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Wow, the Oscars Were Actually Fun

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:37:54 +0000

Book Hugh Jackman for next year, please -- last night was one of the most enjoyable Oscar ceremonies in a long time. After last year�s dismal ratings, Oscar really needed a kick in the pants, and I�m happy to see that the pressure for change resulted in something a lot less stuffy and involved Jackman singing and dancing his heart out. Hollywood actually knows how to kick back and have fun; go figure.

Starting with the absolutely adorable Slumdog kids on the red carpet, everyone seemed relaxed and happy last night. The acceptance speeches were pretty touching all around, and Penelope Cruz and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black definitely had the most heartfelt ones of the evening. And we can breathe a sigh of relief -- Kate Winslet remembered to thank her husband this time.

Things were toned down a bit thanks to the recession, with the ladies showing up in gorgeous gowns -- but little bling -- and the ceremony playing it pretty straight. The opening cardboard cutout, "we don't have money for set pieces" nominee song and dance was pretty amusing, even if somewhat out of place performed under a huge (and no doubt expensive) Swarovski crystal arch. And don�t worry Hugh, you didn�t miss too much by not yet seeing The Reader.

As far as awards, there weren�t really any big surprises with Slumdog Millionaire cleaning up in nearly every category it got nominated, including Best Picture and Best Director. Best Actor could have gone to either Mickey Rourke or Sean Penn, and it was Penn who ultimately took the statue home (though he gave a nice shout-out to Rourke in his speech); other acting honors went to Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet and, of course, the late Heath Ledger, whose family accepted the award on his behalf.

Other highlights included Ben Stiller�s "Hasidic meth lab" Joaquin Phoenix impression, the Judd Apatow short with James Franco and Seth Rogen mostly laughing on a couch, and Steve Martin and Tina Fey�s �just don�t fall in love with me� award presentation together.

It would have been nice if Alan Arkin hadn�t butchered Philip Seymour Hoffman�s name, Jessica Biel wasn�t so boring, and the cameraman during the In Memoriam photo montage didn�t insist on shooting multiple angles of a flat screen so viewers at home missed half the honorees. (And I�ll admit, that�s usually one of my favorite parts.) And while the one-on-one for each acting nominee before the winner was announced was nice, it caused things to go on a bit long -- but then again, what are the Oscars if not perpetually over time?

Photos � Getty Images

Winners Circle Predictions

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:05:22 +0000

Even though I�m not a huge fan of making award show predictions -- I usually reserve my esteemed opinion until the tense two seconds before the winner is announced when I shout at the TV screen; this is similar to watching Jeopardy! with me -- this year, I�m changing things up, since this is one of the first times in awhile that I�ve actually seen almost all of the nominated films before the Oscar ceremony takes place. And I can�t pass up an opportunity to publicly reveal my allegiances, so here goes�

Best Picture � Slumdog Millionaire
Best Director � Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor � Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler (it�s only too bad little Loki won�t be around for the acceptance speech)
Best Actress � Kate Winslet, The Reader (though I�m really pulling for Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married)
Best Supporting Actor � Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight (duh)
Best Supporting Actress � Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Best Animated Film � WALL-E
Best Documentary � Man on Wire
Best Foreign Language Film � Waltz with Bashir

So what do you think? Are these people actually going to be taking home statues or am I way off base?

Best Picture Spotlight: The Reader

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:29:21 +0000

In a nutshell: Based on the book by Bernhard Schlink, a teenage boy has an affair with an older woman in his town -- reading to her and sleeping with her, the usual -- only to find out years later that she�s a former concentration camp guard. Cue internal turmoil.

Why it could win: Kate Winslet is due for an Oscar and unless an upset occurs, it�s already hers. Her presence in a movie that�s about one of Oscar�s favorite subjects, the Holocaust, doesn�t hurt things either.

Why it could lose: Besides Winslet�s strong performance, there hasn't been that much attention thrown on the film and if it hadn't been released so late in the year, who knows if it would have gotten a nomination at all. Also, with the economy tanking and jobs disappearing left and right, voters are probably more apt to go with a certain feel-good crowd pleaser than this heavy drama.

So You Wanna Throw a Party?

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:40:57 +0000

The Oscars are kinda like the Superbowl. Everyone loves having a party to watch �em, even if they have no idea who�s actually taking part in the main event -- and no plans of really watching. As such, you better believe that the food and drinks will be an even bigger part of the night for at least half of your guests than Kate Winslet�s sure-to-be teary acceptance speech.

To make the night memorable, however, you don�t have to spend a lot of dough. Potluck parties are a great idea (so long as your friends are good cooks), and by taking the time to plan out a few special cocktails, you don�t have to stress about stocking your entire bar. If you�re more of a do-it-yourselfer, the appetizers just need to be quick and easy, the kids happy and quiet, and the drinks delicious. And as you finish the night off with some delectable treats (see: chocolate covered strawberries), everyone will walk away happy. That is, unless your guests are rooting for cute little Bolt to win best animated feature (because WALL-E has that in the bag).

Best Picture Spotlight: Milk

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:25:54 +0000

In a nutshell: The true story of how Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man elected to U.S. public office + his fight for civil rights in 1970s San Francisco.

Why it could win: In addition to stellar acting by everyone in the cast, gay rights are still a hot button issue (Prop 8, anyone?) and Oscar loves films that tackle important social issues.

Why it could lose: Competition with Frost/Nixon could split votes among biopic-loving voters -- plus no matter how great the movie, it�s still a controversial topic and even a lovable Sean Penn will have a hard time triumphing over the attention being heaped Slumdog�s rags-to-riches way.

Was Wolverine a Good Choice?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:31:24 +0000

For the last 20 years, the Oscars have been presided over by comedians -- folks like Billy Crystal (who's led the charge eight times), Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Chris Rock and Jon Stewart taking swipes at celebrities who must then smile charmingly and nod at each dig as if they can't be insulted. Usually they pull it off, sometimes not so much.

So it's interesting that this year, the Wolverine himself, the dashing Hugh Jackman, has accepted the honors. But no complaints here. Sure, he's no stand-up comedian, but the guy's a laid back charmer who won't feel the pressure to make sure every line he utters is a hilarious joke, which quite frankly, sounds good to me. Plus, uh, he's the reigning sexiest man alive, so it's not like anyone can argue with having to stare at him all night long.

Even if he's not Jon Stewart, this change looks to be a good thing -- and change is exactly what Oscar's ratings need, especially after last year. But what do you think? Is there someone else you'd rather see at the helm?

Photo � Getty/Pascal Le Segretain

Best Picture Spotlight: Slumdog Millionaire

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:35:31 +0000

In a nutshell: An uneducated Mumbai street kid wins big on an Indian trivia game show. When he�s suspected of cheating, a series of flashbacks tells his life story and reveals how he knew each answer.

Why it could win: It�s become the little film that could: one that almost didn�t get released before rising to become a buzzworthy fan favorite and snagging Best Picture at the Golden Globes. An underdog film with a no name cast and feel-good ending makes it impossible not to root for, and the wave of audience support could carry it through to Oscar glory.

Why it could lose: Because almost everyone wants it to win.

More Slumdog Millionaire:

Photo � Fox Searchlight

Dude, Where�s My Catchphrase?

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:14:48 +0000

Love them or hate them, it�s a fact that many movies become instant classics because of a good catchphrase. Just look at some of last year�s Best Picture contenders: No Country for Old Men had, �Call it, friend-o� and There Will Be Blood had the oddly brilliant, �I drink your milkshake!�, accompanied with the lesson to never go bowling with Daniel Day-Lewis. Heck, the entire script of Juno reads like an endless series of catchphrases cleverly strung together to form a plot (honest to blog!).

So what memorable lines can we take away from 2008?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: �I was born under unusual circumstances.�
Frost/Nixon: �When the President does it, that means it is not illegal!�
Milk: �My name is Harvey Milk, and I�m here to recruit you!�
The Reader: I can�t even think of a good possibility from The Reader.
Slumdog Millionaire: �It is written.�

You call those catchphrases? None of them have the staying power of the brilliantly timed, �I�ll have what she�s having,� or the inane inaccuracy of, �Love means never having to say you�re sorry.� A good catchphrase needs to be able to be worked into conversations and repeated to your friends ad nauseum. Whether you want to admit it or not, everyone at one time or another has requested that someone "show me the money!"

But who knows, maybe you�ll find it hilarious to tell people you were born under unusual circumstances...but that�s just like, your opinion, man�

Photo � 20th Century Fox

Best Picture Spotlight: Frost/Nixon

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:08:18 +0000

In a nutshell: The based-on-true-events story of British TV host David Frost�s televised interviews with disgraced former US President, Richard Nixon.

Why it could win: Frank Langella as Nixon and Michael Sheen as Frost. Plus it�s based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Why it could lose: The performances of the principal actors aside, the rest of the movie feels really uneven. It starts well, then drags throughout the middle, then picks itself back up to end with a bang. It also has to compete with Milk, another based-on-true-events movie that stays a bit closer to the true events it�s based on.

More Frost/Nixon:

Photo � Universal Pictures

31 Days of Oscar: Kicking it Old School

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:00:25 +0000

Maybe the new movies coming out today just aren�t cutting it for you. Or maybe you�re tired of hearing people say, �You mean you still haven�t seen Gone with the Wind?!� Or maybe you�re just looking for an opportunity to watch Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid for the hundredth time. Whatever your reason for wanting more classic movies, Turner Classic Movies has got you covered.

From February 1-March 3, TCM will be playing all Oscar-nominated classics, all the time. Check out the full schedule and make sure your DVR has ample recording space. This could be the year you can finally agree with your friends that Sophie�s Choice is, quite possibly, the saddest movie ever made.

(Photo courtesy of MGM Studios)