Tower Blog

Tower Wrap-Up : 2008 Academy Awards

February 27, 2008 by Romy

No one was sure if the 80th edition of the Academy Awards would happen this year because of the Writer’s Strike. It seemed as if the milestone 80th year would come and go without a celebration…

And just like in the movies, we had a surprise happy ending! The strike ended two weeks before the ceremony, so the show would go on. Jon Stewart hosted (his second year in this role) and was arguably a funnier host this second time around.

The unpredictability of this year’s Academy Awards was further showcased by the fact that there were no blockbusters competing for best picture. It felt as if all films had a fair chance at winning, and perhaps it is no surprise that the Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men walked away with Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor in Supporting Role with Javier Bardem’s very creepy role as a ruthless serial killer. Interestingly, the Coen Brothers film Fargo won 2 Oscars in 1996, and the film followed a similar plotline – ruthless killer being chased by a quirky cop in a remote and desolate location in the US. Other films they’ve written or directed that were nominated for Oscars include: O Brother Where Art Thou? and The Man Who Wasn’t There. Of course, my favorite Coen brothers’ film will always be The Big Lebowski.

Other winner’s this year included everyone’s favorite ‘Indie’ film Juno – which walked away with Best Original Screenplay (check out the soundtrack).

The stunning Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress in Michael Clayton, this year’s law firm drama-thriller. While Marion Cotillard walked away with Best Actress for her portrayal of Edith Piaf’s biopic La Vie en Rose.

Of course, no Academy Award celebration seems complete without a film about oil and greed winning at least one Oscar. This year’s There Will Be Blood won Best Cinematography and Best Actor going to Daniel Day-Lewis’ portrayal of a merciless oil prospector.

I must admit that I was very pleased to see Once win Best Song (Music) because I’ve been listening to that album on repeat for months! Meanwhile the Bourne Ultimatum soundtrack won both Best Sound Mixing AND Sound Editing. The incredible Atonement score by Dario Marianelli won Best Music (Score).

All in all, this year’s 80th edition of the Academy Awards was a success and a pleasure to watch. And I hope Jon Stewart returns next year – and of course he’ll have a bunch of new political satire to work with as 2008 will see a new president in the White House.