2008 Woodie Awards
L.A. Confidential:
Shaun Mitchell
Issue date: 3/19/06 Section: A & E
The Super Bowl for movie fans like me was aired March 5, as the 78th Annual Academy Awards were presented in Hollywood. It's the usual dish of glitz and glamour served with a side of comedy and a healthy serving of competition. The night went by with no surprises until the very last award. The one movie that was expected to sweep the Oscars, "Brokeback Mountain," was taken down by an ensemble film that was just as equally powerful called "Crash."
"Capote," "Good Night and Good Luck," and "Munich" had no shot for Best Picture. It was down to two. When Jack Nicholson announced that "Crash" was the Best Picture, the audience gasped; and rightfully so. I think "Brokeback" was getting too hyped-up and confident, while "Crash" remained in the shadows of "Brokeback." When one views a movie with an expectation level, a hurdle is created for some viewers to get over; in this case, the Academy voters are the viewers. Most of them are old, so they couldn't get over the hurdle. This moment will definitely go down in film history. I saw "Crash" over the summer and thought that it was easily one of the best movies I have ever seen at that point in my life. I remember thinking that it probably wouldn't get nominated for anything because it didn't seem as talked about as other movies.
The power of racism and homosexual love are two very prominent, very current American issues. Both "Crash" and "Brokeback" revolve around each topic, respectively, and both have left their mark in the movie industry. George Clooney said in his acceptance speech that Hollywood is the one who brings issues to light, and this year the issues were front and center. Acceptance towards homosexuality has taken a giant leap forward since such fine young actors like Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal disregarded the discrimination and took their parts as gay cowboys in love. It also took great performances from the "Crash" ensemble to bring racism to light and expose how most Americans think.
"Capote," "Good Night and Good Luck," and "Munich" had no shot for Best Picture. It was down to two. When Jack Nicholson announced that "Crash" was the Best Picture, the audience gasped; and rightfully so. I think "Brokeback" was getting too hyped-up and confident, while "Crash" remained in the shadows of "Brokeback." When one views a movie with an expectation level, a hurdle is created for some viewers to get over; in this case, the Academy voters are the viewers. Most of them are old, so they couldn't get over the hurdle. This moment will definitely go down in film history. I saw "Crash" over the summer and thought that it was easily one of the best movies I have ever seen at that point in my life. I remember thinking that it probably wouldn't get nominated for anything because it didn't seem as talked about as other movies.
The power of racism and homosexual love are two very prominent, very current American issues. Both "Crash" and "Brokeback" revolve around each topic, respectively, and both have left their mark in the movie industry. George Clooney said in his acceptance speech that Hollywood is the one who brings issues to light, and this year the issues were front and center. Acceptance towards homosexuality has taken a giant leap forward since such fine young actors like Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal disregarded the discrimination and took their parts as gay cowboys in love. It also took great performances from the "Crash" ensemble to bring racism to light and expose how most Americans think.