Arts Editor and Reporter
The 82nd Annual Academy Awards aired Sunday night, despite contract disputes between cablevision and ABC that led to the temporary suspension of the channel. The big winner of the evening was The Hurt Locker, which took home Best Picture along with 5 other Oscars.
We felt it necessary to post our reactions to our Oscar picks outlined on page 14 of the latest issue of the Courant. However, we would first like to comment on the overall quality of the award ceremony itself. The energy of the hosts, presenters, and opening act featuring Neil Patrick Harris (Starship Troopers bug psychic anyone?) was much grander and more entertaining than in previous years. A tip of the hat to the Academy.
And now the answer everyone has been waiting for…
Who was right: Charlie or Catherine? The result: a whooping… tie. How anticlimactic. We both got one correct pick out of the five categories we evaluated. Charlie picked The Hurt Locker for Best Picture and I chose Jeff Bridges for Best Actor for his portrayal of Bad Blake in Crazy Heart. It seems that neither of us really understand the mindset of the famed “members of the Academy.”
Best Picture- The Hurt Locker
Charlie’s Reaction: Called it. The Hurt Locker swept the Oscars, bringing in a total of six, and damn did it deserve every single one. The film gave us insight into the lives of modern soldiers and how, for some, war truly is a drug. The best war movie since Saving Private Ryan, The Hurt Locker rightfully earns its place in the hall of classic war films.
Catherine’s Reaction: Both Avatar and The Hurt Locker received nine nominations, so it seemed likely that one of the two would be the big winner of the evening. I went with Avatar, but The Hurt Locker ended up sweeping all the big categories. This result isn’t particularly irksome though. The Hurt Locker has a very important story to tell in its own right about the harsh realities of the War in Iraq—a subject few films have dared to tackle. Kudos to The Hurt Locker team.
Best Director- Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker
Charlie’s Reaction: Even though I was wrong, I am very happy to see Bigelow win. The direction of The Hurt Locker captured the harsh reality of modern warfare and its effects on today’s soldiers. From the deep, conflicting characters to the bleak middle eastern landscape, Bigelow changed the way I think about the war that often seems abstract to the people of our nation.
Catherine’s Reaction: I’m not sure if I agree 100 percent with the Academy’s decision here. Cameron invested over ten years in Avatar and helped develop cutting-edge, revolutionary technology for the film industry. However, I have to love the irony in his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow snatching the Oscar statuette away from Cameron’s outstretched fingers. What delicious tension! I’m also happy that, finally, a woman has won Best Director. It was a historic win for Bigelow and she has opened the door for aspiring female directors everywhere.
Best Actor- Jeff Bridges for A Crazy Heart
Charlie’s Reaction: To be honest, I have never been happier to have been wrong. Jeff Bridges has been one of my favorite actors of all time, from his iconic role as “The Dude” in The Big Lebowski to hippie Bill Django in The Men who Stare at Goats. As such, it’s about time that he got the award that he so rightfully deserves. The Dude Abides.
Catherine’s Reaction: Yay! My one correct pick! The underrated Bridges definitely deserved the Oscar.
Best Actress- Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side
Charlie’s Reaction: …Wait what? The girl from The Proposal won? Who killed the butterfly?
Catherine’s Reaction: This was the major “dark horse” winner of the evening. I can honestly say Bullock was the last person I expected to win this category. Miss Congeniality? Really? I was wholeheartedly rooting for Meryl. She’s had the most Academy Award nominations out of any actor in history (16 in total.) But unfortunately, as Steve Martin pointed out, this means Streep has the most losses as well. There’s always next year.
Best Adapted Screenplay- Precious, based on the book Push by Sapphire
Charlie’s Reaction: Though I’m not surprised District 9 was not chosen, I am disappointed. As an avid sci-fi buff, I feel the originality of District 9’s approach to the first contact scenario was unappreciated at the Oscars, but sleeper hits like this film often are. But I understand I am in the minority and gracefully accept defeat.
Best Original Screenplay- The Hurt Locker
Catherine’s Reaction: I have to say, it annoys me when a movie wins nearly every award its nominated for. After the first, say, three Oscars we get the point. Really, Academy, you don’t need to rub it in! We know you think the movie is good! Needless to say, that’s how I started to feel about The Hurt Locker by the middle of the broadcast. It’s a brilliant story, however I hoped the offbeat Coen brothers would get some recognition for A Serious Man. The Academy Awards should celebrate many filmmakers for their artistry, rather than just the ones that worked on the movie that struck it big that year.
