I’m glad someone enjoys the Oscars because I hate award shows in all its manifestations. On Friday, I was forced to watch portions of the Pan Parag Zee Cinema Awards. My father watched all five hours of the broadcast. Personally, I would rather watch paint dry.

I watched the Oscars primarily for Billy Crystal…that guy can still be funny as hell and pair him up with Robin Williams, the humor was awesome…the best joke..hmmm..lot of things have changed in the past 13 yrs..we had a president called Bush, economy is tanking and just concluded a war with Iraq…

Niraj, I watched Oscars for the same reason as Patrix - Billy Crystal was awesome. I kept switching channels as soon as the award was announced - Crystal’s gags were just too good.

Patrix, I agree that joke was really funny too :)

Loved Billy Crystal’s little skits. And that little piece ith Robin WIlliams was great. But expected lot more from Cold Mountain and Mystic RIver.
Lotr swung them all out of competition

Billy Crystal is the only thing remotely entertaining about the Oscars. Does anyone else remember when speeches were entertaining or silly or charming? Now people just list a group of other people in this huge show of kissing *ss. Whatever.

ITA, Ravages - as for LOTR, I believed that the Academy was saving up for the last two years to reward the movie in one lumpsum, so I was not surprised at all.

MD, I didn’t even bother to watch the acceptance speeches - boooooring! That of course, reminds me of the funny song Will Ferrell and Jack Black did about overlong speeches. It was so good :) Best acceptance of course, goes to Blake Edwards for scooting about in his wheelchair to grab the Oscar from Jim Carrey :)

Ravages, I am glad your expectations for the Oscars weren’t fulfilled. To me, the worst Oscar this year was the one for Best Supporting Actress which went to Ms. Zellweger, and at the same time I’m glad that was the only Oscar the very overrated movie got. Also, I don’t think Mystic River could have done any better. It could have perhaps got the Oscar for Best Adapated Screenplay, but that was it.
As far as LOTR is concerned, I believe it should have been nominated as one complete movie this year, instead of nominating the individual parts in the previous two years, and then it would have been deserving of every award that it got (other than Best Original Song…what was the Academy thinking???).
I personally would have loved to see the Oscar for Best Actor go to Johnny Depp, it takes remarkable talent to be able to add such depth to a silly, fully commercial character although I’m glad they didn’t give it to Bill Murray.

Vipul, I had already told my husband Renee would be taking home the statue, since she was dissed for Chicago last year. Oscar has a tradition of giving out awards one year late - remember Russel Crowe lost for “Insider” and won for “Gladiator” instead?

I agree Depp was just too good in “Pirates” - he is one of the most versatile actors in the current crop.

Missed the ceremony since my convocation was on that day.

Best actor in my eyes would have been a toss up between Penn in 21 grams and Depp in Pirates. Penn got it for Mystic River, which I think was on okayish role. Most of the times, he seemed to be a Deniro clone in that movie. In 21 grams though, he was phenomenal. Yet, I might have gone with Jack Sparrow. One of my favourite characters of all time. :tongue3:

Gaurav, I agree too - Jack Sparrow was just too delicious. I loved the way Depp just totally chewed the scenery with his over-the-top mannerisms and that accent he put on.