Oscar Thoughts

Since I just got my computer yesterday, I have not been able to jot down my random thoughts about last weekend's Oscars. However, I am now back on line and trying to remember everything I wanted to say.

First of all, I know that he was nervous at the start, but overall I think Jon Stewart did an incredibly admirable job. The opening was hysterical, especially Jon's little victory dance once he realized that he wasn't dreaming that he woke up right next to George Clooney (because who would want to wake up next to Mr. Clooney?) and the Bjork/Cheney joke was expected but well crafted. He also took good advantage of the acceptance "speech" by the 3-6 Mafia (?) for Best Original Song. Indeed, why were they the most excited people there??

Second, I must express my dismay that "Crash" won for Best Picture. I mean, c'mon! Is Hollywood that shallow that they'd rather give the prize to a movie that is all about LA and was shallow and obvious rather than...pretty much any of the other four nominated movies. Of all the movies nominated I would have preferred to see "Capote" take home the Oscar; of all the movies released last year, the best picture was "The Squid and the Whale". Both of those are complex character studies and full of memorable and compelling performances. Both are movies that I look forward to seeing again; I have no desire to see "Crash" again.
As I've said time and time again, "Crash" can be summed up in the song "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" from the musical Avenue Q. You don't need two hours of melodrama and hysteria to get the message across.

Third, despite the fact that the rest of the awards were predictable, I was mostly happy with the outcome of the major categories (though "Crash" did not deserve Best Original Screenplay). Phillip Seymour Hoffman, George Clooney and Rachel Weisz were all at the top of my list. Having not yet seen "Walk The Line" I cannot comment on Reese Witherspoon, but I am skeptical that she was better than Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica" or Laura Linney's unnominated performance in "The Squid and the Whale". Reese was mildly entertaining as Elle Woods, but is she really Oscar worthy? There have been a lot of complaints that the awards were too predictable, but I was not much perturbed. Isn't it better that the right people won than the wrong people winning but the show being a shocker?
Considering the viewing numbers, maybe I'm wrong.

And that brings me to my fourth point.
So what if the viewing numbers were down.
They always say know your audience. The average American didn't see the five nominated films. Why? Not because they weren't good movies and not because they weren't readily available across the country. The average American doesn't like movies where something doesn't blow up. Of course the blow up movies haven't been raking in the big bucks like they used to, which is why half of the Oscars was dedicated to begging viewers to see movies in the theater.

Fifth - who in their right mind thought Lauren Bacall should be doing an intro to film noir? She was lovely and talented in her day but she could barely utter a complete word let alone a complete sentence. It was just painful watching her struggle through the introduction. As many have pointed out it was this year's version of the Elizabeth Taylor/Golden Globe speech, aka the drugged/drunk/ancient mutterings of the aging Hollywood Star. Just sad.

Overall it was an enjoyable evening and should they tap Jonny-boy to host again, I don't think it would be the worst thing in the world.

Movin' On Up

In around 8 hours from now, I will fly out of LA and heads towards what I hope to be a brand new life in Boston.

As I believe I have made clear to every single person I know, I am more than a little freaked out about the move - but I'm still going through with it.

My boxes have all been packed and shipped; my luggage is bursting at the seams; and I've said my goodbyes to my family.

It is truly pathetic, but I'm a 29 year old woman who wants her mother to live across the street. I guess sometimes you never really grow up.

As I prepare to head into the great and mysterious unknown, I hold onto the knowledge that in various locations over the US there are people who care about me and wish me well, and that this is more of an adventure than anything else and I need to hold onto the excitement of it all and the opportunities I will hopefully be presented with and let go of the anxiety.

And if all else fails, I am parting on good terms with my mom so I can always come home.

But I really hope that's not the case.