The golden bald nude guy.

I really rather enjoyed this year's Oscar's. It was long, as usual. although I must say, I felt like it BRISKED by quicker this year than others and that the acceptance speeches were all short and sweet... like they were REALLY forewarned this year.... except for that poor "Once" heroine who TOTALLY got cut off and then was rewarded with her own impromptu speech spotlight (A RARE THOUGHTFUL GESTURE. INFLUENCES OF THE CLASSY JOHN STEWERT? I THINK SO!)

wait wait, lets get organized.

John stewert as host. Well, his opening monologue was....aite~ nothing to slap the table about... but he was classy, charming, and didn't act like he was trying too hard or buckling under pressure...which must have been up the hizz. with less than 2 weeks to prep everything (EW.com), no one was sure how this year's Oscar's would pull off with the completely uncertain consequences of the WGA Strike. SO kudos to all the board members of the Academy (i feel like i'm making a winner's speech), Pricewater, and Stewert for pulling off a seminally efficient evening! Beyond his rather standard opening monologue however, Stewert gained points, at least on my end, with his witty interjections in between awards. and of course, he never let us forget that he was the host of hte phenomenally hilarious Daily Show.

That being said, the performances... well, the oscars this year seemed pretty "standard." nothing too showy. the usual montages (although I did tear up more than usual during the memoriam montage due to more than a handful of familiar classic legends passing away PLUS heath.... *Sob*)...nothign as cool as the "body sculpting" of last year, nor the crazy ass dream girls perfs. The best song performances were just ok. "Echanted" pulled last year's "Dream Girls" by being nominated for 3 best song awards and winning none of them. But the "Once" performers definitely won me over with their quiet, unassuming performance, which is JUST what that film is critically acclaimed for.

Presenters and Winners... Well some expected, and some not! Javier Bardem...ok, besides like a slightly possessed Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Javier is... well, sorta HOT without that RIDICULOUS Hamill hair cut! His perf WAS well deserving of an Oscar, and everyone called his win. no surprise there. the first surprise for me, and tiny heartbreak, came when Cate Blanchett missed out on the supporting actress award to Tilda Swinton (I am smack in the middle of "Michael Clayton"...) WHO btw, gave a GREAT awards speech. POssibly the best example of how WEIRD and DORKY actors really are.
YAY for "JUno" winning best original screenplay and CAN DANIEL DAY LEWIS GET ANYMORE TIMELESS?! probably not. so talented. i haven't seen "Blood" yet but even in those mini clips, his performance was gripping. (adding to blockbuster queue now!)marion cotillard IS GORGEOUS. i'm kinda tired of actors winning for portraying musicians (although i am contradicting the heart of me that was rooting for Cate's portrayal of Dylan)~ but admittedly, Edith Piaf... what a character! and as for the cohen brothers double fisting the directing and best picture award... well, while I didn't relish the last 30 minutes or so of "Old Men".... I must say the rest was mind blowing.

Hilary Swank, Helen Mirran, Cate Blanchett, and of course Nic Kidman...SO CLASSY!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED James McAvoy (so cute!), hated Colin Farrell, PATRICK DEMPSEY = SO HOT, Harrison Ford, unfortunately doesn't seem like he's aging well, Jennifer Garner looks better with age (and not so butch helps), Jennifer Hudson seemed very angry, STEVE CARELL & ANNE HATHAWAY the only presenters HAVING FUN, Cameron Diaz needs to get out of that tanning salon (though nice recovery with the whole "cinematography" thing), and Penelope Cruz actually looked really great tonight. oh HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ELLEN PAGE (if you want to see something disturbing, catch her in "Hard Candy")!

The Oscars are cheesy. but THEY ARE SO GREAT. because they celebrate the movie business for what it can be at it's best...glamorous and splashy... appreciative of it's classic roots... rewarding of talents behind the screen... and filled with everyone in LOVE with the movies. Every year, for about 4- 5 hours, the world tunes into the handful of artists who somehow inspire, touch, and reward billions of viewers 365 days a year. and personally, it reminds me why I fell in love with the medium in the first place.

Watching the oscars this year, seemed to mean that much more...it made a part of me wonder "wow, there REALLY are no asians there..." and wanna shit in my pants. and another part of me that just yearned to be there...looking forward to the day when I could somehow or another be a part of that crop who bring so much joy to so many.