Oscar Night

Over three hours after it began, the 2011 Academy Awards have finally come to an end, and just like every year, I was riveted by every moment. There were a number of good ones, including a surprisingly lovely speech by Christian Bale (although I noticed they're saying on Facebook that he forgot his wife's name; I think he chose not to say it, for some reason known only to him), and the "F-bomb" coming from Melissa Leo, who I loved in "Treme" and "Homicide, Life on the Street". So happy for both of them, and it's clear that I'll need to go see "The Fighter."

I'll obviously need to see "The King's Speech," as well.

There will be cynical reactions to Kirk Douglas's piece, but I was touched to see him on that stage. And, as my wife (what's her name? Oh, yeah, Jeanette) said, James Franco and Anne Hathaway were "forgettable" as co-hosts. In my opinion, Anne came off as trying too hard, and James came off as not having prepared all that much. (In fact, he'd flown in for rehearsals on the weekends, due to his workload as a PhD student at NYU.) There were the usual clunky bits that you can't help but think should have been cut to avoid the inevitably long run-time. This year, the "musicalization" of "Harry Potter" and "The Social Network" was a time-waster, although I'll admit the "Twilight" punchline "Doesn't this guy own a shirt?" was good for a chuckle. I always find the "In Memoriam" bit moving. This year the experience was odder than usual, however, as my five year old, Jackson, sat next to me, astutely saying, "Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dead," after each person's image was flashed on the screen, until I asked him to stop. The ones that made me saddest were Pete Postlewaite, Dennis Hopper, and Patricia Neal.

Throughout my life, Oscar night has been a big deal. My mother used to pop popcorn and make fudge for us. More recently, before leaving New York, Jeanette and I got into Oscar Pools and we hosted a memorable party for the awards the year before we moved. I used to actually see all the movies before the Oscars, but nowadays, my life is a little too hectic, and movies are a little too expensive, so I no longer know anything about the films, other than the buzz that's out there. I saw "127 Hours," which impressed me, and solidified my admiration for James Franco. I bought the DVD of "The Social Network" and enjoyed it; however, I have to confess I don't see it as "best movie" caliber. That being said, I'm happy for Aaron Sorkin, who was an undergraduate at Syracuse University during the years I was up there. Go Orange!

I know it's fluff. I know it's emblematic of a decadent culture. I know there are other, more important things the money could be spent on. But I can't help it. I have always watched the Oscars, and I probably always will. Next year, Jeanette and I are hoping to host our first Austin-area Oscar party. So don't make any plans for Sunday, February 26, 2012....