New, Improved Oscarcast: Appalling, Thank You

I kind of liked the ceremony too. And I adisagree that Mickey Rourke was robbed and that Sean Penn only won for political reasons. All year their performances were the most talked about. Both performances were great. If Brad Pitt would have won then you could complain. It was a very close race they actually tied for two critic awards. I don't mind that you think Rourke should have won but he lost to a worthy competitor.

As a piece of criticism, this piece reads like someone on the outside looking bitterly inside and hating all that he sees because of it. I mean, c'mon: Streep's performance in Doubt might not have been as understated as the author (or I) might have liked, but compared with the dreck Hollywood mostly pumps out, it was a masterpiece of self-control.

My Oscars broadcast revue: *from a former FAN: This SONG & DANCE show was Stupid, TASTE-less, IRRELEVANT, lame. Boring! Other movie stars TALKING-up nominees ran ON endlessly ... inanely, Where were the clips of performances stars were NOMINATED for! MOST PEOPLE had not even SEEN any of the Oscar nominated movies. THERE WAS NOTHING TO WATCH to compare performances - always the most interesting aspect.
After 25-minutes, I had to TURN the channel and found Dateline investigation of the CONCORD accident FAR MORE INTERESTING. (HTG) NOTHING could make me STAY TUNED to such embarrassing DRIVEL too painful to watch! Where was Bruce V? NOTHING was remotely humorous – just BAD BROADWAY.

Here's what's appallingly dull -- middle-school snark trying to pass itself off as sentient criticism.

I thought the show was dreadful. The song and dance numbers were SO right out of the 70's variety shows it was laughable. I totally agree with the person who said that the In Memorium section was horribly photographed, I couldn't tell who was being honored, the people in the clips or the set. It was shameful that they didn't put the camera closer so we could actually see these people instead of the backs of the audience members heads. Not to mention the sappy drivel the past winners had to say to the nominees. Please........ Hollywood is phony enough without all of that!

I enjoyed the show up to a point, but the camerawork during the In Memorium section was an outrage, you couldn't see all the names of the people supposedly being honored. Why did they even bother?

Also, it would've been nice to see clips of the nominess in their films.

I don't agree with a number of this writer's points (Penn earned that win, and Beyonce? What?) but I did find this the most tedious and painful Oscar ceremony I've ever sat through. Jackman makes a fine Tonys host, but I'm not looking for more Tonys in my Oscars. Apparently plenty of other people are, though, so whatever. Why did it need to be so endless? Why did we need individual tributes to each actor at the expense of actually seeing key moments from their performances (plenty of time devoted to singing Richard Jenkins' praises, yet I don't think we saw a single second of The Visitor -- not like that's a movie that could use the attention as a rental, right?). And that godawful musical number, shots of Queen Latifah where we should have been seeing, you know, the actual NAMES of the deceased being honored, the especially haphazard and numerous montages. It just wasn't fun. If this is what we're in for next year, I may pass for the first time I can remember. But, if this is what the people want, who am I to say otherwise.

What utter trash. Or more to the point, a revelation to the writers obvious envy, jealousy, cynicism or whatever it is that fuels his venomous negativity. Hate to tell you, but the vast majority of us audience members, industry and non- industry viewers, the people whose opinions really matter, thoroughly enjoyed this re-invigorated, highly entertaining show! Danny Boyle said it best in his acceptance speech. And i too say, "Congratulations to all who were involved in the makings of a terrific show!" I'm left thinking the writer is a frustrated screenwriter who would love to have an Oscar nomination but his works not good enough, thus leaving him to negate those who are good at what they do. My advice to the Wrap, "Bad taste to have chosen this horrendous article as your Oscars Review. Get writers with a more balanced and fair perspective, otherwise I won't bother reading your daily e-rag. There's enough negativity in the world already!

I feel like your assessment was about %10 on point. Too much negativity in your review. Why not be constructive? Although I agree that Crystal or Martin make MUCH better hosts then Jackman although I thought Wolverine did well because he's a natural showman. Take a cue from the Slumdog cast and crew and show some positivity instead of just ripping on the show. Why not suggest some more new ideas? The 30's song and dance number was kind of lame thought I gotta say. Come on people, it ain't 1932 anymore. I thought the best new addition was the presenting style by bringing back 5 past winners. It was cool to see all those good actors come back and show some respect and participate in the process. Anyway, that's all.

Roger Ebert was right, this was one of the best Academy Awards shows in years. Poor Charles Taylor (who?) must be anhedonic or something.

I know I am in the minority but I thought Jackman was bland bland bland. There were quite a few notable vocal clunkers. He was off pitch and had trouble with some of the high notes. Bring back Billy Crystal, Whoopee Goldberg or Steve Martin.

Did you just give props to Cadillac Records and High School Musical 3? Good grief.

I thought it was one of best shows in years. Bringing in past winners added a badly needed touch of glamour, and a thread of continuity that this is a celebration of the entire industry, not just a small group of A-listers. I loved the staging, having the musicians out front and the curtain of crystals. It was magic. Best part by far... showing the screenplays superimposed over scenes from nominated films. After all, the mind of the writer is where it all begins.

Taylor: What are you talking about? Appalling? Why so negative? Jackman did a great job, Penn was wonderful as Milk and overall it was a great show, one of the best in years.

Are you really qualified to be writing this article? The Wrap is a new publication, perhaps they should be looking for people who know what they are talking to write for them.

Sean Penn did not "rob" anone of an oscar. Why are Mickey Rourke fans trying to distort the facts? Penn was the front runner (in an admittedly tight race) all along.

I really liked watching the presentation, actually.

I loved it. I thought it was intimate. The producers really tried to appreciate all aspects of film making by making the program a tribute to the industry instead of a tribute to a few select members of it. The inclusion past winners, script-over-picture (my favorite part), an awesome host and musical numbers, made the awards a visual experience. They really put on a SHOW! Isn't that what the movie industry is really all about?

Sean Penn did not rob anyone, thank you very much

With the exceptions of the author's dig into Streep and tossing off Penn's win, I really agree. The whole time, I was just so disappointed with the show. Very boring, and the camera work was a horrid mess. I had so been looking forward to watching Winslet win her prize-- what a droll year for it to happen.

You blew your credibility when you slammed Streep. Clearly you have no business writing about the arts.

This year’s Awards show was a delight to watch from the couch with my family and dog. We thought the presentations with five All Stars of show business, all together on stage, was an added personal touch which is usually missing from these self-indulgent shows. The time didn't seem as long either.
Instead of just criticizing, maybe it's time we, the viewers, let the producers know what we'd like to see next year. I say, bring back the Titans of the trade exactly as they were this year…it took our breath away!
www.MamarazziKnowsBest.com

I enjoyed it. It was different from all the others I've seen. I liked how they presented the acting awards this year. And Sean Penn didn't rob anyone, but I'm sure thats going to be the consensus from now on.

I enjoyed it actually.

--- An Interested Party ---