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Last night, any attempts to revamp the Oscars into a sleeker production were foiled by the telecast's 3 hours and 30 minute running time. Sure, some of the show's pace seemed faster, but other decisions, like the five previous acting Oscar recipients presenting the acting awards helped draw out the evening (the NY Times' TV critic Alessandra Stanley said it "looked a little grim, less a movie-star moment than a Star Chamber"). However, there were some gratifying moments:
- When Man on Wire won for Best Documentary Feature and tightrope walker Philippe Petit took to the stage to speak, do a magic trick and balance the Oscar on his chin.
- Best Animated Short director Kunio Kato making us almost entirely forget Jack Black and Jennifer Aniston's horrible preceding banter by throwing in a "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto." Backstage, Kato was charming as well: When asked what the most exciting part of the evening had been for him, besides winning, his translator said, "Meeting Mr. Jack Black was the most exciting thing for him. He always wanted to be funny as he is."
- James Franco and Seth Rogen's Judd Apatow-directed short film that preceded the Short Film Oscar, with special cameo from Janusz Kaminski.
- Sean Penn's acceptance speech; it was no Mickey Rourke-style speech, but having Penn call out the Academy voters as "commie, homo-lovin' sons of guns" was great.
- Kate Winslet asking her dad to whistle so she could locate him—and he did!
- The genuine enthusiasm of the Slumdog Millionaire cast and crew. Sure, it wasn't much of a surprise that the little movie that could won, but those kids are pretty cute.
- And say what you will about the production numbers, but Hugh Jackman works hard.
More details on the nominees and winners and here's LAist's liveblog of the night.
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I saw Jackman on Broadway in "The Boy From Oz" a few years back. He was simply amazing. Usually movie stars suck on Broadway but this guy is the real deal, a tremendous talent who knows his craft thoroughly, like they used to in the old days.
I thought Jackman was surprisingly good. I had no expectations of him going into last night, but I thought he did a great job.
shnik, shnik slash.
KILL THE PRODUCTION NUMBERS!!! They are more awful every year. I love Hugh Jackman, but the material they gave him was just embarrassing. It wasn't the Tony's people.
I agree! I think Hugh Jackman is a wonderful performer, but the production numbers were messy. I think Variety was raving about the musical one, but I thought it was a mess.
I'm torn—I know this is Hollywood's big night to pat itself on the back hence all the standing ovations, but that's what's also killing the show—it being dragged out so long.
I think there's a mindset that Hollywood, especially with its musicals, helped America get through the Great Depression and other rough times. It was too much but it less procedural than past shows.
The show stank on ice.
1. The having actors tell the other actors why they were so great bit was a terrible. It was like the worst of Inside the Actor's studio.
2. The second musical number, with Beyonce, was pathetic. A tribute to musicals medley? What is this, a cruise? That was worse than an actual high school musical.
"What is this, a cruise?"
lol . . my thoughts exactly
why was she lip syncing, and jackman wasn't?
why was she lip syncing, and jackman wasn't?
I figured they would have at least one big production number since the Academy chose Hugh Jackman to host, who did a very good job. I think most people like myself would have been satisfied with just the opening number. The later melody with Beyonce paying homage to past musicals was unnecessary, but the show's producers obviously wanted an old fashioned, indulgent telecast (a stage curtain made of crystals?) to cheer up America.
The highlights had to be Ben Stiller, Tina Fey's chemistry with Steve Martin ("Don't Fall in love with me"), and the acceptance speeches by Penelope Cruz and Sean Penn. I was also a fan of having past Oscar winners introduce the current candidates, although some big names were missing (Tom Hanks and Jack). Ben Kinsley introducing "Randy the Ram" was a bit odd.
Queen Latifah's singing of "I'll Be Seeing You" over a dizzying montage of deceased Hollywood folks was all I could take
I know -- for some reason, the Variety review said, "Queen Latifah niftily accompanied the necrology package," but I thought it sucked, as does the applause meter sensibility of that segment.
Would it be too big of slap in the face to move the awards for best makeup, costumes, set design, etc. to the pre-Oscar ceremony. The second hour of the telecast is always the longest.
I actually appreciated Penn's remark. 'Homo-lovin' commies' are a little less annoying when they are at least honest about who they really are.
Commie lovin' homos sounds better.
The Oscars in three words: Obama was robbed.
Three words- WHERE WAS JACK???
And why in gods name was everyone but Jackman on autotune? Aren't these people (John Legend, Queen Latiffa, and the others) supposed to be able to sing?
Mickey Rourke was robbed.
Wolverine does showtunes. I love it.
I always thought it was insulting that there are extraneous musicals during a show that perpetually runs over while certain awards are given out prior to the ceremony. Are those Oscars less important than Beyonce lip syching?
Yes
and you sit all the way in the back.
The highlight was the James Franco/Seth Rogen/Pineapple Express skit.
That or Sophia Loren.
"What?...yes, I know. I know. Yeah, I'm grateful. Really. No, I'm not being sarcastic. Yeah, I'll pick it up next week...I'm losing bars. What? Yeah, I said I'll pick the fucking thing up next week. Yeah I'm happy. What...? Fuck it.
Who are you 'playing' next SEAN??? That stirling US REPREHENSIBLE BARNEY'play-with-my-schmeckle-get-a-loan'FRANK whereby you get a twofer - HOMO + COMMIE together???