Goodnight, Travel Well (Oscar Wrap-Up)

Posted on Author Ryan McNeil
21 Thoughts on The 81st Oscars
  • Hugh Jackman’s opening was quite cute – it had a “summer camp skit” quality to it.
  • Teaming Martin & Fey as writing presenters was inspired.
  • OK, who can tell me what Cruz said in Spanish?
  • Award for the most beautiful speech of the night goes to Dustin Lance Black, screenwriter of MILK.
  • Loved the use of The Hives & Coldplay in the action/romance montages.
  • “Domo Oregato Mister Roboto” Kunio Kato, you’re my new hero.
  • I quite liked the idea of grouping the categories by the process.
  • Funny thing, I didn’t miss a comedian doing “bits” before every introduction.
  • However, I still hate people reading names off a list.
  • Really Stiller?…A Joaquin Phoenix costume??
  • Now that Franco & Rogen point it out – THE READER and DOUBT were pretty damned funny!
  • My imagination, or were some of the commercial breaks very strangely placed?
  • Anyone wanna tell me why Beyonce was the one singer out of six who decided to lip synch?
  • Hey, who’s this “Seymour Phillip Hoffman” guy?
  • I want to live in Philippe Petit’s world (the MAN ON WIRE guy who balanced the trophy on his chin).
  • btw, being able to pause the Oscars for a bathroom break is technology at its finest.
  • I guess I’m gonna have to go rent DEPARTURES now.
  • I coulda swore *I* was the only person who used the phrase “Grand Poobah”
  • Hey David Fincher – smile!
  • “Dad…whistle or something…” Aww, kate, good to see you didn’t waste your big moment.
  • Who had money on someone getting up and calling the crowd a bunch of “Commie, Homo-Lovin’, Sons-of-Guns”?

..Oh, and as a bonus twenty-second thought – Well done Heath. We miss you.

7 Replies to “Goodnight, Travel Well (Oscar Wrap-Up)”

  1. Am I the only one who thought the Jaoquin Phoenix bit was funny? Obvious perhaps, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t laugh…

    Though “Domo oregato Mister Roboto” was definitely the best moment. Well, that or Martin and Fey openly mocking Scientology.

    What was Bill Mahrer doing there?

  2. I have to say this really is the first time I’ve watched the Oscars all the way through, generally I will channel flip during the Doc. and some of the tech stuff but this show had me both moved and entertained.

    I have to say I loved the opening (even with the summer camp feel) especially the line, “Ladies and Gentlemen, your Craig’s List Dancers.”

    Fey and Martin … Loved them!

    And, although it was probably one of the reasons the show went so long, I loved the change in presenting the acting awards to the tributes from past winners.

    Over – A++ to the Academy, great show!

    B

  3. Stiller doesn’t amuse me on most nights, so I’m biased.

    As for Maher, they had him presenting the doc award because of the doc he did this year RELIGULOUS. Kind of an appropriate choice, which he then sullied by mentioning how it wasn’t nominated.

  4. Why is no one upset over the results of the Oscars this year??

    C’mon, though I applaud Sean Penn, this is absolutely Mickey’s year and his performance was BY FAR more dramatic than Sean Penn. Sean called Mickey his bro’ – why not give the oscar to him, oh brother??

    Slumdog for what, like 10 oscars? Really? Doubt won nothing??

    I must say I am getting tired with the oscar staff, and it’s no wonder their ratings have dropped over 1/3 in the past few years!
    I was left with a bad taste in my mouth this year’s golden boy.

  5. Great thoughts on the Awards Hatter!

    I couldn’t believe Maher mentioned not being nominated. They certainly had some odd choices for presenters with people that some kind of involvement with the film nominated – they don’t usually do that.

  6. Great comments Hatter…Yep, “Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto” was right up there with Martin’s line reading of “Don’t fall in love with me”.

    Black’s speech was lovely and very heartfelt.

    I did actually miss the comedic asides from the host – Stewart and his previous hosts weren’t always great, but occasionally they would land a beauty. Billy Crystal was great at doing that – didn’t make the crowd feel too uncomfortable and kept things light. That’s not to say that an occasional jibe at the audience isn’t appreciated too…

    As for Beyonce, no offence to her at all, but I think her publicists would have demanded that she sound perfect in an event like this – with all that running around and dancing, she would likely be a bit out of breath and might not hit every note perfectly. And let’s face it, she has good publicists – she sang three songs at the Oscars a few years ago (for no particular reason) and she’s back again…

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