Oscar post-mortem

So if you don't want to read my live blog, which I understand cuz it's kind of an incoherent mess, here are some highlights.

Let's start with the Screenplays. I think that's where the biggest shockers came for me. I really, really was convinced that Basterds would take original screenplay. As far as writing goes, I enjoyed Basterds more than Hurt Locker, but, when looking at the history of Academy Awards, usually the Best Picture winner also wins whatever Screenplay category it's in. So in retrospect it makes total sense. I'm sure Tarantino was PISSED though, I can't blame him, it took him 10 years to write that thing.

Adapted Screenplay was surprising too, but not in a bad way. I was really glad to see Precious win something other than Supporting Actress for Mo'Nique. Whenever they were nominated, I genuinely had a hard time watching the clips. I guess I still haven't really processed the impact that film had on me. So, bravo to that writer, and to Sapphire for writing the novel "Push" which the title has repeatedly told us is the work upon which "Precious" is based.

Sandra Bullock. This wasn't surprising at all, but her speech was surprisingly moving. Her winning this actually made me respect her a lot more because a. she herself questions why she got the award and b. understands the gravity of the moment and really made the most of what it meant to her. I'm a sucker for when people cry during Oscar speeches, and this was one of the most genuine examples of that. Good on you, Bullock.

Kathryn Bigelow. Now I just need to get up on my little soap box here and take a minute to talk about Kathryn. Bigelow. Words cannot begin to describe how it feels, as a young woman with dreams of entering the film industry, to actually bear witness to the first woman to win a directing Oscar. And I cannot imagine anyone handling it with as much grace and poise as she did. Not once in her speech did she mention the fact that she was the first, not once in her speech did she even really make it about her on any level, but the way she spoke, the smile on her face, just, everything about her energy shouted "This one is for the ladies." Alice Guy Blache, Dorothy Arzner, Maya Deren, all of them, are applauding you, Bigs. I loved everything about this moment. Not just the speech, but Barbara's presentation. She took her time reading that name out, just looking down at that card as if to make sure she was reading it right. And then just, "The time has come. Kathryn Bigelow."

Cut to me collapsing into tears. Unreal. Absolutely unreal. And the icing of course was The Hurt Locker winning Best Picture.

Tonight was an historic night, and I feel priveleged to have bore witness to it.