Once again I was forced to sit in my rocking chair and watch the much desired golden statues being handed out to other actresses. Each and every year this small pea is placed under the mattress of my life and I once again confront failure.
The good news is, that I can make fun of all manner of things that are involved in the Academy's decision to ignore me once again. Well, lets face it. They are in good company as the entire movie industry had a very successful year of ignoring me. Several, in fact. It has almost become a hobby, I believe.
THE WINNERS AND THE LOSERS. I had my pom-poms in hand only for Robert Downey, and he lost to a guy who died of an overdose. Sad. Downey kicked his own deamons, the other guy OD's, and he gets the Oscar. Just plain silly. What's the point in giving a dead person an Oscar? It's not going to help his career. Do a brief memorial and mention that drinking, mega drugging, and all that should not be tried at home as these are professionals and they still screwed it up. Anyway, sorry for Robert.
SlumDog Millionaire-- have not seen it, but was rooting for it because I like Bollywood films and was glad to see this be accepted.
THE SHOW. Bravo, Hugh Jackman! You simply didn't do anything wrong. Wonderful job.
The endless clips were not as annoying this year for some reason. Normally they drag on and on and on, but this year went fairly well. Or maybe I just quit paying attention and blocked them out. Not really sure on that one. Most years the musical numbers are just horrid and make one wish that the light battens would fall and crush these people who are inflicting added torture. This year, Mr. Jackman made them fun! And I found myself wishing the producers had just let him perform for a couple of hours and then just read a list of who won and be done with it. So, again, bravo, Mr. Jackman.
Still it is too long. I think she show could be cut to 2 hours with ease. Only show the "major" awards. Have an industry only event to give out the rest of the awards. How many tickets are really sold because so-and-so won an Oscar for "best sound editing"? I'm not saying the award is not important to the winner, but the fact is, it is only important to the winner and the people within the industry who might hire the winner for future projects. Take it off the show. Move along.
Sadly, the fun of seeing stars all dressed up and out together has pretty much left the building. The presenters this year were a step up from the actors and actresses or more likely rap artists and TV personalities who had presented for the last several years.
All in all, it was a fairly pleasant production. But, with the exception of the host, it lacked ... well, "starpower". I don't think it could contend for an Oscar.
