Academy Awards Hangover: The boringest Oscars show ever?
-
- February
- 25
Aside from Jon Stewart’s monologue and the Jonah Hill/Seth Rogan-Halle Berry/Judi Dench bit, it was kind of like watching “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”—I really wanted to enjoy it, to believe it was worth the hype, but it just seemed to drag and drag. And, of course, it was utterly predictable.
OK, so maybe Marion Cotillard was a surprise, but were any of the others? Maybe I’m a little bitter that Hal Holbrook and Ruby Dee ended up empty-handed (even though I did pick Tilda Swinton), or maybe it’s just that the supposedly “shortened” clip-reels from past ceremonies padded the show with what felt like a half-hour of filler (loved the Jon Stewart tributes to “binoculars and telescopes” and “bad dreams,” though). Bottom line: I’m kinda wishing I’d spent the night watching the latest installment of “The Wire” instead.
A few more random thoughts on the evening:
• Go Cynthia Wade! The one true silver-lining moment of the evening for me was when the Croton native (pictured here, on the left) won the award for Best Documentary Short Subject. In case you haven’t seen our RNN Oscar Special yet, Karen DePodwin has an outstanding interview and profile of Wade—in full Oscar-preparation mode. Skip about 1/4 of the way through the full video to watch it.
• Was it just me, or did Denzel Washington look royally pissed off to be presenting Best Picture? And really, can you blame him? The Mount Vernon native got snubbed for not one, but two films (”American Gangster” and “The Great Debaters”). I can’t speak to the latter, but for my money, the former was easily as good as any of the actual Best Pic nominees.
• Boy, did New Rochelle’s Ruby Dee look shocked after they played the clip of her slapping Denzel in “American Gangster”? As she watched from her seat, the expression on her face seemed to say: “That was me in that movie? Damn, I’m good!”
• Nobody was more uncomfortable in their attire than Diablo Cody. As she walked away from the podium after accepting Best Original Screenplay, with the slit in her dress riding up waaay too high, the only thought running through her head: I knew I shoulda worn underwear.
(All photos: AP)
This entry was posted
on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 10:12 am by Ted Mann.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
| 
Click here to check out Suburbarazzi's Star Map
I thought the best part of the night was Jon Stewart bringing Marketa Irglova back out to deliver her acceptance speech for Best Song. Classy!
I think I was most annoyed at Amy Adams singing on a bare stage – why didn't they show clips from the movie behind her?
The fashions were certainly uglier than usual, though. I guess that's what happens when you have to throw the ceremony together at the last minute – the actors didn't have so much time to consult with stylists, check out lots of gowns, etc. I counted at least six dresses that would have been gorgeous had they not had some clunky necklace or random trim/bunting going on. Of course, nothing could have salvaged Diablo Cody or Tilda Swinton's outfits!
Can't believe the show still went past 11 p.m., even without all the usual filler montages. They need to start it earlier for us East Coast folks…