84th Academy Awards (Commentary)

HOSTING            
Billy Crystal was back and while not quite as good as he was in the ‘90s he did do a good job.  The opening sequence was great until the end with all the blue screen silliness and his musical routine was probably his least successful version.  It was nice to get back to the basics though after last year’s perceived debacle.  Personally I hope this was his last hosting job.  I would like to see someone less predictable. 

BEST PICTURE                                                                                   

The Artist                                                                                           

The black and white, silent film won, beating out Martin Scorsese, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Terrence Malick, Woody Allen, and Alexander Payne.  It won with a principle cast of unknowns telling an original story without CGI special effects or dialogue.   I haven’t been this happy for a film winning since Shakespeare In Love.  Storytelling triumphs.  I was a little worried when Hugo started winning so many of the technical awards but in the end the best took up the coveted prize.

BEST DIRECTOR                                                                                

Michel Hazanavicius -The Artist                                                                

Thank you Michel Hazanavicius for proving that a good story is more important than big names, color or sound.  Story is king and I’m glad they rewarded this French guy for his bravery.  Also it’s wonderfully made too so there’s that.                                     
                                                                                            
BEST ACTOR                                                                                      
Jean Dujardin - The Artist                                                                            

The guy who doesn’t say a word wins.  I knew it.  Don’t worry George Clooney fans, he’ll be here again.  Brad Pitt fans, sorry, but your guy keeps talking about retiring so I don’t know.
                                                                                                                            
BEST ACTRESS                                                                                   
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady                                                                     

I picked this one wrong.  But I can’t be miffed.  Mrs. Streep is the greatest actor on the planet; she’s deserving of the kudos.  I haven’t seen the film yet but I have no doubt she’ll blow me away.   That doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed.  Viola Davis hasn’t won the Oscar yet.  I hope she’ll be back soon.   And although Meryl sounded confident she wouldn’t be up there again, something else me she’s underestimating her chances.                                                                

                                                                                             
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR                                                                                          
Christopher Plummer - Beginners                                                                           
 
Classy and humorous speech, Mr. Plummer.  You deserved it and I’m so glad Beginners can have Oscar Winning film associated with it now. 
                                                                           
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS                                                                                      
Octavia Spencer-  The Help                                                                         

Another one I got right.  Very deserving, I loved her emotional speech, a memorable moment for sure.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY                                                                                     

Midnight in Paris -- Woody Allen                                                                                              
 
I’m so happy that Woody won.  I didn’t think it would happen but it did.  Sure the Artist was very well done but Midnight in Paris just has that extra bit for me.   And I’m not talking about dialogue.                              
                                                                                           
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY                                                                                      
The Descendants -- Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash                                                                                               

Another one I picked and was happy to see come to pass.  Alexander Payne is so good at adapting these kind of books.  Keep doing it.

BEST ANIMATION FEATURE FILM                                                                                             

Rango                                                                                  

Yep.
                                                                                            
BEST ART DIRECTION, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST SOUND EDITING & BEST SOUND MIXING                 
Hugo                                                                    

I totally underestimated Hugo for the technical awards.   I’m not saying I agree completely (especially for Cinematography where Tree of Life looked amazing) but it is a deserving winner.  I must admit I started to wonder if it was going to take best picture too.                                                             

                                        
BEST COSTUME DESIGN                                                                                             
The Artist - Mark Bridges                                                                                             

The Artist deservedly won because of the time period and costuming back and white isn’t exactly easy.

BEST FILM EDITING                                                                                        

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall                                                                                      
                                                        
Not only was I wrong but the one that I liked the least takes home the prize.  I just felt this movie dragged a little for me and since editing is about timing, I just didn’t think it should have won.    

BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM                                                                                             

A Separation

I can’t wait to see.  The director’s speech was very moving too.  Something about different cultures coming together because of art seems so good to me.  

BEST MAKEUP                                                                                  

The Iron Lady                                                    
 
The coolest part about his award was Meryl Streep’s genuine appreciation toward her make-up artist.  

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS                                                                                    

Hugo                                                                                    

Really?  I didn’t like this one.  Sure Hugo looked good but nowhere near as impressive as the apes in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes or even the epic feel of Harry Potter.   It seems Hugo won this by default because it was winning all the other technical awards.

                                                                                                                                              
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE                                                                                  
The Artist - Ludovic Bource                                                                         

The Artist won, deservedly, because it was the pulse of the movie.  Without it we’d have nothing but the audience breathing and eating their popcorn.

                                                                       
BEST ORIGINAL SONG                                                                                   
"Man or Muppet"  from The Muppets -- Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie                                                          

I can’t wait to hear and see this song soon.         

BEST DOCUMENTARY                                                                                       

Undefeated

I was surprised.  I thought Pina had it in the bag but Undefeated proved just that.
                                                                                      
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT                                                                                   
Saving Face                                                                                        

And for the shorts I got all three right, I impressed myself.  As for the short documentary, why did it win?  It’s the kind of story that pulls heart strings.

                                                                                              
BEST ANIMATED SHORT                                                                                               
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore                                                                                          
                                                                      
I hope I can see this short some time because it looks wonderful.  The two film makers who accepted the award seemed like funky friends I’d love to hang out with. 
                                                                                              
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT                                                                                            
The Shore - Terry George and Oorlagh George                                                                                  

 Cast a big name in your film like Ciarán Hinds and go collect your Oscar, or that’s what it seems happened.   Time Freak and Tuba Atlantic both looked really good though and they’re the two I’d like to see some day.