Archive through March 26, 2002

The ClubHouse: Archives: Oscar Talk: Archive through March 26, 2002

Yuhuru

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 09:08 am Click here to edit this post
The Ethan Hawke "bruise" was actually a smeared lipprint from Denzel's wife.

Oregonfire

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 09:17 am Click here to edit this post
I wanted to say that I always thought Jennifer Connelly was so pretty, but she looked gaunt and underfed the other night. She looks drastically diffretn than she did in "inventing the Abbots" where she had a lot of spark. I think she acted subdued because she's weak from hunger. What the #$@#@! is going on in Hollywood that these women feel the need to starve themselves to get an Oscar?! (I personally wanted Sissy Spacek to win Best Actress, because lately, it seems that the most gorgeous contender wins Best Actress--although I was very happy for Halle.)

Jennifer's boyfriend was in "Dead Poet's Society." I always liked that guy.

Crazydog

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 09:36 am Click here to edit this post
What's wrong with Eric Benet saying he approved the scene? The scene in "Monster's Ball" is very raw and explicit. For a big name actress like Halle Berry to do something like that was very courageous. She is one of Hollywood's most beautiful and glamorous women, and up until Swordfish, automatically turned down parts that required even the baring of one breast. Of course she would want her husband to be comfortable with her choices.

Jennifer Connelly reading her speech like a book report in Miss McGruder's seventh grade, complete with monotone and eyes glued down on the page, was one of the worst moments of the show. And I agree her dress was completely unflattering. LOL about the "light phlegm" wrap, it looked horrible.

Honey51

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 10:52 am Click here to edit this post
Just read USA TODAY and they reported that Will's and Jada's baby Willow got sick and they left the awards. They rushed the baby to the hospital where she was found to have a deep-ear infection.

I have gained even more respect for them.

Marysafan

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 11:25 am Click here to edit this post
I was traveling and missed most of the show...which is an annual event at our house. But I did get to see the last three awards and was so happy for Denzel and Ron Howard.

Just to clarify on the Russel Crowe thing. Although he is not a particualr favorite of mine, I would like to defend him with the "I wanted Ron Howard to win an Osacar" remark.

In the interview that I saw...he said that he was so impressed with Ron Howard not only as a director, but also as a person that he wanted to do everything in his power to see to it that he received the recognition that he deserved....and that he would doing everything in his power to see to it that it happened. He would do any interview, make any appearance and talk to any press if it would help to get the word out that this was an incredible piece of work. He also said that he didn't care if he was nominated or not personally...but that any other nominations the film received...would help to ensure that Ron would be nominated for Best Director...and it was his "goal" to see that Ron got the Oscar for this film.

I was very impressed with Russel Crowe that day. He came right out and said...this is not about me...this is about seeing that Ron Howard gets the recognition he deserves. I believe it was genuine.

Wink

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 11:37 am Click here to edit this post
Glad you cleared that up Marysafan. I've seen him in a few interviews and he runs hot and cold. I think he's a fine actor and certainly deserving of the nomination.

And Fruit I wouldn't throw him out of bed for eating crackers.123

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:00 pm Click here to edit this post
Ms. Bat!
(i know you're just trying to get my dander up--ha, ha)

Russell is not only the finest actor of his generation, but without a doubt the sexiest. Yes, he's chunkalicious right now. This has alot to do with recent roles and the fact that he's been playing/touring w/ 30 Odd Foot of Grunts since filming on ABM ended last summer. In the last three years he's had to yo-yo for roles (up 50lbs. for the Insider, down to muscle and sinew for Gladiator,<<in which I'd like to lick the dirty sweat from his arm and I could die happy...uh, where was I...>> back to normal academic size aging a dumpy 40 yrs. in ABM.

He's also stated that in between movies, he goes 'wild' that is, grows the beard and hair, plus touring with the band and drinking brews puts the lbs. back on. He's no youngster, all that yo-yoing is starting to catch up with him, poor kid. That's okay with some of us--I'd take Russell even if he topped 300--it's his intellect and intensity that make him so attractive (cf. Mystery, Alaska or LA Confidential).

Russell could care less about the Oscar--I didn't think he looked stunned at all--we all knew by then that Denzel was going to be rewarded for a good performance in a mediocre movie--let's face it--when Princess Ducklips says (to the press, during the voting period, no less) she "can't imagine living in a world where D.W. doesn't have a best actor oscar" all Hollywood has to bend over, kiss her big toe and do her bidding, right?

Russell knows who he is and frankly wishes he didn't have to attend this stuff. Plus, he and Denzel are friends from "Virtuosity." Russell has openly stated that he didn't care if he won or not, as long as Ron Howard finally got the recognition he deserves.

He's not as much of a "bad boy" as the press plays him out to be. He's just a Kiwi/Aussie and he doesn't take any crap off anyone. Help me out with the cultural profile anytime, AussieDeb!
It's one of those things where every lame interviewer/article has to start out the same way--trashing him b/c it's the trendy posture to take in Hell-A these days and these particular writers have no real insight or imagination.

Dresses--what is up this year? It was like land of 1,000 hideous frocks! Was it just me or did almost EVERY dress have to sag too low? Straplesses that look like they began 1/2 inch above the nip, pulling the whole line down with it.

Okay, I laid it on for the non-Russell-loving folks, now it's your turn to take me to task for what I'm sure is a minority opinion:

I thought Halle's speech was embarrassingly bad. 10 mins. of wailing and hyperventilating, followed by a pretentious and high-handed pronunciation of herself as God's "vessel" (uh, I think that's the Mother Mary, dear), and I'm sure Jada Pinkett and Angela Bassett(a superior actress, imho)are happy to know that Halle sees them as the women who stand "behind" her. (I know what she prob. meant--it still sounds like crap) Then to not only thank everyone down to her lawyers and the butcher, but to take 5 mins. each to EXPLAIN WHY she was thanking them--oi! enough already! Then when a very patient John Williams finally started to strike up the band, she SCREECHED at him. Stark contrast to the simplicity, grace, and warm elegance of Sidney, Denzel, Robert and others.

Don't get me wrong--I'm not one of those who's behind limiting the recipients' time on speeches--I think most of us tune in for what they have to say, rather than most of the schmaltz. I just think she was too far over the edge (drama queen) and is quite possibly unstable. I've always liked her in the past and she's my DH's favorite actress to look at, but even he said he didn't like her any more after that scene. I think it's interesting that while the official press tone on this has been "Isn't she sweet? How moving..." and I know many of you were likewise moved by her histrionics, everyone in the "real" world (ha, ha, debatable) had much the same 'gut' (ha, ha, again) reaction I did.
jmho.
Conversely, the scene at the BAFTAs that is the most recent addition to the Russell as bad boy legend happened because they cut his (originally) 90 second speech--they cut out a 4 line poem by Patrick Kavanaugh that was beautiful and relevant and had personal meaning to him.
discuss.

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:01 pm Click here to edit this post
lol Wink! I wouldn't throw him out of bed for eating fafaru!

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:29 pm Click here to edit this post
Okay I just reread above posts--he NEVER said he took the role SO THAT Ron could get the Oscar. He only responded to questions re: potential Oscar after ABM opened with the idea that he really doesn't think that way(i.e."will I win?") but that one reason he was doing so much press for ABM (more than usual for him) was that he had made it a personal mission to see Ron win the Oscar (after working with him and seeing final product) esp. since he was stunned to learn that Ron had never even been nominated!

Whowhere

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:34 pm Click here to edit this post
Ditto Mick!

Crazydog

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:41 pm Click here to edit this post
I didn't find Halle's speech at all embarrassing. She was very surprised to win and she is a very emotional person - the hysterical crying reaction she had Sunday is pretty similar to the one she had when she won the Emmy for "Dorothy Dandridge". I thought she was very genuinely moved by the recognition. I'd rather see a real, unrehearsed, appreciative acceptance speech than the robotic one read by Jennifer Connelly.

Not to be nitpicky, but you misquoted Halle... she said something like "This is for the women who have come before me. Dorothy Dandridge. Lena Horne. Diahann Carroll. And for the women who stand BESIDE me. Jada Pinkett. Angela Bassett. Vivica Fox." the word change makes a big difference.

Whowhere

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:45 pm Click here to edit this post
Not to be nitpicky either, but that's not what she said. I do think she meant 'behind' as in 'rooting for her, supporting her'. I like Halle Berry a lot, she's a beautiful, talented woman.

From www.oscar.com

SPEECH
Oh, my god. Oh, my god. I'm sorry. This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women who stand behind me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox and it's for every nameless faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. Thank you. I'm so honored.

I'm so honored and I thank the Academy for choosing me to be the vessel for which His blessing may flow. I want to thank my manager, Vincent Cirrincione. He's been with me for 12 long years and you fought every fight and you loved me when I've been up. But more importantly you've loved me when I've been down. You have been a manager, a friend and the only father I've ever known. Really, I love you very much.

I want to thank my mom who has given me the strength to fight every single day, to be who I want to be and to give me the courage to dream, that this dream might be happening and is possible for me. I love you, Mom, so much. Thank you. My husband who is just a joy of my life. And India, thank you for giving me peace, because only with the peace that you've brought me have I been allowed to go to places that I never knew I could go. Thank you. I love you and India with all my heart.

I want to thank Lions Gate, thank you, Mike Paseornek. Tom Ortenberg for making sure everybody knew about this little tiny movie. Thank you. Our director Marc Forster, you're a genius. You're a genius. This moviemaking experience was magical for me because of you. You believed in me, you trusted me and you gently guided me to very scary places. I thank you. I want to thank Ivana Chubic, I could have never figured out who the heck this lady was without you. I love you. Thank you. I want to thank Lee Daniels, our producer. Thank you for giving me this chance, for believing that I could do it. And now tonight I have this. Thank you. I want to thank my agent at CAA, Josh Lieberman, especially I have to thank my agents, Kevin, thank you, thank you for never kicking me out and sending me somewhere else. Thank you. Who else? I have so many people that I know I need to thank. My lawyers, Neil Meyer, thank you. Okay, wait a minute. I got to take 74 years here. I got to take this time. I got to thank my lawyer, Neil Meyer for making this deal, Doug Stone. I need to thank lastly and not leastly, I have to thank Spike Lee for putting me in my very first film and believing in me. Oprah Winfrey for being the best role model any girl can have, Joel Silver, thank you. And thank you to Warren Beatty. Thank you so much for being my mentors and believing in me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:54 pm Click here to edit this post
You might be right, Crazydog, but I had heard 'behind' and I just copied this from oscars.com (b/c I actually couldn't believe her speech was as awful as it had seemed at the time, I went back and read it yesterday a.m.)

"Oh, my god. Oh, my god. I'm sorry. This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women who stand behind me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox ...."

Don't be afraid to nitpick or hurt my feelings--I knew it wasn't a widely held opinion...

One last thing--it seemed like she just couldn't bear to leave the stage area--thinking of anything to keep going "Oprah...um...Joel Silver... um...Warren Beatty." huh? Warren?

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:54 pm Click here to edit this post
LOL Who!

Oregonfire

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:55 pm Click here to edit this post
What I like to think Halle meant is that in the future, maybe these women will receive Oscars as well. I thought that comment was more of a time line one, but I see how it could be interpreted. I think her heart was in the right place.

I do have to wonder how Jada and Miss Bassett received it though--they don't strike me as the kind of women to appreciate that comment. (Both very strong-willed, confident people who probably don't like standing behind anyone.)

Halle and Warren were in Bulworth together, and he has been an outspoken advocate of hers since she was announced as an Oscar contender.

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 12:59 pm Click here to edit this post
And Crazy I agree about the droning, read off a piece of looseleaf speeches(at least memorize it and speak extempo, fer chrissakes!) I usually love the emotional over the top stuff--Cuba, Roberto Benigni, Jack Palance, are a few favorite oscar memories.
She seemed unnecessarily over the edge for the sheer drama--I just heard too many false and self-serving notes in her voice, but I could be wrong!

whew! if i keep this up I might make the next top ten list, ha, ha

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:00 pm Click here to edit this post
oh yeah, I forgot Bulworth....

Julieboo

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:07 pm Click here to edit this post
I have to agree with Crazy about Halle's speech. Too much drama. I too, usually love excited winners. Especially Roberto Begnini! I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it was too much. Halle won the Oscar, and I don't think Lena Horne or Diahann Carrol had anything to do with that.

Micknrc

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:13 pm Click here to edit this post
love ya Julie--not to nitpick-- but Crazydog disagrees with us--lol


(still working on that 2003 most posts list!)

Julieboo

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:17 pm Click here to edit this post
oooh, sorry, Mick, I agree with YOUR post! (Though I USUALLY agree with crazy). Thanks for pointing that out. I think I need a nap! (I'm too excited about hubby's second interview tomorrow!!!)

Crazydog

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 01:56 pm Click here to edit this post
I must have misheard her then, thanks for the clarification... I love the Oscars because everyone has so many different interpretations of them.

My poor hearing probably had something to do with the late hour and exhaustion by the time her award came up! I could have done without the tribute to documentaries, film music, etc. which added unnecessarily to the needless length. A tribute to DOCUMENTARIES? sheesh. Maybe they figured all the big stars would appreciate a bathroom break. On a semi-related note, I was at Notre Dame stadium for the first game after they redid the stadium and added thousands more seats. At the end of the first quarter the entire plumbing system flooded and was shut down because whoever had done the work hadn't counted on hundreds of toilets being simulatenously flushed. Being that this was a new theater, I couldn't help but wonder if the same thing could be happening during the Tribute to Documentaries.

BTW Julie, good luck to your husband on his second interview.... I am in the process of leaving my current job and transitioning to my new one (just got an offer last week!) so I know how excited you can get!

Julieboo

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 02:03 pm Click here to edit this post
Thanks Crazy!!!!! (fellow Chicagoan)

Dahli

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 02:09 pm Click here to edit this post
Well said Mick! I felt slightly uncomfortable watching that speech and until I read your post, wasnt' sure why exactly - so thanks

Oregonfire

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 02:25 pm Click here to edit this post
Actually, I flipped channels about halfway through Halle's speech because it WAS very uncomfortable, but I think Halle was way beyond controlling herself at that point. It's just one of those things.

Mamaanja

Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 05:25 pm Click here to edit this post
I agree with you, Mick, about Halle's speech. Ug. Get it under control babe.

I was bothered, too, by Randy Neuman who won for best song. First of all, I like him, and think he has written some great songs in the past! And I know the poor guy is the Susan Lucci of the Oscars, but he totally did not deserve to win this year. Did you listen to the other songs? Sting's song is incredible, and even Vanilla Sky and Enya's song were more interesting pieces of music with more depth. I totally understand that he probably felt SO EXCITED to finally win, but, hello, Randy, you just beat a Beatle! How about acknowledging the other fine entrants in your category?

It seems like he won because people thought he should win finally, not because he had the best song.