Let me preface this post by saying, I LOVE THE
OSCARS. I watch most (if not all) of the nominated movies and performances, and enter an Oscar Pool EVERY year without fail. (Last night I was part of a three-way tie for second place. Even though it cost me the 5 points needed for the win, my heart was with you Mickey Rourke...)
Even at their very worst (David Letterman, I’m talking to you), I anticipate the awards with a childish fervour, and always watch the bloated telecast to the (sometimes) bitter end.
Last night, however, the Oscars roared with something they haven’t had in a long time: spark. Maybe it was because I truly loved Slumdog Millionaire, and enjoyed movies like Frost/Nixon, Doubt, The Wrestler, and Milk. Maybe my friends' Oscar Party cupcakes (and subsequent sugar rush) had something to do with my positive reviews, but I think it had something to do with the following highlights:
1) HUGH JACKMAN
For all of his naysayers and skeptics (my hand is raised), the man pulled of an often dry gig with much ado about everything: Singing, dancing, joking, oh my! His opening number rivalled (and surpassed!) the best of Billy Crystal, and his smiling mug had even a very hetero male in the room remark ‘that’s one good looking man’. Indeed.
2) SEAN PENN’S ACEEPTANCE SPEECH
The guy smiled! The man actually laughed! (Seemingly without the help of alcohol or any kind of narcotics!) FINALLY proving he has a sense of humour, the Best Actor winner mocked his melancholy and often rigid manner, all the while remaining eloquent, politically relevant and charming (!). Kudos for the special shout-out to the deserving Mickey Rourke (instead of the collective nominee gush!).
3) COMEDY
Whether it was Tina Fey and Steve Martin mocking scientology, the Pineapple Express sketch with Seth Rogen and James Franco, or Ben Stiller’s Joaquin Phoenix roast , the show was ripe with fresh and actually funny moments. No excrutiating ‘Uma, Oprah’, ‘Oprah, Uma’ moments here.
4) PAST OSCAR WINNER NOMINEE INTROS
While I still would have liked to have seen clips from all the nominated actors, the (mostly) heartfelt intros of the nominated actors by Oscar legends was a new (and sure-to-be classic) touch. Was there anything sweeter than watching Anne Hathaway tear up at having Shirley MacLaine sing her praises?
5) HEATH LEDGER’S (NON-SURPRISING) WIN
In what was a sure bet long before Oscar night, watching the final award Heath Ledger will ever win was both satisfying and sad. Watching his (very) composed mother, father and sister accept it on behalf of his daughter Matilda was both touching and disappointing.