For the last month, the Oscar nominees have been feted at feasts across Hollywood, schmoozed with the voters and pretended that it's all about the art (not the money). When all was said and done, The Hurt Locker walked away with Best Picture, a total of 6 Oscars, and its director, Kathryn Bigelow, became the first woman to win Best Director. Not a bad night.
Now, the anticipation is over, the awards have been handed out and someone has to wake up the hungover revelers (God only knows where Quentin Tarantino will wake up on Monday morning).
What did we like about the show? What did we hate?
What We Liked - Gabourey Sidibe on the red carpet (during the E! coverage, not the pre-Oscar show). Precious may never get another nomination in her life (she might not even appear in another movie in her life), but she was sexy, sassy and fun on the red carpet. She injects some life into the timid proceedings. Next year, the Oscar producers need to invite Lady Gaga just to bring some excitement, unpredictable behavior and crazy fashion to the red carpet.
What We Hated - Kathy Ireland on the red carpet. Learn how to read. Seriously. Watching her lumber through her lines during the pre-Oscar show made me wonder why she was employed to be there in the first place. Just hire Joan Rivers and let her loose.
What We Liked - Doogie gets to start the show! Sure, the song was a bit raunchy, but funny. I have a feeling Mr. Neil Patrick Harris just endeared himself to the right people and will host some day soon.
What We Hated - Did I see Rachel McAdams sitting with Jake Gyllenhaal? Are they dating? Doesn't Rachel want to spend her time with a charming, but chubby, movie critic?
What We Liked - Giving out a big award early. The first Oscar goes to Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) for Best Supporting Actor. This engages the audience quickly, instead of last year's debacle where it took over an hour to get to a big award.
What We Hated - Too many features and tributes. They were great, but made the show drag
after starting so strong. Even Clooney's girlfriend looked bored as they finally gave out that Animated Short award. Who else screamed in terror when the announcer said, "Coming up ... A salute to horror films"? Plus, when did the Oscars become So You Think You Can Dance? Bring back the performances of songs nominated for Original Song before we have to sit through another dance number (did we all go to the bathroom during that?)
What We Liked - The Kodak Theater. The team that transformed the theater into one of the most gorgeous and visually interesting stages I have ever seen at the Oscars deserves an Oscar.
What We Hated - Ben Stiller tried so hard, but he was rescuing a bit that originally had Sacha Baron Cohen dressing up like a Na'Vi female claiming James Cameron got her pregnant. That would have been funnier.
What We Hated - Note to Sarah Jessica Parker, when giving out the award for Best Costume Design, you should not wear something that looks like a reject from Cleopatra.
What We Liked - Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin were good hosts, but not great hosts. The Paranormal Activity bit was funny, and the two did a great job sharing the stage and giving each other a chance to shine, but they ran out of material as the show dragged on.
What We Hated - What the $#%^@ was Sean Penn talking about when he gave out the award for Best Actress?
What We Liked - Some of our favorites walked away with gold. Bigelow's win is historic, but also poetic as she defeats her ex-husband. Bullock is America's Sweetheart, and gets her due.
What We Hated - Did the orchestra have to play I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar when Bigelow won. Really?
What We Liked - I love it when the nominees' friends tell stories about them. Pfeiffer and Robbins were awesome with their heartfelt, real stories. And, Oprah has the best writers in the business.
What We Hated - What the $#%^@ was Sean Penn talking about when he gave out the award for Best Actress?
What We Liked - Some of our favorites walked away with gold. Bigelow's win is historic, but also poetic as she defeats her ex-husband. Bullock is America's Sweetheart, and gets her due.
What We Hated - Did the orchestra have to play I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar when Bigelow won. Really?
What We Liked - I love it when the nominees' friends tell stories about them. Pfeiffer and Robbins were awesome with their heartfelt, real stories. And, Oprah has the best writers in the business.
I agree of most of what you say.
This show could esily EASILY be cut to 2 quick hours. Dump all the editing / short subjects / sound mixing awards. get rid of all of the HORRIBLE dance sequences. Put on REAL stars....Mylie Cyrus, Kristen Stewart?....why not throw in Kim Novack, Julie Christie, Warren Beatty, Leslie Caron, Faye Dunaway, etc. Use them while they are still around. The only big old-time star was streisand. add back the old honorary oscar - what an embarrassment to have LAUREN BACALL standing there with nothing to say. I would have much preferred hearing what she had to say than looking at an interpretive dance sequence from hurt locker.