The Oscars - will my people rule?

So we have been hearing all about the new format -- first of all, I love how close everyone is to the stage. Hugh Jackman looks lovely and he is really debonair. And the dance number? Come on. Who knew Anne Hathaway could sing? I love that he cracked himself up during the Reader dance / song. Jackman has a great voice. Overall, I loved the opening -- such great energy with the audience so close.

So the Supporting Actress Category is first and the new format has 5 previous winners presenting together. Each woman gives a tribute speech to a nominee instead of clips. Very touching. Except when Goldie Hawn's face came onscreen -- she needed some help from the Benjamin Button effects folks. I'd like to see Penelope win this and she does. She is stunning in her vintage Balmain gown. And what a lovely speech.

Original Screenplay intro is great with Tina Fey and Steve Martin reading the screenplay notes. Tina looks amazing. Milk wins for Original Screenplay. Sean Penn is so proud.

Animated Film Long and Short are presented by Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black so that she can't possibly cross paths with Brad and Angelina. Jennifer was pretty and funny. But she might as well have presented to Brad and Angelina since the producers scanned to Angelina and then Brad and Angelina (still counting if they do it again) -- cheap and stupid. Negative points for that. Wall-E wins for Animated Film.

SJP and Daniel Craig come out to present Production Design. I think she is getting a little old to wear these frothy confections. Art Direction goes to Benjamin Button. Then they present Costume Design which goes to The Duchess. Then Make-up (I like the multiple categories presented by a couple to move things along) which goes to Benjamin Button.

Ben Stiller came out as Joaquin Phoenix with Natalie Portman. I personally think the Joaquin thing is an act for a documentary Casey Affleck is making and can't wait to see it. They present Cinematography which goes to Slumdog. I know there has been a lot of talk about Slumdog and whether the film is about winning money = happiness, and I just want to put in my two cents that it isn't. It is about the relationships we make in life and the choices we make in life and where they lead us. And set against the vibrancy of India, the contrasts of wealth and poverty, of joy and gloom, of silence and sound -- this is what makes the film so well done.

Jessica Biel comes out -- the dress is pretty up top, but horrible waist down. The look is very sloppy and ill fitting. Well, at least she has Justin.

How do we feel about the theme re-caps of the year? I wasn't feeling the animated one or the romance ones, but the comedy re-cap by Judd Apatow starring James Franco and Seth Rogan is really funny. The cinematographer of Schindler's List leaning on Seth? Great.

The musical spectacular -- honoring movie musicals. So smart to bring Beyonce out to make it feel fresh. And then the touch of Amanda Seyfried / Dominic Cooper plus Zac and Vanessa who starred in the two top movie musicals of the year. It gives Hugh a way to show off. Look I love a musical number so this was fun to me (I saw on facebook that some people aren't fans). And they were all taken out of their element, not just performing what they performed in their respective films. Oh and Baz Luhrmann created that number? I love him (even though I never saw Australia - is it out on DVD soon?)

Now time for Supporting Actor -- Joel Grey, Alan Arkin, Kevin Kline, Christopher Walken and Cuba Gooding Jr -- who is Cuba's publicist? Because getting him onto that stage with these other men, job well done. Did Alan Arkin call Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Seymour? John Mayer / Jennifer Aniston sighting. And then Kevin Kline delivers the nomination to Heath Ledger who wins. His family accepts on his behalf with grace and the touching flashes to the audience were well done.

Bill Maher comes out to present documentary and proves why the comedian as host thing was failing. Don't let a man present who is obviously pissed that he wasn't nominated. Love the winner balancing the Oscar on his chin -- those are moments you can't script.

Tom Cruise / Jimmy Kimmel commercial was funny.

So now I understand the order of the awards starts with screenplay to production to post-production. I had read that they were going to "tell a story" with the show. I don't think it is really necessary to try to tie the awards together, but nice attempt.

So I guess Will Smith was a surprise since he wasn't on the carpet -- big surprise (was there a need to hide him?) Benjamin Button wins for Visual effects. I don't like when the one member of the team who is nominated to give the acceptance speech includes his personal thanks to his wife and family and not anyone else's -- selfish. Sound Effects goes to The Dark Knight. Sound Mixing goes to Slumdog -- and Resul Pookutty - what a name. Film Editing goes to Slumdog again. Sweep?

Eddie Murphy comes out to present an award to Jerry Lewis. Ugggh this is getting so long now. This is why they could have cut out those clips about each film type. Really Coldplay playing in the background of a Jerry Lewis reel? I have to say, they did actually keep the tribute reel pretty quick, but now let's see how long his speech goes. Oh, he kept it short and sweet too. Okay, not bad.

Getting lots of feedback from people that they don't like the show...I actually don't mind it that much. Sure they could have cut out about 30 minutes so far...I hope they don't rush the end awards which are of course the most interesting. But I thought they made some good progress in trying to move things along. And considering I am watching live with no DVR help, that is saying a lot. Okay, but maybe I should stop writing about how long it is going or this blog entry is going to win the Oscar for longest blog on the Oscars of 2009.

And just when I was giving the producer's points they do the stupid score performance -- if you didn't bother to show clips of the acting categories, why is it necessary to bore everyone with a re-cap on the scores? Just give out the award -- especially when you already did a musical medley. Alicia Keyes and Zac Efrom turn AR Rahman's name into some sort of Russian / Hebrew name. It is Rahman like Ramen noodles. He is cute. Then he performs his song -- ummm why are the dancers not all Indian? No need to be racially diverse when there is finally an Indian film. Thank you. Bruce Springsteen's song should have been nominated. Why didn't Peter Gabriel get to perform?

Freida Pinto is stunning in the blue Dior dress.

Is this the Oscars or the Grammy's? Another musical moment with Queen Latifah? I hate In Memorium -- another unnecessary moment.

Reese breathes life into the program with a great dress but terrible hair and make-up. But energy and lightness in her speech. She presents Director and I'm pretty sure who will win. Danny Boyle? Yep, Danny Boyle it is. I wish the Oscars were the only awards given out so this wouldn't have felt so pre-determined. But then his acceptance at Tigger was genius and love his shout out to the program itself.

So now we get to Best Actress. Please don't let this be the one upset or surprise of the night - PLEASE! The Five women are Sophia Lauren, Shirley Maclaine, Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard. Excited to see what Nicole wears...This feels so elegant. Oh Nic is all sparkly and fresh. Why is Anne Hathaway screaming?? Wow these speeches are great. They are personal and touching. Halle looks amazing. Wow Sophia Loren is not fresh and sparkly at all. And the Oscar goes to -- Kate Winslet -- YES YES YES This was all I wanted to see all night. Brilliant.

Michael Douglas, Sir Ben Kingsley, Anthony Hopkins (isn't he a Sir too?), Adrien Brody and Robert DeNiro assemble to present to the Best Actor nominees. DeNiro was great and Robin Wright Penn is just gorgeous as always. Nice speech by Adrien Brody to Richard Jenkins. LOVE that Anthony Hopkins presents to Brad Pitt because Legends of the Fall is one of my favorite films of all time. I still laugh when I see Mickey Rourke. Sean Penn wins and I think Robin had to grab him to kiss him which felt awkward. Best speech of the night but no comment to his family. Is he a jerk?

And now to Best Picture. Spielberg presents and finally there are clips but interspersed with clips of other films. Not necessary. And the Oscar goes to Slumdog Millionaire -- how could it not, right?

Well it was a long night. I give positive points to Hugh Jackman, the close audience and the past winners presenting to the acting categories but negative points to still leaving in an extra 30-40 minutes and the overload of music.

Whew, onto a new year of films to judge (although I have a bunch of DVD's to still rent from this year's lot). Good night folks.

Remember, don't be ashamed of your obsessions...