"The Artist" star Jean Dujardin, accepting his award for Best Actor, one of the many awards won by the film last night.
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
The following were on my mind between Thursday, February 23rd to Monday, February 27th:
- As a whole, I thought that last night's Oscars telecast was much better than I expected, in that it managed to be the epitome of average. Sure, there were many parts of it that I hated. I thought Billy Crystal's opening sketch and monologue (basically the same thing that he's always done) was dreadful and completely devoid of any fresh or hilarious moments, as was Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow's banter about Downey's documentary crew before presenting the awards for Best Documentary Feature, and both Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz flashing their backsides while doing their awards presentation, and a few other bits that never panned out. Also, there were these strange problems with the show's audio that often made it hard for me to hear just what those people were saying.
But there were still plenty of bright moments to outweigh them: Chris Rock's funny bit while presenting Best Animated Feature (although a bit disrespectful to talented voice actors like Dan Castellaneta and Maurice Lemarche who have made solid careers out of their voiceover talent), Emma Stone totally getting into her "first time presenting" bantor with Ben Stiller, the "Wizard of Oz" sketch involving Christopher Guest's comedy troupe, and the terrific acceptance speech from people like "A Separation" director, Asghar Farhadi, Best Supporting Actor winner Christopher Plummer, and Merryl Streep. And Crystal, while lacking humor almost throughout the show, did a respectable enough job in being non-threatening and pleasant especially coming in on such short notice after Eddie Murphy bailed as the original host. I would rather have him as the host than an uninterested James Franco and a desperate-to-entertain Anne Hathaway anyday.
And now, here are some other thoughts that I had of the night (and, trust me, there were quite a few):
a. It's fitting that the majority of this year's films nominated for Best Picture had to do with the past and nostalgia, because the whole show seemed to essentially be about the Academy trying to remind everyone over and over again just how magical the movies are, and we all still enjoy going to a movie theater and getting entranced into the action just as back in the day when families would pay fifty cents to spend an entire Sunday afternoon watching two features, a newsreel, and a Disney cartoon. Not only did they bring out the 15th different variation of the same movie montage this year, they had a bunch of celebrities from Brad Pitt to Patton Oswalt to even Adam Sandler (apparently, the Academy didn't get the memo that maybe asking an 11 time Razzie nominee to tell audiences what a good film should do wasn't such a good idea) talk about why they love the film going experience, including which films inspired them to pursue their path in the business. They even brought out Cirque de Soleil to even perform about the moviegoing experience (because what Billy Crystal Oscar would be like without a few texting jokes, amirite?), and it seemed like a bunch of nominees received a memo beforehand to use this theme in their acceptance speech.
b. Considering that Streep has already won the award twice and was nominated for an acting award fifteen more time, I found it interesting that her win for Best Actress over Viola Davis was considered the major upset of the night.
c. So glad that "Community's" Jim Rash picked up the award for Best Adapted Screenplay last night (all while also getting in the news for hilariously paying homage to Angelina Jolie's pose). Now, the show has an Academy Award winner in addition to having an Emmy award winning show-runner, an Emmy award winning actor who plays a racist old man, the lead actor from "The Soup," the Asian guy from "The Hangover" that plays a crazy guy, an up and comer rapper and comedian, as well as two incredible hot female co-stars. If NBC doesn't use any of this to promote "Community" before their March 15th return, then they have truly showed that they just don't care about the show any more.
d. Another pleasant surprise: Brett McKenzie picking up the Oscar for Best Original Song for "Man or Muppet." Now, as a "Flight of the Conchords" fan, I'm hoping that this might be the new inspirational boost to give him and Jemaine new ideas for the long-awaited third season of the show.
e. I wonder who we will first see appear on the Oscars in the future, if at all: Woody Allen or Terrence Mallick?
f. Speaking of Terrence Mallick, I can't believe that his film "The Tree of Life" didn't at least pick up the award for Best Cinematography (easily the best part of that movie). I'm sure the "Hugo" was stunning to watch (especially in 3D), but Emmanuel Lubezki's work on the film was one of the few examples that I've seen in recent films wear every shot, every moment put on screen looked like a work of art. Not only that, but he did in a way where he was able to capture every meaningful light and transparency that was needed.
g. I have no words for this photo. I just...
h. As everyone and their mother expected would happen, "The Artist" came out as the big winner of the night, winning 5 awards (tied with "Hugo" for the most of any movie) including Best Costume Design, Best Actor, Best Director, and, of course Best Picture. Honestly, I'm not all that mad about it. The film was like "The King's Speech" (another film that Harvey Weinstein manipulated the Academy with to get himself another big trophy). It was pleasant, it was well-made, and it was overall enjoyable, but it didn't come close to being the best film of the year. Over the years, I see it being mostly remembered as the movie who won just because of its silent-film gimmick. Still, I hope that this won't be the last that we see of Michael Hazanavicius, Jean Dujardin, Benerice Bejo, and the rest of that movie's main contributors. Hopefully, their follow-ups (with sound) will be just as good, if not better.
i. I kind of feel bad for Gary Oldman. The guy had worked years to get to this point with his nomination in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," only to have his biggest chance at glory defeating by a Frenchman who not many had heard of before this year.
j. If I'm to judge the reception of a film by the Academy based on the applause it got during the moment that tom Cruise was announcing their names, it looks like not many of them liked "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" either. How that much-maligned movie got nominated in the first place is something that I will never know.
k. I love Martin Scorsese as much as the next movie lover, but some of the god-like complements he got from the "Hugo" people that won awards last night were a bit too much. Glad the "Bridesmaids" girls addressed it with that Scorsese drinking game joke.
l. I wonder how alternate universe me thought of Eddie Murphy's job as host in his version of the Oscars.
m. Final Oscar predictions tally: 9-2, with my only wrong guesses being Viola Davis winning Best Actress for "The Help" and "Paradise Lost 3" winning Best Documentary. Damn you, Merryl Streep, for letting me get Best Actress wrong! DAMN YOUUUU!
- I was not all that interested in the new ABC comedy "Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23" before last night, but after they aired a promo of it during the Oscars with that clever "Breaking Bad" reference at the end, I now kind of have to.
- My God, has Paul Rudd ever aged in the last twenty years? I for the life of me cannot distinguish him in 2012's "Wanderlust" for him in 2005's "The 40 Year Old Virgin," 2001's "Wet, Hot, American Summer," or even 1995's "Clueless."
- It's just impossible for me to mention the show "Revenge" without getting my knees, holding my hands up in the air, and shouting the name for five seconds.
- For some reason, I tend to enjoy songs that play on the radio then songs when played on my iPod. I also tend to more likely watch an repeat of a TV episode more if it was on the small screen then if I were to pop it up on my DVD player. I still cannot seem to explain it.
- "30 Rock's" special Leap Day episode was one of the finest episodes that I've seen of the show in quite a while. I enjoyed everything about it: the inspired writing, the Jim Carrey cameo in a "Groundhog Day"/"It's a Wonderful Life"/"Bruce Almighty" spoof, the fact that they may have just created the new Festivus with all of the Leap Day traditions on the show, and so much more. Guess that not having a Christmas episode this season turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
- Lately, there have been three types of songs that I've noticed played on classic rock stations: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and filler in between Zeppelin and Floyd.
More random thoughts to come on Monday. Until then, enjoy the start of your workweek! And since I hope we posting on Wednesday, enjoy your Leap Day 2012 as well! Take chances that day. Remember, as Leap Day William might say, nothing counts on that day until March.
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
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