Aussie Oscars...

This white man was home this afternoon and had the opportunity to watch a little of the 81st Academy Awards from the US. I must have switched it on at a fortuitous moment as I watched the amazing work of Hugh Jackman, Australian performer extraordinaire who did a fantastic stage musical/dance medley. No wonder our Aussie Hugh is the toast of Tinseltown - such a diversely talented performer who really should be the pride of Australia when it comes to performing arts. And not long after that, Heath Ledger was awarded the Best Supporting actor award posthumously for his unforgettable portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight. Remove the emotion from Heath Ledger's death for a moment and please understand that even if he was still alive today he would have received that award and deservedly so. His portrayal was seriously that good!

And in the midst of all that Oscar goodness I couldn't help feel how much Australia really is a natural part of the whole Hollywood scene now. And I have to admit that I felt proud for that - not that I'm a huge Hollywood devotee or anything close but when my nation is represented well on a global scale then it makes me feel good. But... (there's always a 'but' right?!)

The Australian red-carpet fashion commentators who had their little five minute segment after the news tonight should take a good look at themselves for once. Their petulant criticism of the general drabness and bland fashion statements this year in lieu of a real acknowledgment this year of the current global economic downturn was arrogantly misguided. If there was a sense of actors 'dressing down' this year in response to the current economic situation then so be it. Most would agree that such a response on Hollywood's behalf was entirely appropriate and well thought through. It just goes to show that occasionally common sense and good taste can prevail in Hollywood...and that the taste of some supposedly knowledgable fashion commentators can be exceedingly poor.

Well done Hugh Jackman - you are a star!