Q&A with Joe Pontillo

Joe is a writer in Los Angeles and movie enthusiast.

Joe, I thoroughly enjoyed your live Twitter updates during the Oscars last night, and I just wanted to talk to you a bit and take the opportunity to share your thoughts with my friends and readers.

My comments, however, became less intelligent as the evening went on and I consumed more spiked diet 7-up. Strange how that happens.

Joe: I spent the Oscars sober, which is unusual considering it was a weekend night.

1. We've heard a lot today about how funny or not-funny the Oscars were, how beautiful or boring the dresses were, and how Javier Bardem's speech was the most moving--and it was in Spanish! What's your overall assessment of last night's show? A general view is fine, as we can talk specifics later.

All I can say is that I wish I had learned more in my Spanish classes in college other than "hamburguesa"--my thanks to you, Amanda.

Joe: I thought they put on a good show this year. There's been worse,there's been better. I didn't feel like there were any classicmoments -- no Billy Crystal inserting himself into movies, nostreakers, no inflammatory political speeches. Pretty tame. Butthere were some well-deserved wins, some genuinely heartfeltacceptances, and the show moved at a pretty good pace which is alwaysthe best way to do it.

2. How about that Jon Stewart? What were his best moments? His off moments?

Joe: Jon Stewart is an excellent host. He had a lot to do with the factthat the show moved at a great pace. I wish there would have beenmore of his Daily Show brand of humor. That show makes me laugh outloud at least six times per half hour. Can't quite say the same aboutthe Oscars. His best moment by far was when he brought the BestOriginal Song winner back on stage to deliver the speech she'd beencut off from giving. I don't really think he had any "off moments."I mean, a few jokes didn't land, but that's completely normal. Can'twin 'em all.

3. Please explain to those who aren't as "in the know" as you how much time it typically takes to plan a successful Oscar night and how much time they had this year, given the writers' strike.

Joe: I don't know as much about putting on the Oscars as I do, say, a typical TV show or movie. Needless to say, they usually use more time than they did this year. From what I've read, the writers seem to getto work as soon as the nominees are announced. As far as whenproducers start planning the show, my educated guess would be thatthey're hard at work a good six months ahead of Oscar night,redesigning the stage, planning production numbers, editing montages,stuff like that. As much as I love all this movie stuff, I've neverdone much studying on how the Oscars actually get produced. I just sit back and watch the show.

4. What's the deal with Jack Nicholson? Is he becoming that guy in the gym who wears sunglasses while working out? Or can he do anything and make it fashionable because he's Jack Nicholson?

Joe: Wearing sunglasses indoors and/or at night is nothing new for Jack.At this point, it's probably just happened. Why did he start? I'msure it had something to do with his delicate eyes getting burnt outunder those harsh movie lights. But the real reason is probably justbecause he can. It's his non-verbal way of saying, "Eff you. I'mJack effing Nicholson."

5. Some have said Julie Christie deserved a win last night. Some have said Denzel Washington deserved to be nominated for his performance in "American Gangster." What's your take?

Joe: Who said these things? No one near me. If there's one thing theAcademy often does that I hate, it's give sympathy awards to peoplejust because they've been around for a while. If Julie Christie hadwon, that would have been the reason. I didn't see "Away from Her,"and probably never will. Why? Every indication I have is that themovie was just mediocre. Good first effort for Sarah Polley, but notgreat. (I certainly encourage her to keep going. I'm sure her nextmovie will be better.) I'm sure Christie's performance was fine.She's been doing fine since the '70s. Sorry to be cynical, but shewas nominated as a reward for making her first serious effort in 20years. Same with Hal Holbrook. Don't feel bad for them. They'veboth had great careers.Likewise with Denzel. Despite how great his performance may have been(I also have no plans to see "American Gangster"), the movie was adud. You simply don't get nominated for movies that make peopleshrug. Denzel just had a big win a few years ago; he's doing just fine.

6. Did you see the Barbara Walters special before the Oscars? If so, what did you think of Harrison Ford's interview? If not, did you at least attend Prince's afterparty? Sean Combs was there.

Joe: On the west coast, we get Barbara Walters' pre-Oscar special AFTER theOscars. That's just how we roll. Represent! I watched it passivelywhile cleaning up and getting ready for bed. At this point in hercareer, I'm sorry, Barbara Walters is a lightweight interviewer. Thatbeing said, I thought her Vanessa Williams interview went pretty well.

Harrison Ford gave a fine interview. Nothing about it is sticking outin my mind at the moment. Again, just to be cynical, he was clearlygranting this interview as part of his obligation for promoting theupcoming Indiana Jones movie. And if there's any question about that,Barbara herself pointed out that this was the first interview he'sdone in, what did she say, 11 years? He clearly doesn't care forinterviews, but he was a gentleman about it.

7. You seemed very happy last night when "Once" got the nod for best song. Did you like "Once" that much, or were you just that annoyed that "Enchanted" got three nominations?

Joe: I'm not annoyed by "Enchanted." I haven't seen it yet, but I will.Everybody seems to have been charmed by it. So, while I can't make adirect comparison between the two movies at this time, the answer isyes, I loved "Once" that much. It's a simple story, straight from theheart. You fall in love with the characters, and you just want themto be happy. And the songs are great. Most people would love thismovie, but they just don't know it exists. "Enchanted" had thebenefit of Disney's powerhouse marketing department. "Once" needspeople to tell their friends and family about it.

8. They put on a sort of sentimental show last night, showing many clips throughout the show's 80 years. Of all of the special moments in Oscar history, which one was your favorite and why?

Joe: Oh, wow. I'm still pretty young for a question like that, right? I've only seen so many Oscar telecasts in my lifetime. Other thanthat, you just see the same ten to 15 clips over and over again, youknow? (From what I understand, the Academy is very stingy aboutlicensing clips from the Oscars. I couldn't possibly imagine why.)That being said, some of my best Oscar memories are from the mid-90s.This may just be nostalgia for my formative years, but I smile atmemories of Whoopie Goldberg in Queen Elizabeth makeup, Billy Crystalsinging about nominees to the tune of "Fascinating Rhythm," "Show Methe Money" and whatnot. The "year of the indies" - I think it was'96. Or that one year when, no matter what camera they cut to, KeanuReeves would turn and stare directly into it. Maybe I'm getting alittle vague here.

9. Heath Ledger's name and photo came at the end of the memorial tribute, and then it went dark. Would you have liked to have seen an audience reaction after his name, considering he was the youngest movie star to have died in the last year?

Joe: Are you sure Brad Renfro wasn't younger? And did you notice that BradRenfro did not appear in the tribute at all? Quite an insulting oversight.

Not only did I not want to see the audience reaction to Heath Ledger,I actually find it distasteful that they leave the audiencemicrophones on during these yearly tributes. That turns it into apopularity contest: which dead person are we giving the most applauseto? Who deserves our love in the afterlife the most? The only audioyou should hear during the tribute is the musical accompaniment.

10. If you were to only win one Academy Award throughout your career, which one would it be and why? Which one would matter to you most personally and why?

Joe: Costume design.

Ok, seriously, this is an uncomfortable question to be asked. I'm notgoing to pretend I don't dream about getting nominated for or winningan Academy Award. But I also don't want people to know just how muchtime I spend thinking about it, and how frequently I do a mental draftof my acceptance speech.Since you asked, I would hope to be a contender for either writing ordirecting. They would be equally important to me.

I'm sure it feels great to have a huge group of people tell you you're good at something you love to do.