And finally...

Way late and out of date, time for some Oscars commentary. Life of Pi picked up on the visual awards, though I was a little surprised that Ang Lee won Best Director over Steven Spielberg. Life of Pi was very moving at times, especially when the ship sank and very clever in others. It offered a view of French India which is not often seen in a big Western picture. Ultimately though it was spoiled because some stupid cinema attendant had left his walkie-talkie in there and periodically we heard something like “Mike, can you do some stock-taking please?” At first, I thought it was the boy hallucinating but it came clear this voice was external to the film. I even had a hunt for the source but couldn’t find it in the dark. This almost completely ruined the atmosphere and, after being told the reason for the disturbance, got a full refund, though I would have preferred to have an uninterrupted experience.


Les Misérables predictably won minor awards, like make-up and hairstyling, despite being directed by the man behind The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper. It was up against formidable heavyweights and would always struggle, despite Chicago showing musicals can win.

Skyfall won a richly deserved Best Original Score. Paul Epworth really evoked the John Barry glory days while putting his own stamp on it. The first Oscar for a Bond in nearly 50 years and a in a relatively prominent section.

Though Daniel Day-Lewis picked up a win as Best Actor, I was surprised Lincoln was the big loser on the night, though it did poorly in the Golden Globes, a usual predictor. Winning Best Picture (and Best Adapted Screenplay), Argo won the hearts of the Academy by combining tense drama of a traumatic episode in American history with poking gentle fun at Hollywood. Robert Altman’s The Player was a lot more savage and was frozen out in its year. As with Babel, with its heavy focus on Los Angeles, the most voters went with what they knew and to what they could relate. In that respect, Argo’s win as Best Picture is no surprise.