Thoughts on the Oscars

For those of you who know me well (and perhaps even if you don't know me all that well), you know that I love movies! That having been said, the Oscars are one of my favorite events of the year and I had a lot of excitement going into them. Granted, I don't think 2008 was really a strong year for movies - especially in the wake of last year's No Country for Old Men/There Will Be Blood one-two punch - but there's a part of me that gets consistently excited regardless. This year was additionally exciting as I had prepared a themed five-course meal based on the Best Picture nominees (more on that tomorrow).

The following are some thoughts I had on the ceremony as a whole:

• I have to admit that, while I was initially reticent at the appointment of Hugh Jackman as host of the Oscars, I think he did a really great job. He's not a comedian, granted, but I think the Oscars have gotten too reliant on the comedian who just stands there and makes fun of everyone for three-plus hours. Jackman was stylish, gracious, humorous, and - above all - a good performer. I much prefer the "opening number" route to the "initial monologue" employed by Ellen Degeneres, John Stweart, and Chris Rock in the past few years.
• At first, I didn't really 'get' the presentation of the awards for the acting categories. It was a sharp departure from the past several years, where the previous winner would show up to present the Oscar to the winner of the next award (though the women often presented for the men and vice versa). When Tilda Swinton was joined by Eva Marie Saint, Whoopi Goldberg, Angelica Houston, and Goldie Hawn, I have to admit I really didn't know what to make of it. Eventually, though, the idea grew on me... and I realized just how cool it was to have several generations of Oscar winners recognizing and encouraging the next generation right there on stage. By the time Best Actor was presented, you could tell the veterans were speaking from the heart rather than just reading from the teleprompter. I thought it was a great tribute to Oscar's past and future.
• I'm thinking about starting a Stop Beyonce Knowles from performing at the Oscars petition. Would anyone else sign it?
• Speaking of which, why was there a salute to movie musicals? Was there a good musical out this year? No. There was just Mamma Mia!... and it was horrid. I think the look on Baz Luhrmann's face (he was the one who choreographed the number) was more than enough to tell that he felt the same way about that number as I did. "Meh."
• "Jai Ho" was a super-catchy song.
• For me, the biggest (and really only) upset of the night was when Sean Penn beat Mickey Rourke for Best Actor. Part of it is the fact that, while I have great respect for Sean Penn the actor, I abhor the political bullying of Sean Penn the person. I would have rather heard Mickey Rourke pay tribute to his dead dog than listen to Sean Penn shaming the world for not believing the same way he does. (His speech was similar in subject to that of Milk's Best Original Screenplay winner Dustin Lance Black, but much different with regard to tone... and that, in my mind, made all the difference.)
• Speaking of Best Actor, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't see Daniel Day-Lewis and Javier Bardem at the ceremony. Both won last year in the acting categories and I was hoping to see them present. Alas, though... 'twas not to be.
• To the amazement of no one, Heath Ledger took home Best Supporting Actor. It was really cool to see his family there accepting his award on behalf of Heath and his daughter Matilda. That was, for me, the most touching moment.
• It was also great to see Jerry Lewis get the lifetime achievement Oscar. I thought it was a bit weird to have Eddie Murphy present it to him... until I remembered that Murphy and Lewis both played the title characters in films called The Nutty Professor. At that point, it seemed cheesy. Still, Lewis was the consummate gentleman and his remarks, while brief, were obviously heartfelt. It was great to see him get his due.
  

Melodic Monday - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Ever since the Super Bowl a couple of weeks ago, I've been struggling to shake the pure dynamism that was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. I'm not sure if you saw it, but if you did, you surely know that their performance was nothing short of kinetic (and definitely made up for the lackluster commercials that flocked the screens this year). I can't say as I'd ever considered myself a "Springsteen fan" before that night... but I'm definitely considering it now.

Who from my generation hasn't grown up with at least a smattering of Springsteen knowledge. "Born in the USA"? Check. "Dancing in the Dark"? You betcha. "Glory Days"? No doubt! But songs like "Working on a Dream" and "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"? I have to say I was honestly clueless.

It's one thing to hear Springsteen on a recording... but Bruce is one of those rare artists that you have to hear live to truly appreciate. In a day that seems to be cranking out cookie-cutter pop artists that need heavy studio dubbing in order to sound halfway decent, it's good to know that Springsteen is definitely the genuine article. While he may not be the greatest singer in the world, his stage presence, charisma, and ability to have fun onstage really make him a joy to watch.

This is to say nothing of what I consider the best part of the equation: the E Street Band. Springsteen is a talent himself, to be sure, but he is backed by some stellar and amazing talent as well. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt is probably best known to many for playing mobster Silvio Dante on HBO's "The Sopranos." Drummer Max Weinberg has spent the last sixteen years as the band leader for 'the Max Weinberg 7,' the house band on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." Saxophonist Clarence 'the Big Man' Clemons is a well-known and well-respected musician in his own right (though I always remember him as one of the Three Most Important People in the World from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure). This is to say nothing of the scores of other talented individuals in the E Street Band. These are musicians who have performed with the likes of Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Ringo Starr, Jim Steinman, and Gary 'U.S.' Bonds. Top-notch talent!

Since the effect of Springsteen and his E Street Band needs to be experienced to be believed, I've included a recording of an in-concert excerpt of one my new favorite Springsteen tunes, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out". Enjoy!

Bruce Campbell Old Spice Commercials

I am not a fan of Old Spice.

I am, however, a fan of a brief series of commercials that they ran a year or so ago featuring celebrated B-movie actor Bruce Campbell. Campbell is often overlooked by the typical Hollywood crowd because of his unwillingness to his vision of making movies - it shouldn't take too long and should be fun.

A high school friend of director Sam Raimi, Campbell got his start in Raimi's cult classic horror Evil Dead series before having at least a bit part in every movie Raimi would direct (kinda like Raimi's brother Ted). He found his way into movies like Darkman, The Quick and the Dead, and all three Spider-Man movies (playing a different bit character in every one).

Campbell did become a fine actor in his own right, though, gaining roles in films like The Hudsucker Proxy, Bubba Ho-tep, Sky High, and My Name is Bruce (a film in which Campbell plays a caricatured version of himself). He has also been associated with a number of television projects including "The Adventures of Bristo County Jr.," "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," "Jack of All Trades," and, most recently, USA's "Burn Notice," where he plays Sam Axe.

Liking Campbell as much as I do, I was actually kind of excited when these commercials aired. In fact, I find it hard to believe that there were nerds who weren't overjoyed somewhat at the prospect of the Chinned One pimping products on TV... even ones so lackluster as Old Spice. Check out these great commercials!

John Turturro Heineken Commercials

I am not a fan of Heineken.

I am, however, a fan of their current series of commercials featuring Hollywood actor John Turturro. Turturro has become one of my favorite actors in recent years mainly due to his spectacular range in the types of roles he plays. He has the gravitas to pull off serious roles like the Jewish game show contestant Herbie Stempel on Quiz Show or creepy killer Jim Shooter in Secret Window. (He also played the title role in Barton Fink and had a part in Miller's Crossing.)

At the same time, he has an incredible sense of humor which comes across in roles like over-the-top bowler Jesus Quintana in The Big Lebowski, Pete in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Agent Simmons in Transformers. (He's also been featured in a lot of Adam Sandler films as of late, including Mr. Deeds, Anger Management, and most recently, You Don't Mess With the Zohan.)

As big a fan as I am of John Turturro, I was understandably happy to see him featured in two commercials for Heineken. While I don't necessarily like the product, I think he's brilliant at selling it! Check it out!