Liz Smith

Academy Awards Oscar Winners

"BIG DOESN'T necessarily mean better. Sunflowers aren't better than violets," wrote Edna Ferber.

At the 82nd Academy Awards, in Hollywood, the violet that is Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" beat out her ex, James Cameron's gigantic, blue-hued sunflower "Avatar." (I believe "The Hurt Locker" is the lowest-grossing Best Picture winner in cinema history.)

And how wonderful that Miss Bigelow made history as the first female ever to take Best Director. That was some long wait in the outer office -- "uh, Oscar will be right with you, Miss Whoever You Are Who Thinks You Can Direct!" Up in heaven's happy portals the pioneer likes of Dorothy Arzner and Ida Lupino are cheering.

I thought the people producing the Academy Awards took quite a risk bringing the one and only Barbra Streisand out to present the Best Director award.

Streisand, a great director herself, Oscar-scorned and always vocal on feminist issues, was naturally thrilled to announce Bigelow's name. But could she have hidden her displeasure had James Cameron or Quentin Tarantino won? I wouldn't have wanted to be the male person approaching Barbra on stage.

But maybe it wasn't such a risk to have Barbra do the honors? She is sui generis. And maybe, just maybe, she had an insider's tip.

I MUST say I thought the acceptance speeches were pretty dismal.

Miss Bigelow knew she had a big, big chance to win; couldn't she have prepared a little better -- all that stumbling around and repeating herself.

And the Jeff Bridges' Oscar acceptance for Best Actor was casual and unimportant. Only Sandra Bullock's Oscar acceptance for Best Actress, overcoming an unfortunate lipstick color and hairstyle, was gracious, funny and interesting in taking the prize away in the presence of Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep. (Bullock referred to the latter as "my lover," keeping up the running joke since their hilarious lip-lock at an awards ceremony earlier this year.)

Hey, I must have been away on vacation when Michael Jackson was a major movie star. "The Wiz" is all I remember of him in films. Of course, he had many TV appearances and specials. Well, there he was included among those who passed away this year in the memorial part of the Oscarcast. So, how the hell did they leave out Farrah Fawcett? (They even died on the same day!)

Also bad! No offense to the late, much-admired director John Hughes. He gets a 10-minute onstage tribute. But Lauren Bacall, a divine survivor of Hollywood's great days, received her Honorary Oscar at a pre-show event last fall. Then during the real Academy Awards, she is allowed to stand by her seat for her ovation! Not even a glamorous montage of Bacall in her many wonderful movies?

Disgraceful.

Columbia Celebrates Kathryn Bigelow, Its Big Oscar Winner

You knew it was unavoidable: Colleges claiming Oscar winners the day after the glamorous event. And who can blame them? Why else would they have a 'Famous Alumni' section on Wikipedia?

'Avatar' vs. 'The Hurt Locker'?

I am personally afraid that 'Avatar,' which has made so much splashy money, will win in what may well be a box office bonanza vote. But James Cameron's science fiction 3-D work, which has astonished so many, is certainly not 'the best' picture. So, I am hoping a woman director, Kathryn Bigelow, will make history by winning best picture with The Hurt Locker

Sandra Bullock - 82nd Academy Awards Oscar for Best Actress

First-time nominee Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for Best Actress at the 82nd annual Academy Awards for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side. In her own humble and self-depracating style, Bullock delivered one of the most memorable acceptance speeches. Bullock was full of thankfulness while paying homage to parents in general and her mother in particular.

Jeff Bridges - 82nd Academy Awards Oscar for Best Actor

One of Hollywood's most successful actors, Jeff Bridges won the Oscar for best actor for his role as washed-out country singer Bad Blake in the music drama "Crazy Heart." This is the first Oscar for the five-time Academy Award nominee.

Will Oscar Lose Its 'Crazy Heart' for Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges is vying against George Clooney (Up in the Air), Colin Firth (A Single Man), Morgan Freeman (Invictus) and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker). To the millions who tune in to the Oscars on March 7, these terrific performances. Every one deserves an award. But this is Jeff Bridge's year. The same goes for Sandra Bullock. Here's why

Oscar Nominations and Nominees

Oscarcast Challenged By More Nominations

Widening the Academy Awards field to 10 contenders for 2009 was hailed and criticized on various fronts, with some seeing the expanded roster as a crass, grade-inflating attempt to provide more populist appeal -- thus boosting the audience's rooting interest and, presumably, the kudocast's ratings.

 

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82nd Academy Awards Oscar Winners: Will Oscar Lose Its 'Crazy Heart' for Jeff Bridges