I watched the Oscars, 2019. I liked it better without a host and some of the pretty lame comedy and inside jokes of recent years. Actually there was a sort of host – the nicely moderated female voice that announced who and what was going on. OK, an announcer then, sort of Ed McMann instead of Johnny Carson. Though of course if it had been Johnny Carson the comedy would not have been lame.
Two other things were notable for me. Men in plush colors and women with trains. Several men were wearing plush in lush colors, with the “male” cut that changes little, nor needs to as it flatters almost all, hiding bumps, bulges, and slumping shoulders. I liked especially Tyler Perry’s deep purple (eggplant) tuxedo complete with deep purple shirt. Perhaps we are revisiting the 1700s when men wore as much color and fine fabric as women? I like it, but I must say there is still nothing quite so elegant as a fit male in a well fitted tuxedo – and nothing that disguises an unfit male form so well as that same traditional black evening wear. Didn’t see many white dinner jackets, did see a lot of more casual suits including a camouflage sort of suit with knee length pants – not sure what kind of statement was made?
There were fewer dresses hemmed to puddle like the wearer had borrowed it from a taller sister but there was a flood of dresses with trains and trailing appendages. I think they need to remind nominees, just in case they win, to choose a gown that will allow them to get to the stage and up the steps gracefully without having to bundle the train awkwardly and carry it. Capes and trains, fishtail dresses and trailing hems or hangings were everywhere, some were graceful and attractive on the red carpet or when arranged by aides for pictures. Unfortunately, most of the ladies had no idea how to deal with the extra material and it spoiled the hoped for effect. Melissa McCarthy was the only one I thought handled her cape well, both the super hero type she wore on the carpet, flapping and whirling it about her nicely, and the super exaggerated, animal bedecked cape she wore for presentation in which she managed to turn and leave the stage without looking awkward and in need of assistance – well done!!
Several women, obviously wearing four-inch heels, looked very "Barbie-ish", too tall and disproportionate. I think you have to be Charlize Theron to get away with that kind of tallness gracefully – she owns it. Everyone else looked artificial as if they are about to go sprawling. You can be glamorous, and graceful ladies. Let's work on this before the next awards ceremony.
All in all it was a good event. I wish it had been Julie Andrews and not Bette Midler who sang the song from the new Mary Poppins – that would have tied a bow on the package though Miss M did do it well. I did like the fact that all the songs were well done, and not overdone, with long excessive production numbers. And I love that the Academy could nominate that sweet little cowboy song. It should be noted that Hollywood seems to have responded quickly to the admonition of too white, too male. Hope they keep up the movement into equal opportunity for talented actors, writers, directors, producers carrying the color blind/gender blind search for the best talents into all corners of the film industry.
I was ten when we got our first TV. That was over sixty-five years ago, and a lot of Oscar presentations. The glamour and glitz are different now, and the film industry is evolving in reflection of the evolving of the movie watching public. And I think, it needs to continue to do so.