I’m not always one to watch award shows like the Oscars, the Golden Globes or the Grammys. But this year we happened to have the television on in the newsroom for both the Globes and the Oscars. It’s a long Sunday night of working, why not have some entertainment on in the background. And besides, I was curious as to what movies or actors are considered notable or award-winners for this past year.

Out of the Best Picture Oscar nominees, I’ve only seen one of them, “Vice.” Ross and I went to a matinee one Saturday afternoon, and we both enjoyed the film. It was quirky, but interesting. We missed the chance to see “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the theater when it was here in Marshall, and I just never got around to seeing the others. “Black Panther” and “Roma” are on Netflix, so I had ample opportunity to view them before the Oscars broadcast a couple of weeks ago, but my attention span with movies has gone down in the last few years. I’ll start a movie on Netflix or on one of my DVDs and get maybe 20 minutes in and my attention will be diverted to something else. I may get back to the movie or I may not. Sometimes it can take several days for me to finish a movie I started on Netflix. Or I’ll check out a movie from the library, renew it a couple of times and then never get around to watching it (I’ve done this many, many times). The only times I will sit down and pay attention to a movie in one sitting is when Ross and I go to the movie theater.

One of the flicks that was up for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars was a Japanese animated movie produced by Studio Chizu, “Mirai.” Ross and I went to Sioux Falls to see it late last fall. It’s about a young boy, Kun, who becomes jealous of his newborn sister, Mirai. It’s an adventure fantasy and the animation was wonderful, even though there were times I was annoyed at Kun’s whining and tantrums. Unfortunately, “Mirai” was up against “Spider Man into the Spider Verse” in the category for both the Globes and the Oscars; it didn’t really have a chance. Ross and I both like Studio Ghibli and other Japanese animated films, so it was exciting to see “Mirai” be nominated.

I admit I wasn’t paying too close of attention to the award acceptance speeches as I was concentrating on the pages of Monday’s edition. It was good to see Regina King get Best Supporting Actress for “If Beale Street Could Talk.” I remember her from her “227” days. She’s come a long way. An amusing moment was when Spike Lee leaped into Samuel L. Jackson’s arms after winning Best Adapted Screenplay. I caught the tail end of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s performance of “Shallow.” It’s a nice song, albeit a little overplayed. Guess I better see “A Star is Born” someday.

Then came the major awards. When Olivia Colman was named Best Actress, I’m like “who?” I actually had to look her up and what movie she was in. “The Favourite”? What’s that about? OK, 18th century England, Queen Anne, Lady Sarah. And it has Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz as well. It has mixed reviews on the International Movie Database website though. Hmm…maybe someday I’ll watch it?

I expected Rami Malek to win Best Actor and am looking forward to watching “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Best Picture was a toss-up for me. I don’t really have any input as I’ve only seen one of the eight, so for me, it was anyone’s game. And when “Green Book” was announced, it was admittedly kind of a surprise. It makes me wish I had seen it when it was at the theater in Marshall. Luckily it’s coming out next week on DVD/Blu-ray, etc.