Whoa! When did Donald Trump take over the Academy? Last year might have been the roar of the pussy hat but this year Hollywood proved that the dicks are still swinging. Aside from the usual slighted shoulda beens, the Academy infuriated the camera folk and editors by trying to banish their time in front of the lens to the commercial break. They completely banished the host . . . I suppose, so no one can make fun of them. They even tried to make a category for movies people actually spent money on (Best Popular Movies). But never let the suits grind you down. We shall proceed onward.
Best Actor in a Starring Role - - Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born - - The real best performance was one of those widely whined about slights, Ethan Hawke in First Reformed. After that we have four celebrity impressions and Mr. Cooper, none of whom lit up the place. Rami Malek did throw sparks, but his mercury nevr climbed. Viggo was a good fella and the rest were also good in bad parts. That leaves Bradley.
Best Actress in a Starring Role - - Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me? - - Glenn got close but I did not fall for The Wife. La Gaga and Yalitza made amazing debuts and Olivia Colman was good in not really a lead. Melissa McCarthy broke the mold and the mildew of past raunch and carried the show. She need apologize for nothing.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - - Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born - - All good ones here. I think it comes down to the wire between Sam and Mahershala and the latter may even be slightly ahead in the photo finish. But this is ol’ Sam first - - and possibly only - - Oscar race after a half century of great runs and so . . . The Mustache abides.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - - Rachel Weisz, The Favourite - - Another great group although I unfortunately missed If Beale Street Could Talk‘s Regina King, (who showed me her money in Jerry McGuire). I wish I could give it to Amy Adams after six bootless nominations, but I didn’t think Vice gave her much to chew on. Marina de Tavira was splendid but was hard for me to evaluate in subtitles. That leaves the cat fight, and even though her character lost, I think Rachel won the war.
Best Original Screenplay - - Paul Schrader, First Reformed - - As movie buffs know, Paul Schrader was a major contributor to the last golden age of movies (late 60’s to mid-70’s). He came roaring back with the astonishing First Reformed. I have no idea why it was so slighted by the Academy of Trumps . . . but that needs correcting. And he was the best of this group
Best Adapted Screenplay - - Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman - - More past injustice. Spike Lee has only been nominated twice for Oscars. Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty wrote a wonderful script for Can You Ever Forgive Me? Almost as good as BlacKkKlansman and I hope they win their next nomination. I also loved Terence Blanchard’s BlacKkKlansman score; however,this was the only nominee I saw so I should skip the Best Music category.
Best Cinematography - - Alfonso Cuarón, Roma - - Supposedly Cuarón wanted to use his old pal Emmanuel Lubezki for Roma. He was not available so he shot it himself and did a wonderful job. The others were fine and it’s hard to bet against Caleb Deschanel (another six unsuccessful nominations). Again, I did not get to see Never Look Away.
Best Direction - - Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman - - Will Cuarón make it five out of the last six for Mexican directors? Actually, only one of this year's group is white and American and none are female (again). That could have been corrected if Marielle Heller’s excellent work on Can You Ever Forgive Me? had been included and Adam McKay had been dropped. Spike has deserved a directing Oscar for years and he earned it this year.
Best Picture - - Alfonso Cuarón, Roma - - This is really not a contest. Bohemian Rhapsody and Vice were terrible movies. Black Panther bored me. And the rest were good but not great. I would have liked to see The Rider or The Miseducation Of Cameron Post in the mix but they were far from the ‘Best Popular Movie.’ Regardless, I still would have voted for Roma. In almost every category . . . it could have taken home the statue.
And so it goes . . . Meg won’t be with me at the ceremony and it will be touch and go at the TCM Classic Film Festival. Yes, she’ll be there to attend the 30-year anniversary screening of When Harry Met Sally . . . I just hope we don’t reprise the bit where Harry meets his ex-wife in a Sharper Image store. I think Sharper Image stores got dumped, too. Oh well. Until next time . . . I’ll see you at the movies.
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