It wasn't shocking that the Academy honored Argo, an entertaining film about Hollywood's role in the rescue of American hostages. It wasn't shocking that they honored actress Jennifer Lawrence, a breakout movie star whose performance in Silver Linings Playbook wasn't even in the same league as fellow nominee Emmanuelle Riva (Amour). It wasn't shocking that Amour won only in the Best Foreign Film category, the same fate that befell the superb A Separation last year. It wasn't even shocking that Michelle Obama announced the Best Picture winner, which just happened to be a film about the relationship between the US Government and Hollywood. I'd say that was rather convenient, but the Obama Administration wasn't taking a big risk since the other contenders included a film about President Lincoln and a film about killing Osama bin Laden.
Of course, there were oversights in the nominations. The Academy has a long history of overlooking good films. For example, The Night of the Hunter, City Lights, The Searchers, Once Upon a Time in the West and Out of the Past didn't receive any nominations at all. However, I do think it is surprising that the In Memoriam tribute didn't include Andy Griffith, who was previously overlooked by the Academy for his excellent performance in A Face in the Crowd. After all, that's the one part of the program that's supposed to be inclusive. At least the tribute included some less famous people such as screenwriter Tonino Guerra (L'Avventura).
I find it difficult to take the Oscars seriously enough to continue mocking them, so I'll just close by saying that if Jennifer Lawrence can win an Oscar, then I demand an honorary award for the late John Reynolds who played Torgo in Manos: The Hands of Fate. It's time he had his due.