Jon Peters on the 81st Academy Awards

Now that the 81^st Academy Awards are a wrap, Hollywood is looking towards next year. So with all of the glitz and glamor, how was this show? Honestly, I thought it started off hot, and then cooled off.

Hugh Jackman added a lot of flavor to a dry show. His opening number was funny, without being irritating and quick without over-staying its welcome. For the last handful of years, we get a comedic routine where our host takes playful jabs at the stars and movies. Jackman wisely did what he knows best, sing and dance. The joke about our recession added to the number and sets weren’t high quality at all, also how he inter weaved the nominees into the song was fun.  I thought it was a good opening, a light affair, thankfully, one without any political overtones. The show fizzed when Jackman wasn’t doing something, I thought.

Where was good old Jack Nicholson?

One of the things I like about the show was the oddball pairings for the presenters. Ben Stiller (in a hilarious spoof of Joaquin Phoenix) with Natalie Portman, Jack Black and Jennifer Aniston had a good bit, but come on, it was the show stealing segment with Tina Fey and Steve Martin that was perhaps the funniest stuff from the show! This was a good idea, except they blew it with the acting categories by having each person talk endlessly about the nominee. That got tiresome fast. It drags the show out, and we’re talking about a show that is already long.

Rip on me all you want but the shows best moment was the moment Heath Ledger won for Best Supporting Actor. I’ve watched these shows for years, and not very often does something just feel right, you know? It was an emotional time, tribute, and all well deserved in everyone’s book. I loved The Dark Knight, and so did everyone else. A billion at the box office (worldwide), eight Oscars, two wins, and is still one of the better reviewed films of 2008 (was a high 90s on Rotten Tomatoes). With it not getting nominations for Best Picture and Director, with The Reader replacing it, having seen the Oscars, does it still feel like the Academy was too scared or just outright dissed this film? Yes it does. As awe-inspiring as Ledger was, the film will take a special place in history and in hearts of viewers throughout time. The Reader will be forgotten by tomorrow.

Who else feels for Bill Maher? How do you come out after the tears fell for Heath? Tough crowd.

At least, if you’re not in love with The Dark Knight as I am, Ledger’s win stopped the full-on love fest that was Slumdog Millionaire. Look, I like the film a lot (not as much as Donny, who reviewed it here for the site), but it was vastly over-rated. Perhaps the next Crash? I think so. My winner for Best Picture (that’s not the Dark Knight)? Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I loved Milk, but I think it got the accolades it needed. What a great speech by the screenwriter, huh? Penn is funny and topical as ever, I bet he pissed some people off. Good.

Slumdog Millionaire didn’t need all of the wins it got. I’ll give it adapted screenplay, maybe even director) I like Boyle), but song and sound mixing? Whatever. Wall-E got robbed there. I think the nation is feeling hope for the future now, and the Academy went with the film that had hope, Slumdog. The last two Best Picture winners were dark, gritty, crime stories (I guess we really were pissed off during the Bush Administration), so having Boyle’s film win was a no-brainer, compared to the other nominees.

Who else felt sorry for Kumio Kato, winner of Best Animated Short? Poor guy was scared shitless.

I enjoyed the show for the most part. Get rid of the circle jerk for the acting categories, have Jackman return, and either have better songs or don’t do them at all. Well, I shouted what I enjoyed and didn’t, what about all of you? Leave comments below!