Movies … I remember those

Sad to say, I have not seen any of the films that were nominated for Best Picture this year. The last time I went to the movies was in November of 2010, which is actually a horrifying thing to realize about oneself.  This long dry spell is not a statement on the quality of today’s cinematic offerings, rather on the scarcity of reliable local babysitters.

But I still watched the Oscars last night, because it’s just so dang fun to do so.  And though I missed about a fifty-minute chunk that did not get recorded (darn DVR!), I still  came away with several strong impressions.

* I really want to see The Artist.  Any movie that wins so many big awards must be doing something right.  Plus I have silent films in my DNA (my great-grandfather was a movie cameraman in the twenties), so the entire concept intrigues me.

* Do you remember the very first time Billy Crystal  hosted?  I was in high school, and I adored his opening medley and his jokes.  I loved having him back.

* It’s great that Christopher Plummer won an Oscar, but to me he will always be Captain Von Trapp.  Always.  (I have a feeling I’m not alone in this.)

* It’s great to see  Colin Firth presenting the Best Actress Oscar, but to me he will always be Mr. Darcy.  Always.  (Again: I have a feeling I’m not alone.)

* I missed most of the red carpet arrivals, but I did catch Natalie Portman’s red dress, which I thought was absolutely gorgeous.

*I love love LOVE how Meryl Streep thanked her husband first so she didn’t get cut off by the orchestra before she could do so.  Awwww.

Did you watch?  What were your impressions?