And the Winner Is....Not Who You Think

There were some nice surprises on tonights academy awards. My favourite one was Alan Arkin for "Little Miss Sunshine". That was one of the films I did see and I thought he was great in it. I figured it would be overlooked by the academy. I was wrong. Several of the pics I made, did win. But there was about as many correct winners as there was surprises.

Favourite moment: Will Farrell and Jack Black and John C. Rielly singing on stage about doing films that just don't get nominated for academy awards.

Most See-Through Moment: Jerry Seinfeld "auditioning" to do next year's academy awards. So obvious. But funny nonetheless.

Ellen Degeneres was an okay host. She was politically correct and did not offend anybody. She kept all the humor "in the house". She just talked about the films and awards. She kept it safe. She was okay, but I wouldn't ask her back to do it again anytime soon. I love Ellen and her humour, she needed to take more risks. Overall, she was fun. Get her to host again in 5 years.

Also, what is up with all those wardrobe changes? Bring one dress people. Guys? They one have one suit. Or in this case, tux. Get with it people. Wear the dress long enough for people to remember it.

Most of the dresses were nice. A lot of crappy fashion this year. Even those from "The Devil Wears Prada". From a movie about fashion, they sure wore the crappiest fashion there. Disgraceful. Except for Emily Blunt in her sparkling sapphire piece. She looked great. I liked Beyonce's dress. It was divalicious, but subtly elegant. As well, Kate Winslet wore the mint green. J Lo's dress was surprisingly lovely in pink and sparkles. Just the wrong style of gown. Helen Mirren's boobs were just too prominent in that gown. Wrong dress for an award for a such a reserved character. And what is up with Kirsten Dunst picking crappy gowns these days. I just don't like her taste. Nicole looked like a walking candy apple. Jessica Biel what is up with the hot pink? Are you trapped in the 80's? Celine Dion really worked the green piece she came in. Reese looked good her black piece, continuing her modern style. Cameron Dia looked shockingly good as well. She was not wearing the over-baked tan and white wispy dress she was wearing at the Golden Globes. This look was much more flattering. Gwenyth was just too forgetable. The dress might've worked, but the colour was just too bland for me.

Now for the highlights of the evening: Pan's Labrynth not winning for best foreign film. What's up with that? Quite a few of the smaller categories took the risks (the were needed all over) and made the show worth watching. Marie Antoinette winning it's only nomination for best costume design. But seriously who needs an award for designing corsets and flowing skirts? That shits' been done people. I admit, sewing and putting it together is tough work. But it is not anything new.

Al Gore did not use his award win as a political stepping stone to announce his candidacy for running for president. Perhaps, he understands, there and times and places for these things. Again, that man has tremendous character and and is a true man of the people.

And how about Martin Scorcesse winning for best director? Huh people? That's right keep clapping. He is, THAT great. And what a give away huh? Having Spielberg, Coppola and Lucas give away the award. Once they hit the stage, Lee pointed out, they are all Scorcesse's chums. At that point, I knew he was a winner.

And how about "The Departed" getting every Oscar it was nominated for. Except for best supporting Oscar, for Mark Walhberg? Poor Marky Mark. I mean Mark.

And thankfully, we did not see Anna Nicole Smith get a mention in the reel of "People who passed away". She did not contribute to anything. She was not anyone of note.

Ah, I never really ultimately care who wins or who dies. Who dies? What? Oh I mean who wins, cause it is all a popularity contest. It is never really about who deserves the honour. Sometimes it is. But mostly, it is about who has everybody seen. And who does everybody want to win. Once it while, they will surprise you. But mostly, the Oscars has become predictable and boring and safe. The bet has become a sure thing. And with the few surprises this evening, perhaps the academy is ready to acknowledge the lack lustre of its ways.