Monday, February 27, 2012

The Latest Oscar Yawnfest

I can't give up the Oscar habit—as I noted a year ago, it's the only awards telecast I ever watch—but I have to admit that the show does seem to get duller every year. In last night's proceedings, Billy Crystal, doing his ninth stint as host (after an eight-year absence), told only a couple of jokes that elicited so much as chuckle from me, and I've already forgotten them.

As for the award recipients, I can only say that the best-picture winner, The Artist, is an enjoyable trifle, a charming and skilfully made valentine to Hollywood's silent era, but of the nominated films I've seen, I think The Descendants and The Tree of Life are far more compelling. The Artist's big win no doubt owes more to distributor Harvey Weinstein's marketing and promotion chops than to to the movie's intrinsic quality.

At least there were only two nominees in the "Best Song" category, neither of which was performed in full. Small favors, I guess.

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