And the Oscar Goes To....

Okay, last night was one of my favorite nights of the year, the Academy Awards. I though Jon Stewart did a great job. His opening monologue was funny but he kept the show tight and I though it was quite nice. I was a little disappointed in the fact that Americans seemed highly under represented - Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor and Suporting Actress all went to Europeans. I think they are great actors but c'mon, not one American?

Let's talk fashion for a brief moment. Helen Mirren looked FABULOUS, proving that an older woman can be elegant and sexy at the same time. I loved her ruby dress with the glittering sleeves. Worst look has to go to Tilda Swinton. What in the hell was she thinking?!? She looked like an androgenous alien wearing a garbage bag with one armhole cut out. I couldn't figure out if it was a dress or some weird performance art piece (you know, like the ones where the artist emerges from a bag to represent some rebirth bulls@#t). Her stylist (and her makeup artist and her hair stylist/colorist) should all be taken out an summarily shot. It was really, really bad, like beyond that swan outfit Bjork wore one year.

I was really wondering where Ben Affleck was. Jennifer Garner was there, sitting next to Casey Affleck but no Ben. His brother was nominated for an award, his wife was presenting an he couldn't even show up? I think it was way wrong of the Academy to not nominate him for Best Adapted Screenplay but still, he could have showed up. He could do Jimmy Kimmel for cryin' out loud but not show up for the big show? Ben, I'm dissapointed in you. Even Owen Wilson showed up and you have had a much better year than he has. And I'm not buying the 'someone had to stay home with Violet' story. Hire a babysitter.

My least favorite moment was when Diablo Cody won for Best Original Screenplay. It wasn't because I didn't think she deserved to win, I loved "Juno" and thought it was a terrifically witty and thoughtful film. But Diablo (I'm hoping that Diablo Cody was just her stripper name, not the one her parents gave her) seemed manic throughout her speech and honestly, I though she was really disingenious. She seemed to 'tear up' at the end of her speech when she thanked her family but as soon as she turned away she looked almost angry. She grabbed the envelope from Harrison Ford and sort of stomped off stage. I thought it made the whole speech look faked. One reviewer of the Oscars though she looked glum and wondered if Harrison Ford was taking her to detention instead of just winning an Oscar. If it had been me, I would have been jumping through the roof (an award AND Indiana Jones, it don't get much better than that!) To all future winners, just remember that the cameras are ALWAYS watching.

My favorite moment of the night was when Jon Stewart let Marketa Irglova come back and finish her acceptance speech. I was delighted to see Glen Hansard and Marketa win for Best Original Song (restoring my faith in the Academy) and not just because now I can say I have hung out with two Oscar winners but because it as a great song from a great film that truly deserved to win. But Glen's exuberance led to Marketa's portion being cut off by the band once his thirty seconds was up. Jon brought Marketa back out after the commercial break to take her moment in the spotlight. Not only as that well done of Jon, but it was one of the most touching speeches of the evening.

I watch the Oscars not only to celebrate the movies and see my favorite celebrities, but to reinforce my dreams of making movies and writing good films. I look to many of the winners for inspiration. So I'd like to thank Marketa for the words in her speech that I will look back and reflect upon in the days ahead as I struggle to reach my dreams.

"This is proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up." -Marketa Irglova

Thanks and fair play to you too.

For Your Consideration

It’s my favorite time of year, when you root for your favorite, eat all sorts of yummy snacks and lay down odds on the winner. No, I’m not talking about the Superbowl, I’m talking about the Oscars®.

Most years I’ve seen at least half of the nominees. This year I’m batting zero. I haven’t seen a single Best Picture Nominee. I can’t make my predictions. I’ll go this weekend and try to see a couple (probably “Juno” and maybe “Atonement”). But I’m a little surprised at some of the nominations. “Hairspray” failed to receive a single nomination. What was the Academy thinking? Not even for costume or song? “Enchanted” got THREE song nominations?!? C’mon, does Disney own the Academy? I can see one, maybe even two but three of the five? I smell a rat, er, mouse.

Okay, the Academy did get one right. ‘Falling Slowly’ from the film “Once” by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova was nominated for Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original Song). The film was my Number One film of 2007 and this song is amazing. I have it on “The Swell Season” which I rushed out and bought after I saw “Once” at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Will and I were lucky to catch a late screening of the film while were at the fest. But the director, John Carney, stopped the film about four minutes in because of sound difficulties. They were going to cancel the screening if they couldn’t fix the sound (it’s a musical movie, sound is überimportant). While we waited for the technicians we were treated to an impromptu acoustic performance by Glen and Marketa. To say it was magical is a true understatement. We then got to watch the film (yay, Mr. Sound Guy!) and then had an encore after the film. Will got to talk to Glen, lead singer for the Irish band The Frames and I chatted with Marketa and got Glen, Marketa and John to sign my ticket. (Yeah, I suppose it is a bit juvenile, but I wanted a momento.) I also have the song on the “Once” soundtrack and on The Frames CD “The Cost”. Oh yeah, it’s also the ringtone on my phone. Can you say obsessed?

Now, if you see the film “Once”, and I really hope you do, you’ll find a charming little movie that breaks every rule of filmmaking. It’s poorly lit, badly shot, minimally scripted and WONDERFUL. The music makes the film and tells the story and that’s why it, and this song, is so good. Music at its best should be evocative and “Falling Slowly” is incredibly evocative. See the movie, then call me and I’ll loan you the CD.

Now, I implore the Academy for two things. If the show goes on (and it should, c’mon WGA and give us the Oscars®) I want Glen and Marketa to perform the song, without any weird interpretive dance number. Trust me, the song doesn’t need unitard wearing dancers to make anyone understand what’s going on. And the second thing I want is for the song to win. It deserves it, because it made the movie, not the other way around.

Now as we get ready for the roller coaster ride to the red carpet, rent the film “For Your Consideration”, the Christopher Guest & Company film about the hype behind awards season. It’s a terrifically funny film and I, for one, wish I could see “Home for Purim”. Hollywood air kisses everyone!