World Starts Turning Again

Every year I intend to watch the Oscars and every year I forget until it is almost two-thirds over. But God loves me anyway, for I turned on the TV just as they were awarding best original song to Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova for "Falling Slowly". This happened to be the most talked about, feel good moment of the show. It was made even more endearing by Market Irglova being brought back to finish her acceptance speech. The only disappointment was that she didn't finish by thanking Jon Stewart for allowing her to thank everyone.

I was also disappointed by the best-supporting results. I must admit to rooting for the sentimental favorites: Cate Blanchett for successfully redirecting her considerable sexiness towards straight females, and the venerable veteran Keith Richards for his small but impassioned performance in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End".

Proud Tina

After a week of dire tragedies - the Northern Illinois University shootings, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills back in divorce court, McCain essentially clinching the republican nomination - one event stood out to remind us that God exists. I'm referring, of course, to Sunday night's awesome rendition of "Proud Mary" by Beyonce and Tina Turner at the 50th Grammy awards show. What can I say about Tina Turner - how can a woman in her 90s retain her natural beauty, grace, and that sensual agility with which she moves around the stage. And Beyonce - the only contemporary performer with even a remote chance of keeping up. And that figure - the template for Grade A females (the only reason Beyonce's thighs look fat is that the fashion industrial complex has conditioned us to believe that walking stick figures are normal). This was a performance that should be burned into every living being's memories. Unfortunately, it is is difficult to keep an active link of this duet "due to a copyright claim by a third party".