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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Film / Film News / News Mez, Mo'Nique and other Oscar musings
Posted By Matt Brunson on Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 3:54 PM
By Matt Brunson
1. On the local front, Mez proved to be a terrific host for the annual Oscar Night America party (benefiting United Family Services). I’ve attended this fund-raising event twice in the past at other Charlotte venues, and while they were similarly memorable, there admittedly was a problem whenever the auction portion of the night drowned out the live telecast. At Mez, however, the auction was kept separate from the actual broadcast, meaning those who wanted to watch the entire show (like me) were accommodated while those who wanted to take breaks to enjoy the bidding and socializing likewise came out ahead. (For more photos from the Mez bash, go to the bottom of the article.)
2. As for the Oscar telecast itself, the show proved to be the usual mix of shining moments and embarrassing bits. First, though, let it be said that Steve Martin has still got it. Co-host Alec Baldwin’s contributions were for the most part negligible, but Martin was at the top of his game. Here’s hoping he can once again consistently find film roles suitable for his talents.
3. Sandra Bullock’s Best Actress win for The Blind Side will rapidly become one of those “What the heck were they thinking?” Oscar moments (see also Helen Hunt, Roberto Benigni), but she at least gave a gracious acceptance speech. In fact, the speeches by the women – Bullock and Precious’ Mo’Nique – far outshone those by the men. Crazy Heart’s Jeff Bridges and Inglourious Basterds’ Christoph Waltz began well but soon got sidetracked by issuing the usual laundry list of thank-you’s.
4. It was disheartening to see the year’s best film go 0-for-6, but that was the fate of Up in the Air, which was at least expected to take the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Instead, that award went to Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.
5. As usual, the musical numbers were terrible. That opening skit with Doogie Howser – excuse me, Neil Patrick Harris – was squirm-inducing, and having interpretative dances accompany the melodies for the five Best Original Score nominees was a head-scratcher. Seeing breakdancers “perform” the theme to The Hurt Locker was not only ludicrous but a bit tasteless as well.
6. Loved the Paranormal Activity skit by Martin and Baldwin.
7. Presenter Ben Stiller was a bust last year as Joaquin Phoenix, but he made up for it in a funny bit as an Avatar Na’vi this year.
8. The clip honoring horror movies was a good idea, but why were so many lame genre films included alongside such classics as Jaws and The Exorcist?
9. Most emotional moment? Arguably, Oprah Winfrey’s lovely praise of Precious star Gabourey Sibide.
10. Most awkward moment? That would easily go to what's been tagged the “Kanye West incident,” when Music by Prudence producer Elinor Burkett bulldozed her way to the stage and interrupted the film’s director, Roger Ross Williams, as he accepted the prize for Best Documentary Short. Kanye could not be reached for comment.
More Mez images:
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