The Oscars

While there will undoubtedly be stories of low ratings (due to low to medium profile films getting the bulk of the nominations), and endless digressions on how Jon Stewart performed as the host, I think this year's Oscars should be considered a success. With the writer's strike only two weeks or so behind us, I think the writers did a good job with what little time they had. Yes, they were a little heavy with montages (what the show would have been had it not been for the end of the strike), but I personally enjoyed seeing past winner film clips throughout the show. After all, it was the eightieth year of the program, quite a milestone. As for the host, I think Stewart performed very well. He seemed more confident than his outing two years ago. His jokes also improved (I especially like his jab at the Vanity Fair party and his "which Democrat you will vote for" dig to liberal Hollywood (somewhat self-deprecating maybe?)

The winners this year were an unusually exciting mix of the expected (Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men) and the surprising (Tilda Swinton, Marion Cotillard). While I am not averse to sweeps (I was a huge fan of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and enjoyed watching it win everything that year), it becomes dull when one movie dominates year after year.

Here's hoping 2008 is as good a year for film as 2007 was.