What happened to Jonathan Brandis in the tribute reel. Obviously his list of work isnt' gonig down in history, but he had a string of small hits. Certainly Ladybugs, is a joke/cult classic amoung some 20' somethings...well, it is with my friends. Either way, I think he definetely should have gotten a 2 second nod.

I don't care one bit for his political stance. People in Hollywood need to shut the f*** up and collect thier money. Don't use an awards show to force your views down the throats of those who pay your salary. Stand up say thank you and get off the damn stage.

The award show was really really boring.

Jane Fonda, for as political and vocal as she is, was one of the few actors to forego their politics at the awards show. I forget which Oscars show it was, but when she accepted her award she said, "There are many things to be said, but now it's neither the time nor the place."

That's class, even if you hate her.

I thought Tim Robbins was being a very good boy when he accepted his award.

I'm surprised the academy allowed him and Serandon onstage together later on, since they're really good at voicing their opinions, but again, they were being good kids and sticking to the script. I guess they didn't want to be censored.

It wasn't in nomination for best foreign film.

Plus it was only eligible for Best Foreign Film for the 2002 Oscars (not this year's 2003 Oscars). I think Brazil decided to submit another film in its place last year.

I know...that was kinda my point :)

Actually I think she's the first African woman to win the award, and maybe the first African to win any of the major categories b/c she was, after all, born in South Africa. But did Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith hope to see her do well? Of course not.

I was pleased with the show, and although I haven't seen Mystic River to comment on Penn's and Robbins's performances, I was disappointed that Depp or Murray didn't take home the gold. BTW, didn't Tim Robbins sound a little bit like Meat from Bull Durham while he was collecting his gold? FInally, as much as I disagree with Robbins's and Sarandon's political stances, they seem to keep it check during awards shows and I applaud them for that.

That doesn't make any sense, as it was nominated for best cinematography this year....

Exactly, I'm watching to see entertainment awards, not hear political opinions.

The rules for Foreign Language films are different, as the release date for qualification is in the film's home country. For all other awards, the release date in the United States is what counts. So you'll sometimes see films nominated in the "Best Foreign Language" category a year or two before they qualify for other awards.

I always thought that these people have enough money, if they want to share their political views with the world, then they should buy some TV time with their own dime . . . don't mooch off of the Academy's.

Please, people. Sean Penn could've done Bill's role in Lost in Translation in his sleep. Can you picture Bill Murray doing Penn's roles in Dead Man Walking, Casualties of War, Sweet and Lowdown, State of Grace, and 21 Grams?

Me neither.

Yes.

The award is for best performance by a leading actor in a film, it's not the "Most versatile actor" award.

Yes, Ian or Viggo or Sean (Austin) should have been nominated and won! :D

ROTK didn't really have a leading actor, just a fine ensemble cast.

True, I, however, felt it was better than Finding Nemo.

agreed.

I disagree.

I think there are 4 leading roles in RoTK.

1) Viggo/Aragorn, The book/movie is named after him, half of the movie is about him realizing his destiny and fulfilling it, and ultimately, sacrificing himself to give Frodo a chance. His performance was not only believable, but inspiring

2) Ian/Gandalf, throughout the trilogy, Gandalf is the main adversary against Saruman/Sauron. Sending Frodo to mount Doom was (mostly) his idea, running around defending Rohan and Gondor, resurrecting from death etc. Ian was very subtle with his expressions in communicating the character's feelings and struggles, he was so good, he WAS Gandalf

3) Elijah/Frodo, well, this is obvious. He was good, but not great.

4) Sean/Sam, Sam is a major character, the journey would have failed had it not been his courage, and his love for Frodo. Sean was subtle and a supporting role in the first 2 films, but not in RoTK.

The rest of the cast are supporting roles (not saying they are not important). I really think Viggo, Ian and Sean put out as good a performance as any of the 5 nominees (or any other roles) this year. Too bad my opinion doesn't count for crap! :D

Yes

4 leading roles in one film? Not co-signing on that assessment.

Bill's proven that he can take on a serious role if given them. The sad thing is that the academy doesn't recognize the difficult nature that comedy presents. It's just as tough as screaming "IS THAT MY DAUGHTER IN THERE!". Both actors are worthy of it. It's just a sad thing since I don't see Murray being in another Oscar recognized role in the future where as Penn has always jumped on those roles.

Oh well. that's the way it goes.

:whofart:

"Washed up"? "Hasn't done many movies lately"?

# Squid and the Whale, The (2004) (in production)
# Life Aquatic, The (2004) (post-production) .... Steve Zissou
# Garfield: The Movie (2004) (post-production) (voice) .... Garfield
# Lost in Translation (2003) .... Bob Harris
# Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)
# Speaking of Sex (2001) .... Ezri Stovall
# Royal Tenenbaums, The (2001) .... Raleigh St. Clair
# Osmosis Jones (2001) .... Frank
# Charlie's Angels (2000) .... John Bosley
# Hamlet (2000/I) .... Polonius
# Scout's Honor (1999) .... Jack Vardell
# Cradle Will Rock (1999) .... Tommy Crickshaw
# "Stories from My Childhood" (1998) TV Series (voice) .... Geppeto
# Rushmore (1998) .... Herman Blume
# With Friends Like These... (1998) .... Maurice Melnick
# Wild Things (1998) .... Kenneth Bowden
# Man Who Knew Too Little, The (1997) .... Wallace 'Wally' Ritchie
# Larger Than Life (1996) .... Jack Corcoran
# Kingpin (1996) .... Ernie McCracken
# Ed Wood (1994) .... John 'Bunny' Breckinridge

20 Projects in 10 years. How many should he be doing?

Bill was robbed. Of course Sean Penn is a good actor, but he didn't do anything he hasn't done before. Bill played something we don't often see from him: vulnerability.

Actually, Billy Crystal himself did this at the 2000 Academy Awards (1999 films). And it is <i>supposed</i> to be ad-libbed. Notables (Michael Clark Duncan: "I see white people", Michael Caine: "I loved Jaws 4", and Judi Dench: "Oh, this thong is killing me!", Jack Nicholson: "I'm still the coolest guy in the room."

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Last year Steve Martin did the jokes about Hollywood being full of (something along those lines) --- straight people (Harrison Ford), gay people (Jack Nicholson), and who he has slept with (Nicole, Renee, Diane Lane, Ernest Borgnine, Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen etc.)