The Dolby Theatre was prepped and ready as the final touch – Red Carpet – was rolled out for actors, actresses, writers, directors, producers, filmmakers and others engaged in and associated with film for the 85th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony, better known as the Oscars. Seth MacFarlane hosted this year’s event as thousands of tweets and messages went out on Twitter and other social media that soon criticized him for tasteless jokes and disrespectfully taunting the guests in attendance.
“Good evening ladies and gentlemen – welcome to the Oscars,” said McFarlane, “and the quest to make Tommy Lee Jones laugh begins now.”
William Shatner, dressed in full “Star Trek” -Captain Kirk uniform with a facsimile Star Trek cockpit set in the background broke in and interrupted the opening on the huge big screen TV above the stage. Shatner (as Kirk) questioned McFarlane on ruining the Oscars host job as he referred to McFarlane’s singing and continued with the premise from the future and from the Star Trek Captain’s perspective that McFarlane would be remembered as the worst host of all time. After bantering with Shatner, including the song and dance intertwined with descriptive film flows edited in, he proceeded and began the ceremony.
Nearly everybody and everything related to film won in one way or another. Along with those below that won Oscars, the fashion industry won as usual as movie stars poured onto the red carpet with fine ball gowns and tuxedos. Knock-offs should sell high again this year. The jewelry industry, travel industry and especially the former exclusively 16 mm format film industry itself won. This trend comes as box tallies from recent year ticket sales came in better than expected and the industry appears to have adjusted and effectively conformed to a digitally driven world. That swing back came after a few slim years during marketing, anti -piracy, promotional, technological and other adjustments to the digital age.
The first award given, the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting Role was taken by Christoph Waltz for “Django Unchained” and was presented by last year’s winner in the same category (actress) Octavia Spencer.
Nine year – old Quvenzhene Wallis became the youngest ever nominated for her Best Picture for her work in “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” McFarlane made jokes regarding her age by giving a few examples of just how young she was.
“To give you an idea of just how young she is,” said McFarlane, “it’ll be 16 years before she’s too old for Clooney,” he said referring to George Clooney and inferred the inclination towards younger women.
The movie “ARGO” had the best night and took three awards including the top prize for the Best Picture Oscar. The other two Oscars were for Adapted Screenplay and Editing.
Best Director Award went to Ang Lee for “Life of PI,” which took the most number of Oscars with Four. Daniel Day Lewis took the Best Actor Award for “Lincoln.” Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress Award for “Silver Linings Playbook.”
Barbara Streisand sang her famous version of The Way We Were, in personal memorial to Composer Marvin Hamlisch, and as a tribute to those that have died this past year. This sparked more controversy on social media as some people in the public felt that many notable people were left out. The show would finish as the second longest ceremony ever televised.
Singer Adele Adkins (stage name – Adele) performed the song Skyfall and was presented the Oscar for Original Song along with co-writer Paul Epworth.
The biggest surprise of the night came near the closing of ceremonies as the Best Picture award was teleconferenced in a live feed and presented by First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama. Obama passionately asserted just how much of an affect that the arts can have on America’s youth in her usual eloquent, tasteful, yet folksy manner, flanked by U. S Military in official parade dress and presented the final award.
