It was a satisfying Oscars that never really went anywhere. James Franco and Anne Hathaway never made me laugh out loud but they weren’t horrible either. There were a few moments worth commenting on but mostly it was your typical Oscar ceremony, polite and right down the middle. Tomorrow the only awkward moment worth talking about will be Melissa Leo’s embarrassing acceptance speech, or non-speech depending on whether you’re talking about her speechlessness or her muted F-bombs. I have to admit I didn’t do as well as I have in the past predicting the awards. I got nine wrong. That’s 62% correct. Oh well, here’s a rundown of the ceremony.
HOSTS
The video of Anne and James going into the dreams of Alec Baldwin was the funniest bit these dueling hosts would have together. When the screen lifted and they walked out on stage I was ready for them to shine. Instead we had an amusing but forgettable series of jokes with their mother and grandmother out in the audience. What happened to joking at the nominees? I wouldn’t say they had zero chemistry but there was something lacking. Anne brought her charm but I guess James Franco left his at home (that or he was just too nervous being a nominee too). As the night went on I felt Jame’s dry, straight-man routine was a little too indifferent while Anne’s bubbly likeability dominated the paring. Next year, if they can’t get Steve Martin, I say have Anne host solo. Her musical attack on Hugh Jackman was proof of her talent and a highlight of the evening.
BEST PICTURE: The King’s Speech
The Academy must love having Spielberg give out this award. Two years ago he had the honor and I can’t help but wonder if they’d have him do it every year. I would prefer they surprise us with someone more unconventional than dole out the same old, popular “legend” but I did like what he said about the nine films that don’t get the award being amongst such films as Citizen Kane and Raging Bull. I’m so glad that The King’s Speech won.
Which leads me to a point: I hate it that there are ten nominations. It’s a joke because it waters down the award. There’s no point either because all one has to do is look at the Best Directors nominees to find out which five of the ten would have been the real nominees if they went back to the way it was. I understand they want to reward more popular flair but the Academy shouldn’t be a place of compromises. Forget the TV ratings and just simplify it like it once was.
BEST DIRECTOR: Tom Hooper
Tom Hooper certainly deserves the award and I loved how he thanked his mother for discovering The King’s Speech at a theater reading and suggesting he make it his next film. I’d have loved it if David Fincher won, but he’ll be nominated again, so it’s okay.
BEST ACTOR: Colin Firth
He has a great sense of humor and loads of class. I almost wished he had started dancing on stage. Predictable but I’m very happy he won.
BEST ACTRESS: Natalie Portman
The curse of Hilary Swank continues. The minute Hilary walked out on stage to present the presenter for Best Director (Kathleen Bigelow) I laughed. As long as Swank’s in the room Anne Bening will remain Oscar-less. In this instance I’m happy about it because Natalie Portman deserved the award. I loved her graceful acceptance speech and thought she looked beautiful.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christain Bale
Christian Bale delivered the best speech of the night. He really appreciated the award and I loved how he got choked up mentioning his wife. His quip about using the F-word before was wonderful and a great dig at himself. I love this guy and I’m so happy he won.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Melissa Leo
Where to begin? I’m really glad she won, she was certainly deserving of the award but how I wish she would have just said thank you and walked off stage. It was really awkward and funny but for the wrong reasons. Still I’m glad she won. She’s a fine actress. She’s just not that great at acceptance speeches. I also have to say Kirk Douglas was awesome.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The King’s Speech
I’m happy for David Seidler but I wish Christopher Nolan would have won. Mr. Seidler deserves the award, certainly, but I always favor the more inventive scripts and Nolan crafted the more original vision. Still I loved Seidler’s speech, especially how his father said he would always be a late bloomer.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: The Social Network
The second best speech of the night was from Aaron Sorkin and I loved what he said, especially his last line that ended the speech just right. He really does talk like the characters in his movies, doesn’t he?
BEST ANIMATED FILM: Toy Story 3
Pixar is the best; it’s just the truth.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: The Social Network
Of all the awards this is the one that I was most disappointed by. Inception’s score is so iconic and powerful. I really wanted it to win but there must be a lot of Nine Inch Nails fans because while I liked The Social Network’s music I think Zimmer’s score will stand the test of time.
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Inception
The better of the five nominees wins. That’s four Oscars for the Christopher Nolan film.
BEST ART DIRECTION: Alice in Wonderland
I should have known this one would have won. I just thought The King Speech would collect more awards. I would have preferred Inception to win but I guess the Academy wanted to spread the awards around.
BEST COSTUMES: Alice in Wonderland
I thought the King’s Speech would win this category because it’s a period film but Colleen Atwood deservedly took home the prize. Yeah!
BEST EDITING: The Social Network
The Social Network was well-edited but nowhere near as good as the Fighter. Even Black Swan was a better edited film, in my opinion. How hard is it to edit a movie directed by Fincher and written by Sorkin? The Academy thought really challenging, I guess.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Inception
I guess it’s not time for Roger Deakins to finally win an Oscar. I am glad that Wally Pfister won if Deakins couldn’t though. He was my second choice.
BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM: In a Better World
Based on the clips I am glad In a Better World won. I can’t wait to see this film when it’s available. Truth be told I can’t wait to see all of the nominees I hadn’t seen yet.
BEST MAKEUP: The Wolfman
Does Rick Baker ever get tired of winning Oscars?
BEST SOUND EDITING: Inception
Deserved it1
BEST SOUND MIXING: Inception
It was another victory for the best sounding movie of the year.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG: Toy Story 3
Randy Newman’s speech was the third best. I loved how he attacked the Academy for not finding a fifth song while thanking them at the same time. I still would have rather had Tangled’s “I See the Light” win but Alan Menken has so many Oscars already it doesn’t really matter. I have to apologize to Gwyneth Paltrow because I thought “Country Song” was nominated but it was the song “Coming Home” instead which is not cheesy at all.
BEST DOCUMENTRY: Inside Job
It would have been fun to see what Bansky would have done at the Oscars but I’m confident Inside Job deserved to win. I can’t wait to see this movie! I wish Charles Ferguson wouldn’t have apologized for making a comment about how no one has been prosecuted for what happened with the economic crisis. He should have remained strong in his criticism.
BEST DOCUMENTRY SHORT: Strangers No More
These shorts all look so good. I wish I could stream them on Netflix. Are you listening Netflix?
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT: God of Love
The Academy was in a Woody Allen mood it seemed. Matheny was such a likeable guy. I hope to see his first feature.
BEST ANIMATED SHORT: The Lost Thing
Pixar lost but to a very cool looking film. I hope to see it soon because it looks right up my alley.
IN MEMORIAM
Well the Academy did it again. Where was Corey Haim? The guy was in a lot of movies and even if his career hit the dumps that’s no way to kick a dead man while he’s down. Worse than Corey’s omission was Peter Grave’s absence (the guy was like in 70 films). They could have had an Airplane! trio with Lesley Nielson, Peter Graves and Barbara Billingsely (yes even the Beave’s mom was cut). Where was Betty Garrett? I find it inexcusable that they let such beloved actors vanish without acknowledgment. Besides that I thought Celine Dion's singing was fantastic and Halle Berry's tribute to Lena Horne a perfect ending.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Award shows are only entertaining if things go wrong and the Hosts and/or Presenters with wit turn the disaster into a golden moment. But nothing went wrong here, except for a few awkward moments which were kind of funny. Award shows succeed if the races are close, which in this case they were not. Award shows are memorable when those running it turn it into a night celebrating the movies without taking themselves too serious. I love the Oscars and I don’t ask for much. I don’t care how long the show is. I don’t care if there is dancing or not. All I ask is that the Academy honor the work. Bring the Honorary Oscars back to primtime and skip the four hour red carpet pre-shows. Oscar isn’t going anywhere, folks. Here’s hoping next year Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman (or someone a little more risky) rock the Kodak. Grade: B+.
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