The Conical Glass: Oscar!

Monday, February 26, 2007

Oscar!

You would think we'd have stayed home and watched the Oscars in high def on our new TV, but you'd be wrong. We opted to attend the Oscar bash at the Cerrito; I thought it would be fun to experience it communally. What I didn't think through was how boring the telecast often is, and if you're watching at home, you have the option of fast-forwarding through the dull bits (if you're TiVo'ing) or going off to check your e-mail. The Cerrito event featured fast-paced trivia contests during the commercials (Joe won a DVD of "The Maltese Falcon") and prizes in categories like Most Glamorous and Celebrity Look-A-Likes, and it was fun to applaud when deserving folks like Alan Arkin and Martin Scorsese won (when the latter's name was called, someone yelled out "ABOUT F*&$ING TIME!," and thank goodness Eddie Murphy didn't win, with his hateful "Norbit" currently stinking up theaters). But I've pretty much decided that the only way I'm watching the Oscars from a theater seat in the future is if I or a loved one is nominated for one of the awards.

I enjoyed the little interpretive Pilobolus dance routines (who would've thought "Snakes on a Plane" would get any recognition during the Oscars?), and I liked the fact that they didn't just show clips for the Best Picture nominees, but had some of the people involved talk about the films. Errol Morris' opening montage was kind of cute and at that point in the telecast, there was still plenty of goodwill available. My supply of goodwill had definitely run out by the time Michael Mann's America-in-the-movies montage rolled around, though. I've complained about the superfluous montages in the past, and this time we had to sit through three of them. I was pleased that schlocky Chuck Workman was finally given the heave-ho, but I hope some year the montages get cut altogether. They won't be missed.

I was also disappointed by how many of the winners immediately pulled out a piece of paper and started reading when they got up to the mike. I can understand that you don't want to be tongue-tied in front of several million people, but it removes all spontaneity and excitement from the proceedings.

As for Ellen, I thought she had some funny bits, but her opening monologue seemed a little too low-key. I missed some of the more dazzling and surprising openings of Oscarcasts past, such as Billy Crystal's always-lively musical numbers and Jon Stewart's "Brokeback Mountain" moment with George Clooney.

Nicole Kidman: Step away from the Botox. Also, that bow looked like it was eating her head.

posted by 125records @ 10:23 AM

3 Comments:

At 1:47 PM, flasshe said…

Nicole Kidman: Step away from the Botox. Also, that bow looked like it was eating her head.

I guess that explains why I thought the bow was some kind of animal.

epulxgkd! epulxgkd!
At 10:26 PM, 2fs said…

I didn't watch - never do - but hey, about that winners pulling out a piece of paper thing, I mean you can't expect actors to memorize lines, can you?
At 2:24 PM, Cult of James said…

Nicole's Botox use is probably minimal next to her ex-husband's: Didn't Tom look like he'd had his face ironed or something? Everyone at the party I attended laughed when he appeared with his odd-looking hair and ultra-shiny face. Maybe he's decided he needs to look the same age as Katie -- too bad all the cosmetic trickery in the world can't disguise the fact that he's nearly 20 years ahead of her!