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March 05, 2006

Oscarblogging 2006 V

Thus far, I've been pleased with Stewart. His jokes haven't all hit, but they rarely do, and he has kept the evening moving along without being overbearing. Art Direction is next, in which we learn that it was Senator McCarthy and not communism that created an atmosphere of fear in the 1950s. Hollywood seems quite determined to rehabilitate ol' Tailgunner Joe. "Memoirs of a Geisha" picks up its second win of the night.

Time to pat ourselves on the back again. Although, interestingly, they mention "On the Waterfront" as a film with a noble purpose,which is a bit of a change from how it's normally received. Then again, they also included "The Day After Tomorrow." Hm, and "the Green Berets," what an interesting montage. I guess they're just endorsing films that try to make a point, regardless of the point. Good for them. And, in fairness, I think that films that try to make a point are a good thing, if they do it well. Isn't that part of the point of telling a story? Granted, most films are like all other such attempts, ham-handed and overbearing, but when film gets it right, it's pretty damn good. "To Kill A Mockingbird" certainly springs to mind as a film that really made a point while telling a great story. Stewart does a good job puncturing the pompousity of the moment.

Out comes the president of the Academy to pat Hollywood on the back some more. Granted, it's the point of the evening, but perhaps they could be just a skitch more subtle now and then?

Itzak Perlman comes on to play samples from the nominated scores. Very impressive, although it gives the impression of a man slumming. Personally I was partial to the score from Narnia, but it would be far too much to expect a nomination for it. Will this be "Munich"'s moment, since the Academy chose to omit the suicide bombing homage in the documentary category? Figure they've got to throw a bone to the Palestinians, right? Nope, "Brokeback Mountain" takes the prize. No luck for John Williams tonight, and I should probably stop being so cynical. Heh. A pretty good speech from the winner, once again doing a good job working in what is to him a foreign language.

Another montage, this one dedicated to epics. I'm not sure "West Side Story" qualifies, and the evening seems to be devolving into a commercial for seeing films on the big screen. Yes, the epic descriptor is pretty loose, but not a bad montage nonetheless. The real prize was Stewart's reaction, however. "We've run out of clips." "Stand by for Oscar's salute to montages."

More semi-technical awards with sound mixing and sound. "King Kong" takes Sound Mixing. Kudos to this team for trying to let all four give a quick speech, for once. The Lily Tomlin-Meryl Streep routine is interesting, but it sounds like a Hollywood in-joke to me. Ah, it's a tribute to Robert Altman, who's getting an honorary Oscar. Eh. He's technically talented, but those of his films I've seen haven't done much for me. Take that for what it's worth, of course. I guess he flew into the country just to receive the award. Lucky for him President Bush's gestapo didn't haul him in. Maybe they'll burst into the Kodak Theater during his speech. No such luck, but it's a good thing, as it was a good speech. Kudos to Mr. Altman.