GreenVulture

So why does something like art direction or costume design not make the cut, but cinematography and visual effects are okay?

kefrank

Agreed. There seems to be this perception among people who haven't seen the film that it's getting most of its acclaim because of the "silent film gimmick" and the fact that it is a send-up to classic hollywood so only film geeks like it. The reality is that most of its acclaim is earned by being a really engaging, well-executed movie that also happens to have the above stuff going for it.

Supermallet

I know a lot of people who work in various areas of the film industry, and they all work their asses off. They should get their chance to shine, too. A ton of awards are already relegated to the non-televised technical awards. Seems silly to reduce the Oscars to even less televised categories, or cut speeches for people who do win. Cut the interstitial stuff instead.

Jericho

I do not think that word means what you think it means. After first comes second. When two people tie for first, the next place is third. That was the point.

bluetoast

Also I'm scratching my head when several times throughout this thread, cinematography has been considered a "minor" or a purely technical award. On a forum dedicated to movies that's just baffling.

PopcornTreeCt

Cinematography is more important to a film than costume design or art direction. Visual effects should stay because usually crappy movies that the masses love get nominated so it should stay for the ratings.

Dr Mabuse

Yeah, all that crap they put in, all to have stupid shit that fails every year so some producer can feel important about 'their' Oscar show.

I've seen 'O' and 'Mystere', and they're amazing, but I don't need Cirque at the Oscars. They all talk up the importance of film, but silly sideshows dominate the runtime, and they cut off winners after 30 seconds during one of their most important moments of recognition.

GreenVulture

I don't think you realize how ignorant you're coming off when you say something like that.

nando820

Glad "The Artist" won Oscar for best picture. If anything to show people that you don't need 3D, color or even talking to make a great film. Its the little subtleties in movement and expression that connect us not the flashiness. I only wish more people would look at silent films of the past, hell I wish I had seen more silent films.

Drexl

I don't see them cutting many awards from the broadcast. The acting awards are presented by the previous year's winners, and Best Picture is usually someone with a big stature within the industry. If you cut too many of the others, there won't be enough presenter slots for the likes of Will Ferrell, Emma Stone, or Jennifer Lopez.

Supermallet

If The Artist gets more people to see films by Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Melies, Fritz Lang, Murnau, Eisenstein, etc., then great. I'm glad it won. However, if its sole contribution to our culture is "Look at that cute silent movie in 2012," then fuck it.

Groucho

You say that like it's a bad thing.

bluetoast

Emma Stone was good, but I hope they don't bring Will Ferrell back again.

PopcornTreeCt

It's just my opinion. I weigh it higher than costume design and art direction. Even though I actually worked in the art department on a few projects, I still think cinematography is more important. And I'm not saying to not give them awards, I'm just saying not to broadcast it.

gp1086

I feel in the minority in that I really don't mind the length of the show. Heck, I wish it was longer. As a film fan, some extra time devoted to remembering older titles, celebrating classic movie stars, allowing winners to thank those important to them and reflect on their experiences in the industry, etc. are a good thing.

Yeti4623

Does anyone know what movie that piece of music was from, that played right at the end of the governors ball montage? I've always had that theme in my head for years, but can't remember what movie it's from.

auto

I just wish they would just start the ceremony an hour earlier. I have no issue with fours hours of show, if it's enaging.

Mr. Cinema

I loved the music they played during the ending.

Patman

How tall is Ben Stiller? Emma towered over him.

Numanoid

I can't believe that they've relegated the lifetime achievement and the Jean Hersholt humanitarian awards to the non-televised event. Those were always my favorites growing up. It's a shame that those aren't given their due, but we get to watch an acrobatics display or drag queen comedy bit instead. Kind of shameful, actually.

Tarantino

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tDscwMnSxvY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

After the Oscars, channel 7 left a camera going.

Burgundy LaRue

I remember the year that they had winners accept their awards at their seat, as well as had nominees on the stage when a winner in a 'smaller' catergory was announced. It was tacky.

There are ways to keep the show on time while giving nominees/winners their due. Cut the corny comedy bits that amuses no one, for starters. And stop having the presenters tell jokes! Most of them can't do it and it becomes awkward, as well as a time killer. Just say a few nice things about the category and move on.

Crocker Jarmen

Agree. I love very bit of the Oscars; all the montages, dance routines and silly presentor bits. It's only once a year. I've been watching since 1992 and have never once felt the show was going too long. I want it to go on all night.

Maybe I'm overly sensitive, but I'm astounded they let the Fred Willard monkey joke get through. Don't get me wrong, I laughed, but I thought it was a really shocking joke.

Later on, I realized it was the perfect racist joke, in that if called on it you could always say the line was meant to be taken at face value, and you are the one with the dirty mind for reading into it.

Hokeyboy

^I think you're reaching with the racism angle. Willard's character just couldn't get past how much he loved flying monkeys, period.

resinrats

I saw dump the awards that deal with movies pretty much noone has seen. Best Forign Film, Documentary or Short Film. How many people have actually seen those? They'll probably keep Forign Film to get the ratings from other countries.