Class Act.

By Baxter

This is not an entertainment blog, but at the end of a brutal political week, let's focus on a topic lighter than the survival of democracy, climate change, and reproductive rights — all of which are worrying at the moment, to say the least.

Specifically, let's talk about the Oscars 2021.

We cats never watch the Oscars any more. We used to be glued to it, but it's become so silly that we now subscribe to the adage "Why should I waste three-and-a-half-hours of my life when I can read the results in three minutes the next morning?" We also don't go to the movies much these days, even before the pandemic (unless we're in Montreal, where the audiences are better-behaved).

But this year, we took notice of the fact that Chadwick Boseman was nominated posthumously as Best Actor for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." We were rooting for him, not just because we liked him in "42," but because he seemed like a talented guy who deserved the kind of recognition Peter Finch got for "Network" or Heath Ledger got for "The Dark Knight." If Oscars for dead guys can go to white folks, why not for Black folks too?

It felt like everyone else was rooting for Boseman as well. So it was a big surprise — and kind of a letdown — when Anthony Hopkins won for "The Father." Goodness gracious, the guy is Oscared up the wazoo. Why did he need another one? Hopkins was so convinced he wouldn't win that he didn't even attend the awards ceremony. *Grumble, grumble*

So, okay: "The Father" is now making the rounds on cable TV, and our eyes are opened. Maybe it's just because we can relate to an elderly patriarch who is losing his marbles, but his performance is incredible. Hopkins deserved his Oscar, all 13-1/2 inches of it and beyond. And here is his elegant statement of acceptance. We cats are happy to salute anyone these days with good taste, and therefore, we PURR.