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beltmann · Posted: 03.01.2004 5:29 am Post subject:

Well, the Oscars are over. I went 22/24, missing Best Animated Short and Adapted Screenplay (gambled and lost there). Without the games, the ceremony might be interminable. Anyway, no real surprises, and I'm happy for Penn, Theron, and Errol Morris.

Eric

Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 03.01.2004 5:57 am Post subject:

Yeah, I don't have much to say about the Oscars. I enjoyed the show (well, about half the time at least), but no big surprises or memorable moments this year. I still need to catch The Fog of War while it's playing in town.
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Rob Vaux · Posted: 03.01.2004 6:56 am Post subject:

Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 03.01.2004 7:06 am Post subject:

matt header · Posted: 03.01.2004 3:34 pm Post subject:

I was especially impressed by Penn's acceptance speech. I've always liked him, but he has a reputation for being somewhat prickly and ungrateful. His speech was noble, very grateful, very kind, and extremely warm - it was the best part of the evening, I think.

Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 03.01.2004 3:57 pm Post subject:

Jim Harper · Posted: 03.01.2004 4:04 pm Post subject:

Given that the show started at 12.50 a.m. on this side of the Atlantic, I fell asleep after the first two-and-a-half-hours. But it was interesting, if not exactly suprising.

Just a few replies to some points people have been raising. I do think the LOTR trilogy should be honoured for being an immense cinematic achievement, but I still wouldn't could any part of it among my favorite films, and that's unlikely to change. I've found them all entertaining and admirable, but with less than a quarter of the raw talent to be found in, say, Battle Royale or May.

As for the emotional distance of the films, that is for me down to the books. They're emotional distant because Tolkein had a very limited ability as far as human emotion is concerned, which is why all instances of emotion within his work are culled from the mythologies that were his main source. You won't find any instance of emotion in LOTR that doesn't have its source in Beowulf or the Eddas and sagas.

beltmann · Posted: 03.01.2004 4:13 pm Post subject:

His reputation, I think, stems from behavior from long ago, and also the media's current tendency to remind us of that reputation. But the Penn who used to thrash reporters simply doesn't exist any more. I'd say that, for the last decade or so, he's been very adult, thoughtful, and mature, especially in interviews, and I don't think his demand for intelligence in art (or politics) ought to be confused with irritability. Frankly, we need more artists with high expectations, self-reflection, and a conscious. (Aside: I still think his work in Dead Man Walking is his greatest performance, and the one he should have won for.)

Related: The people I was watching with were dreading Tim Robbins' speech, expecting a political statement. I guess I was too, but I have no problem with artists using their time at the podium to raise politics. Movies matter because they can reflect, change, and interpret our world and of course that includes politics--what better place to celebrate how movies matter than at the ceremony celebrating the art form? Some stars exploit their celebrity to hawk Pepsi, some use it defend their convictions. I guess I admire the latter more than the former.

Eric

Danny Baldwin · Posted: 03.01.2004 11:51 pm Post subject:

While, as you may've expected, I hated Penn's speech, he wasn't a bad choice, though I would've preferred Kingsley or Murray over him.

As for the best moment, I must say it had to be the intro video with Michael Moore screaming at the battle in The Return of the King, "This is a fictitious war, Hobbits!" It actually made me like him for just a second. Really.
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mfritschel · Posted: 03.02.2004 2:41 am Post subject:

The awards seemed a little too predictable this year. At least every now and then they throw us for a curve ball and have one or two nominees who actually has a shot of winning. This year, everyone knew who was going to win before it even started.

Why does who ever win best documentary feel the need to vent their political views?

Michael Scrutchin · Posted: 03.02.2004 2:48 am Post subject:

Danny Baldwin · Posted: 03.02.2004 2:54 am Post subject:

I am firmly against voicing politics in a show about the movies, but at least Morris didn't personally attack anyone, and his remarks were made a personal opionon, rather than an insulting piece of propoganda. I can't admire Morris for what he said, but he didn't make a fool out of himself, as Penn did with his little remark.
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beltmann · Posted: 03.02.2004 3:14 am Post subject: