LYT's Weblog

I'M SO FREAKIN' HAPPY!!!! And, a little rich as well...okay not that rich, but, it's nice to know that I'll be collecting from a few of my friends this week....:)

Martin Scorsese not only won BEST DIRECTOR which he deserves anyway but also BEST PICTURE!!! The producers, that is...

I'm glad that my picks were recognized: Forest Whitaker for Best Actor, Helen Mirren for Best Actress and Jennifer Hudson for Best Supporting Actress! They have been my picks since the beginning of awards season...

I wasn't too disappointed that Alan Arkin won for Best Supporting Actor...I mean, I remember him since "The In-Laws" with Peter Falk and I remember how good a dry comedic performance he had with then superstar Falk. When I finally watch "Little Miss Sunshine" last night on the DVD screener SAG provided, I was torn between him and Eddie Murphy. So, I'm happy that he won as well.

I neither saw "Cars" or the other animated film, so, I naturally picked "Happy Feet" for the win.

I was shocked to hear that "The Departed" won for Best Editing...really, didn't anyone get annoyed by how the film was edited?

Enjoyable speeches made by Whitaker and Scorsese. I was moved especially by Whitaker's.

Here's a couple of clues how to win (when you're making bets) on the Oscars. Oscars choose serious dramatic films and they also choose individuals based on their body of work.

Body of work, in the case of Scorsese, Whitaker, Mirren and maybe, Arkin. Murphy is more known as a comedian so, the Oscars usually never choose comedies for the win; especially for a first-time nominee for drama. "Little Miss Sunshine" was never expected to win here for Best Picture.

Much like what happened to Marisa Tomei for the comedy, "My Cousin Vinny." Although, I do enjoy her work, it was a total shocker when she won against all those prominent British actresses...or, at least, three of them and one other American actress (but always seem to play British characters...)

Jennifer Hudson deserves the win. I saw the Broadway play of "Dreamgirls" when I visited NYC for the first time in the mid-1980s and was floored. Jennifer Holiday was the bomb! And, it was the same excitement when Hudson nailed the role in the feature film version. A lot of people think that she's only worthy here for her singing that got her all the accolades but, they're wrong. The singing is just the starting platform to the acting performance she presented on-screen. She can act!

It's odd that the majority of the major award shows had the same winners..very rare since the last few years, it wasn't the case, if I remember correctly.

Whatever. I just know that I'll be collecting soon.... :) And, this is fair, btw, between close friends which we do every year for fun...

Congrats on the dough, Edwin. I share your sentiments on the show. I saw LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE only about a month before the awards and had championed Murphy all the way up until then, but Arkin deserved it. I was really impressed with the diversity and quality of nominees on the show overall, and all of my solid picks won too. I only wish I'd bet, this time.

Also, nodding approvingly of your having witnessed the original Dreamgirls. That Hudson gave props to Jennifer Holiday at the end, completely elevated her to an entirely new level, in my book. That was awesome. Scorsese being caught off guard about the Best Picture win, was classic stuff, and that he won, too, was greatly satisfying. Also Whitaker's speech, Hudson's, Morricone, Gore, Etheridge, Mirren, Graham King, on and on... all fantastic and moving. Loved the shadow dancers. Ellen is drawing criticism for some reason, but she's still the best host ever in my years of viewing. I thought she did a great job.

Only was puzzled by the sports-like commentary segments by Chris Connelly, the Montages, which seemed weird for some reason (I liked the film choices, but the flow and intros seemed weird), the Academy of Motion Pictures thing and the omission of a few greats (pioneering female composer Shirley Walker was sorely missed) in the tributes line-up.

I would have liked to have seen O'Toole take home his first "real" Oscar, too, but I was more stoked that Whitaker won and his speech sealed the deal.