Is it me or was this year’s Academy Awards ceremony a little bit on the boring side? While I must admit that my negative attitude could be the result of me losing my Oscar pool by one stupid category, I still think that this year’s ceremony was missing something. Or maybe a few things. Where was the drama? The amazing dresses? Sure there were some beautiful pieces worn by Jennifer Hudson, Penelope Cruz and of course Anne Hathaway but I still think Hollywood’s finest were going through the motions. Clearly I can’t get enough of Jeff Bridges or Robert Downey Jr. but I seriously thought the stars were going to bring more of their A-game to Hollywood’s biggest night. Here are the highs and lows:
-I was excited to see James Franco and Anne Hathaway double team the Oscars but it was Hathaway’s show. Did Franco hit some pineapple express on the bong before going on stage? He could barely open his eyes and acted as if this gig was just another day on General Hospital while Hathaway worked overtime to be fun, clever and cute.
-Kirk Douglas – Tough to watch but he was very funny. Exploitation or giving a true legend the chance to be in front of his fans?
-Melissa Leo – Congrats! The Fighter was one of my favorite movies of the year – in fact I thought it was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time – and Leo was one of the reasons it was so good. Way to drop the “F” bomb in front of millions of people. Alice Ward would be proud.
-Why were Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem dressed like twins?
-Loved David Seidler’s speech when he won Best Original Screenplay for The King’s Speech. I felt for him just like I felt for Colin Firth’s character.
-Anne Hathaway is a triple threat – a great actress, funny and she can sing! J-E-A-L-O-U-S!
-I liked the idea of the history theme but it felt forced.
-I love that Robert Downey Jr. is not afraid to laugh at himself – he is fantastic in every way.
-Loved Tom Hooper’s mom story when he won Best Director. Is it me or does he kinda look like James Cameron?
-It doesn’t get any classier or more legendary than Eli Wallach. (See The Holiday circa 2006).
-Always happy to see Jeff Bridges – so cute and so cool. And yes, I realize he’s old enough to be my father but whatever – he’s awesome.
-Is it me or does Sandra Bullock get funnier and cooler every year?
This year was interesting as there were so many quality movies to choose from – my favorites were without a doubt The Fighter and Social Network – but I really wish that Oscar night had done the movies justice. I’m thrilled that Christian Bale won for Best Supporting Actor – he was the force of that movie – but I’m honestly over seeing Best Actress winner Natalie Portman’s face. Maybe next year Hathaway will host the Oscars on her own and maybe cinema’s most dramatic people will actually show some more emotion.
SOOO BORING. The attempt at the “young and hip” Academy Awards shriveled and died. They should’ve stuck with seasoned professionals like the Alec Baldwin/Steve Martin duo or John Stewart. Notice how all the charisma came from brief appearances from the older actors?? RDJr., Sandra, and even the 94 yr old Kirk Douglas for crying out loud! Sandra Bullock’s brief tribute to the Best Male Actor nominees had more charm in one “the dude, hey dude” than the cumulative length of Franco’s pot-ladden apathy and Hathaway’s trite coquettish bouts of laughter. They got S-C-H-O-O-L-E-D.
They started off strong…very “MTV Movie Awards” of them with the spoof montage on all the major movies of the year. I love Anne Hathaway, but can we say overcompensating much for Franco’s lack of enthusiasm??!! Franco was the stoned kid that rarely attends class and sits in the back, while Hathaway was the overly-eager straight A student who can’t stop raising her hand and answering questions. No wonder Hugh Jackman didn’t wanna jump on that crazy show boat.
I love me some Natalie Portman, but I still don’t get how a movie about large birds dancing on point and making out with girls is so “critically acclaimed.” Nevertheless, she gets an Oscar and a baby out of the deal. LLOOOVVEE Eli Wallach. Hands down the cutest elderly man ever. I think the person he is in “The Holiday” is the person he is in real life and I would like to join him for dinner where he tells me how much “gumption” I have.
Sorry you lost your Oscar pool. I’ll drop a Melissa Leo “F” bomb in your honor.
Isn’t it interesting how award shows always want to showcase the new talent but the older talent always takes them to school. I.e. I can’t remember if it was the Grammys or the American Music Awards or whatever but Stevie Nicks made Taylor Swift look like a fledgling little nobody when they performed together. Fleetwood Mac this my friends!
Keeping with the “school theme” – good comparisons with Franco and Hathaway as students. It was Hathaway’s show no question but she couldn’t make up for Franco’s lack of….well…anything. Shame on him!
If I see one more clip of Portman crying and looking like a crazy person I’m going to black swan dive off a building!
Glad you feel the same way about Eli Wallach – he gets me every time in “The Holiday” when he walks into that packed auditorium and starts tearing up. So good.
Thanks for the “F” bomb in my honor – high five to Melissa Leo!