Random Noise

Oscar Results…

[Originally posted on MySpace]

Well, the results are in. The winners were:

• Best Picture: The Departed
• Best Director: Martin Scorsese
• Best Actress: Helen Mirren
• Best Actor: Forest Whitaker
• Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson
• Best Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin

So how did I do?… Well, I got everything right. The academy on the other hand got 3 of the acting awards wrong. =) Alan Arkin was a total surprise, Helen Mirren was a sensible choice (she was my #2), and Jennifer Hudson was the media favorite – everyone knew she was going to win.

But watching the awards, I couldn’t help but get upset over the directing of the show itself. Rapid, unnecessary camera changes, reaction shots from the wrong people, and a horrible salute to American filmmaking ensured the show was as dreary as years past. But let me cite a few specific examples…

First, during the introduction to the best international film category WHY would you put the camera on Sacha Baron Cohen (you know him as Borat)… HE ISN’T NOMATED IN THAT CATEGORY. HE DIDN’T MAKE A FOREIGN FILM. HE MOUTHED IT SO YOU WOULD GET A CLUE!… If disparaging the entire category was the directors goal, then he certainly succeeded.

Second, during Alan Arkin’s acceptance speech, he put the Oscar down on the ground so he could read his notes. Right as Alan Arkin begins to get choked up, so surprised that he won this category the director switches the camera TO A CLOSEUP OF THE OSCAR ON THE FLOOR. WHY?! Were all the computer animated Oscar tropies not enough to show us what it looks like?! Alan Arkin was a complete underdog in this category – why can’t we watch his tearful acceptance speech? Argh!

Third, … well, I’m not even going to talk about how magnificently Clint Eastwood botched the introduction of Ennio Morricone. The guy is a musical legend. A master! And you couldn’t be bothered to memorize his introduction or bring your glasses!? I’m glad I didn’t get a chance to see your film!

Fourth – Graham King, producer for the Departed gave a wonderful, tearful acceptance speech when he won best picture. Scorsese won best director just prior, and even before best picture was nominated you could tell how moved both Graham and Marty were. So after Graham finishes his speech and walks backstage with Jack Nicholson at his side, to meet with Marty the camera switches to watch the confetti drop?!… WTF?! Show us the backstage celebration! Show us Scorsese celebrating his film! Show us Jack!

Fifth – Chris Connelly… I think I wore out my mute button. Nuff said.

Gah I’m pissed.