However, much to my delight, Slumdog Millionaire got 8 out of the 10 nominations it was up for! Admittedly, I haven't seen it, but I'm really pushing for it to be in International Cinema next year.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button did pretty well for itself, even though I heard it was pretty dull. I'll probably see it at some point for the sake of being part of the general populous.
Mickey Rourke was scary the whole time. The Wrestler also left with nothing, even with Marisa Tomei.
Frost/Nixon actually sounds really interesting. Way to be, Frank Langella.
WAY TO GO, KATE WINSLET! After roughly 20 years of receiving Oscar Nomination shaft, she finally won for The Reader. Not going to lie, I was very happy for her.
Speaking of the shaft, I'm interested to see what Anne Hathaway will do next to score some critical acclaim in the form of a golden statuette. If hardcore drugs in Rachel Getting Married didn't do it, where is she to go now?
Oh, and does anyone know anything about Tropic Thunder? Robert Downey Jr.'s nomination is still blowing my mind after the atrocity that was Ironman.
As a whole, I'm looking very forward to hunting down some of the documentaries/short animated features this year. Some of them looked AWESOME.
Now we come to the portion of the evening that I have a bone to pick with: Milk.
Let's start by stating a couple of things that I would like to make known:
- I have no problem with homosexuality existing. It does.
- I have no problem with homosexual couples. There is legitimate love between same sex couples that there is between any heterosexual couple.
- I believe that every couple regardless of orientation is entitled to the same legal rights and protections. I believe that couples that have civil unions should be able to file joint tax returns and have access to each other's possessions in the event of one person's death.
- I believe that everyone is entitled to the pursuit of happiness and equality in this country.
Before our good Mr. Penn mounted his soapbox, the writer of Milk took the stage to accept his bit of gold. Rather than just saying "I'd like to thank the Academy", he begins to share the details of his life story: "I was raised in a conservative Mormon home." He ended his little history by dedicating his award to all the kids out there who had been rejected by their CHURCHES and communities for being true to themselves. First of all, what does your Mormon upbringing have to do with anything? Unless you were bringing it up to say that your parents weren't the horrible villainous harpies Mormons are made up to be, why don't you skip the formalities, scream "IN YOUR FACES, MORMONS!", then step down? You weren't being subtle, you weren't being tasteful, and you certainly weren't painting an accurate portrait of the current Mormon attitude towards homosexual couples.
I guess what I'm so steamed about is this idea of using the podium as a soapbox. Why can't award ceremonies just be a ceasefire? If I wanted to get into another debate about this, I can do it all over the Internet. Personally, I watch the Oscars to celebrate the history of film. People like Sean Penn sour the whole thing for me by insulting me and telling me that my opinions are less valid than his [which conveniently follow the popularity tide].
Overall, it was a good year for the Oscars. I could have done without all the "CONSERVATIVES SUCK!" mudslinging from the Milk party, but what else is new? Quite frankly, for all the love the gay rights platform is preaching, they sure are dishing out a lot of hate.
Alright, I have homework to attend to. Good night!
