This is an Oscars post.

Alright, the Oscars don't appear to be anywhere on free to air TV in New Zealand, so I've been resorting to various live streams - which, let me tell you, have been of fairly deplorable quality (thank you, New Zealand internet). As such, I only managed to actually witness bits and pieces, although they seem to have been the most important bits and pieces.

On the hosts:



Anyone else have some sneaking suspicions that James Franco was high as a kite? I've got to admit, I miss Ricky Gervais. This was downright boring in comparison.

On Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross taking away the Oscar for Best Original Score:



Nine Inch Nails are amazing, Trent Reznor is amazing even when he looks like a thumb, I haven't seen The Social Network because I am a bad fan, etc etc.

On Christian Bale winning Best Supporting Actor:



I've got to admit, after my initial distaste following that incident (it's fucking distracting...), I settled on a general feeling of affection for good trolling when it comes to Señor Bale. I haven't seen The Fighter but I intend to, and honestly, it was just cute at the end of his speech when he got all choked up about his wife again. /is a romantic at heart

On Colleen Atwood winning for Best Costume Design:

I love her and I could not care less what anyone says about Alice In Wonderland. I thought it was fine. Not amazing, not mind-shatteringly awful, it was fine. People are such drama queens about that shit.

On Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law:

They warm the cockles of my heart, whatever that means. I'm still sold on this Sherlock thing.

On Florence Welch:

Ethereal goddess, musical queen, wasted on this ceremony, etc.

On Tom Hooper winning Best Director:

Laughing at these bitches who seem to think this was unexpected. The King's Speech is a beautifully directed film.

On Natalie Portman winning Best Actress:

Whatever, we all saw it coming, I just don't get it. She was alright, but seriously, best actress? Slim pickings this year, huh?

On Colin Firth winning Best Actor:

King Firth deserves this and every other award we can invent for excellence in a human being, the end.

On The King's Speech winning Best Picture:

Honestly, I wasn't sure the Academy was going to choose the correct candidate for this one, but in the end they got it right. I would've been happy with this or True Grit, so...

On the laws of nature.

That is my flatmate's cat, Fat Chop (so named because he is a bottomless pit of hunger, and I do not exaggerate one tiny bit when I say that). He is sharing a tender moment of friendship with my rat, Oscar (so named because Oscar Wilde, need I say more?). Using the power of teamwork, they have gotten at least half of a plastic bag they were most definitely not meant to be playing with into the rat cage. 

Fat Chop is afraid of the rats when I take them out of the cage. The rats, on the other hand, clearly do not know the Grim Squeaker is resting on the predator's shoulder, and they react to his presence by frantically attempting to bite his paws. 

Of course, that doesn't stop him stalking them when they're safely inside the cage. Small scurrying things can't expect to be ignored by lively, eternally hungry young kittens!

And that is what happened today in the life of a furry-thing owner.

In other news, Oscar nominations have been announced. I noticed "Tron: Legacy" was conspicuously absent from several categories it almost certainly should have been in - Music (Original Score), Visual Effects, maybe a nod for Costuming would have been nice - but no. As far as the Academy is concerned, that film never happened. Are they serious? All it was was Music And Visual Effects. It was essentially the world's most epic Daft Punk video. My heart aches for the score. It was excellent, innovative, engaging, I quite literally listen to it in the car, etc. I notice it was nominated for Sound Mixing, which frankly should go to "Inception" anyway. And Christopher Nolan fanboys are going to be spitting - he isn't up for Best Director, again. Maybe the Academy is trolling with this one, but it's kind of funny.

I find myself particularly interested in this year's Oscar season, possibly because I feel strongly that give King Firth an Oscar you sons of bitches. 

On The King's Speech

This is the only coherent reaction I can give.

Colin Firth? Give that man an Oscar, so help me God.
Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter were both stunning, flawless and generally perfect in every way for this film. The film itself looked fantastic - the costuming was understated and brilliant, the sets and locations elegant and beautiful - but more than that, it felt amazing. I literally had tears in my eyes not fifteen minutes in, due mainly to King Firth's mind-blowing excellence. He exuded this man's anxiety and shame, and maybe I can relate to that a little more personally than some, but it was a stunning performance nonetheless. He made a guy's stammer interesting.

I can't even imagine how immense my rage is going to be if an Oscar is not forthcoming.

Haven't seen it? Do yourself and the movie industry a favour by seeing this intelligent piece of art at a cinema and letting your money do the talking for you, because your money will be saying "The general public wants more well-written and beautifully acted films." Don't let the coins in your pocket stay silent! Cast your vote! Raise your voice! We want YOU!