The 91st Annual Academy Awards

I decided to skip watching the ceremony this year. They did promise it would be shorter, but after all the obstructions, I sort of lost interest. At first, there were obstructions regarding the moderator. They threatened us with Kevin Hart and I was worried that it would end up exactly like with Chris Rock back in the day. Then they dug up some dirt on him and they called him off. I read later that some of the awards would be handed over during commercial breaks and it made me feel sick. Commercials have always been a terrible drawback of almost every ceremony that I’ve seen. Well… I simply wasn’t in the mood. In the end, I decided to watch the recording of it and I must say that I have never seen such a boring and dull awards’ ceremony. You can clearly feel that a moderator is missing. The opening word by the three chicks was a bit embarrassing. Even the “In Memoriam” section didn’t give me the usual chills. The only moment that I really enjoyed was the live performance of the award-winning song Shallows by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. There were sparks flying between them as though they didn’t even have to act. To conclude, I would like to say that I am OK with who won the awards. Rami Malek had the nicest speech. Spike Lee had the most embarrassing speech in which he rambled on about black exploitation and he left the room after Green Book got the award. But finally, a movie that I was rooting for won. I don’t think this will happen again any time soon… (28.02.2019)

After the disappointment with the nominations, I am quite resigned to the distribution of awards. I am also not crying about the ongoing political agitation, given how much more pronounced and therefore worse it was, for example, three years prior when Chris Rock was hosting. Paradoxically, my appetite was most spoiled by the media aftermath, when occasionally some people don't applaud, some tried to leave the room in protest at the very end (Spike Lee simply crossed the line), apparently because someone else won. Unfortunately, the messianic notion of advocating for all races, ethnicities, minorities, and issues ultimately becomes an inability to gracefully accept defeat – and that is the real shame that some have been talking about for a few years. I have an unpleasant feeling when all is said and done, not because of the absence of a host, but the absence of a conclusion. After hours of varying pacing, the last person giving thanks is cut off, Julia Roberts has to rush to say two sentences in farewell, and it's all over. The program is merciless, and awkwardness abounds. But despite all that, I am giving this a relatively high rating. Though I did not understand The Favourite, the award for Olivia Colman is merited, and her acceptance speech is the most sincere monologue in recent years. Personally, I will long carry the victory of the song "Shallow". Each of us has that one statue in a given year that decides whether we will remember the ceremony in a forgiving spirit or if disappointment will linger within us like a thorn. The victory (and a hundred percent for the singing and acting) of the symbol of the film A Star Is Born, which for me was the best of 2018, permanently shifted me into a positive mood, which not even the aforementioned mishaps could completely spoil. (27.02.2019)

An altogether average ceremony. Since it was without a host this year, there is not much to say about it. Over the years, I have more or less become used to those rousing and politically engaged speeches, as well as to the endless number of commercials. The vast majority of results were unsurprising except for a few categories where it was down to a maximum of two nominees. Even though it's annoying and almost exhausting to watch, it's still the biggest celebration of film in Hollywood. And if, like every year, I was to highlight at least one memorable moment, it would be one of the best acceptance speeches in recent years given by Olivia Colman - a guarantee to bring a positive vibe. (27.02.2019)