The 2010 MTV Movie Awards: Review

The 2010 MTV Movie Awards

Television Review

By our guest blogger, Paul Gale

The 2010 MTV Movie Awards was a sad, two-hour, promotional frenzy that seemed straight from the minds of a boardroom full of coked-out ad men. The line between show and commercial break was heavily blurred, with trailers for upcoming movies bleeding into award presentations by those hopeful blockbusters’ stars. The event, in its 19th year, reminded me of the infamous tapes of former Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski’s lavish Sardinian toga party, with its silly ornate costumes and moronic purpose. Somebody better lock these cats up, too.

This show could have really easily been a low-key, fun celebration of the blockbuster culture, but that unfortunately was obfuscated by a deluge of product placements and nauseating advertisements.

This isn’t to say that there weren’t some heartfelt moments. Sandra Bullock’s speech for her MTV Generation Award (a stupid way of saying Lifetime Achievement) was refreshing and honest, especially coupled with the sweet remarks of Betty White and Bradley Cooper. I won’t mention Scarlett Johansson’s awkward and desperately press-seeking kiss with Sandra Bullock, but... I guess I just did. Ken Jeong’s acceptance of the WTF Award transformed into a beautiful affirmation of life and his love for his newly cancer-ridden wife.

Anna Kendrick’s humble remark of “I am not cool enough to win an MTV award,” was a relieving respite from the insufferable scowl of Kristen Stewart. Isn’t she supposed to be the human one?

The recipient of two of last night’s awards, phrases like “I’m gonna peace out,” and “uh… thank you so much,” mellifluously rolled off of the "Twilight" star’s sour tongue.

Host Aziz Ansari’s opening sketch was sprinkled with enough sound effects and jittery editing to owe Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim a sizeable royalty check. Still, most of Aziz’s segments were solid, full of his deadly charismatic cadence. There were a few misses, though, namely his impersonation of R-Kelly sing-rapping about "Avatar."

At one point, Tom Cruise, masquerading as his character from 2008’s "Tropic Thunder," was dancing on stage with Jennifer Lopez to her hit single “Get Right,” from 2005. Talk about being out of touch with your audience, MTV. In an age where people are so reluctant to abandon their MacBooks, you would hope that the network would attempt to attract an audience by putting on something other than an award show desperate to become viral snippets. The most unfortunate part is that the show’s most brilliant moments, like Aziz’s swagger coach Taavon, and Stunt Kidz, will get lost in the fuzz of the kisses and the curses, of which there were plenty.

If F-bombs could explode, last night’s Gibson Ampitheater audience would’ve been reduced to dust. The three bleeps per minute is not only a realistic average, but is probably an understatement. That, my friends, is the biggest sign that a network is out of hand, out of touch, or out of ideas. I’ll keep my Internet, please.