<editor's note: The following was my original rolling commentary as the winners were announced. The winners below are presented in logical order, not in the order of announcement. - OG (September 1, 2006)>
Gladiator - David H. Franzoni, Branko Lustig, Douglas Wick
How disappointing.
Russell Crowe - Gladiator
This bodes well for Gladiator for Best Picture, a victory at this point for any film should be interesting.
Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich
No surprises here. Too bad, the last half of the evening has been disappointingly predictable. Maybe Best Picture will be a surprise.
Benicio Del Toro - Traffic
No surprise and indiciation that Traffic could take the Best Picture prize.
Marcia Gay Harden - Pollock
A modest surprise shows us how unpredictable tonight's awards really are.
Steven Soderbergh - Traffic
This makes for the most suspenseful Best Picture presentation in history...after all, all three Top contenders have 4 each.
Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe
Another down-to-the-wire race settled in a potentially obvious direction.
Traffic - Stephen Gaghan
The Top 3 contenders for best picture are now at 3, 4 & 4...this could be quite an interesting battle.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Taiwan
Was anyone actually shocked?
"Things Have Changed" - Wonder Boys (Bob Dylan)
Gee...who'd have thought.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tan Dun
A great choice and further weakness in Gladiator's mottled hide. At this rate, CTHD could carry away 6 awards, including Best Picture.
Traffic - Stephen Mirrione
This is an indication that ANY film could win Best Picture now, because Gladiator is no longer a solid front-runner.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Peter Pau
No surprise and it leads to further hope that Gladiator will succumb to another film.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tim Yip
A victory here means that CTHD could end up the big winner in an upset over Gladiator. More early awards could seal the deal, but any sign of weakness could mean great things for Gladiator.
Gladiator - Janty Yates
Just when things get dismal, Gladiator strikes back. This is a battle royale.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Who knew that the 17 year old category would vote five-time winner Rick Baker a sixth award?
Gladiator
No major surprise and indication the Gladiator could be on track to be the film with the fewest wins including Best Picture since Unforgiven.
U-571
Not a surprise in a rather unimpressive category.
Gladiator
Maybe Gladiator WILL pull it off.
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport
Ok, history is a lovely winner.
Big Mama
Enh. Who knew?
Father and Daughter
An unsuspected victory for a well-liked film.
Quiero Ser (I Want to Be...)
There isn't much to say, this doesn't impact much of any part of the Oscars, but is one of the few foreign-language winners in this category.
Picture
Gladiator - David H. Franzoni, Branko Lustig, Douglas Wick
How disappointing.
Actor
Russell Crowe - Gladiator
This bodes well for Gladiator for Best Picture, a victory at this point for any film should be interesting.
Actress
Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich
No surprises here. Too bad, the last half of the evening has been disappointingly predictable. Maybe Best Picture will be a surprise.
Supporting Actor
Benicio Del Toro - Traffic
No surprise and indiciation that Traffic could take the Best Picture prize.
Supporting Actress
Marcia Gay Harden - Pollock
A modest surprise shows us how unpredictable tonight's awards really are.
Director
Steven Soderbergh - Traffic
This makes for the most suspenseful Best Picture presentation in history...after all, all three Top contenders have 4 each.
Original Screenplay
Almost Famous - Cameron Crowe
Another down-to-the-wire race settled in a potentially obvious direction.
Adapted Screenplay
Traffic - Stephen Gaghan
The Top 3 contenders for best picture are now at 3, 4 & 4...this could be quite an interesting battle.
Foreign Film
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Taiwan
Was anyone actually shocked?
Original Song
"Things Have Changed" - Wonder Boys (Bob Dylan)
Gee...who'd have thought.
Original Score
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tan Dun
A great choice and further weakness in Gladiator's mottled hide. At this rate, CTHD could carry away 6 awards, including Best Picture.
Film Editing
Traffic - Stephen Mirrione
This is an indication that ANY film could win Best Picture now, because Gladiator is no longer a solid front-runner.
Cinematography
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Peter Pau
No surprise and it leads to further hope that Gladiator will succumb to another film.
Art Direction/Set Decoration
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tim Yip
A victory here means that CTHD could end up the big winner in an upset over Gladiator. More early awards could seal the deal, but any sign of weakness could mean great things for Gladiator.
Costume Design
Gladiator - Janty Yates
Just when things get dismal, Gladiator strikes back. This is a battle royale.
Makeup
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Who knew that the 17 year old category would vote five-time winner Rick Baker a sixth award?
Sound
Gladiator
No major surprise and indication the Gladiator could be on track to be the film with the fewest wins including Best Picture since Unforgiven.
Sound Effects Editing
U-571
Not a surprise in a rather unimpressive category.
Visual Effects
Gladiator
Maybe Gladiator WILL pull it off.
Documentary Feature
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport
Ok, history is a lovely winner.
Documentary Short Subject
Big Mama
Enh. Who knew?
Animated Short Film
Father and Daughter
An unsuspected victory for a well-liked film.
Live-Action Short Films
Quiero Ser (I Want to Be...)
There isn't much to say, this doesn't impact much of any part of the Oscars, but is one of the few foreign-language winners in this category.