Of rants and raves and a great Oscar kiss

Two words: Adrien Brody.

Actually, Sunday’s Oscars show had several two-word surprises, Roman Polanski being the biggest. Who would have thought that a fugitive from the Los Angeles courts would ever be voted Best Director? Certainly no one in our Oscar office pool.

And what about Michael Moore ? No matter what you might think of the documentary filmmaker’s politics, nor his boorish acceptance speech, you have to admit that he seemed like the longest of shots. Hollywood always has preferred more traditional documentaries, instead of this filmmakers’ version of creative nonfiction.

As for Moore’s speech, it’s not that he said something against the war. I especially liked the fact that he had all the other nominees standing behind him in support. Yet in a moment that put him in front of an international audience, instead of going against his nature and delivering a heartfelt plea, instead of saying something meaningful even if it were underlaid with nasty jokes, Moore merely ranted. And who but other ranters ever pays attention to that? It seemed just embarrassing.

As for Brody, well, he got to kiss Halle Berry. Not just an air kiss, either. It was a true lip-locking experience. And maybe it’s just me, but I like what he had to say about the war, especially his statement of support for his friend who was serving with the U.S. military in Iraq.

Regardless of what some people say, being against the war and for the troops is not an impossible dichotomy. That’s a sentiment that might not play well with our armed forces. I might not have understood that when I was in Vietnam (1968-69). But 34 years later, I seem to have matured. At least a bit.