www.bbc.co.uk/markkermode So the Oscars are over for another year - did the Academy get it right or wrong and what did you think of Seth McFarlane as host?
I feel that the team behind Prometheus should've won the Oscar for visual effects. Blurring the line between what was practical and tasteful CGI made for a stunning watch, regardless of the narrative hiccups.
Out of the films nominated [that I've seen] for best picture I'm happy for Argo to win it.....Argo or Django nhained for me. I can't figure out why The Master wasn't nominated for best picture or best director though..... :)
i think it also should have won for best supporting and best male lead...a stunning production all around. the 70mm cinematography and direction were not too shabby either....
Will Ferrell would make a great host. I was delighted by Ang Lee's win. Whereas Tarantino makes the same film over and over again,and Spielberg makes worthy and conventional movies, Ang Lee is IMHO is incredibly versatile and has none of the "genre snobbery" of many of his peers.
Well there is, you need to use a UK proxy to access the BBC iPlayer. It's questionably legal though, as the BBC iPlayer is paid for by UK residents. You can listen to all of the radio on BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.
Mark I'm surprised you didn't talk about the Visual FX's winner having his acceptance speech interrupted and cut short with the jaws music, it's caused quite a lot of anger...
Wreck It Ralph should have won, but then the Academy rarely cares for the animation category. The last time the right movie won was Spirited Away back in 2003.
It's laughable to think that Searching For Sugarman beat both The Imposter and West of Memphis in the best documentary category. Don't get me wrong I really liked Sugarman but the overall impact of watching it was nothing compared to the jaw dropping amazement of The Imposter or West of Memphis. In terms of editing alone The Imposter is a master class in how to put a film together and keep your audience riveted.
Not entirely sure about Christoph Waltz, as funny as that sounds. As much as I love him and his performance, I thought Sam and Leo were even better in that film. Sam really surprised me with how different he was, and Leo just deserves something. I mean really.
I laughed to no end at MacFarlane's jokes and I - forgive me here - think he's one of the best Academy Award presenters ever. I was extremely upset about Roger Deakins' loss for Best Cinematography for Skyfall as well as Thomas Newman's masterful score for the same film. The two, together and even apart, give me chills each time I watch the movie for the umpteenth time. At least it won Best Song and Best Sound Editing. And, seriously, ParaNorman should have won Best Animated Picture.
Huh? The right movie has won the award almost every year except for this year and last year. Toy Story 3 and Up were both nominated for best animated feature AND best picture.
I think it was really unfortunate. The Rhythm and Hues issue is really unfortunate and when brought up, got cut off midspeech, perhaps intentionally, perhaps not. People should know what's going on.
The complete opposite to the strange Shatner cameo, the 'We Saw Your Boobs' song sounds terrible on paper, but actually I think it turned out brilliantly, and I've listened to it again many times after. When Seth McF writes songs, no matter how immature or simplistic the subject matter, the way he overdoes the instrumental and the chorus at least gets a laugh out of me. It was crass, but still clever. I didn't think the rest of his material was offensive...but it really hurt when it didn't hit.
Kermodes! Was Argo really the best movie nominated; let alone the best movie of 2012? (Not saying its not a good movie, but the best?) And Jennifer Lawrence over the menacing Amy Adams in the Master?
I have to say my admiration for Seth McF probably allowed me to ignore some of the worse bits of his hosting - did anyone else notice Affleck and Chris Plummer making snide remarks about him?
The Oscars is simply a promotional vehicle for films most people would not typically care about. People love PTA; The Master gets jack. Meanwhile, who would watch Life of Pi? Few. Give it Best Director and you suddenly have much-needed interest for a film that cost $120mil. That's why Lee won instead of Spielberg or Affleck. People are going to Lincoln for DDL, so no need to steer folks that way. In the end, it's all about money.
I don't think there has been a decent bond theme since Goldeneye. For me the only thing Skyfall had going for it was the fact it followed the worst bond theme of all time. Anything was going to sound good after that....even Adele.
One thing I can say in Seth McFarlane's favor is that I loved him taking potshots at "Flight", which I thought was a major disappointment - an potentially good premise ruined by some ridiculous, lazy writing - such as using music ("Sympathy for the Devil", to be specific) as a characterization shortcut.
I disagree with your assessment of MacFarlane's hosting. Coming from a 21 year old film enthusiast, I thought most of it was funny. But then again, I am a die hard Trekkie so having Bill Shatner as Captain Kirk appear would have me love anything. KHAAAN!
You know what? I think Seth Mc(can't spell it) was great, he was great enough that my roommates, who don't care about the oscars or movie awards shows stopped to watch the show with me, and they were laughing and enjoying themselves. Perhaps because we're all 20 year old boys and movie critics and critics of the oscar cerimonies forget that we are the future demographic. We like Seth. We like Seth a lot. Then again his humor is quite American. Maybe it's just not Marks forte.
I actually disagree with Mark about 2012 being a vintage year for film. I saw very little that impressed me with most of the lauded films being professionally executed mainstream generics or rather boring art house efforts. A Royal Affair, What Richard Did and The Dark Knight aside I think it was a disappointing year. Could'nt get over how dull Berberian Sound Studio and The Master was despite their technical merits.
Who the hell cares about acting training?!! If Lawrence had "Acting training" she would not not be as good as she is. She went to acting school, and the first day the teacher told her she was too good and didn't need to go. Her lines are delievered honestly, in character, and passionately. she aways says them well. And she didn't have a freakin accent, neither did Bradley. And she already had a nomination for WB, and 68 other wins and awards so go away.
You didn't get it right with Sam Mendes. Just because Skyfall was the most impressive Bond of all time, the BBC spent 100s of hours and countless punds promoting it, does not make it any better than it was - very good for a Bond film and a pretty good film. It's no coincidence that most of the fanfair surrounding Skyfall came from Britain. Face it fellas, it was good but nowhere near one of the year's best.
When Oscars does one thing right, they mess up ten times more. They rarely acknowledge the existence of Asian films and actors... In 2000 they failed to recognize In the Mood For Love, in 2003 Oldboy, in 1997 Jackie Brown and Princess Mononoke, in 2011 Drive, in 1994 Ed Wood and this list of films can go on. Plus they nominate nonsense like Beautiful Mind, The Kids are all Right, Avatar, Titanic, Chicago, The Fighter, Crash, Erin Brocovich and other mediocre Oscar pandering...
The problem is sometimes hollywood mistakes enthusiasm for comedic talent. McFarlane is a semi-likable guy who can sing and do voices and has a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Problem is, he's not funny or entertaining. But since he puts himself out there if there's more than one eyeball watching, people think he has actual talent. He seems like an ok guy, and Family Guy was fun until i got used to the three types of jokes he tells. But a comedy genius and all-around entertainer... hardly.
Wow people like to complain in general but u British people take it to the next level. 2012 was one of the best years for films recently, and the oscar didn´t get it wrong. Apart from animated movie any other winner is deserving.Of course everybody has preferences but overall the 9 nominees were great films. About the performances Shirley Bassey slayed at 76 years old, I mean amazing. Adele deserved her oscar, but man her performance was a letdown.She´s not made for that type of big songs sorry
I did not enjoy the Les Miserables musical tribute, I'm afraid. Yes, Russell Crowe's a bit rough around the edges but Amanda Seyfreid's dreadful vibrato makes me cringe. Also, the award for Most Bored at the Oscars goes to Helena Bonham Carter, during said medley. Someone give that woman a tap with the cattle prod.
The boob song was awful set the standard for the rest of the show.FFS it's 2013.I was going to buy Ted dont think i'll bother now.Still Shirley Bassey can still belt out a good tune and well done to Adele
Aye, christ, what is the point of the Oscars or even worse, the reporting of them? All you need to do to win one is be in a film that's sentimental shite, has drastic make up or a an actor playing someone who's disabled.
i didn't find it that good. there wasn't a decent character development and it showed too many unecessary stuff only to shock the audience which made the movie become longer. it's a good movie but not worthy of an oscar. argo deserved it more even if it wasn't exactly the best movie.
I don't see what all the fuss is about concerning the oscars. We don't need a committee of people to tell us which films should be recognised, we can do that ourselves. We flap often enough when government nannies over our tastes so why let the Oscars Academy do it I don't know. Let's not forget we have to put up with the usual bloated and mawkish speeches thanking everyone and everything from the agent to a pot plant yet rarely people such as the crew who make it happen.
Les mis was totally over looked, should have won more. This is the problem when film people try and asses music things. Seriously skyfall best song? that was just over production, the theme and melody of the actualy song was pretty lame. Suddenly was a much better song melodiously, it just didn't have the big production.
Jennifer Lawrence was completely awful in Silver Linings Playbook. Jennifer's bad accent, her horrible line deliveries, and her laughable acting were just unbearable to me. No way in hell, should Lawrence win over Watts & Riva. Jennifer is not a trained actress & she has little acting experience- all of that shows in her acting. She is overrated. Adele singing performance was off, but Les Miserables performance was wonderful.
RU-vid Reviewers award is better than BAFTA. there's nothing wrong abt inappropriate jokes, they just need to be funny. i think crowe sang better at oscars. skyfall is an overrated film, a copycat of nolan films.
