Thoughts "The Artist" Oscar Win

[Dave Harris]

The media reports "The Artist" as being the 1st silent film to win an Oscar since 1929's "Wings". Yes, this film has no sound dialogue (until the very end) but it isn't really a SILENT. Since it's a recorded soundtrack on the print and there is speaking at the end, you could argue that "The Artist" isn't truly a silent film. Before the talkies, movies were shown at the theater with a piano, organ, or full orchestra providing the score independently. It wasn't recorded ON the film stock (although as an experiment it was briefly). When, the talkies were catching on, music and sound effects were provided on discs and played in sync with the projector. Ultimately, those discs contained the dialogue as recorded on the set. That was the basis for sound talkies as we know it. As mentioned there is some talking at the end of "Artist". "Jazz Singer" had talking sequences and that's considered a talkie. Again, I would argue that "The Artist" isn't truly a "silent". That aside, I'm very glad "The Artist" won. Enjoyed it.

[Kevin Garrison]

Personally, I really enjoyed The Artist. I thought it was a fun movie to watch - the sets were great. I really like early Hollywood. And, albeit of a time period a little earlier than my true passion, the cars were great as well. And, I really enjoyed the novelty of watching a black and white silent film, even if it wasn't entirely silent.

[Shelly Harris]

I loved "The Artist" and glad it won the Oscars it did. It was a novelty which won't be repeated often, if ever.... silent movies died in 1929 and they're not going to rise from the grave. As Car Man points out it was a hybrid "silent" similar to Chaplin's 1935 "Modern Times" which was successful five years after silents had been removed from the market. Also I was surprised but agree with the awards for "Hugo" which was another entertaining and skillfully made film. It took a while for the general public to catch on to the fact that it isn't a kid's movie. The rest of the field was second rate. Merle Streep always turns in a fabulous performance, but truth be told the "Iron Lady" is super boring. With weak competition Streep's award was a lock. "The Help" was already dated back in the 1970s --- "Tinker Taylor, etc" is about as exciting as watching paint dry. "The Dependents" was an interesting show, but in a better year for films would have been very average. It got attention only for George Clooney's presence -- he is this decades hot star. "War Horse" without Spielberg's name on it would have been in and out of theaters in five days.

[newmexicomatt]

immediately after watching The Artist I'll have to say that I was not as impressed as what people were saying....until a friend of mine pointed out all the old movie references that were hidden in the movie. Once I realized it then I realized that I need to see it again. I was in film school in college and always enjoyed movies with hidden meanings. In The Artist there were references to Hitchcock movies and even Citizen Kane. I can't wait to see it again to find more!