I’ll just get this out of the way: Best Actor and Best Actress should have been Chadwick Bozeman and Viola Davis.
I loved Nomadland. I wrote about how much I loved it here on this blog. And I am a huge fan of Frances McDormand. Everything she does is excellent. But I don’t think this particular performance was Oscar-worthy. Davis was brilliant. Take-your-breath-away brilliant.
I can’t speak to Anthony Hopkin’s performance, but I am absolutely sure it is excellent because…he’s Anthony Hopkins. But Chadwick Bozeman’s performance was incandescent. Stunning. Transformative. Heartbreaking in its brilliance. I don’t remember ever being that blown away by a performance and between my 40 year career in the theater and a lifetime of watching film, I’ve seen a lot of wonderful performances.
The ceremony itself? The less said about it, the better. They should have stuck with last year’s Virtual model, which was excellent. It either has to be grand and sparkling or, in the time of COVID, like the wonderful virtual show of 2020. Anything halfway in between doesn’t work. I would have much rather seen clips of the actors’ performances than hear a story about their first movie going experience. Anyway, I’m going on too long. The only reason we kept on watching is because we wanted to see the late, great Chadwick Bozeman’s win. Ah well.
Puzzle finished. Except for three missing pieces. So frustrating! Believe me, I didn’t lose them. When a piece falls to the floor, I know it because we have hardwood floors and I immediately pick it up. One missing piece? Possible. Three? Impossible. I really loved doing this gorgeous piece. It deserved better.
I finally started installing baseboard in the dollhouse. It’s tricky as the floors and walls are slightly wonky because it’s a rescue.
And I hung this oversize ‘ironstone’ platter above the AGA.
Today, I’m going to do a bit more clean-up work outside and tomorrow I’m going to buy some plants for my pots.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Oh…what a shame about those missing pieces. Especially the one smack dab in the middle. Otherwise…it’s stunning!
Love the platter above the Aga, too. Perfect.
Your lucky you get to buy your plants this early. We’ve still had the occasional cold night, so I’m thinking next week to be on the safe side. Today…I’ll do some more clean up….hopefully spread some mulch between today and tomorrow. And yes…it is fun!
Home you have a good day! ;)
Our last cold night will be tonight. The two weeks following tonight will have higher nighttime temperatures, so we’ll be okay.
Stay safe, Donna!
I didn’t watch last night and think I’ve only seen Nomadland so was happy about that. It seems like a very disjointed ceremony and I was not interested. Love the puzzle and so sad the missing pieces. I hope you are having a great week.
It was bizarre, that’s for sure!
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe!
I agree with you about Bozeman deserving the win. He moved me in Ma Rainey to a point where I could barely stand it. I wept. I felt his performance just that deeply. He was my brother in the scenes where he poured out himself to the other musicians, so that even they were caught off guard and touched by the depth of his telling. Viola’s acting was just that. Bozeman’s performance felt natural.
Stopped watching the Oscars several years ago. I seldom had a dog in the race anyway. Besides, the ceremonies were becoming more boring–more like opportunities for actresses to show off their designer duds and bling. Perhaps I’m simply jaded?
The bird puzzle is my favorite.
I’m not sure what you mean in your reference to Viola Davis – that she was just acting? Of course, everyone reacts differently to a performance and it’s all subjective…but Don, who I know to be the consummate actor and who has worked with many famous, brilliant actors, raved about her performance and talks of it often. And of course, we both feel as you do about Chadwick Boseman’s performance. It was a rare, stunning, and unforgettable portrayal.
Stay safe, Bobbie!
I’ve returned puzzles due to missing pieces! Puzzle replaced or money returned. Worth a try!
Nah, I’m not going to do that. They would have every right to refuse because what if the returner had simply lost the pieces?
Thanks, Debbie. Stay safe!
Beautiful puzzle. One of my favorites is Anthony Hopkins. I don’t watch the Oscars as I don’t go to the movies anymore. I really like Viola Davis also. Fantastic…I do watch movies on Netflix and Hulu. Enjoy working outside.
Thank you, Brenda. Stay safe!
Claudia — this puzzle is as beautiful as I imagined — would it be possible that pieces are in wrong places — I have done this many times, raged and cussed (I have a very short fuse!) only to discover I had placed them in the wrong place which would be very similar in color and cut alike w/the tiniest difference in the pieces??? just a thought to consider. stay safe and healthy — hope you find some pretty plants
No, it’s not possible. It’s not that pieces are in the wrong position, they’re simply missing. They’re also quite distinctive parts of the drawing, so nothing could be in their places by mistake.
Stay safe, Linda.
I completely agree Claudia . Chadwick and Viola should have received the Academy Award. Their performances were breathtaking.
I am so sad for all the roles that he will now not be able to perform. Taken much, much too early.
I was pleased to see the magnificent Helen McCrory was featured in the memorial, but another favourite actor of mine Paul Ritter, was not.
All so young.
Age is a privilege not granted to all
Siobhan
Much too soon!
There are so many losses to the industry in the course of a year, sadly, that it must be impossible to include everyone. It takes my breath away when I see an In Memoriam. I can’t even take in the enormity of the collective loss.
Stay safe, Siobhan.
My husband and I got a laugh over Rudy Giuliani winning a $4.95 trophy in the Razzies for one of the worst performances of the year in the Borat movie.
What a fool he is!
Stay safe, Denise.
Bummer about the puzzle pieces. It’s a gorgeous puzzle.
The only film I saw was Mank and I was glad it won what it did. I would have had all but one if Boseman and Davis had won.
I actually liked the ceremony better than in previous years. No bad jokes, no interminable musical numbers, no host, nothing to slow it down (except long speeches, some of which were very good and some… not so.) I liked the different locations and not having it in such a huge theatre like the Dolby. But I did hate the in memorium — it was the wrong song and trying to match things up to the music didn’t work at all. With some I didn’t even have time to read the names and others they just sat on. It was terribly odd, announcing the Best Pic before actor and actress. Terribly unclimatic.
I didn’t like the music chosen for In Memoriam. I love that song, but it was not appropriate, nor was any of the music chosen by Quest Love. A DJ spinning tunes at the Oscars? Come on.
I didn’t like the long introductions of the nominees, and in some cases, the ‘you were so wonderful’ blather by the presenters, especially Laura Dern. I don’t need to hear her personal opinions – it was just too much. Announce the nominee, show a clip of their performance, which is far more powerful than anything, and announce the winner.
They announced Best Picture first because they were sure that Chadwick Boseman would win and that would be the highlight of the night.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
That sort of makes sense. (the end) but it also goes to show never count on anything like that. Because you never know.
xoxo
i haven’t seen a movie in a very long time so didn’t watch the awards show, but it does sound like a disappointment (general format, winners in some categories).
same with that beautiful, juicy-colored puzzle missing several pieces. too bad.
hopefully your day today has been good.
long story short, i talked with my former boss today and he made it sound like my current job is safe. i hope so … sometimes “a new broom sweeps clean” … but sadly i don’t have much confidence in him or my current boss. i do, however, feel some better for having talked with my former boss today.
i was able to visit with three of my four favorite people forever in person today after work (all socially-distanced), see them smile, hear their voices … best part of my day! :) now i am home, showered and going to make some hot chocolate.
hope you are having a nice night.
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
I hope your former boss is right, Kathy.
Stay safe, my friend!