Ellen DeGeneres is Hosting the Oscars, but is She Capable of Being Great?

Ellen DeGeneres

Attention everyone, we have found our next Oscar host. Let us welcome back to the stage... Ellen DeGeneres.

My initial reaction to this news was a groan. While I don't have vitriol towards her, I do not tend to like her style. I don't watch Ellen and she was the weakest part of Finding Nemo. What are we going to do with someone whose body of work seems overly reliant on making you find cute optimism in everything and getting light laughs? It is my fault that I don't remember too well how she performed at the previous ceremony, though that's largely because I can't tell you too many highlights of any year. It is an AWARDS show, not a performance piece. If there is laughter, there's a good chance it was happenstance. However, as I began to groan at the thought of DeGeneres' return, I remembered how I felt last year with Seth MacFarlane.

Top 20 Highlights of the 85th Academy Awards

Seth MacFarlane

Now that the Oscars are over for another year, it is time to look back and remember what was great about the ceremony. I know, I have already written up a brief recap about the events, and with majority of things officially over with, I too must wrap up coverage. I assure you, this will be the last for the 2013 Oscar season. However, keep in mind that I plan to continue to post weekly on films that could possibly get nominated next year, even if the logical ones are months away. To wrap up this season, here is a look at 20 memorable moments from the 85th Academy Awards Ceremony hosted by Seth MacFarlane.

Were Your Predictions Spot on with this Year's Oscar WInners?

Clockwise top to bottom: Daniel Day Lewis, Anne Hathaway,
Christoph Waltz, and Jennifer Lawrence

As many people undoubtedly know by now, the 85th Academy Awards was a success for the most part. True, it seemed more fragmented than normal, but it wasn't an egregious year for the most part. There weren't too many upsets, at least in terms of winners. However, it is that time to reflect on how YOU the viewer did and see if you predicted the show, or was left in awe of Ang Lee's Best Director win for Life of Pi. As my results will show, it wasn't exactly a great year for me. However, let's run down the winners and see how they matched up.

A Few Thoughts on the 85th Academy Awards Ceremony

Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to a close. The 85th Annual Academy Awards were announced tonight and there was plenty of cheers and jeers. For those that took my votes, you lucked out big time. True, my 9 out of 24 meant that it was my lowest predictions year on record, but that doesn't mean that there were some great surprises sprinkled throughout. True, my Joaquin Phoenix (The Master) appreciation wasn't enough to overcome the towering Daniel Day Lewis (Lincoln), but on the bright side, I can go with the delusional logic that at least I predicted Argo for Best Picture. While this isn't a recap of the winners (which I assure you will come later in the week) or a highlights, it is an initial collective of thoughts on the ceremony. What went right, wrong, and how I feel things could have been different. 

A Quick Prediction on Seth MacFarlane as Oscars Host

With the Oscars mere days away, it is time to get all of your speculation in fine order and cast your vote for all of the categories (mine is here). A quick look at the nominees will assure you that this is a fascinating year for numerous reasons, whether it be a vast array of Best Picture selections, the prospect of any upsets are by and large not as embarrassing as they could be. Maybe Emmannuelle Riva (Amour) or Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) will beat Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook) for Best Actress. The options are limitless. However, another grand speculation lies in the host. Will Seth MacFarlane be a host for the ages?

Dear Academy: Enough with the James Bond Love!

Daniel Craig in Skyfall

When I wrote about Adele's Skyfall theme a few months ago, I predicted that it would be the extent to the film's Oscar chances.  Then things began to pick up and suddenly it feels like James Bond will be integral to this year's ceremonies. With five nominations, Skyfall is making out to be one of the most renowned Bond films that the Academy has ever dealt with. However, it feels like the love doesn't stop there. With the franchise celebrating 50 years, it feels like this quite possibly could be the year when Bond infiltrates the Oscars in a bad, bad way.

All That You Need to Know About the Oscar Nominations Announcement

Left to right: Emma Stone and Seth MacFarlane

For the first time since 1972, when Charlton Heston announced the nominees and hosted that year's ceremony, we will be seeing another double duty. This time, Oscar host Seth MacFarlane will be announcing the nominees with up-and-comer Emma Stone, whose brief appearance last year has been considered one of the ceremony's highlights. While it is exciting to finally see who the big nominees are, it will also be interesting to get a glimpse at MacFarlane to see if we're in for an exuberant fun host. The announcement will be made this Thursday, January 10th at 5:30 AM PST (check local listings for channels broadcasting it) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' headquarters in Beverly Hills, CA. Expect The Oscar Buzz coverage sometime that afternoon.

A Few Words from my Best Actor Pick for 2012

Joaquin Phoenix

As readers will know, I am a strong believer that Joaquin Phoenix's performance in director Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master will walk away with a Best Actor statue this year, or at very least a nomination. His performance is so dynamic and I haven't seen any that have come close. Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln may come close (it has yet to be seen), but at the very least, Phoenix is a wonderful conundrum of a performer. From his gonzo-faux-documentary I'm Still Here a few years back to him messing with audiences at Venice, he is never one to do the obvious. This is why recent statements only add to what makes him an endearing actor.

Can Seth MacFarlane Bring Youthful Energy to the Oscars?

Seth MacFarlane

It was announced today that the director of the breakout hit comedy Ted and creator of the Emmy winning cartoon series Family Guy as well as the nominated shows American Dad, and The Cleveland Show will be hosting this year's telecast of the 85th Academy Awards. That statement justifies a spit take, if just because of  how random it appeared. It plays like a bad cutaway gag in Family Guy. However, this could be a silver lining. Is it possible that the Academy has finally found a way to be young and hip by giving Seth MacFarlane the hosting gig?