Disney Diary - Week 6.

Though Week 5 was dreadfully empty and boring, Week 6 is of course different here in Orlando. Week 5 consisted of nothing but, what Morgan Freeman's character Red from The Shawshank Redemption (1994) describes as, "Same old shit, different day". Meaning I just basically worked, nothing else. However, this week was not the same old thing, this week had one exciting major event celebrated by Disney which was... the 87th Annual Academy Awards. I had the great fortune to have my work shift in the morning and to make it home one time for me to watch the Oscars at the Commons Clubhouse on the big screen. Here I will share some photos and opinions of the most glamorous night in Hollywood.

Neil Patrick Harris, everybody!

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) wins the Oscar for Best Picture!

"That's all folks!"

First of all, congratulations to Alejandro González Iñárritu for winning his first, second and third Oscar for this year's Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Winning four Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography. However, I must confess that Boyhood or The Imitation Game had a shot at Winning Best Picture. As well as Michael Keaton winning the Oscar for Best Actor. But of course Eddie Redmayne deserved it for his performance as Hawking.

In addition to Birdman, congratulations to those who won the following categories; Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Short, Best Costume Design, Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Film Editing, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Song, Best Short Film, Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay.

But of course there were also some unexpected winners with the following categories; Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. I honestly thought that Guardians of the Galaxy should have won best Makeup, Hans Zimmer should have won for his breathtaking score for Interstellar and the film should have bagged the latter categories. But congratulations to the winners.

In the end, this year's Oscars was better than the 83rd, however it felt weaker than expected and I had high expectation for good old Barney Stinson. He was magnificent and edgy for the Tony Awards, but he was somewhat weak for this show. However we must remember that hosts are not permitted to go too edgy because of the Academy's board and their concerns of low ratings. But it's funny how the Golden Globe Awards was edgy and, at times, pushing the envelope and yet it has strong ratings. Maybe the Academy should consider getting Amy Poehler and Tina Fey to host the Oscars next year to make up for the weak ratings and weak jokes. Better luck next time Doogie Houser.

In addition, I am always disappointed that some movies and filmmakers are horribly unrecognized and snubbed by the Academy. For example I thought Gone Girl and Interstellar should have had more nominations, particularly with Best Screenplay (Adapted and Original) and Best Director. Also I thought even a film such as Godzilla should have been recognized for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound (Editing and Mixing). I long for the day that one day, distant or near, that the Academy will be filled with a younger board who will have the ability to recognize both commercial and auteur films and not just one. As well as giving all films and filmmakers equal and fair chances. Hopefully it'll come sooner.


See Week 7 at http://ss-film.blogspot.ca/2015/03/simons-disney-diary-week-7.html