tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5381145734653789244..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: My tenth annual Oscars reviewBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39198143315188590442008-12-29T21:14:00.000-08:002008-12-29T21:14:00.000-08:00Hello-came here by way of Jon Swift's Best Blogpos...Hello-came here by way of Jon Swift's Best Blogposts of 2008! I like your analysis of this year's Oscars. I didn't watch them, but I agree with you about some things-especially about how some of the newer "stars" cheapens the Oscar name-Miley Cyrus!? The Rock?! And yes everyone made such a big deal about "something something blood" that we almost wasted $ on it! (we hardly get to go the movies) I heard that it was boring as hell! Maybe good acting, but way, way too long!<BR/>Anyway, great post-glad Jon pointed me in this direction!Micgarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09246675916964797016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27362592165716834212008-03-02T21:19:00.000-08:002008-03-02T21:19:00.000-08:00"This was the United National general assembly wit..."This was the United National general assembly with production numbers." Welcome to the twenty-first century, when actors and movies originate all over the world and the Academy has to take notice or become terminally provincial. Actually, I don't think you get to complain about all those accents in the state which twice elected Schwarzenegger.<BR/><BR/>Why blame Jon Stewart for lackluster movies and presenters? Is it his fault? Could Hope or Carson have done better? The show could use some glamour, though. Next year the men could go back to bow ties, so they don't look like they came straight from a funeral. Keep picking on Stewart and we could end up with Craig Ferguson. Nobody wants that.<BR/><BR/>At the end of a strike-damaged sweep month, ABC was desperate for a large, young audience. So, Dwayne Johnson, a huge star to millions who have never heard of Paul Newman. Apparently they didn't tune in, but it was worth a try.<BR/><BR/>I've never seen JAWS 4 but if someone was paying me a truckload of money to spend late winter in Barbados, I don't think I'd say, "I have to go to Los Angeles where there's one chance in five I'll win a gold-plated trophy." Oscar didn't make Michael Caine a star, ALFIE did. Oscar doesn't have that kind of clout. (Without looking, name F. Murray Abraham's latest film.)Buttermilk Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07430011403223875192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87173148837300781362008-02-27T13:53:00.001-08:002008-02-27T13:53:00.001-08:00d. mcewan,My argument wasn't that they all should ...d. mcewan,<BR/><BR/>My argument wasn't that they all should have been nominated, but that they should have been there. Like it or not, Adam Sandler is a movie star. A big one.<BR/><BR/>As to Steve Carell, I guess I missed him. I do take exceptionally long poops.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61821782388810870492008-02-27T13:53:00.000-08:002008-02-27T13:53:00.000-08:00d. mcewan,My argument wasn't that they all should ...d. mcewan,<BR/><BR/>My argument wasn't that they all should have been nominated, but that they should have been there. Like it or not, Adam Sandler is a movie star. A big one.<BR/><BR/>As to Steve Carell, I guess I missed him. I do take exceptionally long poops.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46221336106871740502008-02-26T10:48:00.000-08:002008-02-26T10:48:00.000-08:00There Will Be Blood really should have won best pi...There Will Be Blood really should have won best picture.<BR/><BR/>Katherine Heigl looked 50 years old.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89831217158816198522008-02-25T23:50:00.000-08:002008-02-25T23:50:00.000-08:00"Query: why did the woman who won for Best Makeup ..."Query: why did the woman who won for Best Makeup look like such a hag?"<BR/><BR/>Because she's an old lady who dressed as though she was 25. When your throat looks like that, don't wear plunging necklines. When you have the back of a skinny crone, don't wear a backless gown.<BR/><BR/>Anonymous, they're the Oscars, not The People's Choice Awards. They're supposed to be about quality film-making, not box office success.<BR/><BR/>You asked: "Where was Tyler Perry?Michael Douglas? Robin Willams? Steve Martin? Steve Carell? Tom Cruise? The Simpsons? Matt Damon? Ben Affleck (What, he wouldn't go with his wife?)? Adam Sandler?"<BR/><BR/>Well, first off, Where Steve Carell was was on stage, presenting one of the earlier awards. Maybe you were in the bathroom. He was very funny. The Simpsons aren't real. And why would anyone give a rat's ass where Adam Sandler was? As long as he was absent, that's all we can ask for of him. Ditto for Tom Cruise. As for where was Robin Williams: one suspects he was somewhere making a movie no one will see next year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19680520070948167612008-02-25T21:54:00.000-08:002008-02-25T21:54:00.000-08:00One more thing, why does Bruce Vilanch keep gettin...One more thing, why does Bruce Vilanch keep getting work as a writer for the Academy Awards when the writing for the Academy Awards is always SOOOO lame. Is it just me?Tim W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16860726607106078491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59373478073633581292008-02-25T21:44:00.000-08:002008-02-25T21:44:00.000-08:00Believe it or not, I actually saw all the Best Pic...Believe it or not, I actually saw all the Best Picture nominees before they were announced, but I dragged myself to see a couple of them. My favourites, by far, were Michael Clayton and Juno. And while Tony Gilroy's script was fantastic, I do understand some people's complaint that it was a bit of a formulaic ending- villain spills the beans and -surprise- the hero is recording them. Hey, I liked it, but I understand the complaints. Juno's biggest criticism of the script is probably the unrealistic dialogue, as if dialogue in movies is EVER realistic. I would have been happy with either one of them winning.<BR/><BR/>I thought Stewart did a good job, but I don't remember him after about the halfway mark. Maybe give him something to do, next time.<BR/><BR/>And when mainstream Hollywood starts making great movies again, then they might actually be nominated. It says something when the best Hollywood movies of the year were Bourne Ultimatum and Superbad. Hell, even the George Clooney starring Michael Clayton was paid for by some land developer from Boston, apparently. A lot has been said of the low box office of the five nominated movies, but what was their average budget? The again, they did spend $150 million on Transformers, and look how good that was.Tim W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16860726607106078491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36216621400571605882008-02-25T21:31:00.000-08:002008-02-25T21:31:00.000-08:00Here's what's wrong with the Oscars: Everything.Wh...Here's what's wrong with the Oscars: Everything.<BR/><BR/>Where was Judd Apatow? He had his hand in two big hits this year (Superbad and Knocked Up) and produced a third that was solid (Dewey Cox). But as far as I can tell, all these more-or-less beloved films were completely overlooked by the academy.<BR/><BR/>Where was Transformers? A huge hit, but while I won't contend it should have won Best Picture it was the most technically adept piece of big-time flimmaking this year. Fantastic effects, very well edited and the production design was borderline brilliant. Shouldn't one of the Autobots been up there to present an early award to make the kids happy? Shouldn't there have been features about how film tech keeps moving forward using that film as an example? You know, it was a movie people actually seemed to like... and my five year-old son is still raving about it.<BR/><BR/>There were no films from Steven Spielberg, George Lucas or Martin Scorsese this year. Those guys may be aging, but they're the spine upon which popular moviedom is built. Can't they be forced to make more movies?<BR/><BR/>Where was Will Smith? He made the mediocre I Am Legend the sixth most popular film of the year... he's a real movie star and he wasn't up on stage? Why?<BR/><BR/>Where was Nicholas Cage? His second National Treasure film camei in as the 8th most popular of the year... where was he?<BR/><BR/>Where were the references to 300? Spider-Man 3? Shrek The Third? Pirates of the Caribbean? Die Hard? You know, the hits. Sure, the Academy may detest sequels, but the world wants to see Bruce Willis.<BR/><BR/>By the way, the detestable Fred Claus outgrossed No Country For Old Men by about $8 million. Where was Vince Vaughn?<BR/><BR/>Where was Tyler Perry?<BR/><BR/>Michael Douglas? Robin Willams? Steve Martin? Steve Carell? Tom Cruise? The Simpsons? Matt Damon? Ben Affleck (What, he wouldn't go with his wife?)? Adam Sandler?<BR/><BR/>The problem with this Oscar show was a dim supply of star wattage. A dim selection of movies people cared about. And a dim, ambling show.<BR/><BR/>So there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18890699783004964222008-02-25T20:36:00.000-08:002008-02-25T20:36:00.000-08:00Katherine Heigl was stunning, just stunning. So wa...Katherine Heigl was stunning, just stunning. So was Anne Hathaway. Would someone please give Johnny Depp a razor? PLEASE?<BR/><BR/>The march of the preggos continued: Cate Blanchett looked like a whale in purple satin. Nicole Kidman looked like a Stepford Wife. Jessica Alba was radiant.<BR/><BR/>Query: why did the woman who won for Best Makeup look like such a hag? <BR/><BR/>Finally, I thought Jon Stewart was a bore. His timing was off. His jokes weren't funny. However, he redeemed himself by inviting Marketa Inglova back to the stage to speak.<BR/><BR/>Next year, can we please have a <B> funny</B> M.C.?Alto2https://www.blogger.com/profile/04383871934188791511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57550899157039099132008-02-25T20:30:00.000-08:002008-02-25T20:30:00.000-08:00A note to The Crutnacker (#1): as someone who wri...A note to The Crutnacker (#1): as someone who writes action films, it's the editor, the sound editor and the sound mixer who make those movies. If you don't believe me, go watch the Bourne Ultimatum. Without sound and editing, nada.<BR/><BR/>Your comment about those folks only reveals how little you know about what's really important in some movies.TCinLAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019943818456775718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79421117158590652022008-02-25T20:19:00.000-08:002008-02-25T20:19:00.000-08:00Paul Thomas Anderson is proof that sometimes you r...Paul Thomas Anderson is proof that sometimes you really do need the Director and the Writer to be different people, so at least someone can yell "Noooooooo! Don't dooooooooo that!!!!!!!" and perhaps be heard before it's too late.<BR/><BR/>"Boogie Nights" was fookin' brilliant, but everythihng since....<BR/><BR/>Not so much.<BR/><BR/>But the lad is still young and does show promise.<BR/><BR/>Diablo Cody is further proof that writers - who are writers because they were never properly socialized in their youth (ask me how I know) - need to have professionals dress them for events like this. Biker chick tattoos and stripper-chic gowns just really don't cut it. I was glad someone taught her how to speak in public before she publicly humiliated all the rest of us.TCinLAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019943818456775718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-453669877870552982008-02-25T17:59:00.000-08:002008-02-25T17:59:00.000-08:00Oy, don't bring back Billy Crystal. His first tw...Oy, don't bring back Billy Crystal. His first two were gold. His last 70 were the pits. <BR/><BR/>As or the best sound mixing, best short film, etc, I'm always interested in who wins because I'm a geek, but your average viewer could care less. <BR/><BR/>Let's face it, the Oscars are fun, but often meaningless. HOw many actors and directors have never won the award, or wind up getting a gimmee later in their careers. Honestly, was the Departed a better film than Raging Bull, Goodfellas, or heck, even Casino.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923161793979910495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44019250420340922008-02-25T17:56:00.000-08:002008-02-25T17:56:00.000-08:00"It would have been interesting if Roderick Jaynes..."It would have been interesting if Roderick Jaynes had won for editing Something Something Country. Roderick Jaynes is just a pseudonym. The Coen Brothers actually edited their own movie."<BR/><BR/>It would have been great. They could have gone up and accepted on his behalf, saying Jaynes couldn't be here tonight, he's having dinner with Robert Rich and Mahatma Kane Jeeves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50493034872124743452008-02-25T17:42:00.000-08:002008-02-25T17:42:00.000-08:00I think the thing that stayed with me was the mont...I think the thing that stayed with me was the montage of the Best Picture winners that Nicholson introduced. Apparently, after the 1970's, The Academy decided to stop voting for films that might be iconic, or a statement on the times, or genre bending, or hell... even memorable. The last 28 years have been middle of the road choices that no one need bother to rent because, really, who the hell is going to refer to them? Even Showgirls comes up more often in conversation that Braveheart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61326650731737222712008-02-25T16:13:00.000-08:002008-02-25T16:13:00.000-08:00I hear Joan Rivers got canned for asking Ed Gein, ...I hear Joan Rivers got canned for asking Ed Gein, "Who are you wearing?"Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55276923628395382322008-02-25T16:03:00.000-08:002008-02-25T16:03:00.000-08:00*blush*Damn. I just read the article about Whoopy ...*blush*<BR/><BR/>Damn. I just read the article about Whoopy and the screwed-up Football-Player-Interview before posting. Of course I meant to say Ellen. Shame on me. I guess I'm not better than Whoopi :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01936042470523695383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1088307945461527632008-02-25T15:49:00.000-08:002008-02-25T15:49:00.000-08:00Good commentary, but I don't see how you can call ...Good commentary, but I don't see how you can call Roeper a bootlicker and then say he called Wilkinson's performance over the top to the man's face! (Though I thought Wilkinson was being humorous and wasn't offended.) Roeper also said "Atonement" didn't deserve its nominations, and he said he couldn't stomach "La Vie En Rose." Who else is going to say that on red carpet? Who else is even going to hint at negativity on the red carpet? Roeper also mocked his co-host on more than one occasion for asking stupid questions. It was hardly a "What are you wearing" type of appearance. Plus, if you've ever seen his show or if you've read his Oscar blogs this weekend, he's about as far away from a bootlicker as you can get without being Ken Levine!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26155283976261555692008-02-25T15:37:00.000-08:002008-02-25T15:37:00.000-08:00Jessica Alba, Ken??? Oh, come now.....She wasn't ...Jessica Alba, Ken??? Oh, come now.....She wasn't even the prettiest person on the STAGE during her intro.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56217676595706439892008-02-25T15:34:00.000-08:002008-02-25T15:34:00.000-08:00I'm interested that you obviously didn't like Ther...I'm interested that you obviously didn't like There Will be Blood. I usually hate those sort of films, but other than being about 20 mins too long, I thought it was fantastic, and Daniel Day Lewis' performance was incredible.<BR/><BR/>Funniest oscar moment for me (in Australia) was Richard Wilkins (local celeb interviewing hack) on the red carpet. He asked Michael Moore who he was wearing and he answered, I got this at the Big and Tall outlet store. Gold.<BR/><BR/>Chris.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07437473857713311277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33222833794271163822008-02-25T15:31:00.000-08:002008-02-25T15:31:00.000-08:00I'm with Annie--except I don't think movies over 2...I'm with Annie--except I don't think movies over 2.5 hours should be eligible for a Best Editing Award. Seriously, my butt starts to ache and I start squirming @ the 2 hour mark...<BR/><BR/>And I also agree with the crutnacker--although the contributions of below the line people is crucial, the vast majority of television viewers don't really care. Hand those awards out earlier and them invite the winners up on stage at the beginning of the show for a big round of applause. Then maybe you could zip through an Oscar show in under three hours. <BR/><BR/>Also agree with Michael Zand--I was totally rooting for Tony Gilroy to win Best Original Screenplay. Sad that everyone seems to be buying into the Diablo Cody hype machine. It will be interesting to see how her future writing efforts pan out...Stella Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00326284182278725435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81667992421873888352008-02-25T15:04:00.000-08:002008-02-25T15:04:00.000-08:00Not mentioning Charles Lane is indeed an egregious...Not mentioning Charles Lane is indeed an egregious omission. Even if he hadn't appeared in a number of nominated and winning films (lots of Capra, 42nd Street, The Music Man), he lived to be over 100 and was the recipient of a number of honors and tributes in the couple of years before his death (in July, which was well before the cut-off). He was on their radar and there's no excuse for the snub.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9292253430967059982008-02-25T15:03:00.000-08:002008-02-25T15:03:00.000-08:00If Ken Levine gets to vote why wouldn't Heidi Klum...If Ken Levine gets to vote why wouldn't Heidi Klum and The Rock get to go?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87923475169242481302008-02-25T14:49:00.000-08:002008-02-25T14:49:00.000-08:00"And fianlly, isn't it time that we got rid of the..."And fianlly, isn't it time that we got rid of the best sound, best sound editing, best costume design, and other production Oscars. Even these people's mothers don't brag that they won. <BR/>'My son won an Oscar.'<BR/>'Oh really, what did he act in?'<BR/>'He did sound editing in Bourne Ultimatum.'<BR/>'Oh. More tea?'<BR/><BR/>I could not agree LESS. Sorry, an Oscar, or an Emmy for that matter, is ALWAYS impressive, and YOU try making a good movie without decent sound, editing, costumes, and other production aspects. Production design can make or break a film. Robert Boyle, honored at the ceremony, was one of the most visually influential film artists ever.<BR/><BR/>And I would say this even if my brother hadn't been a sound mixer at MGM. (PENNIES FROM HEAVEN among ather credits.)<BR/><BR/>An old, dear friend of mine, now retired, has an Emmy for editing HAPPY DAYS. I do not and never have liked the show, but my reaction to his winning that Emmy was "WHOOPIE!!!" not "More tea?" <BR/><BR/>The response in the real world to your "More tea" gag would have been "And how many Oscars does YOUR son have?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36265409439821549112008-02-25T14:27:00.000-08:002008-02-25T14:27:00.000-08:00Re Roy Scheider's omission from the obits--I think...Re Roy Scheider's omission from the obits--I think I saw a note on the opening card of the clip that this was thru Feb 1, 2008. <BR/><BR/>As to the Brad Renfro and others...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com