Before We Forget The Statuette

Looking at some of the reviews for the Oscar telecast (no one seemed to like Martin and Baldwin--they didn't seem that bad to me), I remembered a few things I forgot to mention.

Matthew Broderick and Molly Ringwald introduced the lengthy tribute to John Hughes, but when a big cadre of former Hughes stars came out to reminisce, everyone had a chance to talk except Molly.

I had no trouble with Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart doing a bit. This night is about Hollywood, which is as much about the newest stars as the oldest. (I liked when Martin said to Lautner and Zac Efron to look at him and Baldwin, since that's what they'll look like in five years.)

I liked how Ben Stiller slipped in some Hebrew with his Na'vi.

For most awards, the first winner who spoke was the only one. But for the award for Documentary Short, the director started and he was interrupted by some lady who rushed onto the stage. Like many, I thought she might be a trespasser. Turns out she's the producer, and it also turns out they don't like each other that much.

Some people seemed to think Cameron Diaz misread the teleprompter when she referred to Steve Carell as Jude. I wasn't watching that closely, but wasn't that part of the bit?

Best ad lib was, following the choked-up speech by the guy who wrote Precious, Steve Martin saying he wrote that. (Maybe I'd be more bothered by Martin mocking an emotional moment if I felt the guy deserved his award.)

Tina Fey and Robert Downey did a fine bit about what writers and actors want, but let's not forget it was good material. Some people seem to be giving Fey and Downey credit (about a bit where writers demand actors actually say the words).

Michael Giacchino gave an unorthodox speech about how people encouraged him all along the way. That's fine, but his first example is how his parents gave him a camera. Great, but didn't he fail at that, since he's now a composer?

I like Sandy Powell's speech, even though she said the very thing you're never supposed to say. In picking up her third Best Costume Design Oscar, she opened with "I already have two of these." I bet she's not gonna get a fourth.

When they had people talk about the top actors, the best they could get for Sandra Bullock was Forest Whitaker? I mean, he directed her in a minor movie once, but who cares? Does she have no friends? Her costar from The Proposal, Ryan Reynolds, was there--couldn't he say a few words?

Jeremy Renner was a tougher nut to crack, since he was essentially an unknown. They did get Colin Farrell to talk about him, but they worked on the movie S.W.A.T. How would this have been any better than getting Bradley Cooper (who was there) to praise Sandra Bullock for her great work on All About Steve.

As tradition demands, Best Actress was announced by Sean Penn. He introduced the award by saying something about actors not being recognized two years in a row that was so weird I don't think he got it.

Morgan Freeman narrated a bit about sound design. Was it an inside joke that his voice sounded fuzzy and far away?

When Peter Sarsgaard gave his tribute to Carey Mulligan, he also gave away a major plot point in An Education--a film not many have seen. For that matter, the video recap of Christoph Walz's performance gave away what happens at the end. At least that film already has had its audience.

As Kathryn Bigelow was being led offstage by Barbra Streisand, the band struck up "I Am Woman." Even if this were movie music it'd be heavy-handed.