Blog by Sean Gehon, Monday, February 26, 2007

My Academy Award has a first name it’s O-S-C-A-R! Hollywood’s biggest stars came out in full force last night trying there best not to end up looking like Bozo the Clown on acid. Presenters, nominees, performers, and honourees showed up to pay tribute to a billion dollar industry and those that make movie magic right before our very eyes. Typically one of the most boring four hours of television for the year, this year’s Academy Awards proved to have more to offer than boring speeches, predictable gowns, and awkward teleprompting moments.

From the top of the show to the bitter end, the 79^th Academy Awards showed that Ellen Degeneres has more to offer than her awkward day time antics. For months Ellen had been promoting her debut on the Oscar stage, talking about getting in shape, what to wear, and how nervous she would be standing in front of a billion people. You could feel the nervous energy coming out of every poor on Ellen’s body. I think that’s generally Ellen’s charm. She’s awkward, she’s nervous, she stumbles through her monologues and interviews, and yet she’s funny, endearing, and sweet. Ellen Degeneres has quickly wormed her way into the hearts of Americans with her daytime talk show Ellen. If I was to be completely honest, which I typically am to a fault, I was completely positive that Ellen wouldn’t be funny at the Oscars. Not to say I think she’s not funny typically, but everyone who hosts the Oscars tends to try too hard. You’re in a room filled with stuffy industry executives, it’s probably hard to make that many people laugh, even though they work in the entertainment business. Last night Ellen was refreshing, spontaneous, and laugh out loud hysterical. Without Ellen, the night truly would have drug on and on and on, which it kind of did, but at least Ellen forced us to enjoy the Oscars.

The Oscars also featured a plethora of performances by some of the most outstanding voices in music today. Celine Dion, Melissa Ethridge, Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé were among the performers who delighted the billions of people watching from home. Melissa Ethridge wound up winning the Oscar for best original song beating out the three nominations from Dreamgirls, but in my opinion it was Celine Dion who had the last laugh. Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé spent most of their Dreamgirls performance trying to ‘out Diva’ the other singer. With show stopping performances, a few heavily belted out notes, and probably adding some heat to those feud rumours. After watching Jennifer and Beyoncé try too hard (and I’m a fan of both ladies), it took Canadian Diva Extraordinaire Celine Dion to show them how a true Diva handles the Oscars. Say what you will about Celine Dion, but you cannot deny the woman has a power house voice. Controlled, elegant, simple, and a musical gift, Celine shared it with the world. It was awesome to see Celine put the aspiring Divas in their place by just opening her talented pipes. I certainly hope the two future egos took notes.

Three years ago I rented a lovely little movie about twelve naked women, one great cause, and the makings of history. Helen Mirren starred in Calanda Girls, the movie that made me fall in love with her. The Best Actress winner makes any movie that much better. I’m amazed she hasn’t won an Academy Award long ago. Nobody could have been surprised when she won for playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. Mirren is living proof that you can be one sexy woman over the age of fifty. I believe Helen Mirren is sixty-one years old, and rocked that red carpet better than some of the girls half her age. I can’t rave enough about Helen Mirren, and I can’t even begin to discuss how she’s the most deserving winner of the night. Sure Jennifer Hudson was thankful, and Alan Arkin is a fantastic actor, and everyone cares that Scorsese won his Oscar finally and I couldn’t care less… I just need a little Mirren in my day and I’m good to go.

All in all I was pleasantly surprised at the Oscars. If I had to pick a worst moment, it wouldn’t be the dancers turning their bodies into movie posters, it wouldn’t be when Ellen called Penelope Cruz Mexican, and it certainly wouldn’t be the fact that Happy Feet won an Academy Award (I hate that movie). The worst moment of the show was the choir that sang those sound effects. They have far too much time on their hands. Not only was it uncomfortable to watch, but it was probably the most annoying set of sounds to listen to. For a dignified evening, that really brought it down to a screeching halt!

Sean (Phillip Seymour Hoffman looked like he needed a shower. Just saying.)

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