Post Oscars Wrap Up

GAYBASHING! POST OSCAR WRAP UP! Oh my lord. Well, who would have guessed besides myself that "Crash" would get the nod. I eventually gave into the overwhelming inside word of "Brokeback" taking best picture, not to mention my friends and anyone you'd talk to who has any basic knowledge in film. But look back into my archives, bitches, and you'll see that I picked it THE DAY THE NOMINEES WERE ANNOUNCED. Granted, I dropped the ball back then on a lot of the rest, but I cleaned up pretty well tonight, I'd say. Best actor of course went to Hoffman. No surprise, a deserving first career win from a tragically unnoticed veteran actor. Actress went to Reese. Not a shocker, and I was quite happy -- absolutely deserving for the performance, and having just seen the excellently dark, funny, and pulpy "Freeway" with her breakthrough performance made me appreciate her all the more. Supporting actress again went to Weisz. I think she's bewitching...an absolutely gorgeous woman, my number one Hollywood crush for over a decade now, and one who can act her ass off. Plus, sweet cans. Best supporting went to Clooney, which was very nice. I didn't see "Syriana," I doubt I'll like it, but I think it was more of a "we didn't like that movie, but we like you, and we like what you did in other catagories...but we won't award you for those. So here. Take this one." Ang Lee got director. Good for him. Wish it were for a better film, as he's had a couple. "Crash" takes best picture, though. What an awesome surprise. I say that with no intention of showing love for "Crash." I think "Crash" is heavily flawed after having seen it three times now, and I don't think it ever quite overcomes those flaws, no matter how many moments of intensity or acting showcases it contains. The intensity sprouted, mostly, from the editing, which it was rightfully awarded for. More than anything, I think the "Capote" votes and the "Brokeback" votes must have canceled each other out. The Hollywood's gay voters liked one or the other, and ended up splitting the bill. It was also a way to say "we can only award one fag per Oscar ceremony, and it's going to Philip." So "Crash" took the prize. Can't say I didn't warn you. If you're one of the people who likes it, that's awesome. I'll be buying the director's cut 2 disc awards edition or whatever the fuck they call it whenever that hits, mostly for my parents. Maybe I'll learn to enjoy it. Maybe the extra footage helps? Maybe they'll remove the useless subplots. And Ms.Congeniality/George of the Jungle. I must include the surprises, of course. I didn't expect "Geisha" to take cinematography at all, nor did I expect Pixar to LOSE something they were nominated for. They have an impecible track record with the Academy. That "Crash" song's performance was slightly creepy with their slow motion interpretive dancing zombies. I was praying for one of them to catch fire and flail in slow motion. But most surprising was Three-Six Mafia! I was pumped about them being on the show, and I had no idea they had a shot at winning. That was the Source awards acceptance speech, and I fucking loved it. They bleeped them just as a precaution for being black rappers, apparently, as they were alledgedly rather clean...but their "crunk speak" required subtitles. Bonus points for the shot of Mickey Rooney mid-speech, looking confused and angry at all the niggers on stage. NOT BACK IN MY DAY, thought Mickey...NOT IN MY DAY. Bonus points are taken away for not including Darren McGavin and Don Knotts, who apparently couldn't be added to the death list so "last minute." Kinda insulting for two veteran actors. They will likely appear next year to thoughts of "huh, I didn't know they were still alive even," which will this time be true. Overall, a fun awards show. I certainly enjoyed myself. You? -M