Brokeback Denied Best Film in Academy Shocker
Katy Nolin
Issue date: 3/7/06 Section: Arts
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It seemed as though the Oscars this year epitomized all that is wrong with Hollywood and the box office. Stars wearing designer dresses and expensive jewelry touted the virtues of civil disobedience and old-school Hollywood glamour. Presenters urged viewers that seeing films in the theater was an important part of the experience (and the $10 ticket price doesn't hurt them either) and stressed the negative impact piracy was having on the movie industry. Give me a break. I can tell by Jennifer Lopez's massive diamond earrings that my downloading habits have had a huge effect. No wonder no one goes to the movies anymore.
The Academy chose Jon Stewart to host the event, perhaps reflecting the overall desperation of the evening. Stewart, political satirist extraordinaire, was out of his element hosting, and many of his jokes fell resoundingly flat. Stewart did manage to successfully incorporate many of his Daily Show trademarks, most enjoyable of which were the series of "faux political campaign ads" that lambasted certain nominees in true political form. Steve Carrell and Will Ferrell also brought some comedy to the otherwise dull ceremony, presenting the award for Best Makeup with excess blush, fake eyelashes, and lip liner.
Perhaps the most realistic performance of the evening was Three 6 Mafia's Oscar-winning song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," from Hustle and Flow. That's right, this year's Oscar-winning song chronicles the hardships of a pimp. Three 6 Mafia, clad in jeans and baseball caps, gave an expletive-filled performance, which infused a breath of fresh air into the ceremony. Afterwards, Stewart quipped "You know what? I think it just got a little easier out here for a pimp."
Peter Jackson's cronies swept the technical awards once again, as King Kong took home awards for Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, and Visual Effects. Surprisingly, only three films were nominated both for Editing and Visual Effects, mirroring Hollywood's move from big-budget spectacles to smaller art-house productions. Memoirs of a Geisha cornered the artistic awards, also taking home three awards for Art Direction, Costume Design, and Cinematography.
The Academy chose Jon Stewart to host the event, perhaps reflecting the overall desperation of the evening. Stewart, political satirist extraordinaire, was out of his element hosting, and many of his jokes fell resoundingly flat. Stewart did manage to successfully incorporate many of his Daily Show trademarks, most enjoyable of which were the series of "faux political campaign ads" that lambasted certain nominees in true political form. Steve Carrell and Will Ferrell also brought some comedy to the otherwise dull ceremony, presenting the award for Best Makeup with excess blush, fake eyelashes, and lip liner.
Perhaps the most realistic performance of the evening was Three 6 Mafia's Oscar-winning song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp," from Hustle and Flow. That's right, this year's Oscar-winning song chronicles the hardships of a pimp. Three 6 Mafia, clad in jeans and baseball caps, gave an expletive-filled performance, which infused a breath of fresh air into the ceremony. Afterwards, Stewart quipped "You know what? I think it just got a little easier out here for a pimp."
Peter Jackson's cronies swept the technical awards once again, as King Kong took home awards for Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, and Visual Effects. Surprisingly, only three films were nominated both for Editing and Visual Effects, mirroring Hollywood's move from big-budget spectacles to smaller art-house productions. Memoirs of a Geisha cornered the artistic awards, also taking home three awards for Art Direction, Costume Design, and Cinematography.
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