I Have A Dream...

So let's talk about the Oscars last night. I will start by saying I loved that Hugh Jackman hosted. His charisma and natural charm took us through the almost four hour show. His opening was both hysterical and reminded me of something that kind of made me sick about: promotion. Of course Jackman had to end by him saying "I'm Wolverine." I can't really fault Jackman for this, but I can't help but wonder if when Gone With the Wind was up for Best Picture, the host and other actors were plugging their newest movies. This is about celebrating the year in film that has happened, let these individuals and these films have their moment.

The first musical number was actually pretty hysterical and I LOVED when Anne Hathaway came onstage and joined Hugh (and held her own vocally and charismatically). The second musical number however was a complete and utter mess. I fully support and love the idea that the musical is back, but I'm pretty sure the display at the Oscars killed it for another ten years. Hugh, joined by the divalicious Beyonce, was more than game for the erratic, schizophrenic display of musical numbers from the past century but that didn't save it. I knew the shit had hit the fan when Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron came out (joined by the more legitimately talented Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper) to join the two stars. It was a complete joke and offensive for Efron and Hudgens to be there. This is not the Kids Choice Awards or the Teen Choice Awards or whatever, this is the Oscars. Were they nominated for anything? How bout getting Meryl Streep to take the stage or Catherine Zeta Jones? These did not belong there in any shape or form. As a testament to their talent (or lack thereof), neither of the HSM kids added anything positive to the performance. That second musical number was one of the hottest messes I have ever witnessed. And don't even get me started on Miley Cyrus being there. Desperate for ratings much? I understand that the company needs ratings, but to have a flood of Disney stars on the red carpet is not the way to do it. Isn't getting Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and other popular stars with legitimate talent and recognition from the Oscars enough? These Disney stars belong nowhere near the Oscars.

On the plus side, I LOVED what they did with the presentation of the acting awards. Having five past winners of each category announcing the nominees and complimenting their performance showed all the viewers and the rest of the Academy why each nominee was special and deserving of a nomination. What was said to each nominee was heartfelt, authentic and was a really great addition to the show. And I loved the way that the presentation order for the awards mirrored the production schedule of a film, it was a fun and unique way to present those awards.

As for the winners, I couldn't have picked any better. Every single individual who won deserved recognition and when they stepped to the podium their speeches were touching, inspiring, refreshing and funny. (Speaking of funny, I loved Tina Fey and Steve Martin's banter during their segment). I cheered Penelope Cruz's win because she was so dynamic and believable in Vicky Cristina Barcelona and her speech was humble and gracious and paid respect to those who had helped her (particularly when she gave a shout-out to Pedro Almodovar). Other touching speeches included the much deserved win by Milk's Justin Lance Black for Best Original Screenplay and Sean Penn (who managed to be funny and humble, go figure). As much as I dislike Sean Penn, I feel that as an actor he really cares about the roles he plays and because of this becomes so part of their story that he begins to fight what the character (or person) would've fought for. If I ever were to become celebrity, I will use the power and the influence to make changes just like someone like Penn does. Wow, did I just say I want to be like Sean Penn? That just feels weird.

And Kate. Oh Kate. My love. Thank the Lord you have an Oscar now. You deserved it for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but both of the performances you gave this year were magnificent and vastly different. I am so proud that the Academy finally awarded her for her fierce and fearless perfomance. Her speech was unbelievably sweet, funny and touching and made me love her even more. I don't know what else to say other than that. I was so excited for her.

I was talking to my friend Scott about Reese Witherspoon's Oscar win for Walk the Line and wondered if, in a year like this, she would have had a chance in hell. The answer is NO. I don't even remember who was up that year, but to think that that performance won an Oscar before Kate Winslet did is pretty ridiculous.

And as much as I didn't want Slumdog to sweep before I saw the movie, after I saw it I thought it deserved to win in each category it was nominated in. What a breaktaking piece of film. I will never forget that movie and can't wait to see it again.

I give this years awards show a B+ with the winners getting an A.

Oh and Bill Maher, way to put a downer on the evening ya D-Bag.