32 Comments
Mar 28, 2022·edited Mar 28, 2022Liked by Ty Burr

Do you remember that either in 1997 or 1998, you and I actually did what passed in those days as an online livestream from the Oscars? 😀 I was _there_ in a cocktail dress! We were attempting—and for the most part, pulling off—clever badinage for an audience of maybe three people (one of whom was my mother.)

(Someday, we should collaborate on a memoir about the early days of People Online! )

I didn't watch last night, which for someone who spent a decade in the entertainment trenches is kinda like refusing to celebrate Christmas.

But I did tune into Rachel Zoe’s livestream of the Arrival of the Dresses (with humans inside), and they were just AWFUL (with the exception of Zendaya who has impeccable fashion taste.) Like Easter peeps on a conveyor belt. Plus when you get breast implants, it turns cleavage into Death Valley, an effect I find absolutely hideous.

(Rachel Zoe is the stylist everybody ❤️LUVS❤️ to hate, but I’ve always liked her.)

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I finally got around to watching CODA yesterday before the Oscars and I think you are selling it short. It hit a home run with me, altho perhaps because of the reasons you listed. I thought it was honest, heart felt and well told. Something a Dog could have learned from.

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1. The In Memoriam was so totally disrespectful. Why make it about the dancers and singers? Half the time you could barely make out the names on the screen WAY in the back, or their occupations at all. And I know Bob Saget's not really a movie guy but he should've been listed. I guess Ed Asner was excluded as well.

2. We Don't Care About Bruno. Why two songs from the same kids film? And apparently parents & kids who've actually heard of this song (I thought it was a Bruno Mars reference) were extremely disappointed at how it was ruined it by the chosen performers.

3. I liked what they did with the pre-show awards. Sure, it only shaved off a few minutes but it was respectfully done. I'd have banished Visual Effects to the pre-show, but I guess since Spider-Man was nominated... Also, the Bond montage was a crashing, tedious bore.

4. Wasting time with polls of fanboys (& fangirls) praising the likes of Army of the Dead isn't going to get people who hate cinema & the traditional Oscars format to tune in. Same with including DJ Khaled & Tony Hawk & Co.

5. NONE of the clips of the murky, dusty, "Dune" made me the least bit curious. And if I can avoid seeing the callow, lightweight Chalamet in any other films, I will!

6. Yay for Eilish & Finneas. The song was okay. But the Academy's love for the aural wallpaper of Diane Warren continues to baffle me.

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OK--First thought was "A Star Is Born," but only Gaga won for that character. Second thought was Elizabeth II, but only Helen Mirren won for her. Yes, I looked it up and found one of the pair: Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett winning as Elizabeth I in the same year! (Dench for "Shakespeare in Love" and Blanchett for "Elizabeth." So, what was the other one?

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Mar 29, 2022Liked by Ty Burr

It’s not the most important thing, but I do think it’s especially sad that the slap overshadowed Questlove’s acceptance speech. Summer of Soul was my favorite movie of 2021 (just absolutely joyous) and Questlove is one of most important artists of his generation (the Roots being a landmark band in the history of hip hop). I would really have liked him to have his moment.

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I've never gone to the Oscars (as a member, we used to be able to apply for a 1-in-2 chance to attend) - not sure why, just never had the urge....now, I feel the urge even less. Getting into the Academy used to be a big deal - but that seems to have lessened. Perhaps it's the onslaught of streaming services and the attraction of mini-series that have lessened the lights of theatrical performances and two hour arcs. The Slap was Hurt Round the World - hurt the Academy and hurt the movement against violence. And it was just plain embarrassing.

As for the awards themselves, I was a Coda fan all the way. Dune was not the best technical movie of the year - it was just one of many that all excelled in those categories. Coda was apparently a movie that directed itself. Every time a director gets the Academy for directing a movie that doesn't win, I remain baffled. I found this award ceremony the most baffling yet.

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I didn’t watch the Oscars, but did hear about The Slap (how could I not?).

Your recounting is wonderful. The love of film and the disgusted, can’t-look-away intrigue of the iconic ceremony is pure deliciousness. It almost makes me want to go back and watch!

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Mar 29, 2022Liked by Ty Burr

I haven’t watched the Oscars in years. Sounds as if the best part of the night is captured in your photo. I did watch the remake of Nightmare Alley, but found it boring and too long. Can’t beat the original with Tyrone Power

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Mar 29, 2022Liked by Ty Burr

Great writeup, Ty. The Mary Lincoln transition is priceless. I felt bad about how everything post-Slap drifted by in a sort of hazy daze. Coppola's belated thanks to Bob Evans was a big deal for those who know about their lifelong antagonism post-Godfather. And even CODA's win was an afterthought.

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Mar 29, 2022·edited Mar 29, 2022Liked by Ty Burr

Well, I watched Drive My Car last night (in the dark, alone and paying attention!) and yeah, it was truly wonderful. I loved every minute of it. But I still think CODA edges it out for my personal Best Picture (of the ones nominated). Still have West Side Story to watch. I subscribe to enough channels that I'm not paying to watch something, so Belfast, Licorice, and King will have to wait. Still, probably the most I have ever watched, Percentage wise. But I think my personal Best Picture is Worst Person, but again only just.

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Mar 29, 2022Liked by Ty Burr

I should have signed up a long time ago. Now CODA has me so annoyed I feel like this could be a safe place to vent. So here I am. I liked it fine — I like sentimental formulaic movies a lot — but I've been referring to it as the Deaf community's Green Book. Great that it draws attention to the issues of being deaf, finally, and wonderful wonderful that Marlee Matlin managed to convince the producers to hire deaf actors — no one seems to remember that she went to the mat for that, that the original French movie used hearing actors and the director was utterly dismissive of the need for deaf to play deaf — but clearly made by hearing people about what they think life is like if you're deaf.

What really troubles me about this movie is its sense that deaf people are beholden to hearing, that they can't operate in the world without hearing people, that the ADA doesn't exist, that deaf people can't appreciate — are antagonistic to! — music. It's great that we have a deaf movie but when will we get a realistic deaf movie, a movie about the rich varied lives deaf people live today?

My ex-SIL is profoundly deaf and my CODA niece is a nationally certified interpreter. Incidentally she said that of course you could tell that the CODA character was not a native signer. It's like she's speaking with an accent. She's shared a number of articles from the Deaf community about it. I like this one from Hyperallergic: https://hyperallergic.com/689971/how-coda-and-sound-of-metal-misrepresent-deaf-culture/ Here's just one graph:

"While not all deaf people consider music important in their lives, deaf experiences of music are deeply personal, and as contingent on differing cultural and environmental factors as they are for the hearing. CODA flattens these diverse aural worlds into a simplistic model of sensory translation, done by the hearing for the deaf. In a scene that marks a turning point for the family’s attitude, Frank tearfully touches Ruby’s throat as she sings. I found this baffling – there’s no indication Frank can assess the quality of a singing voice from feeling throat vibrations. Was he overtaken by sheer emotion?"

Curious everyone's thoughts.

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Dear Ty,

I am so happy to have joined your Watch List and also want to thank you again for your wonderful presentation at our Springfield College Oscar Gala a few years ago! I am solidly in tune with your reviews, predictions, and comments about Oscar night. The Oscars are always my Superbowl - flaws and all!

The Slap was truly shocking, and Smith's actions and acceptance speech were certainly disturbing to the Williams family.

The surprise appearance of the Godfather trio was spectacular, but my hopes were dashed when De Niro and Pacino spoke not a word! Some 50th anniversary celebration!

Although Coda was an enjoyable, positive film, I found many of its competitors had greater cinematic, artistic qualities. I stuck to my guns in voting the Best Picture to be Power of the Dog, the haunting, incredible film that will stay with me forever, although I knew in my heart that it would not win.

Hats off to Andrew Garfield in tick, tick...Boom!, Steven Spielberg for West Side Story, Best International Film, Drive My Car, and the meaningful acceptance speeches of Troy Kotsur, Jessica Chastain, and Ariana De Bose. In spite of all, I scored 20 correct out of 23 - my personal best, too!

Warm regards to you and your readers,

Carol Mitchell

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I was hoping for a more public statement of support of Ukraine and condemnation of Putin and his goons, that seemed to be a huge whole in the affair and magnified the self centered fawning of the awards.

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Bodhi is adorable!

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