Oscars
by Laura Nachman
Delaware County Daily Times
February 28, 2005

Here are some observations from the 77^th annual “Academy Awards” last night.

Host Review – First-time host Chris Rock did a pretty good job.  His opening monologue was funny, but veered into political territory when he discussed President Bush and “Farenheit 911.”  His taped piece at the Magic Johnson movie theater was misplaced, and the Catherine Zeta Jones bit with Adam Sandler flopped.

His strongest moments were jokes about the presenters (“Tim Robbins – he bores us to death with his politics,” “Comic-genius Jeremy Irons”) or the show itself – (“Next year they’ll be giving out Oscars with McFlurries in the drive-thru window.”)

Speaking Of – The placement of presenters in the middle of the audience was awkward.  Making nominees come up to the stage for a few awards didn’t work either.

Best Dressed – Gywneth Paltrow, Kirsten Dunst, Emmy Rossum, Penelope Cruz, Don Cheadle, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Thomas Haden Church (points for the pink tie), Morgan Freeman (the only 60-something man who can pull off wearing earrings).

Worst Dressed – Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, Natalie Portman, Sean Penn, Samuel L. Jackson

Undecided – Hilary Swank

Best Hair – Halle Berry in Teri Hatcher’s hairstyle.

Worst Hair – Renee Zellweger as a brunette, Drew Barrymore as a red head, and Jake Gyllenhaal in a buzz cut.

Worst Tan – Canadian Mike Myers looked unnatural in his bronzed look

Did You Notice? – Four of the five nominees for Best Supporting Actor – Alan Alda  (“Mash”), Morgan Freeman (“The Electric Company”), Thomas Haden Church (“Wings”), and Jamie Foxx (“In Living Color”) began on television?  Eagles' owner Jeffrey Lurie's Documentary Short "Autism is A World" lost the Oscar to "Mighty Times:  The Children's March." 

Better Than Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony? – Antonio Banderas and Carlos Santana performed the Spanish song “Al Otro Lado Del Rio” from “The Motorcycle Diaries,” which later won the Oscar.