Reactions to the Show

8:05

Myles - And we're off. The crew is already interviewing Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, and Amy Adams, and I can tell that the only thing they care about is what kind of fashion statement the nominees are making.

8:15

Myles - We have our obligatory appearances from Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Miley Cyrus. The interviewer says that she hopes to see them return as nominees; none of them pick up on the sarcasm.

8:25

Myles - Okay, Marisa Tomei is in her 40s. How on earth does she manage to stay so youthful? On a side note, I fear I am sinking into the mindset on these entertainment reporters the more I watch this.

8:30

Myles - Enter our controversial new host, Hugh Jackman, as the show begins. He has confidence and showmanship, but maybe somebody should have written him a joke or two. He follows up the shortest opening monologue ever with a showy musical tribute to the year's films. It's cute, but a little gimmicky for my tastes. I do admire his openness in admitting that he never bothered to see The Reader. Overall very entertaining.

8:39
Keith - Great opening. Hugh is doing a great job so far.

8:43

Myles - In a change from tradition, we have five previous Best Supporting Actress winners presenting the award. While it lends a bit more gravitas to the proceedings, it also extends the presentation of a single category to about ten minutes in length.

8:47
Keith - Penelope takes the first one. Taraji Henson is beautiful, and the new format is pretty dope. Kind of corny, but better than before.

8:56

Myles - Dustin Lance Black gives a moving, heartfelt speech, cementing Milk's status as an important and moving film.

9:02

Myles - Slumdog wins Adapted Screenplay. Is this a sign of things to come?

9:05

Myles - Jack Black and Jennifer Aniston introduce a clever little segment chronicling the big animated films of the year, leading up to the winner of the category, WALL-E (surprise surprise).

9:17

Joey- Everything has a sort of club like feel...even the jazz music in the background during the art direction presentation

9:24

Myles - I've noticed about the show this year is that it's fantastically paced. They keep the various categories in groups and keep it moving at a brisk pace with vary little downtime. Very classy: I like it.

9:27

Joey- I'm digging that everything feels very natural and less scripted and forced than in years past...even the witty banter has a good feel to it.

9:26

Myles - Robert Pattison and Amanda Seyfried introduce a montage of all the romantic moments from film this year. It's cute without coming off as cheesy. It also brings home how the most poignant romance of the year was between the two robots from WALL-E. Go figure.

9:32

Myles - Ben Stiller comes on playing Joaquin Phoenix. Everyone laughs and gets the joke, implying that Mr. Phoenix's reputation in Hollywood has already gone and dried up.

9:35

Joey - Loved Stiller's lampoon...even Natalie Portman played it off well. On a more serious note...is this win for Slumdog a good indicator that we won't have too much in the way of surprises this evening?

9:36

Myles - Yeah, probably.

9:40

Joey - One can still hope for some originality...we still have some drama left in Best Actor, Original Song, and a tech award or two.

9:43

Myles - The stoners from Pineapple Express lead a hilarious segment on the comedies and the unintentionally funny dramas of the year.

9:45

Joey - Perhaps the Academy likes Judd Apatow more than previously thought. A good sign for Funny People's chances next year?

9:52

Joey - The first ever Barack Obama/musical joke ever?

9:53

Myles - Jackman leads another musical number. At first it was a cool change of pace, now it feels utterly superfluous. The pacing has definitely started dragging since the early segments. Jackman is a fantastic entertainer, but I feel like somebody needs to remind him that this is the Oscars, not the Tonys.

9:55

Joey - Was Zac Efron really necessary?

9:57

Myles - Or the Mamma Mia couple? Or Beyonce? Or the entire segment?

9:59

Joey - Well played sir...well played.

10:00

Myles - On another note, I think it's been about twenty minutes since we've announced a winner. I wasn't aware the Oscars had this much time to burn.

10:03

Joey - Cuba Gooding Jr...hoping for someone to see him here and cast him in something worthwhile for a change?

10:05

Joey - On a serious note...I very much like how they make each nominee feel like a winner in their own right before crowning an "official" winner.

10:08

Myles - Standing ovation as Heath Ledger becomes the second posthumous Oscar winner for acting. It may have been expected, but it was never anything less than deserved.

10:10

Joey - Everyone the camera focused in on was choking back tears...quite moving.

10:12

Myles - Okay, having Bill Maher come on to present Best Documentary after they snubbed Religulous is just cold. As such he takes the opportunity to advertise his own film anyway. Also, the winner for Man on Wire is a magician.

10:18

Joey - The pace is definitely slowing down now...wonder if they're on schedule or not?

10:23

Myles - I would sincerely hope so. We're currently at the Action segment of the highlight reels, showcasing The Dark Knight, Iron Man, Quantum of Solace, and all the summer dreck you'd assumed wasn't classy enough to even be mentioned at the Oscars.

10:29

Joey - So much for a Slumdog sweep.

10:32

Myles - Eh, don't speak too soon. I don't think any of us were expecting Sound Mixing of all things.

10:35

Joey - No sweep, but it's beginning to dominate...I think Best Picture is 95% sewn up, unless Milk or The Reader has a late surge...but I have my doubts.

10:37

Myles - For me, there is no more doubt: Slumdog Millionaire will win Best Picture. On a side note, I'm getting kind of thrown of by some of the transitional music choices. We have some Electric Light Orchestra here, some Aimee Mann there. They can't quite find a theme to settle on.

10:39
Keith - No doubt, Slumdog is a shoe in. It won editing, and generally that's a pretty good indicator of who will win best picture. So far, the show has been fairly predictable. But, I have to say it's slightly more entertaining than last year.

10:42

Myles - Eddie Murphy (who's an Oscar nominee, remember that?), introduces Jerry Lewis as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Lewis's speech is heartfelt, if not particularly funny (except for the beautiful facial expression following his final "thank you").

10:51
Keith - Fairly decent speech. Succinct. This is a pretty decent musical number.

10:55

Joey - The march for Slumdog continues...

10:58

Myles - I'm not sure who this guy is they had replace Peter Gabriel to sing "Down To Earth", but he's making me forget why I liked the song so much. Where is Bruce Springsteen when you need him?

11:00
Keith - It's John Legend.

11:01

Joey - Indeed on both the John Legend and Springsteen comments.

11:06

Myles - Liam Neeson and Frieda Pinto? They really know how to mix and match these presenters.

11:07
Keith - First shock of the night in Best Foreign Film category. Did anyone predict Departures?

11:10

Joey - Believe it or not, I did.

11:10
Keith - Much props. What prompted you to pick Departures over Class or Waltz?

11:13

Joey - Gut instinct that this category can go in some odd directions, but also that The Class was a late bloomer awards wise, save for the Palm D'or, but they rarely translate to Oscars...and Waltz just felt too "off" for a win, if that makes sense

11:14

Myles - Can I just say I was not a fan of the In Memorial tribute? Not only can you barely read some of the names, but the Academy managed to forget Brad Renfro for the second year running.

11:19
Keith - Certainly. Any doubt Danny Boyle doesn't win?

11:20
Keith - I meant to follow that with nope. Danny Boyle is a showman. Much congrats to him and Slumdog.

11:22

Joey - Indeed sir. Now that we're onto the big awards, strap in. I think both Lead Acting slots are more open than we think, but Best Picture...less so.

11:26
Keith - You're right Joey. Or, at least I hope you are. Best Picture might be wrapped up though.

11:28

Joey - Best Pic is done I think...It's Rourke vs Penn for Actor, but I think Melissa Leo or Anne Hathaway have a slightly better shot at this than we're giving them...I still think Kate Winslet is up for the wrong movie, but she's a fine choice here as well.

11:31:

Myles - Sophia Loren could play Dracula's wife someday. And Marion Cotillard should play my lover, like now.

11:33

Joey - Johnny Depp beat you to it my friend, in terms of Marion (Public Enemies). Good for Kate Winslet though...I was more a fan of her previous nominations for Eternal Sunshine and Little Children, but it's good she finally has an Oscar.

11:35

Myles - Duly noted. I feel like The Reader is to Kate Winslet what The Departed was to Martin Scorsese; not their best work, but more then good enough for them to win with.

11:38
Keith - Marion should be nominated off the strength of her looks. She is beautiful. Winslet was due an Oscar. I look at it as a life time achievement award. Well deserved for her entire body of work.

11:40

Joey - Here we go...does Mickey complete the comeback?

11:43
Keith - Hopefully.

11:44

Myles - Evidently not. That's really a shame. Harvey Milk will live on as Penn's best role, but Rourke's performance was truly legendary.

11:47
Keith- No no. Hopefully Rourke will get back on this stage again. Slumdog is gonna win. I can probably turn off my t.v. now. They showed 12 ANGRY MEN! Awesome!

11:50

Joey - I don't see anyone else winning, but maybe, just maybe, Milk has a shot.

11:52
Keith - Well that was awfully predictable.

11:53

Myles - I will say I enjoyed the Best Picture montage before the obvious Slumdog victory. Nice way to end the evening.

11:54

Joey - Indeed Myles...still smarting over Rourke's loss, but he's not the first deserving one to lose...overall, an interesting night, but not much in the way of surprises...mild shame.

11: 55

Myles - What's this? A preview of some flicks from next year. Sherlock Holmes, Funny People, Up, Terminator Salvation, Fame, Julie and Julia, 500 Days of Summer, Amelia, Whatever Works, Inglourious Basterds, Night at the Museum 2, Monsters vs. Aliens, The Soloist, Harry Potter 6, Angels and Demons, Old Dogs, Ice Age 3, The Boat That Rocked, An Education, State of Play, Imagine That, and G-Force.

12:00
Keith- Unfortunately, the Academy made it seem like Slumdog was the best movie far and beyond. However, the show was pretty good. Thought it was better than last year. Yet, there were very few surprises, which makes for a predictable show.

12:02

Myles - Well, I was very entertained by the show itself, and liked the new direction that they took in presenting it. I'd like to thank my co-bloggers, Joey Magidson and Keith Lucas, our editor-in-chief and fearless leader Clayton Davis, the found of the Oscar Igloo Johnny Alba, and of course all of the readers that allow us to continue reporting on what we love every year. Here's to another good season, and looking forward to an even better one next year. Good night!

12:06
Keith - I second what Myles said. The AwardsCircuit team worked very hard this year, and I think we did a phenomenal job with the site. We will continue to improve and bring you movie news throughout the year. I look forward to working with you guys again for the '09/10 Oscar race. Cheers to a prosperous year, and much thanks to all of our readers!

12:12

Joey - Me three for what everyone said. Good night, and good luck!