Oscar ceremony wrap-up

(AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

So what did y’all think of the Oscars last night?  I felt like I generally enjoyed it more than in previous years, but it still had parts that dragged and made me yawn.  And really – can’t they just accept that it will ALWAYS be 3 1/2 hours or more?  Start the darn thing earlier and be honest, ABC!  Anywho, here’s a rundown of a few of my random thoughts about the evening.

Best Dressed, Female

I have to go with Kate Winslet here – I thought she was not only best-dressed but also best-tressed.  Her look was a mix of modern and classic glamour in a rich charcoal tone that no one else was wearing.  And it went so well with her OSCAR!  (I know, right?  Awesome!)  But I will give honorable mentions to the trio of ladies who looked lovely in white this year – Taraji P. Henson (who also wins for Best Jewelry), Penlope Cruz (finally getting that Volver award!), and Anne Hathaway (all that and she sings, too?).

Best Dressed, Male

Many men looked good and classic last night, but I was partial to John Legend.  His tux was slimly tailored and he wore my preferred long tie.

Worst Dressed, Female

OK, by rights this really should go to Miley Cyrus, because one should not wear anything with that many layers.  Like, EVER.  But seeing as her presence at the Oscars was inexplicable at best, I’m going to turn my venom towards a woman who should know better.  Reese Witherspoon – that dress was seriously messed up.  There’s asymmetrical, and then there’s just plain ugly.

Worst Dressed, Male

Please, as if I could give it to anyone besides Mickey Rourke? (Who LOST!  Ha!)   But one has to also note that Phillip Seymour Hoffman was wearing a butt-ugly beret.  Unless he’s currently filming something called “Tired French Cliché” then this is not allowed.

Award Highlights

There was much to be happy about this year – I really thought all the acting awards went to people that deserved them, and I guessed them all right!  Also I applaud the Documentary Feature win for Man on Wire, which was made better by Philippe Petit’s appearance!  What a nut.  And even though I guessed it wrong, I was pleasantly surprised to see the screenplay for Milk honored.

Award Lowlights

Foreign Language Film went to…what?  Has anyone even heard of this?  In other news, I was disappointed to see Wall•E only take one (well-deserved) award.  I’d been hoping it could get 3 or 4.  Now don’t get me wrong – I enjoyed Slumdog Millionaire.  But 8 awards?  Seemed like a bit much.

Highlights of the Show

Well it’s no surprise that I loved Hugh Jackman as a host.  I thought his musical bits were funny, and the man was DANCING.  Other than that I think he did what a host should do – he mostly stayed out of the way and let the show itself be the star.  I very much enjoyed the sorority of actresses bestowing an award on a woman, and the men doing the same.  It was a charming break with tradition.  I’d say they should do it every year, but you know that will get old real fast.  Lastly I really liked the clumping together of categories this year, in ways that made sense.  To do Art Direction followed by Costumes and Make-up was a nice flow, and in general that cut down on the amount of dull presenter chat.  Speaking of presenter chat – how darn funny were Steve Martin and Tina Fey?  Love!

Lowlights of the Show

Beyonce – please stop trying to make the Oscars all about you every year.  You sang all the Best Song nominees last year – wasn’t that enough?  Also I am just so TIRED of the damn montages!  Is there some contractual obligation to show ___ minutes of films not currently up for nominations each year?  And just in general there were far too many commercial breaks.  I get that ad revenue is probably vital to the network right now, but…space that shit out, people.  We do not need 2 commercials followed by 1 award followed by 1 commercial.

The Score

I finished the night 15 – 9 in my predictions.  Not too shabby, but a long way from my epic win last year!  I really got burned this year by Slumdog and the shorts.  I put all the music into Wall•E and all the sound & effects into Dark Knight.  Phooey!  I did get the top 6 awards all correct, however – and that’s something I’m most proud of.

Thoughts?  Criticisms?  Witty presenter banter to quote?