. . . actually was sort of a sprint, as far as Academy Awards presentations go. A kinder and gentler show than the one hosted in 2013 by Seth MacFarlane, this year's emcee--Ellen Degeneres--did NOT sing a companion piece (that is, "We saw your d - - - s") to MacFarlane's infamous t - - - - ditty from a year ago (since she A)is a classier host, B)has less interest in male anatomy than Seth has in female bods, C)would not have much to work with beyond Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Mark Wahlberg, and Willem Dafoe, or D)all of the above). On the other hand, I did not quite understand why Ellen seemed to be picking on Liza Minnelli. Anyway, if we have any luck, they will disqualify the crummiest TWO songs next year, as this year's DQ shortened the program by five minutes or so, and performing the "Best Song" nominees is one of this awards shin-digs obligatory "Hamburger Helper"-type extenders. Though I would have included best animated feature Oscar-winner FROZEN, as well as SAVING MR. BANKS, among best picture nominees (even though I hate the Disney conglomerate as much as anyone, now that Ms. Travers has passed on), this is my ranking of the nine pictures actually nominated: DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, PHILOMENA, NEBRASKA, AMER!CAN HUSTLE, GRAVITY, THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, HER, & CAPTAIN PHILLIPS. However, since I ranked 2013 "best flick" ARGO down in 6th place among last year's nine nominees, I will not quibble with this year's results. Way to go, Academy!
Review of The Oscars
