarding Crash… didn’t we see this movie like 5 years ago when it was more clever and called Magnolia? And the Best Song is... What? And they really need to do something about the music too. Doesn’t anyone write songs for movies any more? I guess I should just be thankful that Randy Newman took the year off to make way for Three 6 Mafia. “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” took home best song and most memorable and enthusiastic moment of the night. Ironically, that must have been how Jon Stewart was feeling. ________________________________ my movie choices The Academy has somehow managed to avoid embracing the truly mainstream movies which might actually attract an audience, while simultaneously avoiding new, creative works that deserve and need recognition. If you are looking to see an interesting movie not directed by Steven Spielberg not starring Charlize Theron, check out my favorites from the past year:
These were well received by critics but strangely ignored come Oscar time (save for Baumbach’s nom as Best Original Screenplay). |
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