An Oscars recap
Noe Aratani-Mandiberg
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Scene
"Slumdog Millionare" seemed to have stolen all of the golden men during the recent 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony. The film won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Song and award for musical score. Interestingly, however, no actor or actress from "Slumdog" won any of the major acting awards. Although I have not seen this film yet, it seemed somewhat shocking that even though the film walked away winning a huge majority of their nominations, none of them were awarded to the actors in the film.
Of course, Best Actor in a Supporting Role was awarded to the late Heath Ledger - something that I was very happy about. Ledger was amazing in his winning role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" and there was nearly no doubt in my mind that he was going to win this award.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role was awarded to Penelope Cruz for her role as Maria Elena in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona". I had previously reviewed this film and, although not necessarily mentioned in my review, Cruz did pop out in her portrayal as this psychotic, jealous and sexual character.
And then two awards that many people watch the Awards for … Best Actor and Best Actress. Sean Penn won Best Actor for his role as Harvey Milk in "Milk" and Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz in "The Reader". Again, admittedly, I have not yet seen either one of these movies, but have heard rave reports back from friends and families who have. I am impartial to Penn as an actor, but am completely supportive of this type of character - a gay man who changed the gay rights movement - winning and being accepted as a great person and role.
For Winslet, although she is not my favorite actress, I have heard that she shines in "The Reader". I usually trust and agree with The Academy on the winners, so I am looking forward to viewing "The Reader" and "Milk".
Finally, I just want to make a quick comment on a change within the awards ceremony. The Awards were done in an interesting way this year - for the reading of the nominees for the Best and Supporting Actor and Actress, previous winners of the respective awards stepped out and said very heartening things about the nominees. Although at first I was kind of thrown-off by this, the things said about each nominee were very kind and sometimes funny. I appreciated this change and I hope to see it again in the years to come.
Of course, Best Actor in a Supporting Role was awarded to the late Heath Ledger - something that I was very happy about. Ledger was amazing in his winning role as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" and there was nearly no doubt in my mind that he was going to win this award.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role was awarded to Penelope Cruz for her role as Maria Elena in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona". I had previously reviewed this film and, although not necessarily mentioned in my review, Cruz did pop out in her portrayal as this psychotic, jealous and sexual character.
And then two awards that many people watch the Awards for … Best Actor and Best Actress. Sean Penn won Best Actor for his role as Harvey Milk in "Milk" and Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz in "The Reader". Again, admittedly, I have not yet seen either one of these movies, but have heard rave reports back from friends and families who have. I am impartial to Penn as an actor, but am completely supportive of this type of character - a gay man who changed the gay rights movement - winning and being accepted as a great person and role.
For Winslet, although she is not my favorite actress, I have heard that she shines in "The Reader". I usually trust and agree with The Academy on the winners, so I am looking forward to viewing "The Reader" and "Milk".
Finally, I just want to make a quick comment on a change within the awards ceremony. The Awards were done in an interesting way this year - for the reading of the nominees for the Best and Supporting Actor and Actress, previous winners of the respective awards stepped out and said very heartening things about the nominees. Although at first I was kind of thrown-off by this, the things said about each nominee were very kind and sometimes funny. I appreciated this change and I hope to see it again in the years to come.
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