I’m sure you know by now about the Lost à la Baywatch video.
But what about Galactica à la Sabotage?
Music
Well, that surely was riveting (not).
Sure, The Hurt Locker probably wasn’t the best 2009 movie, but nowadays I’m happy if good work is even recognized.
So, yay.
I was pleasantly surprised by Neil Patrick Harris’ opening number.
At least they know who to call for these sorta things.
On the other hand, this didn’t really show much confidence in Alec Baldwin/Steve Martin’s duo (not even seen on stage until the fifth minute).
Twice the host, half the screentime.
The banter following their arrival felt tame at best.
It almost seemed as if they were listing a bunch of famous celebrities in hopes that fangirls all around would “squee”. Alas that wasn’t the case.
Clooney certainly didn’t seem to care about the ceremony.
The jokes themselves didn’t feel much inspired.
Case in point with James Cameron’s “micro-roast” that revolved around, you guessed it, 3-D glasses.
Did anyone else notice that, right after Steve Martin made his joke about Christoph “Jew Hunter” Waltz having hit “the motherload”, they cut to…Ethan Coen?!
Bad taste much?
I was surprisingly surprised at one win: Best Foreign Language Film.
Seemed as if Das Weisse Band was going to get it. Ended up going to El Secreto de Sus Ojos.
Yes, I’m happy about that.
Another shock came when Michael Giacchino was given the Oscar for Best Original Music.
No, I wasn’t shocked because he had won, rather because he hadn’t won before that.
Indeed, this was his first Academy Award ever.
What a shame it didn’t happen sooner. Though great speech.
Incidentally, I’m actually listening to one of the Lost soundtracks as I’m writing this.
And a note to Jennifer Lopez: it’s pronounced Ja-Key-No.
Continuing on the Lost–related talk:
If you were thinking that J.J. Abrams, or, hell, even Terry O’Quinn/Michael Emerson, were going to win an Oscar way before the guy playing Minkowski, think again.
If you’re wondering about that “Kanye West” moment, as people are calling it now, check this out.
Up winning best animated film was a disappointment.
I wish Coraline or Fantastic Mr. Fox had the award.
What’s up with Colin Farell being Jeremy Renner’s actor-buddy on stage and talking about SWAT?!
Weren’t TPTB able to get, I don’t know, any co-star from The Hurt Locker?
Seriously, who thought we would hear about that SWAT movie ever again, let alone at the Academy Awards?
Anyhow, the horror tribute was a bit weird since it included a bunch of movies I’d describe as belonging to the “fantasy” genre (Edward Scissorhands to name just one).
Speaking of, the award for the scariest moment of the evening goes to:
Who knew a comedian painted in blue was going to be a highlight.
Haven’t seen that on TV since a guy named Tobias.
Notice my total lack of thought regarding the major categories.
That’s because I don’t have any.
I’m obviously happy for Bigelow (they took their sweet time to make the historic kudos).
Big “duh” for all the other wins.
And that’s about it.
To finish us off, here’s the genius Modern Family promo they made especially for the Oscars:
For a week now there has been non-stop coverage of Michael Jackson’s life.
All this media circus culminated in today’s memorial service.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Michael Jackson is probably (one of) the greatest entertainers in History.
But we’re talking about, hands down, the biggest broadcast event in History.
Bigger than Obama’s Inauguration.
Bigger than any other event in recent times.
Would you say that Michael Jackson dying is a Historical event?
Or is everyone treating it as a Historical event the event itself?
I think that a plane crash, an exodus in Somalia, massive protests and deaths in China, or even Palin resigning, are bigger news stories than this week’s 24:7 coverage of Michael Jackson’s greatest hits.
No offense to whomever might get offended, but this is ridiculous.
During this hommage, the poor man’s coffin was publicly displayed right in front of the stage like some kind of weird trophy.
I have never seen anything like this and probably will never again.
Just the entrance of the coffin under applause is enough to get chills down your back (not in a good way).
This isn’t just the biggest broadcast in History, it’s also one of the creepiest.
The final choir with the kids holding hands intersected with shots from London and people dancing to “We Are the World” mixed gaudy with crass.
Are people going to dance on his grave soon?
James Hibberd even declared (about the event itself, before it began):
Is it possible to have a pop star’s memorial service on this scale and not have it be, to a large extent, tacky? […] No matter how much it means to you, the setting turns it into camp. Who can regard an event soberly when you know there’s going to be folks selling T-shirts outside?
Honestly, is this supposed to be a concert with a coffin or a memorial service?
What was even more heart-breaking was seeing the family, especially the daughter, talking about their dead brother/father.
Though fans can grieve, this is a memorial service that in my opinion should have been held privately.
The mourning of a family towards a human being shouldn’t be shared with over a billion people worldwide!
Elizabeth Taylor earlier stated:
I’ve been asked to speak at the Staples Center. I cannot be part of the public whoopla. And I cannot guarantee that I would be coherent to say a word. I just don’t believe that Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others.
How I feel is between us. Not a public event. I said I wouldn’t go to the Staples Center and I certainly don’t want to become a part of it. I love him too much.
The fans are grieving a celebrity.
Michael’s family is mourning a man.
This isn’t the same thing, and the media circus is only blurring the line.
I’ll end this post with a quote from the King of Pop himself:
It feels so good to be thought of as a person, not as a personality.
Let’s respect his wishes.
Please let Michael Jackson rest in peace now.