Oscars

Ever had a dream? Not those go to sleep kinds, or REM sleep for the science geeks out there, yes I know you read the blog.

I now have a new one. I want to go to the Oscars. Even if it's just as an audience member. I want to laugh when the host does a musical number or his/her opening monologue and I want to cry when my idols win big on Oscar Night.

I so wanted to be there for the 81st Academy Awards.

For those who did not catch one of film's biggest nights -- first of all, go catch it, download it. And secondly, it was magnificent.

I have never laughed, teared and felt so much when watching an award ceremony in my life. Well maybe an exception for the award ceremony at Langkawi. But let's not take that one out of the closet.

Everything about the 81st Academy Awards was perfect. Again, an exception to maybe Daniel Craig reading off the tele-prompter. He kept stuttering and missing lines. But alas, tis but a small issue.

Edit: Robert Pattinson's presentation was horrendous. He kept looking at something other than the audience and kept shifting awkwardly. And the fans go: He was probably nervous, the poor thing! Jal goes: Fig's end!

The Kodak Theater was beautifully decorated with crystals and huge chandeliers. And on stage, the curtains that covered the five vertical LCD screens that could be melded into one, were semi-transparent and was in this mysterious shade of dark blue.

What I liked most however of this year's Oscars was not the hilarious opening number from host Hugh Jackman about 2008's biggest movies and neither was it the musical tribute performed by the host and other stars (don't want to spoil. it was a amusing surprise to have found out myself). It was however, the way in which the awards were presented.

In classical, and obvious style, the presenters will read the nominations and a clip of them from the movie would be displayed. This time, the awards for Best Supporting/Lead Actor/ Actress were presented by the introduction of past winners.

For instance, when the award for Best Actor was being presented, past winners such as Anthony Hopkins, Adam Brody, Ben Kingsley, Micheal Douglas and Robert DeNiro would go on stage to read the nominations. And these past winners would be revealed by them standing behind the 5 LCD's that had their pictures of them winning displayed and the screens would then lift and they would appear. Very chun.

And we haven't got to my favourite part yet, the best part is how they read the nominations! Each past winner will deliver a short speech about one nominee. And get this, the speech is not only for the audience, but is directed at the nominees themselves. For instance, when Anthony Hopkins read the nomination for Brad Pitt, it ended with something like 'We sing your praises'. Something like that.

Edit: Anthony Hopkins ended with something like 'magnificent work my friend.'

It made it so personal and I felt it. It felt as if a close friend of Brad Pitt's was singing his praises and I was just there to watch that intimate moment.

This new style of presenting are the tear shedding moments for me.

Another of course was when Heath Ledger won. But come on, who wouldn't slightly tear up. He was phenomenal, people who have seen my comp's wallpaper would know how much of a fan I am of his portrayal of the Joker. What made it worse was when the camera kept getting shots of people getting emotional when he won. I can almost hear the DoP (if the Oscars have them) going:

'Camera 12 shot on Angelina now! She's tearing up!'
'Beautiful...Beautiful...now pan the shot and give me a little of Brad, I think he's got signs of weak eye plumbing! Excellent!'

And when they went to the shot of Adam Brody crying then to a shot of an entire theater giving a standing ovation...

Sniff.

Anyway, I think this post has gone on long enough. Suffice to say, I LOVED the Academy Award show this year. From the glitz and the glam of Best Picture to even the award presentation for costume and sound. It was simply amazing.


I know what I'm going to wish for when I blow out them birthday candles.