While designer dresses, stretch limousines and red carpets were the theme last night in Hollywood, Boston University students didn’t miss out on the Academy Awards experience, as more than 200 of them crowded into the George Sherman Union ballroom to view the show via live telecast.
Tables and chairs lined the ballroom in a pattern similar to the Shrine Auditorium, while a buffet table stocked with cookies, coffee and juice was offered, compliments of the Student Activities Office. SAO representative and College of Arts and Sciences junior Thompson Patten acted as emcee, periodically presenting chocolate Oscars as prizes for students who correctly picked Oscar winners.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Gladiator” were the top winners, taking home Best Foreign Film and Best Picture, respectively.
Response to the Best Picture win was lukewarm. “It was a good movie,” said Patricia Hanna, a School of Management sophomore, “but I thought that ‘Erin Brockovich’ or ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ should have gotten it.”
Only loud cheers were heard when Julia Roberts was announced winner of the Best Actress award. “I wanted her to win,” said Casey Nicholson, a freshman in the School of Management. “I liked her little trademark scream [in her acceptance speech].”
Lauren Kovarsky, a School of Management senior, agreed. “I was very excited Julia Roberts won. She deserved to finally win.”
Russell Crowe, originally the object of loud shrieks, drew sneers from students who said he was suffering from a case of attitude. “He seemed arrogant,” said Nick Florio, a College of Arts and Sciences junior. “Have a sense of humor, be a good sport.”
In the supporting actor category, Benicio del Toro drew cheers upon his win. “I knew hew as going to win,” said Celina Hespen, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. “He’s a really popular actor and they like to give awards to actors in independent films.”
The surprise standout film was “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” which took home awards in several categories, and received loud cheers from the Metcalf audience. The independent film, shot in China, was lauded by American audiences but did not receive acclaim in China.
“The scenery was great, but it is nothing new,” explained Yuhong Jia, a School of Education freshman. What stood out, School of Education freshman Fengpin Chu said, was the emotion. There were “different emotions between the male and female,” she said.
Jia explained the reason behind the title of the film, saying that the film’s title is a Chinese idiom. “Tiger is if someone is great and talented, but people didn’t know it. They call them a crouching tiger or hidden dragon,” she said.
Apart from the awards presented, celebrity awards attire was the topic of discussion. Jennifer Lopez’s dress, notably its completely sheer top, received few compliments.
“At least she was wearing clothes,” added College of Arts and Sciences freshman Hillary Lansman, referring to the revealing dress Lopez wore at last year’s award show.
Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones, however, received nothing but praise for their dresses. “Julia’s dress was so gorgeous, very classy,” said Megan Staley, a sophomore at California Polytechnic Institute at San Luis Obispo.
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