Monday, February 26, 2007

Oscar the Grouch


With the exception of a few cute faces, it was yet another year that the Academy Awards did little to capture my attention. In all fairness, I was working the late shift with Oscar-dependent deadlines so not having all of the winners' names for hours on end was particularly annoying. (Although I think it must have been annoying to anyone as 11 turned to 12 and so on ... )

I didn't see many of the films, but I will quickly say that it's great that Martin Scorsese finally was recognized. Sure, it's one of those lifetime achievement awards given the fact that "The Departed" is far from his finest moment (think Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman"), but I consider it an overdue statue for "The King of Comedy" and "After Hours" (and most others would say "Raging Bull," which -- gasp! -- I never saw).

I'm happy "Little Miss Sunshine" won for screenplay and for Alan Arkin's wonderful performance. I didn't see either of the lead actors' films, but Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren were widely praised so that seems right. A friend at work whose taste in films I tend to agree with assures me that "The Lives of Others" was just outstanding, and it won Best Foreign Film. And while it could be argued that Jennifer Hudson winning an Oscar for playing an overweight, black singer is right up there with Hilary Swank getting one for playing a transgendered boy, I will say that the former "American Idol" contestant was at least the best part of "Dreamgirls." (Full list of winners)

4 comments:

Joey P said...

"The King of Comedy" may be Scorsese's most underrated work -- a gem on media and celebrity that is even more relevant today. Think about fictional character Rupert Pupkin (who eventually made the cover of Newsweek and Time and People) next time some celebrity shaves her (or his) head.

Anonymous said...

Damn, that's nasty swipe at Jennifer Hudson...

Anonymous said...

How is it nasty? It's just an observation of the ever-present "playing yourself" factor in movies. Maybe Madonna deserved a best supporting actress nod for "Desperately Seeking Susan" too.

Anonymous said...

I thought the King of Comedy was Jerry Lewis' most underrated work... ?!