The Oscar Thread!

[JRM]

T-minus 5 days! What are your Oscar picks? How many of the films have you seen?

Unfortunately, of the major contenders, I've only managed to see a couple of the films. However, I'll lay down the gauntlet, based on reviews and trustworthy friends' opinions (some are just stabs in the dark):

Best Supporting Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal ("Brokeback Mountain")

Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz ("The Constant Gardener")

Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote")

Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line")

Best Director: Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain")

Best Picture: "Brokeback Mountain"

The nominees are available here: http://oscars.com/nominees/list.html

As for John Stewart's performance: I think he's hilarious on the Daily Show, but after watching him on some recent talk shows (Today, and Larry King), I'm becoming skeptical of how he'll treat the Oscars. I think he'll be out of his element, his humor won't be appreciated by the masses, and he'll end up pulling a Letterman.

[bad hammy]

Re: The Oscar Thread!

As for John Stewart's performance: I think he's hilarious on the Daily Show, but after watching him on some recent talk shows (Today, and Larry King), I'm becoming skeptical of how he'll treat the Oscars. I think he'll be out of his element, his humor won't be appreciated by the masses, and he'll end up pulling a Letterman.

Possibly, but I bet against it. He is far different (and more darkly negative and acerbic) in interviews than he is when he is 'on'. He should be fine as host.

[tafnut]

There's actually a Vegas line of who/what WILL win, but my favorites were:

Best Actor - Joaquin P - Walk the Line
Best Actress - Reese W - Walk the Line
Director - Spielberg - Munich
and Best Picture - Batman Begins!!!

[SQUACKEE]

There's actually a Vegas line of who/what WILL win, but my favorites were:

Best Actor - Joaquin P - Walk the Line
Best Actress - Reese W - Walk the Line
Director - Spielberg - Munich
and Best Picture - Batman Begins!!!

Of course Batman begins IS the best movie but the question what will get the award. Brokeback mountain will win every award its up for and a few it wasnt even nominated for.

[JRM]

Bumping this for current relevance.

Well, my pick for Best Supporting Actor was off. However, having seen Brokeback Mountain last night, I must say I would be surprised if it won Best Picture. It really isn't a well-made movie.

However, I stand by my prediction about John Stewart. His humor is waaay over the heads of 90% of the audience. Unfortunate.

[JRM]

Re: The Oscar Thread!

Best Supporting Actor: Jake Gyllenhaal ("Brokeback Mountain")

Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz ("The Constant Gardener")

Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Capote")

Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line")

Best Director: Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain")

Best Picture: "Brokeback Mountain"

Well, I guess I'm the only one keeping this thread going. But, I must say this is the closest I've come in recent years to picking the winners (especially with my last minute recant on Best Picture). Another couple Oscars for Canada, eh (Congrats to Paul Haggis!).

[gh]

Watched "Crash" on Friday night. Good timing, eh?

[EPelle]

Watched "Crash" on dvd on Wednesday night. Caught 40 minutes of Oscar show live this morning.

[tafnut]

The local movie critic said Jon Stewart was stiff and uncomfortable. I thought he was great! I loved all his digs at Hollywood.

[SQUACKEE]

The local movie critic said Jon Stewart was stiff and uncomfortable. I thought he was great! I loved all his digs at Hollywood.

I dont like critics but i have to agree with this one. I thought he bombed, but to each his own.

[gh]

Stewart is actually always a bit "stiff"; it's part of his persona. What make it notable in the early going last night was that it took him a long time to connect with the audience.

Appreciating him requires pretty good general knowledge and a worldly view. The people in the Academy may be fabulous at their craft, but that doesn't mean they know much beyond their own little world.

[tandfman]

Let me go off on a tangent for a moment. I don't pretend to keep up to date with either men's fashions or the Oscar shows. I caught a few minutes last night and was surprised at how many of the men were wearing black silk neckties, rather than bow ties. Is this something new? (I think it's wonderful, by the way. I have to wear a tux a few times a year, and doing the bow tie is one of the most annoying parts of the drill.)

[bad hammy]

Jon Stewart was not in his normal Daily Show zone, but definitely did not bomb. I'd like to see him do it again, but I think that Chris Rock is a more comfortable fit.

[JRM]

Jon Stewart was not in his normal Daily Show zone, but definitely did not bomb. I'd like to see him do it again, but I think that Chris Rock is a more comfortable fit.

I felt badly for Stewart, because as gh said, he was losing the audience early on. At first I thought no one was laughing, but then realized that the audio on the audience was down. However, facial expressions told the story.

[SQUACKEE]

Jon Stewart was not in his normal Daily Show zone, but definitely did not bomb. I'd like to see him do it again, but I think that Chris Rock is a more comfortable fit.

This is why they should have differant hosts each year, because everyone has their own favorites. Differant flavors if you will. I personally liked Crystal, Woopie and Steve Martin and thought Rock wasnt right for this particular job. Referring to another thread, i like Rock with swear words.