Best supporting actress, tough one Gloria Steward or the lady in Good Will Hunting, yet Kim Basinger gets it! Hmm, well I didn't see that one. What was the name of the supporting actress in Good Will Hunting?

Debra L Scott got it for best costumes in Titanic, will this start a roll? Second Oscar of the Night. Kundun didn't get it. Billy Crystal said, and the best thing is that those costumes are drip dry.

Neve Campbell seemed very tense as one of the announcers, perhaps because she had to use "Michael Bolton" and "exciting" in the same sentence. She looked kinda scarey.

Robin Williams was a real obvious choice for Good Will Hunting. Supporting Actor. Titanic for Sound.

But let's get serious: how about all those dowdy prom dresses?? Yecchh, I've got better-looking bridesmaids gowns I wouldn't be caught dead in.

Gotta agree with you here, Autumn, there were some of the "butt-ugliest" babes in attendance that I have ever had the misfortune of lusting after...

LOL! that is your cross to bear!

just one of many...

I'll bear any cross, as long as it's pointing in a kind of Northerly direction . . .

Honestly, I don't know WHAT I'm doing here; I know bugger-all about movies! I'm in bed, sick, and bored as hell, that's why.

Hope you feel better soon, Riette.

Thanks, Charlotte, I'm okay - and how do you do? Do you know alot about movies?

Well, I watch a lot of movies, and I know a lot about the ones I watch. :) But I would not dare to appear on a movie quiz show.

That probably means you simply watch a healthy amount - not too many, not too few. And what sort of movies do you prefer - action, drama, comedy? Or just anything that looks interesting? I know little about movies, but when I'm feeling really uptight, and there's no merry-go-around in town, I go see one of these crazy action movies with neither story, nor plot, where everyone just runs around the whole time like silly rabbits; nice way to switch off for a couple of hours.

It's usually not the movie that's important to me, but the star or the director. I will go see anything with Ralph Fiennes in it, regardless of whatever reviews I have read, regardless of the plot or genre or director. Anything. Likewise, I will see anything directed by Peter Weir or Steven Spielberg. I will (and have see anything Kevin Costner is in. Beyond those givens, I will go see a movie that is getting consistently good reviews in the media, or one that friends highly recommend. I am particularly fond of anything that Miramax distributes. I haven't seen a merry-go-round in years! I guess that's why I turned to books and crochet and movies.

You HAVEN'T???? Where do you live, girl?? Do you also like the merry-go-round then? Here in Z�rich the merry-go-around comes every two or three months. My eldest girl, Isa (she's three) is as mad about the rides as me. We usually dump her two year-old sister with Daddy a couple of evenings, and blast a hundred francs or so on the rides. It's getting difficult though, 'cos Elza likes it too, but I really don't think the roller coaster is small enough for her yet . . . It's such a relief to have children as childish as me! Do you have sisters and brothers? I miss my brother and twin sister most when the merry-go-round's in town - sneaking out of my parents' house in the middle of the night with them, and walking 5 km's to the merry-go-round every August is probably one of my fondest childhood memories.

ha-ha, how disgustingly sentimental!!

:) how did sentiment ever get such a bad rep? I have one brother and 2 sisters. we were never close. i have one daughter who has grown up (age 21) and moved to Guam. i miss her, but I am simply loving the freedom of doing whatever I like whenever I like. tonight, I think I will go out to dinner with my best friend and then try and talk her into going to see Mulan.

Sounds like a plan. I think I'll go see 'Wilde' tonight. But first I gotta check the merry-go-round. I like the non-sentiment of seeing kids seeing me coming over when they recognize right away I'm one a them.....forever.

Sometimes I think having that kind of freedom again would be nice, and at others I'm not sure what I'd (what I WILL HAVE TO do with myself) once the kids are grown up. Sometimes I find it difficult having them, and trying to build my (insignificant) career, and sometimes I can just about wring their little necks (the little one is mischief-ridden!), but I adore going on trips with the eldest one - and I'm looking forward to the day when the little one will be ready too. Isa loves travelling as much as I do (my husband doesn't), and so from time to time we just take a train somewhere, mostly in search of merry-go-rounds!!, sleep over for a night, and return the next da . When we get back we're usually in such high spirits that my poor husband finds it a little difficult to cope . . . so then he just goes very, very silent, and I know it's time to change into an adult again! ha-ha! But I feel if I can remain friends with them while having enough friends of my own, I'll be alright when they go out of the house, and hopefully it will make it easier for them too. I don't know, you'll have to tell me how it works, Charlotte. How was Mulan? I've never heard of it - who's in it?

We didn't go see Mulan, which is Disney's latest animated epic, getting very good reviews. Instead, we rented two of our favorites: In & Out and The Fifth Element.

I saw the Fifth Element, yould you believe!!! It got bad reviews here, but I adored it.

Got bad reviews here, too, but my friends and I were totally captivated. We formed an "Elements" club. You had to see the movie 5 times to be a member. :) Last night was #7 for me. I have the sountrack CD, which I keep in the car all the time. I'm getting a new purebred kitten next week, and I've named him Korben Dallas. Bet that made you smile!

ummm... excuse the dolt-like question... besides the name of your future kitten... am I supposed to be familiar with the name Korben Dallas?

Oh. Sorry! I forgot that others besides Riette would be reading this! No, Stacey. It would only be meaningful if you had seen The Fifth Element.

So. Speaking of Oscars (lame attempt at avoiding the topic police), :) I recently re-watched Oscar and Lucinda. Has anyone else had a chance to see this exquisite jewel since it has become available on video? It was nominated for one Academy Award, which to my way of thinking was a crime against art. Ralph Fiennes disappears into a character like no other actor I have ever seen. It was a bravura performance that was shamefully overlooked by the masses.

and back to your, um, kitten... what kind?

He's a Ragdoll! They are known as the "gentle giants". He will continue to grow for the next 3 years, eventually weighing 30 pounds. :) If you are really interested, I've put some photos of what he will look like as he grows on my web site.

went and looked at both sites..... thanks for the information!

Great name for your kitty, Charlotte!! Has he got the personality to cope with it?!

Dunno. He's still with the breeder. He's paid for, but not ready to come home yet. She says there is a good possibility I can bring him home July 3. But I know he will be sexy and affectionate just like his namesake, as portrayed by Bruce Willis. Thanks for asking, KitchenManager! Us old ladies whose kids have grown and gone can get purty durn excited about our crocheting and our cats. :)

Sorry Charlotte. I did see the Fifth Element but only once so the name did not register anywhere relevant in my brain! Neat pictures!

Oscar Predictions: BEST PICTURE BEST DIRECTOR Elizabeth Neil Jordan, The Butcher Boy Gods and Monsters Shekhar Kapur, Elizabeth Saving Private Ryan John Madden, Shakespeare in Love Shakespeare in Love Steven Speilberg, Saving Private Ryan The Truman Show Peter Weir, The Truman Show BEST ACTOR BEST ACTRESS Roberto Benigni, Life is Beautiful Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Jim Carrey, The Truman Show Fernanda Montenegro, Central Station Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love Ian McKellen, Gods and Monsters Susan Sarandon, Stepmom John Travolta, Primary Colors Meryl Streep, One True Thing BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Ed Harris, The Truman Show Joan Allen, Pleasantville Bill Murray, Rushmore Kathy Bates, Primary Colors Giovanni Ribisi, Saving Pvt. Ryan Judi Davis, Shakespeare in Love Geoffrey Rush, Shakespeare in Love Lisa Kudrow, The Opposite of Sex Billy Bob Thornton, A Simple Plan Lynn Redgrave, Gods and Monsters On a different note, the 19th Annual Razzie Awards nominations are: WORST PICTURE * An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * Armageddon * The Avengers * Godzilla * Spice World WORST ACTOR * Ralph Fiennes, The Avengers * Ryan O'Neal, An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * Ryan Phillippe, 54 * Adam Sandler, The Waterboy * Bruce Willis, Armageddon/Mercury Rising/The Siege WORST ACTRESS * Yasmine Bleeth, BASE-ketball * Anne Heche, Psycho * Jessica Lange, Hush * The Spice Girls, Spice World * Uma Thurman, The Avengers WORST SCREEN "COUPLE" * Ben Affleck and Liv Tyler, Armageddon * Any Combination of Two Characters, Body Parts or Fashion Accessories, Spice World * Any Combination of Two People Playing Themselves (or Playing WITH Themselves), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * Leonardo DiCaprio (as twins!), The Man in the Iron Mask * Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman, The Avengers WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR * Sean Connery, The Avengers * Joe Esterhas (as himself), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * Roger Moore, Spice World * Joe Pesci, Lethal Weaopon 4 * Sylvester Stallone (as himself), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS * Ellen Albertini Dow (as "Disco Dottie"), 54 * Jenny McCarthy, BASE-ketball * Maria Pitillo, Godzilla * Liv Tyler, Armageddon * Raquel Welch, Chairman of the Board SPECIAL AWARD: "1998 -- THE WORST MOVIE-GOING YEAR EVER" (New Category, Dis-Honoring The Worst Movie Trends of The Year) * Gidgets n'n Geezers (58-Year-Old Leading Men Wooing 28-Year-Old Leading Ladies) * If You've Seen the Trailer, Why bother to See the Movie?!? (Previews That Give Away The Film's ENTIRE Plot) * 30 Minutes of Story -- conveyed in Less Than 3 Hours! (L-O-N-G-E-R Movies...Shorter Plotz) * THX: The Audience is Deafening (Movie Sound So Loud It Constitutes Assault w/a Deadening Weapon) * Yo Quiero Tacky Tie-Ins! (Mega-Zillion-Dollar Cross-Promotional Overkill: Armageddon, Godzilla, Etc.) WORST DIRECTOR * Michael Bay, Armageddon * Jeremiah Chechick, The Avengers * Roland Emmerich, Godzilla * Alan Smithee (aka Arthur Hiller), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * Gux van Sant, Psycho WORST RE-MAKE OR SEQUEL (INCLUDING FILMS BASED ON TV SHOWS) * The Avengers * Godzilla * Lost in Space * Meet Joe Black * Psycho THE JOE ESZTERHAS DIS-HONORARIAL WORST SCREENPLAY AWARD * Joe Eszterhas, An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * Jonathan Hensleigh & JJ Abrams, Armageddon * Don MacPherson, The Avengers * Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, Godzilla * Kim Fuller (From an Idea by Fuller and the Spice Girls), Spice World WORST NEW STAR * Barney, Barney's Great Adventure * Carrot Top, Chairman of the Board * Joe Eszterhas (as himself), An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * The Spice Girls, Spice World * Jerry Springer, Ringmaster WORST "ORIGINAL" SONG * "Barney, the Song," Barney's Great Aventure * "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Armageddon * "I Wanna Be Mike Ovitz!," An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn! * "Storm," The Avengers * "Too Much," Spice World

Lemme guess: You didn't care much for The Avengers. :)

Yeah, and that list is way to hard on the Spice Girls, I grabbed it off a website, it's not mine. I didn't see the Avengers, but the above isn't a great recommendation.

The Oscars nominations are posted at http://www.oscar.com/ and I hear Bill Murray was robbed. Will someone volunteer to repost those here, please?

Never mind, I'll post them now: Actor in a Leading Role Roberto Benigni in LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL Tom Hanks in SAVING PRIVATE RYAN Ian McKellen in GODS AND MONSTERS Nick Nolte in AFFLICTION Edward Norton in AMERICAN HISTORY X Actor in a Supporting Role James Coburn in AFFLICTION Robert Duvall in A CIVIL ACTION Ed Harris in THE TRUMAN SHOW Geoffrey Rush in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Billy Bob Thornton in A SIMPLE PLAN Actress in a Leading Role Cate Blanchett in ELIZABETH Fernanda Montenegro in CENTRAL STATION Gwyneth Paltrow in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Meryl Streep in ONE TRUE THING Emily Watson in HILARY AND JACKIE Actress in a Supporting Role Kathy Bates in PRIMARY COLORS Brenda Blethyn in LITTLE VOICE Judi Dench in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Rachel Griffiths in HILARY AND JACKIE Lynn Redgrave in GODS AND MONSTERS Art Direction ELIZABETH PLEASANTVILLE SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Cinematography A CIVIL ACTION ELIZABETH SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE THE THIN RED LINE Costume Design BELOVED ELIZABETH PLEASANTVILLE SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE VELVET GOLDMINE Directing LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE THE THIN RED LINE THE TRUMAN SHOW Documentary Feature DANCEMAKER THE FARM: ANGOLA, U.S.A. THE LAST DAYS LENNY BRUCE: SWEAR TO TELL THE TRUTH REGRET TO INFORM Documentary Short Subject THE PERSONALS: Improvisations on Romance in the Golden Years A PLACE IN THE LAND SUNRISE OVER TIANANMEN SQUARE Film Editing LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL OUT OF SIGHT SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE THE THIN RED LINE Foreign Language Film CENTRAL STATION CHILDREN OF HEAVEN THE GRANDFATHER LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL TANGO Makeup ELIZABETH SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Original Musical or Comedy Score A BUG'S LIFE MULAN PATCH ADAMS THE PRINCE OF EGYPT SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Original Dramatic Score ELIZABETH LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL PLEASANTVILLE SAVING PRIVATE RYAN THE THIN RED LINE Original Song "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" from ARMAGEDDON "The Prayer" from QUEST FOR CAMELOT "A Soft Place to Fall" from THE HORSE WHISPERER "That'll Do" from BABE: PIG IN THE CITY "When You Believe" from THE PRINCE OF EGYPT Best Picture ELIZABETH LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE THE THIN RED LINE Short Film�Animated BUNNY THE CANTERBURY TALES JOLLY ROGER MORE WHEN LIFE DEPARTS Short Film�Live Action CULTURE ELECTION NIGHT (Valgaften) HOLIDAY ROMANCE LA CARTE POSTALE (The Postcard) VICTOR Sound ARMAGEDDON THE MASK OF ZORRO SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE THE THIN RED LINE Sound Effects Editing ARMAGEDDON THE MASK OF ZORRO SAVING PRIVATE RYAN Visual Effects ARMAGEDDON MIGHTY JOE YOUNG WHAT DREAMS MAY COME Screenplay�Original BULWORTH LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL SAVING PRIVATE RYAN SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE THE TRUMAN SHOW Screenplay�Adaptation GODS AND MONSTERS OUT OF SIGHT PRIMARY COLORS A SIMPLE PLAN THE THIN RED LINE OK, you've got it. Now talk amongst yourselves! Oy!

tough choices! when are the oscars, anyway?

THE 71st ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS Airing: Sunday, March 21 [5:30 p.m. PT] What's an actress to do after she's already won just about every major award in Hollywood? Give them away, of course! Whoopi Goldberg, who counts an Oscar among her collection, proves the third time's the charm when she returns to host the 71st Annual Academy Awards. from http://www.oscar.com

and play hollywood squares!! she's a riot...

Wonderful! I loved her at the Oscars. I'm glad she's gonna do it again! I think she and Billy should alternate years.

or do them together!!

The 1999 version: and look, I knew this would happen, too --- Kevin Costner wins the Best Actor in a Foreign Film award (just like 2 years ago when he did it): Best Picture --- Shakespeare in Love David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Edward Zwick and Marc Norman Directing --- Saving Private Ryan Steven Spielberg Best Actress --- Gwyneth Paltrow as Viola in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Best Actor --- Roberto Benigni as Guido in Life is Beautiful Best Supporting Actress --- Judi Dench as Queen Elizabeth I in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Best Supporting Actor --- James Coburn as Glen in AFFLICTION Foreign Language Film --- Life is Beautiful Italy Cinematography --- Saving Private Ryan Janusz Kaminski Original Screenplay --- Shakespeare in Love Written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard Screenplay-Adaptation --- Gods and Monsters Written for the screen by Bill Condon Original Song --- The Prince of Egypt "When You Believe" music and lyric by Stephen Schwartz Costume Design --- Shakespeare in Love Sandy Powell Visual Effects --- What Dreams May Come Joel Hynek, Joel Nicholas Brooks, Stuart Robertson and Kevin Mack Film Editing --- Saving Private Ryan Michael Kahn Original Dramatic Score --- Life is Beautiful Nicola Piovani Original Musical or Comedy Score --- Shakespeare in Love Stephen Warbeck Makeup --- Elizabeth Jenny Shircore Art Direction --- Shakespeare in Love Martin Childs:Jill Quertier Sound --- Saving Private Ryan Gary Rydstrom, Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Ronald Judkins Sound Effects Editing --- Saving Private Ryan Gary Rydstrom and Richard Hymns Documentary Feature --- The Last Days James Moll and Ken Lipper Documentary Short Subject --- The Personals: Improvisations on Romance in the Golden Years Keiko Ibi Short Film (animated) --- Bunny Chris Wedge Short Film (live action) --- Election Night (Valgaften) Kim Magnusson and Anders Thomas Jensen Honorary Oscar --- Elia Kazan Thalberg Award --- Norman Jewison On February 27, the Academy presented Scientific and Technical Awards.

And Jim saw every one of them.

I saw Nick Nolte, Elia Kazan, and Chris Rock having a very friendly conversation together, and fortunately none of them could figure out how to save private Ryan. Then Bunny came over and finished their conversation for them.

And if you really want all the gory details, from film.com: 9:29: Whoopi, in the last of her feathered gowns, says goodnight. 9:25: Harrison Ford turns up to present "the last Oscar of the century," for Best Picture, to Shakespeare in Love. The final tally for the evening: Shakespeare 7; Ryan 5; Life 3. A slew of producers accept the award. The orchestra swells just as Harvey Weinstein is thanking his mom. 9:16: A bespectacled Kevin Costner presents the Best Director award to Steven Spielberg for Saving Private Ryan. He thanks everybody, and dedicates the award to his dad. 9:10: Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn, looking very cute, present the Adapted Screenplay award to Bill Condon for Gods and Monsters, and the Original Screenplay award to Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard for Shakespeare in Love. 9:04: Steven Spielberg gives a dignified tribute to director Stanley Kubrick. 8:55: Jack Nicholson presents the Best Actress award to Gwyneth Paltrow for Shakespeare in Love. She weepily thanks her fellow nominees, her director, her co-star, "my friend Ben Affleck," her agent, numerous family members, and various others. 8:53: "The sumptuous Uma Thurman" presents the Best Cinematography award to Janusz Kaminski for Saving Private Ryan. 8:51: Whoopi Goldberg gives a brief thumbs-up tribute to Gene Siskel. 8:48: Jack Valenti arrives to introduce, rather mysteriously, great movie personality General Colin Powell, who introduces clips from Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line. 8:43: Annette Bening gracefully introduces the "In Memorium" segment, honoring those who died this past year. Biggest applause goes to E.G. Marshall, Alan J. Pakula, Maureen O'Sullivan, Phil Hartman, Esther Rolle, Akira Kurosawa, and Roddy McDowall. (No Stanley Kubrick; perhaps he'll be honored later.) 8:40: Jennifer Lopez turns up to present the Best Song award to Stephen Schwartz for "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt. Stephen, alas, didn't bother to show up. 8:34: Catherine Zeta-Jones introduces the final nominated song, "The Prayer," from Quest for Camelot, sung by Andrea Bocelli and an excessively tan Celine Dion. 8:31: Whoopi models the final nominated costume, from Shakespeare in Love, and then presents the Costume Design award to Sandy Powell for Shakespeare in Love. (Sandy, of course, looks fabulously chic.) 8:20: Oscar controversy time: Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro present the much-debated honorary Oscar to Elia Kazan. The planned protest doesn't really come off: most audience members applaud; many stand. (Nick Nolte and Ed Harris were two prominent exceptions.) A frail-looking Kazan hugs Scorsese, makes a brief speech. 8:15: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck amble in to present the documentary awards. The Documentary Short Subject award goes to The Personals: Improvisations on Romance in the Golden Years, directed by Keiko Ibi (decked out in a purple gown; rather weepy speech). The Documentary Feature award is handed out to James Moll and Ken Lipper's The Last Days. 8:10: Lisa Kudrow introduces yet another nominated song, "That'll Do" from Babe: Pig in the City. 8:07: Whoopi, complete with blue wig, models a costume from Velvet Goldmine. 8:00: Helen Hunt, sporting Gwyneth Paltrow-esque hair, presents the Best Actor award to Roberto Benigni, who again bows excessively and claims to have "used up all my English." He manages to talk at length, regardless. Helen looks quizzical. 7:55: Val Kilmer has the unusual honor of being completely upstaged by a skittery horse, while introducing a salute to movie Westerns. 7:50: Liam Neeson presents the Best Visual Effects award to the What Dreams May Come people, who look quite grateful. 7:40: Nicolas Cage introduces Norman Jewison, recipient of the Irving Thalberg award. Following the grand tradition of Stanley Donen last year, Jewison performs a spirited dance while accepting his award. 7:35: Renee Zellweger introduces another Best Song performance, "A Soft Place to Fall" from The Horse Whisperer. 7:33: An emotional Jim Carrey, asserting that "winning the Oscar is not the most important thing in the world," presents the Film Editing award to Michael Kahn for Saving Private Ryan. 7:25: The obligatory Oscar Technical Snafu happens during, coincidentally, Anne Heche's introduction of the Scientific and Technical Awards. (Sound problems ensue; she handles them gracefully.) 7:23: A bearded Whoopi models a men's costume from Elizabeth. 7:16: John Travolta introduces a tribute to Frank Sinatra. 7:15: Geena Davis (who's changed her outfit since the pre-show) presents Best Dramatic Score to Nicola Piovani, Life Is Beautiful. A mercifully short speech. 7:08: The obligatory fabulous Oscar Dance Number, set to the Best Dramatic Score music. Some tap, some jazz, kinda cool, but a worldwide audience just went to get a beer. 7:06: Andie McDowell and Andy Garcia present Best Musical or Comedy Score to Stephen Warbeck Shakespeare in Love 7:04: Roberto is still talking. 7:00: Sophia Loren introduces clips from Life Is Beautiful, and then presents the Best Foreign Film award to "Roberto!" (Life Is Beautiful). Benigni hops up to the stage, embraces Sophia, bows excessively, and says he wants to kiss everybody. 6:55: Whoopi models a costume from Beloved. 6:48: A bearded Tom Hanks introduces a salute to heroes. 6:45: Anjelica Huston presents Best Sound award to Saving Private Ryan. 6:40: Liv Tyler introduces Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing," a Best Song nominee. (Liv's dad, Steve Tyler, looks a little worse for wear.) 6:35: Chris Rock presents Sound Effects Editing award to Saving Private Ryan. 6:30: Robin Williams presents Best Supporting Actress award to Dame Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love). Very gracious speech; spiffy white outfit. 6:22: Flik and Heimlich, animated creatures from A Bug's Life, present the Animated Short Film award to Chris Wedge's Bunny. 6:19: Brendan Fraser presents Live Action Short Film award to Election Night. 6:16: Whoopi fetchingly models a polka-dot costume from Pleasantville. 6:08: Christina Ricci introduces Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's rendition of "When You Believe." White gowns, hand-holding. 6:04: Curiously, Mike Myers presents the Makeup award. The winner: Elizabeth. 6:01: Patrick Stewart introduces clips from Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love. 5:59: Gwyneth Paltrow presents Art Direction award to Shakespeare in Love. An early trend? 5:52: Kim Basinger presents Best Supporting Actor to James Coburn (Affliction). Calls Oscar "a love child." 5:45: Another Whoopi monologue. 5:38: Academy president Robert Rehme introduces mandatory "favorite movie moments" montage. 5:30: Whoopi Goldberg makes entrance in Queen Elizabeth outfit, as "The African Queen." Monologue ensues. Fairly short.

Well, I watched the Oscars and had a thoroughly good time at it. I also checked in on Harry Knowles comments during the show, as he kept reposting comments. I was happy to see American Beauty get recognition, even though Annette Benning lost. John Long will be happy that Angelina Jolie won something, I was hoping she would mention him because he always mentions her. I like seeing Salma Hayak in the preshow. She's doing something called Time Code: The Yahoo Internet Life Online Film Festival kicked off Wednesday. The big event was Wednesday night's screening of Mike Figgis' Time Code at the Director's Guild theater, which I attended. It's an all-digital multitask viewing experience � four cameras showing four vantage points, shot in a single "live" unbroken take.

Bill Crystal lived up to expectations, he does these shows on autopilot. I thought the American Beauty score should have won, there wasn't much great movie music last year was there?

And Knowles comments on Angelina Jolie's award: Here comes the Supporting Actress award...Tony Collette in THE SIXTH SENSE... she's wonderful, Angelina Jolie.... nonononono... do not win. You are beautiful but please don't win. This category never goes to the right people. Catherine Keener... Wonderful... go. Samantha Morton.... PLEASE WIN!!! YOU WERE BEAUTIFUL ENTRANCING AND STUNNING!!! God I love her in SWEET AND LOWDOWN... Please win! Chloe Sevigny... what a wonderful performance. DOn'T GO TO ANGEL.... FUCK!!! GODDAMNIT! WHAT THE FUCK! Man.... sigh. Alright alright.... whatever, it's going to be one of those years! shit. She is gorgeous, but man. Sigh.... I can't hate her, it's the category... it's always screwed... How did marisa tomei win all those years ago... It's constantly fucked.

Hillary Swank, the boyish looking one, got best actress. Gweneth Paltrow pressented the Best Actor Award to Kevin Spacey. Best picture American Beauty, ok.

Which gowns did you like the best? (Is vulgarity of the forbidden sort common these days at the oscars? I did not watch since it was tape delayed and we heard all of the winners before the event was telecast here.

I loved the women in their dresses, turning this way and that and looking right at the camera like it couldn't eat them up but it did... I did fall asleep and woke up just before the Warren Beattie tribute which was as disturbing as any of my dreams... Now I want to see Boys Don't Cry and I'm glad I saw American Beauty and was aware of Kevin Spacey's performance. That movie blew me away. Why does everybody have to thankeverybody?

Too bad Jeremy Northam didn't win supporting actor for the Winslow Boy, and Annette Benning lost in best actress. DeForrest Kelly wasn't mentioned among the departed cuts. George Lucas was totally ignored. But then there *was* something called the Matrix. Classiest act of the night was Michael Caine, he really gave others their credit. The comment to Tom Cruise was pure, unadulterated class. (He told him that supporting actors don't make near as much and it would have got him a pay cut).

And this topic wouldn't be complete without a box score: Best Picture- AMERICAN BEAUTY Best Director- Sam Mendes, AMERICAN BEAUTY Best Actor- Kevin Spacey, AMERICAN BEAUTY Best Actress- Hillary Swank, BOYS DON'T CRY Best Supporting Actor- Michael Caine, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES Best Supporting Actress- Angelina Jolie, GIRL INTERRUPTED Best Screenplay, Adapted-John Irving, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES Best Screenplay, Original- Alan Ball, AMERICAN BEAUTY Art Direction- SLEEPY HOLLOW Cinematography- Conrad Hall, AMERICAN BEAUTY Sound- THE MATRIX Sound Effects Editing- THE MATRIX Original Score - John Corigliano, THE RED VIOLIN Original Song - "You'll Be In My Heart" Phil Collins Costume - TOPSY-TURVY Documentary Feature - ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER Documentary Short - KING GIMP Film Editing - THE MATRIX Makeup - TOPSY-TURVY Short Film - MY MOTHER DREAMS THE SATAN'S DISCIPLES IN NEW YORK Animated Short Film - OLD MAN AND THE SEA Visual Effects - THE MATRIX IRVING B THALBERG AWARD went to WARREN BEATTY. Annette Bening did not give birth during the Award ceremony!

And the total blow by blow from film.com The Big Night It's a wrap at the Shrine Auditorium, and we give the show -- well, a solid B for effort. Things moved along snappily (although we're still not sure what Peter Coyote, giving his best impersonation of a headwaiter, was doing at that little desk), and the awards were spread out over a nice variety of films, reflecting the depth of movie offerings this year. American Beauty, as expected, won the big awards, but also well-represented were Boys Don't Cry, Topsy-Turvy, and The Matrix (which had a perfect four-for-four night). And Billy Crystal was at his relaxed best. But -- if you're going to remove the dance numbers, why replace them with interminable musical numbers and endless montages? And why bring out Isaac Hayes only to immediately cover him in smoke? On the fashion front, we liked Samuel L. Jackson's blue velvet jacket, Hilary Swank's goldish gown, and Cher's fabulously understated (for Cher) black velvet dress with a cross dangling at crotch level -- for which she apologized, saying that she had "dressed like a grownup" this year. Ah, well -- maybe next year. And, when last spotted, Annette Bening had still not gone into labour. All in all, a professional yet fairly uneventful evening without too many big surprises. (Blame it on the Wall Street Journal poll, which gave all the right answers.) And our favorite moment took place in the pre-show, at which Matt Stone and Trey Parker (of South Park, as if we have to tell you) unveiled their Oscar attire -- a Gwyneth Paltrow-ish pink spaghetti-strapped gown, and a Jennifer Lopez-y sheer green dress (accessorized by chest hair). Blame Canada, indeed. Just in case you missed it, here's the play-by-play as we called it; or click here for a complete list of winners. Complete List of Winners The Tally American Beauty: 5 The Matrix: 4 The Cider House Rules: 2 Topsy-Turvy: 2 All About My Mother: 1 Boys Don't Cry: 1 Girl, Interrupted: 1 Tarzan: 1 9:31: Clint Eastwood gives the Best Picture award to American Beauty. 9:27: Steven Spielberg gives the Best Director award to Sam Mendes for American Beauty. Here comes the semi-sweep? 9:20: Gwyneth Paltrow, with a bad case of bed head, gives the Best Actor award to Kevin Spacey, while Denzel Washington gallantly applauds. In his speech, he acknowledges the "real beauty" of American Beauty, and says he's proud to be an actor. And, for the record, says he's speechless and that he loves his mother. 9:07: Roberto Benigni runs around the stage for a while and says he'd like to be a dog, and then calms down sufficiently to present the Best Actress award to Hilary Swank for Boys Don't Cry. After smooching with hubby Chad Lowe, she gives a poised speech. 9:00: Mel Gibson presents the Best Original Screenplay award to Alan Ball, for American Beauty. He thanks, among other things, a plastic bag. 8:55: Kevin Spacey turns up to present the Best Adapted Screenplay award to John Irving for The Cider House Rules, providing us with the rare spectacle of seeing a bestselling novelist at the podium. He provides the first political moment so far, acknowledging the National Abortion Rights Action League. Go John! 8:51: Brad Pitt presents the Best Cinematography award to Conrad L. Hall for American Beauty. So, will this kick off the American Beauty sweep we kept hearing so much about? 8:32: Jack Nicholson, sporting a brush cut and a grim little mustache, gives a rambling intro to Warren Beatty, the recipient of this year's Irving G. Thalberg award. We're pleased to note that Warren's wife, Annette Bening, is still in the auditorium and not in the maternity ward. A nice standing O for Warren, who gives an equally rambling -- but very sweet -- acceptance speech. 8:28: Tommy Lee Jones and Ashley Judd, bringing back unpleasant memories of Double Jeopardy, present the Film Editing award to Zach Staenberg of The Matrix, which is pulling off a nice little technical sweep. He reads his speech from a piece of paper, and is not particularly compelling. 8:22: Julianne Moore and Russell Crowe stroll out to present the Art Direction award to Rich Heinrichs and Peter Young for Sleepy Hollow. 8:15: Edward Norton shows a remarkable lack of enthusiasm for introducing the annual "In Memorium" tribute to those who have died, which includes Jim Varney, Robert Bresson, Hedy Lamarr, Garson Kanin, Madeline Kahn, and George C. Scott. 8:10: Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves present the Best Original Score Oscar to John Corigliano for The Red Violin. He says he's speechless, and then makes a gracious speech. 8:05: Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz (who, coincidentally, have both starred in Pedro Almodovar films) turn up to present the Best Foreign Film award to . . . Pedro Almodovar, for All About My Mother. Cruz gets really excited and jumps around, then the three have a group hug. Almodovar whips out a big piece of paper and thanks a lot of people until the music starts playing. 7:45: A rather emotional Burt Bacharach leads a medley of songs nominated for Oscars past, including "Everybody's Talkin'," "Over the Rainbow," "The Man That Got Away," "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and more, performed by the likes of Ray Charles, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Dionne Warwick, and Queen Latifah -- sometimes, alas, inviting unfortunate comparison with the originals. Really, nobody but Judy should sing "Over the Rainbow." The exception is Isaac Hayes, who turns up to croon "Shaft," and sounds as cool as ever -- until he gets enveloped by a smoke machine. And, in the obligatory standing O, Annette stands up again! Somebody stop her! 7:33: Arnold "I've been a visual effect" Schwarzenegger shows up to present the Visual Effects award to the guys from The Matrix. A guy wearing a really cool black outfit does all of the talking; the others, who look less cool, stand behind him. He goes on too long and gets cut off by music, but not before he can plug www.whatisthematrix.com. 7:31: The "exciting and talented" Salma Hayek summarizes the Scientific and Technical Awards. She is mercifully brief. So is her dress. 7:28: Chow Yun-Fat saunters out to present the award for Sound Effects Editing to Dane A. Davis for The Matrix. 7:21: Jane Fonda is welcomed back to Hollywood, and graciously introduces Polish director Andrzej Wajda, who is this year's recipient of an honorary Oscar. (Although we have no idea why Jane mysteriously crossed the entire stage during her intro -- perhaps to show off her Vera Wang gown.) A grinning Wajda gets a nice standing O, and gives a nice speech in Polish (thankfully, there are subtitles). 7:10: Dame Judi Dench and her impeccable diction present the Best Supporting Actor award to Michael Caine for The Cider House Rules. He gets a kind of half-baked standing ovation (including the elegantly gowned and extremely pregnant Annette Bening, who should stay seated), and graciously acknowledges his fellow nominees (telling Tom Cruise, "Have you any idea how much supporting actors get paid?"). 7:05: Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke, also very cute, present the Documentary Feature award to -- surprise! -- One Day in September, directed by Kevin MacDonald. 7:02: Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, and Thora Birch of American Beauty, all looking cute as can be, present the award for Documentary Short Subject to King Gimp, directed by William A. Whiteford, who has been seated in the last possible row of the auditorium (because he's not famous) and takes a really long time to get to the podium. 6:55: Cher enters, apologizes for her sedate and un-Cher-like dress (hey, we think it's pretty), and presents the Best Song award to Phil Collins for "You'll Be in My Heart" from Tarzan. 6:41: LL Cool J and Vanessa Williams introduce the Best Song nominees, performed by a strapless Sarah McLachlan, a wispy-voiced Aimee Mann, a follically challenged Phil Collins, the pretty boys of N'Sync with a strapless Gloria Estefan, and a rather hoarse Robin Williams, who did indeed manage to use the words "fart" and "bitch" in his rendition of "Blame Canada," and gamely participated in a final kickline. 6:33: Woody, Buzz, and the Rock-Em-Sock-Em Robots (yep, pretty darn cute) present the Best Animated Short Film award to The Old Man and the Sea, directed by Aleksander Petrov, who apologizes for not being able to speak English, but gives a speech anyway. 6:28: A very elegant Cate Blanchett and Jude Law present the award for Best Live-Action Short Film to My Mother Dreams the Satan's Disciples in New York, directed by Barbara Schock and Tammy Tiekel, one of whom is quite Annette Bening-esque (pregnant, that is). 6:20: Morgan Freeman talks quite vaguely about the past century, mysteriously using the phrase "global village", and introduces the obligatory Chuck Workman montage. 6:10: James Coburn strolls in to present the Best Supporting Actress award to . . . Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted), who's wearing some sort of Elvira getup with major hair extensions. Contrary to her behavior at the Golden Globes, she does not bring her brother to the podium, although he is her date for the evening. She thanks everyone she knows. 6:05: Tobey Maguire and a high-headwrapped Erykah Badu present the Best Makeup award to Topsy-Turvy. A Topsy-Turvy sweep tonight? A write-in for Best Picture? Go, Mike Leigh! 6:02: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, and Heather's cleavage present the award for Best Sound to those guys from The Matrix. 5:58: Haley Joel Osment introduces an uninspired montage of performances by young actors. Gee, wonder why they picked him? 5:50: The Charlie's Angels girls (Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz) present the Best Costume award to Lindy Hemming for Topsy-Turvy. An upset! 5:30: Billy Crystal kicks things off with a 20-minute opening number featuring -- surprise -- a lot of song and dance. Not bad. A funny Kevin Spacey cameo. ... everyone she knows except John Long!

Hmmm...Lindy Hemming....who is she? Not that many people in the USA spell it that way - of the few families of Hemming of any ilk. Anyone know anything about her? British? (surely was the origin of her name as it was mine via the Danish invasion w a y back...) I am also not much help on the Oscar reports, except that I caught the press briefing after the entire show and Warren Beatty put me to sleep - as he usually does. My fav thing was the actress with the lime-green gown and the necklace I might kill for...Hilary Swank, was she? Looked very classy and most lovely though that color does nothing for any human I am aware of... Fell asleep again...and more than slightly put out house male turned it off and went to sleep - so did I at that point...!

I was absoulutely thrilled that "The Red Violin" won for Best Score. Wonderfully researched, perfect to period music, and it won! Too bad "The Red Violin" wasn't nominated as Best Picture. What a lousy slate of nominee's this year; the only one which deserved the nomination was "The Sixth Sense". But sometimes the Academy shows sense, such as, by giving the Oscar to Hilary Swank. "Boys Don't Cry" was a much better film than 4 of the Best Picture contenders, including the winner. The person who deserved the award won the award. That doesn't always happen. The nights best speech was easily that of Michael Caine, gracious, generous, and classy. Great speech. The worst speech was Kevin Spacey's. What a shallow, self-absorbed little ass he seemed. Such a crashing bore, or should that be boor? Spacey gave the weakest performance of all the nominee', yet he won. Oscar very often gets it wrong.

I almost forgot. The evening's best fau pas was Jane Fonda stating that it was her pleasure to prevent, pause, present this award to Andrzej Wajda.

At the Press Conference later, Kevin Spacey admitted he had gone blank and was just standing there in stunned numbness. I guess that is how he came across! *lol* Jane Fonda - one of my least fav people on the planet, actually...

Oscar-watching helicopter crashes, two injured LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A news helicopter covering the Oscars developed hydraulic problems and crashed as it tried to make an emergency landing at a nearby airport early on Monday, badly injuring the pilot and a photographer. The helicopter, an Aerospatiale A-Star owned by Fox television station KTTV, was covering the post-Oscar celebrations at the Shrine Auditorium when it developed hydraulic problems shortly after midnight, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said. As the 28-year-old female pilot struggled desperately to bring it under control, the helicopter flew to the nearby suburban Van Nuys airport followed by two other news choppers seeking to aid the stricken aircraft. The helicopter crashed and burst into flames on impact. Airport emergency crews, aided by crews from the other helicopters, pulled the two occupants to safety before they suffered any burns, Humphrey said. Steve Howell, who was piloting a KTLA-TV helicopter and followed the chopper, said the pilot, whose name was not released, did a tremendous job in avoiding houses and businesses as the chopper approached suburban Van Nuys airport. ``If you lose hydraulics, it's almost like losing power steering (in a car), but even worse,'' Howell said. ``It's amazing anyone could have survived this crash,'' he added. The pilot and the 40-year-old photographer, whose name was also not released, were said to be in serious but stable condition at a local hospital on Monday. The pilot fractured her right wrist and left leg. She also suffered a large gash to her head as well as pelvic trauma, a hospital spokeswoman said. The photographer suffered one, or possibly two, broken legs as well as multiple lacerations to his face.

Spacey spaced out, Warren Beatty looked pale and feeble, Nicholson looked like the football coach at Fresno State (maybe a role he's doing now?), Gweneth Paltrow looked pissed off, did anyone else think the Peter Coyote newsdesk thing with him wearing a headset was a bit odd?

Did anyone else see the uttlerly sour look on Bening's face when Hilary Swank won? And I'm still waiting for an explanation on the whole blame Canada thing.

Who was the improbable winner of the night? Michael Caine. There was the comment about his first acting job at 3 being to lie to the rent man about his mother not being home. The Alfie clips. Then the classiest speech every where he tributed the other nominees in fine, fine fashion.

Take out the word "every" in the previous response. And substitute "gave tribute to" for "tributed". You beat someone then you make a speech elevating them and making them feel good and laugh. Did you see Tom Cruise's response. Class all the way.

The Oscars (impressions): First impression: J Lo's form fitting top was not quite see through. J. Lo on the red carpet: Angelina Joie looked cool but I expected her to be escorted by John Long for Billy Joe Thornton. What was Danny DeVito eating? A carrot? That was funny when Steve Martin sent him down some dip from the stage. Worst dressed and worst singer: Bjork, who wore a huge, limp swan. On second thought, wasn't that Kevin Costner sitting next to Angelina Jolie? Biggest dissappointment: Joan Allen and Ellen Burstyn not winning.

Maybe that gif will work this time.

nope, no luck