tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247465466156954332.post5834587209661621715..comments2023-12-01T06:59:47.032-05:00Comments on Culture Vulture Time: Oscarama 2008mdoggiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11683860463422580736noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5247465466156954332.post-39450731186052109332008-02-25T19:44:00.000-05:002008-02-25T19:44:00.000-05:00Well, I watched the Oscars in my usual lackadaisic...Well, I watched the Oscars in my usual lackadaisical way, kinda like I watch most sporting events, so I'm not too tuckered out. <BR/><BR/> did OK with my picks, but missed the big ones. I did not think the Academy would go for the gloomy, dismal and doomed worlds offered up in the 'Blood' and 'No Country' universes. The one Oscar contender I hadn't seen, "Atonement", I thought had all the earmarks of an Oscar winner, but I was wrong. <BR/><BR/>I didn't see "Atonement", but just assumed it would offer some sort of definitive resolution if not exactly a"happy ending". I don't know if it actually does offer a more upbeat resolution than the other contenders (excepting "Juno", of course). Perhaps it leaves one lying all alone in the darkness of "the power of lying and the fallout of warfare" <BR/><BR/>Anyways, I misjudged the Academy's need for sunshine this year, they were happy to descend into the dark. <BR/><BR/> I picked the best actress, actor, and supporting actress but missed Javier 'cause I refused to go along with the pre-Oscar certainty that he would win. Again, thinking his character was "too dark", and choosing instead the more uplifting and personal performance given by old timer Hal Holbrook. Maybe wishful thinking...<BR/><BR/>I scored the Editing and Original Screenplay winners, and missed adapted for the screen by assuming this Oscar would go with the Best Picture one. I was right about that principle, anyways. <BR/><BR/>I did give the Directing Oscar to the brothers Coen, but wrongly guessed that "Scaphandre et le Papillion" would steal best cinematography away from "There Will Be Blood". I thought the innovation and imagination shown in filming from the point of view of a one-eyed paraplegic would trump the darkly detailed dirt, oil, and sky of "...Blood". <BR/><BR/>As far as the evening's entertainment value goes - I think I have a remarkable if irritating ability to tune out what is inconsequential and would only notice if something truly remarkable occurred. <BR/><BR/>The only notable occurrence for me was Jon Stewart's call-back of Marketa Irglova, co-recipient of the 'Best Song' award, to deliver her acceptance speech. Her words about low budget art and artistry were perhaps the most insightful and inspiring of the evening.mdoggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11683860463422580736noreply@blogger.com