Kathryn Bigelow, director of "The Hurt Locker." Photo courtesy of Wire Image.
Depending on where you stand in the battle between brave, war-hardened soldiers and the noble Na’vi, the 82nd Annual Academy Awards telecast was either capped by a great victory or a massive upset.
“The Hurt Locker” won the night, defeating “Avatar” for Best Picture and creating history by making Kathryn Bigelow the first woman to take home a Best Directing Oscar. To think it only took 82 years!
If you’d like a sense of how long of a wait that is…well, you only had to watch this year’s Academy Awards telecast from beginning to end. Hype and oddsmaking aside, this had to be one of the dullest Oscar nights in recent memory, and we reached that opinion long before it ran more than half an hour overtime.
Certainly the 2010 Oscar telecast had its moments; the tribute John Hughes was catnip to all the children of the ’80s tuning in, and it was legitimately touching, as was the In Memoriam montage set to a live performance by James Taylor. Neil Patrick Harris’s surprise opening number was a winner (if not le…gen…wait for it…), but rare is the time when NPH isn’t a welcome addition to our TV screens. (…dary.)
The problem was almost everything else. Oscar’s ode to horror films, for example, inexplicably included a frame from “Edward Scissorhands”. The thing felt strangely out of place. (And a note to Kristen Stewart: If you’re going to present at Hollywood’s biggest event, can you please muster up a smidgen of faux cheer for a couple of hours? You’re an actress, for crying out loud, not an undertaker’s wife.)
(P.S. We apologize to any undertaker’s wives we might have offended with that statement.)
(P.P.S. But seriously Kristen…leave the sneer at home with your jeans next time.)
Then there were our hosts. No need get your pants in a twist — Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin did just fine. But didn’t the idea of Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin hosting sound stupendous at first blush? The reality fell quite short of those expectations. From what we know of these men and their comedic abilities, one would never think that the term “workmanlike” would describe their tag-team hosting stint. Yet, that’s what we got Sunday night. Martin and Baldwin hit their marks and made us laugh at all the right moments, but there were no surprises. Nothing off the book or unexpected. Their joint opening monologue was pleasant, but this is Oscar night. Oscar demands all things to sparkle.
Alas, most of the night’s glitter was provided by Neil Patrick Harris’s performance blazer and the bodice of Zoe Saldana’s gown. We were promised magic, and were left bored out of our skulls. We wanted extraordinary fashion, or even some equivalent of Bjork wearing a comatose swan on the Red Carpet, but the stars and their stylists behaved themselves. We wanted to be wowed by jaw-dropping art direction and choreography worthy of Busby Berkeley’s legacy, but instead, we were served a hot mess of interpretive poppin’ and lockin’. (Why, Adam Shankman…why?)
All of that was window dressing to the main event: “Avatar” vs. “The Hurt Locker” and the saltier undercard, director James Cameron versus his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow. When the dust cleared and “The Hurt Locker” and Bigelow were declared the winners, a major blow was landed on behalf of indie filmmakers everywhere.
The final trophy count: “Hurt Locker” 6, “Avatar,” 3. It was a feel-good victory, no question. Nevertheless, we will always be haunted by the notion that we never got to see James Cameron make a bombastic, quoteworthy thank you speech delivered completely in Na’vi.
But that’s the way all Oscar telecasts go; the victories are either just and deserved, or complete travesties. It’s all in how you look at it. Tomorrow, there will be many celebrating Mo’Nique’s victory or sniffing that her Best Supporting Actress win was overrated; there will be Sandra Bullock fans who will be in the position of defending her Best Actress trophy to those who believe Meryl Streep was robbed.
As for Jeff Bridges winning Best Actor and Christoph Waltz dancing off with Best Supporting Actor…it’s a fair guess most people are just fine with those wins.
What did you think of the show? Cast your vote in our day-after Oscar poll, and check out our full list of 2010 nominees at winners here. Miss something? You can find scores of photos here, or click here for a full recap of the show.
#1 by Robert - March 8th, 2010 at 01:17
I always think that their is always so must Oscar hype rested in the hosts. I got what I expected. I wasn’t expecting brilliance, and I was duly satisfied. It seems to be an Oscar staple to belittle the hosts, but in this case I do not think it is warranted.
#2 by Peter Brandt Nielsen - March 8th, 2010 at 02:10
Did it run overtime? Three and a half hours is not unusual at all for the Oscars.
#3 by uncle joe mccarthy - March 8th, 2010 at 03:16
the ode to horror films was worthless, and edward scissorhands was not the only clip in there that made no sence…they put in young frankenstein and the musical version of little shop of horrors…tons of classics were left out, but they put in leprechaun? and if excorcist was the last major horror film to win awards, what the heck was silence of the lambs…and they included it in a clip
the entire ode was pointless
and way to burn roger corman and lauren bacall by giving their presentations at another event
so i guess we have to wait for both of them to die so they can get the hughes treatment
i would fire everyone who was in charge of this years telecast…it was a mess
#4 by Popel Rigbert - March 8th, 2010 at 03:36
True comment about travestie or deserving… but Streep’s 12 nominations unavailing nominations are unfair… and speaking about nations… Avatar is a pro peace movie, The Hurt Locker a pro war movie. Why did the latter win?
–>And before anyone tackles the “pro war”-comment, please think
#5 by Ben - March 8th, 2010 at 03:42
I have to disagree. I think it was one of the better Oscar ceremonies of the last few decades. Steve & Alec were great (“the plural is not whoreses”) and I loved the dance number. It was nice to see the Oscars embracing the idea of the generation to come and I’m referring to the encouragement on how to get started in the industry, not the plonking of Twilight stars on the stage.
#6 by Joud - March 8th, 2010 at 03:47
well.. im furious about couple of oscars. best actress is one. Just a question, what could Streep do more? 14 times loss in a row. she was nominated in all genres of roles, comedies, tragidies, family, musicals…etc with no win. every actress who won against her was and still is of a lower class. i dont know. sometimes politics should play a role in this. Bullock could have waited. this was her first serious role in her life (the only one i would guess) and she got the oscar and although it was a challenging part, Streep swept her. She sweeps everyone but Academy members are taking her for granted. if i were her, i would stop making films and lets see who are the genious actress to win next year (prepare yourself Megan Fox!). PS. Bullock is the first actor on earth to win a Razzi and an oscar same year !!!! how nice
the other one is the original screenplay. i mean come the **** on! The hurt locker. Maybe if the category was missing QT’s script i would have passed this. but seriously. Inglorious Basterds in my opinion is the best movie of QT and he did not won the oscar. Not even the Golden globe, Up in the air won! seriously cinema members. arent you ashamed of yourselves.
#7 by Joseph Tages - March 8th, 2010 at 04:38
It did run a while longer than expected. Tom Hanks rushed in and simply announced the Best Picture winner! I was touched by the tribute to John Hughes, wasn’t expecting that one. Jeff Bridges and Kathryn Bigelow’s wins were the highlights of the evening for me. What a historic moment for the lovely Kathryn. She was very humble about it. What a great lady. Jeff Bridges has always been my favorite, this was finally his time to shine. I loved how he often mentioned his family. Way to go, Dude!
#8 by John - March 8th, 2010 at 04:38
It went 4 hours
#9 by Rebecca - March 8th, 2010 at 04:44
I’m so glad that a woman has finally won the best director. I haven’t yet seen Hurtlocker but from all of the awards its got it sounds like its work watching. Don’t get me wrong, i think that Avatar was an amazing film for its visual effects but the story line was very predictable. All in all i think that the best people got the awards (including Sandra Bullock who is an amazing actress)!
#10 by Ze Pete - March 8th, 2010 at 05:27
I just praise the lord that Avatar didn’t win it would be the end of all sacred in the seventh art!
#11 by Gavin Jackson - March 8th, 2010 at 06:13
Went on forever and there were too many needless awards (I mean who really cares about foreign short films anyway). Also in the past, the actor and actress award were usually given out just prior to director and movie awards. This time there were about 8 other awards presented in between them. And Ben stiller as a Navi not only wasn’t funny, but dragged on and on.
#12 by Gaston Bacquet - March 8th, 2010 at 06:19
Although there were some enjoyable moments, I thought the show was overall dull and lacked sparkle. I thought the hosts were good, but some of the presenters were there as a promotional act and lacked glamour; I thought at times I was watching the Teeens Choice Awards (that’s just my opinion for what is worth). I think about other Oscar shows that were very emotional, gripping and interesting. This wasn’t one of them for me.
#13 by Nagle - March 8th, 2010 at 06:48
Regarding the Hosts: I always thought Billy Crystal had the right mix of ‘What a joy it is to be an entertainer,–but we’re not curing cancer here.”
Glad The Hurt Locker beat Avatar simply so we don’t get a rash of semi-animated movies. But, instead we’ll probably get a rash of Iaqi War movies.
Don’t know why John Hughes deserved so much praise, or worship, if you like.
Finally, I would like to see for once, a visual rundown of the better movies of the year that didn’t get any attention. There are dozens of them. After all, isn’t this show all about promoting the industry of The Movies?
#14 by KristopherR - March 8th, 2010 at 06:49
There was nothing wrong with the show last night. It could have been a little funnier. Plus, the “In Memoriam” part should always be purely musical–not singing.
That’s just irritating.
It was nice to see Michelle Pfeiffer
#15 by Bonzo Grape - March 8th, 2010 at 07:24
The Hurt Locker is probably the more overrated film I’ve ever seen win Best Picture. Really, really disappointing. Thin, shoddy script, poor directing, cinematography, etc.
Sorry to all you out there who thought this deserved the nod because it’s an anti-Iraq war movie — it’s NOT. It’s a crappy story about a guy who can’t get enough juice – that’s it. If the writer intended it to be the former, then I cement my argument that the screenplay is poor.
This picture won because of a female director – and nothing less. Reminds me of when Sofia Coppola won a few years back for that absolute garbage film with Bill Murray.
I’d rank Hurt Locker at the very bottom of all films I’ve seen from 2009 – sorry – but calling it like it is.
When will the Academy put on an honest show ??
#16 by Junior - March 8th, 2010 at 07:36
Well, why a 250 million dollar movie if you can have one for 11 million to win 6 statues? Why give 6 statues for a flop and give nothing in return for an-almost 2 billion worldwide boxoffice movie? A shoot on the foot. But I guess that 2010’s Oscars was a little-little unpredictable because, at least, people were expecting Avatar and The Hurt Locker to share the main categories, keeping each one of them any of the statues… but what would it be? James Cameron surelly deserved the best direction for all his visionary thing and as a researcher, but also Kathryn because The Hurt Locker direction is a prime. Avatar deserved the Best Movie because, you know… there will be a time that each single person in the world will have watched it, but also deserved The Hurt Locker because, technically, is one of the best movies in the last 5 years. Sandra Bullock deserved it, also Meryl Streep… but Meryl doesn’t need another statue because she already is a part of it. Best Original Screenplay for The Hurt Locker? Definitely not… Quentin deserved it. Best documentary for The Cove? I don’t think so… Burma VJ is a very interesting thing and just for their effort to make that film, they deserved it. The rest… everything was ok.
#17 by Simon Templar - March 8th, 2010 at 07:51
You are spot on with your evaluation of Oscar night (2009). It was dull, with a capital “D”. No glitz, no glamor, no fun, no cheer… just drab folks, regurgitating stale lines on behalf of their below par performances.
There should be a recount, heads oughta roll, real winners must be crowned and the fakers who got politically correct Oscars should return them forthwith.
#18 by Thesar - March 8th, 2010 at 08:12
All, I can say, is how bland the Oscars were this year.. but thank GOD they didn’t vote in Avatar. It shouldn’t have been nominated for best pic anyways.
#19 by Creel - March 8th, 2010 at 08:23
And did I miss Farrah Fawcett in the In Memoriam segment? Why was she not included?
#20 by Alejandro - March 8th, 2010 at 10:07
The sudden and abrupt ending simply capped off an odd and mediocre night. The show clearly went over as Tom Hanks was forced to deliver a Twitter style presentation of the award with no build up whatsoever.
#21 by marcela - March 8th, 2010 at 10:08
Christoph Waltz deservered his award.
#22 by Adam T - March 8th, 2010 at 10:47
“Odd and mediocre” may describe the Oscars, but it also describes 2009 in film. Not that there weren’t some really well-made films by people who deserve recognition, but the year on the whole just failed to impress. It’s been awhile since such a lackluster list of nominees has been assembled.
#23 by Joey - March 8th, 2010 at 11:09
Sandra deserved it. She’s classy, intelligent, beautiful and very talented. She’s been in the business a long time and deserves to be honored for her work.
Same can be said for Jeff!
Christoph is a gentleman and showed true sportsmanship recognizing that it’s not a competition but rather he and the other actor nominees have formed a wonderful camaraderie and friendship.
Mo’Nique was just plain weird. And came off arrogant. No one wants to see an actor get up there and act like they deserve the award. A little humility goes a long way.
Congrats to the talented and beautiful Kathryn Bigelow and to her amazing yet simple story in The Hurt Locker.
Alec and Steve were great! Farrah was definitely missing from the memorial and I knew someone was missing but I couldn’t figure it out at the time. Overall I think it was a great night!
#24 by Kara - March 8th, 2010 at 11:33
Someone is really complaining that Sandra Bullock won over Meryl Streep? Really? I mean, Meryl Streep is absolutely fantastic, no doubt, but the Oscar award for Best Actress is (or, should be, rather) which actress gave the best single performance THAT YEAR. It’s not about who has the best body of work over their lifetime. If Sandra Bullock’s performance in The Blind Side was better than Streep’s (practically yearly) nom – as the Academy voters apparently determined it was – then she SHOULD win. Just because Streep is legendary doesn’t mean every performance is automatically better than everyone else’s.
And why did The Hurt Locker win over Avatar? It’s actually quite simple – presumably because it’s a better movie. Again, this awards show is (or rather, again, should be) about which movie is the best-made movie, not about politics. Which movie is overall best acted, best directed, with the best script, etc. This includes but is not limited to special effects.
#25 by Yoann - March 8th, 2010 at 12:10
Yeahhhh
Only 29 movies with the theme: the war in Irak…. not counting the endless hours on the subject on TV !!!
Pease! Please! make another movie about soldiers !! They are so rare…
#26 by shining - March 8th, 2010 at 12:11
THE HURT LOCKER as it shows here in IMDB is a movie from 2008 ,HOW COME it gets nominated in 2010???
#27 by Mobila bucatarie - March 8th, 2010 at 12:32
Avatar was pretty much The Dark Knight from last year. Almost the same awards, almost the same expectations.
The best picture winner is not a surprise for anyone. The only surprise for me, was The Hurt Locker winning the best screenplay against Up in the Air.
The best part of the ceremony was the speech of Sandra Bullock.
#28 by Mac - March 8th, 2010 at 12:40
@Popel Rigbert
The avatar film is a movie about humans and big weird blue aliens at war over the latters home world. It made many vietnam war references where the big bad soliders decide to kill everyone, the acting was dredful, the cgi was migrane inducing and the story was outdated, unorginal and boring. Also saying its pro-peace aint exactly true either considering the extremely dull finally. Course you could argue the fact that they were defending themselfs but that just proves you cant have peace without war baby, and The Hurt Locker wasnt trying to be anything there was no hidden meanings it was an action film which was superbly done with great acting and story telling which in the end beats even the most expensive cgi based film commited to the screens. James Cameron should have remade Aliens.
#29 by Dustin - March 8th, 2010 at 12:41
Well said. A cautious Oscar show for pretty cautious Oscar selections.
I got the feeling with pre-show press of skits being dropped (like Sacha Baron Cohen’s supposedly irrevent send-up of Avatar) that they wanted to take no chances with upsetting anyone. What’s the adage, nothing risked nothing gained?
Where have the brash days of musical numbers by Will Ferrel and Jack Black gone? Where is Billy Crystal musically introducing us to the nonminees? When did the Oscars go CSPAN?
I wish I could say that Tom Hank’s no-nonsense, flat delivery of the winner for Best Picture was a microcosm for entire, lifeless evening, but as business-like as his address was, at least it was pithy.
#30 by phil - March 8th, 2010 at 12:46
mo’nique is an arrogant person. she’s glad the academy wasn’t political in choosing her — ???? what did that mean? if someone else other than her won the oscar – the academy was being political??? how obnoxious of her!!!! she a hyprocrite becasue SHE was being political just by making that statement. i bet, in real life, she’s really like the mother in “precious.”
#31 by Macrofun - March 8th, 2010 at 13:20
What kind of people post here? English is my second language, but I even know that it is not “made no SENCE” Uncle Joe McCarthy, “WORK watching” Rebecca but best of all “RASH of semi-animated movies” dear Nagle… I’m getting a rash just by thinking about them. The Oscars WAS very boring, I watch it every year, John Hughes was not such a huge talent that he deserved that segment, and the introduction of the Best Male and Best Female actors was waaaay too long and unnecessary. The most boring Oscars ever, but The Hurt Locker had a great victory. Hopefully more people will go see theis NOT pro-war movie.
#32 by dROK - March 8th, 2010 at 13:28
I didn’t watch this year, had better things to do. But after reading the results I’m glad I didn’t. Really, Best Supporting Actor is the only award the Basterds got? And no offense to anyone on here, The Hurtlocker wasn’t a great movie. It wasn’t even visually entertaining the way Avatar was (which was about the only thing it had going for it).
After speaking with many of my friends who are currently serving or have served in the military, some in that specific field, in that region, I find out that it isn’t even a good representation of how things work. So why all the awards? Definitely wasn’t box office success.
I don’t think Avatar deserved best picture either, to be honest it should’ve been between District 9 and Inglourious Basterds, these were probably two of the best films in that group, and I would’ve given the edge to the Basterds on that one.
All I have to say is there must be a lot of bitter ex-wives in the Academy.
#33 by Elle - March 8th, 2010 at 16:35
Bring back Hugh Jackman, this show was crying out for some class. Steve Martin is a jerk. Better to have Alec alone; he seemed subdued, and the 2 of them were very boring as a team. Every year it’s too long – they need to find someone who knows how to edit, make it snappy – they need to eliminate some categories (short films – how many viewers really see those?); not from getting awards, just from the telecast. The dance #s were awful – even NP Harris, who is actually talented. Most of all – LOSE the nastiness; the vulgar jokes, cheap shots, mean-spirited comments that miss their mark for laughs. It’s supposed to be Hollywood’s biggest night – it should be a class act; speaking of which: CONGRATUALTIONS KATHRYN BIGELOW!
#34 by Mack - March 8th, 2010 at 17:35
I remember when I used to love watching the Oscars! I believe it was in the 60s and 70s. They’d do a terrific job in every category–costume, writing, film editing.
I think the problem is the movies. The wrong ones are being nominated. The ones nominated are the best of a poor batch. The actors just aren’t as strong as they once were.
Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin made me laugh out loud! They were hilarious.
#35 by shining - March 9th, 2010 at 01:31
can anybody answer my question that why The hurt locker got nominated in 2010 when the film was made and released in 2008??????????????
#36 by Adam Phillips - March 9th, 2010 at 08:36
The Oscars wre pretty bad this year. Not only was the telecast dull, the winners were not exactly correct. Reitman should have got the screenplay award as should have Inglorious Basterds. Other than that they were pretty good. The White Ribbon should have won though. Actually the best part of the show was the dance interpretation to the musical scores.
#37 by Adam Phillips - March 9th, 2010 at 08:45
In my opinion there were only six films that came out last year that people will remember and celebrate in years to come.
1.The Hurt Locker
2.Avatar (strictly for it visual prowess and technical achievment).
3.(500) Days of Summer (will mark the emergence of Marc Webb)
4.Inglorious Basterds
5.Up in the air
6.Fantastic Mr. Fox
#38 by Bonzo Grape - March 9th, 2010 at 09:21
Hurt(in) Locker was a TERRIBLE movie. Not even CLOSE to best of anything – except maybe Best DVD to throw in the trash.
A very poor overall film.
Where was Star Trek ?????? Or can’t the Academy acknowledge pop movies. They blew off Dark Knight last year. Both of these movies are well over 100 times better than Hurt (in) Locker.
#39 by Twan - March 9th, 2010 at 16:04
I have the feeling that the academy members lost touch with the audience. 2,5 Billion vs 14 Million. Yeah, the public definitely liked the Hurt Locker more, that’s why they ALL went to the cinema to see this movie.
Rediculous winner!
#40 by shaun - March 11th, 2010 at 21:51
well said !!! Hurt Locker is just a piece of garbage !!!
#41 by Gregory - March 12th, 2010 at 02:23
Judging is a poor substitute for appreciation. These films are stories about us. They describe you and me, whether you like it or not. They are mirrors, as all stories are. They reflect back to us not only our current situation, but some possibilities for the future. Film stories ask us to decide, not judge.
I took a film course many years ago that taught me about the eclectic nature of the film medium. Color, texture, movement, form, structure, language, music, so many elements to use in self-expression, to tell a story. Film leveled the playing ground and upped the ante, for it qualified all the criticisms directed at the other media that preceded it – literature, painting, photography, sculpture, even architecture. We want to know the truth about ourselves, want answers to our questions, want something so real and close to us that it perhaps takes less effort to solve our problems. I hope, whoever you are, you want to know more about your life, and aren’t too sure that you have all the answers. No one film does, just as no one person in your life does. You find the answers to your questions, with help. So it becomes how open a person is to possibilities, and this requires imagination.
The most salient (meaningful) comment I’ve ever read about acting is that the great actors are honest. Simply that. And regarding stories, not just through film, is that they are great when they touch some universal chord which all of us have in common. John Hughes told stories about kids, and he did this very well. Have an issue with kids, or the kid within yourself, you might not appreciate his work. It’s okay, your decision. Still, this is a universal experience, being a kid, whatever culture. It is whatever you want it to be. That’s our power. That is the human imagination.
We can get into sucky mud when we watch the Academy Awards. Quicksand that sucks away our imagination sometimes. It’s not where we are now, it’s how much we want to be where we want to go, and to do this we must, not recreate the past, but create our future. I might be a gum sucking Okie, or a white bread New England politician, or a wacky smoking Californian, the bottom line is still the same.
I found the Academy Awards interesting for two reasons:
The first is that Avatar did not win, yet was/is one of the highest grossing films in history.
Second, while people comment on how boring or mishandled the awards show was, film is story driven, so it’s not what happens in the story, it’s what you want to happen. Since all our stories are about us, and because they are all about where we are right now, you are asked to look once again into the mirror, to look at yourself. This is righteous, truly is. Strip away the judgement and you come up with people dealing with racial oppression that has been happening for over a century, a woman who fights racial oppression out of the kindness of her heart, a man who has been literally hurt and is trying to work through the pain, a woman who learns the importance of food, and a recreation of war.
Right now, trillions, yes, not millions of dollars are being funneled into our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a fact. And the unemployed are awaiting some decision from the government on where to find the funds to continue their support. We’ve seen this before in a different context. So look at these movies, film stories. Each and every one speaks to our current situation.
If we are to ever be different, better at being who we are than what we have been, we need reminders and pointers. This is difficult, because we each must decide “what is better” and “who are we.” We can use logic, our brains, we can use our hearts. Or we can use both.
Great stories repeat themselves. The more things change, the more they are the same. I’ve been hurt, very hurt. I have no desire to see more disabling of explosives than I’ve done myself. Avatar inspires me, and somehow takes away a bit of the pain of the war we seem to do repeatedly.
#42 by ramesh chandra - March 16th, 2010 at 01:39
well……the jury might have thought to make it bit funny by givin away the award to kathryn ….rather than his ex-hubby who desrved it the most….