OSCAR Night!

The 83rd Academy Awards is history now. Not one to pat myself on the back but, hey, did I not predict the winners? The awards ceremony tried to target a younger demographic this year by placing Anne Hathaway and James Franco as hosts. From what I read and have heard, it didn't work.

I respect them both for taking on this daunting task which subjected them to criticism for their performances to what they wore. Fact is, in this economy, your 18 to 34 year olds no longer have the money to spend on an evening for two that could easily cost more than $30 if they choose to have popcorn. Don't think any of them care what was worn and who it was designed by because it seems so ridiculous in a world where four years of college does not guarantee a job. Sure, they still go to the movies but would rather spend the money on comedy, chick flicks or action features that never receive accolades.

For the most part great movie performances are attended by those who appreciate and can afford them. My one miss in predictions was "The Social Network"; I thought this movie would appeal to the masses and have a following. Saw it and it was really good but, didn't hold a candle to "The King's Speech". How many 20 somethings rushed out to see this one?

As it has been and always will be, OSCAR night is for those who truly love acting and a really good movie. More often than not the winners will come from a flick that so few had seen. Eighty three years ago when the first OSCAR was presented the ceremony was attended by 270 and was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. One could purchase a ticket for the event for $5. The statute was not officially named OSCAR until 1939 and there are two different stories as to its origin. One was that Bette Davis named it after her first husband Harmon OSCAR Nelson another, the Executive Secretary of the Academy reflected that the prize resembled her late uncle OSCAR.

The Best Picture award traditionally does not go the movie that has achieved the biggest box office success or the one that decades later we deem a classic. "The Wizard of Oz", "Citizen Kane" or "Gone With the Wind" never won the grand prize. Nor did "It's A Wonderful Life". Movies who did take home the GOLD that we've all seen are "Casablanca" '44, "From Here to Eternity" '54, "Sound of Music" '66, "Midnight Cowboy" '70, "The Godfather's I and II" '73 and '75, "Platoon" '87, "Forest Gump" '95 and "Titanic" '98. No one will be watching "The King's Speech" in 2021 but, like "The Breakfast Club", "Christmas Vacation" and all the other award not-worthy classics a favorite will come from the year 2011.

JUST GO WITH IT

I can honestly say that I've seen most every movie that Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston have ever made. Of course, I can proudly say that I did miss "Don't Mess With the Zohan" and wish I had missed "Little Nicky". However, when these two actors make a movie, I will come.

My past film going months have been catching up on the Academy Award nominated fare and I looked forward to some entertaining fluff with my favorite actors. My week had been stressful and thought it would be some welcome relief.

The story was of plastic surgeon Sandler who harboured insecurities from his younger life and spent his adulthood bedding women who believed he was in a horrible marriage. Enter Brooklyn Decker and after one romp on the beach and intrigued by, of course her beauty, and her morals took his farce one step further and had to produce his wife and children. Enter the mousy assistant (yeah,right) Aniston and her kids. Expensive clothes and a great hairstyle was all it took to make her hot and a believable EX.

The domino effect of non-truths lead them all to Hawaii which included the kids....Bailee Madison and Griffin Gluck whose acting rivaled the adult pros. Nick Swadson as Sandler's bumbling cousin was just OK. As in every "Happy Madison" movie there were the cameos from Sandler's BFF's, Allen Ruck, for one, who I always enjoy seeing. Never one for Nicole Kidman, she showed me why she is considered a great actress. Plus, there were great turns from Dave Matthews (isn't he a singer?), Kevin Nealon and Rachel Dratch.

As I write this I wonder why I didn't enjoy the movie that much. Maybe it was because the plot was predictable and the story too far fetched.

And the Oscar goes to...........

Although I haven't seen every movie or performance nominated this year; I have seen most. A self-proclaimed movie buff and disciple of the Academy Awards I know winners come from a flick you haven't heard that much about. So based on what I've seen are my predictions for the 2011 awards.

BEST PICTURE:

The winner will be "SOCIAL NETWORK". Not necessarily the one I enjoyed the most but, my pic to take home the gold. Millions are a part of this FACEBOOK phenomenon that hasn't even been around for ten years and I predict the Academy will single out this testament to our times. I've seen nine out of the ten nominated and, though I truly think they are all great not all of them will appeal to the masses as this one does.

Not everyone will care to see Woody in "Toy Story 3", a Lesbian family in "The Kids Are All Right", the dark story of "The Black Swan" or royal watching in "The King's Speech". Nor will they necessarily embrace the story about boxing "The Fighter" or a western "True Grit". "Inception" was too deep for so many and "147 Hours" is not for the squeamish.

UPSET WINNER - "The Black Swan"



BEST ACTOR

The winner will be COLIN FIRTH. He is up again Jeff Bridges this year and it is his time. I get Jesse Eisenberg and Mark Zuckerburg mixed up when I see them which means there was some outstanding acting going on there. Sorry Javier....I haven't seen your performance but, you've won already. James Franco....you carried an entire movie and, to me, your performance was the best. You should just enjoy the glory of hosting this year. Your time will come.

UPSET WINNER - James Franco




BEST ACTRESS

The winner will be NATALIE PORTMAN. The "Golden Globes" and "SAG" Awards pretty much say it all. Plus, though disturbing, her performance in "The Black Swan" was amazing. Not even thirty, her impressive resume will land her the well deserved prize.

The only other female work I've seen in this category is Annette Bening's turn as a Lesbian surgeon in "The Kids Are All Right". Pretty remarkable considering she is the long time wife of one of Hollywood's great leading men.......I've loved Michelle Williams since she was the best of "Dawson's Creek" but, this is not her year either.....Nicole Kidman gets on my nerves and I shy away from her depressing movies....And, Jennifer Lawrence and "Winter's Bone", I'll have to catch this one later.

UPSET WINNER - Michelle Williams



BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Again, the previous awards say it all. This is the year of CHRISTIAN BALE. "Batman" totally convinced me that he was a "crack addict" ex-boxer and that's what acting is all about. However, my favorite performance was the delightful Geoffrey Rush in "The King's Speech". Totally moving and spectacular.

Mark Ruffalo was outstanding in "The Kids Are All Right" and Jeremy Renner gets his second nod in a row for his role in "The Town". Both roles are memorable. Again, I need to see "Winter's Bone".

UPSET WINNER- Geoffrey Rush




BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

I've seen four out of these five performances. Never even heard of "Animal Kingdom" or Jacki Weaver until the nominees were named. MELISSA LEO will win her first Academy Award for her portrayal of an ambitious, white trash mom. She was so good, it was hard to believe she was acting. Amy Adams, always sensational, in the same movie doesn't hold a candle to Leo. Helena Bonham Carter...always quirky and always delivering her acting chops played a splendid "Queen Mum". Fourteen year old Hailee Steinfeld was nothing but amazing in "True Grit".

UPSET WINNER - Hailee Steinfeld.

127 Hours

"127" Hours is probably the last of the Academy Award movies/performances that I will see until the big day later this month. I've seen most of them this year and, as always, I will promise to view the ones I missed.

This movie is the true story of Aron Ralston whose harrowing journey of being trapped in a cave and having to self amputate his arm to survive has captivated all who has heard the story.

I kind of thought that James Franco's performance was nominated as he will host this years awards. I had read that the movie was very difficult to watch and, I went to see it out of total curiosity. What I saw was another brilliant direction of Danny Boyle (Slum Dog Millionaire). My reviews usually only focus on acting and the movie's impact but, Mr. Boyle's contribution goes to show that he is a directing great.

I thought I had picked my "Best Actor" weeks ago until I saw Mr. Franco's performance today. I have probably seen every body of work he has ever done most memorably as a "Stoner". Other than the outstanding direction, cinematography, soundtrack, familiar faces of actors I admire in brief appearances, the movie's almost two hours depended on his work. And, a job extraordinarily done it was.

I don't think it is James Franco's year to win the Oscar, however, "127 Hours" has put him on the map to be one of the great actors of his time.