The Oscars

The Oscars

In my parents’ house, the Oscars used to be a celebration complete with the special snack of fudge and popcorn. We rarely saw all the movies or performances nominated but we knew every star. I still watch every year but, especially in the last two years, haven’t seen one of the movies nominated, despite the longer list nowadays, and I’ve never seen, sometimes never heard of some of the actors. I didn’t know the actress who won best actress last night. Is that a sign of my age?

I don’t mind the length of the show. It’s part of the appeal for me, its specialness, maybe. I thought scrolling the names of the people the winners wanted to thank on the screen was a great idea, a time and boredom saver. Have to admit, I tend to read or go do something else when winners drone on. Didn’t work, though. The winners couldn’t seem to help themselves from naming everyone anyway. Guess it didn’t seem as real not to mention people in person.

Lack of Diversity Controversy

Chris Rock handled the controversy of no nominees of color in the last two years well. Some of his jokes fell flat or were of questionable taste, but you have to know that’s coming if you hire him. Most of the time, he handled the situation with both grace and a bite that included all sides of the issue. Is the Academy prejudiced, he asked? Of course, but not in a keep the races segregated way, he suggested, more in a sorority type of way—you don’t quite fit our requirements. He also slapped at Jada Pinkett Smith, who boycotted the Oscars, saying it was like him boycotting Rhianna’s panties. Rhianna is a beautiful, black singer, if you’re unfamiliar with the name. Neither he nor Jada were invited.

I really liked the part where black actors—I especially like Whoopi Goldberg—were inserted into nominated movies in bits that also spoke to diversity.

The Best Moments

The Minions introduced the candidates for best animated short and cavorted around a microphone that wouldn’t stay put. Cute. Louis C K introduced short documentaries, one of the most important categories, he quipped, because these people weren’t bringing their Oscars home to mansions, they were bringing them home in Honda Civics. Vice President Biden introduced the nominated song “Til It Happens to You” from the film The Hunting Ground about the rape culture on America’s college campuses. Lady Gaga sang it. She has a wonderful voice, though I didn’t find the song as effective as the victims who came out to stand with her, messages such as “It’s not your fault” written on their arms. Very powerful. Leonardo DiCaprio, on his first win, voiced his concern for climate change, saying don’t take the planet for granted as he wouldn’t take his award for granted.

Not seeing the nominated movies, for me, didn’t detract from enjoying the show. I’ll look forward to it again next year.