A Hot Mess

That’s how I would describe the 87th annual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards aka The Oscars was Founded in 1927. The notion of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) began with Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He wanted to create an organization that would mediate labor disputes and improve the industry’s image. So, on a Sunday evening, Mayer and three other studio big-wigs – actor Conrad Nagel, director Fred Niblo, and the head of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, Fred Beetson – sat down and discussed these matters. The idea of this elite club having an annual banquet was tossed around, but there was no mention of awards just yet. They also established that membership into the organization would only be open to people involved in one of the five branches of the industry: actors, directors, writers, technicians, and producers. (from Wikipedia)

The Oscars are something that I look forward to every year. A friend mentioned that it’d be fun to have a party to watch it at, I’m sure that I’d like to either attend or hold one myself. We’ll see next year. But I have been watching over the years and wasn’t exactly thrilled with the overall performance. While there were some humorous moments, some of the WTF moments just didn’t sit right with me. The moment that Neil Patrick Harris walked out in his underwear was pretty funny. I thought immediately of “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston but it was also a tribute to Micheal Keaton in Birdman. The balls it took to do that! No pun intended. Not sure I could do it at my age, if I were in a bit better shape, hell ya, I’d be happy to show off my… okay you get the picture… Speaking of Birdman, I enjoyed the movie. And its not a Superhero movie either. As dark comedies go, it was pretty damn good. It’s also a bit ironic that former Batman star Michael Keaton played the titular role of a washed up former veteran of superhero movies vying to find acceptance as a true artist. The editing that made it look as one long take was a pretty amazing accomplishment. If you’ve not seen it, I highly recommend it from the technical standpoint as well as the story. It most definitely deserved the accolades and awards. Too bad Keaton didn’t win. Apparently he had started to take the speech out of his pocket when they announced the winner and then looked down as it went to Eddy Redmayne for “The Theory of Everything” which is one I’ve not seen either but will do so as it comes out on video.

I understand why Sean Penn said what he said because he and Director Alejandro González Iñárritu did the movie 21 Grams, so they have history. Iñárritu said the comment was hilarious. It was just a bit jarring so perhaps I’m losing my sense of humor? lol But I thought it fell flat. Some of the jokes like the one NPH said about “American Sniper” and Oprah made no sense. I was surprised that Clint Eastwood didn’t get any awards for his film. But I did post this on Facebook about Bradley Cooper: “The more I think about it, the more upset I am that Bradley Cooper was snubbed at The Oscars on Sunday. Hear me out. I know Cooper did not portray the kind of character or take on the kind of role that the snobs in Hollywood typically care for–it didn’t fit the traditional “Best Actor” mold. There was lots of violence in the film; he spent most of the movie brandishing a gun, and yes, the character was portrayed as something of a superhero in a situation with much bigger political issues at play that the movie only grazed. But his sensitive portrayal of the scars his character endured–both physical and emotional–brought an unexpected pathos to a character who could otherwise have easily just been a cartoon character. Yes, he used a firearm. Yes, his partner was a little wooden. Yes, the accent was a little distracting at times. But none of those things should have disqualified Cooper from gaining the well-deserved recognition for breathing such life into a character that enthralled us all. You know it. I know it. Deep down in their hearts, the Oscar voters know it. This year’s best performance was Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon.”

Yes, I’m being funny and I really loved “Guardians of the Galaxy” as it was space opera at it’s best. The Marvel Studios juggernaut continues unabated, even though it’s not considered award worthy (maybe for Special VFX) but the film was fun to watch. I’m looking forward to then sequel and all the movies that are coming in 2015. Hopefully the Oscars will be a better show next year. You know, if they had Jack Black host? But I’m not sure I’d want to see him in his tighty whities.

Rebel Without a Clue

For those of you who didn’t watch the Oscars, Graham Moore who is the screenwriter for the film “The Imitation Game” said “Stay Weird, Stay Different” when he accepted his Oscar. Don’t worry, I’ll get to that whole Hot Mess (The Oscars) in a separate blog post but I wanted to touch base on what Graham said. Here’s the gist of it:

“In this brief time here what I want to use it to do is to say this: when I was 16 years old I tried to kill myself because I felt weird and I felt different and I felt like I did not belong. And now I am standing here, and I would like this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she’s weird or she’s different or she doesn’t fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do.

Stay weird, stay different, and then when it’s your turn and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along.”

His whole speech I could really relate to; these words meant a lot because I too tried to take my life when I was 15. It was a really difficult time for me. I was confused, out of control and a Rebel without a Clue. It was hard to fit in when you felt like you’re not like others. I wasn’t a Jock, or a Brain or any of these other cool kids.

I was a tall, skinny dork, not the handsome, dashing suave guy that you all know and love. lol For me, it was awkward asking out girls because I didn’t have a whole lot of experience and luck. That eventually changed but I still get a little tongue tied when talking to a woman on the phone asking them for a date now almost 40 years later (yes, I’m dating and I’m 50. Deal with it! lol) It’s a lot of pressure on a guy because we don’t want rejection. For the women, it’s much easier because women have multiple choices as there’s probably more than one guy that she may choose from. But I digress…

Being a teenage was a relatively short time but a lot of those experiences helped to forge who I was. Also a stint in the Marines was a huge advantage. But I experienced some things that made me fell isolated and longing to belong. I won’t go into the details but you know what I’m talking about if you were someone who didn’t fit in in High School. Or you’ve seen TBC. I remember seeing it for the first time, it was actually at a Drive-In Theatre in Orange County and I was dating a young lady who said that I had to see this movie. It was a double feature with St. Elmo’s Fire. Cool huh? I remember that she was very beautiful and it was raining. Other than that, the windows got a little fogged up so that’s all I remember. lol

Like always, Movies have been a big part of my life. Making films is a passion that really gives me purpose and meaning in my life. For me, I would love to do this full time and give up my day job. It would be something that I could do for the rest of my life and have the best time. It’s for the love of story-telling. I love The Silver Screen and I want to add back to the world some of the same magic that I’ve taken from the works of others. I feel like I’m doing something important. I only wish that I had pursed this earlier in my life. I’m not saying that I can’t do it now but I would have liked to have started sooner so that I’d be further along in my Film Career.

While I haven’t seen “The Imitation Game” yet, it sounds like a great film. I hope that someday I can perhaps work on a film that enjoys success and the accolades that has gotten. Maybe next time…