Harvey's Night

Don't have too much to say about the Oscars.  The production was efficient if uninspired.  Billy Crystal did a decent job filling in as host, but it felt as if his time were over.  Maybe no one can replace him, but isn't it time for the Oscars to try?  Some of the speeches were gracious, a few moving, but, once again, nothing that memorable.

As for the awards, when Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress, it was a bad sign.  She did a fine job in The Help, but her pick indicated that every award would be predictable and safe.  The only surprise of the night came almost at the end.  Viola Davis didn't win Best Actress, Meryl Streep did.  Not that she deserved it.  Yes, she was an impressive Margaret Thatcher stranded in a dull movie, but, just to pick impersonations, I thought her turn as Julia Child, or, for that matter, her take on Anna Wintour, were more inspired.  I guess the Academy figures it needs to give her an award about one out of every six nominations.  (Same attitude for Woody Allen when he won Best Screenplay.)

A few sidelights:

The cast of Community can't even get an Emmy nomination, so I wonder if there'll be trouble now that Jim Rash has an Oscar.

For that matter, Bret McKenzie, who wrote one of only two nominees for best song, is one of only two members of Flight Of The Conchords.  Will his new status as Oscar-winner break up the group?

Also, not that it required great foresight, but let me note what I predicted in my 2011 film wrap-up:

Least Deserving Performance Guaranteed To Win An Oscar: Christopher Plummer in Beginners.