2012 Oscar Recap - Billy Crystal, Predictable Winners and Cirque du Soleil

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2012 Oscar Recap - Billy Crystal, Predictable Winners and Cirque du Soleil

By Diane Cooney at 4:37 am on Monday February 27, 2012

After last year’s debacle, the Academy turned to Billy Crystal to host his 9th Oscar ceremony. He delivered predictable laughs, a few zingers, (leave Jonah Hill and Christian Bale alone) and created another goofy montage using footage from the nominated films interspersed with his take on the key roles. He threw Justin Bieber in there with the Biebes explaining, “I’m here to get you the 18 to 24 year old demographic.” Billy Crystal photo: http://www.ranker.com

Seriously? 24 year-olds?

In an effort to mix up the format, short videos were interspersed throughout the night, most of them featured actors commented on the work of those nominated in the category. It was a good idea – but it was poorly executed. It resulted in just more face time for the actors. Why not focus on behind the scene details for makeup or costume design?

Some highlights included Christopher Plummer’s win – he’s the oldest recipient of the Oscar, and he quipped, “You’re only 2 years older than me you’re darling, where have you been all my life?” Bret McKenzie from the comedy musical duo Flight of the Concords won for his Muppets song ‘Man or Muppet.’ Octavia Spencer, best supporting actress winner, took time to thanks the academy for “putting me with the hottest guy in the room.” Grammy darling Esperanza Spaulding and the Southern California Children’s Choir performed the classic, It’s a Wonderful World during the photo montage of those who passed away last year.

Overall, this year disappointed – the skits ran too long, and then winners were rushed off the stage. Everyone was well behaved – after all, this is not the Golden Globes – though I thought ingénue Emma Stone finally cracked when she wafted on stage like she took a page out of Mr. Franco’s handbook last year. Fortunately, it was just a rambling act with Ben Stiller. Christopher Guest and his merry band of comedians/comediennes went back in time to portray a focus group critiquing the Wizard of Oz. Why? I have no idea. I knew something was amiss when Cirque du Soleil’s performance was one of my favorite parts of the night. Meryl Streep photo: http://celebrity-gossip.net

Most alarming to me was the increasing number of underfed actresses that graced the stag. Yes, I’m talking about Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and now you, Rose Byrne. There were the overly plump lips and face-lifts, but at least the botoxed faces made it easy for people to look neutral when they lost.

The Artist swept the awards, winning best picture, best director, best actor, best original score and best costume design. Martin Scorsese’s glorious 3-D spectacle Hugo won best cinematography, best art direction, best sounding edit, best sound mixing and best visual effects. The Descendents won for best adapted screenplay, and Woody Allen won best original screenplay for Midnight in Paris.

Meryl Streep took home her third Oscar – after being nominated 17 times. The handsome French actor Jean Dujardin postponed George Clooney’s dreams of winner for Best Actor.

But that gives us something to look forward to next year.

Best picture The Artist photo: crowesmostlymovies.blogspot.com