Oscar Dish

When I was a little girl and an aspiring actress, there were two major television events I looked forward to every year - "The Miss America Pageant" and "The Academy Awards."

Living in the Midwest, watching these programs meant staying up late, so I would have to bargain with my parents to stay up and watch ("I promise to take a nap...I promise I won't whine when I have to get up the next day for school...I will go to bed early the next night..."), so it was a big deal.

Now "Miss America" has fallen out of fashion, but the Oscars still hold sway over me.

It's Hollywood's Big Night! And what a night it was!

I have to remind you all that you heard it here first, folks.
Before the odds makers and bloggers, I completely called "The Hurt Locker" for Best Picture and Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director in my blog called "What I Know for Sure" dated January 17.
(I just wished I hadn't thrown a bone to "Avatar" for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing. I mean, what was I thinking? The movie was about bombs!)

But 17 right out of 24 isn't bad.

My son and daughter were "playing" long distance, and my daughter and I took home the prize. The prize used to be dinner at the restaurant of the winner's choice. (It took my husband and me awhile to realize that wasn't such a good deal for us, since we paid no matter who won!). But now that we all live far from each other, the prize is the win itself (so far, anyway).

So, let's weigh in on last night.

What did you think?

Did you like the opening with Neil Patrick Harris?
Did you catch some of those lyrics? A bit risque, I thought, but funny.

How about the combo of Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin?
I thought they were great.
I wasn't sure what the joke was about George Clooney, though. Did you get that one?

Anyway, here's my rundown on best moments, upsets, dresses, etc. Feel free to disagree.

Best Historical Moment: Finally, a woman wins Best Director.
Why did it take so long?

Coolest moment: Directors Tarrantino and Almodovar together.

Best speech: Michael Giacchino (won for his score for "Up.")
It's worth repeating. Here it is.

Thank you, guys. When I was... I was nine and I asked my dad, "Can I have your movie camera? That old, wind-up 8 millimeter camera that was in your drawer?" And he goes, "Sure, take it." And I took it and I started making movies with it and I started being as creative as I could, and never once in my life did my parents ever say, "What you're doing is a waste of time." Never. And I grew up, I had teachers, I had colleagues, I had people that I worked with all through my life who always told me what you're doing is not a waste of time. So that was normal to me that it was OK to do that. I know there are kids out there that don't have that support system so if you're out there and you're listening, listen to me: If you want to be creative, get out there and do it. It's not a waste of time. Do it. OK? Thank you. Thank you.
Runner up: Sandra Bullock's - She thanked her Mom.
(Are you listening, kids?)

Biggest Upset: "Precious" winning for Best Adapted Screenplay. Everyone thought "Up in the Air" would win.
Runner up: "El Secreto de Sus Ojos" for Best Foreign Language Film.
"The White Ribbon" was the favorite.

Best Dress: (You knew I had to go there) Penelope Cruz

Worst Dress: Sarah Jessica Parker
It may be Chanel, but it looked like she was wearing a sack with a bib.
Runner up: Charlize Theron's. A little cartoonish for me.

And speaking of dresses. Who can forget Cher at the Oscars?





She was the Lady Gaga of her day. I miss her.







Best Weepy Moment: The John Hughes Tribute, especially with his family sitting in the front row.
And what a rush of 80's nostalgia, seeing all of the no longer young actors he discovered.
Runner up: I am always choked up when they pay tribute to those who passed away during the year.
Did I ever tell you I worked with Karl Malden?

Best Kanye West Moment: What was with the acceptance speech for Best Documentary Short ("Music by Prudence")?
The guy was talking and then a woman, who I assume was the other winner, just started talking over him. Awk....ward...

Funniest Moment: Ben Stiller in his Avatar costume.
Runner Up: Steve and Alec being filmed as they slept together - was that a "Paranormal Activity" spoof?

Best Introduction for a Category: Tina Fey and Robert Downey Jr. - screenwriter vs. actor.

Biggest Question: Should Sandra Bullock have won out over Meryl Streep?
In my research, one blogger said Bullock would win because this was the only chance she would every have. Ouch.

Anyway, I thought this was a good Oscar show.

Had a little bubbly and the poodles looked adorable in their tuxedos.

For a complete list of Oscar winners Click Here

and to read all about it, here are some great titles to check out at the library:



Hollywood Winners and Losers: A-Z







Made for Each Other: Fashion and the Academy Awards







The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards








All About Oscar: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards








The Academy Awards: The Complete History of Oscar