Forget Samuel L Jackson’s questionable facial tick: Finally an Oscar net result that doesn’t totally insult the senses. Here are 3 reasons why this year’s Oscars didn’t totally give the viewers a massive dose of Sleep Pretty.
1) The Women’s Trifecta: Bigelow, Bullock, and Mo’Nique
A fitting lineup of spunky women, and on the eve of International Women’s Day as well. I still can’t believe that Mo’Nique – MO’EFFINGNIQUE!!! – is an Oscar winner. While I’m happy for her, I’m sure somewhere in the deep California hills, Angela Bassett is doing her best Florida Evans impression: “Damn, Damn, Damn!!!” .
As for Kathryn Bigelow, hell – I’ve loved her ever since ‘Blue Steel‘ with Jamie Lee Curtis and the late Ron Silver, and the woefully underrated Clancy Brown. Anybody who could make Curtis remotely believable as a cop must have given her some SERIOUS direction. And Bigelow’s just gone from strength to strength since then. Point Break (with the late Patrick Swayze)? Strange Days? YES!!!
And Sandra Bullock? Please. (God-DAMN, how I love this woman!!!) Mrs Jesse James gave what was quite possibly the best acceptance speech in Academy history: direct, self-effacing, emotive, and hilarious. In fact, her turn at the mike outshone most performances at the theatres, and should be required study for future Oscar candidates. Bravo.
2) After years of slinging swag, Jeff Bridges FINALLY Gets The Nod.
From ‘The Big Lebowski’ to ‘Fearless’ to ‘Iron Man’ and all the way back to ‘Last Picture Show’, Mr JB has proved himself to be arguably the most consistent actor in Hollywood when it comes to delivering what the director/movie asks of him. That he’s 60 yrs old is ridiculous in terms of Oscar and the film industry settling up with the Bridges Family (the Quaids? Let ‘em wait) but not in the garish way it did with Al Pacino with ‘Scent of a Woman’ in 1992. (NB: it’s ridiculous that THAT movie is Pacino’s only Oscar, which means he will DEFINITELY be up for what will probably be the most well-deserved lifetime achievement award EVER in Oscar history. But I digress.) In any case, I’m very pleased Mr Bridges, aka The Dude, won’t have to deal with that nonsense and has won outright for an outstanding performance.
3) Avatar was a non-issue.
Praise THE Big Dude Jesus. Clearly the Academy didn’t believe in the need for 3D peripherals and football stadium-sized theatres as being prerequisites in telling a good story. Kudos to the Academy for not rewarding James Cameron for the Big Video Game Prologue Excursion – because let’s face it, anybody who’s EVER dabbled in gaming will See The Truth In This. Hey Oscar – In true Keith Partridge mode, I think I (almost) love you.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I actually missed the big show, but I think I got a good flavor of it from your post. Thanks for sharing your wit. You had me cracking up picturing Angela Bassett off somewhere in L.A. cursing the Academy.
And I agree with you about Pacino — he has been there are soooo many other great characters that he should have received the Oscar nod for.
Good stuff!
Hi SouthSida – sorry for the delayed response (exams!)
Glad you liked the post – I was so happy for Miz ‘Nique with her hairy legged self, and hopefully Miz Bassett has reduced her lithium intake by now
))
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