Oscar, Oscar, Oscar

Well it's old news by now, the Artist taking best film, along with 4 other wins.  I was glad about that.  Out of the 9 movies nominated, there were only 2 that I wanted to see again immediately after watching it, The Artist was one, The Help was the other.

I can't believe the whole show ended 20 minutes ahead of schedule.  I can't believe there was no singing number, and I can't believe they didn't have the Cecil B DeMille award.

The speeches were definitely short...too short, some of them.  I really think Octavia Spencer could have said more, and I really wanted to hear what she wanted to say.  It was her first win after all.

There were some stunning women out there - Glenn Close, Penelope Cruz, Michelle Williams.  There were no hideous, out-there, over the top, see-thru Cher-like gowns this year, only the usual Jennifer Lopez-like "what can I get away with" dress worn by...oh yeah, Jennifer Lopez.

Every year I have a "God vs. Mom" tally from acceptance speeches.  Been doing it for years.  In the last few years, God hasn't been doing very well.  Unless Denzel Washington happens to be winning something, He hasn't gotten any credit.  Why is that?  Actually, Mom hasn't been getting as much credit either.  And now that the axe-man is standing below the podium making the cutting action across his throat when the winners are giving their speeches, we now may only hear, "I'd like to thank the Aca..."

I miss Steve Martin as emcee.  Billy Crystal is definitely a step back up from last year.  How about Billy and Steve together?

They've been working hard at keeping the show entertaining while fulfilling what they must in presenting awards.  But really, at what age does a person starts watching the Oscars (if they watch them at all)?  I've been watching them since I was a kid.  I remember the TV Guide used to have a ballot printed in it which made it exciting.  I loved checking off the boxes as names were read.   I still print a ballot off each year so I can make my guesses and circle the winner.  And it's still exciting to me.  When the Oscars are approaching, I get that holiday feeling in me.  30 days or so before it airs, it's movie-crunch time and I watch as many as the movies as I can that are accessible.  I start planning the food I'm going to prepare for the little Oscar party I have (I think there are only 3 or 4 of us in the whole of Australia that watch it).  I read reviews, have Oscar chats with my sister - it's serious stuff.

What's the thrill and draw to it?  Tradition is one.  But mostly it's seeing recognition get made for the work behind the screen, for the talent displayed, for the films that moved me, made me laugh or cry.  A lot of these people I have grown up with.  I've known Meryl for almost 30 years now.  I first saw Christopher Plummer when I was younger than 16 going on 17.  Steven Spielberg has introduced aliens and heroes to me.  We watch dreams come true for these people when they sit in those theatre chairs and hope their names are called.  Perhaps we dream a little ourselves and imagine what it would be like to hold one of those statues or be among the glitz and glamour for one night.  I wouldn't even mind being a seat filler.  Whatever it is, I'm unashamedly drawn in and grabbed for a few hours, being part of the Oscar entertainment.

So do you watch the Oscars?  What are your thoughts on the whole glitz and glamour evening?  Why do you think people love the movies?

Let's talk movies and don't forget the popcorn!