I watched the Oscars from beginning to end on Sunday. I haven't done that in over twenty years because I hate the Oscars. I only did it this time because it was a party; Josie, Katie and I picked up a mess of Kwans and went over to Katie M's house where we all sat and made fun of Ann Hathaway and James Franco and critiqued all the outfits all night long.
When it began, Katie P said she hated Ann Hathaway for being so full of herself. Katie M and I disagreed; we think she's beautiful and talented.
By the end of the night, Katie M was on Katie Ps side of the Ann issue.
I did not understand the musical number about what a douche Hugh Jackman is or the dress Cate Blanchett was wearing. It was an ugly color and the top half actually looked like what you see in a petri dish through a microscope.
Scarlet Johansen looked like she had just fought her way out of the psych ward to get to the stage.
Gwyneth and Sandra Bullock both looked like they'd been crying back stage. I wonder if they got into a fight with each other? I hope so.
Anyway, I was glad Aaron Sorkin won for best screenplay adaptation because I can't remember the last time I saw a movie in which every single line was such a joy to listen to.
I hadn't seen the King's Speech but I wanted Colin Firth to win because I love him. Of course, by the end of the night I was rooting for Jeff Bridges just because I was so sick of the heavy favorites winning everything. I wanted a surprise and Bridges was excellent as Rooster Cogburn.
Natalie Portman proved Robert Downey jr. wrong by winning an Oscar despite going full retard. To be fair, I hadn't seen any of the other performances but I did see Black Swan and I swear, Ms. Portman still has scenery stuck in her teeth from the chomping she did in that role.
Last night, I saw The King's Speech. Andy lent me his "for your consideration" disc. Andy's a member of the Academy, I guess. He gets copies of the nominated movies every year. He doesn't want No Country for Old Men or Little Miss Sunshine back and I can't find anyone who wants them and I don't think I can sell them.
Oh well.
The King's Speech was a lovely little movie and the performances of Mr. Firth, Mr. Rush and Ms. Bonham-Carter were as great as I've come to expect from them all.
But it was no The Social Network.
Mark Steyn, of whom I am a great admirer, loves movies and wrote about why he
believed the right movie won for best picture. One of his reasons was the The King's Speech was a small story about big things like duty and overcoming fear etc. while The Social Network was only about being cool.
First of all, since when does subject matter define the worth of a work of art?
Then, I smiled. So the Social Network was only about 'being cool'? Really? There, at the bottom of the page, I noticed the ubiquitous blue box which makes it possible for me to share Mr. Steyn's post,
instantly, with all my friends with one simple click. That option was brought to me not by the King of England, but by Facebook.
Thank you, Mark Zuckerburg.
