77th Academy Awards explained

Number:77
Award:Academy Awards
Date:February 27, 2005
Site:Kodak Theatre
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Preshow:Billy Bush
Jann Carl
Chris Connelly
Shaun Robinson[1]
Host:Chris Rock
Producer:Gil Cates
Director:Louis J. Horvitz
Best Picture:Million Dollar Baby
Most Wins:The Aviator (5)
Most Nominations:The Aviator (11)
Network:ABC
Duration:3 hours, 14 minutes[2]
Ratings:42.14 million
25.4% (Nielsen Ratings)
Last:76th
Next:78th

The 77th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on February 27, 2005, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST / 8:30 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as the Oscars) in 24 categories honoring films released in 2004. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Gil Cates and was directed by Louis J. Horvitz.[3] [4] Actor Chris Rock hosted the show for the first time.[5] Two weeks earlier in a ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, California, held on February 12, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by host Scarlett Johansson.[6]

Million Dollar Baby won four awards, including Best Picture.[7] Other winners included The Aviator with five awards, The Incredibles and Ray with two, and Born into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Finding Neverland, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, , The Motorcycle Diaries, Ryan, The Sea Inside, Sideways, Spider-Man 2, and Wasp with one. The telecast garnered over 42 million viewers in the United States alone.

Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 77th Academy Awards were announced on January 25, 2005, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by Frank Pierson, president of the academy, and actor Adrien Brody.[8] The Aviator received the most nominations with eleven; Finding Neverland and Million Dollar Baby tied for second with seven nominations each.[9]

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on February 27, 2005.[10] At age 74, Clint Eastwood became the oldest winner for Best Director in Oscar history. With his latest unsuccessful nomination for directing The Aviator, nominee Martin Scorsese joined Robert Altman, Clarence Brown, Alfred Hitchcock, and King Vidor as the most nominated individuals in the Best Director category without a single win at the time. Best Actor winner Jamie Foxx became the third actor and tenth individual overall to earn two acting nominations in the same year. By virtue of her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn, Best Supporting Actress winner Cate Blanchett was the first performer to win an Oscar for a portrayal of a previous Oscar winner. "Al otro lado del río" from The Motorcycle Diaries became the second song with non-English lyrics to win Best Original Song. The first to achieve this feat was the titular song from the 1960 Greek film Never on Sunday at the 33rd Academy Awards.[11]

Awards

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger .[12]

Academy Honorary Award

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Films with multiple nominations and awards

The following 22 films received multiple nominations:

NominationsFilm
11The Aviator
7Finding Neverland
Million Dollar Baby
6Ray
5Sideways
4The Incredibles
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
3Hotel Rwanda
The Passion of the Christ
The Phantom of the Opera
The Polar Express
Spider-Man 2
Vera Drake
2The Chorus
Closer
Collateral
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Motorcycle Diaries
The Sea Inside
Shrek 2
A Very Long Engagement
The following four films received multiple awards:
AwardsFilm
5The Aviator
4Million Dollar Baby
2The Incredibles
Ray

Presenters and performers

The following individuals, listed in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.[15] [16] [17] [18]

Presenters

Name(s)Role
Announcer for the 77th annual Academy Awards
Presenter of the award for Best Art Direction
Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actor
Presenter of the award for Best Animated Feature Film
Presenter of the award for Best Makeup
Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Look To Your Path (Vois Sur Ton Chemin)"
Presenter of the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement and the Gordon E. Sawyer Award
Presentation of the award for Best Costume Design
Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actress
Presenter of the tribute to Johnny Carson
Presenter of the award for Best Documentary Feature
Presenters of the award for Best Film Editing
Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Accidentally in Love"
Presenter of the award for Best Adapted Screenplay
Presenters of the award for Best Visual Effects
Introducer of presenter Al Pacino
Presenter of the Academy Honorary Award to Sidney Lumet
Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Learn to Be Lonely"
Presenter of the award for Best Live Action Short Film
Presenter of the award for Best Animated Short Film
Presenter of the award for Best Cinematography

Salma Hayek
Presenters of the awards for Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing
Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Al otro lado del río"
Presenter of the award for Best Documentary Short
Presenter of the award for Best Original Score
Presenter of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Roger Mayer
Presenter of the In Memoriam tribute
Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Believe"
Presenter of the award for Best Original Song
Presenter of the award for Best Actress
Presenter of the award for Best Foreign Language Film
Presenter of the award for Best Original Screenplay
Presenter of the award for Best Actor
Presenter of the award for Best Director
Presenters of the award for Best Picture

Performers

Name(s)RolePerformed
Musical Arranger and Conductor Orchestral
Performers "Vois sur ton chemin (Look to Your Path)" from The Chorus
Performers "Accidentally in Love" from Shrek 2
Performer "Learn to Be Lonely" from The Phantom of the Opera
Performers "Al otro lado del rio" from The Motorcycle Diaries
Performer Performed musical selection during the In Memoriam tribute

Beyoncé Knowles
Performers "Believe" from The Polar Express

Ceremony information

Opting for a younger face in an attempt to increase viewership, while renewing interest with the nominated films, producer Gil Cates selected actor and comedian Chris Rock to host the 2005 ceremony. Cates explained his decision to hire Rock for the telecast in a press release saying, "I am a huge fan of Chris Rock. He always makes me laugh and he always has something interesting to say. Chris represents the best of the new generation of comics. Having him host the Oscars is terrific. I can't wait."[19] By virtue of his selection, Rock became the first African American man to solo host the gala.[20]

Nearly a month before the ceremony Rock told Josh Wolk of Entertainment Weekly, "Come on, it's a fashion show. No one performs; it's not like a music show. What straight black man sits there and watches the Oscars? Show me one."[21] Political blogger Matt Drudge later reported that several anonymous AMPAS members wanted Rock fired from his hosting job as a result of the comments.[22] Nevertheless, producer Cates issued a statement defending the host saying, "Chris' comments are meant to be humorous digs at a show that some people, obviously including Chris himself, think may be a bit too stuffy."[23] Furthermore, Wolk dismissed any controversy regarding Rock's comments and that Drudge exaggerated the host's comments.[24] GLAAD Executive Director Joan Garry also issue a statement in light of the controversy stating, "Chris Rock isn't making fun of gays  - he's poking fun at the Oscars."[25] Rock appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno the Monday before the ceremony to clarify his comments. When Leno asked about the statement, Rock replied "I did not say that. I said only gay people watch the Tonys." However, he reiterated, "I really don't know any straight men who aren't in show business that have ever watched the Oscars."[26]

Notable changes were made to give the ceremony a sleek, interactive look while shortening the length of the ceremony. Cates announced that in certain categories, all five nominees would be up onstage prior to the announcement of the award.[27] In other instances, the actor or actress would present the award in the audience.[28] In addition, production designer Roy Christopher designed an technologically ambitious stage for the telecast that both saluted the past while look toward the future. The set prominently featured 26 high-definition video monitors floating over the first twelve rows of the audience and a 40-foot LED screen situated beneath a layer of plexiglass on the stage floor.[29] Both screens were used display images of previous Oscar appearances as presenters took the stage or random film clips during several commercial breaks.[30] A gold rod featuring 23 different life-sized Oscar statuettes spiraling upward was placed at center stage.[31]

Several other people were involved with the production of the ceremony. Film composer and musician Bill Conti served as musical director of the ceremony.[32] AMPAS graphics designer Brett Davidson designed the official ceremony poster consisting of a profile of the Oscar statuette in front of four neon-colored squares.[33] Freelance producer Cochise and media firm Dig and Media Island released a trailer shown in movie theaters nationwide promoting the ceremony featuring clips from past Oscar ceremonies against the four squares backdrop in the aforementioned poster. The trailer featured the song "Hey Mama" by The Black Eyed Peas.[34] Two-time Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman narrated the opening montage highlighting the evolution of the movies.

Box office performance of nominated films

When the nominations were announced on January 25, the field of Best Picture nominees did not include a bona fide blockbuster at the U.S. box office. It was the first time since 1986 that none of the five films in that category were among the top ten releases in box office prior to the nominations announcement.[35] Furthermore, before the ceremony, all five films sold the lowest cumulative number of tickets sold since 1984.[36] Ray was the highest-grossing film among the Best Picture nominees with $73 million in domestic box office receipts. The film was followed by The Aviator ($58.4 million), Finding Neverland ($32.7 million), Sideways ($32.4 million), and finally Million Dollar Baby ($8.4 million).[37] The combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees when the Oscars were announced was $205 million with an average gross of $41.3 million per film.

Among the rest of the top 50 releases of 2004 in U.S. box office before the nominations, 44 nominations went to 14 films on the list. Only Shrek 2 (1st), The Incredibles (4th), Shark Tale (11th), Collateral (22nd), Ray (37th), and The Aviator (49th) were nominated for Best Picture, Best Animated Feature, directing, acting, or screenwriting.[38] The other top 50 box office hits that earned the nominations were Spider-Man 2 (2nd), The Passion of the Christ (3rd), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (5th), The Polar Express (10th), I, Robot (12th), Troy (13th), Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (18th), and The Village (20th).

Jude Law joke

During his monologue, host Rock joked, "Clint Eastwood's a star, OK? Tobey Maguire's just a boy in tights," He also added, "You want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law? Wait. You want Russell Crowe and all you can get is Colin Farrell? Wait. Alexander is not Gladiator." In response, Sean Penn rebutted Rock's remarks praising Law as one of his generation's "finest actors".[39] Over a year later, Law expressed his anger toward Rock in The New York Times telling columnist Craig Modderno, "At first I laughed because I didn't think he knew who I was. Then I got angry as his remarks became personal. My friends were livid. It's unfortunate I had five or six films come out at the same time."[40]

Scrapped Robin Williams song

Robin Williams initially wanted to sing a humorous song written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman during the presentation of the Best Animated Feature award satirizing the controversy regarding Focus on the Family and a music video sponsored by We Are Family Foundation featuring animated characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants singing the song "We Are Family". The song contained lyrics such as "Pinocchio's had his nose done! Sleeping Beauty is popping pills!/ The Three Little Pigs ain't kosher! Betty Boop works Beverly Hills!"[41] However, Cates and ABC officials deemed the song overly vulgar and offensive for the telecast and was dropped altogether after writers Shaiman and Wittman had trouble rewriting more appropriate lyrics.[42] Williams eventually presented the Best Animated Feature award as scheduled, but silently mocked the debacle by entering the stage with duct tape over his mouth before speaking.[43]

Critical reviews

The show received a mixed reception from media publications. Some media outlets were more critical of the show and Rock's performance as host. USA Today television critic Robert Bianco wrote, "Loud, snide and dismissive, he wasn't just a disappointment; he ranks up there with the worst hosts ever." He also called the decision to have several nominees of several technical categories stand on stage embarrassing and disrespectful.[44] Columnist Robert. P. Lawrence of the San Diego Union Tribune commented, "It was a frustratingly average, three-hour-12-minute exhibition of mutual admiration in the inimitable Hollywood style." He later said that despite Rock's edgy and provocative opening, his humor and energy diminished as the night wore on.[45] Vince Horiuchi of The Salt Lake Tribune wrote of Rock's performance, "He was bound by stale jokes (none of the winners "tested positive for steroids"), a rigid opening monologue (he didn't even make reference to his prior controversial comments about the Oscars), and tired comedy bits (Rock playing like Catherine Zeta-Jones with Adam Sandler)." He also described the cast and production of the ceremony as "moribund" and "clumsy".[46]

Other media outlets received the broadcast more positively. Film critic Roger Ebert noted that Rock "opened on a high-energy quick-talking note" He also added, "Chris Rock hit a home run with his opening monologue, which was surprisingly pointed, topical, and not shy of controversy."[47] Television critic Frazier Moore commented that Rock's performance was a "needed pick-me-up, presiding over the broadcast with saucy finesse." He added, "In sum, the broadcast felt brisk, though not rushed. It felt modern and refreshingly free of chronic self-importance."[48] Brian Lowry of Variety gave an average review of Rock but remarked, "For all the hand-wringing about the awards descending into the muck, the 77th Academy Awards proved a classy affair, with precious little red meat to satiate Hollywood bashers."

Ratings and reception

The American telecast on ABC drew an average of 42.14 million people over its length, which was a 3% decrease from the previous year's ceremony.[49] The show also drew lower Nielsen ratings compared to the two previous ceremonies with 25.4 of households watching over a 38 share.[50] It also drew a lower 18–49 demo rating with a 15.1 rating over a 34 share among viewers in that demographic.

In Memoriam

The annual In Memoriam tribute was presented by actress Annette Bening. Musician Yo-Yo Ma performed during the segment.[16]

A special tribute to five-time host Johnny Carson was presented by host Chris Rock with previous presenter Whoopi Goldberg discussing Carson's legacy to television and the Academy Awards in the segment.[51] Later on in the broadcast, Best Actor winner Jamie Foxx briefly eulogized singer and musician Ray Charles, who died in June 2004, during his acceptance speech.[52]

See also

Bibliography

External links

Official websites

News resources

Analysis

Other resources

Notes and References

  1. News: Oscar Watch: 'Countdown' casting . September 18, 2013 . Variety . PMC . February 15, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201807/https://variety.com/2005/film/news/oscar-watch-countdown-casting-1117918049/ . August 12, 2014 .
  2. News: Lowry . Brian . Review: 'The 77th Annual Academy Awards' . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . February 27, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201851/http://variety.com/2005/scene/reviews/the-77th-annual-academy-awards-1200527592/ . August 12, 2014 .
  3. News: Feiwell . Jill . Familiar face in Oscar seat . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . October 11, 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201854/http://variety.com/2004/film/news/familiar-face-in-oscar-seat-1117911809/ . August 12, 2014 .
  4. News: Feiwell . Jill . Horvitz helms Oscars again . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . December 4, 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201839/http://variety.com/2004/film/news/horvitz-helms-oscars-again-1117914608/ . August 12, 2014 .
  5. News: LaPorte . Nicole . Oscar Rocks . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . October 14, 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201907/http://variety.com/2004/film/news/oscar-rocks-1117911964/ . August 12, 2014 .
  6. Slezak . Michael . Scarlett Fever . July 30, 2014 . Entertainment Weekly . Time Warner . January 24, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808044843/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1020162%2C00.html . August 8, 2014 .
  7. News: Germain . David . Oscar 'Baby' . September 18, 2013 . The Florida Times-Union . Morris Communications . February 28, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041528/http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/022805/lif_18085100.shtml . August 8, 2014 .
  8. News: Oscar Watch: Brody on board for noms . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . January 18, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201817/http://variety.com/2005/film/news/oscar-watch-brody-on-board-for-noms-1117916512/ . August 12, 2014 .
  9. News: Wloszczyna . Susan . 'Aviator' lands 11 Oscar nominations . July 30, 2014 . USA Today . Gannett Company . January 25, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045650/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2005-01-25-oscar-nominations_x.htm . August 8, 2014 .
  10. News: Waxman . Sharon . 'Million Dollar Baby' Dominates Oscars . July 30, 2014 . . February 28, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150205100712/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/movies/oscars/28osca.html . February 5, 2015 .
  11. News: Gray . Tim . Oscar's fistful of 'Dollar' . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . February 27, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201842/http://variety.com/2005/film/news/oscar-s-fistful-of-dollar-1117918632/ . August 12, 2014 .
  12. News: The 77th Academy Awards (2005) Nominees and Winners . January 25, 2015 . Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160101230853/http://oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2005 . January 1, 2016 .
  13. Purtell . Tim . Honorary Oscar Sidney Lumet . July 30, 2014 . Entertainment Weekly . Time Warner . January 31, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045246/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1021819%2C00.html . August 8, 2014 .
  14. News: Chang . Justin . Oscar to honor Mayer . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . December 16, 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201935/https://variety.com/2004/film/news/oscar-to-honor-mayer-1117915149/ . August 12, 2014 .
  15. News: Gibb. Megan. Oscars commentary: And the Oscar goes to.... February 6, 2015. The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Media and Entertainment. February 28, 2005. February 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150208011812/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10112993. live.
  16. News: Burlingame . Jon . Muzyka do Filmu...Música de Cine... . July 30, 2014 . Film Music Society . February 28, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20061001150641/http://www.filmmusicsociety.org/news_events/features/2005/022805.html?IsArchive=022805 . October 1, 2006 .
  17. News: Chaney . Jen . Oscars Live . July 31, 2014 . The Washington Post . February 27, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141011122320/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48016-2005Feb23.html . October 11, 2014 .
  18. News: Award Watch Live: Oscar Night 2005 . February 6, 2015 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150208064621/http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0205/oscar/ . February 8, 2015 .
  19. News: Chris Rock to Host Oscars . July 30, 2014 . Fox News . 21st Century Fox . October 14, 2004 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812125137/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/10/14/chris-rock-to-host-oscars/ . 2014-08-12 .
  20. News: McNamara . Mary . Rock On . July 14, 2014 . Los Angeles Times . February 27, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812194715/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/27/magazine/tm-rock09 . August 12, 2014 .
  21. Wolk . Josh . The Oscars Get Rock-ed . August 1, 2014 . Entertainment Weekly . Time Warner . February 1, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090421033356/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1021799%2C00.html . April 21, 2009 .
  22. News: Grossberg . Josh . Rock Roiling Oscars . August 1, 2014 . E! . NBCUniversal . February 15, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811131131/http://www.eonline.com/news/49247/rock-roiling-oscars . August 11, 2014 .
  23. News: Producer supports Chris Rock as show's host . August 1, 2014 . The Augusta Chronicle . Morris Communications . February 16, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051558/http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/02/16/osc_443191.shtml . 2014-08-08 .
  24. Wolk . Josh . Rock and Roll . August 1, 2014 . Entertainment Weekly . Time Warner . February 18, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20100412230426/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1029468%2C00.html . April 12, 2010 .
  25. News: Britt . Donna . Drudge Takes the Oscar for 'Clueless' . June 14, 2014 . The Washington Post . February 18, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150205092152/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33625-2005Feb17.html . February 5, 2015 .
  26. News: Moloshok . Danny . Chris Rock clarifies Oscar comments . August 1, 2014 . USA Today . Gannett Company . February 22, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808123023/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2005-02-22-rock-oscar-comments_x.htm . August 8, 2014 .
  27. News: Schodolski . Vincent J. . Hipper, shorter, edgier Oscars: Ceremony undergoes nips/tucks . August 1, 2014 . Chicago Tribune . Tribune Company . February 17, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052808/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-02-17/features/0502170055_1_nominees-77th-academy-awards-gil-cates . August 8, 2014 .
  28. News: Keller . Julie . Oscars Timely Makeover . September 18, 2014 . E! . NBCUniversal . February 8, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811131125/http://www.eonline.com/news/49191/oscar-s-timely-makeovers . August 11, 2014 .
  29. News: Oscar set will blur line between performers, audience . July 14, 2014 . The Augusta Chronicle . Morris Communications . February 17, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051242/http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/021905/osc_set.shtml . 2014-08-08 .
  30. News: Oscars take on an interactive feel . July 14, 2014 . NBC News . NBCUniversal . February 17, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808062757/http://www.today.com/id/6989524/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/oscars-take-interactive-feel/ . August 8, 2014 .
  31. News: Bowles . Scott . Look up and look out: Academy Awards get ready to rock . September 11, 2013 . USA Today . Gannett Company . February 17, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150207100117/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2005-02-17-oscar-stage_x.htm . February 7, 2015 .
  32. News: Thompson . Jenn . Oscarcast vets return . July 30, 2014 . Variety . PMC . December 14, 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201903/http://variety.com/2004/film/news/oscarcast-vets-return-1117915000/ . August 12, 2014 .
  33. News: Feiwell . Jill . Acad drawn to staffer's design . July 31, 2014 . Variety . PMC . November 16, 2004 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201922/http://variety.com/2004/film/news/acad-drawn-to-staffer-s-design-1117913624/ . August 12, 2014 .
  34. News: Chang . Justin . Oscars hitched to trailer . July 31, 2014 . Variety . PMC . January 16, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201942/https://variety.com/2005/film/news/oscars-hitched-to-trailer-1117916390/ . August 12, 2014 .
  35. News: Gray . Brandon . 'Aviator,' 'Million Dollar Baby' Get Best Picture Boost . July 31, 2014 . Box Office Mojo . January 31, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715104358/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=1670&p=.htm . July 15, 2014 .
  36. News: Ticket sales are slow for best-picture nominees . July 31, 2014 . The August Chronicle . Morris Communications . February 17, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051244/http://old.chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/02/17/osc_443399.shtml . 2014-08-08 .
  37. News: 2004 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture . . July 14, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130809030345/http://boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=2004&p=.htm . August 9, 2013 .
  38. News: 2004 Yearly Box Office Results (January 24, 2005) . Box Office Mojo . July 14, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053502/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?asof=2005-01-24&view=releasedate&view2=domestic&yr=2004&sort=gross&order=DESC&p=.htm . August 8, 2014 .
  39. News: Host Chris Rock comes out swinging . August 1, 2014 . NBC News . NBC Universal . February 28, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150212170804/http://www.today.com/id/7042377/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/host-chris-rock-comes-out-swinging/ . February 12, 2015 .
  40. News: Modderno . Craig . Jude Law Is an Actor in Demand . August 1, 2014 . The New York Times . September 3, 2006 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150212170619/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/movies/03modd.html . February 12, 2015 .
  41. Shaiman . Marc . Robin Williams' Oscar Gag . August 1, 2014 . Entertainment Weekly . Time Warner . March 7, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808050539/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1033999%2C00.html . August 8, 2014 .
  42. News: Halbfinger . David M. . Cut From the Oscars: Cartoon Characters' Sins . August 1, 2014 . The New York Times . February 27, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811012558/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/movies/oscars/27williams.html . August 11, 2014 .
  43. News: Wloszczyna . Susan . Williams will be heard but not seen . August 1, 2014 . USA Today . Gannett Company . March 7, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808123030/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-03-06-robin-williams-main_x.htm . August 8, 2014 .
  44. News: Bianco . Robert . Alas, format did not do Oscar proud . July 14, 2014 . USA Today . Gannett Company . February 28, 2005 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052352/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-02-28-bianco-review_x.htm . August 8, 2014 .
  45. News: Lawrence . Robert P. . Even Chris Rock came off as tepid and tame at the Oscars . July 31, 2014 . . Tribune Publishing . February 28, 2005 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043630/http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050228/news_1c28laurencm.html . August 8, 2014 .
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