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The Daily OrangePop culture recap: Academy Award glamour
By Stacie Foster
Posted: 2/23/09, 2:54 AM EST Section: Feature
Serious moments such as these were broken up by comical pieces like the short film made by Seth Rogen and James Franco, who reprised their role as serial potheads in the 2008 comedy "Pineapple Express." The short was funny, entertaining and a little risky - the 2008 Oscars would have never shown a short such as this one. It's these kinds of improvements and risks that really made the 2009 show.
The presenters also brought an interesting flavor to the 2009 Oscars. They were actually entertaining. Jennifer Anniston and Jack Black had great onstage chemistry when they presented the awards for best animated feature film of the year and best animated short film. For some added drama, they were presenting directly in front of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Can you say awkward? Jen kept her cool, though, and did an amazing job.
Ben Stiller drew laughs as he gave his own portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix's now-infamous stint on "The Tonight Show with David Letterman," presenting the award for best achievement in cinematography with Natalie Portman. Portman was my pick for best dressed of the night; she wore a beautiful flowing pink gown and a gorgeous diamond bracelet.
But even if the Oscars weren't funny and were extremely boring, I could never condemn a show that brought Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson that close to one another. I'll embarrassingly admit I was a little giddy at first sight of the "Twilight" hottie, who appropriately presented a montage of the best romance movies of 2008.
But the show doesn't exist just to warm my heart with good-looking male actors - it's meant to honor the best films, actors and actresses of 2008, and it did that. Kate Winslet finally won an Oscar for best actress in a leading role. This was Winslet's first Academy Award, despite being nominated six times before. The nod for best actor in a leading role went to Sean Penn in "Milk."
The most important award of the night, film of the year, went to "Slumdog Millionaire." The film won six other awards at the ceremony, making it the most successful film of the night. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" scored three awards, including best achievement in art direction.
The Oscar makeover was much needed, but might not be able to make up for years of boring shows. No matter what the ratings say, the Academy did a great job of reviving an out-dated show stuck in a seemingly eternal downward spiral. The presentation was enjoyable and memorable, and that's all we can ask for.
Stacie Foster is a freshman magazine journalism major and the pop culture columnist. Her columns appear every Monday and Friday. She can be reached at snfoster@syr.edu.
The presenters also brought an interesting flavor to the 2009 Oscars. They were actually entertaining. Jennifer Anniston and Jack Black had great onstage chemistry when they presented the awards for best animated feature film of the year and best animated short film. For some added drama, they were presenting directly in front of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Can you say awkward? Jen kept her cool, though, and did an amazing job.
Ben Stiller drew laughs as he gave his own portrayal of Joaquin Phoenix's now-infamous stint on "The Tonight Show with David Letterman," presenting the award for best achievement in cinematography with Natalie Portman. Portman was my pick for best dressed of the night; she wore a beautiful flowing pink gown and a gorgeous diamond bracelet.
But even if the Oscars weren't funny and were extremely boring, I could never condemn a show that brought Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson that close to one another. I'll embarrassingly admit I was a little giddy at first sight of the "Twilight" hottie, who appropriately presented a montage of the best romance movies of 2008.
But the show doesn't exist just to warm my heart with good-looking male actors - it's meant to honor the best films, actors and actresses of 2008, and it did that. Kate Winslet finally won an Oscar for best actress in a leading role. This was Winslet's first Academy Award, despite being nominated six times before. The nod for best actor in a leading role went to Sean Penn in "Milk."
The most important award of the night, film of the year, went to "Slumdog Millionaire." The film won six other awards at the ceremony, making it the most successful film of the night. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" scored three awards, including best achievement in art direction.
The Oscar makeover was much needed, but might not be able to make up for years of boring shows. No matter what the ratings say, the Academy did a great job of reviving an out-dated show stuck in a seemingly eternal downward spiral. The presentation was enjoyable and memorable, and that's all we can ask for.
Stacie Foster is a freshman magazine journalism major and the pop culture columnist. Her columns appear every Monday and Friday. She can be reached at snfoster@syr.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Lara
posted 2/23/09 @ 12:46 PM EST
Because he died in January 2008, Heath Ledger was in last year's "In Memorium" segment. He was the last one shown and it was very sentimental.
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