“I was here 15 years ago or something, and I had no idea what I was doing. I was sitting out here in front of you all, really just a kid, and I went out and I never thought that I would be back here, and I am because of so many of you who are here tonight, because of this Academy, because of so many wonderful people who extended themselves to me when they had nothing to benefit from it…I want to thank them and I want to thank what they taught me which is that you have to work harder than you think you possibly can, you can’t hold grudges, it’s hard but you can’t hold grudges. And it doesn’t matter how you get knocked down in life, cause that’s gonna happen, all that matters is that you gotta get up.” -Ben Affleck.”
its wednesday, i got curious to see how things were going here a few days after the oscars!
i see ..hmmmm….
what i wonder is when the argo stole my lincoln thunder pity party going to end? then again king speech is still atoning for his sins against the social network lol
anyway to each their own
i was thinking of reading that article on why women hate anne hatthaway and love jennifer lawrence but i think i’ll stay away ! nothing positive to be read there( just a feeling)
I’m sorry can someone explain what makes Life of Pi or Lincoln better, more memorable films? Life of Pi was filled with mediocre visual effects and a horribly convenient book ended narrative conceit with an incredibly obvious moral underlining. It felt hokey and forced. Lincoln while great is not up to par with Spielbergs best work. Some of the pieces were extraordinary i.e. Kaminski’s cinematography and Tony Kushner’s screenplay and the individual performances, but they didnt sync into a cohesively masterful whole. Whereas Argo is, by most regards, flawless. In terms of thematic references it covers much of the same ideology as Lincoln and it underlines the strengths of the everyman, rather than highlighting a figurehead we all know to be great anyways. To me Argo has lasted since I saw it and was the clear true winner of the 9 nominees. I don’t understand this backlash when as a film it has all the density as Pi or Lincoln, but hey, it’s also actually fun and thrilling and moving. Guess we don’t want that in a movie huh?
‘I rolled my eyes on how Grant Heslov introduced Ben as the Producer and DIRECTOR of Argo… I was like, come on!’
It was like Affleck was the FIRST ACTOR EVER to produce, star in and direct a film.
Seth MacFarlane laid it all out for us less than 90 seconds after he came onstage.
Step One: MacFarlane ridicule Tommy Lee Jones for being careless enough to allow a gotcha! paparazzi cameraman at the Globes to catch Jones failing to grin like an idiot all the time.
Step Two: MacFarlane tells us, “The story behind Argo was so top secret that the film’s director is unknown to the Academy.” har-har… and then, just to make sure we all understand the crime and the penalty, MacFarlane adds: “yeah, they know they screwed up.”
“They” who? dickwad. “They” screwed up? Dude, you realize you are speaking to the people that you say screwed up and talking about them to their faces in the 3rd person? Or is that crack meant for the rest of America, so that there’s no doubt at all that history is being rewritten and we will now be taught the lesson that “THEY screwed up.” (we can assume ‘they’ are the directors branch. because one thing Hollywood knows without a doubt: Directors screw it all up. The rest of the industry and everybody in LA knows that directors branch of the Academy are huge screw-ups).
that’s the lesson the Oscar Night scriptwriters intended to teach us 1 and 1/2 minutes after the show started.
Does this mean Ben will finally get the money to make “Gigli Part 2”?
I loved his speech, it was so gracious and heartfelt. I got a really good impression of him in Toronto and his speech really cemented in me that he is a nice guy.
I agree with you Natasha… I rolled my eyes on how Grant Heslov introduced Ben as the Producer and DIRECTOR of Argo… I was like, come on! Yes we know he was snubbed and he would have won if he was nominated… No need to emphasize it…
Even though, really proud of how Ben handled the whole campaign for Argo… Very deserving winner…
Well, Affleck was very gracious–but the other co-producer who spoke right before he did laid the whole snub thing right out on the table instead of dancing around it. If that wasn’t confirmation of when or why the winds shifted, I’m not sure what is. That having been said, I have no real problems with the movie Argo. I have a copy of the DVD right here.
Christopher,
That was some funny shit.
But I have to admit, I was actually moved by Affleck’s innarticulate emotion pouring out of him.
Despite the schmooze factor that he’s adopted from Clooney, I really think he might be as suprised by all this as we are. Yeah, he milked it, but I can see him like, ‘WTF? I can’t believe I’m standing next to Steven Spielberg Holy Shit!’
Affleck is a smart guy, and a poltical junkie and I honestly believe that Lincoln is just the type of film he admires and aspires to accomplish. I can see him watching a film like that and being in awe. I don’t think for a second that he truly thinks he’s in any way, shape or form that he’s at Spielberg’s or Lee’s level. And in that Oscar speech, all the smarm disapeared for a moment, and – without Clooney around – he was just a guy who tried his best and is along for the ride of his life.
Argo isn’t Lincoln or Life of Pi or Beasts of the Southern Wild or Zero Dark Thirty. And he probably knows that. I find that endearing.
The Life of Pi was the really best picture winner. I can’t believe Ang Lee has 3 oscar winners. Chris Terrio from Argo, he seems like a nice guy.
Ben Affleck ended this all in a classy way. Argo was one of the best pictures of the year. I liked Chris Terrio’s speech for Adapted Screenplay.
TB and KB are right. Affleck has handled all this with class and grace. I hope that is true that we remember his speech more than Argo – cause it’s true, that film can never be what Life of Pi or Lincoln are.
And yeah, Chris Terrio seems like a sweet guy – and, uh, probably the best-looking Oscar-winning screenwriter since – Ben Affleck?
It sounds better written, too bad he had to rush through that when talking on stage.
Also, I for one hate all the grandeur hate on BP winners like Argo, Crash or even American Beauty. Such movies feel too “small”, compared to others, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Argo did have the best ensemble, something that happens often in an Alan Arkin movie – he loves projects with good actors atmosphere. That in itself is enough to get you BP in an actor-dominated academy. Nothing wrong with that.
Jon, the only difference between now and 95 is that it was Ron Howard who was left off the director list and Apollo 13 was the stronger precursor favorite. I’d go a little further with my comment and say this felt like a through-the-looking-glass version of 1995 if that makes any sense. Its 1995 if Apollo 13 won basically.
“Argo” is an excellent movie. But in such a year, it only ranks #7 on my top for the year. Disappointed of course. But Ben Affleck has proven himself to be a hell of a director, and I’m convinced (as I never was before) that he’s a great guy, who knows what hard work is, and loves the movies with his whole being. I feel happy for him.
@ Chris Price: How come? I’m really curious.
(Sorry about the false name)
@ Chris Price: How come? I’m really curious.
Jon, I’d say none of those. The year this reminds me of is 1995.
When Ben mentioned Steven Spielberg, the shot of Spielberg sitting, mouthing the words: “Aw, thank you, Ben.” Just thought that was funny but a bit nice.
I wonder what this year more felt like: 1990, 2006, or 2010.
I’m with KB on this. Ben handled all of it like a champ. Plus, he really is a fantastic director. In about 10 years, after he’s got about 6 or 7 more amazingly well executed movies under his belt, even the loudest naysayers and haters of this bunch will turn around and finally show him some respect. I think its hilarious that Christopher wants to trash him by saying “aw Poor Ben”, and then mentioning the hardships of the SUBJECTS of Lincoln or Beasts Of The Southern Wild. As if those films exist outside of the Hollywood types that made them but for some reason Affleck’s film doesn’t. You could easily write a post about “Poor Steven Spielberg”. Don’t get me wrong, I would’ve been very happy to see Kathleen Kennedy accept an Oscar last night. I would have stood up and applauded in my living room. But its pretty fucking annoying that for some reason its OK to pity some Hollywood millionaires and not others. Yes, I get it, that’s what most of you are saying about Affleck. But what are we, hypocrites? I would like to think we’re not, but perhaps. Just cause the guy only has 3 movies in his directing career and Spielberg has dozens; just cause Spielberg basically invented much of the filmmaking language that Affleck himself employs in Argo doesn’t mean we have to conclude that Argo is shit or that Affleck isn’t talented. We should be better than that.
Ben sounded more like an innocent man freed from death row than a guy who made a string of crappy movies in the 2000’s.
Ben Affleck handled all of this in a very classy way. Imagine putting yourself in his situation. You get snubbed, then will all the other awards. It’s both humbling and inspiring at the same time.
His speech couldn’t have been more humble or honest. No matter what one might think about “Argo”, I don’t know how you couldn’t be happy for him. I know I underestimated his film all year, and he still came out on top. I say good for him.
I am very happy that the Poor Ben Affleck Pity Party is finally over.
I am very happy that the Poor Ben Affleck Pity Party is finally over.
Finally. I think they have all sufficiently made up for the snub and life can begin anew.
Chris Terrio is from my hometown (Staten Island, NY), and he used to write for the same newspaper that I do. So great to see him win, just wish it didn’t come at the expense of Kushner’s brilliant script.
Poor Ben. He’s had such a hard time. After I get thru paying my bills, trying to find a new job and searching for investors in my next art project, I will definitely take the time to mourn the sorrow, tragedy and hardship that poor Ben has had to endure throughout his time in Hollywood.
I certainly hope that his suffering will stand as a testament to future generations who win an Oscar, then have people throw money at them to make films, but still can’t break that awards-circuit puzzle by securing an Oscar nomination.
I hope their are good Samaritans out there like George Clooney who are willing to help these poor lost souls seeking guidance out in the difficult and complex path to achievement by enlisting the help of industry to friends to destroy and annihilate any films that might be better than the ones they have made.
Poor Ben, I am so glad you shared with us your tale of woe and desperation. I am sure the people who suffered thru slavery and fought to get that amendment past, or the people in the “bathtub” who lost everything in a hurricane and in many cases couldn’t put their life back together again can relate to your misfortune.
I do hope that the next film you make that is funded by a major studio and marketed like it’s the first loaf of white bread doesn’t come with such adversity and anguish.
Poor Ben, your tale has inspired me. Thanks for running on about it. I am thinking of starting a “Poor Ben Affleck” fund. I cannot look such suffering in the face and not do anything about it.
It was also great seeing Chris Terrio saying something nice to Tony Kushner.
It was also great seeing Chris Terrio saying something nice to Tony Kushner.
He seems like a really great guy.
I also don’t think “Argo” deserved the win by a long shot, but Affleck’s speech was very humble and respectful of his peers (him calling Spielberg “a genius” was wonderful). Very much the shining example of a classy acceptance speech.
In the end, we will remember more Afflec’s speech than Argo itself. I’m sorry, but Argo will never be a better movie than Lincoln, Life of Pi or even BOTSW. But well, they were in the moment and that moment said they liked Argo better. I would have loved to see a race with Afflec nominated as director. I bet it would have been a completely different and much better race. This Afflec pitty awards tour was too much. Too much in fact that it turn out to be pretty obvious winners last night. Except for Lincoln winning Production Design, we pretty much expected what happened. It turn out to be a pretty boring awards show. Except for Seth. He made me laugh. He reminded us how silly this whole thing really is.
So just to make peace of it… Lincoln joined 2001, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Saving Private Ryan, Citizen Kane, Raging Bull, L.A. Confidential, Vertigo, Brokeback Mountain, Fargo (and many more). Not a bad list to be on. Maybe even better than the list of winners.
Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms!