Resurrection Sunday and the Academy Awards

I'm resurrecting my article, '79^th Academy Awards' because of some reason, I don't know, something about something that is on tonight, no don't tell me...oh, yes, the Oscars are tonight! 

When I first posted this piece I got feedback from a lot of film fans and some movie haters.  I have always enjoyed watching the Academy Awards even when I had not seen any of the films nominated.  Suffice to say, I have been disappointed in the final results too many times to count, but something about it keeps me coming back for more - especially when my favorites win! 

            I remember writing '79^th Academy Awards' on the night of the Oscars and feeling like I was in a heavenly state because I was writing while watching - the perfect blend of two of my favorite things.  For the first time in what seemed like forever I was watching the Awards alone and loved every moment since there was no interruption.  This year I'm watching it with my mother and if she dares say something I'm going to take the remote and mute her...just kidding Mom.  I'm looking forward to tonight!

            Since I love quizzes I decided to write up a quick True or False one for the Academy Awards

•1.       The first hosts of the Academy Awards were Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and William C. DeMille

•2.      The first Award ceremony held on May 16, 1929 honored films from 1927-1928.

•3.      The first televised Academy Awards was in 1953.

•4.      The official name of the Award is not Oscar but, Academy Award of Merit.

•5.      The statue stands on a reel of film with five spokes; each spoke represented the five original branches of the Academy - Actors, Writers, Directors, Technicians, and Producers.

•6.      During World War II, the Oscars were made with plaster which could then be traded in for gold plated ones once the war was over.

•7.      Since 1950, it has been agreed that recipients of the statue, or heirs, cannot sell an Oscar unless they first offer to sell it back to the Academy - for the lofty sum of one buck.  If a winner does not agree to these terms then the Academy will keep their Oscar.

•8.      Since 2004, nominations have been made in late January instead of early February.

•9.      ABC is under contract to show the ceremony until 2014.

•10.  In 1981, the broadcast of the Oscars were delayed one night because of President Regan had been shot.

•11.  Since 2002 the Kodak Theater has been the permanent home for the Oscar ceremonies.  

•12.  Best Dance Direction was once a category for an award.

Hey, if you want to join the Resurrection Sunday fun, join the group that makes every Sunday good reading at http://repostoffavorite.gather.com/  

            Alright the answers are all...

                        True!    

The 79^th Academy Awards

            Ellen DeGeneres rocked it as host!  I would bet money she will be back in the future.  The opening monologue sets the tone for the hours-long ceremony and her debut couldn't have been better.  This being the most international Oscars ever with several multi-national nominees, she managed to get some laughs with some jokes about the high number of British nominees which lead to jokes about the anxiety of nominees waiting to hear their name announced...or not.  Along with the short film featuring the nominees talking about the awards and what they do if they are nominated in one of the technical categories.  It was amusing, simple, and fun.

            Most of the speeches seemed thought out and quick, while at the same time there wasn't a feeling of winners being played off the stage unduly before thanking their Mamas (except for the unfortunate winner of Best Adapted Screenplay who admitted to taking valium before the show and then mumbled through his speech).  Forgetting to thank your Mama is like forgetting to thank your spouse...it could lead to a painful divorce.

            I think this is the first Oscar presentation (I believe) that has been not produced by Gil Cates in many years.  I liked how the show seemed to embrace the idea of film through film montages that depicted such things as screenwriters and clever ways of presentation.  These film montages have been worked more and more into the show each year and it gives satisfaction to we film fans who are naturally cynical about dance numbers featuring jazz hands singing, "Oscar, Oscar."   The dance troop that was employed for the evening was interesting and inventive, the sound effect choir was clever, and the nominated songs were bunched together during the show without much to a do.  They even were minus a pair of presenters announcing the obvious (three songs from 'Dream Girls' and the other two).  The best pictures were also presented without actors taking the stage to introduce them.  Further, I loved how the costumes were presented; something about seeing them in that context gives the viewer another take on both the artistry and the era of which they represent.

            A tip of my hat to Jack Black, Will Ferrell, and John C. Reilly, their song and dance about comedians at the Oscars was poignant and entertaining.  The part about going home with Oscar and Helen Mirren almost was worthy of a standing O.  Hopefully, Will Ferrell's hair is for a role. 

            Thankfully, the Irving G. Thalberg Humanitarian Award was mercifully short.  There have been some shows where it went on for just too damn long and the show as a production lost momentum.  Yes, it is nice to honor someone who gives back, but the award usually honors someone who usually sits on boards for charities and gives away money that most of us won't see in our lifetimes...whoopee do!  Thankfully, Tom Cruise who presented it, managed to make an appearance without referencing Kattie, Suri, or Scientology.  Plus, for an added bonus...he didn't even jump on a stuffed Oscar! 

            Speaking of special presentations, Al Gore did himself proud with a comical bit performed with Leo DiCaprio.  Meryl Streep showed why she is Meryl Streep when she helped her fellow co-stars after they mucked up their presentation.  It took her one look as her character in 'The Devil Wears Prada' to set the jokes aright - that's why she is Meryl Streep and they will never be.

            One major upset was when 'Pan's Labyrinth' lost out to Best Foreign Film, but won most of the other categories it was nominated in.  (It was robbed I tell you!  Robbed!  Okay, I didn't see the other foreign films, but I'm telling you there is a theft to be reported.)  Jennifer Hudson stuck it to 'American Idol's' Simon Cowell by winning an Oscar thus proving that he really isn't the end all and be all of judging future success.  'An Inconvenient Truth' won and Al Gore, although not winning the Oscar himself, was quite gracious about putting forth his message without slamming people on top of their pointy little heads with a hammer.  Thankfully, it seems people have learned from Michael Moore's mistake.  Remember, his speech played like flock of geese flying south for the winter flapping bar-be-qued buffalo wings.  Also winning for 'An Inconvenient Truth,' thus upsetting the three nominations for 'Dream Girls,' was Melissa Etheridge for Best Song.  I am happy, although older than me, she and I grew up practically in the same zip code.  So bully for her. 

            A few WTF moments, Celine Dion performing a debut song for the guy who was being honored for his movie scores (he was the one who did 'The Mission,' which is pretty awesome).  Was this her new song or something he wrote, I have no idea - it wasn't very good.  Jerry Seinfeld (stand up comedian and TV star) giving out the Oscar for Best Documentary.  Jack Nicholson channeling Britney with baldhead, Philip Seymour Hoffman's 'I just crawled out from underneath my bed' hair and Meryl Streep's outfit (huh?) great actress, poor dresser.  Animated cartoon characters acting like they are actually in the audience cheering on their nominations for Best Animated Feature.  Yes, it has been done before, but what was once remotely (emphasis on remotely) clever is now just downright annoying. 

            My favorites won for Best Actor and Actress so I am more than delighted.  Forest Whitaker should of won something just for his speech.  He was emotional and it brought tears to my eyes.  Poor Helen Mirren got up to the stage minus an earring and carrying her clutch, which I think threw her off a little.  She ended by declaring her obviously male statuette "The Queen!"  Of course, we have always suspected as much, but only a nervous Brit could say it in such an unabashed manner.  Side note, she forgot to thank her husband - oh-oh.  George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Francis Ford Copula did a funny bit before presenting Best Director almost as if they could sense that this was finally Martin Scorsese's year.  He got his richly deserved standing ovation.  It was such his year that even 'The Departed' won for Best Picture.

            Fashion wise, only Meryl Streep seemed as if she dressed for a dinner out with friends at Applebee's.  Few other dresses or tuxes seemed to stand out as shitiously bad.  Miracle of miracles, Diane Keaton was in an outfit that didn't look as if it was inspired by 'Annie Hall' or purchased at her local Salvation Army or both.  I was amused that Ellen DeGeneres actually had costume changes, which included velvet looking pantsuits of varying colors.  All and all there were few awkward moments, but that's understandable considering it is a live program.

            In conclusion this year's Oscar's was fun and moving.  I almost wish I could see the show again.  Here is a complete list of the nominees and winners, http://www.imdb.com/features/rto/2007/oscars .

Westerfield © 2007