Oscars Review: You've Got To Get Back Up
Random thoughts on the recent Academy Awards
Oh, excuse me. It is apparently more "with it," and "hip," or......"sick" to call it The Oscars.
Whatever.
Seth MacFarlane did pretty well with the stand up material, making it timely and topical. I knew he would add some Great American Songbook with his vocal stylings -- but would a little ironic rewrite have killed him? I appreciate him introducing the classics to the young 'uns, but there was no correlation to the movies really, other than to entertain -- and with three hours of movie nominees, there should be a connection. The dancing was sweet and added to the classiness, but methinks MacFarlane was far too interested in how he was going to come off, than truly serving the occasion.
Not surprisingly, I am NOT a fan of the boob song. Badly written , boring and repetitive -- unless you're a desperate teen boy taking notes for tomorrow's rental order -- I did find redeeming value just to see Jennifer Lawrence's arm of victory waved because we HAVEN'T seen hers. Only 22 -- let's keep it that way!
I simply adored the glittering golden lights in the opening numbers as part of this year's set design for the Academy Awards. I also liked the swirl pattern on the main stage, however the floral sort of pattern behind the repeated Oscars looks distinctly stolen from Pinterest projects done using only the business end of a a plastic spoon. See for yourself! http://pinterest.com/pin/177470041536368658/
And the reel to reel projectors used in the other background probably weren't even recognizable to young viewers -- I can hear them now, "What's with the ugly bicycles?"
In a tough opening spot, Melissa McCarthy and Paul Rudd did what they could, but could have used better material. It would have been nice to see the weekend's #1 at the box office star have a less gray looking dress though. Did she borrow no jewelery? Come on!
Avengers: Fellas, stick to the group action stuff 'cuz comedy ain't for sissies. And for the love of God and all that is holy, do NOT make Samuel Jackson angry.....
Life of Pi movie -- let me get this straight. There was no water, no tiger and no pie? Amazing!
Shirley Bassey singing one of the most iconic Bond songs that everyone "knows" (but really they only the title) was a glorious touch to a Bond tribute, although I would rather have seen a reunion of the Bonds than the Avengers. Bassey wore a lovely outfit and made appropriate use of sheer material to smooth out the look -- though, wasn't that the approach Katy Perry took and got banned from the Muppets? Ah well, no GoldFinger muppet parody in the future I guess.
And how many of those hunched over young men, still exhausted from trying to write down all the movies named in the "boob" song, got a secret thrill when Halle Berry cited Pussy Galore that way? You got what she was really saying, right? Boy, the media sure caters to young men -- where is Dickie Moore when you need him, am I right, ladies?
Best quote so far, a dedication to "the center of my universe, my dearest Nina." And just a little politics for the evening when the winners of Best Documentary "Inocente" brought up a subject of their film, a girl who was homeless just last year. Support the arts, indeed!
Good to see Daniel Day Lewis has finally liberated his own left foot, by the way -- although it seems to have made its way into host Seth MacFarlane's joke about John Wilkes Booth. Yes, Seth....too soon, er, cheap.
The character Jessica Chastain plays in Zero Dark Thirty is noted as being dogged in her 12 year pursuit of one man, namely Osama Bin Laden. I was surprised she did not win -- that's a record any woman on Plenty of Fish can attest to as "fast." Those same women are running to see "Searching for Sugar Man," hoping it is a how-to.....
Jennifer Garner's dress was classic and admirable -- but how do you sit on a lump of fluff like that? I hope the trellis disconnects -- it would drive me crazy.
The overall musical theme of the Oscars added to the allure and classiness, I think. I was pleasantly surprised how well I know the lyrics to "All That Jazz," and also how high the hair on the back of my neck still stands to this day thanks to the rousing rendition of the Dreamgirls classic "And I am Telling You" by Jennifer Hudson. Anyone not appreciative of the emotional build during the Les Mis, production number, let alone the trio of young faces and unknown single male sandwiched by known entities like lead Hugh and Anne and Crowe -- all so serious and in character until the (seemingly) entire audience joins them on stage -- was stirring as well. Isn't it nice to see LIVE THEATRE performers making us proud!
Lots of long blonde hair this year. The women looked good, too....
Adele -- lovely as ever, rockin' the 60s eyelashes but every so often you get a glimpse of the young girl and mother she actually is. I felt she was overpowered by the music at all points,
however, I didn't have a great sound system so maybe it was just me. And what the heck is Skyfall about anyway? Why is this "the end?"
BARBRA STREISAND. Just let that soak in. BARBRA STREISAND. There I said it again because I enjoyed it so much. She has finally achieved true love, has never had a problem respecting her gay son and has finally and forever conquered the fear of live performance that once kept her from touring. She stepped out at this year's Oscars looking as young as ever. (especially, quite honestly, from a distance). Her fashion is exceptional as ever -- love the gold flecked outfit and I expect to see the bracelet copied, although the choker will either be lauded or copied as well (a bit dated and a bit much with all the necklaces, but I can live with it). It breaks my heart to see her pay homage to her creative brethren and dear friend Marvin Hamlisch, except she does it so well. I had the same reaction when she spoke of him the last time I saw her in concert in Chicago last August.
There were some really interesting and jazz-fused themes/vocal styles in the running for Skyfall's/Adele's original song category. One of the other nominees featured Scarlet Johanson-- and she sounded like Adele!
I haven't seen Les Mis yet, but I've heard about all the weight loss tricks and especially how Hugh Jackman went without fluid -- and BOY, did that work. He looked Miserable in the scene showed at the Oscars.
Jennifer Lawrence's spill on the way to receiving her best actress honor simply reinforced what Ben Affleck said in his Best Picture acceptance speech about "You gottta get back up."
Best Picture winner Ben Affleck, accepting as one of three producers but who was also the unusual-to-be-not-nominated director noted the "eight great films " his production was up against last night and the fact he had been up once on the stage as a winner years ago for "Good Will Hunting." (As one report afterwards noted "For those who are keeping score, that's one for Matt Damon and two for Ben Affleck).
"I never thought I would be back here and I am because of so many of you who are here tonight....(they taught him) you have to work harder than you think you possibly can, you can't hold grudges... and it doesn't matter how you get knocked down in life, because that's gonna happen. All that matters is that you gotta get back up."
The show should have ended on that high note, but host MacFarlane took the opportunity to close with a parody song. His saving grace? Kristen Chenoweth, who added pre-show host to her credits this year.
====================
NOTE
According to the credits, it took eight "special writers" for this production, though three writers were given primary credit: Leslie Dixon, Jon Macks and Matt Roberts. The sole woman on board is the granddaughter of famed photographer Dorothea Lange, best known for the iconic "Migrant Mother."
She herself, is the writer of the screenplays Hairspray, Freaky Friday and even Mrs. Doubtfire.
Lots of commercials: I won't name them outright, but the cute commercials for the Unicorn game/cell phones were sexist as always. Women are only there to be a nudge and try to control spending from the men they work. Men whom they must actually refer to as the "creatives and business." So much for innovation of a non-glittery unicorn (and really, who would believe that?) when they can't treat women equally, or even fairly.
Say, with these short films -- documentary, live or animated -- where the heck is the public supposed to find them? Why aren't there evenings devoted to these,a number of these being shown -- totalling a longer production
Oh, excuse me. It is apparently more "with it," and "hip," or......"sick" to call it The Oscars.
Whatever.
Seth MacFarlane did pretty well with the stand up material, making it timely and topical. I knew he would add some Great American Songbook with his vocal stylings -- but would a little ironic rewrite have killed him? I appreciate him introducing the classics to the young 'uns, but there was no correlation to the movies really, other than to entertain -- and with three hours of movie nominees, there should be a connection. The dancing was sweet and added to the classiness, but methinks MacFarlane was far too interested in how he was going to come off, than truly serving the occasion.
Not surprisingly, I am NOT a fan of the boob song. Badly written , boring and repetitive -- unless you're a desperate teen boy taking notes for tomorrow's rental order -- I did find redeeming value just to see Jennifer Lawrence's arm of victory waved because we HAVEN'T seen hers. Only 22 -- let's keep it that way!
I simply adored the glittering golden lights in the opening numbers as part of this year's set design for the Academy Awards. I also liked the swirl pattern on the main stage, however the floral sort of pattern behind the repeated Oscars looks distinctly stolen from Pinterest projects done using only the business end of a a plastic spoon. See for yourself! http://pinterest.com/pin/177470041536368658/
And the reel to reel projectors used in the other background probably weren't even recognizable to young viewers -- I can hear them now, "What's with the ugly bicycles?"
In a tough opening spot, Melissa McCarthy and Paul Rudd did what they could, but could have used better material. It would have been nice to see the weekend's #1 at the box office star have a less gray looking dress though. Did she borrow no jewelery? Come on!
Avengers: Fellas, stick to the group action stuff 'cuz comedy ain't for sissies. And for the love of God and all that is holy, do NOT make Samuel Jackson angry.....
Life of Pi movie -- let me get this straight. There was no water, no tiger and no pie? Amazing!
Shirley Bassey singing one of the most iconic Bond songs that everyone "knows" (but really they only the title) was a glorious touch to a Bond tribute, although I would rather have seen a reunion of the Bonds than the Avengers. Bassey wore a lovely outfit and made appropriate use of sheer material to smooth out the look -- though, wasn't that the approach Katy Perry took and got banned from the Muppets? Ah well, no GoldFinger muppet parody in the future I guess.
And how many of those hunched over young men, still exhausted from trying to write down all the movies named in the "boob" song, got a secret thrill when Halle Berry cited Pussy Galore that way? You got what she was really saying, right? Boy, the media sure caters to young men -- where is Dickie Moore when you need him, am I right, ladies?
Best quote so far, a dedication to "the center of my universe, my dearest Nina." And just a little politics for the evening when the winners of Best Documentary "Inocente" brought up a subject of their film, a girl who was homeless just last year. Support the arts, indeed!
Good to see Daniel Day Lewis has finally liberated his own left foot, by the way -- although it seems to have made its way into host Seth MacFarlane's joke about John Wilkes Booth. Yes, Seth....too soon, er, cheap.
The character Jessica Chastain plays in Zero Dark Thirty is noted as being dogged in her 12 year pursuit of one man, namely Osama Bin Laden. I was surprised she did not win -- that's a record any woman on Plenty of Fish can attest to as "fast." Those same women are running to see "Searching for Sugar Man," hoping it is a how-to.....
Jennifer Garner's dress was classic and admirable -- but how do you sit on a lump of fluff like that? I hope the trellis disconnects -- it would drive me crazy.
The overall musical theme of the Oscars added to the allure and classiness, I think. I was pleasantly surprised how well I know the lyrics to "All That Jazz," and also how high the hair on the back of my neck still stands to this day thanks to the rousing rendition of the Dreamgirls classic "And I am Telling You" by Jennifer Hudson. Anyone not appreciative of the emotional build during the Les Mis, production number, let alone the trio of young faces and unknown single male sandwiched by known entities like lead Hugh and Anne and Crowe -- all so serious and in character until the (seemingly) entire audience joins them on stage -- was stirring as well. Isn't it nice to see LIVE THEATRE performers making us proud!
Lots of long blonde hair this year. The women looked good, too....
Adele -- lovely as ever, rockin' the 60s eyelashes but every so often you get a glimpse of the young girl and mother she actually is. I felt she was overpowered by the music at all points,
however, I didn't have a great sound system so maybe it was just me. And what the heck is Skyfall about anyway? Why is this "the end?"
BARBRA STREISAND. Just let that soak in. BARBRA STREISAND. There I said it again because I enjoyed it so much. She has finally achieved true love, has never had a problem respecting her gay son and has finally and forever conquered the fear of live performance that once kept her from touring. She stepped out at this year's Oscars looking as young as ever. (especially, quite honestly, from a distance). Her fashion is exceptional as ever -- love the gold flecked outfit and I expect to see the bracelet copied, although the choker will either be lauded or copied as well (a bit dated and a bit much with all the necklaces, but I can live with it). It breaks my heart to see her pay homage to her creative brethren and dear friend Marvin Hamlisch, except she does it so well. I had the same reaction when she spoke of him the last time I saw her in concert in Chicago last August.
There were some really interesting and jazz-fused themes/vocal styles in the running for Skyfall's/Adele's original song category. One of the other nominees featured Scarlet Johanson-- and she sounded like Adele!
I haven't seen Les Mis yet, but I've heard about all the weight loss tricks and especially how Hugh Jackman went without fluid -- and BOY, did that work. He looked Miserable in the scene showed at the Oscars.
Jennifer Lawrence's spill on the way to receiving her best actress honor simply reinforced what Ben Affleck said in his Best Picture acceptance speech about "You gottta get back up."
Best Picture winner Ben Affleck, accepting as one of three producers but who was also the unusual-to-be-not-nominated director noted the "eight great films " his production was up against last night and the fact he had been up once on the stage as a winner years ago for "Good Will Hunting." (As one report afterwards noted "For those who are keeping score, that's one for Matt Damon and two for Ben Affleck).
"I never thought I would be back here and I am because of so many of you who are here tonight....(they taught him) you have to work harder than you think you possibly can, you can't hold grudges... and it doesn't matter how you get knocked down in life, because that's gonna happen. All that matters is that you gotta get back up."
The show should have ended on that high note, but host MacFarlane took the opportunity to close with a parody song. His saving grace? Kristen Chenoweth, who added pre-show host to her credits this year.
====================
NOTE
According to the credits, it took eight "special writers" for this production, though three writers were given primary credit: Leslie Dixon, Jon Macks and Matt Roberts. The sole woman on board is the granddaughter of famed photographer Dorothea Lange, best known for the iconic "Migrant Mother."
She herself, is the writer of the screenplays Hairspray, Freaky Friday and even Mrs. Doubtfire.
Lots of commercials: I won't name them outright, but the cute commercials for the Unicorn game/cell phones were sexist as always. Women are only there to be a nudge and try to control spending from the men they work. Men whom they must actually refer to as the "creatives and business." So much for innovation of a non-glittery unicorn (and really, who would believe that?) when they can't treat women equally, or even fairly.
Say, with these short films -- documentary, live or animated -- where the heck is the public supposed to find them? Why aren't there evenings devoted to these,a number of these being shown -- totalling a longer production
posted by MaryMaileOnline @ 10:12 AM
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