2011 Academy Awards Ceremony - Did I See Oscar Yawn?

I watch the Oscars almost every year, even when I haven't seen most of the nominated films. That was the case this year, as it seems having a three year old puts a dent in the movie attendance rate. Still, I had hopes for a more interesting show than the largely forgettable affair witnessed Sunday night.

As I try to recall highlights, it's a tough pull to think of anything which really stood out. The results were predictable to a fault. Clips from nominated films were choppy and either too short or merged together in such a way as to be distracting, like when audio from The King's Speech was overlaid video from other nominees.

Sometimes special effects tricks are just irritating. Like when the image of Bob Hope was superimposed on the stage to act as host. Sure, even a dead Bob Hope was a better host than a live James Franco, but come on. As for the other live host, Anne Hathaway was much less lost than Franco, and was at least tolerable.

I did like seeing Natalie Portman win, and Black Swan is on my must see list. She's a fine actor with what seems like a real appreciation for the craft and her place in it.

Kudos also to Colin Firth, another fine actor with a particularly likable streak about him. Firth, like Portman, strikes me as understanding that while he is hard working and talented, he also is humble enough to know he is lucky.

I'm not a big fighter movie fan, so I'm not that interested in The Fighter, but I'm happy for those who won. I'm not sure what to make of the "F" bomb dropped by Melissa Leo during her acceptance speech for her role in The Fighter.

Nothing against "F" words, exactly, except when they are dropped merely to garner fucking attention - see what I mean? The fact that Melissa Leo took out ads in trade publications urging Academy members to vote for her doesn't help her image either, in my book.

All in all, I was left with a feeling of having spent far too much time watching. Yes, some actors I really like won. It would have been nice to have seen True Grit pick up a win or two. Jamse Franco could have defected to the green room and left Anne Hathaway to pick up the pieces. Maybe Billy Crystal could have stayed a little longer.

All I know is that It's only been one day, and I'm already forgetting big segments of the show. Better luck next year, Oscar...