Roman Polanski! Wow, ok. I'm shocked but I thought this was coming after the Adrian Brody thing. "The Acadamy accepts this award on the behalf of Roman Polanski because he can't come to America due to rape charges. Feel free, however, to boo people who bash Bush."

Best Picture - Chicago. Hmm, isn't Micheal Douglas married to... hey, wait a minute. Ok, I got this one.

Well Chicago can certainly be said to have swept things. Who doesn't love a good musical? I ended up being 3 for 6 in my predictions. Not the worst in such an uncertain year. Steve Martin was funny minus all the costume changes and special effects. There weren't any major Fashion Moments. What was the point? Well, what's always the point when it comes to the movies? It's about making money and a few of these awards tonight are guaranteed to pack some more pockets. It's truth, it's justice, it's the American Way. It's the Academy Awards.
9:08:34 PM    sro home /

8.45 - Ok, I'm 2 for 4 with 2 left. Not great but not bad.

Screenwriting Awards, You;d think I'd be all like "Oh, the writers are so great" but I know what we see on the screen is nothing like what any writer wrote. The Pianist.. More kudoos for Roman Polanski. I smell a director Oscar coming. Original Screenplay goes to Pedro Almodovar for what is arguably his most hetro flick thus far. Co-incidence? I think not. We're here, we're queer and we make the movies you watch. I was jonesing for Todd Haynes but this works for me.
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8.15 - Well you did it Nicole. You got past the Tom Cruise/pretty girl thing and kept pushing for parts outside of what we expected and isn't that the name of the game? You push yourselves and go somewhere humans haven't been before and you get a gold naked man for your effort. Congrats, you will never be Mrs. Tom Cruise again.

All of the old Oscar winners sitting on the bandstand was very "Hall of Presidents". This is part of the whole "Silver Anniversary" thing but it was weird. It reminded me of when they announce the contestants on the Miss America pagent. Why did Cloris Leachmen have baby's breath in her hair? Did she walk into a flower arrangement?
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8.00 - Halle Berry : flawless. You know they usually announce Best Actress first. Adrian Brody!! Ok, I missed that one. I was going for the Nicholson. This was apparently a shock to everyone and I bet it leaves the Best Actress people a little shaken. He thanks his parents who are dew-eyed and then he choked up and then I teared up and well, there you go. Here's why we watch. His speech brought many to tears and the audience rose to give him the credit he deserved. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. This may mean a surprise in Best Picture or Best Director, but we'll see.

BARBRA! You were like butter. I got it, you see yourself like some aloof socialite in a John Singer Sargent painting - the black lace, the neck choker. Ok, I'll bite.

OMG! Eminem won! They didn't even sing the song. I actually love "Lose Yourself". I DL'ed it last week. Well this will certainly add some kind of cred to his scattered career.

Peter O'Toole, honorary Oscar. The perfect speech.
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7.40 - How much would I do Colin Ferrell? He has a blue pin on which at first I thought was the Mercedes Icon but turned out to be a peace sign. Note To Self: Great idea for Merch Tie-Ins.

I don't even like Bono but he does act like he's the coolest person, ever.

Geena Davis : "Monica Lewinsky - The Later Years." Another Chicago win.

Susan Sarandon : The Goddess Incarnate. She's the supposed Political Hotbed for Hollywood but she said more with her casual yet determined "peace sign" than many could in words. You go Girl. You rock.
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7.15 - What are Diane Lane's earrings made of? They look like something Plumber-ish. Bowling For Columbine. Duh. Just the Acadamy's way of saying, well, guns aren't the answer.

Well Micheal Moore, tell us what you really think. Who were the people in the audience yelling "Boo" and "No!" ? Ben Affleck? Ed Woods? Micheal Douglas? Well it was certainly a sly move on Mr. Moore's part because he will now become part of Oscar History. If he had been saying "Pro-Bush" sentiments, what would have happened? Hypocrisy at it's sharpest.
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7.00 - Julianne Moore hands out another Chicago win for Best Sound. You think these things don't matter but they do... to someone. LOTR wins another too.

Frida song with Frida Look-Alike®. There was also a burning bed in the Oscar Tornado on stage in case you missed it, signifying that, uh, I dunno. Something serious I'm sure.
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I had been posting so it made sense time-wise but then I realized I maybe should be doing some "blog" consecutive time-posting or something, so I'm starting now at 6.43.

6.45 - I'm loving my champagne.

What's all that crap on Matthew McConneghey's lapel? A blue ribbon, a rose, a gardinia? It's like he's in the Floral Legion.

Kate Hudson : fabulous.

Renee Zellwegger : fabulous. No necklace or earrings.

Julie Andrews gets a standing ovation, I'm assuming for being an Old Hollywood Actress. Sound of Music - one of the best. I saw her on Broadway in Victor/Victoria and I was crushed. She was horrible.
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5.00 PM - Living in LA during the Oscars is like living at the North Pole during Christmas. Everything in the city becomes about the event. I don't live near where the event takes place but I do live in an area where lots of the after-parties are held, so even getting home from the grocery store was an ordeal due to streets being closed off and traffic snafus. Ugh.

Bottle of bubbly at the ready, I'm looking forward to the whole thing not because I have any particular interest in the films nominated but because it's not looking at the War and that can only be a good thing.

All the brou-ha-ha about being "appropriate" and "low-key" has been spun into more P.R. Cotton Candy which has, if anything, merely elevated the self-importance of the event rather than deflect attention. Duh. This is Hollywood, babe. Hope you're wearing that understated Armani and not your Ballerina Duds. Grab a glass, have a seat. Let's watch the mirrors kiss.

5.35 - Steve Martin is funny and incredibly dry and spares noone. Good for him. The Gay Mafia, weight and age obsession, Robert Blake, Nick Nolte, money and flagrent self-promotion.

Cameron Diaz? Oh yeah, she was in Shrek. Spirited Away. Duh.

I sat next to Keanu Reeves in a burrito restaurant in NYC years ago, around when Private Idaho came out. I was surprised at how big he was. Matrix = Special Effects. LOTR. Duh.

Now even the commercials have credits. Beyonce Knowles as Carmen in a Pepsi commercial directed by Spike Lee. Just in case you wondered.

6.00 - Jennifer Connelly looks fabulous, No necklace was the perfect choice. Chris Connelly. I'm 1-for-1 e.g. Winner Picks.

Jennifer Lopez. Looking fabulous. Again, no necklace = understated and serious. First Chicago win. Tip to winner - Regular satin tie is a nice touch but does not go with a wing-tip collar.

Catherine Zeta-Jones is HUGE! Is this woman ever not pregnant? She and Queen Latifah are like twins. Huge black and white bosoms sheathed in black sequins. "We Just Move On" was written by Kander and Ebb just for the movie since none of the other songs qualified for a Movie Song. You have to give Ms. Douglas props for singing live in front of an audience.

6.20 - Micky Mouse as Woody Allen. Huh? I personally find this kind of thing creepy but hey, whatta I know? Winner's Best Acceptance Speech Line - "On behalf of the entire Chubb-Chubb's crew..." Just the way he said it smelled like Merchandise Potential.

Live Action Short Winners - Those wacky europeans. Open shirt suits on the man, weird red suit on another man. What will they think of next?

Second win for Chicago : Costume Design accepted by the winner who may be in the Ugliest Dress of the night. Some black macrame hammock over her prom dress. Huh?

6.30 - Paul Simon's song is not bad if a little sentimental. For The Wild Thornberries, an animated movie based on a Nickelodeon Cartoon. What happened to all the soundtracks that defined an era? Where are the "Sounds of Silence"?

Nia Vardolos for Best Make-Up. Huh? Oh yeah, all that Fat of the infamous Big Fat Greek was Make-Up. Longest Walk to the Podium Ever. Freida for the UniBrow.

Big Ol' Catherine Zeta-Jones wins for Chicago. I'm 2 for 2 in case you were wondering. I wanted to see her have the baby. At least break a little water for christ's sake.
5:21:26 PM    sro home /