Oscar Recap: Best & Worst from Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, or better known as the Oscars, are one of my favorite events to watch all year long. I love to see all of Hollywood gather to honor their own for a year of outstanding work. While many may feel this night is just an opportunity for the rich and famous to become even more self indulgent, I like to think of it as an honorary night for those who brought the best work to their craft over the last year. With big films like Avatar and Inglourious Basterds competing against smaller independent films like The Hurt Locker and Precious, there is always something for everyone at the Oscars. So what were the best moments of the telecast? How about the worst? We have our picks after the jump!

Best Moments:

Neil Patrick Harris opens the show with a song and dance number that made us all think one thing – why isn’t this guy hosting the show!?

Hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin landed  many humorous riffs throughout the show. They were a class act last night as they went through the audience of stars landing zingers left and right without being offensive or crude. These guys played off each other to perfection. Bring em’ back next year!

Ben Stiller spoof’s Avatar with blue makeup, creepy contacts, and a tail. You either loved it or hated it – and I thought it was pretty damn funny. The fishing pole holding up his tail just made it even better.

The tribute to John Hughes was both classy and touching. Having stars from Hughes’ classic films like Ferris Bueller, Home Alone, and The Breakfast Club was genuine and authentic. Just like the movies he made.

Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock’s acceptance speeches. Both Hollywood veterans who were rewarded with Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. Bridges once again proves he is one of the most laid back, genuinely nice guys, who seemed humbled to win the award which was long over due for a career of outstanding work. While many people may have been against Bullock winning an Oscar for The Blindside, we can’t deny her acceptance speech was both humorous and touching. She proves why is she one of Hollywood’s favorite actors out there.

Kathryn Bigelow winning Best Director for The Hurt Locker. James Cameron’s ex appeared stunned to receive the honor. While I still think Cameron had more of an achievement in direction with Avatar, I can’t help but applaud the work Bigelow has done with the riveting performances she directed in The Hurt Locker.

Worst Moments:

Original Song Dance Number. Instead of having the original songs performed by their respected artists, the Academy decided to put together a dance segment that was just awkward. The Original Song performances usually slow down the momentum of the show- but this interpretive dance segment just made it bad.

The winner for Best Documentary Short Subject having his acceptance speech hijacked. Director Roger Ross Williams won the Oscar for his film Music by Prudence and before he could barely get two words out his speech was “Kanyed” by a woman named Ellinor Burkett. Audiences had no idea who this woman was or why she was attempting to accept the award. It was an uncomfortable moment that left everyone wondering what the hell just happened. Turns out Burkett had worked on the film but was let go because of creative differences. Guess she just couldn’t let go.

In Memoriam Montage Leaves our Farrah Fawcett. Just goes to show Michael Jackson really did steal her thunder.

The Horror Movie Montage features Twilight: New Moon!? This montage could have been great seeing as it included clips from Jaws, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Poltergeist. However including a clip from Twilight really made this montage lose all credibility.

Recap:

This year’s Oscars were pretty mild as far as surprises, upsets, or jaw dropping moments go. Everything went according to plan and, while that may not have been exciting, it proved to be a really organized, well put together show. Congratulations to The Hurt Locker for cleaning up with several awards including the Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. Hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will be back next year when we cover the 83rd Academy Awards! See you at the movies!