Oscar® Reflections

As poet laureate of the movies, I am pleased to write a poem about the 92nd Annual Academy Awards event which took place on February 9, 2020.

Congrats to wins on Oscar night.

Sometimes voters get Awards right.

Not always though. There was a year

when Garland’s snub caused me to jeer.

Another time Paul Newman missed,

and I remember how I hissed.

Enough bad thoughts. Let’s talk of now.

Who are the ones to take a bow?

Ironically, Zellweger’s win

makes me happy and want to grin.

It’s like redemption for Garland’s slight.

And almost feels like pure delight.

Phoenix’s award as Joker

no surprise to any gambler.   

Dern and Pitt, a pair of shoo-ins,

pleased most viewers with their two wins.   

Best Picture nod I won’t complain.

Read on, dear friends. I will explain.

Nominated films here were nine.

I think many of them are fine.

Parasite won Best Picture gold

and received cheers for being bold.

Gerwig’s film or Marriage Story

still to me deserved the glory.

Hitting me hard, sorry to say

Gerwig’s directing not in play.

Little Women, a masterpiece.

But men again owned that tight lease.

My wish for the next Oscar show:

A talented host in the know.

Bring Jackman back to entertain.

My interest then would never wane.

My Ten Favorite Oscar Moments

The Oscars are coming! The Oscars are coming! So all movie addicts like me will be glued to our TV sets on Sunday, February 28, to watch Chris Rock host the 88th Annual Academy Awards telecast on ABC. Whether good or bad, the following Oscar moments are my 10 favorites from the past (in no particular order).   

2009 – Host Hugh Jackman opening the show with a musical number poking fun at nominated films like Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader and Frost/Nixon.

1974 -- David Niven’s impressive composure when a streaker interrupted his comments during the 46th Academy Awards ceremony.

2002 -- Whoopee Goldberg’s outrageous costume changes (inspired by nominated films like Moulin Rouge!) while hosting the Oscars.

1985 -- Sally Field’s exuberant “You like me!” speech upon winning Best Actress for Places in the Heart.  

1999 -- Roberto Benigni running on top of the theater seats to accept his Best Actor award for A Beautiful Life.

1992 – Seventy-three-year-old Jack Palance doing push-ups after being awarded the Best Supporting Oscar for City Slickers.

1964 – Winning Best Actor for Lilies of the Field, Sidney Poitier makes history as the first African-American male to receive an Oscar.

1989 – The dreadful, but great fun to watch, Snow White musical number with Rob Lowe (!).

1997 – Cuba Gooding Jr.’s enthusiastic “I love everybody” acceptance speech after winning Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire.   

1973 – Sacheen Littlefeather condemning treatment of Native Americans while accepting Marlon Brando’s Best Actor Award for The Godfather.  

Honorable Mention:  Any of Billy Crystal’s movie parody songs from his eight Oscar-hosting gigs.

Always the eternal optimist, I’m expecting to see more memorable moments while watching this year’s Academy Awards show.

Frozen Wins Two Oscars!

One of my Oscar wishes came true last night when Frozen won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film of 2013. I also cheered when this delightful musical also took home a golden statuette for the Best Original Song, “Let It Go,” which Idina Menzel belted out so brilliantly during the Academy Awards show.

Although my wish that Gravity would win all 10 of its nominated categories didn’t pan out, that groundbreaking movie earned 7 Oscars – more than any other nominee -- and ended up with a very important Best Director nod for Alfonso Cuarόn. That made me very happy.

12 Years a Slave won Best Picture, which indicates that Academy members still prefer honoring a good story over technical achievements -- and that’s not a bad thing. Right?

As host, Ellen DeGeneres kept things moving along in her own amusing and nonchalant way. However, her pizza delivery gag seemed inappropriate for this event.

For me, the highlight of last night’s festivities involved the gorgeous tribute to The Wizard of Oz featuring Pink’s wonderful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” delivered in front of a huge screen showing scenes from that classic 1939 movie. Whoopi Goldberg gave a touching intro and introduced Judy Garland’s three children. I absolutely loved it!

Four Oscar Wishes

As a confirmed movie addict, I can hardly wait to watch the 86th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony, which will be televised by ABC on Sunday, March 2. However, instead of making any predictions this year, I decided to focus my cyberspace energy on the four Oscar-nominated films that also ended up on my Top Ten List of 2013. Below are my wishes for these wonderful movies.   

FIRST WISH: I wish Gravity would win Oscars in all of the ten categories it's nominated for! That includes BEST PICTURE, BEST DIRECTOR (Alfonso Cuarόn), BEST ACTRESS (Sandra Bullock), BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST VISUAL EFFECTS, BEST EDITING, BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN, BEST ORIGINAL SCORE, BEST SOUND MIXING, BEST SOUND EFFECTS EDITING. Why? Because this thrilling space adventure bowled me over with its stunning combination of technical magic and strong emotional pull. In fact, while viewing the film, I felt like I was actually floating in space and suffering through the terrible mishaps faced by the two astronauts played by Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. And I wasn’t even watching it in 3-D! Gravity is truly a groundbreaking movie, one that deserves Academy Award acclaim.
   

SECOND WISH: I wish The Broken Circle Breakdown would take home the Oscar for BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM. Bluegrass music never sounded as good to me as it does in this heartbreaking romantic melodrama from Belgium. Performances by Johan Heldenbergh and Veerle Baetens as the lovers who share a passion for each other as well as for American music are first rate, and it’s one of the few films I’ve seen where switching back and forth in time seems to make perfect sense.      

THIRD WISH: I wish Frozen would receive the Oscar for BEST ANIMATED FILM. As the world’s most avid movie musical fan, I always like to include a current musical on my “Best Films” of the year list and feel very excited when one receives an Oscar nomination. Although the pickins’ were lean during 2013, Frozen came along during December and made me a happy camper indeed. Disney released this delightful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “Snow Queen,” and it’s a gem. The screen absolutely comes alive because of the film’s splendid animation, great music and outstanding voice talent, especially by Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel.     

FOURTH WISH: I wish The Lone Ranger would win the golden statuette for BEST MAKE-UP AND HAIR STYLING. Yes, I know this hilarious Western flopped at the box office, but it’s the most fun I had at the movies in years!  Although the horse Silver captivated me every time he came on camera, Johnny Depp – bizarrely decked out and made up as a new version of Tonto (whose facial expressions when watching his sidekick do stupid things) -- was nothing short of priceless here. Plus, just thinking about Armie Hammer’s amusing portrayal of the Lone Ranger as Tonto’s sidekick instead of vice-versa still starts me laughing.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed! But no matter who wins in all 24 categories, it’s always fun to watch the glamour and glitz of Hollywood’s Big Night. With Ellen DeGeneres as host, I think we’re in for an entertaining show. Check your local TV schedule on Sunday, March 2, for the correct time. Then, on Tuesday, March 4, come over to Movie Addict Headquarters for our OSCAR RESULTS ROUNDTABLE where film critics Diana Saenger, Mack Bates and A.J. Hakari will be ranting and raving about this year’s Academy Awards show. The live episode airs on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, and an archived segment will also be available. Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters/2014/03/04/oscar-results-roundtable    

Coming Up on Movie Addict HQ

An exciting February lineup has been put together for Movie Addict Headquarters this year. From saluting an important Oscar nominee to predicting and analyzing the 85th Academy Awards as well as celebrating Valentine's Day with a book giveaway drawing, the shows promise lots of fun for film fans. Here is the February schedule:

Tuesday, February 5 -- HUGH JACKMAN CELEBRATION

Tuesday, February 12 -- FAVORITE ROMANTIC FILMS AND BOOK GIVEAWAY

Tuesday, February 19 -- OSCAR MANIA: PART ONE

Tuesday, February 26 – OSCAR MANIA: PART TWO

As usual, all shows air on BlogTalkRadio at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (1 p.m. Pacific Time). During the live episodes, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. Archived segments are also available for your listening pleasure.

For more information about Movie Addict Headquarters, please click the link below.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters

HOST: Betty Jo Tucker

PRODUCER: Nikki Starr

CALL-IN NUMBER: 646-478-5668

GUESTS: Award-winning blogger Fausta Rodriguez Wertz, film historian James Colt Harrison, author/entertainment journalist Diana Saenger, Mad Movie Man A.J. Hakari, and others to be announced.

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Kindle edition of IT HAD TO BE US, award-winning romantic memoir by Harry & Elizabeth Lawrence; paperback edition of CONFESSIONS OF A MOVIE ADDICT, award-winning memoir by Betty Jo Tucker.

Legacy and The Oscars®

Remember the charismatic dancer “Legacy” from last season’s So You Think You Can Dance? I’m happy to report he will be performing at the televised 82nd Annual Academy Awards® Ceremony on March 7.

AND -- a drum roll please -- Legacy has agreed to be a guest on my Movie Addict Headquarters show on the following Tuesday, March 9. I’m hoping he’ll talk about his experience at the Oscars® as well as his new movies, including the third Step-Up film, which is being released in 3-D.

When my husband and I first saw Legacy dancing on SYTYCD, we both thought he had the potential to make it big in the movies. Evidently, so did some perceptive Hollywood VIPs. Congrats, Legacy!

Legacy’s interview on MAHQ will air on BlogTalkRadio at 1 p.m. Pacific Time (4 p.m. Eastern Time). During the live show, listeners are invited to call in and to participate in a chat. An archived segment will also be available. The call-in number is 646-478-5668.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/movieaddictheadquarters

Surprises at the 80th Academy Awards®

Yes, I admit to watching the entire Oscar show last night! Happily, the televised presentation was filled with glamour and glitz, because most of the stars tried to look their very best. Still, just as I feared, “No Country for Old Men” won in the big categories of Best Picture, Director and Supporting Actor. And the expected Best Actor Oscar went to the great Daniel Day-Lewis. But there were some surprises – both good and bad.

When Tilda Swinton’s name was called out for Best Supporting Actress, I could hardly believe my ears. But I cheered loudly – maybe too loudly. Can you believe my husband actually frowned at me? Never mind that. He was also happy about Swinton’s win. She’s such a terrific actress, and her tough-as-nails performance in “Michael Clayton” is a memorable one. I expected Ruby Dee or Cate Blanchett to pick up an Oscar in this category. Speaking of Blanchett, I really enjoyed Jon Stewart’s jokes about this chameleon-like actress. “Cate Blanchett is playing me right now,” Stewart quipped.

Marion Cotillard winning Best Actress also surprised and pleased me. Portraying legendary French singer Edith Piaf in “La Vie en Rose” couldn’t have been easy. She had to lypsynch and show Piaf aging as well as developing considerable infirmities. This was a role demanding great emotional as well as physical changes, and Cotillard delivered the goods. Did I expect Cotillard to go home with the Oscar? Not at all. I thought Julie Christie would be victorious here for "Away from Her."

My biggest disappointments involved “The Bourne Ultimatum” earning three Oscars, Alan Menken going away empty handed, and “Juno” winning only one golden statuette. With “Bourne” picking up two awards for sound and one for editing, this will probably encourage more loud, jerky filmmaking. Arrrrgh! In the original song category, I thought Menken and partner Stephen Schwartz were the likely winners. After all, they had three songs from the delightful “Enchanted” nominated – and I absolutely love all three of them, especially “So Close.” (Granted, the winning song, “Falling Slowly” from “Once,” is also lovely.) Although Diablo Cody received the “Best Original Screenplay” nod for “Juno,” I wish this practically perfect little movie had garnered more recognition last night.

Winners in the fashion department? Marion Cotillard, gorgeous in her lush ivory gown; Helen Mirren, glowing in red and silver; George Clooney, who’s born to wear tuxedos -- or anything else, for that matter; and Harrison Ford, proving he can be classy even without a bow tie.

Best acceptance speech? Tilda Swinton, who insisted the Oscar statuette looks just like her agent, so she plans to give it to him in thanks for obtaining the splendid "Michael Clayton" role for her.

NOTE: Swinton, in a one-armed velvet shroud, also tied with Diablo Cody for worst-dressed. Cody wore something hard to describe. Watch for photos.

Pre-Oscar Jitters

Only one more day until we find out who wins those coveted golden statuettes. As always, I'm on pins and needles because I fear my favorites might not win. We already know Daniel Day-Lewis is practically a sure thing for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of that ruthless oil tycoon in "There Will Be Blood." I even found myself picking him over my all-time fave actor Johnny Depp (please forgive me, Johnny!). But most of the other categories seem up in the air to me.

By the way, did you know there are no new movies starring Johnny Depp being released during 2008? Bummer. Still, he has three in production for 2009. He plays John Dillinger in one of them. Maybe he'll get another Oscar nom for that role. I think he's destined to win an Academy Award or two in the future for his marvelous acting, don't you?

Back to this year's Oscars. I hope one of Alan Menken's ditties wins in the Best Song category, but I'm worried because Menken has three songs nominated ("The Happy Working Song," "That's How You Know," "So Close"). Remember the same was true of "Dreamgirls" last year, and a forgettable tune from "An Inconvenient Truth" won. Go figure!

I think it would also be a shame if "Ratatouille" lost out to another movie in the Best Animated Movie category. Still, stranger things have happened on previous Oscar nights -- such as Grace Kelly winning for "A Country Girl" instead of Judy Garland for "A Star Is Born." Sometimes there's no justice in the world.

I'll stand up and cheer for any awards given to "Juno." What an absolutely perfect little film. And I almost feel as supportive for "There Will Be Blood," "Michael Clayton," and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" -- all three are wonderful movies. My biggest fear? That "No Country for Old Men" will walk away with almost everything. I couldn't get into that violent picture anymore than I could follow the pretentious "Atonement."

Okay. I'm glad that's off my chest. Sharing all this has helped me calm down a bit. However...

Dear Oscar, please don't disappoint me too much.