For once I actually watched the Oscars from beginning to end – something I haven’t done in a long time. Sure, I may have had a hand in organizing a few Oscars parties (one of which was officially sanctioned, although I quit before the actual party. [Long story.]) However, I’ve often thought that they go on far too long and the right movies never win.
But apart from giving you a run down of who I thought should have won but didn’t, I instead offer you rebuttals, fashion police raids, various breaks for commercial comments, and various candy-coated remarks. Here we go!
First off, to Mr. Clooney, who said that he was proud to be part of an industry that is “out of touch with mainstream America.” He cited several things that put Hollywood outside the mainstream, including the civil rights movement, talking about AIDS, and so on. And while those are all wonderful things, I’d also like to remind him – in all fairness – what else his industry is a part of. For the sake of truth and fairness, Mr. Clooney, you’re also part of an industry that in part willingly cooperated with McCarthy black-listing, for decades made it impossible for actors of ethnic minorities to receive gratifying non-stereotypical roles (kudos to Sidney Poitier and Ricardo Montalban for their relentless work), and last but not least, the industry that is greatly responsible for how attitudes of consumerism, entitlement, and divaism have spread like wildfire among the younger generations of Americans. And remember that most of the movies the academy credited as being outside the mainsteam of America, they were actually quite difficult to get funding, made, and released (i.e. ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’). Oh, and lest we forget, the industry also produced ‘Gigli’. Ewww. Just to be fair, Mr. Clooney, it’s not all puppies, lollipops, and sunshine.
Did anyone else notice the M&M’s on Maestro Bill Conti’s stand? Hehe, I bet someone will be getting a surprise package in the mail soon filled with candy-coated chocolately goodness!
To sum up various montages and statements from actors, directors, and the president of the Academy: “Go to the theater! Now! Or we won’t give out Oscars anymore! We won’t have enough money, the Oscars would be oh so very tiny if you don’t go to the theaters! Peanut size! Now GO! Go to your theater! Buy popcorn! Buy raisinets! Buy theaters!! GO! NOW!” Yup, they were just that subtle. Oh, and piracy is wrong, for shame. 🙂
Now for a commercial break: did anyone catch the Hummer commercial? The one where the giant robot and the giant monster are expecting a baby, then suddenly they give birth to a new hummer, which they delightfully dub their “little monster.” Is it just me, or is it terribly ironic that the Hummer was borne of two things known for total and utter destruction of the planet? Tee hee, bet the advertising agency didn’t think of that!
And finally, before the Oscars, my brother and I watched “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”, a classic film about racial tolerance, acceptance, and love. When the white daughter of two San Francisco liberals comes home to announce that she’s engaged to an African American doctor, the liberal parents must suddenly face the reality of their own ideals and reexamine where their ideals truly lie. Additionally, they face unexpected unease and racism from their African American housekeeper and the good doctor’s parents. It’s an expertly crafted film which teaches the important lesson that true freedom from racism and bigotry would be not seeing someone for the color of their skin, but for the content of their hearts. As Sidney Poitier says, “You think of me as a colored man. I think of myself as a man.”
Fast forward to 2006 and the Oscar for Best Original Song goes to “It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp”, and a collection of dancers gyrate in ridiculously skimpy clothing to a rap song. Yeah, we’ve come far. I miss Sidney Poitier, I miss Bill Cosby – I miss men who saw themselves not as colored men, but saw themselves as men. And they celebrated every opportunity given to them by the Civil Rights Movement, they took advantage of each chance they were given for true, long-lasting, honorable success. They “escaped the ghettos” not through rap, their street cred, or their “gangsta” attitudes, but by striving for the best that life had to offer, by respecting their fellow man (oh, and by the way, women), by working hard and reaping the rewards. Sorry, but disrespectful chauvinistic attitudes don’t impress me, foul language doesn’t make me respect you. It’s unfortunate seeing such a stark comparison between the hope envisaged in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner”, and where we are today. I’m sure I’ll get some crap for this, but I subscribe to Sidney Poitier’s vision of true equality, not the current black pride we see today. I think that’s giving in to the point of view embodied in the housekeeper in the film, and that to me is ultimately disappointing.
Finally, the fashion police raids! Hoorah! The best part. Okay, worst dressed… drum roll please… Naomi Watts. Sorry, Naomi, you’re a beautiful woman, but that dress, egads. It looked like a box of pink kleenex exploded and you caught all the debris. And it made you look all lumpy around the hips, what was up with that? There were a few close runners-up – Meryl Streep was dressed in unflattering berlap and Charlize Theron took on the whole 80’s throw-back look with that shoulder bow bigger than her head. Both those looks I could have done without. I can’t imagine going to the Oscars and not really dolling it up, so I guess Meryl Streep will be second and Charlize will be third.
Best dressed… even bigger drum roll… I’m torn, so I’ll pick two. I really loved Reese Witherspoon’s gown, but I wish I could figure out how it was made. Whatever it was, Reese looked divine Second, Salma Hayek. Sure, she had a bit of a fitting problem (the blue strap totally cut into her chest, which I understand and can sympathize with), but the blue was stunning and the cut of the dress was fantastic, save for that one faux-pas. Overall, I was pleased to see a return to some classic lines and truly gorgeous ballgowns. Even actresses whose styles I don’t usually appreciate turned up looking wonderful.
Well, that’s what the Oscars said to me. Sadly, that’s not all entirely upbeat. *sigh* Sorry, must be the pain medication… I’ll write a happy blog tomorrow. Now go! Go to a theater! Hehe, or better yet, go rent “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Forget “Crash” with all its expletives – if you want a true exploration of racial tensions, you can’t beat it. And next year I’ll try my best to avoid the Oscars, I have enough stress in my life. 🙂
I agree with Naomi’s dress…looks like some animal attacked the front of her great great great grandmothers vintage victorian dress. I still think clooney’s speech was wonderful, you cant just focus on the pitfalls of something. I felt the oscars this year were much more upbeat than they were last year (or even the year before that). Though, I have to say I am saddened by Crash winning best pic…
Fellow Eskimo – I wasn’t trying to fault George Clooney, I just thought he was over-generalizing a bit. It felt like he was painting the film industry as this great societal savior, when just like anything that has the potential for great good in this world, it also has the potential for great harm – like fire, it saves lives by providing warmth and food, but it can also cause destruction and pain. I was just trying to point out both sides of the coin. To ignore the faults of anything is dangerous, because if we can’t acknowledge the faults, we’ll never fix the very things that are holding us back from achieving all the good we can. I think Hollywood’s been doing that for some time, and I think that’s very unfortunate.
In my opinion, if Hollywood would examine themselves with a little bit of mainstream America in mind, instead of arrogantly tossing it aside as behind the times or wrong, then maybe we could find a balance that would be good for everyone. And maybe Hollywood would see more people going back to the theaters. Look at the good and the bad, look at the left and the right, consider all that is there, strike a balance in the middle, and compromises can be made that will allow everyone to be happy.
And yeah, I was disappointed with Crash too. But ah well, that happens.
I was rather surprised at Naomi Watts’ choice of dress but I guess if her goal was to stand out then she certainly accomplished it. I thought Jessica Alba was dressed quite sylishly; as someone put it, she looked like an Oscar herself. Things seemed to move along quite quickly this year although it was still quite long. I remember the year Titanic won (that would be Spring 1998) and the show seemingly lasted until dawn broke on the east coast.
Yes, but there was Jon Stewart. I watched the first 30 minutes before jet lag made me go to bed, and some this morning since I woke up too early. It was the funniest Oscars I can remember, and he did a great job of being respectful without taking himself so seriously that he lost his sense of humor. The Best Actress campaign spots were priceless.
Kevin – You’re right, Jon Stewart was hilarious! I was really glad to see that he worked Stephen Colbert into the show with the narration of those Best Actress bits you mentioned, and the reprise of that with the sound editing commercial. He was great – I’m sure we’ll be seeing him next year.
Meryl Streep looked absolutely glamorous in her dress. It was just the right dash of sexy!
I wanted Joaquin Phoenix to win, for Best Actor, but oh well. My opinion’s only prejudiced, there, in having just watched Walk The Line, Friday evening, and that I haven’t yet seen Brokeback Mountain. I’ll probably have to watch that one when my dad’s not around, as his prejudice there is just that…prejudice. He makes fun of the “fruits” on TV with both ears pierced, so I guess that’d make me a “fruit” too, huh? 😛
On the subject of the state of race in America today, you might find ‘Black.White.’ on FX interesting.