Random Ramblings about the Oscars 2012

The 2012 Oscars

Sorry I am getting this post out a bit late.  I know I should written it up for yesterday, but better late than never.

Overall, the show was a big improvement over last year when Anne Hathaway and James Franco, despite Hathaway's valiant efforts, just didn't work out as hosts.  And since the Academy's flirtation with the next generation bombed, they turned back to one of their most reliable hosts ever: Billy Crystal.  Crystal, returning for his ninth stint, put in a solid job as host.  He was not as good as he has been in the past, but he was still fun and efficient.  He had a couple of stinkers, but also some real winners.  All in all, it was nice to have him back, but I still think Hugh Jackman is my favorite host of recent years.

The awards went pretty much where I expected, with a few big surprises - the biggest being Meryl Streep's win over Viola Davis.  I have not seen The Iron Lady, but I am not sure she could have been better than Davis, who put in a superb and complicated performance in The Help.  Then again, it is Meryl Streep and she can pretty much do anything, so who knows...

Anyway, I should stop the complete rambling...instead here are some lists!!


THINGS I DID NOT LIKE:

I did not like Billy Crystal's song in the beginning.  I know a lot of people think the songs are cute, but I find them to be a bit goofy.  I much preferred the opening skit where Crystal inserts himself into the Oscar nominated pictures.

The audio for the whole show was screwy.  I don't know if it was the microphones or the signal, but something was wonky.  And despite a friend of mine insisting it was my TV, I was relieved to read online after the show that a lot of people experienced this.

I was disappointed that the In Memoriam missed Bob Anderson, certainly one of those most influential sword fight specialists in Hollywood history.  Here was a guy who worked with Errol Flynn, who was responsible for the fights in the original Star Wars trilogy, Princess Bride, Mask of Zorro and Lord of the Rings.  That's quite a resume.  And they couldn't find a slot for him?  Shame, Hollywood.  Technically, he died in 2012, so maybe they will put him in next year...they better...

Hugo winning Special Effects.  Nothing against Hugo, which is a superb movie and a true piece of wizardry, but this was the last movie I expected to win this category.  Plus, it kept me from getting an even 20 right in my Oscar pool.

The Bridesmaids.  Okay, I liked the Scorsese drinking game joke (and I especially liked Scorsese's reaction to it!), but for the most part I did not find their appearance to be funny.  It was forced and not very funny.  Maybe they should have Kristin Wiig write her own material next time!

It's not that Rango is a bad movie.  But I would never have given it an Oscar.  I guess the competition was not that great this year in Animated Film.  Just wait until next year, when Pixar comes roaring back with The Brave.  I expect it to take us all by storm!

THINGS I DID LIKE:

Billy Crystal doing the "what are they thinking" bit was cute - especially his spot-on impression of Nick Nolte.

Speaking of Nolte, I like that if he gained about 20 pounds, he would make an awesome Santa Claus.  Probably in an action movie where Santa has to kick some serious butt.

I really liked the Wizard of Oz focus group, featuring the usual cast from Christopher Guest' mockumentaries like Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman.  This skit, which I think was mostly improvised, was probably the funniest bit of the night, an inspired piece of madness featuring some brilliant comic performers complaining about hatchet faces and that annoying rainbow song, and extolling the virtues of flying monkeys.  These guys should host the show next year.  That would be awesome.

Cirque du Soleil...I am not sure I buy the tenuous link that connected their performance to movies, but I know I did not care.  I love Cirque du Soleil, and they did not disappoint.  Their acrobatics were accompanied by music by Danny Elfman - it was old school Elfman, sounding more like Edward Scissorhands than Wanted.  That is the Elfman I love.  I want him back.

I loved Christopher Plummer's speech.  Funny and charming, it was my favorite speech of the night.  Actually, kudos to everyone's speeches this year.  They kept them short and efficient.  Special speech shoutouts to Octavia Spencer, Jean Dujardin, and Meryl Streep, as well.

I really liked Emma Stone's over-enthusiastic presenter bit, especially when coupled with Ben Stiller's jaded 'been there-done that' vibe.  It was fun, and showcased both of their comic timing.  I especially liked when she tried to get Jonah Hill on stage to dance and his "hell no" reaction.  Good stuff.

I liked that Jean Dujardin won Best Actor and that The Artist won Best Picture.  This movie was fantastic.  I'm glad there wasn't an Artist backlash before the ceremony, though I can smell one approaching.  It's a pity, because this really is a charming, little movie - one with flawless execution that deserved every award it received.

Bret McKenzie winning the Best Song Oscar for "Man or Muppet."  While I think The Muppet's "Life's a Happy Song" should have been nominated, this was still a worthy winner.  And as a big Flight of the Conchords fan, I am super thrilled with this win.

Stacy Keibler.  See picture below.  Do I need to say anything else about that?

Well, I'm sure I will think of more things I liked and did not like as the next few days go by.  But this is what I got for now.  They certainly represent the things that made the most immediate impact.

What did you guys think?  What were your favorite or least favorite moments?

It's Complicated

It's Complicated

I'm not going to ease into this review. It's Complicated just isn't good. Despite the best efforts of a terrific cast (including Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, and John Krasinsky), the movie just does not work.

The storyline has promise. Jane (Streep) is a divorced woman whose ex-husband Jake (Baldwin) wants back in the marriage. Ten years previously, he had an affair and left Jane for some young hottie. But now that young hottie is his wife and she wants a kid, and Jake seems to be re-evaluating his life. He realizes that he made a horrible mistake in leaving Jane. Jane can't seem to resist and an affair ignites between the two. Will she end up with her old husband or will she go for the nice architect (Martin) who also seems to be interested in her? Will she be able to sort out her conflicting feelings? Oh, it's so complicated!

There is some room for drama here. In theory, I can understand why divorcees may re-unite. Feelings can re-surface; they may be co-mingled with pain and regrets, but the fact remains this man used to be her husband and there was once a lot of love. I understand that conflicting emotions and the right set of circumstances could lead her back to him. Except the script is so shallow and the circumstances so unconvincing that it really makes no sense. You are asking yourself the entire movie, Why? Why? Why? And that's not a good thing.

The movie is a pretty big hit, though, and a lot of folks are really liking it. These people argue with me on two points. 1) It's a romantic comedy! So what if it is impossible! To which I argue - yes, it is a romantic comedy, but it is also presented with a layer of reality. This isn't like the old divorce screwball comedies of old that are so clearly superficial and woven in romantic fantasy that it all makes sense. Writer-director Nancy Meyers is not making that type of movie. She is trying to be real and funny at the same time. Sometimes that works (I rather liked her Something's Got to Give), but she can't have it both ways this time.

The other point is 2) this movie is not meant for me. I just don't get it because I'm not a middle-aged woman. To which I argue - well, I can't argue with that. This movie is not meant for me. I like to think I could still review the movie objectively, but I thought maybe these criticisms were right - until I talked to three of my friends who ARE middle-aged women and they had all the same problems I did. Whew!

I sort of feel bad trashing the movie. It's not all bad. I have a lot of respect for Nancy Meyers, who seems to be one of the very few filmmakers in Hollywood writing real roles for women these days. And the acting is all quite good. Streep is, as always, rock solid. If she can't quite overcome the weakness of her character, it is not her fault. Alec Baldwin is like Puck going through a mid-life crisis, and he puts in a rakishly entertaining performance. Steve Martin is restrained and quiet, and it's nice to see him playing a different type of character. And John Krasinski (Jim on "The Office") is very funny as the Jane and Adam's future son-in-law who accidentally finds out about their affair and is desperately trying to keep the secret. There are some good scenes - including a pretty funny party scene that I don't want to spoil - that almost makes the movie worth watching. Almost. It's just a shame that the cast is saddled down by this story.

So there you go. It's Complicated is not complicated enough. And with the talent involved, it really should have been better.

MVP: Do I have to give an Most Valuable Player to a movie I didn't like? Sigh. I guess it would be Baldwin. Baldwin is pretty funny. And if he had played this character in a movie that fully embraced its silly, romantic comedy roots, a la Awful Truth, then he would be right at home. I like that his performance implies a mid-life crisis without talking about it. He is just a big ol' kid who is in denial about his life. I don't see any of this in the dialogue, but the way. It's all in his acting. Plus, it's always nice to see Baldwin having fun - which is the main reason I watch "30 Rock" every week.

TRIVIA: Meryl Streep asked her alma mater Vasser College if the production could film the graduation scene on their campus. The College flatly refused - despite the fact that Streep is on the College's Board of Trustees and that two of her children also attend the school!

BEST LINE: At a dinner party, there is some tension between Baldwin and Streep's characters who just had a fight. John Krasinski tries to distract every one else by trying to force feed every one wine, but he is just pretty much ignored. Near the end of the scene, he makes one final attempt and says, "Hey, why am I the only one drinking wine???" It was funny...I guess you had to be there...