Well, the Oscars are done with, another year of predictions and surprises completed. I must say I particularly enjoyed last night's proceedings. The show didn't feel quite as long, and there were some very memorable speeches and moments to boot. Who can forget Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly's hilarious musical performance? Or the look on Peter O'Toole's face when he didn't hear his name called for Best Actor? Ellen was adequate as the host, but as the night drew on, seemed a bit useless and borderline annoying. Still, I'm glad she wasn't over the top, and managed to provide one or two memorable moments ("stumbling" upon Mark Wahlberg after Arkin had just won Best Supporting Actor was a priceless move). Below, I have listed my 10 favourite moments at the ceremony, in reverse order. For those who know me, #1 may not be as climactic. Enjoy!
10. Pilobolus
Exquisitely talented group who managed to keep my anticipation up throughout the ceremony to see what they would do next. I've never seen anything quite like it. The penguins from Happy Feet were my favourite.
09. Ellen and Clint's picture taken by Spielberg
In between award presentations, Ellen took a stroll in the audience and asked Clint Eastwood to have his picture taken with her. As his wife was about to take the picture, Ellen asked Spielberg, who was sitting a few seats down to take the picture. It was such a random moment, made special by two of the greatest film directors of all-time.
08. Ellen "stumbling" upon Mark Wahlberg after Arkin won
After the biggest shocker of the night: Alan Arkin taking top honours in the Best Supporting Actor category, Ellen took one of her strolls through the audience, and as unaware as she could seem said something to the effect of, "Let's see who we can find here... Oh, Mark Wahlberg!" Of course Wahlberg had just lost to Arkin, and this moment had me on the floor laughing.
07. Ferrell, Black and Reilly does Broadway
The funniest moment of the night. The lyrics of the song, the presentation, and most of all, John C. Reilly's wonderful emergence from the audience, made this moment priceless. Who, but these 3, can make Helen Mirren and an Oscar the two things everyone wants to take home?
06. 'Departed' wins for Adapted Screenplay & Film Editing
As both of these wins unfolded, I began to realise that this was one of those years the Academy may actually get it right... both wins were followed by hearty exclamations and fist pumping.
05. Arkin wins Best Supporting Actor over Eddie Murphy
I don't include this moment as one I was happy about. I had been avidly supporting Murphy after seeing Dreamgirls. I felt that Murphy gave the best supporting performance of the year, and that Arkin was the weakest of the nominees. However, seeing Arkin accepting an award he could not have possibly been expecting, and reading his acceptance speech with equal pride and humility, I could not help but be happy for the man. Of course this revelation didn't occur until after the ceremony. Kudos to you Alan Arkin, you did your work and the people responded, I wish you all the best!
04. Ennio Morricone's Honorary Oscar presentation
This was one of the awards that I had been happy about, but not eagerly anticipating. After the culmination of the presentation I was sure it was one of the more touching Oscar moments I had ever seen. After composing the score for the likes of over 400 plus films, including many undisputed classics, this man deserved his due more than any other. The featurette that featured some of his work, as well as his teary-eyed speech and thank yous, were blissful. A beautiful moment.
03. Scorsese finally takes it!
After much anticipation (amidst little uncertainty), Scorsese finally took home his award for Best Director. After directing such classics as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas, and being held winless after 5 previous nominations, Scorsese found 6th time the charm and walked away with a well-deserved award. His was the speech I had been anticipating all night, and he gave a genuine and memorable one. The icing on the cake was having the award presented by fellow greats Spielberg, Lucas and Coppola.
02. Jennifer Hudson
I had not jumped on the "J-Hud" bandwagon. After seeing Dreamgirls, I was less than impressed with her work, and felt that she, like fellow supporting winner Arkin, was the weakest of the nominees. However, she was as sure a lock as anything this year, so her undeserved and inevitable win was not one I had been anticipating. However, when she took the stage, sincerely surprised and honoured, my heart melted. I couldn't help but think what a time it must have been for her, after starring in her first movie, winning every award during the awards season, and sitting at the Oscars amidst some of the all-time greats. The expression on her face when she heard her name announced as the winner was unparalleled. Yes, Jennifer, "Look what God can do!"
and...
01. 'The Departed' takes Best Picture after all the uncertainty
In a year that will be known for having one of the most unclear Best Picture races in Oscar history, the Academy honoured the right film. Babel had won the Globe, Letters from Iwo Jima had been receiving a lot of late buzz, Little Miss Sunshine had picked up so much momentum that it was being called the late frontrunner by many, and The Queen was the best-reviewed film of the year. Even though I had predicted The Departed in my Oscar ballot, I had zero certainty that it would win. This was not only a win for the producers, but it further supported and made credible Scorsese's win. Perfect ending to the ceremony.
10. Pilobolus
Exquisitely talented group who managed to keep my anticipation up throughout the ceremony to see what they would do next. I've never seen anything quite like it. The penguins from Happy Feet were my favourite.
09. Ellen and Clint's picture taken by Spielberg
In between award presentations, Ellen took a stroll in the audience and asked Clint Eastwood to have his picture taken with her. As his wife was about to take the picture, Ellen asked Spielberg, who was sitting a few seats down to take the picture. It was such a random moment, made special by two of the greatest film directors of all-time.
08. Ellen "stumbling" upon Mark Wahlberg after Arkin won
After the biggest shocker of the night: Alan Arkin taking top honours in the Best Supporting Actor category, Ellen took one of her strolls through the audience, and as unaware as she could seem said something to the effect of, "Let's see who we can find here... Oh, Mark Wahlberg!" Of course Wahlberg had just lost to Arkin, and this moment had me on the floor laughing.
07. Ferrell, Black and Reilly does Broadway
The funniest moment of the night. The lyrics of the song, the presentation, and most of all, John C. Reilly's wonderful emergence from the audience, made this moment priceless. Who, but these 3, can make Helen Mirren and an Oscar the two things everyone wants to take home?
06. 'Departed' wins for Adapted Screenplay & Film Editing
As both of these wins unfolded, I began to realise that this was one of those years the Academy may actually get it right... both wins were followed by hearty exclamations and fist pumping.
05. Arkin wins Best Supporting Actor over Eddie Murphy
I don't include this moment as one I was happy about. I had been avidly supporting Murphy after seeing Dreamgirls. I felt that Murphy gave the best supporting performance of the year, and that Arkin was the weakest of the nominees. However, seeing Arkin accepting an award he could not have possibly been expecting, and reading his acceptance speech with equal pride and humility, I could not help but be happy for the man. Of course this revelation didn't occur until after the ceremony. Kudos to you Alan Arkin, you did your work and the people responded, I wish you all the best!
04. Ennio Morricone's Honorary Oscar presentation
This was one of the awards that I had been happy about, but not eagerly anticipating. After the culmination of the presentation I was sure it was one of the more touching Oscar moments I had ever seen. After composing the score for the likes of over 400 plus films, including many undisputed classics, this man deserved his due more than any other. The featurette that featured some of his work, as well as his teary-eyed speech and thank yous, were blissful. A beautiful moment.
03. Scorsese finally takes it!
After much anticipation (amidst little uncertainty), Scorsese finally took home his award for Best Director. After directing such classics as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas, and being held winless after 5 previous nominations, Scorsese found 6th time the charm and walked away with a well-deserved award. His was the speech I had been anticipating all night, and he gave a genuine and memorable one. The icing on the cake was having the award presented by fellow greats Spielberg, Lucas and Coppola.
02. Jennifer Hudson
I had not jumped on the "J-Hud" bandwagon. After seeing Dreamgirls, I was less than impressed with her work, and felt that she, like fellow supporting winner Arkin, was the weakest of the nominees. However, she was as sure a lock as anything this year, so her undeserved and inevitable win was not one I had been anticipating. However, when she took the stage, sincerely surprised and honoured, my heart melted. I couldn't help but think what a time it must have been for her, after starring in her first movie, winning every award during the awards season, and sitting at the Oscars amidst some of the all-time greats. The expression on her face when she heard her name announced as the winner was unparalleled. Yes, Jennifer, "Look what God can do!"
and...
01. 'The Departed' takes Best Picture after all the uncertainty
In a year that will be known for having one of the most unclear Best Picture races in Oscar history, the Academy honoured the right film. Babel had won the Globe, Letters from Iwo Jima had been receiving a lot of late buzz, Little Miss Sunshine had picked up so much momentum that it was being called the late frontrunner by many, and The Queen was the best-reviewed film of the year. Even though I had predicted The Departed in my Oscar ballot, I had zero certainty that it would win. This was not only a win for the producers, but it further supported and made credible Scorsese's win. Perfect ending to the ceremony.
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