Oscar Night in 2008

I was not sure if I would be into the Oscars this year. I had not seen many of the films and with the writer's strike the entire affair has been under a cloud of doom since the fall. But I put on my PJs and sat down with my Dr. Pepper and Pringles anyway to see what was what.

And I must confess to really enjoying the telecast this year. I think the last minute writing kept things simple rather than bloated. I think the 80th anniversary tributes added star-power and sincerity rather than time spent on lame gags. I think removing the intros (and clips) of the nominated films was good choice. (I think removing the performances of original songs would be a good one too!) I think that the party felt much more like the Golden Globes. There was a lightness in the air at the Kodak Theatre last night. The sense of relief of having the "show go on" was palpable and it made everyone relax and enjoy the moment. And in the end it was enjoyable for all. Random observations below:

Why is Miley Cyrus at the Oscars?

Jon Stewart's opening monologue makes me laugh more than any host since Billy Crystal's original stint. Of course I don't understand why ANY monologue is necessary but at least Jon is entertaining.

Cate Blanchett has the most radiant smile. I dare anyone to not want to be in its path. But her billowing purple bump dress isn't a bit mainstream for me. I was hoping for something edgier from her.

Twenty minutes into the show and I teared up! Damn tributes and that Titanic song! I'm such a softie for people honestly being touched by recognition.

Pirates doesn't win for make-up instead the honour goes to La Vie en Rose thereby signaling that the ability to make a hot woman (Marion Cotillard) unattractive and older (as Edith Piaf) is considered quite the feat!

The Golden Compass wins for visual effects and all I can think is that Jeff is going to pissed off! It feels wrong when compared to the effects in Pirates of the Carribean. Interesting that the film's first cut was considered SO lacklustre that Disney ordered up more cash to redo the effects. I guess you could say the investment paid off.

It still freaks me out to see Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart together - even though it has been 7 years! But it gives me hope that maybe life can spin on an unexpected dime and you get Indiana Jones as your man.

Javier Bardem takes the supporting actor prize - the first acting non-surprize of the night. It reminded me of Bencio Del Toro's wind with a bit of Jamie Foxx thrown in with his Spanish thanks to mama. Man, I love grown men taking their moms to the big show!

Loved all the English-as-second-language moments for the winners (the guy for live action short, the Italian costume designers, Marion Cotillard). All so heart-warming.

Tilda Swinton takes supporting actress as if to follow the last year's Arkin upset. A well-deserved award but sadly she wore a velvet trashbag to the event. But then ALL is redeemed as she totally takes the piss out of George Clooney by commenting on his "commitment to his art" by wearing his batsuit ("the one with the nipples") under his clothes.

God I LOVE James McAvoy's accent. And his pep. And his dry humour. And his eyes!

Jonah Hill & Seth Rogen appear looking identical. It is both hilarious and creepy. And the future of suburban cineplex fare.

An early presentation for Best Actress yields another surprise. Hmmmm ... Marion Cotillard wins and the Blanchett's look of surprised glee almost overshadows the French actress' beauty. "You rocked my life" ... "Thank you life. Thank you love"

Colin Farrell returns! Yeah! I have been mssing those chocolate eyes. And he talks about Once which Keir recommended so I guess I have to see it now.

The tribute to the last 79 Best Picture winners really showed how movies have changed over time.

Patrick Dempsey is introduced as "versatile and handsome" - good thing the writers came back!

Jon Stewart brings the second original song winner back out on stage post commercial to give her chance to actually say thankyou. A wonderful gesture and the work of a true master of ceremonies. The winner then goes on to deliver a fantastic speech about Hope and the arts making the action worthwhile for us all.

Cameron Diaz rocks the best nude lips in history. How did she get that shine?

Where is Keira Knightley???

Diablo Cody wins original screenplay for Juno. She must be the first Oscar winner who was previously an exotic dancer and has a bikini-clad woman tattooed on her arm. A breath of tiger-print fresh air to the night.

Daniel Day Lewis wins Best Actor. The man has serious action chops. But I really dislke him. Can't watch him. He drives me nuts. And the earrings? Dude - WTF?

No Cecile B. DeMille award. Guess there wasn't an old guy in Hollywood that needed to be honoured in 2008. Hmmmmm...

Best Picture goes to No Country for Old Men

No big sweeps. Lots of interesting supporting awards and a sense of fun that has been lacking. The End.

2005 ... 2006 ... 2007

Red Carpet Rundown

OK .. new thing for this year because I sat and watched the red carpet pre-show (the one with Regis NOT the one with creeeepy Ben!) and made a bunch of comments on the fashion. As the first major red carpet for Hollywood this year it was a bit of big deal and I wanted to see who was doing what with their fashion time.

I found a few favourites and was horrified by a few others. But it appears that my taste is not like that others. Many of the outfits I disliked the most ended up on Best Dressed Lists and many I loved were criticized. It just reminds me that fashion is a personal thing and by better be okay with because people are watching! hahaha

Jessica Alba wore a fabulous wine-colour that is perfect for her newly bumped bod but suffered by having an ostrich wing sewn to her chest. WTF?

Oh Jennifer Hudson. Someone had to remind her that racer-style halter necklines are not made for bigger girls. (just ask Triny & Susannah)

Marion Cotillard looked like a scallopped goddess in Jean Paul Gaultier.

Javier Badem did the tux & scruff thing and made me sit up and go Mmmmmm.... Seriously, smile lines will get me every time.

Helen Mirren looked incredible in red with crystal sleeves. Every woman needs to take grand dame notes from her.

Katherine Heigl continued her assault on Hollywood rocking her usual Escada. But, man, I hate her. Hate the short hair. She needes to get off my TV.

Jennifer Garner has boob problems AGAIN! Remember the baby blue squishiness of her first appearance? I am sensing that star stylist Rachel Zoe isn't so good with the bust line measurements of her clients.

Daniel Day Lewis' wife showed up looking like a British medal of honour.

Heidi Klum kicked some serious red carpet ass in a red confection of elegance.

Cameron Diaz is back in structured pink (one step up form her origami white from last year) but it's BORING. And a dress that hugs her ASS is not the best choice since it made a tall, lithe woman look lumpy and padded.

Amy Adams has the sweetest little ski jump nose. No wonder she played a live-action version of a Disney princess.

Steve Carell can totally rock a tuxedo. There is an old Hollywood look about it that reminds me of the man behind the comedian and he's very attractive.

I could not figure out what Penelope Cruz was going for. She managed to tackle almost every trend of the evening in one dress. But anything that makes one walk around with a cascade of feathers on the ass needs to be re-evaluated.

Keri Russell is SO pretty.

Ellen Page - she's so clever - but putting her in spaghetti straps was maybe not the best choice.

Hilary Swank brought a great dress this year. Not too poofy. Not too different. Just Versace goodness.

Renee Zellweger shows up in a liquid diamonds dress with a thigh-high slit. I can't imagine how heavy it was but it flowed beautifully - like a ray of sun dancing on snow. Gorgeous and back to her best-dressed status in spite of the hair.

Nicole Kidman - GASP! - Necklaces galore in dripping chains of diamond crystals. Impeccable. Decadent. Wonderful. Just WOW! All down the front and All down the back. A fashion statement for another newly bumped star to firmly keep the attention on her face and luminous skin.

Feathers, one-shoulders and excessive folding - there was something about dress design this year that was just a bit annoying and hopefully not a sign for what lies ahead.

Barely Sports

You know what I love? Each year that the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is published the women wear less and less swimsuit. Apparantly, the ideal swimming attire for 2008 is a giant necklace. I'll get right on that!

SI Cover 2008

The Gift of Choice

I am not posting this graphic to be controversial but it may inevitably be so. What comes to mind most about this image is that there is a growing generation of young women who will NOT understand its meaning. They have not grown up in a world where the choice for abortion was NOT a reality. They have not grown up with pregnancy termination being illegal. They have grown up with an assumed cushion that many can't even acknowledge.

It does not matter whether or not one agrees with abortion. It does not matter if one would make that choice. What matters is that the option exists, freely, to be exercised. And this option creates a world of sexual freedom, physical control and personal choice that women did not always possess. What a world that would be.

The choice to terminate pregnancy is now available to Canadian women in almost all provinces (PEI excepted) through provincial health care in hospitals or hospital-based clinics. And many major cities in Canada also have private abortion clinics that charge for the practise. These facilities are the direct result of the efforts of Dr. Henry Morgantaler who established the first clinic in Canada and continued to perform "illegal" abortions until all remaining legal restrictions against abortion were abolished. (It is important to note that Morgentaler's delivery was not pristine. And the practise has improved beyond the black-market operations and medical impropriety for which he was charged in the 1970s.)

The legal status of abortion changed in 1988(!!) due to a case involving Dr. Henry Morgentaler. Prior to that date (for about 20 years), a safe, hospital-based abortion could only be granted if a hospital therapeutic committeed determined the pregnancy a danger to a woman's health. This process was deemed constutionally unfair in the Morgentaler case and the last hurdle to a woman's right to choose was removed.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the important ruling. As such, a group of pro-choice groups in Canada mounted a campaign to have Henry Morgentaler invested into the Order of Canada. (It is the third such attempt to have the doctor honoured.) The Order of Canada is given to recognize a "...lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country."

This week the Globe & Mail posted a poll asking if Morgentaler should be nominated. The results were overwhelmingly in the negative (85%). You can see the results here.

As of today, it appears that the advocacy for Morgentaler has fallen on deaf ears as his name was not amongst those to be recognized this year. It is time to really think about how we perceive people's achievements and what their actions truly do for our nation as a whole. As women move forward in their lives let them continue to live in a free space of personal life choices and the challenges that such a choice must surely bring to the individual. Let us not move backward into a world that regulates one gender because of a biological mechanism beyond its control. And let us recognize the contribution of the man who fought for the right to choose a safe choice.

Exposure

Sometimes I like to play with my random photo editor (that is NOT photoshop but whatever) and see what I can create. It makes me feel like an "artist" even though I am still an amateur. That being said, I do really like the images below that I blew the constrast on. So I thought I would share them.

Oscar Thoughts

What can I say? My movie madness has been lacking in recent months. Funny how things in your life that seem SO real are sometimes the things that are most mutable. Since I went to my first film alone in highschool I have been cultivating my own brand of flick smarts. This "talent" has led me to become a devotee of the annual Oscars telecast and maintained alot of the content on this blog. But this year has been notably different. After two years in HFX I have finally developed a bit of a social network and if there is one thing that gets in the way of rampant film-going it is hanging out with REAL people.

And so, my movie reviews have evaporated and the Writer's Strike has put a definite kink in my awards season trajectory. All of this to say that I am not sure - at all! - what to say about this year's nominees for the Academy Awards. But in one week I will be in my living room, in my PJs, and watching "The One, The Only, The Oscars" so I figured I should say something! As always, I never try to truly predict the winners (If you want to check out the betting odds - I was curious this year considering I had seen so few films - check them out at the aptly-named website: gambling911.) This year, with the void of telecasts, my choices are based on who I want to see on that stage - laughing, crying, looking fabulous. So let's do this.

Best Supporting Actress
Cate Blanchett in "I'm Not There"
Ruby Dee in "American Gangster"
Saoirse Ronan in "Atonement"
Amy Ryan in "Gone Baby Gone"
Tilda Swinton in "Michael Clayton"

This race is an interesting one. I would say that Blanchett is currently the favourite for her gender-bending turn in the Bob Dylan indie fantasy "I'm Not There". She was the only female to make 'Esquire's' Best Performances list and has proven herself an awards darling in previous years (all completely deserved). Also, I figure this is the likely spot for her award considering her double-nomination this year. Having not seen Ganster or Baby I cannot clearly comment on the performances of either Ruby Dee or Amy Ryan. Still I am stoked to see an actress directed into a nominated performance by my boyfriend (that would be Ryan). Tilda Swinton was exceptional in Michael Clayton in what can only be viewed as her most "normal-looking" character ever extending her phenomenal range even further. And while Saoirse Ronan perfectly captured misguided maturity in Atonement the nomination of her performance is likely a sufficient accolade.
Likely Bet: Cate Blanchett
Podium Preference: Tilda Swinton

Best Supporting Actor
Casey Affleck in "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men"
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War"
Hal Holbrook in "Into the Wild"
Tom Wilkinson in "Michael Clayton"

It is always interesting when a supporting actor category contains past nominees of the lead actor category (Bardem, Hoffman, Wilkinson). The talent pool is deep this year and always makes it trickier to call the final count. The nomination of Holbrook is reminiscent of Peter O'Toole's late career nod. The dark horse and intriguing entry is Affleck. What a coup it would be for this young character actor to take the prize. But this particular year is Bardem's without much of a fight. Since Country opened it has been Bardem's sadistic killer with the funny haircut that has received all the attention. Since his skill has been recognized by his peers through the nomination it is almost quaranteed that the Academy at large will not vote him to the gold.
Likely Bet: Javier Bardem
Podium Preference: Casey Affleck

Best Actress
Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"
Julie Christie in "Away from Her"
Marion Cotillard in "La Vie en Rose"
Laura Linney in "The Savages"
Ellen Page in "Juno"

This category is potentially the most difficult for me to call. I have only seen two of the films in question (Eliabeth and Juno)and neither will yield the winner. As mentioned above, Blanchett's dual nominations push her chances into the supporting and her second turn as the virgin queen pales next to the original. And while I would LOVE to see Page on that stage the quirky and nuanced performances selcom take the top prizes. So I am left to ponder three talented ladies in three very different roles. It would take a major upset to put Cotillard's name in the envelope. Linney has been nominated before and in cases when a clear winner is not evident the Academy has been known to reward a body of achievement. But the odds are moving strongly in favour of Christie and I can't complain about that as her role was in the first film by Canadian Sarah Polley.
Likely Bet: Julie Christie
Podium Preference: Ellen Page

Best Actor
George Clooney in "Michael Clayton"
Daniel Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood"
Johnny Depp in "Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Tommy Lee Jones in "In the Valley of Elah"
Viggo Mortensen in "Eastern Promises"

Whew ... what a category. Again, my first-hand knowledge of these achievements is minimal as I have only seen Clooney's Clayton at this point. Still this year the nominees embody the widest breadth of actor attributes I have seen in ages. Clooney is the matinee idol gone golden. Lewis is the consummate actor's actor. Depp is the scene-stealing artiste. Jones is the working man. And Mortensen is the character-maker. The nominated performances reflect these strengths and so it is Day-Lewis in the lead with a hungry and determined pack behind him. Depp is only one nomination behind Lewis in Oscar races and I don't think anyone doubts how amazing it would be to see such an original actor win a major award. Unlike Lewis, Depp has managed to generate outstanding performances and sustain films with broad marketability. This range should be recognized ... at least once!
Likely Bet: Daniel Day Lewis
Podium Preference: Johnny Depp

Best Adapted Screenplay
"Atonement"
"Away from Her"
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"

Best Original Screenplay
"Juno"
"Lars and the Real Girl"
"Michael Clayton"
"Ratatouille"
"The Savages"

The writing categories are interesting because it is where three things happen:
1 - the BEST films are rewarded because a solid script is a necessary foundation (Country, Blood)
2 - films that are considered strong but unlikely "top" prize winners are favoured (Atonement, Clayton, Juno)and
3 - films of originality are honoured with nominations (Lars, Butterfly, Savages)
Calling the winners for this category is linked very much to other categories as I assume that while some voters consistently reward a single film others like to spread the wealth. But you never know because you can have a year like 1997 that was dominated by Titanic but gave screenplay awards to L.A. Confidential and Good Will Hunting. So for this year I don't know if the big films will dominate all, the underdogs will get rewarded or scripts completely off the pace will be gold. I really do love these categories.
Likely Bet Adapted: No Country for Old Men
Likely Bet Original: Michael Clayton
Podium Preference Adapted: Atonement
Podium Preference Original: Juno

Best Film
"Atonement"
"Juno"
"Michael Clayton"
"No Country for Old Men"
"There Will Be Blood"

And so the big prize (well there is directing but I always skip that one!) comes down to a tragic romance, an unconventional love story, a character-driven conspiracy tale, a twisted crime thriller and a turn-of-the century greed story. The romance is subtle and beautifully filmed. But it is not superior film-making in the way that previous winners have set the standard. The quirky tale has the perfect blend of sweet and dark to make it genuine. But it is hardly a triumph of cinema or storytelling. The conspiracy in challenging and complex. But it never finds a solid center and so it spins mildly askew in its execution. The thriller is unique and inspired. But it suffers from an abrupt and confusing exit. The greed is deliberate and fully-developed. But it is heavy and too internal to reach its audience at times. The field is full with adequate contenders this year but a true champion has not made it to the horizon. But if I had to call it - Country by a hair.
Likely Bet: No Country for Old Men
Podium Preference: No Country for Old Men
(yeah, I'm picking a flick I haven't seen - but of the others on the list it HAS to be better considering the buzz it is generated)

Indy

Seriously... how AWESOME is this gonna be!!!

http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html

May 22. Be there!

Crush Boy Update

Okay, so he is a thin, pasty, young Scotsman with wispy facial hair and a lack of decent photos. But put James McAvoy on the screen and he (and those eyes!) just pop and he makes you love him. He is not manly. He is not steaming hot. But the strength and warmth of his talent takes his boyishness to remarkably sexy heights. James sort of snuck up on me.

My first notice of him was in Wimbledon when he played Paul Bettany's younger brother - a scheming, lovable loser clad in bicylce spandex - but my interest was firmly on the blonde Brit at the time. When he showed up as Mr. Tumnus in the adaptation of my favourite childhood novel "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" I was impressed. He was genuine but hardly attractive with his CGI legs and extra back hair. Ohhhh ... but the eyes.

Public notice of James began when he held his own against Forrest Whitaker's award-winning acting in The Last King of Scotland. A bit more rugged, a bit more challenging, James proved that he wasn't a just a pretty face. But for me it was the one-two punch of period romances that cemented the deal. As Tom Lefroy in Becoming Jane and Robbie Turner in Atonement, McAvoy solidly shows the women of the world that a leading man doesn't have to be the most debonair man in the room but rather he is the one who loves you with the greatest sincerity. And at this emotion James excels. He will warm your heart and it will break when his does. This is the luck of being a man with a boy's face - the vulnerabilty increases his presence.

And now, with the acclaim for Atonement including multiple nominations for James himself, he is about to break into world of stardom. This spring he romances Christina Ricci in the fable Penelope and later this year tackles his dark side along with Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie in Wanted as the Harry Potter of assassins (heehee). Let's just say I will be there for both! Oh, and I have to love his name. It was my grandfather's afterall! Funny that.

Other Crush Boys:
Hugh Dancy ... Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ... Bradly Cooper ... Jeremy Piven