Review: Artistic successes shine at 78th Oscars

DVD sales are soaring, pay-per-view cable brings a convenience factor to home viewing like no other, Netflix seems to have found a niche and kids are more absorbed with new video games than with films aimed their way.

Boo-hoo. Movie studios and their ancillary industries – theater chains, advertising agencies and popcorn purveyors – probably did billions of dollars in business in 2005, despite the constant whining.

But the year was more of an artistic success than a fiscal one, and the 78th annual Oscar ceremony was a shining reminder of that fact.

It wasn’t just that Jon Stewart – whose “The Daily Show” is the best late night TV talk show on the air – was perfectly suited for his job as host. It wasn’t just that Stewart rose above and beyond the expectations and the derision thrown his way, or the fact that his barbs at the industry itself were so refreshing.

What made this year’s Oscars so outstanding was the fact that there wasn’t a gratuitous nomination in the bunch. Some might argue that Dame Judy Dench gets nominated any time she’s in a film, simply because of her “dame” status, but she’s a great actress.

But she couldn’t top youngster Reese Witherspoon, who won the best actress award for her role as June Carter Cash in “Walk the Line.” Witherspoon’s performance stole the film and gave it much of its heart.

Her co-star, Joaquin Phoenix, was exceptional as Johnny Cash, but there was no surprise when Philip Seymour Hoffman took the Oscar for his role as Truman Capote. Hoffman didn’t just act the part; he BECAME Capote.

The most controversial film of the year was “Brokeback Mountain.” It has taken criticism from many camps filled with people who haven’t even seen it. (By the way, the main characters are sheepherders, not cowboys). The film won best director honors for Ang Lee, who has kept his oeuvre amazingly diverse. Consider the fact that he’s directed “The Ice Storm,” “Sense and Sensibility, “The Hulk” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” He never makes – even remotely – the same film twice.

When it comes to directors, there are none better than Robert Altman. He’s never won an Oscar. Not for “M*A*S*H,” or “Nashville,” or “Short Cuts,” or “The Player.” His Lifetime Achievement special Oscar was a sweet moment. His knowledge of, love for and ability with film is worthy of all praise. His acceptance speech was eloquent and dignified. Not since Federico Fellini got the same sort of notice has there been a better Oscar moment. Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep introduced Altman in the style of dialogue – stepping on each other’s lines – for which Altman is famous.

Then there were the small surprises. Three Six Mafia won for best original song. “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” isn’t the usual Oscar fodder, and this was the first rap song ever to be acknowledged. After the group accepted the award Stewart explained the term “pimp.” “It’s like an agent with a better hat …”

“King Kong” took the bulk of the technical awards, including visual effects, sound editing and sound mixing. It’s a wonder of a movie and besides the technology, it has a lot of heart.

“Memoirs of a Geisha,” a movie I didn’t particularly like, was deservedly rewarded for costume design, set decoration and cinematography. It was a sumptuous-looking movie, if exceedingly tedious.

There was simply no way “March of the Penguins” could lose for best documentary. Even though it featured more walking (or waddling) than “Lord of the Rings,” there was an irresistible quality to the flightless birds that drew the audience in. The logistics of filming something of this scope in the climate of Antarctica deserve a special Oscar of their own.

The biggest surprise of the night came when “Crash” was awarded the best picture prize. Smart money and detractors alike thought “Brokeback Mountain” was the obvious choice.

“Brokeback Mountain” won best-adapted screenplay and best director, and “Crash” won best original screenplay and picture. Those are fair and wise choices with little of the agenda the Oscars sometimes seem to harbor.

The 2005 Oscars did justice to the industry. My guess is Jon Stewart will be asked back every year to come, and it is hoped that the writers who came up with the spoof of “sound editing” and the other bits that seemed to say “We’re not all pompous in this business” will be back as well.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician. He can be reached by e-mail at info@wunderlesound.com or on his Web site, www.wunderlesound.com.[[In-content Ad]]