Kevin Hart Announced as Academy Awards Host for 2019

Kevin Hart

With less than a month until 2018 closes its doors, it does seem strange that there hasn't been an Oscar host announced yet. Following a two year run by Jimmy Kimmel, there was a lot of concern over who would take the position. This year has had a lot of interesting themes, including the prediction that Black Panther will become the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture, and that The Academy is in desperate need for more viewers to the point of temporarily announcing a Best Popular Film category that was quickly reviled. So, who do you get that could appeal to those audiences who probably have yet to see this year's big contenders? Yesterday, The Academy announced that comedian Kevin Hart will be hosting. As with every new host, it only feels right of looking forward to what he has to offer by guessing just what he'll bring to the position.

Best Song: "Skyfall" (2012)

Scene from Skyfall

Welcome to Best Song, a new weekly column released on Sunday dedicated to chronicling the Best Original Song category over the course of its many decades. The goal is to listen to and critique every song that has ever been nominated in the category as well as find the Best Best Song and the Best Loser. By the end, we'll have a comprehensive list of this music category and will hopefully have a better understanding not only of the evolution, but what it takes to receive a nomination here. It may seem easy now, but wait until the bad years.

Why this Years' Academy Awards Ceremony Was One of the Best

Chris Rock

Every year, there has been enough tension between the day that the Oscar nominations are announced and when the winners finally give their speeches. It is a fun time to speculate, especially if you're a prognosticator who enjoys nitpicking statistics or at any point believing that The Big Short was a front runner of any kind. The race itself was exciting, but this was likely undermined by what everyone else wanted to talk about: Oscars So White. For the second year in a row, every acting category was jam packed with white faces that would eventually lead to notorious boycotts from black celebrities, specifically that of Jada Pinkett Smith and Al Sharpton. This raised a question: how do The Oscars go on? Thankfully Chris Rock was there, and he turned  in one of the best awards ceremonies in years. It was controversial, sure, but Rock and producer Reginald Hudlin turned in a 3.5 hour production that not only addressed the elephant in the room, but reminded audiences as to why The Oscars are so integral to Hollywood, and international representation.

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.

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?

The Oscar Nominations Are In, and It Is Looking Great!

For movie fans around the world, this morning was one of the greatest days of the year. Okay, maybe second favorite. Today was the day that Seth MacFarlane and Emma Stone got up on stage and announced this year's Oscar nominations. As usual, there are many cheers and jeers to be given out. However, in a very interesting year for film, even what ended up snubbing superior films isn't all that embarrassing. It is actually a strong year for nominations, in fact and I cannot wait for the ceremony. Following the jump is my personal thoughts on each category as well as my official votes. Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.

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.

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?