She Likes to Watch

Welcome to the Tribune’s features staff blog, SLO Goings. It’s a place for the staff of Central Coast Living and the Ticket section to talk about the latest in arts and entertainment news.

Is it just me or were the Oscars a little more fun this year?
Sure, the big prizes came as no surprise: Forrest Whitaker, Helen Mirren, Martin Scorsese. And the evening swept along smoothly with good will and gentle joking from TV comedienne Ellen DeGeneres.
Here’s what made the Oscars speed by:

• A sound effects choir recreating screeching tires, “Singing In the Rain” and the shower scene from “Psycho.”
• Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly threatening to thrash Peter O’Toole and romancing a bemused-looking Helen Mirren with their lament about comedians at the Oscars.
• Interpretive dance troupe Pilobolus, known for its acrobatic Hyundai ad, re-creating shadow puppets of everything from the penguins in “Happy Feet” to that pitchfork shoe from “The Devil Wears Prada.” (The icon for “Snakes on a Plane” was more memorable than the movie.)
• Great gowns, quick-paced dance numbers and well-deserved awardees.
  That’s what I call a party.THE BEST: Plenty of moving moments in the acceptance speeches by best acting winners Forrest Whitaker and Helen Mirren. Whitaker proved he’s more teddy bear than terror with a near-tears speech about his humble upbringings and dreams of connecting to “that belief in of all of us.” And Mirren provided what is sure to be this year’s most popular sound bite, hefting her Oscar and announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, the queen.”MARTIN SCORSESE: We all saw this one coming. The fast-talking director with the fierce eyebrows accepted his statuette from a trio of his peers — Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas — before greeting a standing ovation with the words, “Could you double-check the envelope?”
  Very terse. Very direct. Very Marty.
  Film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, who won for “The Departed,” said it best: “Working with Marty is quite something. It’s tumultuous, passionate, funny … and like being in the best film school in the world.”

  MAN OF THE HOUR: Even with Marty’s big triumph, former vice president Al Gore nearly stole the show with his documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Eco-celebrity Leonardo DiCaprio called him a “true champion of the cause” and joked that he should announce a new run for president. (Gore replied, “I’m just here for the movies, Leo.”) Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge thanked Gore for showing her that “caring about the environment is not Republican or Democratic.”
  He looks pretty good in a tux, too.

  INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR: As several presenters noted, this was one of the most international Oscar ceremonies in years. With Spain, Japan, Germany and Africa in the running, Mexico’s “Pan’s Labryrinth” became this year’s “little film that could” with wins for cinematography, art direction and makeup.
  Here’s the local connection: Santa Maria firm Café FX created all the visual effects in “Pan’s Labyrinth” and acted as associate producer of the film.

  SPRING HAS SPRUNG: Spring arrived to the Oscars with a wave of gauzy pastels. Kate Winslet and Beyonce Knowles went for light green gowns with sweeping, over-the-shoulder draping.
  Cate Blanchett squeezed into a sparkling shark-silver sheath, a huge contrast to Penelope Cruz’s dramatic spread of champagne-colored feathers.
  There were a few missteps, however. Jennifer Lopez’s crystal-encrusted Greek goddess gown looked dated and dowdy. Gwyneth Paltrow — remember her “poor little Goth girl” misstep in 2002? — paired pleats and peach. And Kirsten Dunst’s sequins, feathers and collar created one confusing silvery gown. No wonder she looked so tired.
  As for the men, even Ellen DeGeneres’ suits were more inventive. Still, Djimon Hounsou looked GQ handsome with necktie and shades.