tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post3239205478599377351..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: 2020 Oscars -- my brief recapBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83991215159087717482020-02-13T11:10:36.999-08:002020-02-13T11:10:36.999-08:00Maybe your headline should have been "2020 Os...Maybe your headline should have been "2020 Oscars--My Brief ReCRAP"<br />YEKIMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01921751875397071034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76043960610059297862020-02-11T14:38:45.905-08:002020-02-11T14:38:45.905-08:00Came here to berate you for saying Maya Rudolph is...Came here to berate you for saying Maya Rudolph is not funny, but now I realize I was thinking of Rachel Dratch.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64433553694852206022020-02-11T11:10:19.940-08:002020-02-11T11:10:19.940-08:00>> "Well, when Bong Joon Ho went up to ...>> "Well, when Bong Joon Ho went up to accept his directing Oscar, she did say that this was his second Oscar win. Apparently she can't count to three." <<<br /><br />She was actually correct. The official winner of Best International Feature is the country, not the director. Bong Joon Ho accepted that award on behalf of South Korea. For this same reason, at least according to the Academy, he didn't officially tie Walt Disney's record 4 Oscars in one night as some reported.Jeffrey Graebnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04452864460607926061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62577447133548517342020-02-11T11:07:55.843-08:002020-02-11T11:07:55.843-08:00Ken, first of all, I truly appreciate that you did...Ken, first of all, I truly appreciate that you did offer the comments you did on the Oscars telecast. It was easily the best review I've seen, even if it wasn't the full review you've done in the past. I didn't agree with everything you said, but that should be fine, and even when I didn't agree I found what you wrote either thoughtful or funny or both. And I completely, completely agree with your reaction to Maya Rudolph. She is in EVERYTHING and I almost always can't stand what she brings. I actually thought her bit in the Oscars was less painful to me than usual, but still. I always yell at the TV when I see her pop up, as she invariably does. Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45143209021343080902020-02-11T05:57:22.525-08:002020-02-11T05:57:22.525-08:00With a name like Bong Joon Ho, he should direct a ...With a name like Bong Joon Ho, he should direct a Cheech and Chong movie next.Kosmo13noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85853101120420004882020-02-11T05:35:11.638-08:002020-02-11T05:35:11.638-08:00To Lorimartian: I did not see "Cats" but...To Lorimartian: I did not see "Cats" but, there are almost universally-acclaimed movies, some that garner a tepid response, some that are bad and there are many other categories in between.<br /><br />Then there are movies that are perceived to be bad and the perception goes viral. Danny Peary, the author of the "Cult Movies" books talks about his distaste for "Bad Movie" nights at second-run houses and the section of the audience that cannot wait to look down their noses on a film that all the cool kids have deemed to be awful.<br /><br />For me, my "Cats" would be "The Lone Ranger" from 2013. Johnny Depp's Tonto was, politely, an acquired taste and the movie is CERTAINLY not a classic, but it did not deserve the scorn heaped upon it. The nice thing about it was that going in with no expectations, the bar is decidedly lower in my mind to be entertained. The same goes for "The Last Action Hero".<br /><br />That's not to say I don't think that all movies are great, but I try to shut out the peer pressure of the hip hate-watcher.Brian Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06485075283223444305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74498661997660032562020-02-11T05:24:45.462-08:002020-02-11T05:24:45.462-08:00FRIDAY QUESTION: Years ago, I remember seeing an &...FRIDAY QUESTION: Years ago, I remember seeing an "Entertainment Tonight"(or something like it) that was a "Behind the Scenes" story about Frasier. Kelsey Grammer was not enamored with a line directed to David Hyde-Pierce's Niles. The line was rewritten. In that spirit, were there any lines that had to be rewritten because Moose was incapable of achieving the desired effect?Brian Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06485075283223444305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5462830517794702192020-02-11T03:44:02.230-08:002020-02-11T03:44:02.230-08:00What in tarnation? Is this real?
https://nypost....What in tarnation? Is this real?<br /><br />https://nypost.com/2020/02/10/mlb-plotting-playoff-expansion-with-reality-tv-twist/Anne in Rockwall, TXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00171076259617071023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15660581612099875322020-02-11T03:39:07.578-08:002020-02-11T03:39:07.578-08:00You're welcome to leave if you don't like ...You're welcome to leave if you don't like it.Christy Greynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52377867326235196432020-02-10T23:03:55.640-08:002020-02-10T23:03:55.640-08:00I was at an Oscar party and at the end of the even...I was at an Oscar party and at the end of the evening, I won the booby prize for the least amount of correct predictions for the evening. I was given a (used) DVD of "Gigli." My acceptance speech was heartfelt. "I would just like to thank all my family and friends who dragged me along on this journey, where I gained the knowledge that if you milk a cow with love and understanding, when you die you will forever be in the arms of Judy Garland."<br />Craig Gustafsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503925766039307551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47129215310733326582020-02-10T22:46:31.552-08:002020-02-10T22:46:31.552-08:00Nailed it, Ken. I would like to like Maya Rudolph ...Nailed it, Ken. I would like to like Maya Rudolph but her “comedy” is simply not funny. It just lays there like a collapsed soufflé. It was painful to watch her and Kristen Wiig attempt to entertain with a weak, barely written series of awkward moves. She has had numerous chances. Time to let someone — almost anyone — have those chances.<br />And Billie Eilish was right.Prairie Perspectivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02154574048042724149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-34363686929916574502020-02-10T19:31:40.132-08:002020-02-10T19:31:40.132-08:00I thought this was one of the best Oscars, with so...I thought this was one of the best Oscars, with some exceptions, in terms of entertainment value in years. Unfortunately, it may be too late to bring back the younger crowd that this particular telecast seriously attempted to regain. I laughed out loud at some of the jokes/repartee and was delighted to see the live orchestra back in the auditorium after being relegated to the basement of a building three blocks away the past few years. I admit that I don't get Eilish...the few times I've seen her, she looks either manic or in extreme pain when she sings. I was happy that a female composer won for best score.<br /><br />Lastly, I want to put in a good word for CATS. Not a perfect film but not the train wreck the critics would have one believe. It features a beyond talented ensemble of performers who deserve to be seen on the big screen. Those I know who saw it were thoroughly entertained, as was I. It's a shame it was so harshly dismissed for reasons I still can't fathom. Lorimartiannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90870123161346034102020-02-10T17:12:57.995-08:002020-02-10T17:12:57.995-08:00The Bumble Bee Pendant "asked":
Why was...The Bumble Bee Pendant "asked":<br /><br /><i>Why was Leo nominated as Best Actor?</i><br /><br />then commented:<br /><br /><i> Pitt was the star of the movie and Leo was almost another actor on set. His scenes could have been cut.</i><br /><br />It seems plain that Pitt's Cliff Booth/Stuntman role was fairly-narrow - not a particular acting challenge. <br /><br />Contrast with Leo's Rick Dalton/TV Western/Action Actor - which had a considerably wider emotional range. <br /><br />It is not clear that the Rick Dalton character was the LEAD and Cliff Booth the sidekick (though WHAT a SIDEKICK and WHAT A COUP for QT)?<br /><br />(BTW, I have always thought Pitt a fine actor - when the role calls for it)<br /><br />I assumed that Billie Eilish's grimace (during a medley of "old songs") was a reaction to those songs. Perhaps this is unfair - Newsweek suggests this was a (understandable, appropriate) reaction to her own image appearing on "giant screens" at the the show: <br /><br />https://www.newsweek.com/billie-eilish-reaction-maya-rudolph-kristen-wiig-oscars-meme-1486481<br />Jahn Ghaltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86798118552060474252020-02-10T17:07:27.255-08:002020-02-10T17:07:27.255-08:00@ I'm Outraged:
Thought the same thing while ...@ I'm Outraged:<br /><br />Thought the same thing while reading this morning...checking back to see if anyone responded to the fierce negative energy on display. Over the Oscars.kitano0https://www.blogger.com/profile/06824983309821731821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55951172634808094832020-02-10T16:55:07.097-08:002020-02-10T16:55:07.097-08:00It's nice we have trivial stuff like this to d...It's nice we have trivial stuff like this to distract us during the final year of our democracy.Garynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51391654309483958082020-02-10T16:35:20.357-08:002020-02-10T16:35:20.357-08:00Agreed - Steve Martin & Chris Rock WERE funny....Agreed - Steve Martin & Chris Rock WERE funny. <br /><br />I liked the opening number - but didn't get who the lead singer was. <br /><br />Very Odd that Tom Hanks was nominated for "Supporting Actor". <br /><br />Was it me, or was there a chilly response when Pitt, twice, made a not-so-oblique reference to the I-word (during his winner's speech)?<br /><br />Did anyone notice? ALL FIVE of the supporting actor nominees was a bona fide veteran movie star. Brad Pitt (now 56) was the "baby" in the group. The others were: <br /><br />Hanks - 63<br />Pesci - turned 77 day of the show<br />Pacino - 79<br />Hopkins - 82<br /><br />Average age = 71+ - that seems like a record for the category (include lead actor for that). <br /><br />Zellweger getting the nod for Best Actress - no big surprise, given that film's long-overdue homage to Judy Garland.<br /><br />Scarlett Johansson got TWO nominations - a big feather in her cap. <br /><br />Harvey Weinstein - before he was "outed" - was a big promoter of indie films. Shouldn't THAT be worthy of being "honored and honored and honored"?<br /><br />How long should <i>The Irishman</i> (also nominated for Editing - 209 minutes) have been?<br /><br />Keaton and Reeves - gets the nod for oddest, most awkward presenter-couple (interesting that Reeves had some normality and emotional range for the "part") Jahn Ghaltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48103070591257883732020-02-10T16:05:01.761-08:002020-02-10T16:05:01.761-08:00Ironic that not one woman in the history of cinema...Ironic that not one woman in the history of cinema has come forward with the idea of just putting all the actors together when nominated. Best Actor - both genders, Best Supporting Actor - both genders. Ladies if you want equality there's your answer. But is Nat Portman willing to battle it out with Hanks and Phoenix? Doubt it. <br /><br />What you folks should be outraged about is West Ham United is in the relegation zone of the English Premier League and about to be dropped into the second division, 2 years after moving into a brand new 60,000 seat stadium. Direct your anger over there.Stephen Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15382570443203706976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13256888171395074512020-02-10T15:52:04.486-08:002020-02-10T15:52:04.486-08:00@Gary - Okay, I have visited a couple of those lin...@Gary - Okay, I have visited a couple of those links, against my better judgment. Again, no offence intended toward you, but frankly the YouTube comments section is not my cup of tea. Not exactly known for its civility and maturity. Not to mention basic grammar and spelling.Rob Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720950376172960539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80983445190517269082020-02-10T15:16:47.088-08:002020-02-10T15:16:47.088-08:00"Edward said...
1. The Irishman lost as the p...<i>"Edward said...<br />1. The Irishman lost as the powers that be did not want Robert DeNiro on stage cursing and using the platform to make stupid political attacks about the president."</i><br /><br />There is no such thing as a "stupid political attack" on Trump. Only defenses of Trump are stupid. And "The Powers That Be" at the Oscars rightly loathe Trump. <i>The Irishman</i> lost because they Academy members voting in the various categories preferred other work, or they hadn't finished watching it yet.D McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16195758032921443652020-02-10T15:10:25.175-08:002020-02-10T15:10:25.175-08:00"First time I ever heard cow insemination bro...<i>"First time I ever heard cow insemination brought up in a victory speech."</i><br /><br />But many a cow has been inseminated at Oscar after-parties.<br /><br />I asked at the time, how is Tom Hanks a supporting player in his movie? Is the movie about Mr. Rogers's best friend?<br /><br /><i>"Melissa Disney did a great job as offstage announcer."</i><br /><br />Well, when Bong Joon Ho went up to accept his directing Oscar, she did say that this was his second Oscar win. Apparently she can't count to three.<br /><br />After Joaquin Phoenix completed his lecture to us, I expected Rami Malik to start with, "If you could hold off slitting your wrists for a few moments, we'd like to give out Best Actress."<br /><br />There were a hell of a lot of hostettes, one-segment hosts or hostesses, at whom I yelled, "WHO ARE YOU?" Then they'd say their names, and I yelled, "OK that's your name, but <i><b>WHO ARE YOU?</b></i>"<br /><br />Is Billie Ellish always toneless and flat? Her performance of Paul McCartney's lovely <i>Yesterday</i> made me envy the people in the "In Memorium" montage. At least they didn't have to hear the ear-torture she was putting out.<br /><br />My Fast-forward button saved me from suffering through Eminem.D McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13306453277285857592020-02-10T14:44:45.650-08:002020-02-10T14:44:45.650-08:00The thing about Phoenix's speech: I generally ...The thing about Phoenix's speech: I generally agree with his statements (although I'm not protesting milk) and I got tired of listening to him.Charles Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40402857833643259062020-02-10T13:53:39.514-08:002020-02-10T13:53:39.514-08:00A lot of shallow, ugly comments here, including pa...A lot of shallow, ugly comments here, including pathetic name calling, a bit beneath this site I would have thought, Ken.I'm Outraged!https://www.blogger.com/profile/08329023172070049233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37718000052819011292020-02-10T13:38:21.056-08:002020-02-10T13:38:21.056-08:00I hope he's planning to not kill himself.I hope he's planning to not kill himself.Eggnog Atmospherenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58949125862456108072020-02-10T13:21:26.897-08:002020-02-10T13:21:26.897-08:00I'm with Fred Vogel today. Plus, I do think Ma...I'm with Fred Vogel today. Plus, I do think Maya Rudolph is funny, and that she and Kristin Wiig were terrific; so sue me.flurbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04826553966794535101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90320005585767449132020-02-10T12:17:59.860-08:002020-02-10T12:17:59.860-08:00Ken, a sincere question. If you dislike the Oscars...Ken, a sincere question. If you dislike the Oscars so much, why do you even bother to watch them? That's an awfully big chunk of time out of your life to send watching something you hate. Maxnoreply@blogger.com