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UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

2011 Oscar Roundup

You didn’t know what was going on with Anne Hathaway and James Franco Feb. 27, and neither did we. The 83rd Annual Academy Awards promised a night of social networking, kings’ speeches and fighters. Here’s what the Spinnaker had to say about this year’s event.

The Front Row: Ryan Thompson, Features Editor; Ashley Gannon, Assistant Features Editor; Tyler White, News Editor; Chance Ryan, Staff Writer

Production Awards
– Best Picture, “The King’s Speech”
Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers

– Best Director, “The King’s Speech”
Tom Hooper

– Best Original Sceenplay, “The King’s Speech”
David Seidler

– Best Adapted Screenplay, “The Social Network”
Aaron Sorkin

Ryan’s Response: Just before filling out an Oscar ballot, I decided that I wanted David Fincher and “The Social Network” to win Best Director and Best Picture. And from how the first part of the awards ceremony went, I thought they would.

Ashley’s Response: “The Kids Are All Right” should have won Best Original Screenplay because, well, it was the most original. “The King’s Speech” was based off a play the director’s mother saw, so I think that Oscar ended up in the wrong hands.

Tyler’s Response: “The King’s Speech” was marvelous, but it should not have sweeped the Oscars. “The Social Network” or “Black Swan” should have won Picture or Director. Aaron Sorkin’s script was brilliant for “The Social Network.” The opening banter between Zuckerberg and his date was hilarious.

Chance’s Response: For the record, I didn’t watch the Oscars, nor did I see many of the films. To begin, I doubt the screenplay for “The Social Network” was all that difficult to write. Sorkin simply took a boring story about a bunch of disingenuous snobs who came up with a better version on MySpace and gave them sophisticated dialogue. Easy enough, just take out all of the “likes,” “ums” and “dudes.”

Acting Awards
– Best Actor, “The King’s Speech”
Colin Firth

– Best Actress, “Black Swan”
Natalie Portman

-Best Supporting Actor, “The Fighter”
Christian Bale

– Best Supporting Actress, “The Fighter”
Melissa Leo

Ryan’s Response: This category was so predictable throughout the awards’ season, and all of the winners merited their wins. Thank God Melissa Leo snagged one though, right?

Ashley’s Response: The red-headed, ball-buster Amy Adams should have taken Best Supporting Actress for the simple fact that watching Leo’s speech was unbearable. My baby, James Franco, disappointed me with his hosting skills — or lack thereof — so I’m glad Colin Firth won Best Actor.

Tyler’s Response: NATALIE! Awesome work, it’s a shame Annette Bening had to go up against Portman. Bale and Leo rightfully earned their golden man. Colin Firth was great, but Jesse Eisenberg should have walked home with an Oscar.

Chance’s Response: I’ll say something about Natalie Portman: I enjoy her. She was great in “Leon.” But I already have a crazy older sister, and I would rather not watch a neurotic breakdown of a ballet princess. I’ve seen it enough already.

Aesthetic Awards
– Visual Effects, “Inception”
Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

– Editing, “The Social Network”
Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter

– Cinematography, “Inception”
Wally Pfister

– Original Song, “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3”
Music and Lyric by Randy Newman

Ryan’s Response: “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” is definitely a childhood favorite. If I got to be on the segment where they had film-goers sing their favorite movie tunes, I think I would have chosen that one. So, way to go, Newman!

Ashley’s Response: Did Wall and Baxter do the editing on that YouTube music video they played during the ceremony? Because whoever mastered that clip deserved to win. And how cute is Randy Newman? I mean seriously. His personality and voice fit together with Toy Story like PB&J.

Tyler’s Response: WAAAAA!! “Inception” got some love on the technical side. It’s a shame Nolan and his epic script didn’t get the same. Randy Newman continues to rack up the Oscars. Good for him.

Chance’s Response: Ah, “Inception,” the less entertaining version of “The Matrix.” I agree. The cinematography was fine. However, I will say this about “Inception” — all because a movie is made to be convoluted does not mean it’s a good movie. “Inception” lacked character development – like many films do nowadays. DiCaprio played a carbon copy of his character in “Shutter Island” (another bore) and all the cinematography expertise in the world could not make me watch this movie again.

Oscar-Night Moments
– Eight Outfits of Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway

– James Franco’s (Lack-of) Expressions
James Franco

– Censored F-Bomb
Melissa Leo

– Movies People Actually Saw AutoTuned Song
The Gregory Brothers

Ryan’s Response: YouTube represent! My Twitter feed, the Internet and I exploded the moment Rupert Grint made his singing debut at the Oscar’s. The Gregory Brothers and AutoTheNews were buzzword throughout the latter half of 2010, so I think they deserve having a place in this year’s Oscars.

Ashley’s Response: Anne Hathaway managed to multitask like a pro; she looked gorgeous while wearing a blue latex condom and acted as if she overdosed on speed to make up for Franco’s I’m-so-bored-with-life performance. Bravo, Anne.

Tyler’s Response: Kirk Douglas needs to just kick it already. That was the most awkward presentation of senility ever. James Franco shouldn’t have been in character from “Pineapple Express.” Puff, puff, pass, bro. Oh, and go, AutoTune!

Chance’s Response: I didn’t watch the Oscars. Censorship is always wrong, though.

Who Should’ve Won
Ryan: David Fincher for Best Director; Natalie Portman for Best Actress; “Black Swan” for Cinematography

Ashley: Hailee Steinfeld should have won for Best Supporting Actress. Although she did get to work with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon on her first film, so I guess she can’t have everything.

Tyler: Christopher Nolan should have earned at least a nomination, plus a win for his screenplay. Natalie Portman was the highlight of the night, and I think “The Fighter” girls should have tied for the Oscar. “The Kids Are All Right” should have gotten at least something. And I’m so glad “Toy Story 3” won for animated feature. Goodbye, childhood!

Chance: The Coen Brothers for Best Director and anyone else who was in “True Grit” because that was a decent film.

Complete List of Winners:
Film Editing – “The Social Network” Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter
Foreign Language Film – “In a Better World” Denmark
Makeup – “The Wolfman” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey
Original Score – “The Social Network” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Original Song – “We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
Animated Short – “The Lost Thing” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
Live Action Short – “God of Love” Luke Matheny
Sound Editing – “Inception” Richard King
Sound Mixing – “Inception” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
Visual Effects – “Inception” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb

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