Everyone has been asking me what I thought of this years Oscars. I didn't post, since it's now over two weeks since the awards were announced..and here is why...
Personally, I thought it was a good show..concise, to the point, and within the time allotment. My problem is that the Oscars have become superfluous. Thanks to the internet, Entertainment Weekly, The AV Club (a website I highly recommend), and others, the show has lost its enticement. When I was young, a movie would be nominated for an Academy Award, and that would be a reason to see it. Now, by the time the nominations are announced, we already know who won the Golden Globe, the Screen Actors Guild, the New York (and every other major city in America) Film Critic's award, the Independent Spirit Award, and even the Razzie Awards.
However, since you're waiting with baited breath..here are my thoughts:
I'm extremely thrilled that two of my favorite movies of 2011 split the major awards: "Hugo" and "The Artist." Both were homages to the era of silent film, and both were fantastic. "Hugo" won the technical awards (cinematography, art direction, sound mixing, sound effects, and visual effects) while "The Artist" won a mixture of technical and major awards (score, costume, director, actor, and picture.) As I said in previous blogs: "Hugo" was the most beautiful movie of the year and "The Artist" will have you leaving the theater with a smile on your face and tapping you feet. (Side note..haven't blogged about "Hugo" yet..guess you know what will be in the future..)
Also, I was ecstatic for the animated short win.."The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore." Loved this short!! I hope it will be available on dvd..and it was another homage to old films!
Biggest surprise? Meryl Streep for best actress for "The Iron Lady." I have not seen this film, but I think it's another problem with the Oscars....the sympathy vote. It's been done time and time again... Julia Roberts "Erin Brokovich" over Ellen Burstyn "Requiem for a Dream"..('well, Julia's been making money for us and Ellen already has one for "Alice Dosesn't Live Here Anymore."')...Judy Densch "Shakespeare In Love" over Lynn Redgrave "Gods and Monsters," .....and the most egregious...Roberto Benigni "Life is Beautiful" over Ian McKellen "Gods and Monsters." (Guess I know what movie I need to add to CinaJim's pics!)
I Love Meryl..have been a fan since the '70's when I first saw her on a PBS play "Uncommon Women and Others." She is our greatest living actress. She has been nominated 17 times and has not won since "Sophie's Choice"...14 nominations ago. Sorry..I wanted to see " The Help"... Viola Davis accept best actress along with Octavia Spencer (who won best supporting actress.)
And I also have to raise a pint to Robert Sherman, who passed this week. I was unhappy about the "song" nominations this year; why has the Academy turned this into a blah category when we had the Sherman brothers give us the most wonderful songs of our childhood...two Oscars for "Mary Poppins"... (score and song "Chim Chim Cher-ee"), one of my favorite scores, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," and so many more...
We will remember the Sherman brothers songs for a long time....so, what won this year? or last year? or the year before?
So, I am finished rambling..(well almost, that Cirque Du Soliel thing was cool..but what the hell did that have to do with the Oscars? And what was up with the lame "In Memorium" this year?!?)
Yes, I will continue to have "Oscar Night" as an event in my life, but I will be more critical of it. Guess the next blog will be a "CinaJim Pic." Keep it reel everyone!
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