So Lord of the Rings was robbed, but Halle Berry's speech was beautiful, and Denzel Washington also did a class act. And of course it was great they honored Sidney Poitier.

Could have done without Woody Allen.

What did y'all think?

I agree with you all round CD. It was great! Could indeed have done without Woody, but enjoyed the New York clips.

Gosh what an amazing coincedence that Halle and Denzel won on the very same night that Sidney was recognised. You couldnt have written a better script!!! Hmmmmm.

Now that you mention it quogequox, do you catch Robert Redfords comments about "Needing diversity in the film industry".

I'm thirilled for Hallie, I think that hers is the only genuine reaction that we saw all night. As for Denzel I have not seen (training day) but most of his other work has been so good it does not suprise me that he won.

I absolutely agree that LOTR was completely robbed! Halle Berry was so deserved, but call me a little cynical...I think that Denzel's win was a bit political. I think that Sean Penn was so much more deserved of that. And can I just say that in best song...Randy Newman???? I agree that he is very talented, but it wasn't even his best song. He should have won previously. They have Sting, Paul McCartney and Enya to choose from and they pick Randy Newman??? Political again. Very disheartened all in all with the Oscars this year. There were several good films out there that weren't recognized with awards that should have been.

I'm just glad that Harry Potter didn't win anything.

I have to agree with you all, I do think that the 'choices' were political. But, hey, it is about time that somebody payed attention to the wonderful, extraordinary Black actor/actresses out there, they are both very deserving..As for Sydney Poitier, I have always loved him and believe that he did a great deal to raise all of our consciousnesses! In The Heat Of The Night...my goodness!

I don't mean to be rude, but what was with Gwyneth Paltrow's(sp?) dress??? I just wanted to give her a motherly adjustment, and maybe some duct tape???

[ 03-25-2002, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: Whitedove1 ]

Whitedove1, I think that Gwyneth Paltrow needed a sheet thrown over her--I don't think that anything short of that would have helped. She really looked ghastly.

I enjoyed this year's Oscar telecast much more than any other in recent memory. Despite it's length I thought it was better organized, more polished and just more cohesive. I also think that using Glenn Close and Donald Sutherland as "narrators" took some pressure off Whoopi Goldberg to be constantly onstage and entertaining--an almost 4 hour show would have been too much for any one MC to have sustained.

I was very happy with all the winners. I enjoyed the tributes to Redford and Poitier--both men were very deserving of the honor--and both made thoughtful and meaningful statements about the film industry. And the Oscar to Ron Howard was probably overdue.

I enjoyed seeing Woody Allen--I had forgotten what a wonderful standup comic he can be. He is one of America's most outstanding film directors, and I found his appearance on that stage last night very meaningful. His films do celebrate NYC (the City always looks absolutely gorgeous in his films) and he was there as a NYer to help his city out in the aftermath of 9/11. He never goes to the Oscars, but he was there last night to urge his industry to continue filming in NY. That's very important for the economy and the image of NYC. As a NYer, and one who loves his films, I was moved by his appearance.

I liked the way they had all the performers of the nominated 'best original song' perform the songs one after the other. Now if they would just put that at the top of the show, I could switch the rest off that much quicker! I agree that Halle Berry had the most genuine response, but how come Russell Crowe is not the best actor? It wins best film, best director, best supporting actress---Was he not an integral part of this movie? Everyone else who won for the movie had nothing but praise for his performance! Now I have to admit I haven't seen the movie yet, but with all the other accolades this movie recieved, I can't help but wonder if he didn't win because of his so called 'attitude', or whether it was all politics? By the way I have to add that I was 'surprised' (as it appeared Mr. Crowe was) with the PDA of Ian Maclellan(sp?)! There's a proper place and time for everything. And lest that statement seems homophobic, believe me I'm not...maybe just kinda old fashioned! And, yes, whoever dressed poor Gwyneth should be fired immediately-------case closed! Best dress? Reese Witherspoon.

CD beat me to the punch.

time for the only Los Angeleno
and true Hollywood addict to make a comment.
prepare yourself...it may take 4 hours and 23 minutes!

I love the idea of bringing it back to Hollywood.
hate the density of the inner city.
love the new Kodak Theatre...very well done.
not sure I like the corporate influence.

note sure about the fact that the red carpet was burgundy/cranberry.
not sure about less seating...Shrine seats 6,100.
Kodak...only 3,500.

Very glamorous.
not as many fashion faux pas as usual.

always a good celebrity event.

You all do know what the Oscars are don't you?
It's a vehicle to sell movie tickets.
It's about the academy slapping itself on the back.
The voters are mostly producers...that's what the academy is comprised of.

take it for what it is...not what it is not.

or maybe that's just the ramblings of a cynic?
or maybe a jaded Los Angeleno who grew up here?
or maybe the realist that is the Lord?
I'm not sure.

All nominations are certainly deserving.
All winners are certainly deserving.
The Lifetime achievement awards for Sidney Poitier and Robert Redford were nicely done.

Denzel and Halle...you go girl! you go boy!
(note, Training Day was set in LA)

why was Lord robbed?
I don't get it.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy never do well at the Oscars.
It's all about the serious movie.
And it's not about what we (the audience) feel, it's about what the academy feels. They don't care about us. This is about the art.

Woody Allen is awesome!
He's not classy, but who cares?
his work speaks for itself.
a nice little monologue followed by some clips put together by Nora Ephron.
for those of you not in the know.
She wrote 'When Harry Met Sally' and directed both 'Sleepless In Seattle' and 'You've Got Mail'.

Rob Redford heads up the SunDance Festival
of course he wants diversity in film.
nothing like a man who has made it, giving back.

Politics...uh...hello?!
of course, it is. The AMPAS is all about politics.
did you guys see the mudslinging campaign going on? jeez, louise.

Acting has always been subjective...keep that in mind...subjective.
Until we put these actors in the same role, with the same director and the same environment...you won't really know who is better. And, of course, certain actors are better at certain roles.

How do you compare a corrupt cop in LA to a genius losing his mind or a mentally retarded man?

what works for one is different for another. I liked that, but you liked this.

I felt that Enya should have won for best song...but my opinion matters little...and it's subjective. Sting and McCartney wrote light songs.
Enya was incredible. Diane Warren wrote another horrible bit of mush for Faith Hill to sing. and Newman...that 'Monsters, Inc.' song was not his best.

And every year there are movies and roles that go unnoticed. get used to it...it's the AMPAS.

Gwyneth was bad...even by LA standards...and we're pretty liberal.

It's Ian McKellan...and what's wrong with that?
Oh, sorry, I'm LA...I'm liberal...

well, that's it...I think I've responded to everything here and I've thrown in some comments.

It's pretty neutral, after all, it's Hollywood.
Take it all with a grain of salt.

We here in LA think of it all as one big tourist trap and we look upon in fondly but with no seriousness. uh...except for the parties...those are awesome.

What did Ian Mckellan do? I seemed to have missed it.

Ps I loved the little tribute to documentry movies.

I just have to say that I love the Oscars. I am a big movie fanatic. I may not be some great movie buff but I'm always the one my dad asks "Who was that guy in that movie?" Yup,that's me. Anywho,I got a TV for Christmas so when my bedtime rolled around Sunday I wasn't too sad. "I'll just watch it til Best Picture is announced" I said to myself. Yeah,right!!! I finally turned off the TV at midnight and it still wasn't even on Best Actress!! When did it go off anyone know? But I was glad when I found out "A Beautiful Mind" won. Not only was it the ONLY nominee that I've seen but it was a great movie. A tad bit long,but definitely buy-it-when-it-comes-out worthy. As for Best Actor....toughie! Sean Penn was great and I think that perhaps he should have won. Although,"A Beautiful Mind" and "I Am Sam" were the only movies in that catagory seen by ME. Now that you mention it, it is very INTERESTING that Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won and Sidney Poitier(sp) was honored. Oh,well. Was everyone happy with the choices? Which films would you have nominated/picked as the winner?

i'm glad that:
1. Sydney Poitier, Denzel and Halle got those awards, poliitical or not, it was about time - i think they all happen to be great actors
2. that Whoopi presented, i like her sarcy comments
3. there were some lovely dresses there: marisa tomei, Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Halle

i wish that:
1. Baz Luhrmann had been nominated for Director- what a slap in the face for such a talented man!
2. Gwyneth Paltrow had not slouched in that awful dress, just made her 'bits' sag more !!! and what was that dress that Nicole was wearing - oh paleeease, if i had her figure, i would have worn something much more dramatic !!!!
3. that the bbc had aired the oscars all on one channel instead of moving it to bbc1 halfway thru the night !!!! it meant that i only got to see 2/3 of the show on video!!! i missed the Robert Redford bit.
4. that Harry Potter had won something - sorry Lady C, i happen to really like that film!
5. Barry Norman had done something on tv for the oscars, he has such a wealth of knowledge !!!

sorry about all the edits, just can't seem to spell today!!!

[ 03-26-2002, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: allynellie ]

keep this in mind.
it has been tracked that if a movie wins one of the big eight
that movie will do an average of $30 million more in box office receipts.

that is just how important the Oscars are to the film industry.

I thought that Russell Crowe should have won. I liked A Beautiful Mind, and I'm glad it won Best Picture. I thought that Ian McKellan should have won Supporting Actor. Lord of the Rings will be remembered for his wonderful performance as Gandalf. I'm glad that Jennifer Connoley won because like I said, A Beautiful Mind was a great movie. Was happy that Shrek won the Best Animated Picture and I would have also been glad if Monsters Inc had won.

You obviously did not see 'Iris'
Broadbent was awesome.

It seems to me (this is not my opinion) that the Oscar tends to go to the art flicks.
just an observation.

McKellan was good, don't get me wrong, but again we're trying to compare apples to oranges.
Broadbent clearly had the better role.

McKellan was awesome as Gandalf.
but he didn't have to stretch to do it.
and I think that is why Oscar felt that Broadbent deserved it.
In 'Iris', he really stretched as an actor.
plus he had a great turn as Ziedler in 'Moulin Rouge'.

again, just my opinion.

is this confusing enough?
good...cause the Oscars are just as confusing.

remember you cannot compare apples to mangos.

all humans do not think alike.

and really, who cares about what Hollywood thinks?
as long as you are happy
that's all that counts.

No, it's not "obvious" that I never saw Iris. Why would you assume this? Can I not say that I liked Ian McKellan better?

my bad

you're right, I assumed that you hadn't seen it.
You're entitled to your own opinion.

I felt that Broadbent had a better role.
I do feel that McKellan is the better actor.
but the Gandalf role wasn't as good.

Since I didn't see it can anyone tell me how Halle Berry's acceptance speech went?

I liked Mr. Broadbent's acceptance speech much better. I think he was gracious--and surely he was very surprised (as McKellan had won the SAG.) I too, was hoping McKellan would win, but I couldn't deny that after hearing Mr. Broadbent's speech, I had a smile on my face. He is a fine actor. If Gandalf could not win, I am glad he did.

Excessive dislpays really make me feel uncomfortable. That's the way I am, though, wez, so I thought it was just me.

Russell Crowe announces her name.

Halle is in shock and starts to cry.
a standing ovation occurs.
it takes her about a minute to get up on stage.

still crying she says. oh my god
this moment is bigger than me
she thanks past and present black women actresses.
thanks family, director...
moment that will break down barriers for women of color.

in that vein...I'm sure you can read about on the internet.
I'm sure that someone got the entire thing and it's floating around in cyberspace somewhere

I know I'm a bit slow on the uptake here, but I've just got onto the forums. I think that Ben Kingsley in "Sexy Beast" deserves a mention....for someone who played the epitome of gentleness and tranquility in "Ghandi" to playing a complete psycho from the East End of London where I come from (in Sexy Beast) and to be totally convincing in both just shows what a blinder he is. I think Kate Winslet and Judy Dench looked quite stunning....but maybe I'm biased. Halle Berry looked lovely too. One comment I did hear that I thought was quite on the ball and from an American (don't know who), but he was on the BBc was that even with all the British and Australian nominees that the winners were in the majority American and this may have been due to Academy members feeling very patriotic. Food for thought.

darn tootin'

Ben Kingsley won an Oscar for 'Ghandi'
and he was nominated for 'Sexy Beast'
in fact he has many nominations in the past.
only that one win for 'Ghandi' though.

The Oscars winners are always mostly American.
I think it's cause the US churns out more movies than anyone else...so the odds favor it.

Just a few comments regarding previous posts:

I thought that Kate Winslet looked lovely in her red ensemble, and Judy Dench looks elegant in anything. (It's a good thing she wasn't seated next to poor Gwyneth, she looked dreadful enough!).

Woody Allen is a most delightful gentleman, and an excellent filmmaker, as well as comedian. I'm glad he was there.

I wish Ben Kingsley had won Best Supporting Actor, he is such a talented man, his performances are so powerful, yet so suttle, and when you watch him, it's evident that he pours all of himself into the character he is portraying, until he becomes that character. But I applaud Denzel for his well deserved win.

I agree that Halle's acceptance "speech" was the most genuine;she was truly greatful for that honor. Don't get me wrong, i'm sure all of the winners were truly greatful, but Halle's speech was significantly more _uh_ emotional than anyone elses.

It annoys me to no end when people get up onto the stage and accept their awards, while everyone applauds them, and then they take out a crumpled bit of paper and proceed to squint down at it, only glancing up occasionally, rattling off names before unceremoniously tramping off backstage. I find it rather conceited, as if they expected to win, but maybe that's just me.

One last comment (which i'm sure will interest no one): Sissy Spacek (another fabulous actress) looks identical to my ballet teacher! I'm convinced that they were seperated at birth. Or maybe my teacher lives a double life. Hey, it could happen!