I’m not going to lie. I started watching the Oscars Sunday night ready to pile on the hate. I am not a fan of “Family Guy” or Seth MacFarlane’s raunchy comedy in general, and I expected he, as host, was a lame ploy to liven up the ceremony. Writing the snarky review of it was going to be fun.
But then the Oscar ceremony turned out to be pretty good. Rats.
While there were a number of jokes that would make Hillsdalians blush, most of MacFarlane’s remarks were aimed squarely at Hollywood.
So well did he lampoon the movie stars that the audience in the Dolby Theater was visibly uncomfortable for much of the ceremony. If early ratings are any indicator, however, the viewers at home loved it.
Commenting on actor Daniel-Day Lewis’ portrayal of Lincoln, MacFarlane said: “I have to say though that the actor who best got inside of Lincoln’s head was John Wilkes Booth.” Audience gasps. “What? A 150 years and it’s still too soon?”
It helped that most of this year’s Best Picture Nominees grossed over $100 million, meaning people actually saw them. Nominating widely seen movies translates into bigger ratings.
Last year’s ceremony suffered because it tried and failed to be two things; popular entertainment and a prestigious awards ceremony. The efforts to attract a larger audience came across as pandering. This year MacFarlane didn’t pander –– he was just funny. Billy Crystal should note that simply referencing pop culture doesn’t count as a joke. On second thought, tell that to MacFarlane too, he is responsible, after all, for “Family Guy.”
The producers of this year’s show were also to thank since they made a number of smart choices that kept the show running smoothly. Adele performed “Skyfall,” Barbara Streisand sang, there was a James Bond tribute, a cameo by William Shatner, performances from popular musicals “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Les Miserables.” I didn’t even mind the surprise appearance from Michelle Obama. I mean the Bush’s made several American Idol appearances right?
The night once and for all proved that having one host is superior to having two. MacFarlane as host was funny without completely destroying the respectability of the ceremony. The only major flaw in the show was the fact that it was half an hour too long.
As far as the selections of Oscar winners are concerned… Well it was inevitable I would disagree with most of it.
Yes, “Moonrise Kingdom” should have won Best Original Screenplay. Yes, Jessica Chastain should have won Best Actress. Yes, this year’s best directors weren’t even nominated. Yes, “Argo” is overrated. But isn’t this what we’ve come to expect?
The academy has a recent track record of picking good, safe films for Best Picture (“The King’s Speech,” “The Artist”) while great and innovative ones are lucky to come away with a nomination.
The mood was obviously more upbeat than last year, perhaps since the industry rebounded with a record high of $10.8 billion in revenue, upposed to their record low the year before.
But one good year at the box office shouldn’t necessarily give cause for celebration. Profits may be high this year but declining theater attendance has not been reversed. Inflated tickets prices due to 3D, 48 fps etc. are for now keeping studio profits high while masking the deeper problem.
It’s true that in 2012 Hollywood had its greatest attendance in nearly four years. Looking closer at the statistics, however, one sees that the last four years have seen the lowest attendance levels in decades.
Also without mention was the sudden death of film. That’s right. By the end of 2012 over 90% of American theaters had switched to digital projection. Since the 1880’s film projection has been the way we’ve viewed movies. In the last three years has changed. The switch was largely the result of cost cutting measures by the major studios, leaving theater owners to foot the bill for the new equipment.
Most films are still being shot on film before being digitally transferred. But that will soon change. This year’s nominees for Best Picture were split almost evenly between those shot on film and those shot on digital. Film advocates like Christopher Nolan and Quentin Tarantino have become a clear minority in the industry.
All in all, the Oscars didn’t disappoint as I had anticipated. Excepting a few personal preferences, the show was entertaining and worth watching.
hsmith@hillsdale.edu