Feeling A Bit Like Oscar The Grouch

Jamie Foxx (from left) and Jessica Biel present Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez with the award for an original song in a feature film for ‘Let It Go’ from ‘Frozen’ during the Oscars March 2 | John Shearer/Invision/AP

“And the Oscar goes to …” Those words used to get me excited. As a diehard movie buff, I’d root for my favorites at the Academy Awards, similarly to how sports fans cheer on their team.

I’d even take it personally if a strong acting performance got snubbed. How could the Academy fail to even nominate Leonardo DiCaprio for Titanic? Or not award him an Oscar for his brilliant performance as Howard Hughes in The Aviator? Leo is now 0 for 4 in the acting category and 0 for 1 as a producer at the Oscars. His recurring role as bridesmaid even spawned a #poorleo trending topic.

Not to take anything away from Matthew McConaughey for his win. In a past life I could tell you if I thought he gave a stronger performance than Leo, but not anymore.

What’s changed? Well, for one, or make that two, I have children now. Two of them.

Parents with young kids may get where I’m going with this. You see, I can’t really feel invested in the nominees because I haven’t seen any of the movies.

Seriously, not a single one. Not the Best Picture winner, 12 Years a Slave, not Dallas Buyers Club or American Hustle, Gravity or the other five nominees.

It’s not that I suddenly dislike movies, but it’s a big production to get to the theater now. Not to mention how expensive it is to go on a movie date these days. Add the cost of two movie tickets with snacks and babysitter, and all I can say is it better be an Oscar-caliber movie to be worth the effort and expense!

We usually do get around to seeing some of the award winners once they’re on Netflix or Vudu. But there’s a catch. We have to get our children to sleep at a reasonable hour so we can squeeze in a whole movie. Translation: Our track record is worse than Leo’s.

Our main movie experience involves an animated film that our children want to watch over and over again. I can recite quotes from Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Lorax and Frozen – no problem. That’s despite them asking questions the entire time.

My knowledge of this year’s Oscar winners is limited to the animated film categories. In that regard, I can say with conviction that two winners deserved their Academy Awards.

Frozen was a wonderful choice for Best Animated Film, and Idina Menzel’s catchy Let It Go anthem from Frozen was a no-brainer for best Original Song honors.

Now, if only Leonardo DiCaprio could break his cold streak and earn an Oscar, too, then maybe I can let it go.

tjoaquin@hawaiinewsnow.com