Monday Morning Oscar

Once again, I made my pilgrimage to the multiplex in attempt to construct an educated opinion about Oscars.

Unfortunately, a few titles slipped through town and got away before I got to them. No MILK, FROST/NIXON, THE READER or REVOLUTIONARY ROAD.

That being said, I don't have much of an opinion that's contrary to the results from last night.

I thought Mickey Rourke bared his soul in THE WRESTLER - and Marisa Tomei certainly bared everything else. I thought both performances were extremely brave.

Eh, but you can't have everything.

As for the telecast itself, the individual tributes to the nominated actors was an interesting idea, but became tedious as the night wore on. I mean, why did we spend ten minutes talking about the merits of all the Supporting Actor noms?

It would have made more sense to have had THEM on the stage talking about Heath Ledger. Come on, let's face it - EVERYONE in that building - even the gigantic egos of the other nominated actors - KNEW Ledger was getting that statue.

It would have been marvelous for the other actors to honestly speak from the heart about what an honor it truly was to be nominated with such a daring young man.

My favorite techie moment from the show, was the curtain failing to open as the opening montage began. A mic was open backstage and I heard "Open it! Open it!" while the curtain puller kept yanking on the wrong rope, closing the curtain ever tighter.

I thought ABC did a miserable job of using the platform to promote new programming.

And what did it take to get in the end-of-the-show trailer-rama? Anyone else notice the absence of STAR TREK and WATCHMEN?

As for Hugh Jackman? Brilliant. Don't care about the ratings, he's the man.

SNIKT. Razor sharp.