Sunday, March 2, 2014

Oscars 2014 Live Blog Coverage

The awards show is here, and there may be much entertainment ahead of us, at least that is what we hope for.  With Ellen hosting tonight, there should be a good dose of comedy and hopefully we don't get extended and boring segments, as well a lack of songs like 'We Saw Your Boobs,' while the smart money might be on a reference to the controversial song.  The red carpet affair has come to a close and the show has started, so let us begin...

Just hit the refresh button every few minutes to get the updates.

8:33 - Ellen throws out a jab to Liza Minnelli, who takes it in stride but may secretly want to strike her upside the head backstage.

8:37 - The rumour of Jennifer Lawrence falling at the Oscars for a second year in a row gets confirmed, but she is always able to shrug it off.  Her humble personality and insane skills will keep her appearing at the awards for years to come.

8:40 - Ellen keeps the opening concise and entertaining.  No long, drawn out scenes here.

8:40 - Seeing the clip of Barkhad Abdi taking the bridge of the Maersk Alabama still gives me the chills.

8:42 - Best Supporting Actor category is up, and my pick is Jared Leto from Dallas Buyers Club.

8:42 - No upset here as Leto takes it for his return to Hollywood from four years away.

8:44 - Jared Leto being class act with his mother in attendance at the awards, giving heartfelt respect to his family who has influenced him greatly.  He seems pretty darn thankful for this, and it is well deserved for his role.

8:46 - Ellen with a great Oscar 'selfie' as she gets a photo of herself experience the event.  Oh, and I am perfect so far with my predictions... byah!

8:48 - Jim Carey wearing shiny threads and introducing the first montage of the night.  It is too bad he was never able to get a nomination for some of his deserving roles and will most likely always be best known as the pet detective.

8:50 - The first of only four songs?  you may be asking yourself... shouldn't there be five?  There were, but a rescinded nomination took it away from Alone Yet Not Alone for improper campaigning.

8:52 - Apparently people were concerned that Pharrell Williams would be without his hat tonight.  I don't see the reason for such anxiety, but those people can rest easy now.


8:56 - It is a battle in the living room as I am dueling with my podcast partner with our live blogs.  http://chrisspicer.blogspot.ca/2014/03/live-blog-coverage-of-86th-academy.html

8:58 - Samuel L Jackson giving out a costume award is swell, because the man is always styling.

8:58 - Gatsby wins for costume... I am now fifty percent in my predictions.  I was sure American Hustle was going to take this.

8:59 - Myth confirmed - Australian women apparently keep speeches in their boobs.

9:00 - Only three nominees in Hair and Make Up, and I am picking Dallas Buyers Club.

9:00 - After a short speech before them, we will see if the crew from DBC will keep things succinct as well .

9:01 - DBC now has two awards, and a very thankful reception of the award.  There is a good chance of a third award coming down the pipe for the film.

9:02 - DBC winners seem to really be emotionally attached to the struggle of people with AIDS, which is probably why the movie was so passionate.

9:03 - I can't recall seeing Harrison Ford with a goatee before.  I am wondering if Han Solo will be sporting a new look in 2015.

9:03 - 'Everybody fasten your seatbelts,' a line noting excitement, but delivered by an incredibly deadpan Indian Jones.

9:05 - Seeing the first roll out of Best Pictures nominees, it reminds me of just how great this year was with movies.

9:05 - Channing Tatum, will he ever be more than a presenter?  I am thinking so, as the right roll for him will be coming along some day.

9:08 - So, I am 2 for three right now.  I am thinking I will be losing out on some of 'shorts' predictions as I have seen none of the nominees.

9:10 - Ellen handing out scratch tickets to Bradley Cooper... I doubt that was included in the customary gift bags.

9:11 - McConaughey presenting, and will probably be receiving later tonight.  A banner year for the actor with DBC and Mud.

9:12 - The first of the 'shorts,' and I am predicting fail for myself

9:13 - Mr Hublot gets the award, and my predictions fall to 2/4 - batting 500, which still keeps me in the league

9:14 - They look like they cannot believe they are here and have won.  A pretty cool moment to see.  Good on them.

9:15 - The Best Animated Feature goes to - Frozen

9:15 - Many people saw this one winning, and it did not disappoint.

9:16 - Some may still be bitter that Monsters University is not in this category.

9:16 - Wow, some very short acceptance speeches happening here.  Things feel like they are just cruising along tonight.

9:17 - Ellen really is a comedic all time great.  A perfect pick for hosting.

9:17 - This year Sally Field is not being accosted by a floating Seth MacFarlane.

9:18 - A montage of 'real life heroes,' some amazing movies in this clip.

9:19 - Daniel Day Lewis as Lincoln still stands out as one of the best.

9:20 - Co-podcaster Chris Spicer just got a little excited seeing Braveheart on the screen.  The man loves him some William Wallace.

9:20 - Visual effects are up now, this is all Gravity.

9:21 - Oblivion should have made this category.

9:21 - Absolutely no surprise here, Gravity may be the best looking film of all time.

9:22 - No corners were cut with this film, developing technology needed to see the vision come to life.

9:23 - Three out of five for my predictions... my mother will be proud.

9:24 - The music in Her really was great.  It helped capture the feel of the movie, an emotional tale with some sincere quirk to it.

9:25 - Spike Jonze shows that his skills transcend just scriptwriting, as he also wrote lyrics for that song.

9:27 - Be prepared for Gravity to take almost all, if not all, of the technical awards.

9:30 - Best Live Action Short is up... who is your money on?

9:31 - Helium gets it, the winners are looking pretty collected.

9:33 - Cruising through to the Short Doc.  I have Facing Fear in this one.

9:33 - Wrong again.  Predictions are obviously not part of my skill set.

9:34 - It is most unfortunate that the subject of this documentary died one week short of seeing this award.  She lived to 110 years old.

9:35 - Ellen cruising the crowds, and attendees don't look too hopeful of getting more scratch tickets.

9:36 - Bradley Cooper up to present.  The man went from Hangover star to legitimate Hollywood heavyweight in a very short time.

9:37 - 20 Feet From Stardom takes it, it had a lot of momentum heading into the show.  There were some other outstanding options in this category.

9:39 - Darlene Love brings the feel of the documentary to the stage and gets her moment to sing lead.

9:40 - Kevin Spacey brings his House of Cards to the Oscars.

9:41 - I did not think I would be hearing Jessica Flether's name mentioned tonight.  Good on her.

9:42 - Geoffrey Rush has awesome delivery, even when presenting an award.

9:48 - Hopefully we won't get any more pizza delivery jokes.

9:49 - Best Foreign Language Feature - The Great Beauty has a lot of buzz around it, but for some reason I picked The Hunt.  Bring it home, Denmark

9:49 - The Great Beauty takes it.

9:50 - Not as exciting an acceptance speech as when Italy won with Life Is Beautiful

9:51 - Tyler Perry is not in drag tonight.  Madea stays at home.

9:51 - High-wasted pants.  It is great how many times I have heard that go hand in hand with descriptions of Her.

9:51 - Could Gravity pull out the upset and take Best Picture?

9:54 - Brad Pitt showing up after a year with zombies and Oscar nominations.

9:54 - U2 fans will be happy right now.  I am taking a pee break.

9:57 - I am back, and U2 is still rocking it out.  My strategy was not perfect.

9:58 - A standing ovation for a song that honours a very important man.

10:00 - It is good to know that The Iron Sheik is tweeting at the Oscars, but I don't quite know what to make of this tweet - 'Tyler Perry dont pretend you dont have alot of the sex with the white woman'

10:01 - Lots of people heading to the bathroom at the Oscars right now... or coming back from them.

10:02 - Well, now more photo taking from Ellen.  It ended up being a bit funnier than I thought it was going to be.

10:03 - Brad Pitt doing some photo bombing tonight.

10:05 - And we are back to presenting awards.  Novel idea.

10:06 - Charlize Theron misses her cue, but is anyone really going to get mad at her?  I don't think so.

10:07 - Gravity takes another technical win.  No shocker here.

10:08 - The Gravity crew better not get too comfortable in their seats, as they should be back on the stage in seconds.

10:09 - The Hobbit gets some noms, but will be going home empty handed.

10:09 - There is so much love for Gravity right now.  Could they upset 12 Years a Slave for Best Picture?

10:10 - The pizza has not yet arrived.  Harrison Ford is not impressed.

10:11 - Supporting Actress.  Will it be Lawrence or Nyong'o, that's the big question.  Sally Hawkins could also pull out a long shot upset on this one.

10:12 - My money is on Nyong'o for her emotionally ripping performance.

10:13 - And it goes to...

10:14 - Lupita Nyong'o shows that you don't need to be a seasoned veteran to captivate audiences.

10:15 - Nyong'o has an amazing smile.  I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her.  She really is a joy to see.

10:16 - She is very thankful.  Enjoy the moment, Lupita, it is a good one.

10:17 - Steve McQueen looks very emotional for Lupita's win.  A lot of heart and soul went into that film.

10:18 - When the commercials are done, do we get more photographs or talk about wardrobe changes?

10:20 - Applause please

10:21 - And pizza is the topic.  Will Harrison Ford get his?

10:22 - And Ford gets his pizza.  Now his night is complete.

 10:25 - Cheryl Boone Isaacs is set to do some amazing things with the Academy.  Hopefully she gets on for another year.

10:26 - Cinematography awards.  Some beautiful images in movies like Inside Llewyn Davis and Prisoners, but Gravity should be taking this one.

10:27 - Harold Ramis shoutout... awesome.

10:28 - Yep, Gravity getting another technical award.  This is no shocker.  Beautiful movie.

10:29 - Editing category is up now.  Captain Phillips has a good chance, but the money is still on Gravity.

10:30 - Loaded category, but the Oscar goes to... Gravity.

10:30 - Gravity is batting 1.000 right now, winning each category it has been nominated in.  It is quite possible that domination will soon come to an end, but they will be taking home the most awards tonight, most likely.

10:32 - Whoopi Goldberg does not age.

10:33 - Now it is some time for Wizard of Oz love.  A terrific movie, which unfortunately did not have the best prequel.

10:34 - Pink has a good voice, but singing equals break for Scott.  Time for a handful of chips.

10:38 - I don't have cable, so I am relying on the hospitality of friends.  Hats off to the Spicer family for keeping the cola flowing.

10:39 - Okay, hopefully we return from commercials to awards presentation.  We don't need many more photos taken.

10:42 - Wardrobe change.

10:43 - Production design up.  There are some awesome entries.  I am going with Gatsby.

10:44 - Gravity loses its streak as Gatsby takes the style points at this ceremony.  American Hustle is being shut out so far.

10:45 - Tongue tied.

10:46 - The Great Gatsby didn't have amazing reviews, but it shows it knows the visual side of story telling.

10:46 - Man of Steel getting the voice over for this segment.  There were so many better movies to get that honour.

10:47 - Clint Eastwood gets a moment from Unforgiven.  One of the best Westerns of all time.

10:48 - The crane kick cannot be defended.

10:48 - The touching moment of Quvenzhane Wallis running with sparklers makes the montage.  That makes Scott happy.

10:51 - Alright, perhaps we should get a few more Oscars presented between commercial break.

10:53 - Some talented people passed away last year, and it is good that they are being remembered.  Even though things are feeling like they are dragging right now, there is always time for something like this.

10:57 - I am really going to miss Phillip Seymour Hoffman.  What an incredible talent.

10:58 - There are not many people who remember Beaches, but the song seems to never die.

11:00 - I am guessing another commercial break will be coming.  I am glad I don't have to work in the morning.

11:01 - Middler gets cut off for the commercials.  Another transition fail tonight.

11:03 - Does the audience have to pull out a standing O for every song?  It almost seems like it is mandetory.

11:04 - And... another wardrobe change.  But at least we are going straight to another presenter.

11:05 - Philomena brought a lot of laughter, and caused me to fight back some tears.  Dench is awesome.

11:06 - I am still frustrated that Inside Llewyn Davis and Short Term 12 are not in the Best Picture Category.

11:08 - Let it Go, the song that may be taking home Best Original Song.  Fickle rules kept Inside Llewyn Davis out of this category.

11:10 - I vote for Please Mr Kennedy  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Aq4a7g_wdU

11:12 - Will John Williams take it?  I am voting Gravity.

11:14 - Gravity gets the biggest applause.

11:14 - Gravity takes another.  They are crushing.  Big night for them.  When the nominations first came out, a lot of attention was on American Hustles and 12 Years a Slave, and less talk about Gravity.  Things do change over a few weeks.

11:16 - It looks like we actually get two awards in a row.  Am I imagining this?

11:17 - Let it Go - best acceptance speech of the night?

11:19 - Will we be done by midnight?  I am starting to doubt our odds.

11:23 - The pizza joke returns... Oprah, Uma repeated.

11:24 - Best Adapted Screenplay time.  The most deserving is Before Midnight, but they don't stand much of a chance.

11:25 - 12 Years a Slave was able to wrestle it out of the hands of the heartwarming Philomena

11:26 - If American Hustle is going to break the shut out, now is the time to do it.  Original Screenplay could be theirs.

11:27 - The brilliantly written Her takes home the award.  There is no denying that it was an awesome film.

11:28 - There is not much chance left tonight for David O. Russell's American Hustle.  Always a bridesmaid.

11:32 - Sidney Poitier gets the standing ovation.  I doubt it was for his work in The Jackal

11:33 - Best Director category.  Can David O. Russell bring one home finally?  I am thinking it is all Cuaron tonight.

11:34 - And it goes to... Alfonso Cuaron.  No huge surprise once again.  What a technically tightly made film.  Scorsese did not look super happy.

11:35 - Some people may think it was just a blockbuster that does not deserve all of these awards, but it was such a greatly made movie.  Yes it had a lot of special effects, but it told its story perfectly.

11:37 - More commercials.  Fun times.  The time is getting late, and this old man is getting cranky.

11:41 - The man, Daniel Day Lewis takes the stage

11:42 - Best Actress time.  Brie Larson should be in this conversation

11:43 - Judi Dench was amazing.  Absolutely epic in her heartfelt comedic delivery.  Cate Blanchett will probably not be denied tonight.

11:44 - Cate Blanchett gets the acceptance for her amazing roll in Blue Jasmine.  It is good to see Amy Adams giving a sincere applause for this terrific actress.

11:45 - Blanchett is all respect in honouring the other nominees.  She is a wonderful talent and a solid professional

11:46 - Young actors should look up to people like Cate Blanchett who shows how it is properly done.

11:47 - That was such a stacked category.

11:48 - It is McConaughey time.  Alright, alright, alright.

11:49 - So many great performances this year.  Chiwetel Ejiofor could pull off the upset and defeat the rodeo bigot.

11:50 - An amazing performance.  He set the bar so high with this role.

11:52 - McConaughey does not quote his line from Dazed and Confused.    Scott is saddened, but enjoys the speech anyways.

11:54 - A career renaissance for McConaughey, who put in some amazing performances with Mud and Dallas Buyers Club

11:56 - And now time for the big one... who will it be?

11:56 - 12 Years a Slave gets a well earned victory.  It is the movie that had the best shot, but I still feel bad for David O. Russell.  He will get his some day.

11:58 - Brad Pitt gets his Oscar, and the well spoken Steve McQueen gets his moment of glory.

11:59 - Steve McQueen jumps!  That is one of the best moments of the night.

12:01 - Well, it's 12:01 right now and the Oscars are finishing up.  No real crazy upsets tonight, which is good.  I still would have liked Short Term 12 to be in there.  If you don't understand why I continually bring this movie up, check it out and then you may understand.

The show could have been a bit shorter, but it never got insanely out of hand.  My predictions started out very slowly, but I ended up only having five wrong by the end of the night.  I suppose you can't win them all.  Anyways, thanks a lot for enjoying me tonight and I hope you have a great evening.

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I'm smarter than a bat. I know this because I caught the little jerk bat that got in my apartment, before immediately and inadvertently bringing him back in. So maybe I'm not smarter than a bat.