Oscars 2007

I watched the shortened version of the Oscars last night after spending the entire day away from the TV and internet so I wouldn't learn of the results. The short version is much more easier to take in because it lasts too long and is, frankly, boring. Abigail Breslin, the 11 year old up for best supporting actress spent the entire time squirming in her seat and I'm sure she wasn't the only one that would rather they just announce each statuette in turn and go straight to a party.

The acceptance speeches also lacked any oomph this year and, as always, the songs were awful and stage performances woeful. The shortened version did a good job of cutting out everything inbetween so I can't judge the hosts Ellen DeGeneres performance although looking at post-award articles, it was a good job.

Now on to the winners. I've listed the nominees, the winner in italics and my preferred choice with an asterisk.

Best Motion Picture of the Year

The Departed*
Babel
Letter from Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen





Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

Forest Whitaker*
Leonardo DiCaprio
Ryan Gosilng
Peter O'Toole
Will Smith





Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role

Helen Mirren*
Penélope Cruz
Judi Dench
Meryl Streep
Kate Winslet





Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

Alan Arkin
Jackie Earle Haley
Djimon Hounsou
Eddie Murphy
Mark Whalberg*





Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

Jennifer Hudson
Adriana Barraza
Cate Blanchett
Abigail Breslin
Rinko Kikuchi*





Best Achievement in Directing

Martin Scorsese
Clint Eastwood
Stephen Frears
Paul Greengrass
Alejandro González Iñárritu*





It was also great to see Pan's Labrynth picking up awards in Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Art Directionand Best Achievement in Art Direction. Another deserved winner was Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth which was referred to by other winners of category's in relation to the feature.