79th Academy Awards - Oscar Winners, SHOW ONGOING!

[Yog]

Breaking news.. Oscars just been announced.

79TH ACADEMY AWARDS

Best motion picture of the year
BABEL
THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE QUEEN

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Leonardo DiCaprio - BLOOD DIAMOND
Ryan Gosling - HALF NELSON
Peter O'Toole - VENUS
Will Smith - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
Forest Whitaker - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jackie Earle Haley - LITTLE CHILDREN
Djimon Hounsou - BLOOD DIAMOND
Eddie Murphy - DREAMGIRLS
Mark Wahlberg - THE DEPARTED

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Penélope Cruz - VOLVER
Judi Dench - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN
Meryl Streep - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
Kate Winslet - LITTLE CHILDREN

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Adriana Barraza - BABEL
Cate Blanchett - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Abigail Breslin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jennifer Hudson - DREAMGIRLS
Rinko Kikuchi - BABEL

Best animated feature film of the year
CARS
HAPPY FEET
MONSTER HOUSE

Achievement in art direction
DREAMGIRLS
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
PAN'S LABYRINTH
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
THE PRESTIGE

Achievement in cinematography
THE BLACK DAHLIA
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE ILLUSIONIST
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE PRESTIGE

Achievement in costume design
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS
MARIE ANTOINETTE
THE QUEEN

Achievement in directing
BABEL
THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
THE QUEEN
UNITED 93

Best documentary feature
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS
JESUS CAMP
MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY

Best documentary short subject
THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT
RECYCLED LIFE
REHEARSING A DREAM
TWO HANDS

Achievement in film editing
BABEL
BLOOD DIAMOND
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
UNITED 93

Best foreign language film of the year
AFTER THE WEDDING
DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGÈNES)
THE LIVES OF OTHERS
PAN'S LABYRINTH
WATER

Achievement in makeup
APOCALYPTO
CLICK
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
BABEL
THE GOOD GERMAN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"I Need to Wake Up" - AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
"Listen" - DREAMGIRLS
"Love You I Do" - DREAMGIRLS
"Our Town" - CARS
"Patience" - DREAMGIRLS

Best animated short film
THE DANISH POET
LIFTED
THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL
MAESTRO
NO TIME FOR NUTS

Best live action short film
BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA (BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)
ÉRAMOS POCOS (ONE TOO MANY)
HELMER & SON
THE SAVIOUR
WEST BANK STORY

Achievement in sound editing
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Achievement in sound mixing
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
DREAMGIRLS
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Achievement in visual effects
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
POSEIDON
SUPERMAN RETURNS

Adapted screenplay
BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE DEPARTED
LITTLE CHILDREN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Original screenplay
BABEL
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN

[Yog]

Iwo Jima is in for best picture.. Dreamgirls is out!

[CMJ]

For a brief moment I thought United 93 might get in after Greengrass got the nod. Still pouring over the nominations here...I'll post something more substantial later.

[Yog]

Yeah, I was hoping 93 would be nominated for best picture.

I think the competition was really tough for the 5th spot, which is probably why dreamgirls did not make it.

Here are some interesting things about this years nominations:

- Dreamgirls got the most nominations, 8 awards, but not for best picture. It got 3 nods in the same category (best song)
- Babel is nominated for 7, and I believe that is the Best Picture frontrunner
- The Queen got 6 nods, Pan's Labyrinth 6, Departed 5, Iwo Jima 4

And here are some stuff that I did not see coming:
- Black Dahlia (Cinematography), actor nod for Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson, Poseidon (visual effects), Curse of the Golden Flower (costumes), Click (makeup), The Prestige (art direction /cinematography) and most of the foreign movie category

[CMJ]

It's gotta be between Babel and Departed because the BP winner is nealy always nominated for Editing. It's been ages since it hasn't happened.

[Yog]

I agree, the race gotta be between Babel and The Departed.

An odd thing I noticed, by Oscar rules, you can't be nominated in the same category twice, so Leo got a nod for Blood Diamond but not The Departed.

I am disappointed by Monster House being nominated, it was by far the worst of the animated features I saw in 2006. Over the Hedge was my favorite, Ice Age 2 was also far better, and I even prefer the mediocre Flushed Away over Monster House. Hopefully Cars win, and I believe it will.

I am pleased to see Children of Men getting nods for editing and cinematography.

[CMJ]

I still haven't seen Apocolpypto, but their Sound Mixer O'Connell has been nominated like 20 times and has NEVER won. I hope he finally takes it home...he'd get a standing ovation.

[Yog]

I hope he wins, cause the sound mixing in Apocalypto was fantastic. On the note of Apocalypto, I found it odd that it was not nominated for best foreign language movie. Volver was not nominated either.

Meryl Streep was nominated for an Oscar for the 14'th time, a record for acting I believe.

Edit: Actually Penélope Cruz was nominated for Volver, which makes the lack of best foreign picture nod even more odd.

[CMJ]

I don't think Apocolypto or Letters From Iwo Jima were eligible for foreign film because you have to get a country to sponsor it as their film.

[Yog]

Thats a shame, since I would love to see Letter of Iwo Jima and Apocalypto there. On the bright side, there are some more movies I had not heard about that I got to see now. Can't miss out on anything, and Foreign Language is one of my favorite categories :)

[CMJ]

It's also amazingly rare that none of the cinematography nominees are also up for Best Picture.

[Yog]

Thats astounding. Never thought that would happen.

I really hope Children of Men wins it. The cinematography there was amazing. Long camera shots that seemingly never ends. The entire movie flows like one single scene, and high paced action sequences that reminded me of Saving Private Ryan.

[CMJ]

CoM should definitely be considered the frontrunner among those nominees. I think this is the first time that none of the BP nominees have a lead actor nominees since 1927...the first Oscars.

[Yog]

Yeah, thats bizarre. Can't remember when that happened before.

Hey, I just noticed something really cool! Norwegian Torill Kove could win an oscar for her animated short The Danish Poet. :D

[CMJ]

I still have alot of films to see. Yikes!

[Yog]

Yeah, me too. With the nominees announced, it turned out to be more than I expected. 32 days to go, crap load of movies to see. I am not sure if I get to see every single nominee. But I will try. The shorts tends to be in particular hard to find over here (as usual).

The big movie I have not seen yet is Letters of Iwo Jima. Otherwise, I seen most of the frontrunners. There were some dark horses which turned up among the nominees which I need to see. Also only seen 1/5 foreign language movies.

It will be a loooong month of movie bonanza :cool:

[CMJ]

I'll probably start out with Dreamgirls tommorrow and then move on to Last King and then who knows. :lol:

[Tristan Tahmores]

I'm ashamed of myself. I've only seen three of the films on there - Cars, Superman Returns, and Borat. Animated Film, Special Effects, and Adapted Screenplay. >_<

I really need to get to the cinema more often...

[Jedi Master Carr]

I can't believe Dreamgirls got snubbed. I hope Departed wins then I couldn't stand to see that artistic piece of trash win. Especially when I have to hear more of Brad and Angelina god they are the modern day Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (and that isn't a good thing).

[CMJ]

Did you even see Babel?

[Jedi Master Carr]

Nope I have to say I am very biased for several reasons. A the previews kind of turned me off it looks like a boring film to me. And second I hate Bradaglina for several reasons, partly because when I ever talk to my mother she has to bring up how much she hates them.

[CMJ]

But you can't call it trash if you haven't. This is not some dumb comedy that you can dismiss offhand.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Maybe I will see it one day but I doubt ever in theaters I don't have the time to go too many movies especially at the prices these days. I have to admit I am very biased against it. I think it is also because a friend of mine saw it and trahsed it which I think has influenced my opinion greatly.

[CMJ]

It's my least favorite nominee, but I stand by my statement. You can't trash it without seeing it. :p

[Rutabaga]

I am disappointed by Monster House being nominated, it was by far the worst of the animated features I saw in 2006. Over the Hedge was my favorite, Ice Age 2 was also far better, and I even prefer the mediocre Flushed Away over Monster House. Hopefully Cars win, and I believe it will.

I agree, I thought the animated film noms were bad. I was horribly disappointed with Monster House, I didn't like it much at all. I loved loved loved Over The Hedge, I enjoyed Ice Age 2, and I also loved Flushed Away. Didn't see Cars because I just wasn't interested, but since it's Pixar, it'll probably win.

I would have liked to have seen United 93 nominated for best picture, I rented it a couple months ago from Netflix and cried almost uncontrollably at the end, it was a wonderful testament to that day, and those people on the plane. World Trade Center was good, but it you see only one 9/11 movie, then there's no contest, you must see United 93. At least Paul Greengrass got nominated for Best Director.

I have Little Miss Sunshine in my Netflix queue, but I don't know when I'll be getting it, it's a "Long Wait" movie and that wait might be getting longer now because of the noms. I will most definitely be seeing The Queen this weekend :).

[CMJ]

Kevin O'Connell for the win. This was written last year before he lost...again...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11331922/

If O'Toole, Scorcese, AND O'Connell all got Oscars on the same night...this longtime Oscarwatcher just might cry.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think one of the the 3 will happen, heck all three could happen.

[sirdizzy]

Children of Men should be up for a best picture, I cried like a little girl when they were coming down the stairs in the gunfight that was one of the more emotional and amazing scenes I have ever seen in a movie. The movie was glorious.

I really like Babel but Children of Men is vastly more powerful and emotional, I am still cheering for the Departed to win Best Picture though.

[Rutabaga]

I was sick with the worst stomach virus I've had in 15 years or so this week, so I was afraid we might not make it to The Queen this weekend. But thank goodness, I'm about 90-95% recovered, and so we went. Wow, what a great, great movie. Of course, it's about a subject matter I'm fascinated by, so I was their target audience. But wow. Excellent movie. Helen Mirren has truly deserved all the awards she's won so far, and if she doesn't win the Oscar, I'll be shocked.

I was also really surprised by how full the theater was, especially since this isn't an art house film kind of community. But there were lots of people there, and it was nice to see a movie in a theater full of adults for a change instead of a lot of noisy kids :).

We also saw a trailer for a movie called Amazing Grace, a period piece about the song itself. That looks great :).

[Yog]

Screen Actors Guild announced their awards recently:

Actor: Forest Whitaker - Last King of Scotland
Actress: Helen Mirren - The Queen
Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy - Dreamgirls
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls
Film Ensemble: Little Miss Sunshine


http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/28/sag.awards.ap/index.html

http://www.sagawards.org/recipients.htm

[CMJ]

Could LMS be the 4th film in history to win BP without the director(s) being nominated?

[Yog]

I very much doubt it. Remember, its not nominated for editing either. But it sure is making the BP field confusing.

[CMJ]

I do know that Directing and Editing ommissions are huge. And the SAG Ensemble isn't really a Picture award(I mean SAG awarded Ensemble oto The Birdcage and Full Monty in the past), but together with the PGA the awards show a real strength.

If it takes an award at the WGA it might even have to be considered the co-frontrunner.

But I have to think whatever wins the DGA will win BP.

[CMJ]

Scorcese finally wins the DGA.

[Yog]

Its looking very good for director now. I really hope Scorsese wins it this time.

[CMJ]

Group photo from the luncheon. Most nominees make it. It's the best event of the season according to most people, because they're all winners that day(everyone gets a plaque and it's just the nominees and their families....no TV shows or whatever).

http://oscarwatch.com/nominees07.html

[Yog]

They forgot to put Al Gore in there ;)

Edit: Also, Peter O'Toole seems to enjoy the company of Penelope Cruz..

[CMJ]

O'Toole, still the party animal(looks drunk to me)! :lol

[CMJ]

British Academy Awards(arguably almost as presitigious as the Oscars).

Best Picture: "The Queen"
Best British Picture: "The Last King of Scotland"
Best Animated Picture: "Happy Feet"
Best Director: Paul Greengrass, "United 93"
Best Actor: Forest Whitaker, "Last King of Scotland"
Best Actress: Helen Mirren, "The Queen"
Best Supporting Actor: Alan Arkin, "Little Miss Sunshine"
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls"
Best Adapted Screenplay: "The Last King of Scotland"
Best Foreign Film: "Pan's Labyrinth"
Best Film Editing: "United 93"
Best Cinematography: "Children of Men"
Best Original Music Score: "Babel"
Best Sound: "Casino Royale"
Best Production Design: "Children of Men"
Best Makeup: "Pan's Labyrinth"
Best Costume: "Pan's Labyrinth"
Best Visual Effects: "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"

[Rutabaga]

Much to my surprise, Pan's Labyrinth has opened in my town. (A local company, Cafe FX, did a lot of the visual effects, and apparently people were requesting that the movie be shown here so that we could see their handiwork.) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays for a second weekend...if it does, then my plan is to see it next weekend.

Not surprised to see Helen Mirren and The Queen win BAFTAs...big surprise is Paul Greengrass for Best Director, very nice to see United 93 get some kind of recognition.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Oscars are getting closer, so any predictions? After reading around some sites, I think Little Miss Sunshine is going to win. I base this that it won the SAG and PGA recently. Also I think Departed won't win for two reasons, one Marty gets his Directors award and I think most academy voters will think that is all the film deserves. Second I think the film is way too violent for voters. I think the last film like this that won was The Godfather Part 2 (I guess you could argue their are violent films that have won like Silence of the Lambs but I was comparing this movie more to the traditional gangster films). Now I could be wrong here so who knows. I also am hoping Babel doesn't win, I looked at the reviews for it on RT and it is at 68% not sure how it got nominated based on what critics thought of it.
Still honestly I think the Oscar could go to four different films this year, it is that wide open. Letter from Iwo Jima could win, shocking everyone and that really wouldn't suprise me.

[Rutabaga]

The only sure bets seem to be Forest Whitaker and Helen Mirren, I guess, although people also seem to be fairly sure that Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy will win.

I have no predictions for Best Picture because I've only seen 2 of the nominees, The Queen and Little Miss Sunshine. Both were wonderful and truly deserving of their nominations.

I'm pulling for Pan's Labyrinth for Best Foreign Language Fillm since I got to see it this weekend and was highly highly impressed. It's a very unique and moving film. :clap

[Jedi Master Carr]

I wouldn't say Forrest Whitaker is a guarentee. I think there is a chance maybe small Peter O'Toole gets it only because people feel he deserves it. I think Mirren and Marty are the two guarentees after that there could be a couple of surprises here or there.

[CMJ]

Mirren is a sure thing. Scorcese and Hudson are also pretty much locked up I'd say.

I think upsets are very possible in Actor(O'Toole) and Supporting Actor(Arkin).

I'll do a whole run down in another day or two. ;)

[CMJ]

I saw the Short Film Presentation last night at the Academy Building.

Taylor Hackford was the host and conducted both Q&A's(one with the animated folks, one with the live action). Helen Mirren was also there obviously(actually I was no more than a foot away from her when we were exiting the theater).

As for the program itself....

The Danish Poet was first off. I though it was a little gem of a piece. This was the blurb in the program. "Kasper, a poet whose creative well has run dry, takes a holiday in Norway to meet the famous writer Sigrid Undset" Torrill Kove was fascinating in her Q&A. Apparently she had a urban design background and got burned out on it. She was always into writing and drawing so she started doing that...got a break with a film school in Montreal and now here she is. At the completion of this charming little piece I was convinced it would have my vote.

Lifted followed. "A young alien student from a distant world tests the patience of an increasingly weary instructor in a first time abduction attempt" Hilarious little short. The crowd ate it up like candy. Gary Rydstrom has a sound background and got the idea for the short from his experience as a sound engineer and how he hated having folks peer over his shoulder as he was trying to "do impossible tasks". The short has no dialogue because as Rydstrom told us - he hates mixing it. He also purpsefully cut every music cue before it's natural completion for the same reason. He was a riot onstage.

Next was The Little Matchgirl. "A tale about a poor young girl who finds visions of happiness in the fiery flames of the matches that she lights to keep warm. Based on the Hans hristian Andersen story" This one was heartbreaking, but beautiful. Roger Allers and Don Hahn spent 5 years bringing this to completion. Disney did not like the ending so they fought over it for years. The impression that Allers & Hahn gave was that as soon as Eisner(they never mentioned him by name) "disappeared" they were free to release it how they wanted.

Maestro got the biggest reaction of any of the animated shorts with the ending reveal. "Maestro sits in front of a dressing room mirror and carefully prepares for his grand reveal" Geza Toth was as funny as Rydstrom. When Hackford asked what the genesis behind the project was, Toth replied with "I wanted to make money". All of his answrs were similarly howl inducing. His stuff was all dry, but wickedly funny. Rydstrom and Toth should go on tour as a 2 man act.

No Time For Nuts concluded the 1st part of the program. "While trying to bury a nut during the Ice Age, Scrat uncovers a frozen time machine" Loud laughs....and probably the most popular one among he audience from what I could guage. Chris Renaud and Michael Thurmeier were suppossed to be there, but only one came - and for the life of me I'm not 100% sure who WAS there. I think it was Renaud. Regardless, interesting story nonetheless how they squeezed in the production of the film between other projects.

After the films the 1st Q&A started...followed by a 15 minute break.


Part 2 of the night kicked off with Binta and the Great Idea. "Binta, a seven-year-old girl, sets out to change the life of her young cousin" I found it to be a rather tedious exercise even though I recognized it was trying to say something important. Javier Fesser was there(though he mostly spoke thru an interpreter) and said they set out originally to made a documentary in the Senegal, but the idea for this short sort of organically involved once they met people on the ground. Only 1 professional actor was used.

Next was Eramos Pacos. "When his wife leaves him Joaquin and his son seek to persuade his mother-in-law to do the housework" I thought this was pretty amusing as the 2 guys remind me of some of my old friends from college(I hope I wasn't that bad!). Borja Cobeaga used The Simpsons as his starting point. Apparently he wanted to see what Homer and Bart would be like in "the real world" and this is what he came up with.

Helmer & Son followed. "A son is called to the rest home where his father has recently been admitted" Hilarious setup, followed by 2 even better reveals in the closet. The Producer Kim Magnusson was there, but the Director Soren Pilmark wasn't able to make it. Apparently though Magnussn entered the film for consideration without Pilmark's knowledge so the nomination was a TRUE shock!

The Saviour was the best of the lot. "Malcolm, a door-to-door Mormon evangelist, is in lovw with a married woman" Fantastic all the way around IMHO. The Director Peter Templeman and Producer Stuart Parkyn were both there. Amazingly enough this was their Final Project for film school in Australia. You never would've figured. Even more amazing is their previous collaberation also won contests, but since it wasn't on 35mm they couldn't take it everywhere.

The program concluded with West Bank Story a parody of sorts of current events and West Side Story. "This musical comedy is set in the fast-paced, fast-food world of competing falfel stands in the West Bank" This is yet another film school project made good. Highly entertaining, and by far the crowd favorite - the crowd burst into applause like 4 times during the thing. It was like all those stories I heard about Dreamgirls showings in that first week but didn't witness myself(maybe cause I saw it so much later). Ari Sandel talked about the strugle of finding a location to substitute for the West Bank. In addition he discussed how the cast was made up of all Jews(some of which natives of Jurusalem) and Muslims(descended from a variety of countries...Jordan, Eygpt, India just to name a few).

Okay so here's MY verdict.

ANIMATED
Should Win: The Little Matchgirl (tough call for me)
Will Win: The Danish Poet

LIVE ACTION
Should Win: The Saviour
Will Win: Binta and the Great Idea

[Jedi Master Carr]

Cool curious to see the rest of your predictions. I agree with you about surprises in the acting categories. I think there is a chance Arkin could beat Murphy. Do you think, if Arkin wins does that make it more likely LMS wins BP?

[CMJ]

Do you think, if Arkin wins does that make it more likely LMS wins BP?

Yes, no question.

[CMJ]

I have wrestled with these more than any other year I can remember. But here we go...predictions!

Best motion picture of the year
THE DEPARTED

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Peter O'Toole - VENUS

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson - DREAMGIRLS

Best animated feature film of the year
CARS

Achievement in art direction
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in cinematography
CHILDREN OF MEN

Achievement in costume design
DREAMGIRLS

Achievement in directing
THE DEPARTED

Best documentary feature
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Best documentary short subject
THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

Achievement in film editing
THE DEPARTED

Best foreign language film of the year
THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Achievement in makeup
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"Listen" - DREAMGIRLS

Best animated short film
THE DANISH POET

Best live action short film
BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA (BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)

Achievement in sound editing
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

Achievement in sound mixing
APOCALYPTO

Achievement in visual effects
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Adapted screenplay
THE DEPARTED

Original screenplay
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

[Jedi Master Carr]

I see you picked two surprises. I am not sure about Best picture. I am thinking Little Miss Sunshine will win, although at this point I wouldn't be surprised with any of them winning, well except maybe the Queen.

[CMJ]

LMS has a ton of support...it's probably in #2. I've heard more buzz for Babel than anything else the last few days, but it's so hard to go against the DGA. In a tough race that's what points the way normally(MDB over Aviator or Braveheart winning against Apollo 13 & Sense and Sesibility for instance).

It's odd, in wide open years the DGA usually predicts the winner, but they can miss in a race with 2 frontrunners(SIL vs SPR) when the Acdemy decides to split the top prizes

And then there's something like last year which just has almost no historical precedent.

[Jedi Master Carr]

It is very wide open I think. It is looking like the year when Braveheart won.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I suck at picking the technical stuff so I am just go to guess at the big awards
Best Picture Little Miss Sunshine
Best Director Martin Scorcese
Best Actor Peter O'Toole
Best Supporting Actor Alan Arkin
Best Actress Helen Mirren
Best Supporting Actress Jennifer Hudson
Best Animated Film Cars
Best Original Screenplay: Little Miss Sunshine
Best Adapated screenplay The Departed
Looks like our picks there match up except for Best Picture.

[Yog]

Best motion picture of the year
BABEL

Performance by an actor in a leading role
Peter O'Toole - VENUS

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Eddie Murphy - DREAMGIRLS

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson - DREAMGIRLS

Best animated feature film of the year
CARS

Achievement in art direction
DREAMGIRLS

Achievement in cinematography
CHILDREN OF MEN

Achievement in costume design
DREAMGIRLS

Achievement in directing
THE DEPARTED

Best documentary feature
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Best documentary short subject
THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

Achievement in film editing
BABEL

Best foreign language film of the year
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in makeup
APOCALYPTO

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
PAN'S LABYRINTH

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"Listen" - DREAMGIRLS

Best animated short film
THE LITTLE MATCHGIRL

Best live action short film
BINTA AND THE GREAT IDEA (BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA)

Achievement in sound editing
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA

Achievement in sound mixing
APOCALYPTO

Achievement in visual effects
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST

Adapted screenplay
CHILDREN OF MEN

Original screenplay
BABEL

[Jedi Master Carr]

I hope your wrong Yog. Babel looks horrible to me, it would have the worse critical reception (68% on Rotten Tomatoes). And the lowest box office, it is at like 35 million right now and I think it is playing in dollar theaters since it is on DVD.

[Yog]

Well, its a feeling I have. Also strongly disagree on Babel being anything below good / great. I think its a race between Babel and Departed at this point, since they are nominated for editing and directing.

[Yog]

Winners so far:

Achievement in art direction
Pan's Labyrinth

Achievement in makeup
Pan's Labyrinth

Best animated short film
The Danish Poet (Norwegian movie wins!!)

Best live action short film
West Bank Story

Achievement in sound editing
Letters from Iwo Jima

Achievement in sound mixing
Dreamgirls

Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Alan Arkin, Little Miss Sunshine

Best animated feature film of the year
Happy Feet

Adapted screenplay
The Departed

Achievement in costume design
Marie Antoinette

Achievement in cinematography
Pan’s Labyrinth

Visual Effects
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

Best foreign language film of the year
The Lives of Others

Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Jennifer Hudson

Best documentary short subject
The Blood of Yingzhou District

Best documentary feature
An Inconvenient Truth

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
Babel

Original screenplay
Michael Arndt, Little Miss Sunshine

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
"I Need to Wake Up," An Inconvenient Truth

Achievement in film editing
The Departed

Performance by an actress in a leading role
Helen Mirren, The Queen

Achievement in directing
The Departed, Martin Scorsese

Best motion picture of the year
The Departed

[Yog]

I was pleased to see The Danish Poet winning (gotta be Norwegian patriot here!).

Hahahaha to the Al Gore announcement. I fell for it :lol

Happy Feet for animated feature? Definitely did not see that one coming.

.. and holy crap Pan's Labyrinth is winning out big.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think Alan arkin's win will pull for LMS, IMO. I have a feeling that will pull the upset.

[Yog]

Its chances definitely not decreased after that win. Alan Arkin was a very strong outsider though, even regarded by some as the favorite, so it was not that surprising. What will really be telling is if Abigail Breslin wins, or if it wins for screenplay.

[Jedi Master Carr]

It will defintely win for screenplay, I think that is a given. I think best editing could give us a clue since Babel and Departed are against each other. Also if Babel wins nothing going into the final award I think it has no chance. No film that I can think of has been shut out except for best picture.

[Yog]

Well, its not shut out now.. just won one. But yes, editing is a big one. Usually, the movie winning editing wins BP. There are some big awards up now in a bit. The heat is rising.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Little Miss Sunshine won original screenplay. I think its between that and the Departed. I think the Departed will win best editing right now.

[Yog]

Aye chances improved for LMS again there.. although, its hard to call it a frontrunner or favorite when its neither nominated for editing or directing.

[Yog]

Wow, they are not doing a great job at streamlining the show. This takes forever..

[Yog]

The Departed won editing. I think it will win director and BP now.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think it is between that and LMS everything else is a huge longshot. I agree this show is taking forever this year. Last year it was over around midnight it could be 12:30 to 1 before its over at this rate.

[Yog]

.. and its 6 am over here |I

Hellen Mirren won, yay

[Jedi Master Carr]

Ouch and I thought I had it bad. CMJ is lucky it is like 9 there. I think they had one too many tributes and those shadow things while funny really prolong the show. I have to say Ellen has been very funny. And Al Gore had a funny moment.

[Yog]

Yeah, its way too much small talk and derailing from the actual nominees, IMO. Actor coming up..

Forest Whittaker!

[Jedi Master Carr]

I guess Peter O'Toole will die without winning an oscar. Of course I think he was screwed for Lawerence of Arabia.

[Yog]

Yeah, thats a real shame. They both had great performances though, and that was my favorite speech of the night so far.

Directing now..

FINALLY SCORSESE WINS IT!!!!

[Yog]

What a huge night for Scorsese. He waited so long for this. Directing AND best picture.

[CMJ]

Not my best night as far as predictions go, but it was one of the toughest Oscars since I've been in the game. Very happy for Marty. :)

[Jedi Master Carr]

well no surprise. I am still surprised slightly at least that a gangster type film won best picture. Maybe it was because of Scorsese and the movie road that wave of momentum. Of course also to me the greatest threat that it had was Dreamgirls which just flopped in the Oscars. I thought before the nominations that it would win because it had more of a feel good feeling to it. Of course I haven't seen it and maybe only Hudson and Murphy carry the movie I don't know.

[Yog]

I think a lot of the Academy basically did not want to snub Scorsese for another award. He has been up so many times, yet never won. Raging Bull, Taxi Driver.. Goodfellas... Aviator..

The biggest surprise for me was Children of Men not winning Cinematography. Happy feet winning was a bit "huh?" as well.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yeah those were the two biggest surprises along with Pan's Labyrinth not winning best foreign film. Also that awful picture Marie Antoninte winning best costume was surprising too.

[Yog]

Yeah those were the two biggest surprises along with Pan's Labyrinth not winning best foreign film. Also that awful picture Marie Antoninte winning best costume was surprising too.

Yeah, I was about to mention those two as well. How odd that Pan could win so many awards but not foreign language. Also, I am a big fan of the costumes in Curse of the Golden Flower, but CMJ explained to me why it could not win the other night; too few people saw it. A lot of people saw Dreamgirls, but somehow that did not win either.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I know that surprised me. I figured either Dreamgirls or Devil Wears Prada would win that. Also Babel and Dreamgirls have to be the biggest disapointments. I would say Dreamgirls more because it was built to win way back and it couldn't even get nominated for Best picture.

[Yog]

Aye, Babel and dreamgirls were the big flops of the night. How bad is it being nominated 3 times in the same category (song) and not winning.. lol

[CMJ]

I sort of thought Pan's was going to lose Foreign Film because the German film seemed more up their alley(scary East German police in the Cold War, c'mon!), and Foreign Film is only voted on by people who can prove they say all 5 nominees. So, even with 5800 Academy members, that might only be acouple hundred.

I was most disappointed CoM lost cinematography. Well, other thaan O'Connell and O'Toole losing AGAIN.

[Rutabaga]

As usual, the show was wwwaaayyyyy too long, although there were some great moments and clever things done thoughout the show. But I will say this...Ellen was terrific and I hope they invite her back next year :thumbup.

Biggest shock was definitely Alan Arkin winning instead of Eddie Murphy. I wonder if this means the speculation about Norbit backlash was true? And I also noticed that we never saw Eddie Murphy again after that point...did he leave because he was so ticked off about not winning? I wonder.

Biggest disappointment was definitely Pan's Labyrinth not winning best foreign film. When it won all the tech awards it was up for, I figured that meant it was a lock for the big one, so I was surprised when the German film won. But I did read in at least one place that perhaps some of the older Academy voters might be put off by the fantasy elements, so maybe that's what happened. :\

And although it was pretty much a given, I was thrilled with Helen Mirren winning :clap.

[CMJ]

I figured either O'Toole or Arkin...or both would win. The whole aged veteran thing.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I wasn't really surprised either about Arkin. I was thinking O'Toole would then win because of sympathy although I don't think this was close to his best work.

[CMJ]

I wasn't really surprised either about Arkin. I was thinking O'Toole would then win because of sympathy although I don't think this was close to his best work.

Did you see Venus?

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well no I was basing this on what other critics were saying yesterday.

[CMJ]

He got pretty splendid reviews actually. I would've voted for him more than likely because he was the lead. Whitaker, as fantastic as he was, was really in a supporting role

[Yog]

I would have voted for him as well. Not many actors could have pulled off the character in such a convincing manner.

[Jedi Master Carr]

He got pretty splendid reviews actually. I would've voted for him more than likely because he was the lead. Whitaker, as fantastic as he was, was really in a supporting role

Well I could be wrong. I based it on a couple of preview Oscar shows who basically implied that as a reason why O'Toole didn't have much chance.

[CMJ]

I think he had a great chance. Oscar has routinely bestowed wins to veteran actors late in their careers. Usually they are in supporting categories though...so tht should be Peter's play.

If he's around much more. He's been ill for some time.

[CMJ]

And Kevin O'Connell MUST win soon. Maybe net year. BTW- here are his 19 noms.


Apocalypto
Memoirs of a Geisha
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man
Pearl Harbor
The Patriot
Armageddon
The Mask of Zorro
Con Air
The Rock
Twister
Crimson Tide
A Few Good Men
Days of Thunder
Black Rain
Top Gun
Silverado
Dune
Terms of Endearment

He's also never won a BAFTA. He has won 1 Emmy and 1 award from the Cinema Audio Society(for Top Gun).

Underrated much???

[Yog]

Yeah, no kidding. That list is just astonishing.

[CMJ]

Wow...the O'Connell thing just gets sadder and wierder.

From EW's website and I can't believe they actually said this:


Ouch... OUCH!
Boy, Dreamgirls ' sound mixing winners weren't too sympathetic to their Apocalypto rival, 19-time loser (and pet cause of EW.com columnist Dalton Ross) Kevin O'Connell. One called him the Oscars' Susan Lucci. (Oof!) Another offered the backstage crowd this little nugget: ''I just wonder what Kevin's trying to do out there by trying to get an award by using sympathy. Kevin's an okay mixer but enough's enough about Kevin.... I just think that he should take up another line of work.'' (Whoa!) Oh, yeah, we heard you loud and clear, Mr. Sound Guy!



And I got this off of Oscar blogger Kris Tapley's site Incontention.


By now many of you may be aware of the comments sound mixer Michael Minkler made about his peer, Kevin O'Connell's status as the most nominated craftsman in the industry yet to win. While I have heard murmurs from certain quarters that some mixers were becoming irritated with the amount of publicity around O'Connell and partner Greg P. Russell, I think it goes without saying Minkler's press room comments were uncalled for, petty, and above all, unprofessional.

I emailed Russell this evening to get a response out of him, even to find out of Minkler was indeed sincere in his comments or if it was some dry joke. Mr. Russell replied with an impassioned, lengthy tirade full of expletives, and I offered some space for him to provide an official statement if he liked, perhaps one more toned down. Like the straight-shooter he is, Greg released the quote for me to print in full, and so I shall:
**********

He was absolutely sincere with that ********. That man has lost whatever respect he had from a ton of people. Kevin mind you left the ceremonies right after our award and went to the hospital where his mother passed away in his arms at 11:32 pm. As if Kevin didn't have enough to deal with. He wakes up to this ********.

It's been a really weird couple of days. I've been fielding all the calls because Kev has been out. The head of our studio came in to say he blasted Minkler for his assault. I even kicked myself for being congratulatory that night. Minkler said to me when I congratulated him that I was always a classy guy and he appreciated that alot. Integrity is something that means everything to me and this man has absolutely NONE. He stood backstage representing the entire Sound Community in front of the world, only to disgrace us all.

******
What makes the whole scenario worse is Minkler's notion that O'Connell is an "okay" mixer, when two of Minkler's three Oscars have come for the easiest genre to mix there is: the film musical. When the songs come to you pretty crisp and sounding good to go, and there is little if any layering and creation in the way of aural environments (and indeed, the Academy at large remains ignorant to this process), sure...you're gonna keep winning Oscars.

In any case, it really puts things in perspective when you consider that, with all the publicity...hey, maybe O'Connell just really wanted his mother to see him win an Oscar before she passed away. Still want to tell him he should just "go away and be happy" with his 19 nominations, Mr. Minkler?

[Yog]

Thats a disgraceful beaviour by Minkler, and I hope he never wins another oscar again.

[Rutabaga]

Thats a disgraceful beaviour by Minkler, and I hope he never wins another oscar again.

Indeed...especially knowing that O'Connell's mother passed away that very night, that's incredibly cruel, tactless, and just plain rude. :grumble

[CMJ]

Hopefully he'll win for Spider-Man 3.

[CMJ]

Gentlemen, Friends, and Colleagues,


A very unfortunate situation has developed because of my stupid answers to some inappropriate questions. I did not seek this spotlight* -- the press did, as they have in the past. It was wrong of them to ask the questions, and wrong, wrong, wrong of me to answer them the way that I did.


I apologize to all of you for creating a messy situation, and exposing the appearance of any dissention among our ranks.


The press has been asking me questions about Kevin since 2002. They continue to hound me with the same questions again and again, and this time I lost control, using bad choices of words and bitter sarcasm. The award should be about the work---period.


It is always my concern to preserve the Oscars' significance to the filmmaking community and its international audience. My thoughts got away from me at an emotional time, and that I regret.


My response to the last question was off-the-cuff sarcasm meant as humor. However it seems that it has caused even greater reaction...shock. I wanted to end the questioning and those words came out. Not funny. I am very sorry. The time and place was wrong for any of it.


Adding sentiment to this unfortunate situation has of course been the sorrowful passing of Skippy O'Connell. My sincere condolences go out to the entire O'Connell family.


I have been in communication with Kevin directly, and I wish the best for him in the future. I am sure that he will receive his due recognition on that same stage very soon, and I will be the first to congratulate him.


In my career, I'm sure that I have accidentally hurt people, but I've never intentionally sought to do harm. I ask forgiveness from them. I have given shots and taken some, but I don't believe that at any time, true malice was the objective.


I appreciate you sharing your personal thoughts with me, as I always have. I now thank you for allowing me to share mine with you.


Respect to all, Michael Minkler


Seems rather genuine, but still, a moron!!