Kitten on the Aisle: Oscars 2010

I was so looking forward to the Oscars this year, especially after I heard that Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were hosting. One man was a legendary comedic genius, the other one of the hippest actors on television today. Alec Baldwin just embodies the part of Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock. He has deservedly won every award he has collected for that role.

I thought, given these two hilarious men, that the Oscars were going to be a laugh a minute, satirical fest full of lots of biting, sarcastic wit. I couldn't wait to see the zingers that the team of Baldwin and Martin exchanged.

Oh, kittens, I don't know about you, but I was so very disappointed in this year's festivities.

It all started after they introduced the nominees for Best Actor and Actress at the top of the show. I mean, that was a nice tribute, but what was the point? Why not introduce all of the people nominated in the major categories? It was kinda awkward. Then there was an awkward transition to the Neil Patrick Harris number--which I must admit was cute. But then again, how could you not love Neil Patrick Harris? (Sorry, former Doogie Howser groupie writing here).

And then our hosts descended from the ceiling. As I wrote, I was expecting lots of biting, sarcastic wit. However, I think Martin and Baldwin were playing it safe--a little too safe, if you asked me. They reminded me of two guys hanging outside the bathroom next to they gym, making snide comments about the cool kids as they walked by. I was expecting belly laughs, and I didn't get them. I was tres disappointed.

And then the awards began. I didn't like the changes I saw. No performances of original songs. People presenting that had nothing to do with the nominated pictures, but everything to do with the desperate attempt to capture a young audience (Miley Cyrus and Zac Efron, anyone?)

I got bored rawther quickly. I turned off the TV and went to bed at 9:30 EST. However, after I climbed under the covers I watched a little more--enough to see The Hurt Locker win for original screenplay and Mo'Nique win for Precious--an award that was much deserved.

I must admit, though, that in spite of its shortcomings, this year's Oscars did have some memorable moments. I really enjoyed and appreciated the John Hughes tribute; after all, I grew up with his films, and to this day, my friends and I will still recite dialogue from Ferris Bueller, The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles when given the chance. And I love whenever Ben Stiller presents an award.

But what I regret missing is Kathryn Bigelow's win as Best Director, as well as The Hurt Locker beating out Avatar for so many awards. Especially since James Cameron was behind Avatar. Now kittens, as I have written before, I am not a movie person. But I have not been a fan of James Cameron since I saw Titanic. I loathed Titanic. When the iceberg hit the boat, I kept looking at my watch, thinking, "Why don't you just sink the boat, already?" It was frustrating. I didn't like the dialogue in that movie, I didn't like the acting, and I didn't like the whole over-the-top special effects. It was overblown, and overrated.

And when James Cameron won Best Director for that movie, and he hoisted the Oscar above his head, proclaiming himself King of the World, well, that just did it for me.

So that's my take on this year's Oscars. Maybe I had gotten too accustomed to the song-and-dance routines that Hugh Jackman and Billy Crystal did so well. But for me, this year's awards lacked quite a bit.

On that note, I can't wait to see what the Tonys have in store. I'm more of a live theatre person than a move person anyway.