If you took the time to deconstruct it - and let's face it,
there was more than enough time for that - the 86th annual
Academy Awards was a fairly standard Oscars show.  Still, it was
one of the worst in recent memory. There were mistakes, miscues,
things that went on too long, things that never should have gone
on at all. But if you stand back from the whole mess, the real
problem was that there was so little suspense about most of the
awards. Before we list all the things that went wrong, here are
some of the rare highlights of the show:  -- Gracious, moving
acceptance speeches from Jared Leto ("Dallas Buyers' Club"), the
stunning Lupita Nyong'o for best supporting actress in "12 Years
a Slave," and John Ridley (adapted screenplay winner for "12
Years a Slave").  -- The deservedly standing-O appearance of
Sidney Poitier on the 50th anniversary of his own historic Oscar
win.  -- Best director winner Alfonso Cuarón thanking the "wise
guys at Warner Brothers," before correcting himself to say the
"wise people.