Jay Berg's CINEMA DIARY: 2020 POST-AA RAMBLINGS

Sunday February 9, 2020

THE SHOW (*½ out of 4)

While the first emcee-less show last year seemed somewhat novel, this year it sunk to the level of mundane and had me yearning for a talented entertaining host or hosts who could attempt to move the latest 3 hour and 32 minute snooze-fest a tad more swiftly. What saved my rating from sinking to a one-star review was the historic nature of this years 92nd edition. An independent South Korean film, although universally critically acclaimed, utterly shocked the Dolby Theater audience and most Hollywood pundits when it took home four awards including three of the big five: Best Picture, Director, and Original Screenplay (see Parasite director Bong Joon Ho above foundling those oscars). For the first time in its history, a foreign language film (now labeled Best International Feature Film Award for the first time) won Best Picture as it stunningly upset the nearly overwhelming pre-show favorite, 1917, the World War I masterpiece from director Sam Mendes. As he began receiving an unpredictable tsunami of accolades in the form of a golden statuette, I thought Bong Joon Ho would pull a muscle while practically using the stage steps as his own private stair-master. It was almost a given that Parasite, the biting class satire, would win the Best International Language award; however, when it finally became time to name the Best Picture, it was a foregone conclusion what title was printed in the envelope. I am certain that typical U.S. moviegoers who had not screened the foreign film ("UGH-you mean I have to read subtitles!") were scratching their head. As I pointed out in my pre-show predictions column below, I wouldn't have been surprised with its win. However, I firmly believe, overall, that 1917 was the superior film in so many respects. Then why didn't it win the grand prize? One possible theory expounded (including by a friend who is a voting Academy member) was voter backlash as a result of selecting only male nominees in the Best Director category. (For the record, only five females have ever been nominated, with only one winning: Kathryn Bigelow for 2003's The Hurt Locker). There were a number of quality female directors this year who were all worthy of the accolade: Lulu Wang (The Farewell), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers), and Alma Har'el (Honey Boy), to name just a few. So, was this the Hollywood elites giving the middle finger to the 57-member directors branch of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for their apparent sexism? Something to ponder.

Once again, my annual apologies to Sergio Leone, as this breakdown will pretty much sum up the event through this reviewer's eyes:

THE GOOD . . . .

- If the producers next year decide to go back to host(s), they had the answer starring at them in the face right at the beginning of the extravaganza: Steve Martin, Chris Rock, Kristen Wiig, and/or Maya Rudolph offered hilarious banter and delivery and, IMHO, should be seriously considered for 2021.

- A rousing opening number was, unfortunately, not a portent of good things to come. A musical smorgasbord headed by Harriet star Janelle Monáe along with Billy Porter and dancers garbed in fashions relating to nominated and snubbed films, entertained on and off the stage. It promised an equally lively show which, unfortunately, never came close to materializing.

- And, speaking of Monáe, we loved seeing her amazing recovery during the open when the middle button on her white shirt popped open. Then smiled when she struggled to remove her black jacket, only to see it immediately fall to the floor when she placed it on the coat rack. Despite the 4-10 second delay, nothing says live TV better then moments like that.

- One of the few unexpected surprises was Eminem performing his song "Lose Yourself" from 2002's 8 Mile which was the first hip-hop song to win an Oscar. Ironically, the performer failed to post in 2003 to perform the song (the first time in 14 years a winner didn't perform) believing he didn't have a chance to win. The performance earned a standing ovation from most of the audience as there were a couple of priceless reaction shots including Scorsese who, incredibly, appeared to be falling asleep.

- The show was so chock full of musical numbers it seemed to mimic the Grammy's or Video Music Awards. Better to have music in any form instead of bland intros and inane acceptance speeches.

- Montages, montages, and more montages including nods to foreign cinema (a portent of things to come??), famous movie songs and the art of film making.

- Most speeches from the minor award recipients were, thankfully, relatively brief and required no annoying "get the hell off the stage" cue from the orchestra.

- This year's pop sensation Billie Eilish's touching rendition of "Yesterday" during the In Memoriam segment, accompanied by her brother Finneas O'Connell on piano.

- I did pretty well with my 17 predictions (see my Pre-AA Ramblings column below) - missing on Best Director, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, and Production Design. Although I hit on 14 of my 18 picks (77%), I had correctly predicted the "upset" winner for 3 of those 4 misses. If we count those as winners in the final totals, that would raise it to 94%. (That sound you hear is me patting my back.)

THE BAD . . . .

- For those of you still awake at the end, there was an attempt to mercifully end the show by cutting off the acceptance speeches by Parasite producers when the audience began clapping and voicing in protest. Mics and lights were then turned back on in order to give the winners their due and their final 15 minutes of fame.

- Have you ever heard such a collection of forgettable nominated songs?? Even the winning song written by Elton John and his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin for Rocketman, for them, was mediocre at best but ultimately forgettable.

- The way too long running time of 3 hours and 32 minutes was, for some reason, fifteen minutes longer than last year. (At least it wasn't anywhere near the Whoopi Goldberg all-time 2002 record of 4 hours and 23 minutes!)

- It seemed half of Hollywood were tapped as presenters, there were so many throughout the telecast. I know they were trying to cover for the lack of an emcee; however, how do you explain that there were no introductions for song performers Randy Newman, Chrissy Metz, and even Elton John??! Disjointed to say the least!

- The annual notable omissions from the In Memoriam segment included Luke Perry (who had a role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood), Oscar-nominated Michael J. Pollard, comedian Tim Conway, horror actor Sid Haig, Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce, Oscar nominated Valentina Cortese, Sue Lyons and Carol Lynley - to name but a few. However they did right a wrong from last year by including director Stanley Donen who died 3 days before 2019's telecast. (For a complete list of who were and who weren't included, click here.)

THE UGLY . . . .

- Why oh why can't these people just accept their damn award instead of mounting their soapbox and politicizing?! I suppose it is just a sign of the times - but personally I'm sick and tired of it. A couple of examples: as excellent as Steve Martin and Chris Rock were, even they couldn't abstain, poking fun at the disastrous Iowa Caucus held days before, Brad Pitt mentioning John Bolton and the impeachment hearing, Josh Gad introducing Idina Menzel and quipping about climate change, American Factory co-director Julia Reichert and her call for unionization, Best Actor Joaquin Phoenix droning on about all forms of inequality, environmentalism and animal rights, and on and on it went. They even showed a prerecorded video of environmental activist teenager Greta Thunberg. Enough already!! As Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais astutely stated to his audience in his opening monologue: "You're in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg". BRAVO!! This guy needs to host!

- Maybe this annual political turnoff to the viewing public is one of the main reasons for the Oscar's plummeting ratings as the final viewership totals tallied at 23.6 million viewers (which was 20% or 6 million viewers down from last year). That is the lowest number in Oscar history.

AND NOW . . . THE ANNUAL JAY B CINEMA DIARY OSCAR SHOW AWARDS.

THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE . . .

THE PERSON WHO SHOULD HOST EVERY YEAR UNTIL HE DIES AWARD - Ricky Gervais

THE BIGGEST SURPRISE LOSER AWARD - The overwhelming favorite 1917 losing to the first foreign language film ever to win Best Picture

THE 2ND BIGGEST SURPRISE LOSER AWARD - Greta Gerwig who practically looked like a shoo-in for her amazing adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel, "Little Women" - especially after the outcry when she wasn't nominated in the Best Director category despite her film being one of the nine Best Picture nominees. The winning selection of Jo Jo Rabbit was equally baffling. Gerwig was thrown a bone, however, for nabbing the Best Costume design. Which leads us to . . .

THE #1 THROW A BONE AWARD - Greta Gerwig

THE #2 THROW A BONE AWARD - Galway-born Eimeer Noone. After announcing that for the first time the orchestra would be led by a female, it turns out she was only allowed to conduct the orchestra playing excerpts from the five nominated scores (musical director Rickey Minor returned as the main conductor for his 2nd year.)

THE LEAST SURPRISING WINNER AWARD - Elton John & Bernie Taupin for Best Original Song. Their song "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman was the best of a sorry lot.

THE 2ND LEAST SURPRISING WINNERS AWARD - (tie) Brad Pitt (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood) and Renée Zellweger (Judy).

MOST ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES AWARD - Parasite director Bong Joon Ho (with 4: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature Film and Best Director.

MOST ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES WITHOUT WINNING AN AWARD AWARD - Ho's onstage interpreter Sharon Choi.

THE MICHAEL PHELPS MOST WINS IN ONE NIGHT AWARD - Director Bong Joon Ho with 4 (tied with Walt Disney all-time).

FUNNIEST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH LINE AWARD - Bong Joon Ho who, after receiving receiving his Best Director award, his fourth of the night, proclaimed at the end, "Thank you. I will drink until next morning. Thank you."

FUNNIEST PRESENTER LINE AWARD - Olivia Coleman, who won Best Actress last year for The Favourite, before presenting the Best Supporting Actor award, quipped, "It's a pleasure to be back. Thank you. Last year was the best night . . .of my husband's life".

BEST HEARTFELT ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AWARD - Laura Dern, who concluded her emotional speech by thanking her famous parents, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern, saying, "Some say never meet your heroes. I say if you're blessed, you get them as your parents. I share this with my acting heroes, my legends, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern. You got game. I love you." She was the first one of the three to win an Oscar despite Diane and Bruce having multiple past nominations.

MOST DISAPPOINTING ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AWARD - Brad Pitt. After finally winning a Oscar on his forth try, his usual wit and self -deprecation (see his Golden Globe speech for an example) was sorely missed. Instead, it dissolved into a typical "snowflake" political jab at the end.

BEST SHOUT-OUT AWARD - Bong Joon Ho acknowledging Martin Scorsese when accepting the Best Director award stating, "When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying that I carved deep into my heart which is 'The most personal is the most creative'. That quote was from our great Martin Scorsese . . . When I was in school, I studied Martin Scorsese films. Just to be nominated was a huge honor. I never thought I would win". The audience agreed by giving Martin a standing ovation.

2ND BEST SHOUT-OUT AWARD - Brad Pitt acknowledging Leonardo DiCaprio when accepting his Best Supporting Actor Award stating, "Leo, I'll ride on your coattails any day, man. The view's fantastic".

BEST/FUNNIEST PRESENTERS AWARD - Kristen Wiig & Maya Rudolph presenting awards for Production & Costume Design, performed a hilarious medley reflecting their acting chops at the same time. Hey Academy: if Ricky cannot host, how about these two ex-SNL comedians whose impeccable talent & chemistry is undeniable?

BEST VISUAL JOKE AWARD - James Corden and Rebel Wilson recreating their characters from Cats. (Note: The film was, hands-down, the most disastrous movie of 2019. It was so bad that even after it was pulled for re-editing after its initial release, the re-edited version failed just as miserably. However, these two unfortunates from the cast did win this Jay B Cinema Diary Oscar Show Award - so all was not lost.)

THE #1 WTF MOMENT AWARD - Presenter Steve Martin while reviewing the list of Best Directors, referencing the lack of female nominees, said, "I thought there was something missing this year". After a "pregnant" (excuse the pun) pause, Chris Rock chimed in, to thunderous applause, "Vaginas!"

THE #2 WTF MOMENT AWARD - Renée Zellweger's Best Actress acceptance speech. Her rambling disjointed speech included mentions of Neil Armstrong and Serena Williams. Huh??

THE #3 WTF MOMENT AWARD - Joaquin Phoenix's Best Actor acceptance speech included references to gender inequality, racism and queer rights. He then fell completely off the cliff when he mentioned the artificial insemination of cows (whaaat??!).

THE #4 WTF MOMENT AWARD - The last thing the already over bloated show needed was a virtually unknown actor of color rapping a recap of what had already transpired. Utkarsh Anbudkar, (I know. Who??) did just that to the chagrin of everyone who just wanted to get on with the damn show.

THE 2020 OSCAR TWITTER TAGLINE AWARD- The return of #OscarsSoWhite. After its official end last year, it came back with a vengeance. Martin and Rock made comical reference to the nearly all white acting races: Rock credited Best Actress nominee Cynthia Erivo for doing "such a great job in Harriet hiding black people that the Academy got her to hide all the black nominees." He followed that by recognizing the snubbed critically acclaimed Eddie Murphy vehicle Dolemite Is My Name by asking Cynthia "Is Eddie Murphy under the stage?" Martin then noted that there was indeed progress since the first ceremony 91 years ago saying, "in 1929 there were no black acting nominees" with Rock adding "Now in 2020, we got one."

BEST JOHN TRAVOLTA REFERENCE AWARD - Frozen 2 star Josh Gad introducing Idina Menzel referenced Travolta's mangling of her name at the 2014 Oscars when Travolta introduced her as "Adele Dazzem". Gad introduced Menzel by proclaiming: "The iconic and brilliant Idina Menzel, pronounced exactly how it is spelled, is our Elsa."

THE JANET JACKSON WARDROBE MALFUNCTION RECOVERY AWARD -

Janelle Monáe.

THE ROGER DEAKINS EXCELLENCE IN CINEMATOGRAPHY AWARD -

Roger Deakins (1917). After missing out on his first 13 nominations, it is now two wins in a row for the great cinematographer.

THE ACTING CLEAN SWEEP AWARD - All four acting award winners (Zellweger, Phoenix, Dern, & Pitt) won Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, Screen Actors Guild and BAFTA awards. This was the second time, with the first being in 2018 when Francis McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour), Allison Janney (I, Tonya) and Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) accomplished the feat.

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