Oscar Roundup 2003
by Tim Wick
I love watching the Oscars, but typically not because what I would like to win actually picks up any awards. This year, most of my favorite films were not in the running. Still, I had my favorites this year and unlike many past years, some of them took home the statue. Here's my roundup of the evening.
Best Joke
Steve Martin has been my favorite host of recent years. He clearly understood the tense web of opinions surrounding the telecast and managed to keep proceedings light without forgetting that there was a world outside the Kodak theatre. I laughed a lot but some of my favorites were:
Celebrities are thin or skinny. Democrat..........or skinny.
You just cross the street, take a left at the hooker - oh sorry, I meant Pretty Woman.
This year we eliminated the red carpet treatment. That'll show 'em!
It's so sweet. The teamsters are backstage and the're helping Michael Moore into the trunk of his limo.
Best way to start the evening
Hiyao Miyazacki upsets the Disney juggernaut and wins a much deserved Oscar for Spirited Away. Miyazacki is viewed as a god by most animation professionals but it was good to see that his brilliant film managed to convince those voters who couldn't even recognize the difference between cel and computer animation. Disney will have to wait another year to win the Oscar category they lobbied so hard to create.
Best Sport
Jack Nicholson. Many of Martin's jokes were aimed at Nicholson and he seemed to be laughing harder than anyone in the theatre. He was also one of the first people on his feet when Adrian Brody was announced as Best Actor. Sure Jack already has three trophies at home but it would have been easy for him to be upset about losing a race many thought he had locked up.
Best Acceptance Speech
Adrian Brody gave a remarkably moving and funny speech topped off with an eloquent plea for peace. Perhaps it was the fact that no-one expected him to win that gave him the ability to put into words what many others had been unable to do as well. In any case, if his performance in The Pianist hadn't done so already, he made a fan of me with that speech.
Worst Acceptance Speech
None of them outright sucked but Nicole Kidman's speech was oddly stunted. Still, it's hard to really complain to much when she was able to say "why do we do this? Because art is important."
Best/Worst Political Statement
In fact, I agreed with the statement and the fact he had the right to make it, but judging by the audience reaction, Michael Moore didn't make a lot of friends. Is the Academy Award ceremony the right place to make such a pointed statement against the war? If you believe strongly enough, I suppose it is. Moore is outspoken and the only major voice the liberal left has. He may be the liberal Rush Limbaugh, but we need all the help we can get.
But I have to admit to being horribly disappointed in Richard Gere's complete lack of political rhetoric. C'mon man! We'd been waiting all night to hear what you would have to say.
Best political statement
Susan Sarandon. She spoke volumes by her wordless peace sign before she began her presentation.
Best Production choice
The presentation of the honorary Oscar to Peter O'Toole was masterfully done. The clips of scenes from his films served as a blueprint of all the movies I now need to see.
Worst Production Choice
What idiot decided it would be a better idea to show shots of previous acting winners rather than showing the Oscar nominated performances? Instead of a 15 second snippet of what made these actors worthy of note, we got nothing! It was a slap in the face to the work that got those men and women there in the first place. Utterly embarrassing.
Best Surprise
Along with Spirited Away, I was heartened to see Adrian Brody recognized for his subtle work in The Pianist. Every one of the acting nominees was brilliant but Brody was the only person in his category without an Oscar. That may have pushed him over the top. In any case, it made possible one of the great Oscar speeches of all time.
Worst Surprise
Frida defeating John Williams fantastic score for Catch Me if you Can. I didn't manage to see Frida but I think that this was one of Williams' finest scores ever.
Best Dress
It could be because I find her one of the most beautiful women ever created, but I thought Nicole Kidman looked absolutely stunning.
Worst Dress
Most of the dresses this year were very nice. I don't thin the green dress that Julianne Moore wore was particularly flattering. Also, I thought Sean Connery's outfit was very nearly comical.
Best Tribute
Conrad L. Hall picks up the Oscar for his last work as a cinematographer. Not coincidentally, the cinematography in Road to Perdition was absolutely fantastic. His son's wonderful, heartfelt speech was perfect.
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