The King's Sweep: And So It Is.

First of all -- how'd I do?

Art Direction, Costume Design, Makeup, Sound, Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects Editing, Score (well, I narrowed it down to two -- but who didn't), Song, Editing, Documentary, Adapted Screenplay, Actor.

So Denmark gets Foreign Film -- fine, it did everywhere else.

So Pfister gets Cinematography -- my apologies to the oft nominated Deakins, but an Inception win is aok with me. Looks like the Nolan pic walked away with the most awards of the night, didn't it?

Annette! 

It was clear Natalie Portman had it in the bag -- but as a faithful Annettean, I was not going to put that in writing. Natalie has held my heart for many a moon -- but this is Annette we're talking about. My little four time nominee. Bless her and keep her. Natalie, I salute your work.  And man, you were a trooper hauling that bursting belly around. You did not look comfortable on the red carpet.

Supporting...

The Fighter duo really took it to the bank this year -- and I'm a little saddened to see there was no upset in either category. But I've said it before -- and shall again -- I seem in the incredible minority with my lukewarm reaction to Marky Mark's passion project.

So let's talk for a moment about the multiple minutes surrounding Melissa Leo's win. Why was Kirk Douglas sent onto the stage? How did that happen? Will an elder-statesman of a star ever be sent on stage again? What on earth was going on with Melissa Leo's speech? What was with the "I have learned so much about the Academy. It's about selling movies and respecting the work?" What does that mean? Why did she leave with Kirk's cane? Someone please help me understand everything that took place.

Christian Bale is a fantastic actor and thus I salute him. The little boy from Empire of the Sun has come a long way. I, for one, plan to follow his lead by thanking his wife and children somewhat forgetfully without having mentioned a specific name. That speech can be played forever and will never point to a specific relationship. Way to Swank it, Bale.

The Writers...

I would have loved to have seen Nolan get the respect he deserves with an original screenplay Oscar. I wonder when that -- or a directing nomination -- will happen for him. The Seidler win was one of the evening's more touching moments.

Both Mr. Seidler and Mr. Sorkin gave some excellent speeches. Watching Sorkin get up there and rattle off something that polished shows what a remarkable writer the man is -- and how many Emmys he's accepted.

Director AND Picture?!


The Fincher loss was a stunner. An absolute stunner and once again proof of the HW's power. My goodness. Yes, yes, it rarely splits. But I will happily admit that I 100% believed that either the awards were going to split or The Social Network was taking it all. It would be foolish to claim that The King's Speech didn't have steadily building momentum straight through the award season -- making it clear that it was going to take picture. But it sure as hell didn't seem like Tom Hooper was coming along!

After Zodiac, Benjamin Button, and now The Social Network -- one wonders if Fincher will have another crack at the gold, especially now that he's knee-deep in the Millenium Trilogy. What a mind-blower.

How about those hosts?

The show was a complete screwball. There seemed no reason to just stick Anne Hathaway out there alone to sing. But if that's what it takes to put James Franco in a dress -- I'll take it. He really pulled it off!

Whether they pulled off the actual job of hosting is another story. The opening worked for me. I greatly enjoyed traveling through Alec Baldwin's dreams and thought there were some great jokes in there.

But it raises the very simple question: Why not simply hire ONE comedian? It baffles the mind.

I know this seems the job to refuse -- but why? Find someone! SomeONE.

So what happens to this little blog now?


Well, I'm going to keep it up. I plan to review each film I see and roll this sucker right into next year's award season.

By the way, Trent Reznor has an Oscar.