Thoughts on the Oscars

I was sorely tempted not to tune into the Oscars this year but against my better judgment I succumbed to said temptations.

While I still would rather look at Anne Hathaway than Alec Baldwin she and James Franco were lacklustre as co-hosts. There were several presenters who I thought would be better suited in the role of master of ceremonies. Jude Law, Robert Downey, Jr and Kevin Spacey (who did a great Fred Astaire impersonation) would have made the proceedings far more interesting. I wouldn't mind seeing Hugh Jackman get another chance to host. But, of course, there's no Oscar host like Billy Crystal who made a surprise appearance with a tribute to Bob Hope.

Kirk Douglas was in no hurry to present the Best Supporting Actress award. Perhaps if he had taken more time Melissa Leo might not have dropped that f-bomb.

The King's Speech took away four Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor for Colin Firth, Best Original Screenplay for David Siedler and Best Director for Tom Hooper. I liked Hooper's acceptance speech in which he thanked his mother for recommending he make the film after she saw The King's Speech mounted as a play in London a number of years ago. Hooper said, "The moral of the story is listen to your mother."

I have to admit the children at P.S. 122 in Staten Island did a nice job with their rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow."