The 84th Oscars...

Last night I watched the Oscars.

I have mixed feelings about the Academy Awards. Sometimes when I watch, I can't stand it because:

1. The fashions are so ugly or colourless or tasteless I can't stand it
   
2. I have no idea who any of the big names are (unless Brad Pitt is there)
   
3. the things I want to win usually don't and the things that do win are too often movies I hated

...Poving I'm a grouchy old thing with no Hollywood tolerance. You knew that, right? Just look at what Hollywood did to Torchwood.

But last night I enjoyed myself, partly because fairestcat was there to tell me who people were, and partly because I hadn't seen any of the movie so I had no preconceptions, and it was all like a magnificent trailer for movies I might (or might not) want to see. And some of the most beautiful and wonderful women... I love them onscreen, but seeing them in person can be disillusioning.

I was a little horrified by all the talk about comedies. Seems they're respectable now. Even - no, especially - the ghastly ones. Hmm. I was horrified by how unfunny Billy Crystal was; or was it just that I didn't understand any of his jokes because I'm so hopelessly out of whatever loop I'd have to be into to get it? All I can say is: Bring back Hugh Jackman!

I loved Gwynneth Paltrow's dress, and her style, and the routine she did with Robert Downey Jr. where they recreated the personalities of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Also the one worn with panache by Penelope Cruz. Angelina Jolie looked suitably dramatic. Robert Downey Jr. was fun. And Christopher Plummer! - we all cheered. I love that man on so many levels, not just blind nationalism. I mean. The Sound of Music. One of my early loves.

I was sort of rooting for The Artist because it's so different. Imaginative. Visual.

Now I want to see a bunch of movies...

P.S. I was happy to see The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore win, and I'm happy I can watch the rest now!

Loved the Cirque du Soleil sequence.