Well, the big day is over for another year…sigh. But, at least I have today to relieve everything!
I really thought the Academy Awards ceremony was good this year. They tried to mix it up a big due to sagging ratings. Hugh Jackman certainly put on a show, but then I guess he had plenty of practice hosting the Tony Awards three times. I thought his “opening number on a budget” was hilarious and it got a standing ovation from the audience. I also loved the number where he and Beyonce sang about how the musical was back. Hugh was funny and classy – the perfect host in my opinion.
I didn’t think there were many surprises as far as winners. I expected Penelope Cruz to win Best Supporting Actress and Kate Winslet to win Best Actress. Of course, Best Supporting Actor belonged to Heath Ledger as soon as The Dark Knight hit the big screen. In case you are wondering, the Academy wouldn’t let Michelle Williams accept his Oscar since the two weren’t married (his parents and sister instead accepted it) and it now belongs to his daughter, Matilda.
The one surprise moment of the night might have been when Sean Penn (nominated for Milk) beat Mickey Rourke (nominated for The Wrestler) for Best Actor. I had heard rumblings of some people pulling for Penn, but I wanted to see Mickey win the whole shebang. After all, he took home the Golden Globe, Independent Spirit, BAFTA, and scads of other film awards.
Dustin Lance Black won Best Original Screenplay for Milk. In part of his speech, he said, “But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally, across this great nation of ours.” Sean Penn made mention of the people protesting on the way to the Kodak Theatre. I am assuming they were protesting against Prop 8 and chose to do so on the night when the world’s eyes were on Hollywood.
Tomorrow, more of my thoughts on this year’s Oscar ceremony.