Bryan, had same reaction to 12 Years. Brad Pitt's character would have been ok if it weren't played by Brad Pitt or if it were Brad Pitt playing a different role (like a bad-guy slave owner). But as is, it became a parody of Pitt trying to save the world with obvious moral lessons.
I wasn't watching 48 Hours (resuming post-Olympics TV, probably). But I've had no interest in the Oscars the past few years. I even saw several of the best-picture movies (Gravity, Blue Jasmine, 12 Years, and Frozen). I'm happy that Gravity won its many awards; it was my favorite movie last...