I Want To Thank the Academy

Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards were announced this morning, so I want to thank the Academy for recognizing some of my favorite films and performances. First of all, as the world’s most avid movie musical fan, I’m especially pleased about those 8 nominations for Les Misérables -- including Best Picture, Best Actor (Hugh Jackman, be still my heart) and Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway).

And I’m also happy about an equal number of nods for Silver Linings Playbook as well as the Best Supporting Actor nomination for Christoph Waltz in Django Unchained. Plus I was pleasantly surprised to see A Royal Affair on the list for Best Foreign Language film. But the greatest relief for me this morning came when I heard Naomi Watts’ name called as one of the nominees for Best Actress. I would have been soooo disappointed if she hadn’t met the cut for her outstanding performance as a mother struggling to be united with her family in the aftermath of a Tsunami in The Impossible (which should have been nominated for Best Picture, in my humble opinion.)

As expected, Lincoln emerged as the leader in this year’s field with a total of 12 nominations in important categories like Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis), Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field). We’ll find out who the Oscar winners are on Sunday, February 24, during the traditional ABC televised Academy Awards show. Check out the complete list of nominees by clicking on the link below.

http://www.imdb.com/oscars/nominations/?ref_=rto_nb_acd

Oscar® Afterthoughts

Although bleary eyed after watching the entire 83rd Annual Academy Awards televised show last night, I can’t resist posting an early morning rant and rave about the proceedings. My hubby and I dressed for the occasion. I wore a robe by Chenille, but he refused to divulge his bizarre wardrobe designer. We have to admit Natalie Portman and Christian Bale put both of us to shame. Natalie with her gorgeous deep purple gown and matching string earrings; Christian with his elegant black tuxedo. We decided to bestow our “Cutest Award” to co-host James Franco, mostly because of his engaging smile, which he flashed as often as possible while bantering with his dazzling co-host Anne Hathaway, who’s best moment came with her one amusing song performance. Too bad Anne didn’t perform more musical numbers and that Hugh Jackman (be still my heart) refused to join her for a duet.

Speaking of music, my biggest complaint involves its de-emphasis at the Oscars. I agree with Randy Newman (composer of the Best Song winner, “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3) when he asked how hard could it be to find a fifth song to nominate. Not hard at all in my book. “You Haven’t Heard the Last of Me” and “Bound to You” from Burlesque should have been nominated. The whole show would’ve benefitted by adding more singing and dancing -– and including fewer costume changes by Anne Hathaway, no matter how beautiful she looked in each one (except the funny brown duck outfit, of course).

Regarding the awards, there were no surprises. Although many fans expected
The Social Network to win Best Picture, The King’s Speech made an impressive stretch run during the past few weeks. Still, I can’t help being disappointed that my favorite 2010 film, The Fighter, didn’t end up winning that category. But I’m pleased about Christian Bale and Melissa Leo taking home the Best Supporting Actor statuettes for their brilliant work in that wonderful movie. Best Actress and Best Actor winners Natalie Portman (Black Swan) and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) gave excellent acceptance speeches. It’s about time Firth was recognized for his acting talent, and Portman put her heart and soul into the difficult role she played.

While the 83rd Academy Awards may not have been the best Oscar show ever, it wasn’t the worst either. I found it more entertaining than last year, but I can’t help hoping Hugh Jackman will return soon as the singing/dancing/funny host his fans love so much.