Oscars Schmoscars

What with all the drama happening in the political arena, the Academy Awards were something of a snooze this year.  In fact, I JUST woke up from the ceremonies, because despite Jon Stewart being the master of ceremonies, it was duuuuull.  But a few comments on this years proceedings:

1.  Despite the fact that two Brits, a dashing Spaniard, and a lovely French lady swept the acting categories, we did NOT get Ellen Degeneres raving how this is the "most international Oscars ever".  When she hosted last year, I wasn't sure if there were difficulties in the broadcast, or if she actually did say that as often as I heard it.

2.  Best acceptance speech hands-down was Tilda Swinton for starting with "Oh, no. Happy birthday, man. I have an American agent who is the spitting image of this. Really truly the same shape head and, it has to be said, the buttocks."  Most gushing and shocked goes to Marion Cotillard, who was almost as shocked as we were.

3.  Diablo Cody:  Totally thrilled that you won, being the spoiler from outside of the establishment rebel that you are, but seriously, hideous dress.  There is a difference between Wild-N-Crazy Dress and Flintstones-Reject Tunic.  Perhaps you thought your leopard trumped Bjork's swan?

4.  Despite being nominated for so many things, Juno was never going to win more than Best Screenplay.  Simply put, any movie that has an adoring 13 year-old fan following is unlikely to make a clean sweep of the awards.  I'm of the jaded opinion that the noms were a ploy to get new blood hooked on watching the show, which did NOT work.

Writers strike or not, this was pretty ho-hum fare, though at least they got rid of the damned shadow dancing  Pilobolus Dance Troupe from last year.  Until they can pare down the ceremony to shorter than three hours, the Academy Awards will cease to be putting anyone asleep, as we'll all be tuned into American Idol.