O-mama - Opinionated Moms

The Oscars were a wonderful family affair!  The feel of the night was very 2010.  Substance over flash seemed to be the theme on the red carpet, in the production and even the Academy’s choices for winners.  Less glitz, more nostalgia, better writing, fewer dance numbers and classier couture than in past days.  The highlight of the night for us O-MAMA’s, though, was Sandy.   Sandra Bullock not only won Best Actress for her role in "The Blind Side," but wins our award for “Best O-MAMA Oscar speech”-maybe ever!   In it, she thanked the family the movie was based upon, as well as her own family, both of which are blended families.  In the film she plays a Southern wife and mother who takes in a homeless black teenage boy and helps him become a football star, get to college and find the love of family. 

In real life, Bullock is married to Jesse James and is raising step-children of her own. (In fact, her step-daughter even made her Oscar evening gown dress selection for her!)  It could be that her own experience as a step-mom gave her the passion and perspective she needed to give an Oscar worthy performance, or maybe she's just an outstanding actor...or both!  Sandra’s speech was powerful and moving.  She thanked "the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from...those moms and parents never get thanked"...and she thanked her own mom who taught her "that there is no race, no religion, no class system, no color, nothing, no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else, we are all deserving of love.”  Sandy is one of O-MAMA’s favorite celebrities who just gets “it” and, in turn, touches us all.   

Family was on the minds of other winners as well.  Jeff Bridges won for Best Actor in "Lucky Heart" and attributed his success to his now deceased parents, actors Lloyd and Dorothy, for encouraging him to become an actor and get into “this groovy business.”  In his acceptance speech he looked up, held up his Oscar and said, “This is honoring them as much as it is me.”  

And on the “you go girl” front, Monique won Best Supporting Actress for her powerful role as an abusive mother in "Precious." Her transformation from comedian to dramatic actor was nothing short of incredible.  Her painful to watch portrayal of a horrible character won her Oscar gold and made her childhood dreams come true.  And, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to take home the Best Director prize for her movie “The Hurt Locker” which also won Best Picture.  Noteworthy is that she and her film were chosen over her director ex-husband, James Cameron, and his film “Avatar.”  

It seemed fitting that so many films this year had simple budgets, stories that highlighted the lives of ordinary people and inspired audiences and the Academy. Even Hollywood is getting back to basics. Maybe America is realizing that, in the end, it’s all a family affair.  Let us know how you liked the Oscars on our Media Hot Button, and show your kids Sandra Bullocks acceptance speech video.  It is posted there.  Happy O-MAMA Monday!