2009 Oscars Highlights

1. “Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.”

I should just go ahead and stop there, because, seriously, nothing topped Mr. Animated Short Film’s thank you speech. However, I’m always too wordy…

2. Steve Martin to Tina Fey: “Don’t fall in love with me.” While I am starting to get a little “enough of Tina Fey”-ish, that line was pretty all time. Only Steve Martin could have pulled it off.

3. Making fun of Joaquin Phoenix. I take it that Hollywood assumes this is schtick or doesn’t give a shite that poor Joaquin is OUTTA HIS EFFING MIND?

4. Jennifer Aniston’s presentation. Did we really need those cuts to Brad and Angie? BRAD AND JENNIFER DIVORCED AND NOW HE’S WITH ANGELINA. WE GET IT. IT HAPPENS. AND NOT JUST IN HOLLYWOOD.

5. Hugh Jackman: “The musical is back.” Thank you, Hugh. Especially the Wolverine line. I loved all the West Side Story. Now if you could just explain to me who thought it would be a good idea for you and Beyonce to sing “You’re the One That I Want” when CLEARLY you should have sang something from Kiss of the Spider Woman, I’d be most pleased. I don’t care that that musical was never made into a movie. It was the musical you two were made to sing.

6. Jessica Biel, what’s with the toga? Now please make a movie, or at the very least a cameo on Entourage. I’m starting to forget all about that high spirited gal who posed in Playboy to get out of her 7th Heaven contract.

7. The New Boy. YES! I’m stoked this got nominated, even if it didn’t win. Did I not mention that I loved this some time ago?

8. Pineapple Express. James Franco, seriously, JAMES FRANCO. Why are you so funny???? Laughing at The Reader!!!!

9. JC Penny commercials, anyone? No offense on the money you spent on your crazy good looking models and fancy commercials, but seriously, your clothes are UGLY. Ain’t nothing gonna change that.

10. Message to Queen Latifah and Reese Witherspoon: lose the black sash. Also, Reese, who did your hair? Nobody?

11. I *heart* Paul Newman.

12. When that La Vie en Rose actress was telling Kate what an inspiring actress she was, my sister in law paused the show on Kate Winslet’s face and said: “I’m Kate Winslet. Who are you, again?” Exactly.

13. And, Kate, you’re the most nominated actress of your generation, and the running favorite for tonight, and you thought it was a good idea to pour entire canister of gel onto your head?

14. And lastly, Tom Cruise doesn’t have a cat. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

I never knew Paul Newman, but that didn’t stop me from feeling sadness when I saw the headline announcing his death. When there’s talk of Paul Newman movies, there are limitless movies to reference. There’s this:

“Nobody can eat 50 eggs.”

And then there’s this:

“What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?”

And there’s also this:

“Next time I say let’s go to Bolivia, let’s GO TO BOLIVIA.”

As for me, I have two favorite Paul Newman movies. The Long Hot Summer and Hud.

Back in the day when I had cable and watched TV leisurely, I enjoyed the AMC channel. And on one random day, I saw these two movies back to back, mesmerized.

The Long, Hot Summer is based on a few works by William Faulkner. So, um, it’s about the South. We have the overbearing southern father, Will Varner (Orson Welles), his strong-willed daughter, Clara Varner (Joanne Woodward), his demanding fiancée, Minnie Littlejohn (Angela Lansbury), and his erratic son, Jody Varner (Anthony Franciosa). And along comes Ben Quick (Paul Newman), the sexy stranger. Will Varner embraces Ben Quick, offers him work. He sees in Quick the strength and smarts he admires in men, the kind of man his son is not, and he wants to pair Quick up with his daughter. The movie has a rocking kiss scene between Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, rocking enough to tell me there’s no wondering as to how they stayed married all those years.

In Hud, which is based on a Larry “Lonesome Dove” McMurtry novel, Paul Newman is the older of two sons born to a Texas rancher, Homer Bannon (Melvyn Douglas). Hud is rebellious, defiant, and, of course, sexy. There’s Alma the house maid (Patricia Neal), with whom there’s a slightly flirtatious relationship that takes a bad turn when Hud has a bad night. Also along for the ride in family turmoil is Lonnie Bannon, Hud’s nephew, who lives with Homer. Lonnie idolizes Hud, but as he spends more time with Hud, the glamour fades. The family ranch is in jeopardy due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and Homer wants to do the right thing while Hud wants to stop him from being so scrupulous. There’s death and disappointment, some remorse, and life goes on. In short, it’s the work of Larry McMurtry on the big screen.

In addition to a career full of wonderful roles, I admire Paul Newman for never living a life like the brash upstarts he often portrayed. He was admirable man who cared about the world we live in, and acted on this care, founding an organic food line and a camp for children. His life is one I dream of imitating. All the best to his family.