I've seen Crash and I've seen Brokeback Mountain - we all won tonight!

[LynneSin]

and I have to say that Crash was definitely deserving of the Oscar. I don't understand this bullshit. First, here are two movies that both deal with important social issues in our society today. One about the that taboo against homosexuality in society and the other about racism & prejudice in society and how we deal with it when we come face-to-face with our preconceived notions about other races and cultures.

Both had amazing stories to tell and important social issues to tackle. I never thought Crash could win because it was released way back in April and usually people hold their Oscar-worthy material until later in the year.

Personally what I think happened was a "Vote Splitting" with these two movies. I think both had affected the Academy in such a way that they split the vote so both movies could win. Ang Lee got the best director for Brokeback Mountain and Paul Haggis got his Oscar with a best picture win (Haggis was both Director and Producer).

I think this is all a 'win-win' situation because personally, I can't see Freepers being fans of either movies. If anything, we as liberals won tonight because the type of movies we enjoy watching that help open the movie-goers eyes to important issues both won big tonight.

[Connie_Corleone]

1. I don't understand all of the outrage over some movies.

You would think they wrote and directed the movies themselves. I saw Crash and really liked it. I'll see Brokeback when it comes out on DVD. I could care less who won the Oscar. I wasn't up for an award so who gives a shit?

[Pushed To The Left]

2. I agree 100%

I also saw both movies. Both were great, but I liked Crash better. It's one of my all-time favorite movies.

[Skittles]

7. did you see all five movies?

I did and Crash was not even close, not even close to being the best

[LynneSin]

8. I've seen three of them

Personally, I think Brokeback was very personal to many people who have seen it which is why there is such outrage. I felt both movies were very powerful and affected me; made me think about what is happening today in society.

Both deserved it which is why one received best director and the other best picture

(BTW, I hadn't seen Capote or Good Night)

[Skittles]

10. I believe Goodnight and Good Luck should have won

yes indeed

[LynneSin]

12. You just wanted to see George Clooney on stage again

:eyes:

(that's ok - so did I)

[Skittles]

13. seeing him in bed was a treat!

even if it was with Jon Stewart ROFL

[LynneSin]

20. Hell, it would be a treat if I woke up with both Clooney & Stewart

in bed with me!

I'm just saying!

[Skittles]

21. OOOOH OOOOH

DON'T GET ME STARTED :D

[Pushed To The Left]

22. No, just Crash and Brokeback n/t

[Shine]

3. I totally agree, Lynn. Good post.

I saw both movies and thought both were excellent. I was surprised by Crash winning, since it had come out so much earlier than all the other contenders, but I agree with you about the vote-splitting thing. It worked out well.

:applause: to all the winners tonite.

[ruggerson]

4. Nonsense

I've seen both as well.

Brokeback deals with themes we have never seen before in a mainstream movie. It is a classic cultural milestone.

Crash is a derivative movie, a fairly good one, but it deals with themes we have seen countless of times.

Brokeback lost because the Academy buckled under to the pressure of the bigots who claim that "Hollywood is out of touch" and because many Academy members themselves are still homophobic and felt Crash was the safer bet.

That's Hollywood for ya.

[LynneSin]

5. sorry but WRONG. If that was the case, why did Ang Lee win?

Here's the thing, the Best Picture award goes to the studio whereas the Best Director goes to the creative brains of the movie. This was Ang Lee's picture all the way and he got his proper dues.

Both movies were equals but Brokeback seemed like the favorite only because Crash was already in rentals. The voters split the vote to give credit to two excellent movies. Probably cause Paul Haggis was both director and producers, Haggis got his Oscar through Best Picture and Lee got his through best Director

[Connie_Corleone]

6. You're spot on.

:thumbsup:

[Maven]

9. Both movies were NOT equals

And whatever may be the "technical" reason for the award, the significance of the "Best Picture" title for posterity is just that--best picture.

Ruggerson is spot-on. "Crash" was a movie that wanted to appear provocative but was really just a safe button-pusher because it was traveling an already well-worn path. Brokeback was the seminal movie in the group, the most ground-breaking, original, and well-done. Frankly, Crash should have gotten a hat-tip and that's it. This is unbelievable.

[LynneSin]

11. They were equals

just in very different ways

[ruggerson]

17. No they were not. Brokeback is seminal. Crash AIN"T.

[Maven]

18. No, they weren't.

As I said in another thread, NO ONE will remember "Crash" in 10, maybe even 5 years. Brokeback is practically a cultural phenomenon and a milestone that people will remember.

[mondo joe]

23. Disagree. Crash was sophormoric liberal-porn without nuance or

credibility. Some nice performances, given the material, but that was all.

[ruggerson]

14. No, Lynne, the best picture award goes to the producers

who may or may not be formally attached to the studio that financed it.

You're wrong in your analysis. Crash is an o.k. movie. But it is not a seminal movie. It deals with themes we've seen countless times.

Brokeback deals with themes we never address as a society. It is a better movie and it is a bolder movie.

But, Hollywood, despite the claims of the religious rightwing, is not bold. They have been frightened into believing the hype that "mainstream America" feels that they are out of touch.

[bridgit]

19. i say Lee won because he was the most visually seamless...

he was the best director this year

[bridgit]

15. 'brokeback' while visually important, which was the basis for Lee...

as best director; and while important for it's theme, was not applicable across the scope of film expression, hence awards for adaptation. a post above mentions brokeback's mere novelty as the means by which it was to have received oscar...but that is not enough.

this year, 'crash' spoke to the widest cross sample of theme & society, and my sense is that that is why it had won. i agree = a form of vote splitting has occurred.

[LiberalGuy000]

16. Liberals won?

Give me a break. Try to look at the world as something other than liberals versus conservatives. "Crash" was not a good movie, in my opinion. In fact, I thought it was awful.

Good movies transcend politics and bring people together, not tear them even further apart.