2008 Woodie Awards
Oscar Night Dazzles, But Surprises are Few
Erica Green
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: Arts and Entertainment
The night started like any other Oscar night. Stars walked down the red carpet, gowns flowing, diamonds sparkling, cameras flashing, everyone wishing their competitors good luck through clenched teeth and telling the lie as old as Oscar himself, "I'm just happy to be nominated." Nevertheless, there seemed to have been a much calmer atmosphere at the 77th Academy Awards this year that was less tense and competitive and more about having fun and celebrating the great talent showcased in the various categories.
However, nervousness couldn't possibly be ruled out in this year's Oscars, as there were many undertones and uncertainties, and no matter what happened would be sure to cause a buzz the next day.
First and foremost, host Chris Rock, causing a stir two weeks before he was even to take on his hosting duties, caused even more of a stir as the theme of race (sometimes unnecessary, but all in good fun) was a running theme throughout most of his skits, as he "put into perspective" the Bush administration most fitting for Hollywood by illustrating a Gap vs. Banana Republic war, and he even made fun of Oprah while looking right at her in the audience.
The biggest stir of the night was Sean Penn unnecessarily coming to Jude Law's defense against Rock's stab at the fact that the actor was seen everywhere, starring in four movies in three months.
Though Law wasn't present at the awards show and even his co-hosts shared the laugh, Sean Penn still felt it necessary to create the most awkward moment of the night.
Nonetheless, Rock seemed to have shocked everyone with his tamed behavior, many even saying they were disappointed because he wasn't daring enough. Apparently the host said he doesn't like to get too "daring" in front of his mother and she was sitting in the front row. Hopefully she stays at home next year.
There was the undeniable racial undertone of the entire night itself, with 4 African Americans being nominated in 5 categories and two of them taking the top male categories. As expected, Jamie Foxx took home the Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of the music legend Ray Charles, possibly winning the award for the most moving speech, as he touched on the pride of being an African American Oscar winner, losing his grandmother and being there with his proud 11 year old daughter.
Morgan Freeman so elegantly accepted his award to a standing ovation for his role in Million Dollar Baby, completely reforming the stressed racial undertone into something positive as he commented on the number of black actors, "It means Hollywood is continuing to make history. Life goes on. Things change. They never stay the same. We are evolving with the rest of the world."
While the wins and losses were not surprising, the Best Picture and Best Director wins by Clint Eastwood for Million Dollar Baby did cause a stir in the snubbery category. It was the fifth time that Aviator director Martin Scorsese lost in the Best Director category and very surprising that Million Dollar Baby also took the Best Picture award, as it was expected that the two movies would split the big pot.
But Aviator had nothing to be ashamed of, taking home five awards, including Cate Blanchett's much deserved win for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal as the legendary Katherine Hepburn.
The other actress category was not so easy, however, as Hilary Swank, looking like a million dollars, won her second Oscar for her portrayal of an ambitious female boxer in Million Dollar Baby, beating out Annette Benning for the second time, as Benning lost to Swank five years ago.
But all's well that ends well; the show did clock out at its earliest ever, at 3 hrs. and 10 min., which the producers can attribute to the rather inappropriate but efficient idea of giving out various technical awards in the isles.
Other categories appeared to produce well deserved awards also, with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind taking Best Original Screenplay, The Incredibles taking Best Animated Film, and Sideways taking Best Adapted Screenplay.
Music highlights of the night were definitely contributed to by Beyonce, but that did not stop Al Otro Lado del Rio, from The Motorcycle Diaries (performed by Antonio Banderes and Carlos Santana) winning the Best Original Song category.
All in all, it appeared to be a wonderful, celebratory night at the Oscars! 'Til next year, see you at the movies!
However, nervousness couldn't possibly be ruled out in this year's Oscars, as there were many undertones and uncertainties, and no matter what happened would be sure to cause a buzz the next day.
First and foremost, host Chris Rock, causing a stir two weeks before he was even to take on his hosting duties, caused even more of a stir as the theme of race (sometimes unnecessary, but all in good fun) was a running theme throughout most of his skits, as he "put into perspective" the Bush administration most fitting for Hollywood by illustrating a Gap vs. Banana Republic war, and he even made fun of Oprah while looking right at her in the audience.
The biggest stir of the night was Sean Penn unnecessarily coming to Jude Law's defense against Rock's stab at the fact that the actor was seen everywhere, starring in four movies in three months.
Though Law wasn't present at the awards show and even his co-hosts shared the laugh, Sean Penn still felt it necessary to create the most awkward moment of the night.
Nonetheless, Rock seemed to have shocked everyone with his tamed behavior, many even saying they were disappointed because he wasn't daring enough. Apparently the host said he doesn't like to get too "daring" in front of his mother and she was sitting in the front row. Hopefully she stays at home next year.
There was the undeniable racial undertone of the entire night itself, with 4 African Americans being nominated in 5 categories and two of them taking the top male categories. As expected, Jamie Foxx took home the Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of the music legend Ray Charles, possibly winning the award for the most moving speech, as he touched on the pride of being an African American Oscar winner, losing his grandmother and being there with his proud 11 year old daughter.
Morgan Freeman so elegantly accepted his award to a standing ovation for his role in Million Dollar Baby, completely reforming the stressed racial undertone into something positive as he commented on the number of black actors, "It means Hollywood is continuing to make history. Life goes on. Things change. They never stay the same. We are evolving with the rest of the world."
While the wins and losses were not surprising, the Best Picture and Best Director wins by Clint Eastwood for Million Dollar Baby did cause a stir in the snubbery category. It was the fifth time that Aviator director Martin Scorsese lost in the Best Director category and very surprising that Million Dollar Baby also took the Best Picture award, as it was expected that the two movies would split the big pot.
But Aviator had nothing to be ashamed of, taking home five awards, including Cate Blanchett's much deserved win for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal as the legendary Katherine Hepburn.
The other actress category was not so easy, however, as Hilary Swank, looking like a million dollars, won her second Oscar for her portrayal of an ambitious female boxer in Million Dollar Baby, beating out Annette Benning for the second time, as Benning lost to Swank five years ago.
But all's well that ends well; the show did clock out at its earliest ever, at 3 hrs. and 10 min., which the producers can attribute to the rather inappropriate but efficient idea of giving out various technical awards in the isles.
Other categories appeared to produce well deserved awards also, with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind taking Best Original Screenplay, The Incredibles taking Best Animated Film, and Sideways taking Best Adapted Screenplay.
Music highlights of the night were definitely contributed to by Beyonce, but that did not stop Al Otro Lado del Rio, from The Motorcycle Diaries (performed by Antonio Banderes and Carlos Santana) winning the Best Original Song category.
All in all, it appeared to be a wonderful, celebratory night at the Oscars! 'Til next year, see you at the movies!