February 27, 2011

Oscars, anyone?

I haven't seen any of the movies, but I'm DVR-ing the show and will dip in from time to time. You can talk about it here and I might say something now and then.

For example, Jennifer Hudson has a smashing dress.

UPDATE: Man, this show sucks so bad.

UPDATE2: I'm IM-ing with my son Chris. I write: "is any celebrity saying anything pro-union or in support of the wisconsin protesters?" And he's all:
haven't heard anything

oh gwyneth paltrow mentioned you

in the middle of the song

she stopped and said you know ann althouse

needs to stop criticizing those protestors
LOL.

113 comments:

Tibore said...

The show's not 10 minutes in, and the first lesbian joke comes out.

Fen said...

No thank you.

1) its boring

2) bunch of pampered elites with little talent

3) they won't be able to resist some ignorant political statement

4) they poison the world with their cultural values. Its one of the few things I agree with Al Queda on.

Shanna said...

She's come a long way from that hideous pink thing she wore on AI years ago.

I love JHud, but I'm not watching the Oscars.

Known Unknown said...

Like I said, something worthwhile, like Mildred Pierce is on TCM right now.

Being a screenwriter, I enjoy parts of the Oscars, just not the whole thing.

rasqual said...

Maybe I'm just getting old, but 10 minutes into the red carpet stuff I'd had it. One word came to mind: "vapid." Then "banal" chimed in. Before a lexical parade of pejoratives could propose themselves, I tuned out. Some great films this year, but loving film doesn't oblige me to care much about this increasingly lame ceremony.

MadisonMan said...

Being a screenwriter, I enjoy parts of the Oscars, just not the whole thing.

I feel the same way about so many screenplays! (ba-dump!)

I'm being productive at work, but I don't like to miss out on the Oscars. I wonder if someone will mention backwater little Wisconsin!

rasqual said...

"The show's not 10 minutes in, and the first lesbian joke comes out."

Who was she?

mesquito said...

The mere idea of ten nominees per award gives me a headache. So, this will be my 30th consecutive year of Doing Something Else.

Tell me the winners tomorrow. I might even put them in my netflix.

Skay said...

"The show's not 10 minutes in, and the first lesbian joke comes out."

I stopped to watch it for a minute and that is what was on.

I have better things to do.

Tibore said...

And now the first F-bomb.

Seriously, folks, this is better than a train wreck.

Tibore said...

Come back, Billy Crystal. All is forgiven.

Fen said...

I wonder if someone will mention backwater little Wisconsin!

Of course they will. They can't help but prostitute their craft. See, they need to get invited to the right parties, to meet the right directors and producers, to be taken to the right casting couch.

Whores all.

bwebster said...

As I said elsewhere, it's hard to take the Oscars seriously when Christopher Nolan wasn't even nominated for Best Director.

That said, "The King's Speech" was (IMHO) the best film of 2010, edging out "Inception", so I'll be happy if it wins lot of awards.

bwebster said...

Oh, and I was amused when the guy who won 'Best Cinematography' for 'Inception' thanked his union crew. I thought, "Yeah, that's why so many movies and TV shows are made in Canada, right?"

Unknown said...

helena bonham carter usually looks like she dresses blindfolded in her closet and then, as a final touch, she takes a blow torch to her hair.

One good thing about the oscars is that you can watch them and sleep at the same time.

Tibore said...

@bwebster: You ought to go watch the Roger L. Simon Pajama's TV video on that exact topic:

http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2011/02/25/poliwood-what-wisconsin-unions-could-learn-from-hollywood-unions/

That's exactly what happened. Yet, too few people get the irony of the shoutout.

john said...

Halie Steinfeld did not win best supporting actress. That's too bad. I thought she was just great.

I don't have high hopes for Jeff Bridges as best actor since he won that not too long ago.

Tibore said...

Well, there is some justice in the world. Aaron Sorkin just got played off the stage.

Tibore said...

That justice is offset by the fact that he actually won an award, but still... he got played off.

You take 'em where you can get 'em.

Unknown said...

Haven't watched the Oscars since Duke Wayne won. Mainly because movies haven't been that good.

PS Meade did a great Greer Garson in the last post, but he forgot to mention all the "little people".

Chennaul said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
TWM said...

Christian Bale? Seriously? Did he use his Batman voice in that movie?

Chennaul said...

I read some where-that they were abstaining from ostentatious jewelry during the Obama Recovery Summer/Winter in the name of *Shared Sacrifice* for the-

"little people".

Aren't we just so lucky?

Widmerpool said...

Well Ann, I've seen all the best picture nominees and here's my two cents:

Godawful: Black Swan, Inception

Nothing special: The Kid's Are All RIght

Pretty good: The Fighter, The Social Network, True Grit, Toy Story 3

Best of the lot: The King's Speech, 127 Hours, Winter's Bone

Much better movies not nominated: Never Let Me Go, Blue Valentine, Another Year

dix said...

Best score-whoever knocked up Natalie Portman

Tibore said...

Trent Reznor now has an Oscar?? Trent Reznor?? From Nine Inch Nails??

D. B. Light said...

As far as I was concerned, "Winter's Bone" was the best film of the year. So far tonight it is oh for two.

Tibore said...

LOL... on the one hand, there was a second shout-out to the "union" in Hollywood. On the other, he got zero applause, and then got played off.

Sweet.

Synova said...

The Poliwood thing about unions is good because both of the guys, Simon and Chetwood?, are union guys and were involved closely with organizing and negotiating and they're clear about the issues that the unions needed to deal with, as well as what has happened since.

Our film crews here in New Mexico have a union, too. As it was explained to me, before they had a union the crew (as an example) would have to show up bright and early or lose their job but wouldn't get paid until the star got there, whenever that happened to be. I don't know anyone who would think that enforcing basic rules, such as if one is required to be at work then one is also required to be paid, is unreasonable.

The problem, as the Poliwood guys point out, is when the union gets those reforms and goes on to the next thing, and the next thing, until they chase movie business away... to Canada.

Tibore said...

1.5 hours before the first African-American sighting. And it was in a taped piece.

bwebster said...

1.5 hours before the first African-American sighting. And it was in a taped piece.

The Oscars must be a Tea Party rally in disguise! It's so white!

Chennaul said...

Ya but I think we finally got the Obama Doctrine:

As Time Goes By.

***

D. B. Light said...

Morgan Freeman was in the intro, but is he really black?

Chennaul said...

Ooooh goodie!

A Carl Levin cameo.

****

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I just started watching did I miss anything?

Tibore said...

I stand corrected. So: 1.5 hours betwee African American appearances.

Rialby said...

Anyone else struck by the fact that Obama named a song in a movie that takes place in occupied North Africa? MESSAGE: I CARE!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I'm rooting for Winters Bone.

Out of all the nominees I've only seen Inception, The Social Network and Winters Bone.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Did Hollywood just do a bed intruder auto tune?

Tibore said...

Yeah, that auto tune moment was when the broadcast officially jumped the shark. I mean, there were runs at the ramp before that, but...

D. B. Light said...

Lem, you should check out "True Grit". The Dude isn't up to the Duke's standards but the rest of the film is pretty damn good. Barry Pepper is even better than Robert Duvall, Damon is better than Campbell, and the Steinfeld kid is a wonder to behold.

Chip Ahoy said...

Highlights in Advance, possibly more interesting than the real thing.

Revenant said...

The Dude isn't up to the Duke's standards but the rest of the film is pretty damn good.

I have to disagree, there. Bridges was vastly better in the role than Wayne was. That was a pity Oscar for Wayne -- it was one of his worst roles.

Tibore said...

Line I never thought I'd ever utter: Billy Crystal can save the day.

bwebster said...

Want to bet that someone drove out and got Billy Crystal to save this show?

bwebster said...

Tibore: apparently great minds think alike.

RuyDiaz said...

Who is Jenniffer Hudson?

Perhaps I should get off the Internet....

The Dude said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bwebster said...

OK, the bit with Bob Hope thanking Billy Crystal and then (at the end) introducing Robert Downey and Jude Law was just plain creepy.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Who is Jenniffer Hudson?

An American Idol graduate..

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bwebster said...

Watched "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence" this weekend...

An outstanding film, and one that's a lot darker than most people who haven't seen it might expect. That and "The Searchers" may be the Duke's best Westerns.

rcocean said...

The new "True Grit" is pretty good, but its much more darker and much less rousing and comic than the original. But its better directed and has a bigger budget.

As for Jeff Bridges, I knew John Wayne, John Wayne was a favorite of mine, and Mr. Bridges you are no John Wayne.

Bridges is a fine actor who gives a fine performance pretending to be Rooster Cogburn, John Wayne WAS Rooster Cogburn.

Chennaul said...

Oh gawd I tuned out after Carl Levin-and then I turn it back on....

what do you call what Gwyneth Paltrow is doing?

***

Tibore said...

Paltrow? I was wondering what the hell Dido was doing.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Where is Trooper?
Somebody wake up Trooper.

I found Randy Newman graciously funny.

bwebster said...

Are the Oscars still on?


;-)

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Paltrow? I was wondering what the hell Dido was doing?

You think that if you are married to a musician that musician husband would give you some pointers.. like.. don't!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

oh God.. look whos up at the plate..

Tibore said...

And for the final insult to the dead: Celine Dion!

DADvocate said...

I can't remember the last time I watched the Oscars. More than ten years, probably more than 20. Couldn't care less. I only go to the theater 2-3 times a year.

D. B. Light said...

Tom Doniphan was definitely one of Duke's best roles, but "The Searchers" is a far more important film, and Duke really sells the western hero as borderline psychopath.

madAsHell said...

ahh....Aren't all these awards bought, and paid for, BEFORE the actual event. I mean....good movies are overlooked while marginal movies will be rewarded with lavish awards.

It's like an auction, they want to create a frenzy, and draw in a few more dollars for their product.

oh yeah, and maybe sell a few designer dresses to 18 year old prom queens.

w/v: codula - the academy awards!...they play it again, and see if anybody will sing along!

Tibore said...

Brittany Murphy and Corey Haim get shafted in the "dead actors" montage. Yep.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

A save.. I see Lena Horne died last year..

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Wait a minute.. there is a nomination called Black Swan..

Whats all this there are no blacks nominated this year?

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The Brits.. allways stealing the show.. bastards ;)

Tibore said...

Anne Hathaway definitely deserves much credit as an actress. She completely sold that "my co-host is doing a great job" line as if she believed it.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Oh wait, I did see that lesbian movie.. The Kids are Alright. I totally forgot.

It just was not that good.

shake-and-bake said...

Mmmm. Marisa Tomei.

Tibore said...

And not only did Annette Benning lose to another young actress, but the first reaction close-up was on her. That had to hurt.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

And Rush said there were no blacks nominated..

Rush's percentage on being right just went down big time.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Yea Javier looks like a real man..

Not your baby Leonardo D Caprio baby face.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Speaking of baby face .. the guy that played Zuckerberg.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

The Brit actors by the time they make it to Hollywood they have been prepared, they have been thru the ringer in the English theater.

They are good.

They can sing, play an instrument and they can act.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

.. for the most part..

Once in a while a Hugh Grant comes along making us pause.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I predict the kings speech

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I was right

bwebster said...

OK, "The King's Speech" got best picture, best director, best actor. There is some sanity in Hollywood.

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

Damn, was this tonight? Shit. 49th year in a row I've missed it. Crap.

Rialby said...

I've raised it before and I'll raise it again - why hasn't some enterprising reporter asked Obama about "The King's Speech"? If it was Bush in the same situation, there would have been MoDo column about it every week analyzing the anger that it was causing Bush and the hatred he had for the British.


The movie is about someone that Obama detests - the man who imprisoned his radical Muslim grandfather. Did he see it? Does he plan to?

I'm a Shaaaaark said...

Errr... I mean 40th.

William said...

On a per capita basis there are more academy awards given to dramas involving royal family tribulations than to Holocaust survivor stories......I understand that James Franco will be starring in a movie about Prince William and his struggles with male pattern baldness.

Beau said...

Yeah, that's why so many movies and TV shows are made in Canada, right

Wrong. Have be a union member in Canada as well. Movies are made in Canada because until recently the US $ v the Canadian $, amongst other things. Another being, it's just easier to block of sections of town and cities for whatever reason. The small municipality I live has at least one movie being filmed at any one time. The community loves the business the movie industry brings to the town.

Chip Ahoy said...

Ha ha ha, son Chris is funny.

Jeremy said...

Lem said..."A save.. I see Lena Horne died last year.."

You're happy Lena Horne died?

Very strange.

Jeremy said...

I see The Queen's suck-ups aren't exactly movie fans.

I'm shocked.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

You're happy Lena Horne died?

A head fuck for Jeremy..

It doesn't count.. it was too easy.

Fred4Pres said...

I watched the Towering Inferno tonight. It holds up well despite the seventies decor.

God it reminds me of 9/11.

former law student said...

If the professor is looking for a non-Wisconsin story, here's the latest news from Lake Zurich, IL:

All four candidates for the Lake Zurich Unit District 95 school board believe creationism should be taught alongside evolution in science classes.

One, Chris Wallace, went so far as to say creationism is fact and evolution is just a theory.


Read more: http://www.dailyherald.com/
article/20110225/news/702259898
/#ixzz1FEW70pbS

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I watched the Towering Inferno tonight.

A fireman stole the woman I loved.. I decided from that time forward that I hated them all... including the 9/11 "heroes".

Revenant said...

If the professor is looking for a non-Wisconsin story, here's the latest news from Lake Zurich, IL:

Maybe the Wisconsin Democrats can do something about it while they are over there.

former law student said...

Oh, and I was amused when the guy who won 'Best Cinematography' for 'Inception' thanked his union crew. I thought, "Yeah, that's why so many movies and TV shows are made in Canada, right?"

Hello? There are filmworker unions in Canada -- probably stronger than in the US. Try sitting through the credits some time.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

I'm just kidding.. I hate all fireman ;)

former law student said...

A fireman stole the woman I loved

He did you a favor, Lem. A woman who truly loved you wouldn't even look at another man, much less violate your trust. She would have broken your heart sooner or later.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lem the artificially intelligent said...

that's nice of you to say fls..

BJM said...

@rasqual

One word came to mind: "vapid." Then "banal" chimed in.

Exactly, the ditzy fashion coverage on E! has become more entertaining than the Oscars.

I bailed when they gave Sorkin an Oscar for being a partisan asshole.

Largo said...

DON'T FEED TROLLS.

BJM said...

@D.B.Light

Ford's final shot gets me no matter how many times I've seen The Searchers.

el polacko said...

sure it's an industry patting itself on the back, but the fact is that there was some mighty fine acting talent on display in several movies this year. i had some favorites who weren't awarded, but i can't really gripe about any of the winners.
there were a few sweet and touching moments, some glaring gaffes, and james and anne were fresh and fun as the hosts..what else can one ask from an award show ?

Cauphy P said...

Just read the following on eonline by Joal Ryan:
"One point if you guessed Pfister was making a statement by thanking his "union" crew on the telecast. "I think what's going on in Wisconsin right now is madness," he says.

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b228232_you_thought_oscar_show_was_bad_guess.html#ixzz1FEcPkCTl

Cauphy P said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Toad Trend said...

Gwyneth Paltrow beclowns herself every time she opens her trap.

You and Meade do what you do. No shame. Well done.

TWM said...

The new True Grit was darker because it was more true to the book. The Wayne version played to Wayne's style. I disagree that Wayne didn't deserve his Oscar - he played Rooster wonderfully. But so did Bridges, in another way.

Anonymous said...

Christopher Nolan wasn't even nominated for Best Director.

Didn't he direct "Inception," which we turned off after 25 dreary, stupid, pretentious, physics-challenged* minutes?


* Really? The chair alone couldn't hold the weight of Leo rappelling down the wall but the chair plus a 110-lb actress could?

rasqual said...

"The chair alone couldn't hold the weight of Leo rappelling down the wall but the chair plus a 110-lb actress could?"

You take exception to this but not to how that scene ended in a flood of inexplicable water?

I hope you take my point. ;-)

lemondog said...

I pre-ordered 'Inside Job' dvd from Amazon after listening to an interview with Investment banker Daniel Alpert who is featured in the film.

Interview dated 2/26/2011 at FinancialSense

prairie wind said...

Didn't watch the Oscars...but wanted to thank Sixty Grit for bringing The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance into the discussion. Watched it just a couple of weeks ago with the family. My son loves it like I do, so I'm doing the mother job pretty damn well.

Jeff Bridges had a tough job--playing Rooster without looking as if he was playing John Wayne, and yet he couldn't stray too far, or we wouldn't have recognized Rooster. Because John Wayne was Rooster, as someone else said. Bridges deserved an Oscar more for True Grit than for Crazy Heart, though.

I'll try to watch The Searchers next weekend.

lemondog said...

TWM said...

The new True Grit was darker because it was more true to the book. The Wayne version played to Wayne's style. I disagree that Wayne didn't deserve his Oscar - he played Rooster wonderfully. But so did Bridges, in another way.

Have seen Wayne's version and only trailer on Bridge version. Like your observation on actors providing differing interpretations. Also different period. Wayne's True Grit was 1969. At the time a darker version may not have been considered salable.

jr565 said...

When Crystal came out and spoke for a few minutes you could tell that his type of banter was what was missing and the crowd seemed to notice it as well.
Franco had one or two funny lines but otherwise stuck very close to script and seemed a little uneasy. And Ann seemed nice and energetic. But almost came across like a chearleader.No personality to speak of at all.
The two hosts couldn't do the job of one Billy Crystal.

The only time I even chuckled was when Franco came out in drag and said that Charlie Sheen had beeped him. BUt that was it.
Really boring show. I can't believe I even watched it.

tim maguire said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Hi, Ann.

Love your Bloggingheads spots.

1. It is a conflict to have government employees in the same retirement (pension) system as elected government officials. That should end.

2. Perhaps the answer to collective bargaining would be to just always go to binding arbitration with a neutral, independent 3rd party, streamed online on the internet. This would force the union and the government to put forth its best proposal right at the start and then the arbitrator will chose which one is more realistic and fair. It would cut down on a lot of posturing and the people would learn something.

3. You don't think that the use public employee union dues to the Democratic party is sustainable or correct. Yet what about commercial interests who are given tax breaks and monetary incentives for setting up businesses in the state. That's tax monies too, (or the burden is on the taxpayer). Oftentimes, these schemes do not produce the number of jobs predicted, and when the tax breaks expire, the businesses leave as well. Buffett is famous for this, as well as companies like Wal-Mart and Bass. Don't you think that corporate interests have lived off the taxpayer gravy train as well?