At first I hesitated to write my thoughts about last nights Oscars because it has been done to death, but it would be a shame to miss out on such a great opportunity to blog! Here is quick summary of last nights Academy Awards with all the highs and lows!

1. The Host– I need to throw out a disclaimer before I even get started, it is really hard for me to be critical because I love E.L.L.E.N.  In fact, this is the first Academy Awards show that I have watched from start to finish since high school. The reviews have been mixed about Ellens performance at entertainments biggest night which I find quite comical. The Oscars are often stiff, rigid and boring but Ellen got up close with the Hollywood A-listers and had some fun. It felt reminiscent of the popular Golden Globes awards. Ellen definitely played it safe, she took only a few risks (poor Liza) but I think that she delivered…(pizza too)!

2. Zinger– My heart goes out to dear Liza Minnelli, the unfortunate recipient of Ellen’s one zinger of the night. Ellen greeted the audience with “I have to say hello to one of the best Liza Minnelli impersonators I’ve ever seen my entire life.”…Just really, seriously. Good job, sir.” The funny line gathered a lot of laughs but it felt inappropriate to be at the expense of this Hollywood veteran. Liza was in the audience last night for the Wizard of Oz tribute in honor of her mother, Judy Garland. Things got worse later in the evening when Ellen tweeted a record breaking “selfie” that resembled a Hollywood yearbook photo. It was so popular that it crashed Twitter. Unfortunately, Liza attempted to get in on the photo and fell short(no pun intended) which was captured by a fellow audience member and has now gone viral. Despite being the butt of Ellen’s joke and her epic failure to join the “selfie” the real horror for Liza started with the electric blue pant suit that she wore to the event-sure to quickly top the worlds Worst Dressed list for 2014.
        

3. LSD Anyone?– Jim Carrey delivered one of the funniest lines of the night when he inadvertently said LSD in the place of animation with perfect comedic timing.  He won me over long before that with his dead on impersonation of Bruce Dern who each time the camera panned to him looked completely miserable. Note to Bruce Dern- You were nominated for an Oscar- SMILE!!! He needs to retire…

4. Pizza Pizza!  I did not like the whole pizza skit, it felt like it held up the show and went on far too long. Although, in retrospect I did enjoy seeing Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey handing out plates and napkins. I was also pleasantly surprised to see celebrities such as Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep actually eat pizza on live television wearing their finest!  Imagine the shock that the pizza delivery person experienced when he stepped on stage, what an experience- I hope that he got an amazing tip $$$

5. Luvely Ladies- I do not want to jump on the best and worst dressed band wagon, mainly because it would take me a week to do it justice…so just a few thoughts.  Jennifer Lawrence and Charlize Theron both wowed in Dior gowns but nobody could top the stunning Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen complete with her flawless curls and smoky eyes. She captured the audiences heart every time the camera focussed in on her glistening eyes as she received numerous accolades from her Gravity ensemble… A class act all the way.

I wish that I could say something nice about the hideous Wizard of Oz ensemble worn by Whoopi Goldberg??? but I can’t!

6. Mommy Dearest! It would not be the Academy Awards without long drawn out speeches and lots of heartfelt tributes to the amazing Mothers in La-La Land. Through-out the night there were some truly inspiring words spoken. Jared Leto spent a lot of air time thanking everyone he had ever met for his Best Supporting Actor win for Dallas Buyers Club; however, he redeemed himself with these endearing words  “This is for the 36 million who have lost the battle to AIDS, and to those of you who have ever felt injustice because of who you are, or who you love. Tonight I stand here in front of the world with you, and for you,”

Awe inspiring words were also spoken by the lovely Lupita Nyong’o as she accepted the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in 12 Years a Slave. Lupita’s eloquent tribute to Patsey was heartfelt and genuine. “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s.”

Then it was time for the Best Actor award and it was no surprise that Matthew McConaughey was the winner for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club. What is always a surprise is what odd thing Matthew will say in a live interview- I was glued to the set. This time it was a lengthly sermon that will have therapists baffled for years. Matthew did stay true to his plan to recite the first three lines he ever said on film “All Right, All Right, All Right”! (Dazed and Confused)

7. Best Actess Cate Blanchett was nominated in a category with Hollywood’s elite but she stood alone in her heartfelt performance of a distraught socialite in Blue Jasmine. Her acceptance speech advocated for increased roles that highlight the lives of women and ended with a shout out to the controversial writer and director Woody Allen.
Unfortunately, Cate’s dress was far from a winner, one of the worst of the night when seen up close. When paired with Blue Jasmine co-star and Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins you can’t tell where one dress ends and the other one starts- judge for yourself.

8. Scientology Chant– Is it just me or did John Travolta appear to be somewhat medicated when he butchered Idina Menzel’s name. He read his lines almost like he was stunned, I thought that I may have missed a joke…perhaps I was just distracted by his hair.

9. 12 Years A Slave is based on the true story of Solomon Northrup and his experiences of being sold into slavery in 1841. It deservingly ran away with the Best Picture honors last night. It was nice to see Brad Pitt finally get his coveted first Oscar, knowing that he is the reason this harrowing film made it to the big screen.

10. In Memoriam– the part of the night that invariable always makes me shed tears. This year it was even harder not to pull out the Kleenex box when listening to Bette Midler belt out The Wind Beneath My Wings. Who can forget Beaches? There was nasty social media talk of Bette needing to retire after the performance-for goodness sakes people she is 68 years old-that song is gut wrenching. It was very fitting that the tribute ended with Philip Seymour Hoffman, yet another great actor that left us to soon.

And now I have to wait until the 87th Academy Awards to find another reason to blog.