Oscar Moments
For the first time in recent memory the Oscars ceremony broke from tradition and tried out a few new ideas. Some of it worked very well and hopefully these ideas that DID work will become new traditions. There was also an abundance of very genuinely touching moments that one can't really plan, but by loosening the procedures were allowed to happen.
Any time you get a new production team and a new host there's an eagerness on their part to try and put their own stamp on the ceremony. In the past some of these attempts have been so obviously unsuccessful that those involved and usually not brought back again. But this year the things that worked were so splendid that they overshadowed the weak moments.
First, the weak points. As a host Hugh Jackman was suave and elegant but the opening production number was unnecessary. It seemed as if they were going for the old Billy Crystal opening medley style of production numbers and while Jackman was stellar, the material was flat. The second production number with Beyonce was better (Baz Luhrman was behind it) and more fun as a tribute to musicals but it did seem to show that perhaps the time for these style of numbers has passed. Then there was Ben Stiller in a lame joke that went on too long. It made for a very uncomfortable stretch.
Then there are the strong points:
--The idea of "telling a story". The theme of the evening was the steps involved in putting together a film.
It gave the evening more cohesion and made certain categories more fascinating. The idea of a script playing out on screen as Tin Fey & Steven Martin read it was spot on.
-- The use of fewer presenters. By having presenters handle more than one category at a time, time was saved and these categories flowed better. Sure, some people probably miss seeing more stars but the strongest new idea made up for that.
--That strongest idea was the use of five past winners in the acting categories being introduced together and each paying tribute to a specific nominee. This was powerful stuff as each nominee was made to feel ten feet tall by some very heartfelt words of praise from past winners. This was one idea that we hope becomes a new tradition because of the emotion and the presence on stage of these stars together. And when the winners were announced they were congratulated by these past winners.
--For once there wasn't this hurried tone to acceptance speeches and so the winners were allowed to be more open and genuinely thankful. After all this is their moment in the sun, they should be allowed to carry on.
--The winning moments by Milk. Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black said so many wonderful and beautiful things and the audience was really behind him. Then there was Sean Penn's speech which was witty and politically biting and self-deprecating. These two speeches really made the case for gay civil rights while reminding us all that those who oppose it are on the wrong side of history. Penn was also the bigger man for praising Mickey Rourke, who had recently denigrated Penn's performance. By the way, we're happy for Rourke that he made a comeback and received a nomination, but it didn't deserve the win.
--The tribute to those who have passed. This is always a wonderful moment in the show but having Queen Latifah sing live as the images of the departed flickered by seemed to add another layer of emotion.
--Wins by Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, Heath Ledger, Danny Boyle and the rest of the Slumdog Millionaire nominees. In each of these cases some personal tales were told and again made for some very genuine moments. When a movie like Slumdog Millionaire wins it feels like a boost for films that are more down to earth and less like calculated blockbusters. It may be a false hope but at least it gives us a temporary impression that maybe the studios will take notice and do more films like this.
Any time you get a new production team and a new host there's an eagerness on their part to try and put their own stamp on the ceremony. In the past some of these attempts have been so obviously unsuccessful that those involved and usually not brought back again. But this year the things that worked were so splendid that they overshadowed the weak moments.
First, the weak points. As a host Hugh Jackman was suave and elegant but the opening production number was unnecessary. It seemed as if they were going for the old Billy Crystal opening medley style of production numbers and while Jackman was stellar, the material was flat. The second production number with Beyonce was better (Baz Luhrman was behind it) and more fun as a tribute to musicals but it did seem to show that perhaps the time for these style of numbers has passed. Then there was Ben Stiller in a lame joke that went on too long. It made for a very uncomfortable stretch.
Then there are the strong points:
--The idea of "telling a story". The theme of the evening was the steps involved in putting together a film.
It gave the evening more cohesion and made certain categories more fascinating. The idea of a script playing out on screen as Tin Fey & Steven Martin read it was spot on.
-- The use of fewer presenters. By having presenters handle more than one category at a time, time was saved and these categories flowed better. Sure, some people probably miss seeing more stars but the strongest new idea made up for that.
--That strongest idea was the use of five past winners in the acting categories being introduced together and each paying tribute to a specific nominee. This was powerful stuff as each nominee was made to feel ten feet tall by some very heartfelt words of praise from past winners. This was one idea that we hope becomes a new tradition because of the emotion and the presence on stage of these stars together. And when the winners were announced they were congratulated by these past winners.
--For once there wasn't this hurried tone to acceptance speeches and so the winners were allowed to be more open and genuinely thankful. After all this is their moment in the sun, they should be allowed to carry on.
--The winning moments by Milk. Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black said so many wonderful and beautiful things and the audience was really behind him. Then there was Sean Penn's speech which was witty and politically biting and self-deprecating. These two speeches really made the case for gay civil rights while reminding us all that those who oppose it are on the wrong side of history. Penn was also the bigger man for praising Mickey Rourke, who had recently denigrated Penn's performance. By the way, we're happy for Rourke that he made a comeback and received a nomination, but it didn't deserve the win.
--The tribute to those who have passed. This is always a wonderful moment in the show but having Queen Latifah sing live as the images of the departed flickered by seemed to add another layer of emotion.
--Wins by Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, Heath Ledger, Danny Boyle and the rest of the Slumdog Millionaire nominees. In each of these cases some personal tales were told and again made for some very genuine moments. When a movie like Slumdog Millionaire wins it feels like a boost for films that are more down to earth and less like calculated blockbusters. It may be a false hope but at least it gives us a temporary impression that maybe the studios will take notice and do more films like this.
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