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The Kodak Theatre was once again rife with the stench of celebrity last night as Hollywood rolled out the red carpet for the 82nd Academy Awards. With a cast list so full of stars the Milky Way paled in comparison, it was a glittering affair as ever and a night of – let’s face it – few surprises.
Much like the BAFTAs, Avatar and The Hurt Locker battled it out in the major categories and again it was the latter which brought home the bacon. Kathryn Bigelow was named Best Director, with her film winning the coveted Best Picture award at the end of the night. With awards for Editing, Original Screenplay and two Sound nods, the film’s total reached six. James Cameron’s ambitious sci-fi epic managed just half as many, with fairly predictable wins in Art Direction, Visual Effects and Cinematography.
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Neither of the big hitters made it home with Music prizes however, and it was Michael Giacchino’s big night once again. Yes Up scored the genial composer his fifth major award of the season, which made it a double whammy for the film itself which won Best Animated Feature. It is a beautiful, whimsical and emotional score and it absolutely deserves to win. Commiserations to James Horner, Hans Zimmer, Alexandre Desplat and Marco Beltrami & Buck Sanders, who missed out this time around.
Giacchino used the opportunity in his acceptance speech to send a message to young people wanting to make something of themselves: “Thank you, guys. When I was... I was nine and I asked my dad, "Can I have your movie camera? That old, wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?" And he goes, "Sure, take it." And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could, and never once in my life did my parents ever say, "What you're doing is a waste of time." Never. And I grew up, I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who always told me what you're doing is not a waste of time. So that was normal to me that it was OK to do that. I know there are kids out there that don't have that support system so if you're out there and you're listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It's not a waste of time. Do it. OK? Thank you. Thank you.”
While Randy Newman saw two of his original songs up for the Best Original Song award, it was T. Bone Burnett & Ryan Bingham who stole the show with their song ‘The Weary Kind’ from Crazy Heart. The song win also marked the second for the drama as Jeff Bridges took home the Best Actor Oscar for his work in the lead role.
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Marc Shaiman acted as Musical Director for the show, doing so from the piano on the night, and as ever did a fine job. Michael Giacchino was MD last year, so perhaps the 83rd Oscars will bring Mr. Shaiman not only a sixth Oscar nomination, but a first win as well? Here’s hoping.
Michael Beek
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