Where else would you find a place where people are actually paid to wear expensive jewelry and designer gowns?
A case in point was at last Sunday’s 77th Academy Awards, where celebrities lined the red carpet at the Kodak Theatre.
Joan and Melissa Rivers, Star Jones and Kathy Griffith interviewed celebrities and Oscar nominees as they walked the red carpet. Deciding which annoying interviewer to watch proved a difficult task.
On E! Entertainment, Star Jones talked about herself much of the time while Kathy Griffith pretended to talk to celebrities on her cell phone. You could definitely fast forward through Griffith’s grueling stints and not miss a thing. On the TV Guide Channel, Joan Rivers, well, was Joan Rivers.
Celebrities walked down the red carpet, exhibiting elegance and class. Cate Blanchett, poised and refined, wore a yellow Valentino gown.
Academy Awards host Chris Rock toned down his foul mouth for the televised event. His comedy included unnecessary digs at movie stars like Jude Law, Tobey Maguire and Tim Robbins. Although he provided a few funny moments, Rock lacked the magic and talent that previous Oscar hosts Steve Martin and Billy Crystal had.
This year the Academy Awards tried a new approach to presenting, lining up on stage nominees for the less popular categories before announcing the winner. The new approach seemed to save time and lessen the redundancy.
The composed Morgan Freeman deservingly accepted his award for Best Supporting Actor in “Million Dollar Baby.” This was his fourth nomination and first win.
Hilary Swank and Jamie Foxx left the greatest impression with their acceptance speeches.
Swank, accepting her Best Actress award for “Million Dollar Baby,” graciously said, “I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve all this. I’m just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream.”
The evening’s leading favorite, Jamie Foxx, gave an acceptance speech similar to the one he gave at the Golden Globes. His speech about his grandmother was moving.
“My grandmother’s name is Estelle Marie Talley. And she’s not here tonight…she still talks to me now. Only now she talks to me in my dreams. I can’t wait to go to sleep tonight because we have a lot to talk about,” said Foxx.
Over the years the Academy Awards seems to recognize more indie films such as “Million Dollar Baby,” “Sideways,” “In America,” “Lost In Translation” and “Adaptation.” Although I appreciate these artsy films, I still enjoy the occasional blockbuster movie. I just hope the Academy Awards does not eventually stop recognizing the blockbusters altogether.
Although this was another breakthrough year with Chris Rock hosting, nominees being placed on stage and having five black actor nominees in leading categories, it was still only a blas