Will/Did You Watch The Oscars?

[Rumple Foreskin]

From simple minds come simple questions inspired by CharleyH's Oscar "Best Pic" thread:

Will/Did you watch the Academy Awards?

If inclined to share, why?

Rumple Foreskin

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I only see about one movie every couple of years. I neither know nor care who, what, when, where or why about movies.

 

[freshface]

My immediate response is "Oscar, who?" Given that they start at 4:00 AM here, and I don't get American TV, I could't watch them if I wanted to. Of course, I've only heard of one of the movies up for best Oscar. I may need to get our more.

But VM, you live in the land of make believe. Aren't you supposed to care about these things?

 

[impressive]

I don't think I have much of a choice. I live with a movie buff now.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I don't think I have much of a choice. I live with a movie buff now.

It's a burden, I'm sure, Imp.

My son is finishing up the grad program in sceenwriting at the Amer. Film Instil (AFI) out in La-La Land so my interest has picked up a bit recently. That said, the last movies I went out to watch on the "big screen" were Chicago and The Producers.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[voluptuary_manque]

My immediate response is "Oscar, who?" Given that they start at 4:00 AM here, and I don't get American TV, I could't watch them if I wanted to. Of course, I've only heard of one of the movies up for best Oscar. I may need to get our more.

But VM, you live in the land of make believe. Aren't you supposed to care about these things?

No one who has lived in SoCal for any length of time is more than one remove from someone who makes their living in the entertainment biz. But please understand that here is is simply that, a business. Is a carpenter a devotee' of architecture? Does a painter spend his/her weekends in art galleries? Does Pancho, who mows my lawn and trims my bushes, get all excited about topiary? Is a line worker on the GM assembly line necessarily a car nut? Uh-uh. So they go to work and say their lines, jump off buildings, paint backdrops and build sets . . . and then go home and watch the Dodgers or the Angels!

 

[OhMissScarlett]

Yes, I will watch it because I'm all crushed out on Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire. *sigh*

 

[DesertPirate]

Gee a bunch of actors trying to act like they have a say in something beyond entertainment, what a joke. Just a large self-gratification session (read circle jerk).

Why anyone would care what an actor has to say about anything other than acting is beyond me. - WS

 

[_Lynn_]

Nope, they've never interested me.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I did not. But if I had, my one-name answer would have been;

Hugh Jackman!

My entire friendslist is going on and on about how adorable he was last night.

 

[Belegon]

Gee a bunch of actors trying to act like they have a say in something beyond entertainment, what a joke. Just a large self-gratification session (read circle jerk).

Why anyone would care what an actor has to say about anything other than acting is beyond me. - WS

Let me put it this way...

Why anyone would care what an author has to say about anything other than his/her book is beyond me.

People wouldn't call a bunch of engineers giving a guy an award for coming up with an excellent process a "circle jerk."

Sure, I'm biased. I love movies. And literature. And sculpture. And painting.

Okay, so the cult of celebrity is a big part of the Oscars. I get that. It is also a big part of professional sports, politics and pretty much any other profession where the opinion of the people makes a difference in your income. And for those of us who want to make even a supplementary income out of our own creative endeavors... we would do well to consider the opacity of our own domicile before gathering stones.

I don't watch the red carpet stuff. I don't really care who is dating who. But I do love the movies. And I love the Oscars because it celebrates movies.

As to the bit about having a say beyond entertainment? Well, I guess you agree with Charles Barkley about the responsibilities of a person whose living is enabled by the public...

I don't.

 

[3113]

I did watch the Oscars and do like watching them. And I'm with Bel. It doesn't matter to me if others don't "care" what an actor has to say--I don't "care" what winning athletes have to say after a game--that doesn't mean I denigrate those who do want to hear what they have to say.

Spectacle is spectacle. And those who are at the top of a certain game, be it an Olympic Swimmer or a great Actress are of interest to us, watching them show off their talents for our entertainment is of interest to us and, often, their receiving an award and accolades from us and their peers for their efforts can be of interest to us.

As for this year's Oscars themselves, they were quite good. They had this marvelous idea of having best supporting and best actor/actress roles presented not by one presenter, but by five previous winners. Each winner "presented" one of the nominees by speaking directly to them, telling them, in a way that was marvelously personal, how good their performance had been, and how worthy they were of being nominated. What was great about this is that (1) it offered a kind of wow factor of excellence (Sophia Loren up their on stage with Shirley McClaine and Halle Berry, for example), (2) made each nominees feel very special, as one of their noted and respected peers was giving them focused attention and accolades, (3) made the award to the winner seem like a welcoming in. That actor/actress joined the ranks and was hugged by all.

I liked that a lot. I think, in fact, the positive in this year's Oscars was that they tried to make it more down-to-earth, the band on stage, Queen Latifah singing "I'll be seeing you," as images honored those who had passed away. They tried to make it personal and warm, and as much as that can be done with the Oscars, I think they succeeded.

 

[sr71plt]

I only watched part of them (came in where Hugh Jackman was dancing and singing his way to celebrating musicals). From what I saw, I thought they were very well done--and some new, fresh approaches were taken. I also was impressed with past winners talking directly to current nominees (and didn't Sophia L. look terrific for 112?). The only thing I didn't like all that much was not being able to see a full screen on each of the photos of those who died this past year--although having Queen Latifah singing in the background was a winning idea, I think. I also didn't feel the tension of getting acceptance words in before the buzzer started.

 

[rgraham666]

Gee a bunch of actors trying to act like they have a say in something beyond entertainment, what a joke. Just a large self-gratification session (read circle jerk).

Why anyone would care what an actor has to say about anything other than acting is beyond me. - WS

Why do I get the feeling that your opinion would be different it was Ronald Reagan receiving an award and making a political speech you agreed with.

You're not complaining about actors, you're complaining about liberal actors.

 

[sr71plt]

Gee a bunch of actors trying to act like they have a say in something beyond entertainment, what a joke. Just a large self-gratification session (read circle jerk).

Why anyone would care what an actor has to say about anything other than acting is beyond me. - WS

Would that be like you posting on politics and economics here?

 

[Stella_Omega]

Would that be like you posting on politics and economics here?

Snap!

 

[Jack_Samuel]

dammitt i normally try to avoid the oscars but being a fan of Hugh jackman i wanted to see what he could do as host and i ended up watching the whole thing.

I was impressed with oscars this year

 

[3113]

The only thing I didn't like all that much was not being able to see a full screen on each of the photos of those who died this past year--although having Queen Latifah singing in the background was a winning idea, I think. I also didn't feel the tension of getting acceptance words in before the buzzer started.

Agreed. They messed up in their showing what was on screen during the tribute moment there--but it was lovely to have Queen Latifah singing a song that did justice to her vocal talents.

And I noticed as well that two things happened with the speeches, first, it seems that winners have learned their lesson: they know that they have to pick a spokesperson if more than one of them wins (i.e. they can't all talk unless they're really brief), and they must prepare a little and keep the list of thank-yous down. But I also noticed that the Oscars weren't so fascist about the ticking clock. They allowed some leeway. Win-win on both sides. Those that needed a little more time got it, and everyone was respectful of the clock and didn't abuse their time. As you said, it was far less tense.

 

[Goldie Munro]

Didn't watch because it was on too late for me - but was happy at some of the awards - especially Kate Winslett - have thought she was an extraordinary actor from her 'Heavenly Creature' days.

 

[sr71plt]

But I also noticed that the Oscars weren't so fascist about the ticking clock. They allowed some leeway. Win-win on both sides. Those that needed a little more time got it, and everyone was respectful of the clock and didn't abuse their time. As you said, it was far less tense.

I was a little nervous on whether they would cut into each member of Heath Ledger's family saying something. I knew they wouldn't, but that was when I was reminded of years past. I'm particulary glad they didn't break into speeches by past winners directly to current nominees. It was nice to give separate limelight to each of the nominees.

All in all, a class show.

 

[sr71plt]

Didn't watch because it was on too late for me - but was happy at some of the awards - especially Kate Winslett - have thought she was an extraordinary actor from her 'Heavenly Creature' days.

I agree she's quite good now, but I cringed at watching her in Heavenly Creatures. Pretty hammy and high school senior playish. Thank god I've never seen Titanic.

 

[jomar]

A fun little drama moment was when (forget for what award) two guys went up and one talked, looked like he was turning it over to the other guy leaned toward the mike but hesitated. So the first guy thanked his mom or something and the other guy walked off in a snit. I can only imagine the histrionics backstage.

A enjoyed the skit with Seth Rogan and James Franco watching all the movies and the Jimmy Kimell/Tom Cruise commercial.

I also had to laugh when the Asian guy who could practically only say 'thank you' in English accepted the award for the short with the French title.

 

[TE999]

Didn't watch...prolly never will...I do enjoy movies...especially the current crop of animated ones...WALL-E, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, Kung Fu Panda, Bolt, The Tale of Despereaux...those are better on the big screen. The rest are ok on DVD.

 

[DeeZire]

Gee a bunch of actors trying to act like they have a say in something beyond entertainment, what a joke. Just a large self-gratification session (read circle jerk).

Why anyone would care what an actor has to say about anything other than acting is beyond me. - WS

Wait! I'm confused. You're talking about the No Spin Zone on Fox, right?

*Slaps forehead* Duh! You're dissing Ronald Reagan. Good for you DP. Glad to see you're finally coming around.