A New Approach

By Chris Collins

I braced myself for a DARK NIGHT. I DOUBTed Hugh Jackman could carry the show, and expected him to MILK the same lame gags throughout the evening. Boy was I wrong. Sunday's production was A CURIOUS CASE though; designer David Rockwell re-worked the Kodak, allowing for an unprecedented level of intimacy, a far cry from the austere velveteen backdrop one's used to seeing come Oscar time. I'm no mind READER, but I had a feeling the nominees enjoyed the REVOLUTIONARY new ROAD the Oscars have decided to travel down.

Producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon gave the ceremony a total overhaul. They made it quicker, classier, and twice as swanky. The traditionally dull honorary award was trimmed down to half its air time. The usual comedic host was replaced by an actor; goodbye Billy Crystal, goodbye Jon Stewart, hello hunkish Australian dude. The curtains were made out of frickin' crystals (which is ironic, considering the Best Picture winner revolved around destitute Mumbai street dwellers.)

But why? Condon and Mark hoped to avoid a repeat of last year's telecast, the lowest rated in Oscar history (which is unfortunate, considering it honored two of the best film's of the decade: best picture winner No Country For Old Men and best picture nominee There Will Be Blood).

Their philosophy: bring back the social club atmosphere that defined the ceremony in the late forties and early fifties, and the spontaneity that came with it. If you can capture that, you've got a show people will want to tune into, not just for the night, but for years to come.

Early numbers show their approach has paid off; ratings are up 13% from last year.


Here's the best parts of the show:

Hugh Jackman: Surprisingly funny and in tune with Condon and Mark's old school mantra, as seen in his opening number:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUJ-7tCIHTU


The presentation order:

Condon and Mark aimed to familiarize the audience with the often ignored writing and technical awards. So, they presented them in the order you'd approach each when making a movie (i.e., you write a script first, so the writing awards were given out first, then you must build a set and costumes, thus art direction and costume design were given out second).

Here's Tina Fey and Steve Martin presenting Original Screenplay: very funny
And Dustin Lance Black accepting the award for Original Screenplay: touching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Dcvemkuzs


Talk about intimacy. Condon and Mark changed the method in which the acting awards were distributed. Five individuals came on stage, each delivering a message of praise for their respective nominee. It's hard to describe. Just watch.

This is best actress, being presented by Marion Cotillard, Shirley MacLain, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, and a Triceratops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P552i5xx8ww&feature=related


Heath Ledger winning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1VPRjd-x1g


The Crazy French dude from Man On Wire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD9jsx9mKtQ


Slumdog Millionaire winning Best Picture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt3FOv-Uils


Slumdog won 8 awards, including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Cinematography. Other big winners: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (3),
The Dark Knight (2), and Milk (2).

And sorry about the introduction paragraph. Just had to do it.