Here is the complete list of this year's Oscar recipients. I've added my own thoughts and comments where I have any points to make. The winners are in bold.- Rich
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Leonardo DiCaprio - BLOOD DIAMOND
Ryan Gosling - HALF NELSON
Peter O'Toole - VENUS
Will Smith - THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS Forest Whitaker - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Notes: A richly deserved, and completely forseeable, win.
Performance by an actor in a supporting role Alan Arkin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Jackie Earle Haley - LITTLE CHILDREN
Djimon Hounsou - BLOOD DIAMOND
Eddie Murphy - DREAMGIRLS
Mark Wahlberg - THE DEPARTED
Notes: Arkin's something of an upset, but he is one of the high points of that film. Murphy may have screwed up his chances by starring in Norbit.
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Penelope Cruz - VOLVER
Judi Dench - NOTES ON A SCANDAL Helen Mirren - THE QUEEN
Meryl Streep - THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
Kate Winslet - LITTLE CHILDREN
Notes: File this in the "no shit, really?" section. I thought her acceptance speech was a little weird - "ladies and gentlement, I give you... the Queen!" What was that about?
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Adriana Barraza - BABEL
Cate Blanchett - NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Abigail Breslin - LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE Jennifer Hudson - DREAMGIRLS
Rinko Kikuchi - BABEL
Notes: Fair enough I suppose (I've not seen the film though), as most people saw it coming. Kind of grates when someone in their very first role wins an Oscar, and someone like Peter O'Toole still hasn't after almost 50 years.
Best animated feature film of the year
CARS HAPPY FEET
MONSTER HOUSE
Notes: My hunch proved correct, as Happy Feet's environmental message proved a winner with the voters, even though both other nominees were easily better films.
Achievement in art direction
DREAMGIRLS
THE GOOD SHEPHERD PAN'S LABYRINTH
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
THE PRESTIGE
Notes: Good that Pan's got some recognition.
Achievement in cinematography
THE BLACK DAHLIA
CHILDREN OF MEN
THE ILLUSIONIST PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE PRESTIGE
Notes:Children of Men was more innovative, but I can't deny that Pan's was darn purty.
Achievement in costume design
CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS MARIE ANTOINETTE
THE QUEEN
Notes: Glad it got some recognition somewhere, as it's far more than a mere chick flick, as even the DVD cover describes it.
Achievement in directing
BABEL THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
THE QUEEN
UNITED 93
Notes: I didn't have the nerve to predict Scorsese winning, but I'm very pleased he has, even if it wasn't his finest work. Against this competition he was a worthy winner.
Best documentary feature
DELIVER US FROM EVIL AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS
JESUS CAMP
MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY
Notes: Al Gore would have a hell of a shot if he did decide to run for president. Doubt that America will really cut down pollution due to his film though.
Achievement in film editing
BABEL
BLOOD DIAMOND
CHILDREN OF MEN THE DEPARTED
UNITED 93
Notes: Hmm. The editing of The Departed was the area I had most problems with. It just seemed a bit sloppy. Oh well, I can't claim to know more about the art of editing than Thelma Schoonmaker.
Best foreign language film of the year
AFTER THE WEDDING
DAYS OF GLORY (INDIGENES) THE LIVES OF OTHERS
PAN'S LABYRINTH
WATER
Notes: I see this as a middle finger to Pan's Labyrinth: "Yes, we'll nominate you 6 times, but you won't win the one you really want." I guess The Lives of Others could be good, though. Can't really judge it before I've seen it.
Achievement in makeup
APOCALYPTO
CLICK PAN'S LABYRINTH
Notes: Thank God Click didn't win.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score) BABEL
THE GOOD GERMAN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN
Notes:Babel's only win of the night, which is good, because it isn't that great.
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song) "I Need to Wake Up" - AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
"Listen" - DREAMGIRLS
"Love You I Do" - DREAMGIRLS
"Our Town" - CARS
"Patience" - DREAMGIRLS
Notes: I've not heard the song, but apparently it sucks. Bit of a snub for Dreamgirls there.
Best motion picture of the year
BABEL THE DEPARTED
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THE QUEEN
Notes: Out of this selection, it was the best choice. Well done Oscar.
Achievement in sound editing
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
Notes: I didn't see (hear) anything hugely special about it.
Achievement in sound mixing
APOCALYPTO
BLOOD DIAMOND DREAMGIRLS
FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
Notes: A sure way to win the Oscar for Sound Mixing: be a musical.
Achievement in visual effects PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST
POSEIDON
SUPERMAN RETURNS
Notes: Predictable, but the correct choice.
Adapted screenplay
BORAT CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
CHILDREN OF MEN THE DEPARTED
LITTLE CHILDREN
NOTES ON A SCANDAL
Notes: Twas a good script. William Monahan has a bright future, with this and Kingdom of Heaven under his belt.
Original screenplay
BABEL
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
PAN'S LABYRINTH
THE QUEEN
Notes: It had to win something, although Pan's deserved it more for originality.
Overall, The Departed led the way with 4 wins including the two biggies, and Pan's Labyrinth won 3 in minor categories. In terms of predictions, I got 13 out of 20, and Joel got 7 out of 15. Well, that's it for another year!
Text copyright Filmverdict 2006. Any film stills are copyright of their respective owners. Used without permission, sorry!
