March 3, 2005

Street Talk by Carol Rosen

Did you watch the Academy Awards Ceremony? What did you like or dislike about the show, the clothes, the speeches and the awards themselves?
(Asked at Via Valiente Plaza)


“The gowns were very lovely this year, stylish without being too gaudy. I felt the actresses didn’t try to be too outlandish this year. Chris Rock was so-so as the emcee, but I did love his joke about giving out awards in the parking lot, that was funny. Actually, I thought the whole event was too long and boring. The red carpet stuff started at 3 [p.m.] and there was a pre-red carpet show that was about nothing. There was nothing interesting about these shows, and we really didn’t need the pre-red carpet show. There was too much talk before the awards.

They even asked Arnold [on an earlier news show] who he thought would win. Actually, I haven’t seen any of the movies; I’m waiting until they come out on video.”

Sally Bowman, 50ish
Almaden
Site Director

“It [the show] was okay. Chris Rock was okay. Robin Williams was hysterical and Sean Penn’s remarks bothered me. I think Julie Roberts, when she wiped the lipstick off Clint Eastwood, was trying to upstage Clint. Halle Berry looked gorgeous and elegant, but she would look good in a garbage bag. Hillary Swank seems to be a sweetheart, a breath of fresh air, although her gown was cut a little low in the back. I was really pleased that Jaime Foxx won, especially with his speech about his grandmother. I didn’t think the show was too long. My wife and I discussed who would make a good emcee and we decided maybe Jay Leno, but we’re really tired of Whoopie Goldberg.”

Ted Whiding, 57
Campbell
Southern Wine and Spirits

“I didn’t watch it. I was on an airplane and I wouldn’t have watched it even if we had been home. I haven’t seen any of the movies yet, I’m too busy being a mom. [Some of] the Hollywood personalities really get to me. They rub me the wrong way. I think they are demeaning to people who have different politics. “

Jennifer Bridges, 37
Almaden
Homemaker


“My wife watched it and I saw bits and pieces of it. I don’t care for it. I enjoy the movies, but I don’t think with have to glorify the people with those statues. I saw almost all the movies and like them. I saw “Million Dollar Baby,” “The Aviator” and “Sideways.” I haven’t seen “Finding Neverland,” but I will if my wife takes me. Actually, I thought his [Johnny Depp’s] tuxedo went a little overboard. I don’t think the guy has to outdo the women.”

Ron Trapin, 66
Almaden
Retired

“We only saw the last 10 minutes; quite honestly we were at the movies. I’m happy that Clint Eastwood won. My husband and I thought that the Aviator would win and we thought it was a mediocre movie. I thought some of the dresses, I saw them in the paper today, were very pretty. Oprah and Halle Berry both looked wonderful.”

Marjorie McCarthy, 58
Almaden
Retired

“I watched parts of it, I didn’t watch it all. I’m into all that but it was family time and we wanted to spend our time talking. The dresses, although I didn’t pay that much attention to it, seemed to be classy, especially the one Charlize Theron was wearing. I knew Jamie Foxx would win and I was happy about that. I didn’t see Hillary Swank win, she won another one for “Boys Don’t Cry,” but I didn’t see “Million Dollar Baby.”

Eileen Giacalone, 50
Almaden
Homemaker

“I didn’t watch it. I don’t really care what those Academy people think. It’s all politics anyway; they give it to the people who haven’t already gotten one. I did think that Jamie Foxx deserved the award, though; I saw “Ray” and loved it. I want to see “Million Dollar Baby” too because Clint Eastwood is a good director. Instead of watching it, I was helping put brake lines into my friend’s ’65 Barracuda.”

Gary Sunbury, 34
Willow Glen
Construction

“I watched it and I liked it. I would rather have had Billy Crystal [as emcee] though; I don’t think Chris Rock did much. But I did think the show was well done and the people that got awards deserved them. The dresses were dynamite this year, not as revealing as in the past. This time they had class. I didn’t like Johnny Depp’s tuxedo, even though it was probably specially made just for him. I didn’t like it and I don’t care what he paid for it. I didn’t like what Counting Crows were wearing either.”

Rick Hatfield, 61
Santa Teresa
Retired