2008/09 was a great year for films, and the Oscars this year seemed to be spot on too! Sometimes they seem a bit snobby and elitist in thier choices, often steering away from box-office successes even when they have been critically well-recieved. Thankfully there was none of this in 2009, as Slumdog Millionaire swept all others before it and took home 8 golden statues.I saw Slumdog the day after it came out, and absolutely loved it! It definitely wasn't the feel-good movie the press were making it to be, but infact it was all the better for that. The darker side of the story gave it so much depth and emotional power, which elevated it above the simple rags to riches story that it could've been. Danny Boyle also won Best Director, and its easy to see why. It is stylish, original and really takes you on a journey with Jamal, Latika and the rest. I reckon he also deserves the Oscar for his past body of work which includes the seminal Trainspotting, Sunshine and 28 Days. His movies always have unique touches and are never dull! Its hard to imagine in the wake of all its sucess Slumdog was nearly lost to straight to dvd movie hell!
In another populist choice Pixar's latest offering Wall:E won Best Animated Feature. I loved this so much and have it on DVD, so am feeling good about it's Oscar as I took a bit of stick for owning it! Unlike Slumdog, Wall:E really is genuinely feel good, and although its beats you abourt the head with it's 'green' message, the story telling and stunning animation more than makes up for it! How the animators got so much character out of two robots who can't speak more than 5 words each is amazing!
In all the fuss about Slumdog it seemed to slip by unnoticed that Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor posthumously for his portrayal of the Joker in the Dark Knight. For me, this was well deserved based on the performance, even before you take into consideration the tragedy of his death. His Joker was dangerous, menancing, creepy and full of tics and nuances that made him seem so unhinged (and no doubt contributed to much of the press speculation around his death). I have always been a huge fan of Jack Nicholson's Joker in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman, but I think Ledger's turn surpasses it, and will probably prove to be the definitive word on the character.
There were lots of other interesting choices, Sean Penn for Milk instead of the favourite Mickey Rourke, Kate Winslett finally getting her Oscar (and making a surperbly ridiculous speech about shampoo) and the snubbing of Brad Pitt vehicle Benjamin Button. In short it was a vintage year for the awards, and I'm hoping for more of the same in 2010!
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2 comments:
I thought it was great that some really likeable people won awards too. I like Danny Boyle every time I see or hear him being interviewed. He seems like a really tidy chap. Sean Penn causes controversy as he admitted in his speech but at least he cares about something. On the other hand I found a lot of the Oscar lovey-ness really annoying, especially during the best actress nominations. Give me a break! Meryl Streep was the worst. And then came Kate's speech. I mean, get a grip woman. But, all in all, I also enjoyed the Oscars. I like watching the Highlights every year.
I heard what Mickey Rourke was gonna say if he won, and as controversial as Sean Penn is, Mr Rourke would've been far worse! The best time I ever had watching them was my first year of uni at the American Studies Oscar party- good times!
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