When I first heard this news I was hoping they would be performing some of the showstoppers from Chicago. But alas, no.
Academy Award® winner’s Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones will join their “Chicago” cast mates Richard Gere and Queen Latifah to present together on-stage at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.
His last name is Russell. The “O” is a middle initial. He may be Irish, but he isn’t O’Russell. David Russell. Middle initial “O”. That is all.
Could they be presenting some sort of video tribute for musicals and not a category in itself? Or maybe simply introducing the tribute?
I’m happy to see Renee Zellweger.
Love this movie and cast.
Another dream cast presentation would be the actors from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”:
Jack Nicholson
Louise Fletcher
Brad Dourif
Danny DeVito
Christopher Lloyd
(Too bad Scatman Crothers and Will Sampson have passed on; would certainly have included them also.)
I think we’re on to something here. I agree with what somebody else said on this site: seeing these cast reunions would be so much more interesting than annoying Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, et al. other untalented skanks.
If you’re going to celebrate film, then celebrate QUALITY film by presenting truly talented people who have proved their mettle already.
Antoinette said:
‘Hmm…. How are George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, and Richard Beymer doing? We know Russ Tamblyn was in DJANGO UNCHAINED. Hmm….
Can I also put in a request for Olivia Newton John and John Travolta?’
All alive! I was thinking the same thing. I would be more impressed with the reunited cast of West Side Story or Cabaret. Saw Liza, Joel Grey, Marisa Berensen and Michael York on The View a few weeks ago. Still lively.
Those were much more iconic films than Chicago.
“Please, Argo wishes it has the staying power of Chicago.”
You mean the power of being almost completely forgotten, except for the fact that it won Best Picture over much better movies?
“Is Chicago really regarded a bad winner these days, though? I remember that everyone took The Pianist’s last minute surge as a sign that Oscar had made a big mistake that would be looked back upon in disdain, but, really, which one is better remembered these days?”
The answer is simple: look at Rob Marshall’s career.
Chicago only won because after the success of Moulin Rouge!, Harvey played the “wouldn’t it be great if a musical won again after so long?” card, and of course he “coincidentally” had a musical.
hmm…I wonder what category they’re going to present…(said with sarcasm)
Reunion stunts are a great feature. i recall several years ago they had different reunited cast ensembles do all of the presenting on the EMMY’s. it was the best EMMY show ever. my wish for the Oscars would be some inventive presenters assembled for, say, sound effects and have a group of famous voice talents take the stage that you never saw on the screen. people like Douglas Rain, Marnie Nixon, Mercedes McCambridge, the ladies behind Belle,Ariel, etc. that would be so much more fun than having to look at Cameron Diaz year after year.
Going against my family-proclaimed snobby tastes, I have to say I would much rather watch Chicago any day over The Pianist which was a bit overrated IMO.
2002, for me, was all about Adaptation, Far From Heaven, Spirited Away (though I loved Lilo and Stitch!) and Y Tu Mama Tambien. Shame none of those movies were represented in the Best Pic race.
Ryan,
Thanks for the links.
—
By the way, in your Twitpic’s profile pic, you look like Alain Delon. : )
Is Chicago really regarded a bad winner these days, though? I remember that everyone took The Pianist’s last minute surge as a sign that Oscar had made a big mistake that would be looked back upon in disdain, but, really, which one is better remembered these days?
It’s quite funny what movies are celebrated on the telecast in videos and interludes, always the same perceived most popular winners: Titanic, Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, etc. Now Chicago…how about celebrating a film that everyone knows was great, even if Oscar passed it over??
If you are doing reunions, celebrating great casts at least do it right–Lawrence of Arabia, Godfather, Bonnie and Clyde–all great selections!!! This is what the Academy Awards should celebrate. Reminds me of the Oscar Family Album actor reunions which were very nice.
My dream cast reunion for an Oscar show to present?
How about:
Warren Beatty
Faye Dunaway
Gene Hackman
Estelle Parsons
Michael J. Pollard
All Oscar nominees from 1967’s “Bonnie and Clyde”?
They could present only one of two Oscars ever given to that movie, Best Cinematography.
I couldn’t help spotting in random a few comments or more in a couple of threads, this one included, discussing O. Russell making face, allegedly obviously upset when Lawrence missed the BAFTAs Leading Actress win.
+I need to see it to believe it. When I first saw Tarantino’s close-up face during the Basterds (Oscars) year on TV when the other nominee was announced as winner, he looked to me back then like he was obviously being upset, too. Then I’d come to see him (on the internet) during the interviews/other events from time to time later, some sort of revelation gained, I just realized that he’s sort of got that face by default – you know, the I-need-to-go-to-toilet kind of face. : )
So, for now, (O. Russell) innocent until +proven guilty.
I need to see it to believe it.
The J Viewer,
decide for yourself.
http://twitpic.com/c2ono0
the video is worse, because you get to see the mocking ‘slow-clap’ and you realize the screenshot is not just a random awkward freeze-frame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37u99sEhfKY
the moment is at 02:44
Love the Oscar program concentration on the musical genre. Maybe it is the zeitgeist of the time, but I am sick and tired of blood, gore, violence, and evil intensity just for the sake of the suspenseful drama of it all. Bring back music, dance, joy, high ideals, and hope just for a little relief.
I hope they do one of the two for best picture:
1. O’Toole and Sharif – 50th anniversary
2. Pacino, Duvall, Caan and maybe De Niro – 40th anniversary
Or Maybe Coppola could present Directing.
O. Russell is a jerk. He could put on a very friendly and supportive face, but he remains a jerk. And he should actually watch Riva and then vote for her and not Lawrence. Lawrence was good in a bad movie but she’s nowhere near Riva. And by the way, I love how obviously furious she is. Chastain knew she wouldn’t win but she was obviously enjoying it. Mirren didn’t care at all. Cotillard wanted to win even though she knew she had no shot.
This show is turning into something really weird. I can’t say I’m not intrigued, but far from being extatic. My only hope and faith is in Seth.
As for the David O. Russell face, I really hope that his reaction gets enough attention to generate some negative emotions against SLP. If you don’t have class when you loose than you don’t deserve to win. The least those two could do is acknowledge that Riva won and not give the “who the fuck is that old lady?” face. Shame.
Please, Argo wishes it has the staying power of Chicago.
CHICAGO FUCK YOURSELF!
How appropriate that they bring the cast of a 3rd rate movie that didn’t win Best Director and has been largely forgotten by audiences and critics in a year that Argo is the frontrunner.
They should also bring Rob Marshall on stage to say to Ben: “I AM YOU TOMORROW! WHAHHAHAHAHAH”.
Hmm…. How are George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, and Richard Beymer doing? We know Russ Tamblyn was in DJANGO UNCHAINED. Hmm….
Can I also put in a request for Olivia Newton John and John Travolta? 😀
That Emmanuelle Riva wins Oscar to see another stupid face of David O. Russell seeing Jennifer Lawrence loses the award. The same stupid face he puts on Bafta Award when Riva gets the award.
Poor Amos always gets left behind.
Well, they could conceivably present Best Picture, since it’s the 10-year anniversary of Chicago winning. But probably more likely score or song. Hopefully the Best Picture presenter(s) is an inspired surprise.
…Unless I read that wrong and they’re just presenting a tech category like Score or Song.
That will still be fun. I agree, it’s nice to see reunions, particularly with someone like Zellweger who hasn’t been as visible in recent years.
But the Chicago cast handing Argo the award will just be a way of saying fuck you to the Directors Branch.
I think I like this idea of reuniting casts, memorable collaborations at the Oscars. Hopefully it works on the telecast….certainly better than just getting “hot” people to bring in the younger demographic. Now I would absolutely LOVE to see the reuniting of a killer onscreen duo, like Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins together to present Best Picture one year. That would be incredible!