(no subject)
Well well, it was Oscar night and though I know some of you already know about my reaction to it because you were talking to me during the 1am-5am time span it was on, but still, here are my reviews for the wins that I think are deserved.
Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire
Well I'll be honest, I've still not seen this film but I've heard lots and lots about it and after seeing quite a few of Danny Boyle's other films, I'm pretty sure this was a deserved award. He is a very hard working director (which is probably why he won the Oscar for that too) and from what I've seen of the film it really does provide a look into a culture most people don't normally consider. I know the film has gained a lot of criticism from not being an accurate portrayal of life in the slums but who said it had to be? I think by winning this award it's not showing that Hollywood is inconsiderate of the hardships of those struggling but wanting to highlight that there are some problems and the hope that the film no doubt instils. Good job Slumdog. Plus it was awesome to see Dev Patil's reaction to everything. He seemed genuinely just in awe that he was there.
Actor in a Leading Role - Sean Penn (Milk)br />
Okay! So anyone who has spoken to me in the mind between me watching that film, the nominations announcement and last night knows how much I wanted Penn to win this award. Not only is he an amazingly talented man but that performance really made that film what it was. I could talk about the great efforts of the supporting cast, the beautiful direction of Gus Van Sant or the wonderfully interweaved efforts of the editor (Elliot Graham), but it would be lying if I said that this film would have been as wonderful without Penn. It was not a role that anyone could play and the film be just as powerful. I think he truly embodied Harvey Milk for this film and gave a hint of the real spirit behind the man. I think that this was still evident to the point of his acceptance speech and I also thought it was a nice touch for him to single out Mickey Rourke as his only real competition. Hopefully though Brad will get a chance to win one at some point. I get the feeling he's going to be like Kate Winslet and Martin Scorsese and when he finally does win one it mean so much more than the one award.
Actress in a Leading Role - Kate Winslet (The Reader)
Now much like the host Hugh Jackman, I've still not seen 'The Reader' but it's on my list. Nevertheless, I am sure Kate deserved to win this award. No matter what her performance was like this was (as aforementioned) more of an accumulative award. This wasn't just about her one performance in this film, no matter how good and commendable it was. This was about recognition of her canon of work that has time and again impressed both audiences and critics. I think that for her to win this and give the adorable speech that she did (Nice had Mr. Kate Winslet's Dad btw!) that she showed she really was deserving of the honour. I'm sure Meryl deserved it but she's had more than enough success with them over the years and it's good for some other people to win the award. I was a little disappointed for Anne though, but I'm sure that she'll get her chance to shine again. I don't imagine that this will be her last time sitting in that audience with the nervous smile. She really has got some talent in her and I think that we're just starting to see it shine through now she is managing to break away from the Princess Diaries/Ella Enchanted start.
Writing (Original Screenplay) - Dustin Lance Black (Milk)
I think I have expressed my love for 'Milk' enough for one LJ post but still, I just want to add that this man's speech was truly inspirational. He was so personally captured by Harvey Milk's story that it gave him hope to be open about who he was and through his superbly written screenplay, an audience of millions were able to share in that story and be just as inspired and gripped by the life of this wonderful man.
Actor in a Supporting Role - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
In the lead up to the Oscars, hell even in the lead up to the films release way back when, the buzz around Ledger's performance and the notion of it being 'Oscarworthy' was all that seemed to be discussed. However, as much as I am fully aware that were he still alive today the likelihood of him receiving this award would have been notably less, I still believe that the award was given to a deserving competitor. The performance Ledger gave in 'The Dark Knight' was just plain outstanding. To fill the shoes of such a big talent and make people forget about the performance that meant so much to so many was a hard task but he managed to pull it off. Now of course his untimely death is a key factor in his achievement of this award (noted due to the somewhat unfair snubbing the Oscars 'The Dark Knight', after all it was one of the highest grossing films of last year!) but even with that being considered I still believe he deserved to win this award. I also thought that having his family accept the award was a nice touch and I must say, I did shed a few tears when his sister started to speak.
So there we go. The 2009 Oscars in review (well some of them at least), what are your thoughts?
love and hugs and stuff
<3
Best Picture - Slumdog Millionaire
Well I'll be honest, I've still not seen this film but I've heard lots and lots about it and after seeing quite a few of Danny Boyle's other films, I'm pretty sure this was a deserved award. He is a very hard working director (which is probably why he won the Oscar for that too) and from what I've seen of the film it really does provide a look into a culture most people don't normally consider. I know the film has gained a lot of criticism from not being an accurate portrayal of life in the slums but who said it had to be? I think by winning this award it's not showing that Hollywood is inconsiderate of the hardships of those struggling but wanting to highlight that there are some problems and the hope that the film no doubt instils. Good job Slumdog. Plus it was awesome to see Dev Patil's reaction to everything. He seemed genuinely just in awe that he was there.
Actor in a Leading Role - Sean Penn (Milk)br />
Okay! So anyone who has spoken to me in the mind between me watching that film, the nominations announcement and last night knows how much I wanted Penn to win this award. Not only is he an amazingly talented man but that performance really made that film what it was. I could talk about the great efforts of the supporting cast, the beautiful direction of Gus Van Sant or the wonderfully interweaved efforts of the editor (Elliot Graham), but it would be lying if I said that this film would have been as wonderful without Penn. It was not a role that anyone could play and the film be just as powerful. I think he truly embodied Harvey Milk for this film and gave a hint of the real spirit behind the man. I think that this was still evident to the point of his acceptance speech and I also thought it was a nice touch for him to single out Mickey Rourke as his only real competition. Hopefully though Brad will get a chance to win one at some point. I get the feeling he's going to be like Kate Winslet and Martin Scorsese and when he finally does win one it mean so much more than the one award.
Actress in a Leading Role - Kate Winslet (The Reader)
Now much like the host Hugh Jackman, I've still not seen 'The Reader' but it's on my list. Nevertheless, I am sure Kate deserved to win this award. No matter what her performance was like this was (as aforementioned) more of an accumulative award. This wasn't just about her one performance in this film, no matter how good and commendable it was. This was about recognition of her canon of work that has time and again impressed both audiences and critics. I think that for her to win this and give the adorable speech that she did (Nice had Mr. Kate Winslet's Dad btw!) that she showed she really was deserving of the honour. I'm sure Meryl deserved it but she's had more than enough success with them over the years and it's good for some other people to win the award. I was a little disappointed for Anne though, but I'm sure that she'll get her chance to shine again. I don't imagine that this will be her last time sitting in that audience with the nervous smile. She really has got some talent in her and I think that we're just starting to see it shine through now she is managing to break away from the Princess Diaries/Ella Enchanted start.
Writing (Original Screenplay) - Dustin Lance Black (Milk)
I think I have expressed my love for 'Milk' enough for one LJ post but still, I just want to add that this man's speech was truly inspirational. He was so personally captured by Harvey Milk's story that it gave him hope to be open about who he was and through his superbly written screenplay, an audience of millions were able to share in that story and be just as inspired and gripped by the life of this wonderful man.
Actor in a Supporting Role - Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)
In the lead up to the Oscars, hell even in the lead up to the films release way back when, the buzz around Ledger's performance and the notion of it being 'Oscarworthy' was all that seemed to be discussed. However, as much as I am fully aware that were he still alive today the likelihood of him receiving this award would have been notably less, I still believe that the award was given to a deserving competitor. The performance Ledger gave in 'The Dark Knight' was just plain outstanding. To fill the shoes of such a big talent and make people forget about the performance that meant so much to so many was a hard task but he managed to pull it off. Now of course his untimely death is a key factor in his achievement of this award (noted due to the somewhat unfair snubbing the Oscars 'The Dark Knight', after all it was one of the highest grossing films of last year!) but even with that being considered I still believe he deserved to win this award. I also thought that having his family accept the award was a nice touch and I must say, I did shed a few tears when his sister started to speak.
So there we go. The 2009 Oscars in review (well some of them at least), what are your thoughts?
love and hugs and stuff
<3