The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003 TV Special) User Reviews

"Chicago" Makes Good - But the Best Thing About This is Martin!

[MovieAddict2016 · 7/10 · 24 March 2003]

Steve Martin's insults made this presentation! In light of the recent war in Iraq, many celebrities dressed down and even did not show up. But Steve Martin made us all forget when he started randomly insulting actors and actresses in the audience.

Some of his lines made the actors in the audience literally gasp in astonishment. Here are some of quotes from his hosting performance:

"Movie stars can be straight (camera on Harrison Ford), or gay (camera on Jack Nicholson)." "He got to go in a hot tub with Kathy Bates - but who hasn't?" "And Queen Latifah - or as I like to call her, 'sequel money'!"

Martin was the best thing about this otherwise out-of-place Oscars that just seemed too watered down. I think it's important to respect those fighting for America and England, but as they say, "The show must go on," and this show BARELY went on.

One of the more bitter-sweet (emphasis on the bitter) award shows in recent memory

[Quinoa1984 · 8/10 · 23 March 2003]

This year's Academy Awards showed how politics are always in the mix, and I don't mean with America's current situation with Iraq. What I mean is that there seems to be an (unintentional?) fix with two particular movies of the evening- Chicago and Gangs of New York. Chicago went away with six, SIX Oscars, for being merely an over-rated re-tread of dumb, glitzy, Hollywood (Hollwood the key word) musicals, where there are occasionally catchy scenes- terribly brought down by the need for Richard Gere and John C. Reilly to try for big performances and can barely manage mediocre. Gangs of New York, on the other hand (a personal favorite from last year), which was the film with the second most amount of nominations (Chicago had 13, Gangs with 10), walked away with none, NONE. This isn't the first time this sort of syndrome has happened to a great movie (The Insider in 99, Psycho in 60, Clockwork Orange in 71), but this was a tad ridiculous.

Does the Academy feel a certain dis-affection towards the man, Martin Scorsese, and his little gem of a history lesson? I can respect that Roman Polanski got the Oscar for The Pianist, as it did deserve it in many respects (certainly the best European direction, and as the Palme D'Or at Cannes last year it was a clear choice over the numb flamboyancy of Rob Marshall's Chicago); however in all honesty, why give the Oscar to someone who isn't allowed in the country to receive it personally, when the guy who deserved it for best AMERICAN direction, anyway, looses? Is there a curse upon Scorsese that any year he makes a picture worthy of at least ONE Oscar, even outside of direction (i.e. Dante Ferreti's production design is some of the finest and most original ever, loosing to Chicago, which won basically for an adaptation of a design from the musical!). Only time will tell...

Having said that, I did enjoy some parts of the show when it wasn't filled with the usual fodder of montage-adulation, and the song in the background as the winner walking up being "all that jazz". Steve Martin did a respectable, pretty funny job, not to the absolute caliber of the first job, but with some fresh jabs at the industry (the two best being with Nicholson and Borgnine). Michael Moore getting a definitely deserved Oscar, said things in his speech that made some "boo", but really, it made a sense in its audacity. Claps go to Almodovar, Kidman, Cooper, Eminem (what was with the guy who presented, gold chains and all?), the late Conrad L. Hall, Brody (Nicholson and Day-Lewis were equally worthy), and for ol' Peter O'Toole...

And yet, outside of that, I felt a little uneasy watching the awards ceremony, as I probably do watching past ones. With this one though, I just got the feeling that there was a very slight rig in the works throughout. Of course I realize this is the name of the game on such a night, but the fact that most of the films that won for the headline factor of the film instead of the films themselves is eerie...then I remember that in the overall scheme of things in th e industry the Oscars count for very little. For example, years from now, or even now, how many people remember specific images and emotions and scenes in Ordinary People? Not too many, I can guess. But Raging Bull, "that's entertainment"!

Star-studded even elevated by presence of Olivia de Havilland...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 21 October 2007]

Despite the muted tone of the 75th Academy Awards, there were some outstanding moments and here are a few of the observations I care to make on the whole affair:

1) Adding not a bit of class to the televised event was CAMERON DIAZ, busily chewing gum and staring vacantly at some of the old-time presenters, as though she either didn't recognize them or didn't appreciate that they were a part of film history;

2) ADRIEN BRODY giving a genuinely heart-felt acceptance speech, including the surprisingly passionate kiss for Halle Berry! Talk about taking advantage of a situation, but at least he was honest about it;

3) MICHAEL MOORE making a complete jackass of himself by taking the stage to receive an award (for a non-documentary, by the way), and then erupting into a tirade against President Bush and the war that was greeted at first with abashed silence and then a round of well-deserved boos from the overwhelmingly liberal Hollywood crowd;

4) OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND receiving a standing ovation and still radiating good health and classic loveliness even with silver-white hair as she presented 59 of the past winners. Among the missing: ELIZABETH TAYLOR, which was just as well considering her diamonds would have weighed her down, even if she was sitting in a wheelchair, and would have called for even more of a bodyguard atmosphere than usual;

5) Among those who didn't look so well (some even shockingly bad), were KARL MALDEN, JENNIFER JONES (who looked like a wax figure), TERESA WRIGHT, GEORGE CHAKIRIS (another wax figure), KIRK DOUGLAS, DUSTIN Hoffman, PATRICIA NEAL and CLIFF ROBERTSON.

Although it was good to see a stage full of former winners, one couldn't help noticing how few of them resembled their former selves on screen.

STEVE MARTIN did an okay job as presenter, easily rebuffing Michael Moore with a clever comeback line about the Mafia, but unfortunately veering into tasteless territory with his jokes about MICKEY ROONEY's age or the sexual ambiguities of stars like JACK NICHOLSON and others.

I was especially impresssed with one of de Havilland's comments after observing that much had changed since the earlier times. "What hasn't changed," she said, in her gentle tone, "is our love of the movies. They inspire us and help us through troubled times." She's done so many Oscar shows as presenter (not to mention winner) and is always a reminder of how classy Hollywood performers used to be.

Livvie

[LadyRose2001 · 8 July 2003]

I loved the awards. I taped it because I know that my favorite actress, Olivia de Havilland, was going to be there. I was touched when they gave a standing ovation. She is a true living legend and she will be on earth for a long time to come.

Don`t Mention The War

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 25 March 2003]

Like a great number of other people I had mixed feelings whether the Oscars should be going ahead or not , it`s almost impossible to justify an extravaganza like the academy awards while there`s a war going on , but to their credit the producers kept it fairly low key with no massive self congratulation that we often see . And credit where it`s deserved to Chris Cooper and Adrien Brody for their dignified speeches . Brody especially won my respect as he mentioned his friend out in the Gulf . But of course there`s always someone who doesn`t know when to keep their mouth shut . Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Gulf war Michael Moore shouldn`t have been allowed to go on a political rant and should have been cut off long before he was , Jane Fonda didn`t bring heartfelt opinions to the Oscars so someone who`s not fit to lace Miss Fonda`s boots shouldn`t either . I did enjoy Steve Martin`s wisecrack about teamsters helping Michael Moore into the boot of his limo

And speaking of Martin I thought he was the best host the event has ever had. Barbed comments about red carpets , and France and Germany had me grinning , but I laughed out loud as he said that it doesn`t matter if you`re straight ( Camera cuts to Harrison Ford ) or Gay ( Camera cuts to Jack Nicholson ) . Martin then said he wasn`t going to mention the people he slept with ( Camera cuts to Nicole Kidman , Julie Andrews etc ) but the best line was about the gay mafia: " I don`t want to mention them in case I wake up with a poodle`s head in my bed " Here`s hoping Martin is the host for many years to come

As for the awards themselves THE TWO TOWERS was the only picture I saw last year that was nominated for Best Film so I can`t really comment if the awards were justified or not but I thought there was something fundementally wrong with the choice for best director . Obviously having sex with a minor and jumping bail isn`t a bad career move and it was nice to see some members sat in their seats shaking their heads when the winner was announced . You`ve also got to feel sorry for Martin Scorsese since the rumour mill has been whispering that GANGS OF NEW YORK was his last chance to pick up the award for best director . I was also shocked that the film didn`t pick up any awards on the night as Daniel Day Lewis was the hot tip for best actor . CHICAGO won best film which surprised me as it picked up a row of Oscars for technical achivements but then lost out to THE PIANIST for all the major awards

So a night of surprises and controversy . Let`s hope next year we`ll see Steve Martin hosting Oscar night where RETURN OF THE KING sweeps the board

I enjoyed it

[rbverhoef · 7/10 · 28 April 2003]

Best Picture for 'Chicago', normally I definitely would not agree. Now I can agree because the most important Oscars did go to separate movies. In my opinion 'Chicago' is more a nice movie than a really good one, but together with Best Picture the only real thing the film won was Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones and that one she deserved. 'The Hours' won Best Actress with Nicole Kidman, again deserved I think, so another good film did win something. Best Original Screenplay went to 'Hable Con Ella', a great foreign language film. Best Director was Roman Polanski, Best Actor was Adrien Brody, both for 'The Pianist'. This was my favorite film over the year 2002, and may be that was the main reason I didn't bother 'Chicago'. 'The Pianist' also won for Best Adapted Screenplay. I also liked it a little that 'Gangs of New York' didn't win anything. It is a nice film, but definitely not great.

Other things I enjoyed: 'Bowling for Columbine' winning for Best Documentary. It is a great documentary, Michael Moore is a great filmmaker, and I enjoyed his speech as well. You are not supposed to do political statements, I agree, but I kind of expected him to do it, and so I was not disappointed. Steve Martin did had some nice jokes, especially the ones with the help of the camera. The way they used a great actor like Jack Nicholson was very funny. The last thing I want to mention is one of the best acceptance speeches I have ever heard. His speech together with the kiss Adrien Brody gave to Halle Berry was the best thing of the evening. I am ready for next year.

Long live Michael Moore!

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 10 January 2007]

So, Michael Moore received cheers and jeers. As Moore himself explained, "Bowling for Columbine" said that we Americans produce and buy guns, kill each other, and even armed Saddam Hussein. If some people think that no one should use the Oscar ceremonies to make political statements, then those individuals should just move to China (or back in time to Saddam Hussein's Iraq). "Fahrenheit 9/11" further explained that.

Otherwise, "The 75th Annual Academy Awards" went like any other ceremony. I wasn't sure whether or not "The Pianist" was the best movie of 2002; is Martin Scorsese ever going to win anything? Too bad that Eminem didn't show up; it would have been neat to see Barbra Streisand give him an Oscar directly.

Worth staying up just for Livvy

[crisso · 6/10 · 26 March 2003]

I stayed up all night Sunday to watch the Oscar ceremony (living in the UK it didn't finish here till gone 5am) not because I wanted to see who would win (I haven't seen ANY of the films nominated) but because I knew that Olivia de Havilland was going to be there. I wasn't dissappointed - when the president of the academy (I forget his name) said "53 years ago a young actress..." I knew exactly who he meant. He introduced her and a rather imposing, white haired grande dame strode onstage to a wonderful standing ovation and when the applause died down she made a very heartfelt speech before introducing 59 past Oscar winning actors. Out of all the great stars and filmmakers from Hollywood's golden era I have taken to my heart over the years, Miss de Havilland is the only one still living and seeing her again was marvellous and for me was the high point of the evening.

Classier than normal

[mrpancake_2000 · 9/10 · 29 March 2003]

Steve Martin was great this year, and as much as I like Whoopie Goldberg as an actress, I wasn't too impressed with her hosting in years passed. Steve Martin was hilarious, or at least as much as he could be without being "distasteful." The only joke I felt was rather inappropriate was about Secretary with Maggie Glygenhaal, in which he said something to the extent of women begging on the floor and that putting them in their place. To me, it wasn't too offensive, but I could tell some people in the audience were less than enthusiastic about his comment. I hope to see him for many years to come. As for the actual ceremony, it seemed a lot classier than normal, which was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed that, except the security was ridiculous. I am happy with CHICAGO's win, but would have liked to see FRIDA, ADAPTATION., FAR FROM HEAVEN among the nominees and would have been happy to see any of those win. Great to see Chris Cooper win, and would have loved to see Meryl win, but Catherine Zeta-Jones did a great job in CHICAGO, so kudos to her. I was only disappointed in the Best Actress win with Nicole Kidman. I think she is rather overrated as an actress, but good nonetheless. Her win for THE HOURS was a severe disappointment to me, even though I knew it would happen. I just hope she doesn't win for quite a while because it really bothered me she won this year. I would have LOVED to see Salma Hayek win for FRIDA, but it wasn't really in the cards. FRIDA was the most overlooked movie of the year missing out in major categories it should have been nominated for (Supporting Actor, Picture, Cinematography, Screenplay, Direction...). This was a great year for movies and a great year for the Oscars as well.

My thoughts

[TheOtherFool · 5/10 · 12 June 2004]

I watched this with a German girl while visiting the USA, only to find a German movie snatching away 'best foreign film' for the hands of the Dutch 'Zus en Zo'. The humiliation!

Steve Martin did an excellent job in his opening speech, and this is what I thought about the winners of the most important oscars:

Best Movie - Chicago. I'd rather had seen The Hours win here, but I can live with Chicago I guess... it's a bit of a simple movie but I somewhat enjoyed it, so why not.

Best Actor - Adrien Brody. Again, I can understand the Academy's choice, but my favorite would be Nicholas Cage here. Such a great performance in such a great film!

Best Supporting Actor - Chris Cooper. My choice as well. I have this thing going for Adaptation I guess...

Best Actress - Nicole Kidman. Definately can live with that.

Best Supporting Actress - Catharine Zeta-Jones. Ouch. Mistake of the year. Should've been Meryll Streep or Julianne Moore.

Best Director - Roman Polanski. I'm glad it wasn't Scorcese but my favorite would've been Almodovar for his Talk to Her, a great movie. I'm glad that won Best Screenplay.

One last thing: whatever you say about Bowling for Columbine, it's *not* a documentary. If you are willing to put half trues and whole lies in your film, it may be entertaining and all, a documentary it's not. So shame on YOU, Academy.

5/10.

excellent alternatives for oscar.

[sackofdogmeat · 10/10 · 12 August 2003]

I must admit, i was very pleased with the Academy this year, especially since i was very disappointed last year (because nicole kidman nor sean penn won the awards that were beyond well deserved). I was sooooooooo happy Catherine Zeta Jones won the award and would not have been surprised or upset with the best actress category because all nominations were well deserved. I especially liked Adrianne Brody's spontaneous kiss to Halle Berry....lucky b*****d! The awards this year were very appropriate.

A generally better year

[dbracco86 · 29 March 2003]

In terms of the results happened more the way I wanted. Here's my take on the major categories:

Best Picture: Chicago deserved to win. Great movie (although NOT as good as Moulin Rouge). However, I think the top 5 should have been: Adaptation, Chicago, Far From Heaven, Frida, and The Hours. I think my favorite is Heaven, but Chicago should have won anyway.

Best Actor: NICOLAS CAGE SHOULD HAVE ONE!!! He did the most amazing, challenging performance I have EVER seen an actor do (except Ewan McGregor in M.R....I'm a fanatic). He was totally robbed, but then again I didn't expect him to win.

Best Actress: Victory for Nicole! Well-deserved-she was incredible in the Hours. Yet, my favorite was Julianne Moore for Heaven. Such an underrated movie in the academy's eyes, and she was unbelievable. But I'm really happy Nicole finally has an Oscar.

Supporting Actor: What can I say? Dennis Quaid is the winner hands down. But since he wasn't NOMINATED, Chris Cooper will have to do...actually he was really really good.

Supporting Actress: MERYL!! I LOVE YOU! I met her and she was incredibly sweet. Oh yeah, she did an amazing job in Adaptation. Catherine did extremely well too, though--just not quite the same.

PS~Steve Martin was hilarious, as usual. He was the same two years ago. It should just be all him, and maybe Billy Crystal too.

Very intense emotions did not always run smoothly...

[Anonymous_Maxine · 9/10 · 1 April 2003]

It's just as obvious that the most prevalent issue in the awards ceremony this year was to be the war in Iraq as it was after the Oscar ceremony in 1999 that the biggest rivalry of all was between two equally powerful films, Saving Private Ryan and Shakespeare In Love. But there was something of an unwritten rule this year that, if an Oscar winner absolutely HAD to say something about the Iraq situation, they would keep it mild and quick, such as the way Chris Cooper hoped for peace for the world in his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor (which he richly deserved).

The Best Documentary category was a sure win by Michael Moore's stunningly brilliant film Bowling For Columbine, but when he went up to the stage to deliver his speech, he made such incendiary comments that he was booed by the entire audience and, given my own personal opinions in regard to his comments, I can't say that all of the booing was just because everyone disagreed with him.

The point is not whether or not you agree with Moore that the war in Iraq is a huge corrupt ordeal and that George W. Bush should be shamed, but rather in the fact that this is simply not the time or the place for that topic. It's hard to get a lot of people on stage in front of millions to say whatever they want and prevent them entirely from saying a thing about their personal views in such politically intense times as these, but Michael Moore went too far. It's as simple as that.

One of the things that really bothered me was that (although this is true to his style) Moore invited all of his fellow nominees onstage and then made his volatile speech, without having previously discussed with the other nominees what he was going to say so that they could decide if they wanted to go on stage with him or not. I agree 100% with what Moore said (well, maybe more like 80%), but it was simply the wrong time for his opinion to be made known, and I personally would not have stepped on stage with him had I known he would make a speech like that.

I wish he would have thought it through more and not allowed his emotions to get the better of him in his speech, because he is now an Oscar winning documentarian – he literally has endless other ways, more effective and more respectable ways, that he could have made his feelings known to the world. Adrien Brody also went on entirely too long in his emotionally-tinged speech, but at least was not as blatantly disrespectful as Moore was in making his opinions known to the audience and the world.

In other news, the rest of the ceremony was peppered with spectacular events. Steve Martin has returned to solidify once again his permanent status as the greatest host the Academy Awards have ever had. This guy can tell a joke that is absolutely as predictable as jokes get and still make it funny. U2 and Paul Simon each deliver staggering live performances, and Eminem, one of the hardest commercial rappers currently recording, is honored for a much deserved Oscar for Best Song.

I would just like to say that I was absolutely thrilled when Eminem won the award (although I was sure that he would), because even though all of the nominees deserved the recognition for their achievements, this is a case where, had the award gone to any of the other nominees, everyone would have clapped, gone on to the next category, and then gone home with a nice content smile on their face, and the winner of the Oscar for Best Song in 2002 would have been forgotten forever almost immediately. But since the award went to such a controversial nominee, this is a category that will not soon be forgotten. Eminem has done no less than revolutionized the possibilities for Academy Awards.

The Academy Awards are a time of goodwill and appreciation of the wonderful movies that deserve to be celebrated because they took advantage of the enormous impact that films can have on their audiences. The movies honored at the awards ceremony this year and every other year are honored because they were so well-made in many different areas and deserved to be recognized for one or more of those areas, and it is truly a shame that current political events have to have such a negative impact on a show that celebrates something like this. The movies awarded this year, with only one or two exceptions, have little to nothing to do with the current political climate, and I just wish that the winners could have concentrated more on appreciating their recognition for their accomplishments than on taking political stands.

If for no other reason, I absolutely love Michael Moore's work and, given the content of Bowling For Columbine, he's not in real good standing with the NRA, probably some of the strongest supporters of the war in Iraq and some of the most backwards people in our nation. I honestly hope Michael Moore has considered his own personal safety!

My favorite to date

[sgilberg · 8/10 · 10 April 2003]

First, let me report the few things I regretted. There was no red carpet treatment, for reasons that did not make sense to me. Some awardees barely got a word in edgewise because of time limits, and I felt somewhat ashamed for them. When the host announced the presence of certain special guests, the camera did not show their faces.

But I've been watching Academy Awards shows every year since 1995, and no other has entertained me as *consistently* as this one. As they go, this one was not too long. Only Adrien Brody's speech seemed endless, and that at least was more touching than self-indulgent. News sites had warned me with dismay that the fun would be toned down, but it turned out not to put a crimp in Steve Martin's routine at all. Martin doesn't do smashing openings like Billy Crystal or Whoopi Goldberg, but his jokes thereafter produce better than tired chuckles. I did not think any awards grossly misplaced. Musical performances, albeit not the complete list, had a fine effect. And as a pacifistic Democrat, I took pleasure in Michael Moore's controversial message.

For those who wish that "Gangs of New York" had won at least one of its 10 nominations, I imagine that Martin Scorsese will someday get a Lifetime Achievement Award to make up for his Oscar deficit.

its the best movie ever

[jess092387 · 10/10 · 17 June 2005]

8 mile is one of the best movies I've seen. its real and its to the point. it has great features and great lyrics. i wish i could of been on the movie set to watch up close. its got a wonderful cast and it is off the chain. i cant put it in any other words cause i cant find the words to explain it any more.all i can say is that i know eminem is a great actor and musician and i know he will go on to do much greater things than he has already done.i want to meet him jest to tell him i love his work. i would one day want to battle with him.this is all i have to write.so i hope every one feels the way i do about him.he can change the world.so can you!

Every year I say I won't watch... and every year I do. There are worse traps to be in.

[Victor Field · 12 April 2003]

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a GoodFella... sorry, I'll start again.

As far back as I can remember, I've been tuning into the Oscars; first the edited highlights while living in Barbados and stuck with CBC Channel 8, then the coverage on CNN (when they still carried showbiz stuff), and then when I returned to England, it was time to sit up late or get up early and watch them live. The Academy Awards, like them or not, still have a glitz and pull no other award show on Earth can match; the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes can try all they want, but no matter whether they come before or after, they'll always be mere appetizers to the main event.

This year's, back on BBC1 (who incidentally pretended that losing them to Sky didn't matter... okay, but why did they make such a fuss when they got them BACK?), was amazing not so much for the results - "Chicago" won Best Picture? Who didn't see that coming? - as for the fact that it only overran by about four minutes. Keep up the tight reins, folks (or maybe ensure that not all the nominated songs get performed again). The segments in between the awards with Jonathan Ross interviewing various Americans and Brits are always a cue for me to change the channel or mute it, but the rest of the show...

Five Bad Things:

1. The failure of Eminem to turn up and accept an Oscar for Barbra Streisand (E&B would have been a team for the ages).

2. The snubbing, for the most part, of "The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers."

3. The continuing prejudice of the producers (apparently if you're winning a major acting prize you can talk as long as you want).

4. Steve Martin's joke about Mickey Mouse being one of "America's leading black actors."

5. Jennifer Garner appearing alongside the aforementioned actor of colour (it must have been a Disney/ABC thing).

Five Good Things:

1. Jennifer Garner appearing and a) maintaining her dignity and b) being one of the best-looking women there (if she, Salma Hayek or Halle Berry are reading this...). No wonder she was nominated for an Emmy for "Alias."

2. Most of Steve Martin's other jokes (not least the one about Hollywood willing to work with actors of any age - "Young...[picture of Haley Joel Osment]... middle-aged... [picture of Natalie Portman]... or old [picture of Reese Witherspoon]").

3. Adrien Brody, for delivering the best acceptance speech of the night (sorry Michael Moore, but political statements do not count), and for not letting the opportunity to snog Halle Berry go by.

4. The fact that "Chicago" didn't win all the Oscars it was up for, sparing us from hearing "All That Jazz" 11 times.

5. The Oscars giving the Animated Feature award to the only non-American feature nominated (though non-Disney fans note "Spirited Away" was released there by... guess).

And I'll be watching again next year...

Jennifer Jones Makes Rare Appearance

[m0rphy · 15 October 2003]

The actually ceremony has already been effectivly reported on by my esteemed colleagues below, so I will retrict this to why I watched.One of the previous reviewers obviously likes Olivia de Havilland but is wrong saying she is the only one still alive after 59 years.There was an actress, revealed in the group portrait, who won in the 1930's and is the oldest winning Oscar survivor but I cannot remember her name.For me this group portrait is more entertaining than listening to all and sundry saying "Thankyou" all evening.

My particular favourite is Jennifer Jones, who won best actress for "Song of Bernadette "(1943) in the 1944 ceremony.I have watched and own videos of every one of her movies from 1939-1974 and have taped most of her screened personal appearances since then.Film fans know she makes very rare public appearances so any glimpse is to be treasured.I have photos of her from age 2 until her present age 84 from her available biographies, memoirs of her and from contemporary magazines etc.I also make regular contributions to her tribute web site.Long may she live!!

Surprising winners, toned down show

[bob the moo · 1 April 2003]

Is it that time of year already? Despite the fact that the Iraqi war is in full swing, the ceremony still went ahead with, as Steve Martin wryly observed with his opening line, toned down glitz! The impact of the war made for a tighter, more controlled show. Personally I thought the `normal' dress style made the ceremony more relatable without the usual extremes of fashion and talk of how much so and so's shoes cost.

The subdued air also must have contributed to the show actually finishing on time for the first time that I can ever remember. Sadly it also meant that this ceremony had the lowest live TV audience ever. The subdued air had a big effect on the tone of the night. Steve Martin's jokes were OK but the audience were difficult. Some of his opening monologue was weak, slow and forced – the joke about celebs who slept with him was too full of pauses to work well. It also didn't flow very well – with sudden changes of subject not letting Martin pace himself. And where did that mobile phone come from?! His best line of the night? `Nobody is a loser here – but we're about to change all that'.

The actual awards themselves were surprisingly surprising. We all knew Chicago would take best picture and a hatfull of other awards but Jones for best supporting?! Also this was supposed to be Martin Scorsese's year? Yeah, GONY may not be anywhere near his best but it's the Academy's chance to make up for his missed chances – but no! Polanksi is a brave choice and it was funny to see Harrison Ford, without a hint of irony, say `Roman couldn't be here tonight!'

Best actor was a real shock and it clearly was to Brody who swore twice on stage! Personally if neither of the two favourites won I wanted to see Caine win for The Quiet American – his best work for years, but I guess no one wants a film that openly criticises American foreign policy at the moment! Michael Moore took the biggest talking point by calling President Bush a `fictional president leading us into a fictional war'. His film deserved to win and I was surprised that the very liberal Hollywood booed him as they did – I guess no-one wants their stock to go down as the public gets behind `the boys'.

Biggest surprise for me was Eminem winning best song. Again another brave selection – shame he refused to perform or attend due to being asked to tone his act down. However even with all these talking points the ceremony still felt very muted and Steve Martin wasn't funny enough during the proceedings to lift it as needed. He wasn't bad but I'd always admired Billy Crystal's ability to really lift it by his own presence.

Overall a good year for surprising winners and talking points. I like it when the odds on favourites don't sweep the board. The show is amusing with Martin pretty good in his monologue and not afraid to go near the bone on one or two lines, but mostly the ceremony was pretty drab. It always amazes me that the presenters of the awards are all great actors etc but can't convincingly read off an autocue!