Oscar Winning for a Reason
592576
The first thing I did when I got home after seeing this film in the theater was buy the soundtrack. It's perfectly evocative of what one expects from the Muppets while still being wonderfully fresh. "Life's a Happy Song" (and its reprise) rank as my own personal favorite, but every original song is a winner. The rest of the soundtrack is a bit more mixed. Some songs, like "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" fit perfectly, while "We Built This City" made a decent joke in the film but isn't worth listening to in its entirity. Also there's a surprising amount of vocal tracks, basically lots of clips from the movie used to intro the various songs or lead out from them. That's fine when listening to the soundtrack from start to finish, but if you're like me and like to keep your iPod on "shuffle" it means you're getting random short vocal tracks that don't make sense out of context. That's only a minor issue though.
452869
One of the precious few Best Picture Oscar winners to deserve the honor.  An awe-inspiring cinematic achievement charged with hope!
2215899
Academy Awards Show(2006)received a low rate in audience but not in the quality of the movies.  Maybe these times we are living of political and social turmoil have experimented the appearance of great directors and new topics (a new way of moviemaking also).  Influenced by the great European directors still alive in the '70's, the best movies of today includes: 21 Grams, Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby...

Crash is, maybe, one of those movies.  Based upon a structure of small spots similar to some of  Spain's Luis Bu?uel movies, and with characters and situations taken maybe from television soap operas and series, it presents the stories of people who run in pairs: a married couple linked to the government, two carjackers, a racist policeman and his partner, a tv movie director and his wife.  All set in the city of Los Angeles like in Michael Mann's Collateral, a movie who can be read in counterpoint with this one: the metaphor of the car, the inclusion of Hispanic culture, even the presence of African-American characters and actors who did an excellent work.

Don Cheadle face expressions are amazing(I love the man!) and  Matt Dillon (so underrated) should have won the Best Supporting Actor category.

Beautiful music score, a very good song (video included on the DVD) excellent script and photography and above all very good direction (an interview with Paul Haggis is also included).
2758914
I can see why this movie won the Oscar. It mixes everything, emotionally, while telling a good bit of history we should all be aware of. The casting and performances are spot on. Watch the end segment, comparing the cast to the actual people. And listen to President Carter's section...it's a bit mind boggling.
3461042
Who am I to argue against the Oscars nominating committee that gave it a deluge of nominations ? On top of that I believe they were well deserved. A jewel of American cinema.
1869434
With all the hype of this year's Oscars and the Best Actress Oscar race, I had to check out dark-horse Melissa Leo's performance in this movie.  I had never heard of her before but she is outstanding!!!  She carries the entire film.

The film is beautifully shot and the story is gripping and intense.  It truly depicts the desperation of one woman and the lengths she must go to survive and take care of her children.

Unfortunately, most of the supporting cast (except for the boys who play Leo's sons who are both excellent) makes the film falter at times; an independent film like this cannot budget good actors, I guess.

The only other complaint I have is that I was very, very disappointed with the ending of the film, which I won't reveal here for the sake of those who haven't seen the film.

But Melissa Leo's truly outstanding performance more than eclipses any flaws this film may have.  Hers was truly an Oscar worthy performance and deserving of her nomination.  She grabs hold of you from the first scene and keeps you.  Truly sensational!!!
3313245
it seemed this year that brokeback mountain would sweep the oscar's claiming the best picture award and directing, well it sorta succeded. in a surpries move, the film that claimed best picture was this movie, crash. hearing this, i soon got on it and headed straight to the video store to get it and after watching it, i can see why. the film is set in a matter of 36 hours were the lives of many people suddenly converge from whites, blacks, hispanics, middle easterns, and racists. it wins on many levels from the performences, the issues, and how even today, there is still cultural divide. the ones i thougth were great was sandra bullock's character freaking out over how the locks were being set by a hispanic, when matt dillon's bigot cop saves the woman he tried to put away the previous night from a car crash, and like mentioned before, dillon's character trying to send a black couple to jail. these moments and others prove that crash does deserve the best picture award but i still feel that brokeback should have won, i thought that was a great film and thats coming from a straight person but oh well, we'll get over it (just like shakespear in love beating saving private ryan). so, see the best picture of 2005 but not really. also, if you liked crash, try to see the runner up but true winner brokeback mountain.
3750668
This is a beautifully designed movie, from the scenery and costumes to the telling of this heart breaking story.  I have talked to some friends who had seen this film saying they thought the nudity and violence seemed unessasary.  I disagree, I believe that this was part of the abuse that needed to be expressed to understand the situation of African Americans at that time.  Very moving and will remain with you after you view this movie.  Definatley earned the Oscar.
417902
I actually liked this movie.  I thought it was clever and well done.  Obviously it's not going to be up for the oscars or hall of fame but an enjoyable movie none the less
3360011
I thought this was a very good movie. And I have always liked movies based on true stories. Though I believe that it was done well, I don't believe it should have grabbed the Oscar for best picture. There was at least one that was done better.
100347
Wow, what an excellent movie. Should have won the Academy Awards as best movie.
1226767
Beautiful, compelling and poetic.  The Bolger sisters and Samantha Morton shine in one of the best films of this year.  Djimon Honsou's awesome performance in the role of "Mateo" deserves the oscar for best supporting actor.  The only real flaw with the film is that there are a few scenes of oversentimentality that don't entirely work (i.e. the early scenes involving E.T. although they do somewhat payoff in the end of the film) and some of Paddy Considine's acting is suspect in certain scenes at the beginning.  Also what's with the girl's having that digital video camera when this is supposed to take place in the early eighties I believe (i.e. E.T. showing and dolls conveniently being found at the amusement park/area)? But overall this is a film full of memorable scenes, great music and cinemtography and one of the very best endings I have ever seen.  The power of the ending alone gets this one a five star rating.  Look beyond its flaws if you can.  There are many rewards in giving this film a chance.  It should have been nominated for Best Picture instead of Lost In Translation.
2707881
I have rarely been so moved by a movie, especially one billed as a light romantic comedy. The events happen so naturally it's hard to remember they were deliberately plotted. The characters seem vividly real, not only the two leads who've so justly been nominated for Oscars, but also the actors playing their daughter and son.
3596032
After watching the Oscar nomination announcements today, I was extremely pleased to see this movie so well-represented among the mix of an otherwise weak year in movies. This movie really stands out as one of the better films to show this year, even though not many people saw it.
When I watched it this fall, I was shocked that so few people were at the theaters. After the movie was over, my girlfriend and I seriously considered seeing it again. The coming-of-age story is hardly new, but young Cameron Crowe's adventures were told in a delightful and unique way. Although the budding journalist entered into a world of sex, drugs and rock-n-roll, the corruption did not overcome him.
And that's a good point the movie makes - rock-n-roll isn't evil (OK, some bands are, but that's your fault for listening). Music is a driving force in many people's lives: It captures all of the emotion, love and heartache of the human spirit. Crowe made a great movie that shows us just that, and the soundtrack ain't to shabby, either. For those of you who missed this gem in the theaters, this is your chance to see one of the best movies of 2000.
3042635
One of the best movies I have ever seen . And winning just 3 awards ????, The people who voted did not see the movie.
3783029
This film should have received much more recognition; it is a beautiful true story about a mentally challenged person who strives to fit in with society as a functioning human being. Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr. deserved Oscar nominations!

If you love sports and "old-school" memories this film is a perfect picture to watch. The movie begins in South Carolina during the 70's it is based on the true story of a boy named "Radio" and a football coach who takes him under his wing, Coach Jones. It is a story of triumph mixed with racism, prejudice and great spirit. Coach Jones suffered persecution from town folks for his loyalty to Radio and Radio suffered taunting and old southern racism at times. The friendship is heroic and uplifting you will not be disappointed by the film or the storyline because it will appeal to almost anyone.

Cuba Gooding Jr. is excellent in his role as "Radio"; he takes on the intricate behavior of a man afflicted with a mental challenge. His smile will pull at your heart strings and his spirit will inspire a better life for those of us without handicaps. Gooding conveys the innocence of a man-child who wants to belong as an active part of his hometown. In my opinion he deserved to win an Oscar for this performance, especially the scenes involving his feelings towards his loyal Mother.

Along with Gooding I felt Ed Harris (as always) did an excellent job as Coach Jones. Despite the hardships remaining loyal to Radio presented, this man endured it all and assisted in helping Radio become a contributing member of his town. Harris is stoic and tender able to show great emotion and endure the backlash. Together Radio and Coach Jones manage to create a useful life where one could easily have been overlooked, especially in the South during the 70's.

I recommend this film highly for an evening of true inspiration. Not to be overlooked is the fantastic music playing in the background filled with "old-school" memories and all those great AM radio moments.
4209133
I do not care what the Critics say I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It did what it was suppose to do and that was to give entertainment in the form of escapism.  It may not be Oscar material, but it is one I will enjoy watching again this week, next month or two years from now.