The Academy Awards (1929 - Present): Review By Corey

For the 82nd Annual Academy Awards held last year, I felt as if Steve Martin and Alec Balwin as hosts did a pretty lackluster job. I mean, the two opened up nicely about their new movie "It's Complicated" and had a pretty interesting "make-fun" of their co-star Meyrel Streep. But, other than that quick beginning I felt as if the two had bad chemistry and didn't go the limit to keep the show entertaining. This year, however, makes up for last year with James Franco and Anne Hathway, two young stars very well known today, as the hosts. I felt as if the two did a great job keeping up with the humor and making everything very entertained. The two had nice chemistry on stage, even though Franco seemed a bit out of it in the first half. But, I loved the beginning and they both managed to keep me enterained through-out, even if the Oscars this year did get me a bit upset for certain films being robbed by others.

Taking home the Best Picture oscar was the incredible "The King's Speech". Though I knew that it was a battle between that and "The Social Network", I was quite surprised that "The King's Speech" took the win. With "The Social Network" having equal buzz, if not more, and even winning the Globe for Best Picture, I thought it'd take the win. But, I'm rather happy "The King's Speech" won over "The Social Network" because if I had it my way it'd be "Inception", then "Black Swan", then "The King's Speech", and then "The Social Network". But, "Inception" and "Black Swan" never really having the same chance as the other two, I'm happy "The King's Speech" scooped up the win, because it definitly deserved it a little more.

Best director going to Tom Hopper on "The King's Speech" was a perfect pick in my own opinon. David Fincher, being my favorite director of all time, you'd think I'd go with his picture "The Social Network" all the way. Well, Hopper's incredible take on England and beautiful look had me hoping he'd win from the moment he was nominated. But, here is the sad thing, if Christopher Nolan was nominated for Best Director, I'd probably go with him over Tom Hopper. Nolan created such a incredible dream-world and had such amazing sets that I was shocked he wasn't nominated. The Academy robbing Nolan is quite a shame and I know that many agree with me. Anyways, I'll have to get over that. Other than, I'm more than happy Tom Hopper won for Best Director.

Colin Firth, with his incredible performance in "The King's Speech" took home the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role and it doesn't come to me as a surprise. Thinking it'd be a battle between Jesse Eisenberg and Colin Firth, I was happy Firth took the win in the end because his performance mixed with the stammers was, in fact, the best performance I saw last year, besides Bale's performance as Dicky Eklund, but that's in a whole other category. I found Firth's speech to be delightful and he definitly deserved more than Eisenberg, Frano, and Bridges. I can't say for Bardem because I yet to see "Biutiful", but, I can't imagine a performance better than Firth's.

Natalie Portman (of course!) took home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Should it surprise you? Her performance as Nina in "Black Swan" was remained innocent and guilty, light and dark and kept audiences gripping onto their seats from beginning to end. The only real compeition Portman had against her was from Nicole Kidman in "Rabbit Hole", and even that performance couldn't be compared to Portman's in "Black Swan". Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone), Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine), Annette Bening (The Kids are All Right) all gave great performances last year in their films, but, not enough to beat out Natalie Portman. Congrats, you well deserved it!

Bringing home the Oscar for Actor in a Supporting-Role was obviously Christian Bale in his performance as Dicky Eklund in "The Fighter", based on the true story of Mikey "the Irish" Ward. His performance as a retired boxer, and also crack-addict, was memorizing and will never be forgotton. Risking his health in order to loose weight for the role, it was no surprise from the beginning that Bale would give this one his all. He certaintly does proving to audiences that he is one of the greatest actors of our generation. I hope to see Bale in more roles like this, not as crack-addicts, but more dramatic-roles and less gritty, action-hero roles. His speech was pretty funny, as well. "I won't be like Leo and drop the f-bomb. I've used that more than once". LOL

Melissa Leo brought home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in a leading role and I can honestly say that I feel as if she doesn't deserve it. Amy Adams and Hailee Steinfeld both deserved the win over her. Amy Adams, who also starred in "The Fighter" outshined Leo in every scene she was in. Hailee Steinfeld was able to stand just as strong as Jeff Bridges did in "True Grit". I honestly would've went with Steinfeld if it was by my choice, but, this wouldn't be the first time the Academy gave away the Oscar to an undeserving nominee.

Aaron Sorkin took home an Oscar for his adapted screenplay of "The Social Network". No surprise there. And David Seidler won for his Orginal Screenplay of "The King's Speech". That's no shocker. Seilder's dramatic, perfect dialog mixed in with "The King's Speech" was well-worth its win. I had no problem with the choices for Adapted and Orginal Screenplay.

Here is what I was a bit upset about, but also not too shocked about either. "Toy Story 3" taking the win for "Best Animated Feature.". I mean, the movie was great, don't get me wrong, but, "How to train your dragon" was a story so compelling and heroic that it deserved an Oscar the minute I first saw it. I know their are others users on this site who deeply agree with me and I really wish the Academy went with Dreamsworks Animation this year instead of it's instant-winner Pixar. Oh, well, at least I can guarentee "Cars 2" won't take it next year. That SHOULD be a fact.

"Alice in Wonderland" somehow managed to grapple two different Oscars: Art Direction and Costume Design. Me, personally, would've had "The King's Speech" be the winner for the both of those, it being much better in both categories and "Alice in Wolderland" being not even that worthy of the nominee.

"Inception" grabbled both Best Cinematography and Sound Mixing. Wally Pfister's cinematography on Inception deserved the win. But, I wish Inception won Best Score over "The Social Network". "Inception"('s) score was much more epic, while "The Social Network"('s) was a tad too dry.

Taking home best Doc*mentary was "Inside Job", which i still yet to see, but based on @Supes review of it, it was well worth the win. So, I'll have to see it when it hits DVD.

Overall, the Academy Awards were great this year. Franco and Hathaway put on a fantastic show and I personally loved Hathaway's single-"duet" about Hugh Jackman not doing the originally planned performance with her. It was hilarious! While I would've changed a few things here and there when it came to what won, I am glad that I tuned it because Franco and Hathaway made it worth the watch and "The King's Speech, in the end, was a perfect choice. I can't wait to see what the Academy has in store for us next year!

Thanks for the read!

-SCREENY