Oscars Live!
Well, not quite, since my internet access has been cutting in and out. . . plus I have a headache tonight.
But, as we go along!
Love Hugh Jackman . . . funny song parodies of the nominated films, but uninspiring music!
Well, I was certainly wrong about Best Supporting Actress! Penelope Cruz. And Janet was right. This is going to be a long night, since they’re not as anxious as usual to play people offstage. Each actress introduced at length.
A salute to screenwriters. . . It’s about time! The written lines play out on screen
Best original Screenplay . . . Milk! Could this be the start of a trend? A plea not only for gay rights but gay marriage by the screenwriter, hugely applauded in the theater — but it won’t go over well everywhere at home. I think it’s competent, but far from being as good as WALL-E. A political win?
Best Adapted Screenplay . . . Great! Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire. This could be the start of a trend . . . I hope.
Best Animated Feature begins the nominations with WALL-E and a clip . . . It’s WALL-E! Great! He reveals for the first time(?) that in high school he was Barnaby in Hello Dolly! That explains a lot.
Best Production Design . . . Benjamin Button, so at least it wins something.
Costume Design . . . it’s The Duchess . . those sumptuous period clothes!
Romance in the movies 2008 . . . WALL-E is getting a lot of play here too!
I’m going to have go leave for a while now and do some work. . .
Great, now it’s Slumdog that’s on a roll!
A medley of famous movie music — that’s more like it!
Best Supporting Actor . . . I’d prefer clips of the films to these smarmy descriptions that try to be moving . . . what can they possibly say about Heath Ledger? They praise his whole career. The winner . . .Heath Ledger, as expected. It’s accepted by his father, sister and mother. . . they accept on behalf of his little daughter Matilda, which is genuinely moving.
Now for documentaries, a subject I really have a vested interest in this year. They have to bring Bill Maher on for this, to plug his stupid non-nominated film Religulous? This is not a cool moment. The winner of documentary feature is Man on Wire, which does sound cool.
After a break . . . it’s time for Best Director . . . This is quite a talented group . . . it’s Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire! He’s jumping up and down! Way to go!
Best Actress . . . much more puffery to get through . . . great to see Sophia Loren again . . . she looks great for . . . however old she is now. . . and Kate Winslet wins! Really effusive speech.
Best Actor . . . There’s a distinguished group up there, including Anthony Hopkins and Ben Kingsley . . . It’s Sean Penn (I predicted that!). He mentions “signs of hatred” as he drove in, and again gay marriage — shame on those who voted against it in Proposition 8.
My ramblings tonight have been very silly because of my headache. . . I’m watching on my roommate’s TV because mine is still broken.
Steven Spieberg to present Best Picture. . . They are relatig them to Best Pictures of the past . . . Slumdog Millionaire! (I almost though it might be Milk, I’m glad it wasn’t, really). Looks like they’re getting the whole cast and crew onstage,even the little kid actors. Well, that’s it!
I’m very tired so I’d best sign off now.
