Oscars...

Samir Mehta | February 23, 2009
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Scott Hardie | February 23, 2009
This was a weird year for me, since for the first time since I started running this contest in the nineties, I didn't see the broadcast. I love seeing it every year, but I don't have cable and this year I had nowhere to go to watch. Sometime soon, ABC and AMPAS will simulcast the show online, but until then, the liveblogging was sufficient for me to get a sense of the show. And I'm sure YouTube will fill in the blanks tomorrow.

I thought I would be happiest for Ledger, but it was Winslet who I found myself most happy for. I have no interest in The Reader and no idea how good she was in it, but she's been goddamn wonderful in her other five nominated roles and should have multiple Oscars by now. She's consistently doing fine work in some of the best films of recent years, and deserves her accolades.

Too bad about the Mickster not getting up there, but it was not to be.

Steve West | February 23, 2009
Winter of discontent, indeed. He was gushed over all night by various presenters and award winners but when the time came... This is the kind of thing that would make a bishop kick in a stained glass window.

Samir Mehta | February 24, 2009
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Steve West | February 24, 2009
I had the same feeling about the animated features. They devoted a portion of the show to highlight all of the animated features of the year yet nominated only three. Not that any stood a chance but a nomination does carry some Hollywood weight.

Scott Hardie | February 25, 2009
The rules for the Best Animated Feature category limit it to three titles. Sadly and predictably, the Academy usually nominates garbage kiddie fare like Dreamworks Animation churns out instead of stimulating artistic works, which is probably how Pixar triumphs year after year.

About the Best Original Song category, the AP reports:

In 16 years, Miley Cyrus has enjoyed one success after another. Now, she knows what it’s like to be snubbed. Cyrus’ song from Bolt didn’t get nominated for an Oscar. Cyrus can cry on Bruce Springsteen’s shoulder. His title track from The Wrestler was snubbed, too. Beyonce’s song from Cadillac Records didn’t make the cut, either. An academy spokeswoman says songs need to earn a score of at least 8 and a-quarter out of ten to be nominated and the songs by Cyrus and Springsteen scored less than that. Voters instead chose Peter Gabriel’s song from “Wall-E,” and two songs from Slumdog Millionaire.

According to the voting rules, “Nominations will be determined by an averaged point system of voting using 10, 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5 or 6. Only those songs receiving an average score of 8.25 or more shall be eligible for nomination. There may not be more than five nor fewer than three nominations.”

Steve West | February 25, 2009
What!?! Not that big a deal, I guess (the animation, I mean). Seems a bit arbitrary, though.

Erik Bates | February 25, 2009
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Scott Hardie | February 25, 2009
I dunno, something like it was previously released on an album or it's over a certain length in minutes or it was based on another song or some other obscure rule. Just speculating.

Samir Mehta | February 25, 2009
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