Oscar winners 2010: full of drama

The time for change in Hollywood indeed has come, says Howard Suber, UCLA professor emeritus and author (“The Power of Film”), who maintains that Bigelow’s win was more about Hollywood’s desire to recognize a woman director than the inherent quality of the film. “Five or 10 years from now, I seriously doubt anyone will view ‘Hurt Locker’ as a classic or enduring film,” Mr. Suber says. Unlike a film such as “Avatar,” which pushed technical and stylistic boundaries, “The Hurt Locker” is a very conventional war film. While it is gritty and intense, employing what has now become standard techniques such as a cinéma verité style created by shooting with a hand-held camera, it does not break any new ground.

“Mainstream filmmakers have been using this for decades,” Suber says, adding that this is all about history. “If this film had been directed by [a male director such as] Ridley Scott, this film would never have won Best Picture,” he adds. It may have little impact on the film’s box office, but, he says, it will certainly immeasurably improve Kathryn Bigelow’s chances of getting a meeting at major studios for her next project.

Here are the top five winners with links to their acceptance speeches (for a complete list, go to the Oscar site):

Best Picture

“The Hurt Locker”

Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier, and Greg Shapiro

View acceptance speeches

Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”

View acceptance speech

Actor in a Supporting Role

Christoph Waltz in “Inglourious Basterds”

View acceptance speech

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock in “The Blind Side”

View acceptance speech

Actress in a Supporting Role

Mo’Nique in “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”

View acceptance speech

IN PICTURES: Oscar winners 2010

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