Fin Fang Foom's Thoughts on the Oscars

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

I'll be posting throughout the telecast.

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

First, regarding the pre-show..........

 

The black girl interviewing celebrities: WHAT WAS THAT RED DRESS?!?! It looked like something Aretha Franklin would wear as a negligée.

 

Now to the show itself............

 

Jennifer Connelly's dress: She didn't have the tits for it.

 

Jennifer Connelly's speech: was she on the same medication that her cinematic husband was on? I've never seen an actor/actress read their ENTIRE acceptance speech off a piece of paper. Frankly, she struck me as slightly ungracious.

 

The Whoopster: so far so good. I was struck by the fact that she has big tits.

 

Woody Allen's appearance: knock me over with a feather!

 

 

More to come.........

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

Jodie Foster: LOOKED FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

Nora Ephron's film of New York clips: not that great - why was there not a SINGLE shot of the WTC?

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

Cameron Diaz's hair: shame on you Cameron. Shame shame shame.

 

I have two words for her: "deep conditioner"

[bluenix]

<Yawn> Whoops! Commercial's over. Back to the show. </Yawn>

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

Hugh Jackman: could he be any more beautiful?

 

I don't think so.

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

Jennifer Lopez's hair: it looked like a Barbie doll's hair that had been messed with by a demented child.

[BgMstr4u]

IMHO --

 

Gosford Park was best picture, hands down.

Judi Dench should have won best actress.

Russell Crowe should have won best actor.

Hurrah for Jim Broadbent as best supporting actor.

Helen Mirren should have won best supporting actress.

 

I always wonder with the lifetime and special Oscars -- do Sidney Poitier and Robert Redford have Terminal Diseases?

 

I thought the way the song nominees were presented was wonderful. Paul McCartney out there on stage with eveyone else! Terrific!

 

The Long Full Black Dress is back.

 

Why did the camera give so much face time to Josh Hartnett? Not that I minded......

[Guest Thunderbuns]

>Jennifer Lopez's hair: it looked like a Barbie doll's hair

>that had been messed with by a demented child.

 

I agree - but it was no where as bad as that disgusting look Diaz sported.

 

While it had some good moments, I found the production value of the show to be somewhat lacking. The first hour was a real snooze.

 

In my opinion, the brightest star of the evening was the Kodak Theatre. I thought it was spectacular, although I doubt if people sitting in the private side boxes would be able to see much of what happenes at the back of the stage.

 

One last thought - I think both Kidman & Crowe could have tried harder to smile when they lost. Crowe didn't try at all and Kidman's smile looked like it was made out of plaster of paris. I know it must be a great letdown not to win, but they could have been more gracious!

 

Thunderbuns

[+ Axiom2001]

>First, regarding the pre-show..........

>

>The black girl interviewing celebrities: WHAT WAS THAT RED

>DRESS?!?! It looked like something Aretha Franklin would

>wear as a negligée.

>

>Now to the show itself............

>

>Jennifer Connelly's dress: She didn't have the tits for it.

>

>Jennifer Connelly's speech: was she on the same medication

>that her cinematic husband was on? I've never seen an

>actor/actress read their ENTIRE acceptance speech off a

>piece of paper. Frankly, she struck me as slightly

>ungracious.

>

>The Whoopster: so far so good. I was struck by the fact that

>she has big tits.

 

...agree about the dress, but this woman is over twenty-one, thus she is a WOMAN, not a "girl" as you put it! May I presume that you definitely want to be absolutely PC in the 21st Century?

>

>Woody Allen's appearance: knock me over with a feather!

>

>

>More to come.........

[Guest Kenny021]

OK, this should elicit some comments....not that I don't expect them.

 

Did anyone feel that Halle Berry's "oh so surprised" tears, etc. etc. reaction to her win to be a bit overblown? Granted, she was pleased and perhaps slightly overwhelmed but surprised? For weeks, it was expected that the award would go to her or Sissy Spacek so why the complete shock of winning.Her reaction was so exaggerated that it was a poor performance on her part. The tears and overblown exclamations actually had the audience in tears. I didn't believe it for a minute. Humility is one thing but to drag it to the level she did is just TOO MUCH. Jennifer Connolly expected to win and whether or not you agree with her acceptance speech at least she was dignified about it. So was Denzel Washington. In fact Berry who was interviewed by Barbara Walters prior to the Oscars KNEW that she had a better than even chance of winning. To me, it just wasn't sincere...it appeared to be a big act.

[+ deej]

>I know it must be a great letdown not to

>win, but they could have been more gracious!

 

Well, it's not exactly new. Judi Dench has said before that she hates being nominated for awards because she hates losing and gets grumpy.

 

The real telling thing is the people nobody mentions. Every time the camera landed on Sissy Spacek she was sitting calmly, with a pleasant and relaxed look on her face, looking more like she was at a PTA meeting than an awards show. Utter class, that one!

 

One of the real hilites of the evening was the entrance by Sharon Stone and John Travolta. They both looked FABULOUS, and they looked absolutely terrific together. I hope casting directors noticed!

 

And I love Whoopi. She's made a career out of little more than being crude, but I love her. You've gotta admire any woman her age who can pull off that opening costume. And did you catch her remark about getting on the trapeze for the opening? She asked if they had insurance. They said "yeah, Billy Crystal".

 

I thought the whole show had a bit of self-deprecating humor that's been sorely missing in recent years.

[Damascene]

I have to admit I didn't watch it. It was up against Priscilla, Queen

of the Desert on Oxygen and I decided to watch Priscilla. I never watch award shows (revoke my Gay Membership Card) or on those odd

occasion, playoffs. Maybe its the Montessori in me; may be its the

roles I never got in high school plays; I watch these things I

don't see the winners, I see the losers. Four people who may have done

some of the best work in their career and they are seen in the world as losers. Four unhappinesses for one elation.

[BewareofNick]

>OK, this should elicit some comments....not that I don't

>expect them.

>

>Did anyone feel that Halle Berry's "oh so surprised" tears,

>etc. etc. reaction to her win to be a bit overblown?

>Granted, she was pleased and perhaps slightly overwhelmed

>but surprised? For weeks, it was expected that the award

>would go to her or Sissy Spacek so why the complete shock of

>winning.Her reaction was so exaggerated that it was a poor

>performance on her part. The tears and overblown

>exclamations actually had the audience in tears. I didn't

>believe it for a minute. Humility is one thing but to drag

>it to the level she did is just TOO MUCH.

 

Whew! I am glad that I was not the only one who felt this way. Her reaction was SO annoying. i wanted to get up, slap her and say "Bitch! Quit the melodrama and get on with it!"

 

I thought her comment about "This is for Dorothy Dandridge and Lena Horne and Diahann Carroll" was great, but her overacting ruined the moment.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Elation

 

Too many late night clients wanting to get off at 2 and 3 am lately have got me into the bad habit of late afternoon naps (in fact I am due for one now....) so I woke up an hour into the telecast, went to the gym for an hour and caught bits and pieces of it there (Jim Broadbent win for example, Synder Portier's special award) and then turned it on for the last hour or so at home while I dealt with emails, posts and other stuff.

 

I wasn't particularly excited. The best movie I have seen in a long time, as far as being conceived intelligently and being well made, wasn't anywhere near nominated and if it ever comes to a town near you, or video tape, catch it: FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Beyond, that my preference lies to MOMENTO, GHOST WORLD, etc. I have not seen most of the nominees and will do what I usually do which is rent the ones I am interested in for $1.50 from the local video store. I just watched MEET THE PARENTS the night before.... That being said, there is a political and cultural importance that is signficant for us as gay men with the awards to Halle Berry and Denzel Washington.

 

When I first caught the beginning of her speech, I also thought it was a put on, and I don't think she helps herself by stopping the conducter (Julia Roberts already went there with more charm last year) simply to thank her lawyer and her agent. As a writer, I was also disappointed to see so few people thank the writers. Without them, there would be no story to perform, nothing to direct or produce.... And we all have experienced movies with little plot and lots of beautiful cinematography, or actors, or fine performances or great direction which for the most part leave us cold. I think she was legit but she also felt she had a role to play and was cognizant of that; I do think the reality hits you in a way you really don't expect. After all, Ian Mckellen was also considered a very sure bet to win and went home, again, empty handed.

 

Gay men have won before and will again. But it's curious that a gay man who is open about it and political ended up losing.

 

Being a new native son of Los Angeles, I thought the Kodak Theater and Hollywood itself looked very VEGAS and in this country today that bespeaks glamour and excitement. Bring on the tourist, especially the horny ones!

 

Finally, yes, four people did lose but so did many more. Guy Pierce, as well as many others (Gene Hackman, Stockard Channing and others) were overlooked and not even nominated. One thing which this country often does not realize, much more so than other countries (which can be just as bad) is that there is very much only one winner. Second place, a silver medal, not to mention a bronze, any other achievement than being ON TOP is looked down upon. Achievement itself is meaningless in this country, success has only one yardstick and this leaves room for disappoint all around. The journey is rarely its own reward and first prize is the only money shot that counts in life.

[+ deej]

RE: Elation

 

I doubt Sir Ian went home *entirely* empty-handed. Did you see the babe he was sitting with and holding hands with most times the camera landed on him? :9 Can you say RentBoy?

 

I sat here thinking YOU *GO* IAN MCKELLEN! }>

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

>The tears and overblown exclamations actually had the audience in tears.

 

She actually made me cry because she was so so SO happy. However, I have to agree it went on for a bit too much and it became a little uncomfortable to watch. I felt much better once she pulled herself together.

 

And on a related note: I found the "black thing" of the evening to be a little annoying. Whoopi, who I love, made reference to blacks in THREE of the five Best Picture introductions she did, then did a black riff with the titles of Redford movies - not to mention black references here and there with the jokes. Then there was Sidney Poitier - totally deserving but not a SINGLE white person was interviewed for his testimonial video. Then there was Halle (see above). And finally, there was Denzel who ALSO made reference to being black. Enough already kids! We know you're black - we're not blind. We're happy for you because you DESERVED the awards and not because it was "time" for blacks to win. IMHO, it diminishes their artistic accomplishments to point out they're black. Let others point out the obvious while you stick to thanking your mothers.

 

Ebonically yours,

 

FFF

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

RE: Elation

 

>I doubt Sir Ian went home *entirely* empty-handed. Did you

>see the babe he was sitting with and holding hands with most

>times the camera landed on him? :9 Can you say RentBoy?

>

>I sat here thinking YOU *GO* IAN MCKELLEN! }>

 

 

I'm sure they have a deep and meaningful relationship.

 

Romantically yours,

 

FFF

[+ Axiom2001]

>OK, this should elicit some comments....not that I don't

>expect them.

>

>Did anyone feel that Halle Berry's "oh so surprised" tears,

>etc. etc. reaction to her win to be a bit overblown?

>Granted, she was pleased and perhaps slightly overwhelmed

>but surprised? For weeks, it was expected that the award

>would go to her or Sissy Spacek so why the complete shock of

>winning.Her reaction was so exaggerated that it was a poor

>performance on her part. The tears and overblown

>exclamations actually had the audience in tears. I didn't

>believe it for a minute. Humility is one thing but to drag

>it to the level she did is just TOO MUCH. Jennifer

>Connolly expected to win and whether or not you agree with

>her acceptance speech at least she was dignified about it.

>So was Denzel Washington. In fact Berry who was interviewed

>by Barbara Walters prior to the Oscars KNEW that she had a

>better than even chance of winning. To me, it just wasn't

>sincere...it appeared to be a big act.

 

Have you seen Ms. Berry at other award shows? Two years ago she received a prestigious award from the NAACP or it might have been The Essence Awards; she was emotional.... From that time as well as last night I just deduced that she is an emotional woman when honored. (Just thought I'd respond.) I'm not criticizing your opinion.

[+ Axiom2001]

RE: Elation

 

>I doubt Sir Ian went home *entirely* empty-handed. Did you

>see the babe he was sitting with and holding hands with most

>times the camera landed on him? :9 Can you say RentBoy?

>

>I sat here thinking YOU *GO* IAN MCKELLEN! }>

 

 

All said...I have a question! Was the young man sitting next to Mr. McKellen one of the actors in the stellar film?

 

Did Mr. McKellen win an Oscar for a support role a couple of years ago? The film has completely escaped the brain!

 

Yes, I noted the two young men sitting next to Mr. McK...and the holding of the hands and the posing!

[+ deej]

RE: Elation

 

>All said...I have a question! Was the young man sitting next

>to Mr. McKellen one of the actors in the stellar film?

 

Doubt it. Probably a boy hired to keep the randy old goat in line.

 

>Did Mr. McKellen win an Oscar for a support role a couple of

>years ago? The film has completely escaped the brain!

 

Didn't he win for "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"? I could go look this up, but I'm just feeling lazy.

 

>Yes, I noted the two young men sitting next to Mr. McK...and

>the holding of the hands and the posing!

 

The one immediately next to him had the look of arm candy. The next one over was yummy ... oh damn! His name escapes me! He was Frodo in the movie and he's been on all the talk shows. He'll be fuckable when he grows up. He spent most of the evening sitting up very straight and leaning away from Sir Ian and his boy.

[FrancoDiSantisxxx]

Let's call Frank De Caro

 

But I'm almost certain both "young men" were in the movies. Ian M. has a beau, perhaps still does. He was nominated for Gods and Monsters and lost several years back. Kevin Spacey was in Clint's folly as was Jude Law.

 

Lots and lots of pretty pictures and no reality whatsoever....

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

Here's an article that speaks to my point.

 

http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/tvaradarajan/?id=105001820

 

Editorially yours,

 

FFF