There was a time when I actually watched some of the Academy Awards ceremonies on television. But last night continued a long streak of indifference, principally because I got tired of being insulted for my political beliefs from the podium and weary of movies with political themes dear to the hearts of liberals taking most of the awards, while more popular fare was snubbed.

And in truth, I have not been to an actual movie theater all year, and see little reason to subject myself to an amphitheater full of people who talk back to the screen, send text messages, and otherwise disturb my viewing experience. It’s much more fun to watch what I want months or years after the theatrical release in my living room, on a flat screen TV with a nice Dolby-equipped sound system, pausing the action whenever I want to.

Now that President Obama has made the selfie a cultural marker, host Ellen Degeneres tweeted a star-packed selfie which quickly became the most re-Tweeted item ever. The PR pro who thought up that one gets a career boost.

If only Bradley's arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars pic.twitter.com/C9U5NOtGap

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 3, 2014

For those who care, here are the major winners, courtesy of ABC (which televised the affair). The two big winners of major awards were on topics dear to the Hollywood Left: race (12 Years a Slave) and AIDS (Dallas Buyers Club). Plenty of opportunities for liberal piety, allowing self-obsessed, fabulously wealthy people to pose as caring deep-thinkers. The crowd-pleaser Gravity won the most awards, but they were primarily technical.

Best Picture: "12 Years a Slave."

Actor: Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyers Club."

Actress: Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine."

Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club."

Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave."

Directing: Alfonso Cuaron, "Gravity."

Foreign Language Film: "The Great Beauty," Italy.

Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, "12 Years a Slave."

Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, "Her."

Animated Feature Film: "Frozen."

Production Design: "The Great Gatsby."

Cinematography: "Gravity."

Sound Mixing: "Gravity."

Sound Editing: "Gravity."

Original Score: "Gravity," Steven Price.

Original Song: "Let It Go" from "Frozen."

Costume: "The Great Gatsby."

Makeup and Hairstyling: "Dallas Buyers Club."

Animated Short Film: "Mr. Hublot."

Documentary Feature: "20 Feet from Stardom."

Documentary (short subject): "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life."

Film Editing: "Gravity."

Live Action Short Film: "Helium."

Visual Effects: "Gravity."

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Honorary Oscars:

— Peter W. Anderson.

— Film-processing labs over past century.

— Angelina Jolie.

— Angela Lansbury.

— Steve Martin.

— Piero Tosi.