So why am I reviewing the Oscar Awards Show on Live Musician Central? For the live musical performances of course! That and the fact that many musicians have great careers in the movie-making industry. This years awards had quite a few musical numbers in it. In fact the show started off with Hugh Jackman singing a full musical number doing a spoof of all the years movies that was really funny. Hugh has a surprisingly good voice and it looked like he was carrying it live. As you know, I just can’t stand to watch lip syncing. Anne Hathaway got up there with him and did quite a good job singing as well. Hugh was the real surprise though and I liked his finishing line of the opening number, “I’m Wolverine!” that was classic.
As far as the live musical performances went, I thought this years performances were above average. That being said I also thought the performances were a little too slim and definitely chopped down. I would have liked to have seen a few more rock stars show up and perform but it is all about movies and the award show is excruciatingly long as it is. The performances were mixed very well especially when compared to the abysmal mixing that took place during the Grammy awards. The music was vibrant and very present over my 5.1 sound system. The Hugh Jackman and Beyonce’ Knowles number was pretty fun although it was the only one that looked possibly lip synced. I can’t be sure though and who can take their eyes off Beyonce’ when she’s onstage. That woman is beautiful! I thought the musical numbers from the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ were good, which is saying something because I have not been a fan of a lot of Indian pop music. I know that Peter Gabriel protested the Oscars and chose not to sing because they cut his song “Down To Earth” to about 60 seconds but again, the show is about the movies and not the music. I thought they gave “Down To Earth” fair treatment and I did think the mashup with “Down To Earth” and “Jai Ho” was really cool. I have to admit that I would have loved to have seen Peter Gabriel perform and I believe the Oscars missed a rare chance at having a truly great artist perform. Another thing that baffled me was the fact that there were only 3 song nominations. What about Bruce Springsteen’s song “The Wrestler”? Didn’t it at least deserve a nomination? Queen Latifa sang beautifully on the tribute to the fallen stars of 2008. She really does have an excellent voice.
Other interesting notes on the night. I dug Ben Stiller’s impression of a wacked out Joaquin Phoenix. That was funny for sure. I was digging Sarah Jessica Parker’s push-up dress. Totally took the focus off her face although I do count myself in the “she’s pretty” camp. Very nice standing ovation from the audience for Heath Ledger and an excellent acceptance speech from his family as well. The audience looked so sad that Heath wasn’t there. Did anyone else notice he wasn’t included in the ‘Rememberance’ clips?
All in all the 2009 Oscar Awards Show was long with a few funny parts and slim pickings in the live musical performances.
Top Winners
- Picture: “Slumdog Millionaire”
- Actor: Sean Penn, “Milk”
- Actress: Kate Winslet, “The Reader”
- Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight”
- Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”
- Song: “Jai Ho”, Slumdog Millionaire
