cleolinda | Oscars, part 8

Jackman announces that we have survived production, and now we move on to post-production: "The cool stuff!" Well, that's a nice way of putting it--usually these are the awards that bore viewers stiff, but ironically, it's the part of the movie they like the best. So... here's a generic Movies of 2009 action montage. Wow, there are a lot of clips from Wanted. Not that I'm complaining.

Please welcome! Will Smith! To the Dark Knight theme! "Now, I asked to be here on this part of the show because I love action movies," he announces. Basically, because people actually watch them (he says). Heeee: "They can take Brad Pitt and turn him into a garden gnome."

Best Visual Effects

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron
The Dark Knight (2008): Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man (2008): John Nelson, Ben Snow, Daniel Sudick, Shane Mahan

You know, I wish they had some kind of Best Action award, for stunt actors and choreographers and such. Because Benjamin Button (which wins) deserves this, and yet... it's a very different kind of FX going on here. As much as the Oscars are about rewarding movies that people might overlook otherwise, I really do feel like a good action movie deserves a Best Blowing Up of Shit Oscar. There is

"And now! For out--outstounding--outstounding? Wow, boom goes the dynamite! Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing!" Hee.

Best Achievement in Sound Editing

The Dark Knight (2008): Richard King
Iron Man (2008): Frank E. Eulner, Christopher Boyes
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Tom Sayers
WALL·E (2008): Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood
Wanted (2008): Wylie Stateman

Winner: The Dark Knight. He thanks a smiling Christopher Nolan for "making going to work a joy."

Will Smith announces that sound mixers are considered "the heroes of moviemaking, and not just by they mamas." He can stay and present more, I think.

Best Sound Mixing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten
The Dark Knight (2008): Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty
WALL·E (2008): Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt
Wanted (2008): Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt

Winner: Slumdog Millionaire. "This is unbelievable," says Resul Pookutty, gasping. "We cannot believe this." This is history being handed over to him, he says. I think he said something about om being the sound before there is sound, but I'm not sure.

"Uh, yes," says Will Smith. "They still have me here. I believe Hugh is napping."

Best Editing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight (2008): Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon (2008): Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk (2008/I): Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Chris Dickens

Slumdog Millionaire wins (Dev Patel pumps his fist out in the audience). I think we better settle in for a streak.

More with Hugh Jackman and a tribute to Jerry Lewis when we return! Oh, it's definitely cookie time now.