Moon: She'll get another chance to botch up a part. LOL, I am in total agreement with you! I don't think I've liked her anything I've seen her in. Now, my oscar picks BP: LOTR (Peter Jackson); however, because this is a series, they may reward him later)(CNN stated that) BD: Peter Jackson (but because of what was stated above, could go to RH) BA: Denzel Washington (hands down)(Russell Crowe is too moody, and Spencer Tracy and Tom Hanks deserved those awards[being critical because I LOVE Spencer Tracy movies!]) Ba: Sissy Spacek (Musicals rarely get any big awards nowadays) Let the countdown begin....

Yes, congrats Murph! *clapclap* (USA Today) Plus, someone has been having a good time with Photoshop. Heehee! Indeed.

Moon and Laura, give us your supporting acting pics, and screenplay choices, too. Here's a full list of nominees: http://www.oscar.com/nominees/nominees_index.html

ooh, I know this probably belongs on BJD, but maybe not Shirley Henderson (Shazzer) and Gemma Jones have signed onto Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. SH will play Moaning Myrtle (a ghost who haunts the girls toilet) GJ will play Madame Pomfrey (she's like the school nurse) Miriam Margolyes will play greenthumbed Professor Sprout. Sounds like some interesting casting; however, Moaning Myrtle was all of 14?????

Best Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent (for Iris AND Moulin Rouge, even though the latter was nommed for that, it gives him an in). Best Supporting Actress: Helen Mirren (just because I adore her and she's married to Taylor Hackford) Animated Feature Film: Shrek, hands down, not competition there at all. Writing: Memento (it's unusual and brilliant)

My Oscar Pics: BP - LOTR (my choice LOTR) BD - Opie - they will split both BP and BD between LOTR and ABM, could go either way (my choice Peter Jackson or even David Lynch) Actor - Denzel has a lot of support (TW for me) Actress - Halle has also gained (my dear Renee so deserves this) S Actor - Ian McKellen (love IK and JB had an amazing year or the brillant Ben Kingsley - don't ask me to choose, I would be happy with any of these three!) S Actress - Jennifer Connolly (would like KW or MT) Adapted Screenplay - LOTR Original Screenplay - Memento

Oscar picks: BP, Moulin Rouge-- me LOTR BD, Opie-- me Peter Jackson BA, Russell C-- me RC Ba, Nicole K-- me NK (I am hoping that RZ pulls it off) BS actress Jennifer Connolly Best Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent Adapted Screenplay - LOTR Original Screenplay - Memento Animated Feature Film - Shrek FF, Amelie-- me Amelie

Oooh, lots of MR and LOTR fans here, eh? Well, I'll change that. ;-) ;-) This is fun; we'll see who comes closest, and if we have any unanimous choices. Mine: Picture--will win: ABM. My Vote: In The Bedroom Director--will win: Opie. My vote: Richie Cunningham ;-) Best Actor--will win: Denzel Washington. My vote: Tom Wilkinson. Best Actress--will win: Sissy Spacek. My vote: Renee Z. (But knowing she doesn't have a chance, I'd be ok with Sissy). Supporting Actor--will win: Ian McKellan. My vote: Ben Kingsley. Supporting Actress--will win & my vote: Jennifer Connelly Adapted Screenplay--will win: ABM. My vote: In The Bedroom Original Screenplay--will win: Gosford Park. My vote: Memento (LOVE IT!) Animated Film--will win & my vote: Shrek Foreign language film--will win: Amelie. My vote: No Man's Land Song--Vanilla Sky (am including for one reason only and his name is Paul McCartney! Yeah, yeah, yeah!:-)

The April 2002 Esquire Mag. has a very funny article on the Oscars and the current picks for Best Picture and then some. It is not on-line. :-( Mari you should read what he says about In The Bedroom. Here is the info: Page 62 The Screen Cameron Crowes all-thumbs attempt to be daring, why Shallow Hal beats the hell out of In the Bedroom, and several extra helpings of Gwyneth Paltrow: Esquires third annual Alternative Oscars. [ By Tom Carson ]

Latest on Cold Mountain according to the DM: Anthony Minghella directing , NK to play Ada....now that ex TC is out. If Jennifer Connelly gets Best Supporting , ABM gets BPic & Opie gets Best Director, that's an obvious slap to RC, and IMO diminishes the Academy's competence who ostensibly are supposed to judge talent and not behavior.

If Jennifer Connelly gets Best Supporting , ABM gets BPic & Opie gets Best Director, that's an obvious slap to RC, and IMO diminishes the Academy's competence who ostensibly are supposed to judge talent and not behavior. I agree! Most of the Academy members are not Saints. Plus, no actor likes to have his lines cut. I think they'll give it to RC. Welcome back, Evelyn!

And the honors keep rolling in... ;-D Tom Wilkinson has been named best actor by American magazine Modern Maturity. Charlotte Rampling, Robert Altman and Shrek were also honoured. The magazine launched the awards in a bid to influence Hollywood to make more films for older moviegoers. They honour films that "address the concerns and dreams of people over 50". Full Monty star Wilkinson won a La Chaise d'Or award. He is also nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film In The Bedroom. Rampling was named best actress for Under The Sand, and Altman was named best director for Gosford Park. The best film was Australian movie Lantana, and animated film Shrek was named Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse To Grow Up.

If Curtis is directing, he's not going to have a lot of time to work on a BJD script. More info from Screendaily: Working Title Films and National Lottery franchise DNA Films have teamed to produce leading UK writer Richard Curtis' directing debut, a romantic comedy in which Hugh Grant is to play the British prime minister. Grant is in talks to play a bachelor PM who falls in love on his first day in office with the girl who brings him his tea. Emma Thompson is also understood to be in talks to star in the film, which has the working title of Love Actually. The film interweaves ten separate stories about Londoners looking for love in the run-up to Christmas, climaxing on Christmas Eve. Shooting is scheduled for the autumn. "I know Richard will make an excellent front-seat director!" said producer and DNA Films co-chief Duncan Kenworthy. "And with 20 leading roles in the film, it will be exciting to work with a really wide range of talented British actors." Having first teamed with Curtis on Four Weddings And A Funeral, Kenworthy went on to produce Curtis' Notting Hill, also with Hugh Grant, outside DNA. The franchise takes an in association credit on Love Actually, but is not investing in the production. Working Title co-chiefs Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner are also producing, making this their sixth film with Curtis. Along with Notting Hill and Four Weddings, Working Title collaborated with Curtis on Bean, The Tall Guy and Bridget Jones's Diary. "We are excited about Richard channelling his comic brilliance into directing the same way he does into scripts," said Bevan. "Let's hope there's fun in store," added Curtis.

Tom Wilkinson has been named best actor by American magazine Modern Maturity. Hee hee. My mother in law gets that mag--I think it's published by AARP. They have excellent taste.:-) And with 20 leading roles in the film . . . Shooting is scheduled for the autumn. Hmmm, sounds like 19 too many.;-) How much do you want to bet . . . I'm guessing Curtis will have the BJD script long wrapped by the autumn. Maybe Helen's comment about the script still being worked on was a way to deflect further questions about it. Welcome back, Evelyn!

And with 20 leading roles in the film . . . Sounds like a Love Boat episode. ;-D

Woo Hoo, thanks Boss, just got your lovely Bafta tape! What in the heck where those things on their seat rests? Cans of beer (which would explain the loopy looks from some of the attendees)? But very nice, if only the Oscars could be this much fun. You weren't kidding about the camera liking Livia - I'm jealous! And Bryonny, hate to tell you this but after all my rewinding the tape for ODB's sightings, the quality is very ill indeed! ;-) ;-P

And with 20 leading roles in the film . . . (Mari), Hmmm, sounds like 19 too many.;-) How much do you want to bet . . . Please finish your sentence, Mari. I enjoy a wager. (Karen), Sounds like a Love Boat episode. ;-D Sounds like he wants to be the next Bob Altman. ;-)

Sounds like a Love Boat episode. ;-D LOL, Karen, yes it does. Please finish your sentence, Mari. I enjoy a wager. Ok. I was going to write, "How much do you want to bet that CF will play Captain Steubing?" ;-)

"How much do you want to bet that CF will play Captain Steubing?" ;-) I'd be willing to pay big money to hear him sing the theme song. ;-)

(Moon) I'd be willing to pay big money to hear him sing the theme song. ;-) Fortunately, you'll only have to fork over about $9 to hear him warble again shortly... ;-D

"Tony-winning Cabaret Emcee Alan Cumming has been cast in a new pilot for NBC. Entitled "Zero Effect," Cumming will play Daryl Zero in the upcoming program, which is based on the Jake Kasdan film, also titled "Zero Effect." David Julian Hirsh, who starred on the recent Showtime series "Leap Years," is also among the cast." Whatever happened to the TV series RE was supposed to be in?

I should add that I get Modern Maturity too, and it's not because I want it. When working at Scudder, we managed their portfolio, and we all became instant members of AARP (even though I was 27 at the time); however, will only be 34 in a few weeks.... start playing the funeral march now.... (can you believe 34????) And my daughter will be 12... okay, enough rambling...

These are CNN's Paul Clinton's predictions for the Oscars this year. ******************************************************************************* Wide-open race for Oscar From hobbits to professors to singers, toss-ups for the golden statue March 19, 2002 Posted: 12:42 PM EST (1742 GMT) By Paul Clinton CNN Reviewer (CNN) -- Once again, Hollywood has set an all-time record for box office revenue, with more than $8 billion in ticket sales for 2001. Unfortunately, this does not necessarily translate into great films that will stand the test of time. As usual, Oscar-worthy movies were few and far between until the waning weeks of the year, when pictures with Academy Award potential hit the country's cineplexes like a tidal wave. This year is proving to be the most wide-open Oscar race in a long time, with no sure things in any of the major categories. But I'll stick my neck out anyway and make my usual predictions as to "what should win" and "what will win." The great thing is that no matter how wrong -- or right -- I am, in a couple of weeks nobody will remember who won and who didn't -- except the winners, losers and their agents. Quick: Who won best supporting actor last year? See? (See end of story for the answer.) Best actor: Russell Crowe ("A Beautiful Mind"), Sean Penn ("I Am Sam"), Will Smith ("Ali"), Denzel Washington ("Training Day"), Tom Wilkinson ("In The Bedroom"). Once again, Crowe is one of the main contenders for the top prize, and winning best actor from the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes are good signs. Oscar has agreed with SAG six out of seven times that the award has been available, and the Globes also have a good record. Crowe gives a masterful performance in this film based (apparently loosely) on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr., a mathematical genius, a schizophrenic, and a Nobel laureate. Crowe is one of the most powerful actors on screen today, and if he wins, he'll join the rarefied world of previous consecutive winners, most recently Tom Hanks for 1993's "Philadelphia" and 1994's "Forrest Gump." If there's another odds-on favorite for best actor, it's Denzel Washington. Not winning the SAG Award could hurt, but he did win the American Film Institute Award. "Training Day" is the first time Washington has played an out-and-out villain, and his awesome power as an actor who can hold the screen like a vise is on full display. However, Oscar usually doesn't like bad guys. The other three nominees turn in excellent performances, but their chances are slim. Penn's highly sentimental film has not been very successful, and he's disdainful of the very concept of actors competing against each other. Smith's performance as Muhammad Ali is nothing short of miraculous, but not being nominated for a SAG Award is not a good sign, and his movie has not been a hit with critics or the public. And in this field, with these nominees, Wilkinson's nomination for "In the Bedroom" is a long shot to win. Will win: Washington Should win: Washington Clinton predicts Halle Berry will get the best actress Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball." Best actress: Halle Berry ("Monster's Ball"), Judi Dench ("Iris"), Nicole Kidman ("Moulin Rouge"), Sissy Spacek ("In The Bedroom"), Renee Zellweger ("Bridget Jones's Diary"). The favorites in this category are Kidman and Spacek, with Berry coming up quickly. "Moulin Rouge" was a highly risky venture and Kidman could have fallen flat on her beautiful face. Instead, she soared -- and scored -- as Satine, a French courtesan and nightclub performer at the infamous Moulin Rouge in Paris during the fading years of the 19th century. This is her first nomination. She's both sexy and funny in this tour-de-force performance. Spacek is not only a gifted actress of the highest order, she's also one of the nicest people in the business. This is her sixth nomination, all in the best actress category; she won in 1980 for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn in "Coal Miner's Daughter." Spacek's carefully understated and layered performance in "In the Bedroom" as a mother who loses her son, and then has to fight for justice, is seamless in its complete perfection. Berry gives the best performance of her life in the deeply disturbing and intensely dramatic "Monster's Ball." This is her first nomination, but her early best actress prize from the National Board of Review and then her surprise win as best actress at the SAG Awards make her a main contender. The other nominees -- Dench and Zellweger -- are long shots, though Zellweger has already bucked the odds by being nominated for a comedy. Will win: Berry Should win: Berry Clinton says Marisa Tomei's "In the Bedroom" performance is stronger than her 1992 Oscar-winning role in "My Cousin Vinny." Best supporting actress: Jennifer Connelly ("A Beautiful Mind"), Helen Mirren ("Gosford Park"), Maggie Smith("Gosford Park"), Marisa Tomei ("In The Bedroom") and Kate Winslet ("Iris"). This is often a wild-card category, and it's no different this year. Connelly has the best role of her young career with "A Beautiful Mind" as Alicia Nash, the wife of Russell Crowe's John Forbes Nash Jr. This is her first nomination. She plays her character from college girl to old woman, and her steady presence is vital to Crowe's success in the far flashier role of her husband. Mirren is an actor's actor, and this is her second nomination in this category. After her SAG Award win, she must be considered the favorite. "Gosford Park" is the best Robert Altman film in years, and Mirren's role as the head housekeeper at a posh English estate is brilliantly played. The Academy will want to acknowledge "Gosford Park," but it's doubtful it will get best picture. Smith, a two-time Oscar winner, has stolen nearly every scene in every film she's been in for the last five decades. The danger here is that she's up against fellow "Gosford Park" star Mirren -- the favorite, according to many -- and this could split the vote. Tomei was a wild card when she won this category for "My Cousin Vinny" in 1992. There would be some sweet irony, and well-deserved validation, if she won this year for her strong performance in "In The Bedroom." Winslet's work as the young title character in "Iris" is an exceptionally strong and nuanced performance. Should win: Connelly (only because I flipped a coin between her and Smith) Will win: Mirren Clinton calls Jon Voight's portrayal of Howard Cosell in "Ali" "very convincing" but doesn't predict him to win best supporting actor. Best supporting actor: Jim Broadbent ("Iris"), Ethan Hawke ("Training Day"), Ben Kingsley ("Sexy Beast"), Ian McKellen ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"), Jon Voight ("Ali"). McKellen, probably this category's favorite, can do no wrong in the eyes of many of his peers. This is his second nomination, the first coming for "Gods and Monsters" (1998), and many felt he was robbed that year when he lost to the overacting antics of Roberto Benigni in "Life is Beautiful." "Rings" has been losing all of the pre-Oscar technical awards to "Moulin Rouge," which doesn't bode well for success on Oscar night despite its 13 nominations, but this could work in McKellen's favor. Besides, Sir Ian is a British Knight, and Oscar is a sucker for such titles. Voight is unrecognizable in his role as Howard Cosell in "Ali." This is his fourth nomination -- he won best actor for "Coming Home" in 1978 -- and he's made the transition from leading man to character actor with style, skill and grace. Kingsley is mesmerizing in "Sexy Beast," but the film was not widely seen or admired by the public, and he's a long shot. Broadbent was extraordinary in "Iris," and he also turned in a career-defining performance in "Moulin Rouge" this year. This his first nomination. Hawke's nomination -- also is first -- was the big surprise this year in this category. However, if Denzel wins -- which I think he will -- it will be unlikely that the Academy will honor this film twice in the acting category. Should win: Ian McKellen Will win: Ian McKellen Best director: Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind"), Ridley Scott ("Black Hawk Down"), Robert Altman ("Gosford Park"), Peter Jackson ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"), David Lynch ("Mulholland Drive"). Howard is the Oscar night favorite after winning the top honor from the Directors Guild of America. But Howard also won the Guild award in 1995 for Apollo 13" and didn't win the Oscar -- indeed, he wasn't even nominated. Still, the Academy has failed to followed the DGA's lead only five times in its 54-year history. Altman is an American icon, a total maverick and a Hollywood outsider. This is his seventh nomination, and some may give him their votes because he's not getting any younger and they might look at it as a "lifetime achievement" honor. "Gosford Park" is Altman's most commercial and accessible film in years. Jackson is in a very strange position. He's a first-time nominee who hasn't just made a film, he's created a universe. But -- herein lies the rub -- he's also arguably made one big movie, which he's dividing into three parts and releasing one at a time over three years. Many voters may just think "Well, he has two more chances to win for the 'Rings' trilogy, so I'll give him my vote later." He's a long shot. Scott and Lynch have little chance, despite their fine work. Will win: Howard Should win: Jackson Clinton suggests the odds are against "Gosford Park" winning the best picture award. Best picture: "A Beautiful Mind," "Gosford Park," "In The Bedroom," "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "Moulin Rouge." To some, "A Beautiful Mind" is the no-brainer (no pun intended) winner for 2002. Critics filled the skies with hosannas over Crowe's performance and Howard's direction of this story about a brilliant mathematician and Nobel Prize winner who fought a decades-long battle with severe schizophrenia. Then things got nasty. (See story.) Still, "A Beautiful Mind" is one of the best films of this -- or any other -- year, and should be judged on its own merits. "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is a magnificent achievement for all involved. This is one of those very rare films in which the screenplay lived up to the standards of the original books. But the same logic -- or lack thereof -- mentioned above regarding Jackson's chances to win best director also apply here. I would love to see "Gosford Park" win (I feel that way about two or three other nominees as well), but the odds are against it. And the odds are even longer against "In The Bedroom" and "Moulin Rouge" -- though the latter did win a Golden Globe and the Producers Guild award. Keep that in mind: the PGA has picked the best picture winner nine out of the last 12 years. Should win: "Moulin Rouge" Will win: "Lord of the Rings" And who won best supporting actor last year? Benicio Del Toro for "Traffic."

This is from the Associated Press. ******************************************************************************* The movie "A Beautiful Mind," a front-runner for Oscar, has come under criticism for taking liberties with Nash's life -- but its makers say the criticism is part of a whisper campaign to hurt the movie's Oscar chances. LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The makers of "A Beautiful Mind" have objected to what they say is a whisper campaign to hurt the Oscar chances of their movie, which is up for eight Academy Awards including best picture. Although no evidence has surfaced that proves a conspiracy, Universal Pictures, director Ron Howard and star Russell Crowe said they suspectsome Hollywood rivals of secretly badmouthing their film to sway academy voters. "If there's an attack strategy, that's an impolitic tool," Howard said. "It's not about reminding people of your virtues, it's about undermining the other candidate's credibility. That's a shame." Competing studios have denied involvement in the alleged smear campaign. Various news reports in recent weeks have noted that "A Beautiful Mind" leaves out some unflattering aspects of the life of John Forbes Nash, the Nobel Prize-winning mathematician whose life it chronicles. In a CBS "60 Minutes" interview, Nash and his wife, Alicia, denied allegations that he was gay, anti-Semitic or a poor father. And Sylvia Nasar, author of the 1998 biography, "A Beautiful Mind," on which the film was based, wrote a commentary in the Los Angeles Times last week that accused many media outlets, including The Associated Press, of misstating details of Nash's life. The film, which stars Crowe and Jennifer Connelly as the Nashes, portrays them throughout Nash's decades-long struggle with mental illness and its eventual remission, culminating in his winning the Nobel Prize for economics in 1994. Among its Oscar nominations are best director, actor, supporting actress and adapted screenplay, for Akiva Goldsman. (Read the CNN review.) Changing things for the movie Both Nash and Nasar said his anti-Semitic remarks were made while he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. "I did have strange ideas during certain periods of time," Nash, 73, said on "60 Minutes." "It's really my subconscious talking. It was really that. I know that now." Other aspects of his life not mentioned in the movie were a son he fathered by another woman before he married Alicia, and the fact that Nash and Alicia later divorced. The divorced couple lived together for many years and eventually remarried in 2001. Some reports, including one by the AP, implied that the affair took place while Nash was married, instead of before he was married, as Nasar wrote. Nasar also criticized some reports that said Nash was a homosexual. Despite a 1954 indecency arrest and allusions in her book to his flirtatious behavior with men, she said he is an avowed heterosexual. The indecency charge was later dropped, she said. Howard and screenwriter Goldsman said they changed some aspects of Nash's life to make the film more dramatic, and omitted other elements they considered unimportant to the story. Oscar voting concludes Tuesday and the Academy Awards are given out next Sunday. Crowe: Money 'takes people to a different place' Films that win major Academy Awards can usually count on significant extra box-office sales and a long shelf-life on video, and studios spend millions to promote their films to Oscar voters. Crowe said he believes the amount of money at stake leads to some dirty campaigning. "As soon as they toss that much money, that takes people to a different place," the actor said. "And this is supposed to be about the joy of filmmaking."

Will Crowe go two for two (from canoe) Q: Will Crowe go two for two? (A: If he doesn't, he has only himself to blame) By LOUIS B. HOBSON -- Calgary Sun Take heed, all ye serfs. Julia, queen of all Hollywood, has decreed that the academy anoint Denzel Washington best actor at Sunday's Oscars. Having won best actress for Erin Brockovich, Julia Roberts will be handing out the best actor Oscar this year. She of the roving eye was practically tearful last month when she announced: "I cannot absorb living in a world where I have an Oscar for best actress and Denzel doesn't have one for best actor. He should be on his third Oscar by now, and that might not be enough." Washington was nominated in 1992 for Malcolm X but he, and an equally deserving Clint Eastwood for Unforgiven, lost to Al Pacino's overwrought performance in Scent of a Woman. In 2000, Washington and Russell Crowe for The Insider were toppled by Kevin Spacey, who won for American Beauty. Roberts, who starred opposite Washington in 1993's The Pelican Brief, is right when she observes that Washington deserved an Oscar for either or both Malcolm X and The Hurricane, but she's out to lunch if she thinks he should be recognized for his performance in Training Day, which, by the way, is available on video and DVD today. It's exactly the same kind of hammy acting that swayed voters into Pacino's corner back in 1992. If Washington wins - and there's a good chance he could - it will be more for his continued excellence rather than for his corrupt cop in Training Day. It will also be because Crowe has been working overtime to convince academy members not to vote for the star of A Beautiful Mind. Crowe's temper tantrum at the British film awards did little to dispel the growing feeling in Hollywood that this is one bad boy whose ego is growing in proportion to his paycheque. Make no mistake, Crowe deserves to win back-to-back Oscars for his masterful performance as schizophrenic genius John Nash Jr. in A Beautiful Mind. Julia, dear, if anyone deserves to be getting his second Oscar in as many years, it's Crowe. The fact he's a troubled genius did not prevent him from getting the endorsement from your colleagues at this year's Screen Actors Guild awards. If Crowe loses this year, he has no one to blame but himself because he has been the frontrunner with critics since the film premiered in December. Like Crowe, British actor Tom Wilkinson is far more deserving of the best actor Oscar this year than Washington. As the grieving father of In the Bedroom, Wilkinson's quietly understated agony was often overshadowed by Sissy Spacek's and Marisa Tomei's understandable emotional outbursts. Wilkinson may be a relatively unknown quantity on this side of the Atlantic, but in his native Britain he is highly respected. His film and television performances have earned him five British film nominations, including his win in 1998 for best supporting actor in The Full Monty. Wilkinson is one of those revered character actors who can rise above his mediocre material in movies like Rush Hour and The Black Knight while turning in staggering performances in such little-seen British movies as Wilde, Priest and The Story of Father Damien. Wilkinson won't win this year but perhaps his nomination will alert producers and directors on both sides of the Atlantic to his underappreciated and underused talents. Even Will Smith's loving and careful impersonation of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's unfocused biopic Ali is deserving of recognition, more for what Smith might have accomplished given a better script and better direction. Smith will steal some of the votes that would have gone to Washington had he been the only African-American actor nominated in this category. Anyone who feels this is not a factor is naive. Even Smith himself pointed out recently, "most of the 8,000 members (of the academy) are white, and you vote for what you associate with. If black people are voting, then a black person will probably win. It's not racism. It's what we relate to." Forget Sean Penn because academy voters will. If his far, far superior performance in 1995 in Dead Man Walking couldn't nab him the Oscar, his histrionics this year in I Am Sam certainly won't. It's the kind of performance that works well for TV but seems grating on the big screen. It doesn't help that Penn's disdain for Hollywood in general, and the Oscars in particular, is well documented. HOW THE OTHERS VOTED Golden Globe Awards: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. Screen Actors Guild: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Denzel Washington, Training Day. New York Film Critics Circle: Tom Wilkinson, In the Bedroom. National Board of Review: Billy Bob Thornton, The Man Who Wasn't There. Broadcast Film Critics Association: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. British Academy of Film and Television Arts: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind. American Film Institute: Denzel Washington, Training Day. Last year's winner: Russell Crowe, Gladiator. All-time champ: It's a seven-way tie for the most best actor wins (two), but Spencer Tracy holds the distinction of being the one with the most nominations (nine) and the only back-to-back wins in this category before Tom Hanks.

Alan Cumming has been cast in a new pilot for NBC. Entitled "Zero Effect," Cumming will play Daryl Zero in the upcoming program, which is based on the Jake Kasdan film I liked that film--Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller, offbeat and fun. Helen Mirren also just landed a lead role in a new series called Georgetown, playing a media mogul type. Not sure of the network; might be NBC as well. Wasn't Rupert supposed to be writing his series? Guess he's still working on it. Wilkinson is one of those revered character actors who can rise above his mediocre material in movies like Rush Hour and The Black Knight while turning in staggering performances in such little-seen British movies as Wilde, Priest and The Story of Father Damien. Interesting articles, Cheryl. I can't recommend Priest highly enough. Wonderful film, and Tom W. and Linus Roache are so good in it. Of course, the braintrust at Miramax opened it here on Good Friday; caused quite a stir, as I recall, which was probably good for the film, so maybe they're not so dumb.;-) Wilkinson can pretty much do anything, but he really excels at playing normal, decent folks. The AMC channel recently ran a behind the screen type piece on In The Bedroom. Todd Field spoke at length about Tom and this very quality. He remarked that so many actors want to play weirdos, head cases, etc.--what Field called easier stuff. Said it was infinitely harder to do what Tom does so well--to convey both the struggles and the joy of everyday living. I'm paraphrasing but that was the substance of it.

I thought this was hilarious: Borowitzreport Logo March 19, 2002 Breaking News PRE-OSCAR SMEAR CAMPAIGN TARGETS HOBBIT Frodo Baggins Fights Off Rumors He�s a Foul-Mouthed Drunk In the Academy Award-nominated �Lord of the Rings� film, he�s played by Elijah Wood as a winning hero who is brave, charming, and pure of heart. But in real life, Frodo Baggins is a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking lout who never met a hotel room he didn�t like � to trash. That�s what the Hollywood rumor mill is saying about Baggins one week before the Oscar ceremonies in Los Angeles. And the real-life Hobbit, who says that the timing is no accident, is fighting back. �When I heard what was being said about me, I went totally bat****,� Baggins said, speaking from his suite at Los Angeles� legendary Chateau Marmont hotel. �Anyone who believes that load of crap about me can stick it where the sun don�t shine!� While Baggins admits that he may have raised some eyebrows with his hard-partying ways, he insists that his nights of drinking, brawling, and running through the streets of Santa Monica naked shouting, �Go to hell! Go to hell! You ***holes can all go to hell!� are long behind him. But one Hollywood insider said that Baggins might have worn out his welcome in the film community with his boorish antics, including getting �polluted� and mooning members of the Hollywood Foreign Press at a post-Golden Globes party. �Personally, I know dozens of Academy voters who don�t want to see that creepy little bastard win,� the insider said. And while competing studios deny spreading the anti-Frodo rumors, Baggins believes that the culprit is someone whose film stands to gain if �Lord of the Rings� is discredited. �I sense Sissy Spacek�s hand in all this,� Baggins said. �That ***** can kiss my hairy ***!�

Zellweger, Law, Kidman enlist in 'Cold' campaign Thu Mar 21, 1:38 AM ET By Zorianna Kit and Chris Gardner LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- They may be battling it out in the best actress Oscar race, but Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger are banding together along with Jude Law for starring roles in Anthony Minghella's Civil War saga "Cold Mountain." The trio are in negotiations to star in the highly anticipated project based on Charles Frazier's best-selling debut novel. If deals can be reached for the actors, the project will see Law star as Inman, a wounded soldier struggling to make it home following the war in order to reunite with his pre-war sweetheart Ada (Kidman). "Mountain" tracks his long journey home, while Ada battles to stay afloat on the family farm in the rural South with her sister Ruby (Zellweger) following the death of their missionary father. Zellweger already had been in talks for the project back when Tom Cruise was negotiating to topline as Inman (HR 9/4). But Cruise's deal was never reached, and he fell out of the project earlier this year. Mirage's Sydney Pollack and Bill Horberg are producing "Mountain" alongside Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Prods. Minghella adapted Frazier's novel for the screen. Kidman, Law and Zellweger are repped by CAA. Kidman, additionally repped by Handprint Entertainment, recently wrapped shooting Lars von Trier's latest film, "Dogville," in Sweden. She is nominated for a best actress Oscar for "Moulin Rouge" in the same category as Zellweger, who is nominated for "Bridget Jones's Diary." Zellweger, additionally repped by John Carrabino at Catch 23 Management, recently wrapped shooting the feature film version of the Broadway musical "Chicago." Law next stars in the summer release "The Road to Perdition" for DreamWorks Pictures and director Sam Mendes.

Julia, dear, if anyone deserves to be getting his second Oscar in as many years, it's Crowe. Crowe does deserve it but it's interesting to note that both the LA critics and AFI(in LA), gave it to Denzel, hmm. And, Julia dear, you didn't exactly deserve your's last year. Thanks, Cheryl, Rebecca (point well taken ;-), and Mari for posting those articles.

Jude Law will be an excellent Inman...if he can turn on a NC accent. I didn't think Ruby was Ada's sister..but maybe in the screenplay.... Hey they changed Charlotte Gray big time....

And now for something completely different: A website has launched its own worst film awards, and has named them after Keanu Reeves. The Keanus are described as the "alernate Oscars." Fans can vote for the Celebrity Most Likely To Be Crushed By The Weight of Own Ego or Actor Most Apt To Take Mantle From Keanu Reeves. According to www.alternet.org, the awards were named after Reeves in honour of the "Actor most able to make bad movie after bad movie, with little real acting skill in evidence, and yet emerge unscathed and well-loved." ~~~~~~~ After seeing Black Hawk Down, where he was the only actor whose name went before the title, I'd vote for Josh Hartnett.

LOL, Rebecca. v. funny. (There's that Chateau Marmont again) ;-D (Evelyn) Whatever happened to the TV series RE was supposed to be in? I don't think it is for US television, but for UK and Italian TV. Ever since I heard that Julia Roberts comment many weeks ago, I suspected a campaign to "reward" Denzel for his body of work when he surely wouldn't deserve it for Training Days. I hate when this happens, when two other actors performances are more deserving in their own right. And how does it look in the record books when it says: Denzel Washington for Training Days. People will view TD and wonder why? (Evelyn) Jude Law will be an excellent Inman...if he can turn on a NC accent. I didn't think Ruby was Ada's sister..but maybe in the screenplay.... More info from Variety: The Miramax picture is still moving toward a July start date with shooting in Europe and the American South. Kidman, currently Oscar-nominated for her role in "Moulin Rouge" would take the role of Ada, the minister's daughter Inman left behind when he enlisted as a Confederate soldier. Zellweger, also Oscar-nominated for her performance in Miramax's "Bridget Jones Diary" could play Ruby, the drifter who becomes Ada's companion and hard-scrabble partner in eking a living the soil. Miramax declined comment. ~~~~~ Lots of films on RZ's plate. What about that rom-com with Ewan?

Lots of films on RZ's plate. What about that rom-com with Ewan? I think they're working on that now. That would explain Renee's absense in the pre-Oscar hoopla.

(Variety) Ruby, the drifter who becomes Ada's companion and hard-scrabble partner in eking a living the soil. This is consistent with the book (you're right, Ev). Making Ruby Ada's sister would really muck up the story, since Ruby teaches Ada how to survive. (Evelyn) Jude Law will be an excellent Inman We-ell, he wouldn't be my first choice, but he's better than TC. I still think the quintessential Inman is Russell Crowe.

I'm trying my hand at Academy Award predictions for the first time: Best Actor: will win - Russell Crowe; my choice - Denzel or Tom W.(but alas they won't) Best Actress: will win - Nicole Kidman; my choice - Renee (she learned a new culture, new accent, and new way of life with such accuracy) Best Supporting Actor: will win - Ian McKellen (best part of LOTR, for me); my choice - Jim Broadbent Best Supporting Actress: will win - Jennifer Connelly; my choice - Jennifer Connelly Best Director: will win - Ron Howard; my choice - Ron Howard (he deserves it)* Best Picture: will win - A Beautiful Mind; my choice - A Beautiful Mind (it's a sweep) *I saw a segment on American Movie Classics with Ron Howard talking about the making of ABM. He said that all the math in the movie on the glass windows was actual and accurate math and that as John Nash gets more and more unwell the math you see him doing on paper or otherwise reflects that state of mind. So he was very accurate there. There's probably only so many facts one could include in a movie like that before it starts to get jumbled and drag on too much.

I'm going to force myself to see LOTR tomorrow and then will do my picks. (Being on Tylenol with codeine is not going to help...) :-(

Evelyn) Jude Law will be an excellent Inman (Eileen)We-ell, he wouldn't be my first choice, but he's better than TC. I still think the quintessential Inman is Russell Crowe. Oh I agree about RC....he*is* Inman. But JL would be mucho better than TC or anyone else they floated by.Can't see RZ as Ruby...she was fat, dowdy and dirty.Also older than Ada. Jennifer would make a great Ada... alas doesn't have the wattage:-((

And JE can do a natural North Carolina accent! Or should I say...authentic ;-)

Jennifer was the first person I thought of for Ada. She'd have been perfect. But you're right, Ev, Minghella has gone for names.

Just for you, Rebecca ;-D Saw LOTR and this movie screams: I am NOT an Oscar-winning Best Picture!!!! During the opening sequence, all I could do was imagine the Academy voters staring glassy-eyed at the battle, utterly confused over the exposition, and thinking "this movie is for my 14-year-old son/grandson. ;-D IMO, it was nothing more than an Indiana Jones meets Star Wars with the advanced technology of today. If Sir Ian gets the Oscar, it's a total joke. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....

Whoa, Karen, harsh... But I guess as I think of it more and more, I can understand where you're coming from. Most people think of the LOTR series as a series for boys. Just like the Little House is for girls...

It wasn't meant to be harsh just realistic. It wasn't the type of film that gets the AA honors. It wasn't *human* enough.

(Karen), It wasn't meant to be harsh just realistic. It wasn't the type of film that gets the AA honors. It wasn't *human* enough. So SIL was more *human* than Saving Private Ryan? You don't go for Tolkien, Karen, and might I say you were prejudiced? ;-) It's time to take a flight of fancy. LOTR is an outstanding movie and I very much look forward to the other parts.

(Moon) So SIL was more *human* than Saving Private Ryan? It's not a matter of degrees. LOTR didn't have anything to relate to on a human level. It's not that I don't "go" for Tolkien (as I've never read him), I enjoyed the film for the most part. But IMO it wasn't any different from anyother big boxoffice action, special effects or creature movie. Sorry. It's time to take a flight of fancy. I agree but for that, I'll put in my SIL DVD. ;-D

(Karen), I enjoyed the film for the most part. But IMO it wasn't any different from anyother big boxoffice action, special effects or creature movie. Sorry. As I take my boys to see quite a few of them, please let me reasure you that it is different. LOTR didn't have anything to relate to on a human level. We disagree again.

Well Karen, I have to agree with Moon, I think you were prepared not to like it from the beginning so it wouldn't matter if you seen it or not. It is probably the only fantasy film in the last decade with a human side. The characters draw you into their world and Ian McKellan was brillant, no doubt about it. I too wasn't prepared to like and waited months to see it - but I can with an open mind and was captivated. If you had read the book you would see what a feat it was to turn this into a film.

Actually, I never go into a film intending to dislike it, and I've only walked out one film in my entire life. I didn't intend for this to be a debate over the merits of the film. I was merely pointing out that I didn't think it would appeal to AA voters. As we've said before the Oscars reward certain types of films. This wasn't the type. BTW, I didn't say I didn't like it or hate it.

I am reposting Evelyn's from above because she didn't close her link and I hate when the whole place goes to tiny type and I don't know what tag she used because the fix didn't work. ;-D Evelyn's posting: (Rebecca) If you had read the book you would see what a feat it was to turn this into a film. Ah , but films have to stand on their own. One should not have to read the book beforehand to enjoy, understand, or admire the adaptation feat. I did not like it either...booorrrring...;-)

It doesn't amaze me that A Beautiful Mind is the frontrunner. I expect it. It's the perfect date movie, safe, non-offensive trying to be serious. I have no problems with the producers skimming over bits of John Nash's life - it's done all the time. It was just the way the film actually ended up. Schizophrenia is so much more than what was portrayed in the film. My sister suffers from it. It is a dark, severely difficult illness - and it certainly doesn't just appear - it has to come from very severe childhood trauma. Curing schizophrenia is also v. difficult - it is a terrifying, haunting journey into one's broken psyche. It clearly won't take some drugs, and a faithful martyr wife and a so-called "beautiful mind" to cure it. That's why I think ABM is very lightweight and a lot of hogwash. We never really know WHY John Nash got his schizophrenia, WHY he got those three personalities as his "alter-egos" and HOW he really got cured. Additionally, we never really get an insight to his genius and why his so-called mathematical theory was so significant. Ron Howard just skims over these issues, and expects us to believe schizophrenia is light and happy and easy. He did schizophrenics a disservice. Same with Akiva Goldsman. Both shied away from making an emotional, heartfelt and dark movie to be Hollywood-happy, and "Oscar-worthy." Ick, bland,bland,bland. As much as I loved LOTR I would be happy with any of the films winning, except A Beautiful Mind. Anything but cause it really is the weakest of all the films. Not the worse of the year, but it is certainly not worthy of a nomination either. It will probably win, but we always know that it usually isn't the best pic that takes home the award. I went out with two friends who are actresses last night who pay no attention to the Oscars whatsoever because it is total bull (think of all the people who win and it usually turns out to be their peak and they can only go down) - maybe I should do so myself as it's the same crap every year.

If one pays any attention to the Oscars, then one has to respect their criteria for what it is. You can't make them what you want them to be. In any event, Nightline's show last night was about ABM and schizophrenia, focusing on John Nash. I was listening from another room. They had another case of a guy here in Chicago and how he lives his life. Of the other omissions in Nash's life, I didn't feel cheated in any way not knowing how it began, plus I felt that his contributions to math were adequately explained insofar as their later relevancy to economics. Let's face, films are films. They are not intended to be documentaries. And for that matter, I felt Iris was hogwash.

Three National Mental Health organizations endorsed ABM.I doubt they would have done so had it been offensive. Sorry about my tags, boss. You never have to bother to repost any of my messages....LOL.I'm not worth it.

(Rebecca), A Beautiful Mind is the weakest of all the films. I agree! I was bored at parts. Karen), I felt Iris was hogwash. I agree. I hope they give the Oscar to LOTR but I have a feeling it will go to MR. We will see tomorrow night. The IFC Awards are tonight. Memento should do it.

Evelyn - it isn't offensive. They are probably glad that it brought some attention to the illness. It's just not a complete movie, glossed over. I felt cheated. I agree with you all about Iris. I felt like the characters were never developed enough for me to really care about them. It was like an ad for alzheimers.

Am I the only one who wishes Harry Potter would have gotten more recognition? At least a nomination? Children of the World unite!!

LOL Evelyn, for what it's worth my sons love the Harry Potter books but were not thrilled with the movie. They did, however, love LOTR, books and movie. I just buy the tickets, I don't go in to watch! :))))

Am I the only one who wishes Harry Potter would have gotten more recognition? At least a nomination? Children of the World unite!! YES!!! I thought Harry Potter was brilliant, the books are fantastic and I cannot wait for the next installment!!! (and it better come out soon); I literally read and re-read them! Last night on Biography they did it on JK Rowling, and she even showed the last chapter of the very last book. But of course it was in a folder... and I think she keeps in in a safe deposit box:)

Indie Spirit Awards The low-budget amnesia thriller "Memento" won the top prize on Saturday at the Independent Spirit Awards -- the independent movie world's equivalent of the Academy Awards -- while Oscar-nominated family tragedy "In The Bedroom" nabbed two key acting awards. "Memento" was named best feature and also snagged the direction and screenplay prizes for English native Christopher Nolan, as well as the supporting female nod for Canadian actress Carrie-Anne Moss. [Guy Pearce wasn't even nominated.] The other big winner was "In The Bedroom," which was named best first feature. English actor Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek won the lead acting prizes for their roles as anguished parents. Both will vie for Academy Awards on Sunday and the film is also a dark-horse contender for best picture, but there is traditionally little crossover between the two events. The black comedy "Ghost World" won two prizes: first screenplay for Daniel Clowes and director Terry Zwigoff, and supporting male for Steve Buscemi. The quirky French romantic comedy "Amelie," which is competing for five Academy Awards, won the best foreign film prize. The Spirit Awards honor films based on such criteria as original, provocative subject matter, budget and the degree of independent financing. The event is organized by the West Coast branch of the Independent Feature Project (IFP/West), a nonprofit support group for filmmakers working outside the Hollywood studio system. Winners are determined by the IFP's 9,000 members nationwide. ********** Razzies Throw out the envelope, please. Tom Green is Tinseltown's top turkey. Comedian Green and his big screen debut "Freddy Got Fingered" were panned as the worst of the merely bad at the 22nd Annual Razzie Awards, given to Hollywood's most dubious achievements on the eve of its biggest night. Green, who starred in "Freddy" as a thirtyish, basement-dwelling slacker who dreams of Hollywood fame, was picked as worst actor, co-credited for the worst script and as half of the worst screen couple for his various on-screen encounters with animals.... In all, "Freddy" took five gold-spray-painted Razzie Awards, first launched in 1980 as a "derby of dishonor" and a parody of "that other award show," the Academy awards, which takes place on Sunday night in Hollywood. Mariah Carey was named worst actress for the box-office disaster "Glitter," taking 60 percent of the votes cast by Golden Raspberry Award Foundation members, and beating back a challenge from a field that included Penelope Cruz ("Blow"), Angelina Jolie ("Lara Croft: Tomb Raider"), Jennifer Lopez ("Angel Eyes") and Charlize Theron ("Sweet November").

As the time draws near, I suppose I should give my Oscar pics (have definitely been overthinking this one!) ;-D Best Picture: ABM (will and should) Best Director: Howard (will and should) Best Actor: Crowe (will and should) -- although am braced for a Denzel body of work award, except that a cop film isn't usually the vehicle. Best Actress: Halle Berry (should) has the momentum as well as the youth and bosom apparently important to this category of late. RZ (should) although second runner-up would be Sissy. Best Supporting Actor: Broadbent (will) will upset because he had two Oscar roles and his in Iris was more of a lead as well; Kingsley (should) --but it would appear not enough voters have seen this film. Best Supporting Actress: Connelly (will), Tomei (should) -- as hers was a supporting role and Connelly's was a lead Adapted Screenplay: ABM (will and should) Original Screenplay: Memento (will and should) -- they need to reward this film for something and the writing category is often used for that purpose (see Cameron Crowe) Foreign Language Film: Amelie (will); No Man's Land (should) --however due to the voting requirements in this category (must have seen all the obscure ones nominated), it could be an obscure one as only the hardcore foreign film enthusiasts will be able to cast a ballot.

I agree with the above, except for best supporting actor, I think James Broadbent should win the Oscar, but I think Ian McKellan will win. He's been around for a long time, he's a Brit, also, and it doesn't hurt that he's a knight. I noticed that you didn't put down who will win for Best Actress as opposed to should, Did you mean that Halle Berry will win vs. Renee should, or do you think this is too close to call? You know, I was reading on MSNBCnews.com that not only should the winners be announced but also the first and second runners-up, along with the percentage of the votes they got. Sounds good to me!

[Guy Pearce wasn't even nominated.] I watched the IFC awards last night. As I predicted Memento did sweep. I am upset about GP as his performance was outstanding in this. Everyone from the Memento winners made sure to mention something about GPs performance. He did not show up. I hope some of those films get around. I've only seen the previews in the theatre for Edwina and the Angry Inch and it looked like a hoot. It will be fun to see who gets closest to the Oscar wins. Are you keeping a list, Karen? I might just ring you tonight during the show, Karen, so don't keep your PC on. :-D

If you want to check out "Entertainment Weekly's" Oscar odds, check this link: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,214932~1~0~seewhoewpicks,00.html

Happy Oscars everyone! I have a feeling Karen will be happy woman come tonight! ;-) Off to an Oscar party with a bunch of stage actor/friends here in Toronto, most of them haven't seen any of the nominations so should be interesting as the only pic I haven't seen is Ali. But I've got my jello shooters ready for whenever Joan Rivers says 'sweetie', 'darling' or 'face-lift'. Have fun!

(kat) I noticed that you didn't put down who will win for Best Actress as opposed to should, Did you mean that Halle Berry will win vs. Renee should, or do you think this is too close to call? Sorry, typo. Halle Berry will; RZ should but would be happy if Sissy gets it as the reasons for giving it to Halle are all wrong IMO. I too am in a muddle over who *will* in best supporting actor category. Sir Ian's really been playing the game on this one, millions of TV appearances, even hosting SNL, which will likely get him the win. I really didn't consider his performance all that special in LOTR, whereas both of Broadbent's (plus his Topsy Turvy from last year) were more challenging. That being said, it still belongs to Sir Ben. He created a character that will go down in film annals as being right up there with Hannibal Lechter. It was so different from all his other award nominated/winning roles, but they may feel he has already won in the past. Who knows? (Moon) I've only seen the previews in the theatre for Edwina and the Angry Inch and it looked like a hoot. Hedwig played last summer.

Join me in real time, now, for Oscar commentary. movie conference topic 12.

Is everyone still sleeping? Historic and long Oscar night, wasn't it? Renee, in my opinion, was genuinely happy for Halle. Did anyone notice Lisa Blount (Jenny in Femme Fatale) on stage accepting an Oscar with her husband for best Short Film (live action) - "the accountant." She looks a little different (darker and longer hair), but she sounds the same ;-). Couldn't help mentioning a CF connection... Did Renee present? I missed the begining of the show. I saw Hugh presenting with Sandra B. for best score. Loved Whoppi's joke afterwards that she was glad to see Hugh "scoring" again :-).

Absolute highlight of the evening for me was Woody Allen's appearance. It brought back memories of when I was a kid and saw him doing his standup routine on TV. (How anyone can mention MB in the same breath as this guy I'll never know.) Though v. long, I thought the show was very good. Impressive beginning by Tom Cruise and the short film by Errol Morris (a hoot), Whoopi was v.g. as well as the other filmed segments. Dress: fairly awful across the board. Loved Jules Asner's postshow dress (orange, hot pink and white), Julia Roberts' and Reese Witherspoons. Jennifer C looked like death warmed over, Gwynnie's sheer top looked like an undershirt and made her look ridiculous (hair was nice though). Didn't like most of the dresses. Am going to have to check the photos/shows to see the other dresses, as you couldn't see them during the preshow. It appeared to be so crowded in their new quarters that the camera couldn't pull back and all we saw was from the bustline up. Hair: People get paid to produce those styles? And did you notice no one got "played" off? If the BBC hadn't acted in such a 'bush-league' manner, Russell would've had his second.

Renee looked real good, even though she didn't bring home the Oscar. I think she did present something. I think it was the longest Oscar night ever but it moved along at a fast pace, it didn't seem that long till I looked at the clock after I went to bed and it was after midnight and the "View" special on the Oscars was coming on. It was surprising Amelie didn't take the foreign film, what with all the buzz.

(Karen)And did you notice no one got "played" off? If the BBC hadn't acted in such a 'bush-league' manner, Russell would've had his second. Did you hear Julia's comment? She said that she was glad Bill Conti wasn't there (conducting). He had tried to 'play her off' last year during her acceptance speech, and she wouldn't let him.

closed

No, Renee didn't present anything. Second highlight of the evening was No Man's Land winning best foreign language film. I literally screamed in delight (and had marked that on my home ballot as the winner; chickened out here and went with popular opinion, which was wrong). I don't think it was a matter of Bill Conti vs. John Williams but up to the show's director and all the previous controversy.

On GMA today In Style mag awarded Gwynnie the worst dress of the evening. Lots nof OKs. No standouts. Alathough Renee was mentionsed. (Karen)If the BBC hadn't acted in such a 'bush-league' manner, Russell would've had his second. Hear, hear. Who saw Training Days? "Body of work" gets an honorary IMO Liked all the speeches. Sidney Poitier 's was the best, but Robert Redford and Tom Cruise were close seconds. Great show. The mood of the country is not for extravaganzas; I hope they never go back to them.

The group of four got played off, but it was pretty subtle and they did a fast cut off.

I thought it was a great show, although I have to admit not to really watching half of it being distracted at a party. I had a feeling about Halle and Denzel both picking up awards so I changed my vote before we put in for the pool. Good thing cause I picked up $100. Once I saw the Sidney Poitier tribute I *knew* that both would pick up their awards. A lot of people are calling it political - for Denzel it is at least cause Training Day was not his best performance. I think NK wasn't the best dressed, which is surprising.

The fashion mavens mainly focus on the name names. From a brief look at some of the Reuters/AP photos, there were some very nice gowns. Stephen C talked about some of the best: Halle, Nicole, Renee, Julia, and Reese. Said Kate Winslet was "most improved." Said Jennifer C's made her look like a Band-Aid and Gwynnie was "off." Apparently, Jodi Foster was impressive, so will have to take a look. On my thumbs up list, I forgot Sandra Bullock (dress and hair) and Marisa Tomei (although don't know what was going on around her neck) For those who posted their picks, Mari and I tied with 6. On my home ballot, I only made one change for foreign film, going with the one I'd been pulling for since October (No Man's Land). Not too shabby, with 15 out of 20 as I don't vote in the documentary and short film categories. Bombed out on music, but then again Randy Newman's was a pity @#$% by his own admission. ;-D

Helen Hunt has thinned down and probably had plastic surgery to make her look much better facially, more chiseled. My picture of Gwenie in the movies topic should carry a warning label.

You call it the Academy Awards. I call it the 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards. Sheesh! I could just see Pearson sitting in the back with a ledger. 1. No black woman for best actress since the '30's--check. 2. No black man for best actor since Sidney--check. And so on. By the end *yawn* I wasn't surprised to see Opie and ABM take it, though I have to admit I thought RC's performance was THE best thing about the film and he didn't win. (Karen) Gwynnie's sheer top looked like an undershirt and made her look ridiculous (hair was nice though) (Evelyn) On GMA today In Style mag awarded Gwynnie the worst dress of the evening. Agreed! The bottom half was fine, but the top--terribly non-flattering. Made her boobs look like two bisected tennis balls. And her make-up! Spooky. *tsk* Is there an unwritten rule that says past winners need to come back looking like this (remember Helen Hunt and Hilary Swank)? I liked Halle's dress but thought the train was a little much. Think someone was stepping on it when she was on her way up to the podium. She stopped short and I thought I saw it pulling. Didn't anyone learn about trains from Cher's problem (walking on stage to present and train scoots forward between her legs. She nearly tripped.)? (Karen) I don't think it was a matter of Bill Conti vs. John Williams but up to the show's director and all the previous controversy. Absolutely, esp. after RC's BAFTA rant. It was obvious during Halle's discourse (hey, she forgot to thank me!), when she said 'don't you dare start to play, it's taken 76 years, blahblah...' What they did do was jump in and start the music during pauses in some of the 'lesser' acceptance speeches. You could tell the winners weren't finished but off we went to commercial. Question: what happened to Will Smith? I thought he was there in the beginning. The camera sured panned to Jada often enough. But after the best actor individual nom announcements, they showed a file photo of Will. Was he there? If so, where'd he go? I was expecting him to run up on stage with Denzel like he said he was going to do. IMO the best presenters were Reese and Ryan. Great script, great delivery. I enjoyed Woody (guess the Knicks weren't playing at home last night) but he was about 15-30 seconds too long. Thought Spacey handled the moment of silence v. well also. IMO Whoopi was...well, Whoopi. She plays these things the same way every time she hosts (so does Billy Crystal, I suppose)--comes in dressed like a character from one of the best pic noms, tells her Bruce Villanch jokes with the tag line 'you'll get it later', etc. IMO her best moment followed a scream from the balcony, when she deadpanned 'Just wipe up after yourself'. LOL!

(Karen) Stephen C talked about some of the best: Halle, Nicole, Renee, Julia, and Reese. Julia was my fave. Perfect dress for her. Interesting cutouts. Stunning. Said Kate Winslet was "most improved." Fancy that. On Friday, I read Steve's pre-Oscar suggestions for some stars. He recommended Kate go for something simple and bold in color, like red. Hmmm. Said Jennifer C's made her look like a Band-Aid Ooh, wasn't it dreadful? She had much better outfits for the other awards, but at least her hair was better last night than it was for the BAFTAs (that skanky pony tail had to go). Apparently, Jodi Foster was impressive, so will have to take a look. She looked great. Motherhood agrees with her. Speaking of looking great, how 'bout that John Travolta? He looks terrific (unlike Sharon Stone--her dress was nice, esp. the back but her super blonde hair washes her out). (Karen) Marisa Tomei (although don't know what was going on around her neck) Reminded me of Ms. Binoche and those pearls from last year. IMO Marisa looked like a different person after she lost. She went from smiling in every shot to looking unhappy and bored.

Oops. Frigged up the tags.

(Karen), Dress: fairly awful across the board. Loved Jules Asner's postshow dress (orange, hot pink and white), Julia Roberts' and Reese Witherspoons. I agree! Plus, Marcia Harden and Marisa Tomei's dress without that tangle on top. I thought Sharon Stone looked good and I liked Kate W's red dress. Gwynnie was a horror only topped by Steisand in that horrid dress! Jodie Foster's dress was nice but short, it should have been long. Halle carried her dress of very well and I also liked Nicole's dress, maybe not the color. The fashion trend of the evening was the soft makeup look, creamy pastel lips, no blush, and very dewy looking skin. (Usually my daytime look) ;-D I too enjoyed Woody very much. Hugh should have come out with RZ instead of Sandra B but I guess Sandra has more clout. Overall, it was a very conservative, toned down show (except for Sir Ian's and his lover who had his hand on his leg the whole night!). The men should stop wearing the ties, it is the occasion for Black tie. (Eileen), I call it the 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards. Sheesh! I agree! Russell looked disappointed to me. He must have been thinking about that BAFTA night because it did play against him.

I'm not sure how anyone could claim that ABM and LOTR wound up EQUALS for the night. Sheesh! LOTR won for original score, cinematography, makeup and visual effects. Sorry, but in my book individually each of the 4 that ABM won (picture, director, screenplay and supporting actress) outweighs any of LOTR's. It's quality, not quantity. And MR won in precisely the categories it should (art direction and costume) as did Black Hawk Down (film editing and sound).

Saw a nice little interview with RZ from the Aussie guy on the red carpet. He also nabbed DW, who spoke to him for a good while and of course RC who chatted away and pulled out 7 or 8 good luck charms he had with him. IMO...RC needed a hair stylist. His date looked spectac. We missed any charming little pre-award ditties from HG, but I thought his date had one of the best dresses! and I missed the Whoopie joke. (Did see the bare feet though.) They start late here, 7:30 or 8, so I packed it in about 11. Last thoughts, loved Woody! Thought his bit was great. And, for some reason I really enjoyed all those funny comments about fav movies in the prepared sequence. Was that just me?

Fave remark: "Monster's Inc"...Oh I thought that was a documentary on the Weinsteins." who said that. (Moon) I thought Sharon Stone looked good and I liked Kate W's red dress. Ditto. Sam was holding her hand...didn't do any good.

Most gorgeous award: the Kodak Theater! Wow, what a beautiful new home for Oscar--a cross between Radio City and a grand opera house. Hollywood got it right. Of course the show was too long, and it always will be because so many awards are given out. But, I sort of like the populist feel that the "best documentary: short subject" type people bring to the table. Ditto to much of what's been said abiut the fashions. Moon, I completely agree about the men's ties--I don't care for that trend. Woody Allen was a wonderful surprise--I don't think he's ever shown up before. I hope filmmakers heed his call to come and film in New York--enough of this "bland, one size fits all North American city" look that we've been getting all too often. I love New York, dammit!;-) I also thought Nathan Lane was a hoot; he'd make a good host. Disappointed that Paul McCartney lost out to Randy Newman, with that crappy song. Sheesh. But Paul looked wonderful, sounded good, and I liked his song. Best presenters--Reese and Ryan, definitely. Funny material, and very droll deliveries. Good job, kids. But what was up with Ryan's pseudo-European accent on the red carpet? I guess he comes from that Black Forest section of Delaware.;-) Prettiest: Renee Z., Sandra Bullock, and Jodie Foster. Most elegant: Helen Mirren. Fabulous, ladies, just gorgeous! Huge Gnat and Sandra came together; he was actually pretty funny on the red carpet, definitely getting the better of Joan R. Joan: "Are you a couple?" Huge: "Are you drunk? We'll tell if you will." *Who* is that pretty young dark haired boy that Ian McK shows up with to every awards ceremony? Not a colleague from LOTR, I take it.;-) And why is Ridley Scott dating a zygote?;-) Best acceptance speech: Julian Fellowes. I knew LOTR was in for a long, sad night when they weren't even getting the techie awards early on. No broad-based support for the film. Very happy for Opie! As for the rest, the only people I *really* wanted to see win were Renee Z. and Tom Wilkinson. I knew neither had a chance, so I don't feel strongly about any of the races. Russell blew it for himself at the BAFTAs, as I said from the get go. And does anybody but me feel it was ironic that Sidney Poitier and Halle Berry were accompanied by the whitest women I've ever seen? ;-) I think I'd better go now . . . ;-)

Fave remark: "Monster's Inc"...Oh I thought that was a documentary on the Weinsteins." who said that. Nathan Lane. He had about a half dozen funny lines, one right after the other. I enjoy him.

(Mari), And does anybody but me feel it was ironic that Sidney Poitier and Halle Berry were accompanied by the whitest women I've ever seen? ;-) You mean, his wife and her mother? *Who* is that pretty young dark haired boy that Ian McK shows up with to every awards ceremony? Not a colleague from LOTR, I take it.;-) Ian is so old and he is so young... the P word is in there somewhere. And I don't care if the boy-toy is an "adult" by age. The age difference in this case reeks of it. And to show them repeatedly when boy-toy kept his hand on Ian's upper thigh all night was disgusting. It must have been a jealous camera man. And why is Ridley Scott dating a zygote?;-) LOL! I thought it was his wife. I knew LOTR was in for a long, sad night when they weren't even getting the techie awards early on. No broad-based support for the film. Me too. :-( It did make Karen happy though, she had all those predictions down. Disappointed that Paul McCartney lost out to Randy Newman, with that crappy song. That falls under 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards'. I did like the way the music was presented, that was an improvement. Nathan Lane was funny, as were Stiller and Owen. Now can I please get a chorus of disapproval on La Sreisand's dress? I kept seeing Scarlet looking up at her green draperies in GWTW and then creating that dress. ;-)

Eileeen: what happened to Will Smith? I thought he was there in the beginning. The camera sured panned to Jada often enough. But after the best actor individual nom announcements, they showed a file photo of Will. Was he there? If so, where'd he go? I was expecting him to run up on stage with Denzel like he said he was going to do. They left cause of a family emergency, their baby daughter had a fever of 103 (that was the explanation given on Good Day L.A.).

(Lisa) RC needed a hair stylist. His date looked spectac. ??? Perhaps, dress-wise, but I've never seen her look anything but catatonic. Is she paid to accompany him to these events? And, for some reason I really enjoyed all those funny comments about fav movies in the prepared sequence. Was that just me? No, it was very funny and you could hear huge outbursts of laughter from the audience at certain ones. Of course, it helped to know who some of those people were. (Mari) Woody Allen was a wonderful surprise--I don't think he's ever shown up before. He's never been there before. The excuse was always that he played at Michael's on Sunday night. Huge Gnat and Sandra came together; he was actually pretty funny on the red carpet, definitely getting the better of Joan R. Yes, that was probably the only funny interchange on the carpet. Joan exceeded herself for stupidity this time around. She was absolutely clueless of what to ask most of the people and botched most everything. (Mari) Disappointed that Paul McCartney lost out to Randy Newman, with that crappy song. (Moon) That falls under 'Settle Old Gripes' Awards'. I did like the way the music was presented, that was an improvement. These things were really brought out in the pressroom questions, which E! showed. Someone asked Randy what he would've preferred winning for. Randy said he didn't care much about any of his songs, but the scores were his pride and joy like for The Natural (wonderful IMO and highlighted in John Williams presentation) and a few others.

Is she paid to accompany him to these events? Keeping in mind my gossip info extends to scanning the headlines of the rags at in checkout lines and morning radio, I'll tell you what I heard about this romance of RC's. They dated for a while some time back, she's in a band, maybe did some singing with him???, and they hitched back up again. She was interviewed last week. Getting a lot of publicity around here now, of course. I thought she looked pretty good, but maybe I was comparing her to the way I've seen her before! I gave her points for a nice tan. And the fact they were both in Armani. Randy Newman is a true talent and I was glad to hear he finally won. (Was this another body of work award?) But, being 5'1" tall, I never forgave him for that "Short People" song from way back when. :)))))

God, I love the folks at Salon.com. They've read my mind! Oscars 2002: Somebody make it stop! It's the Oscars of Defensiveness: Four-plus hours in which Hollywood tries to pretend it's not racist -- and Tom Cruise is revealed as that Scary Flaming Eye from "Lord of the Rings." - - - - - - - - - - - - By Cintra Wilson March 25, 2002 | After the reality check of Sept. 11 and its sobering aftermath, many people looked at the glitterati of Hollywood and said, "Can you explain why the f*** any of us ever thought YOU were so important?" Well, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences seems to have mulled this question over, and this year it gave us the We're Justifying Our Existence Oscars. I never questioned the Oscars before, but this year just the fact of them made me uneasy. Year round, we as a nation are already supposed to live vicariously through this rather rank stable of prefab actors, who live lives of ridiculous luxury and ease. We are exposed to their nightly hobnobbing, their sex lives, their hobbies, their alcoholism; we cannot escape. "OK, that was entertaining," I thought, after seeing many of the nominated films. There were some good, solid movies, but nothing that I saw made me change my wicked ways. There were some fine, solid performances, but exactly how much are we supposed to adore good actors? Last night, these capable but already tremendously overcelebrated, over-rewarded people had their annual Imelda Marcos shoe-orgy of gratuitous overcelebration, gilding the gilded lily made of gold, again. We watched as people already morbidly overstuffed with congratulations vomited up all previous congratulations to make room for these, the best and biggest congratulations of all. It is the gargantuan, a**-licking brainwash of the year, and We, the People With Televisions, are supposed to watch and enjoy it. The Academy sensed this attitude was lurking like a murky cloud of spiritual unease over Middle Earth, and it is my (admittedly hostile) perception that they said to themselves, "Well, the Oscars are already f***ed this year, so let's honor our Negroes! It's been a while. Call Whoopi." I used to call it the "Noble Cripple and Spade Year" -- it comes around every five years or so. When the Oscar Winner's alumni circle starts to look like the meeting table in "Judgment at Nuremberg," the Academy devotes a year to not looking like racist, Aryan-celebrity-eugenics-worshipping, cracker peckerwoods, and either gives an Oscar for the best dribbling retard performance, or jerks us off with a big, obvious, Slather the African-Americans With Trophies orgy to make up for the previous insulting, five-to-seven-year stretch when barely anybody of color was recognized at all, for anything. Look, I'm very glad when we finally honor our African-American artists. I just wish it happened a little more regularly, instead of in one big token Big Gulp: "See? We do too give them awards. Lots of them. See?" Let's stop treating our citizens of color like they are a separate people from us. If Sept. 11 showed us anything, it's that we're all Americans together, and our black friends are just as excellent at being overprivileged celebrity fuckwads as anybody else. Let's just bump up with this consciousness and be done with it. I must warn the world about Tom Cruise. I feel he is an utterly terrifying Superior Life Form, with the power to melt heads and braid spines. His eyes are as hard, shiny and brutally penetrating as diamond drill-bits. The new braces on his teeth suggest that he is erasing all that remained of his tiny imperfections, and he is now metamorphosing into Ultra Super Perfection Man 3000. I fear his intense, mind-beating politeness, his titanium imperviousness to human weakness, his barking power-laugh. "Movies make a little bit of magic touch our lives," he commanded us to acknowledge, with steely resolve and Mach-5 mega-humorlessness. People in the audience started laughing, until they realized that Tom was Not Being Funny At All. He was chosen to frankly address the post-Sept. 11 whither-the-Oscars conundrum head-on. "Should we celebrate the magic the movies bring? Now?" Tom asked, his eyes boring into the eyes of the TV multitudes and implanting rays of total domination. "Dare I say it?" He flashed a smirk with his robotically flawless teeth. "More than EVER," he hissed, laying on his most Extreme Scientological Unction. He had been commanded by the Elders to Obi-Wan-Kenobi-ize the audience into rebelieving in the importance of the obscenely superfluous Oscars. Tom Cruise is becoming the Scary Flaming Eye from "The Lord of the Rings," and I fear that nobody can stop him. The red carpet outside the theater looked a bit like the depths of Mordor. Today's actresses are so thin their shoulders look like arthritic knuckles. Jon Voight's face-lift looked like it had a Ziploc seam for easy reopening. Ryan O'Neal looks like he's spent the last couple of decades packing rich, chocolatey nougat into his neck. And J-Lo's time is up. The Anita Bryant hairdo only confirms that her primary support and advice is coming from the most snark-infested homosexuals in the showbiz style-world. J-Lo is J-L'Over. You can't have a big a** and sarcastic hair, not in that town. Whoopi's hosting unfortunately sucked real hard. She phoned in her performance, like, from a cellphone from a parking garage in Guam. Her material was just awful, which was mainly surprising because the lines written for the presenters were, for the first time ever, actually pretty clever. Whoopi seemed to be resorting to Refreshing African-American Earthiness as opposed to actual humor, which I suppose the Academy thought was fitting for these, the Oscars of Defensiveness (aka Operation Hide Behind the Darkies). Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller were funny in their shtick together, presenting the award for Best Costume Design. I do not want to love Owen Wilson but I am enslaved. He's a fuckin' badass genius. I read the "Royal Tenenbaums" script, and I have to say, it ruled so hard it made my stomach hurt from spleen and jealousy. It was better than the film. I want to be Owen Wilson, either that or eat Owen Wilson, with fava beans and a nice Chianti. He was robbed, he and Wes Anderson shoulda gotten the best original screenplay Oscar, instead of "Gosford Park." "Tenenbaums" was daringly original; "Gosford" was a highbrow formulaic retread. Boo. Halle Berry made history last night, not so much for being the first African-American woman to win an Oscar in the best actress category, but for freaking horribly, uncontrollably out and making the worst, most hysterically rambling, discomfiting and liquefied acceptance speech in Oscar's 74-year history, and I thought Julia Roberts was going to hold that title for a long time. I know it was a big deal for Halle, who claimed her award for All Black Women Everywhere Ever, but her acceptance tantrum had such an alarming cringe factor, I had to leave the room. When they tried to pry her off the stage, she made that screeching Bilbo Baggins monster addiction-face when he Wants the Ring. It was a heavy, strange, grand-mal meltdown. America squirmed. Even though I felt like it was a self-conscious gesture on the part of the Academy ("We'll top off the Overdue Apotheosis of Sidney Poitier by throwing Denzel the Best Actor award we didn't give him when we totally ignored 'Malcolm X,' eh? Whaddaya say?"), still, I am always glad to see Denzel accepting awards. What's not to love about Denzel? Not much: The man could not peel Julia Roberts off of himself, backstage. She was practically climbing into his tux. His wife better kick Julia's skinny, home-wreckin' heinie. The drafting of Cirque du Soleil as halftime entertainment was a good call. The refined lowbrow stunts of the Cirque healed a lot of the trauma we are still feeling from Debbie Allen's interpretive dance-pain fiasco. Actually, the Cirque was the best thing the Oscars has done in years. The only problem was, those bungee-trapeze Frenchies injected LIFE into the Kodak Theater, which brilliantly exposed the fact that, despite the presence of all the most slobbered-over luminati living, there was little or no vibrancy anywhere in the building before or after. There were no surprises in the best supporting actress category; Jennifer Connelly proved once again that that statuette always goes to the new babe. It must have to do with Hollywood's need to manufacture a new face to do magazine covers or endorse Japanese soap or something. Something smells collusion-esque and Sony-riffic to me, about the supporting actress ruse -- it's just so predictable. Connelly's speech was cute, the way she read it with her face lowered the whole time, reading off a bunch of papers. It was evocative of a shy fourth-grader doing an oral presentation on the solar system. Maybe she was ashamed because she sold her soul. I was glad Randy Newman finally got the award for best song; with his 16 nominations and zero wins, he was the Susan Lucci of the Oscars. But he had to win: Enya is the music I imagine when I am standing in a meadow in a white dress, closing my eyes and rapturously rubbing soft, quilted, two-ply toilet tissue against my cheeks. Sting, that perfectly unblemished and sincerely perfectly superior and theologically self-actualized �bermensch, is essentially becoming the musical Tom Cruise. And Diane Warren is the SWORN ENEMY OF ALL MUSIC. Little Ronnie Howard took best director and best film for "A Beautiful Mind." Sigh. Ron Howard is a completely adequate and, I feel, aggressively nongenius director. His choices are deeply, unapologetically pedestrian. He possesses lots of clunky homegrown skill and absolutely no lightning bolts of wild inspiration, which is why that script was a brilliant choice for him; John Nash (and, by extension, Russell Crowe) makes up for all the primal soul-fire Ron Howard, kindly proto-honky, utterly lacks. "A Beautiful Mind" was a Good Film. Not a brilliant film. If Peter Jackson had directed it, it might have been a revelation. But Ronnie is nothing if not the original Company Boy. He has been tenured into the marrow of the system; he is Hollywood's dearest, most faithful mediocre son, and last night they gave him the party they've been tacitly promising him since 1978. So that was it. The Hobbits and the Africans were simultaneously lauded and robbed, and the Academy tried to hypnotize us into passive acceptance by acting earthy. They seemed to be saying: See? We're just regular folks. Yeah, they're regular all right, those famous multimillionaires who never go to the post office or the DMV or sort receipts for taxes or fly coach or pay to see movies or get older or worry about the rent or medical insurance or college tuitions. They're just like you and me, only with f***ing everything, and they don't want us around while they're having it, but we're allowed to watch them have it, once a year, on TV. So we'd better enjoy it. Or they'll sic Tom Cruise on us again, and, God, we don't want that.

Has salon.com ever liked anything ?

Thanks, Rebecca. That was refreshingly funny and dare I say right on? Sting, that perfectly unblemished and sincerely perfectly superior and theologically self-actualized �bermensch, is essentially becoming the musical Tom Cruise. And Diane Warren is the SWORN ENEMY OF ALL MUSIC. So true!!! I also find Tom Cruise very scary. A classic example of selling your soul to the devil.

I also find Tom Cruise very scary. A classic example of selling your soul to the devil. I agree. He reminds me of a robot! Salon was not impressed with Halle Berry's speech but I thought the first few lines at least were so genuine and sincere. She seemed to have touched a chord with her peers in the audience. I saw tears streaming down Helen Mirren's face - and RZ's too, I thought. After that - it did go on a bit. She managed to include most people including her lawyer (twice) and her former leading man Warren Beatty in her litany of thanks but she overlooked her current leading man BB-T. As I've already said here once before - I've always wondered what all the fuss was about RC - but it did seem odd that everyone around him won for the "best" except for the main character of the title. Where is the logic there? Does anyone know whether CF showed up at all - wasn't he supposed to be a regular at the Miramax's Oscar parties?

Halle got out of control when she started thanking her lawyers. Actually, she was totally out of control the whole way she just could have left out the lawyer part for more impact. Yeah, Billy Bob got left in the lurch!

Moon, I see what you mean about Streisand's dress. Not her best, but still not nearly as bad as the train wrecks that were Paltrow and Diaz. Jay Leno said Gwynnie's wasn't a dress, it was a mammogram. ;-) I did like GP's hair and make-up, though. I think Salon's take is typically cynical and iconoclastic--it's their M.O. I also noticed Halle's non-mention of Billy Bob. An oversight, I'm guessing. Too bad, since he was sadly overlooked in the noms as well. I have to mention this: is anyone as annoyed as I am by Julia Roberts's behavior? First, I thought it was inappropriate for her to be "campaigning" for Denzel in Newsweek with that "I can't absorb living in a world . . ." nonsense. Hey, Julia, I can't absorb you making $25 million per film when there are people in the world living on pennies per day. Try that on for non-absorption.:-( Then, I thought her whooping it up over DW's victory was incredibly rude to the other nominees. How were they supposed to feel?

Julia was classless. 'I love my life' - gimme a break! I too am pretty perturbed by the $5 million gowns and $1 million shoes. And the fact that the richest get all this for FREE. I feel ashamed at times to even be taking in the whole spectacle.

I agree with what both you and Mari said, Rebecca. It says it all when the lawyer gets thanks for setting up the deal and the co-star is ignored. :-( Julia Roberts has a huge ego and this win of DW just goes to inflate it even more. I can just imagine how bossy she must be on a set. And that laugh she has is just as rehearsed and fake as the one Tom Cruise has.

I quite agree with you, Mari, about the Salon article. Is there anyone here who couldn't write the same? Ooops, sorry, we do it every day on most of our topics but with more taste. I won't even bother commenting on the racist language and degrading allusions that this writer had the gall to commit to cyberspace. (Salon) I thought, after seeing many of the nominated films. There were some good, solid movies, but nothing that I saw made me change my wicked ways. I had no idea that was purpose of movies. Perhaps she should be watching the Family, Hallmark or Odessey Channel, not to mention the slew of religious ones available on cable. ;-D ...and We, the People With Televisions, are supposed to watch and enjoy it. No, you could turn it off. That feature is standard on most remote controls. Besides, some people like to watch wrestling; others do not. Gosh, the number of erroneous quips she made (Anita Bryant hairdo?) only confirms she's been watching LOTR too many times and that her brain has dissolved, plus she's mad LOTR and the Royal Tenenbaums didn't win. Boo hoo. :-( Re: Julia Roberts I hated the way she carried on and campaigned for Denzel. Now, I fear she's put herself or thinks of herself in the kingmaker role.

I won't even bother commenting on the racist language and degrading allusions that this writer had the gall to commit to cyberspace. Politically incorrect, was she? ;-) Maybe the British Press can pick up on this. ;-)