Locomotion

To follow-up on my Oscar predictions... I must say that my stumbling block to a prediction sweep was the success of The Departed. I guess I need to watch that flick again - maybe I missed something. It is complex, interlaced with innumerable levels of connection between people who are not actually who they say they are.

Some of my moments of glee were:

• Forest Whitaker's prepared yet genuine acceptance speech for the Best Actor award,
• When Pan's Labryinth started to look like the Mexican revolution,
• The Lives of Others win. I truly hoped this would take the Best Foreign Language category because its a rare and raw film. It is a film that assumes that the viewer is really watching - showing you the tale, not telling it.
• Marty's win, finally for Best Director. When Coppola, Lucas and Spielberg showed up to present the award, I knew Marty had it in the bag. Ahh, the era of the Young Lions.

Overall, I felt the show was easy-going. Ellen didn't annoy me. The theme to recognize the nominee was long overdue - celebrate the talent not the win.