We had yet another lukewarm Oscar event and this year it was poor Neil Patrick’s turn to recite the jokes. But as the saying goes - “the show must go on” - a silly expression like “good morning” (what’s good in the morning anyway?) and “happy new year” (why can’t we say it in February?). My friends, it’s time to bring in Larry David.
But why must the show go on? Well because it’s all about the films really and it was a great year in film. Yes it was disappointing to see “Boyhood” lose big time and Hans Zimmer go home empty handed even though “Interstellar” had the best music. However, they did give an honourary Oscar to my favourite Hayao Miyazaki, the greatest animator of all-time. Plus, Isao Takahata, the maker of “Grave of the Fireflies,” and Miyazaki’s partner at Studio Ghibli, was nominated for his latest animation “Tale of the Princess Kaguya”.
The biggest contenders this year, with 9 nominations each, were “Birdman” and “Grand Budapest Hotel”, and each won 4 Oscars. However, “Birdman” got the major ones – Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography. I was rooting for “Boyhood” which was nominated in 6 categories and won only one, a much deserved Best Supporting Actress for Patricia Arquette who acted in the film for 12 years. I was also glad to see JK Simmons win the Best Supporting Actor for his terrific performance in “Whiplash” which won 3 out of its 5 nominations.
I was hoping Michael Keaton would win Best Actor for “Birdman” but it went to Eddie Redmayne for playing Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything.” The Best Actress went to Julliane Moore for “Still Alice” for her portrayal of a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
With “Big Hero 6” the John Lasseter team beat Dreamworks Animation yet again. It was amazing to see the documentary on Edward Snowden “Citizenfour” win Best Documentary. And Best Foreign Film went to “Ida” from Poland, it is about a nun who discovers she is Jewish.
It was a good year film-wise.
