Entertainment / Oscars 2015: A Bland Night Full of Politics & Surprises

Oscars 2015: A Bland Night Full of Politics & Surprises

Entertainment Feb 23, 2015

by Rumnique Nannar

A Consummate Host Like Neil Patrick Harris Could Only Do So Much

As evidenced at the Oscars on Sunday night, even Harris was let down by the bland jokes that littered the night.

When Neil Patrick Harris was announced as the Oscar host for 2015, he was already an Emmys and Tonys veteran M.C., delivering a classy and charming show. However, he seemed to be undone by the tragic writing at the Oscars, which tended to rely on puns like his introduction to Josh Hutcherson, “Here’s the Peeta who won’t throw paint on you,” a pun on the animal-rights group PETA, which elicited barely a titter from the audience.

Apart from these cringingly bad jokes, Harris appeared nervous and awkward during his audience-interaction, especially when he targeted David Oyelowo to deliver an untimely joke about the new Annie. Yet the show found its footing when Harris spoofed Birdman’s hilarious scene of Michael Keaton trotting through Times Square in his tight briefs, as well as critiquing Whiplash star, Miles Teller on drums.

The usual quartet of Julianne Moore, Eddie Redmayne, Patricia Arquette, and JK Simmons cemented their dream runs with Best Actress, Actor, Supporting Actress, and Actor wins. Though, it would have been rather nice to see Michael Keaton rambling on again about another moment in his usual “This is Your Life” type speech.

Patricia Arquette: variety.com

The show needed a resuscitative jolt of energy and edge, which was apparent in the political and passionate speeches of the winners of the night. While many of us may have been inwardly wishing Patricia Arquette would read her speech out faster, she gave us a rally cry for equal pay, “It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America,” to which Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez whooped and fist-bumped the air.

Selma performance: nytimes.com

Moments before winning for Best Song for Glory, Common and John Legend brought the audience to tears with their powerful performance, especially David Oyelowo, who had us all weeping along with his man-tears. Legend’s speech drew on the current struggles with stirring poignancy, “We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today then were under slavery in 1850.” It was these spontaneous moments and relevant speeches that kept the show moving along, where Harris couldn’t.

Birdman guys: variety.com

Yet, no Oscars is complete without one astonishing snub as in the case of #Boyhoodgate. The critical darling was majorly shut out during the evening, which was alarming considering the divvying up of Boyhood taking Best Picture, and Birdman director Alejandro Iñarritu with Best Director at the BAFTAS or vice versa at the Golden Globes. Unfortunately, the Academy preferred uniformity with Birdman yanking Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Cinematography. It’s certainly surprising that this year most of the nail-biting suspense fell to these two films instead of the jostling in the acting fields.

The Oscars were tame affair, with speeches and skits from winners and presenters injecting some verve and energy into the night. Perhaps, Harris will get another shot in a few years time, but let’s just blame it on the writers.

To get the complete list of winners, click: oscar.go.com

^{_{Feature Image: Neil in his chuddis: nytimes.com}}

Rumnique Nannar

Author

Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...

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Oscars 2015: A Bland Night Full of Politics & Surprises

by Rumnique Nannar

A Consummate Host Like Neil Patrick Harris Could Only Do So Much

Rumnique Nannar

COMMENTS

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