Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Oscars


The Oscar award ceremony is Sunday night.  Last year, I hosted a big party for the event.  No party this year, but I'll be watching with interest.

When I was growing up, Johnny Carson hosted the awards every year.  He did it with dignity and humor.  I miss him.  This year, the Academy hired Eddie Murphy -- but he quit when the producer he was friends with had to resign from the show in disgrace.  On short notice and with some desperation, the Academy got Billy Crystal to host again.  Billy did a few Oscar shows that were well received.  He's a showman who, unlike Ricky Gervais or David Letterman, is positive about Hollywood.

My favorite movies of this year, in order of preference, are "The Artist", "Midnight In Paris", "Moneyball" and "Tree of Life".  All four made the Best Picture list, along with some others I wasn't fond of ("The Descendants", "Hugo", "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close", "The Help", and "War Horse").  The complete list of all nominees is here.

What were your favorite movies of the year?

15 comments:

  1. Any reason not inviting a few friends over to share the awards show?
    I will be honest, one of the best things I probably did in life is get rid of my TV, and not even watch it. If I need to know what is going on its all on the computer at my finger tips or the newspaper that I open up. Where TV & Movies used to be a world that I would lose myself in as a total escape, now is just a hindrance of my time. ANy of those movies, have no idea what they were about, who is in them, or the synopsis.

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  2. I have not watched any of the movies on the list but love to watch the Oscars to see all the stars and what they wear. Will have to put it on my PVR as it will be on at some weird hour here in SA and then before we even get to watch it they broadcast the winners on the news on the radio stations.

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  3. I'm rooting for The Artist all the way! I loved it. I always watch the red carpet arrivals and judge all the gowns.

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  4. As I think I told you last year, my best friend and I have been watching the Oscars together since we were 13/14 years old. However, she's been busy the last few years (sad) but I have another friend who gets them like I do. She's coming over and she, L and I will be doing our Oscar ballots and rooting for our favourites. Oh, and of course, we'll be watching red carpet for the dresses!

    Over the last couple of years, I've seen fewer and fewer of the Best Picture nominees - I just hate the theatre experience now! So many people talking, texting, answering their phones! It's so frustrating when I spend so much money to have it ruined by people who don't seem to care. *sigh* We wait for the movies to come on the movie channel (usually only a few months) and then watch them all at our leisure.

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    1. I sympathize, Sheila. People's public behavior in theaters is atrocious and often ruins the experience for others. I watch more DVDs at home than films in the theater for this reason.

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  5. The only movie I haven't seen this year is The Artist ... I have 2 days to change that!!!

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  6. I feel bad because I actually really liked three of the movies of your not-like list (War Horse, The Help, and Hugo).

    I have been way more into television than movies this past year. I've never really paid any attention to awards shows though. I'll read the winners list off ONTD or something, and watch Fashion Police/rundowns of the carpets on occasion, but I'd rather judge for myself if I enjoy a movie. It's why a lot of the time I don't even bother seeing movies with other people the first go around.

    But I think everyone has their own opinion on all that and more power to you if you are able to enjoy the award shows. (But hey, I watch documentaries for fun so I know I am in the minority)

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    1. No reason to feel bad, Megan. Those are fine films but not my taste. Movies are a highly-subjective art-medium.

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  7. It's nice to see Billy back at the helm. He's a class act. You didn't like The Descendants? I really enjoyed the weird sense of humor of it. I loved Moneyball and I need to see The Artist yet. It looks to be up my alley. Happy Oscar Watching!

    http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com

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  8. i am just looking forward to the fashion!!
    brett

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  9. I love watching the Oscars. I love movies and I love seeing all the fashion as well. I enjoyed Midnight in Paris, it was very interesting...Woody Allen is great. I really want to see The Artist, it seems like a good movie. I need to get on that! lol :)

    Principessa Gabriella

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  10. Shame on me but I didn't see any of films going for Oscars this year. I just have to watch it and do it soon. thanks for the reminder and advise

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog

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  11. I also loved "Midnight in Paris" (thanks for the recommendation!) but one of my favourites was "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"- I think that movie deserves to win- it had me balling like a baby! I'm surprised you didn't like that movie- it took me a while to get into it, but once I was in I was hooked!

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  12. The only way I would watch the Oscars would be if Neil Patrick Harris was hosting. No one should ever host awards shows but him. I'm looking forward to seeing all the post-show pictures of the fashion, though.

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