Oscar picked only the winners

A lot of old-fashioned tradition was obvious in the final results for

this year’s Oscar winners. But new host Chris Rock brought a definite

cutting edge to the usually bland banter expected of the Master of

Ceremonies.

He was loud, obnoxious and often mean spirited in his remarks. His

low-life humor and strident political comments hardly seemed

appropriate for Hollywood’s premier showcase event. His gritty

performance stands in sharp contrast to Billy Crystal and other

previous hosts. While Rock did not produce the feared censorship

meltdown, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll be invited back.

It’s hard to argue with Oscar’s major choices this year. Jamie

Foxx didn’t just act his part; he seemed to become a psychic channel

for Ray Charles to earn a best actor award that no one could deny

him. In like manner, Hillary Swank knocked out her best actress

competition as the “Million Dollar Baby,” living her dream through a

full range of struggling, joyful and traumatic emotions.

As was proved in “The Shawshank Redemption,” the magnificent voice

of Morgan Freeman brings depth and meaning to any story’s narration.

Teamed up again with Clint Eastwood, he tells us all the

heart-rending story of Swank’s boxing waitress. For this and many

other outstanding roles, Morgan was not to be beat for best

supporting actor. It’s not surprising that with all this talent,

“Baby” walked off with the biggest prize of the evening as the best

picture of 2004.

Cate Blanchett pulled off a tough assignment as the best

supporting actress who gave real life and substance to the legendary

Katherine Hepburn, during her “Aviator” romance with the eccentric

Howard Hughes.

The Oscars for the best screenplays were diligently earned by the

writers of the two most offbeat and original films of the year:

“Sideways” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” They both

deserved more attention from the Academy.

The biggest disappointment of the evening had to be yet another

loss for legendary Martin Scorsese as best director. “Goodfellas,”

“The Color of Money,” “Taxi Driver” and “Raging Bull” are just a few

of his major achievements.

While “Million Dollar Baby” was a great film with real impact, it

was not difficult to direct. Clint Eastwood had a very small cast of

Oscar-quality actors in a simple plot.

With “The Aviator,” Scorcese directed an epic film spanning four

decades of American culture. He had to deal with dozens of varied

actors playing historical personalities we all know. He got

cinematography and art direction good enough to win the Oscar. It had

to be tough to pull off this complex production with such first-rate

results.

But still no cigar for Martin.

You have to wonder what he has to do to earn a gold statue.

* JOHN DEPKO is a Costa Mesa resident and a senior investigator

for the Orange County public defender’s office.