THE OSCAR REPORT by Buzz Austin

Sitting high up in the nose bleed section of the Kodak Theatre all I could do was sit and fidget. Bored. Waiting patiently for all the fun post Oscar parties to begin. The lenses of my binoculars were glazed with a thin layer of something that made everything down below look blurry. The show was flat. There was so much buzz leading up to this year’s awards show that I had worked myself into a frenzy – only to be let down as each minute ticked away. Of course the evening did get unpredictable in many categories, creating a tinge of excitement.

In one of the most stunning upsets in Hollywood history, "Crash," a story of racial tensions in Los Angeles, took home the best picture prize. Written and directed by Paul Haggis, "Crash" won a total of three Academy Awards, including best screenplay, tying with "Brokeback Mountain," "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "King Kong," the latter film winning exclusively for the technical categories. "We are humbled by the other nominees in this category,'' said "Crash" producer Cathy Schulman about taking home the award for best picture. "You have made this year one of the most breathtaking and stunning maverick years in American cinema."
Of course going into this year’s Oscars, "Brokeback Mountain" was touted as a sure thing for best picture, having won the Golden Globe and numerous critics' prizes. The announcement of "Crash," by presenter Jack Nicholson, you could hear the gasp that engulfed all of us seated in the audience at the Kodak.

I had predicted that Ang Lee would win best director for "Brokeback Mountain," and that Philip Seymour Hoffman would probably take home the award for best actor for his riveting portrayal of Truman Capote in "Capote," and my sweetheart Reese Witherspoon took best actress honors for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line." She also delivered my favorite speech of the evening.

Indeed, the victory for Lee seemed to erase what little doubt there may have remained about a best-picture victory for "Brokeback Mountain." It's rare when the best picture and best director awards don't go to the same film.

Speaking of "Crash," Sunday's show was the first hosted by Jon Stewart, who didn't exactly crash and burn in his opening monologue, but did seem tentative and uncomfortable at first. But the receptive crowd rooted him on, and he warmed up over the course of the program.
The choice of Stewart, known as a political satirist, was in harmony with a year in which all the best picture nominees dealt with social or political issues. Politics were the order of the day for both nominees and winners.

George Clooney, winner of the best supporting actor award for his performance in "Syriana," alluded to the frequent criticism that film actors are "out of touch" with mainstream America. Clooney said that he was glad to be out of touch, and that only as a result of Hollywood's being out of touch had film championed causes such as civil rights long before they became popular. He also got one of the best laughs of the night. Upon receiving the award, Clooney, who was also nominated in two categories for the movie "Good Night and Good Luck," quipped, "I guess this means I'm not getting director."

In winning the best original screenplay prize for "Crash," Haggis -- who didn't expect to be on the podium again minutes later -- thanked everyone who "works for peace, justice and against intolerance."

The real surprise of the evening that seemed to delight everybody, the song "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow" won for best song.

Bottom line............................ this year's Oscars were a sober and sedate affair, destined to be remembered for little besides earnest politics and a plethora of endless montages. At one point, Stewart remarked that the montages had used up every clip Hollywood had at its disposal.
However, the unexpected win of Crash had erased the memory of everything that had gone before, and if the 78th Academy Awards are to be remembered for anything, it will be for the absolute shock that went through the audience at the announcement of best picture -- and for the astonished elation of everyone connected with that movie.

And last but not least DOLLY ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!!!!