How do you summarize an Oscar ceremony in which normally appealing host Neil Patrick Harris let smarminess make weak jokes even less funny, where several important issues (race relations, wage inequality, suicide, Alzheimer’s, ALS) were addressed sincerely and, for some reason, where Lady Gaga performed “The Sound of Music”? It was a lot to digest, but here are some thoughts on the 87th annual Academy Awards, which were broadcast Sunday night.
Get off the stage
Anna Kendrick threw a shoe at Jack Black in the middle of an OK opening number. This is not something I realized I wanted to see, but I’m very glad that it happened.
Speaking of the opening
I think I gave Harris the benefit of the doubt and predicted he’d wait six minutes before making a Kanye West reference. It actually took about 45 seconds.
Classic speech
J.K. Simmons wins Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Whiplash.” Not only did he 100 percent deserve the Oscar for his great performance in a great movie, his speech focused on an appreciation of his family and told everyone to call their parents, “if you’re lucky enough to have a parent alive on this planet.” Instant classic acceptance speech.
Musical moment
Tegan and Sara and the Lonely Island perform “Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie.” Read that sentence again. There is so much fun in it that the performance itself almost couldn’t live up to it, but it did. And Questlove was on drums! The only thing that wasn’t awesome was the introduction from Best Actress nominee Marion Cotillard, a terrific actress who, to the surprise of no one, doesn’t seem to be particularly familiar with the Lonely Island.
Stripped down performance
With Miles Teller (“Whiplash”) drumming along, Harris recreates a scene from “Birdman.” Not much needs to be said about this. Pretty sure NPH is the only Oscars host ever to introduce presenters while wearing tighty-whities. For what it’s worth, this bit worked better than several of the night’s jokes.
Lego my trophy
“Big Hero 6” wins Best Animated Feature. Most people expected “How to Train Your Dragon 2” to win, and that’s the better movie. But the only justice would be if the trophy said “The Lego Movie” on it.
Pronunciation fails
Hosting an awards show in front of the entire planet can’t be easy, but at the very least you need to get everyone’s name right. NPH botched the pronunciation of both Chiwetel Ejiofor, Margot Robbie and David Oyelowo (twice!). Prepare, practice, no problem.
Good sport award
Octavia Spencer, a past Oscar winner for “The Help,” got stuck in a running joke about guarding Harris’ list of Oscar predictions, but only NPH looked bad in the process. #leaveoctaviaalone
Standing O
Common and John Legend’s powerful performance of now-Best Original Song “Glory” from “Selma” was a highlight of the Grammy Awards and now of the Oscars telecast, earning a much-deserved standing ovation. During the performance, the camera repeatedly showed audience members in tears, including “Selma” star David Oyelowo and Chris Pine. In the acceptance speech, Legend said, “We say that Selma is now because the struggle for justice is right now.”
The sound of freaking out
Have you ever had a nightmare combining two things you can’t stand? And then have you watched that nightmare come true and get a standing ovation from all of Hollywood? Well, Lady Gaga sang songs from “The Sound of Music,” and it was a nightmare.
Chicago connection
Chicago native Graham Moore, winner of Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Imitation Game,” gave an incredible acceptance speech in which he shared that he attempted suicide at age 16 because he felt like he didn’t belong anywhere. He urged everyone in the audience who feels the same to “stay weird, stay different.” He knew exactly what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. And didn’t even need to read from prepared notes.
Barely containing himself
You have to love Best Actor winner Eddie Redmayne, who was the most deserving of the nominees and gave an acceptance speech full of gratitude and charm. “I’m fully aware that I am a lucky, lucky man,” said Redmayne, winner for playing Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything.” You are, Eddie, but it was talent that earned you that statue.
‘Birdman’ over ‘Boyhood’
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (“Birdman”) defeats Richard Linklater (“Boyhood”) for Best Director. Wes Anderson (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”) should’ve won, but Inarritu beating Linklater is a victory for impressive execution over impressive concept.
Add 5 years
Guaranteed Best Actress winner Julianne Moore thanked the Academy because an article said winning an Oscar adds five years to your life. It does? Why has no one acknowledged this before?
‘Birdman’ flies
“Birdman” wasn’t the best movie of the year, not by a long shot. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” was. But as one of the few critics who has long disputed the alleged greatness of “Boyhood,” I admit “Birdman’s” Best Picture win makes me happy.