The Oscars

Dammit.  Ok, from here on out, I promise to stop making promises about the next time I'm going post.  After all, actions speak louder than words.

There are a couple things rolling around in the ol' noggin that will likely inspire a random smattering of words, and I'll start with the Oscars, though this is sure to get lost among all the posts submitted by everyone and his/her brother about last night's Oscars.

For me this year was a bit different.  For (1) I've actually seen several of the films nominated for best picture.  And (2), I made a concerted effort to watch the show.  Well actually it wasn't necessarily my concerted effort... my girlfriend's uncle hosted a gathering, which was a lot of fun.

Three of the four I've seen (The Social Network, Black Swan, The King's Speech) I LOVED.  The fourth, Inception, was fine, but with all the pre-release hype I just didn't find myself blown away.  I remember telling Zach that it just tied up too nicely for me.  Anyway, the effects were still great so I have no qualms with it winning those types of awards.

Those first three though.  Man, I think I could watch them again and again and again.  I don't remember the last time I watched multiple movies that came out within a relatively short amount of time that I enjoyed that much.  The 8 or so minutes of the actual King's speech were gripping, and I think it was pretty telling that during the introduction to the best picture category it was used as a back drop.  Obviously there are six movies I didn't see, but I must say I think the right picture won.

Though I must say, at the last minute I found myself rooting for The Social Network.  It was just such an incredible movie that kind of came out of nowhere.  A movie about facebook winning best picture?  How ludicrous!  But it was not unworthy.  The writing is great, the story is great (even if most of it isn't true and was merely played up for Hollywood), and Jesse Eisenberg is quickly becoming one of my favorite people to watch.  I don't buy many movies but I'm pretty certain this one will be gracing my bookshelf.

I still want to see The Kids Are Alright and Toy Story 3.  Erin said Winter's Bone and The Fighter were good, but I don't expect to be seeking those out any time soon.  And I'm not watching James Franco cut his own arm off. 

Speaking of, did he do anything last night?  His biggest contribution seemed to be standing next to a pretty girl while trying not to look high as a kite.  I wonder if while the two of them were rehearsing for this thing it became painfully clear that Anne Hathaway would be carrying the show.  I mean that's what happened, right?  As if she needed another marketable skill.