Martin Scorsese finally wins an Oscar but he doesn't have a ton to say about the emotions of it. He's a film buff with an encyclopedia mind and he's back here talking about film perservation etc.Finally, someone gets him to reflect on the enormity of it all: "Good thing I didn't get it before. Maybe it would have changed the kind of movies I made or something. I'm glad that it went this way. I'm glad it's taken this long. It's been worth it."
While he campaigned for "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York," he wanted to lie low on any campaigns for "The Departed" on his behalf: "Let's relax and make as good a film as we can."
On past losses: "You've got to get on with your life and get on with your work. The work is what's important."
He added: "Winning for me, I gotta tell you, is making the pictures."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Helen Mirren, who walked in carrying a vodka gimlet, is back here answering a question in perfect French. I have NO IDEA what she is saying but she sounds lovely. Is there nothing this woman can't do. Holding her first Academy Award ever, she told reporters backstage that she finished filming "Elizabeth I" (the TV movie that won her the Emmy, the Golden Globe and the SAG award) then had only two weeks before she began filming "The Queen" which had her playing Queen Elizabeth II for which she has won EVERYTHING. Then, after just after a month off, she began filming her final "Prime Suspect" movie for which she, of course, was critically acclaimed.
Before the ceremony, she said she felt "quite calm." She said she cared about winning but didn't dwell on it. "I didn't go there."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 09:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Eddie Murphy had already had the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards for best supporting actor by the time his comedy "Norbit" hit theaters. There was a school of thought that they movie, while a huge box office hit, might undermine Murphy's Oscar chance since it is such a silly comedy seemingly below a "serious" actor."
So someone asks Arkin: "Were you glad to see those bilboards for 'Norbit" going up around time: "I don't keep score," he said. "This is a fun kind of insanity. Who's to say who's better?"

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 09:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Those of us who have been covering the award shows this season, until tonight, Forest Whitaker's acceptance speeches have been horrendous. So when he won, some of us were keeping our fingers crossed. He did a smart thing: he prepared a speech and read from it. Usually that is so terrible for for Whitaker, it was wonderful because he wrote a wonderful, thoughtful speech and delivered it with so much heart.
Backstage, he was just as thoughtful on a variety of topics including the diversity of this year's nominees from African-Americans to Mexicans to Spaniards and on and on: "it's an amazing statement. We have ti be connected as a planet. This year, you see people from all over the world...Stories that are reflecting the diversity of humanity. We have to pay attention and understand that I affect you and you affect me."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 09:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What's better than interpretive dancing during a 3 1/2-hour awards show? Interpretive dancing in silhouette!

Posted by Fred Shuster at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

When you think about the Britney Spears mess, it says something about success coming too fast. Spears is the same age - 25- as Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. So as Hudson stood holding an Oscar and on top of the world backstage, she was asked what advice she might have for this trouled, bald, tatooed and now-in-rehab one-time performer: "I can only pray for her," Hudson said, before adding, "It's not really any of my business."
Tell THAT to the tabloids!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 09:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Jennifer Hudson follows Hattie McDaniel and Whoopi Goldberg as one of only three African-American actresses to ever win the best supporting actress Oscar."This represents a change and a difference," she said backstage after I asked her about being added to this very exclusive club.
Asked about Eddie Murphy's loss, she said: "I just know that he did an unbelievable job. I feel at this point, just being a nominee, we're all winners."
Still, with Hudson's win and that of Forest Whitaker for "Last King of Scotland," it was an excellent night for African American actors who have been largely ignored by the Academy until 2002 when a change took place with the duel wins of Denzel Washington and Halle Berry (the only African-American actress to EVER win the leading actress prize). Since then, Jamie Foxx has won lead actor, Morgan Freeman supporting actor and now Hudson and Whitaker.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 09:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"This is the only naked man who will ever be in my bedroom," said best original song winner Melissa Etheridge backstage. As one of the world's most famous lesbians, she was asked about thanking partner Tammy Lynn Michaels as her wife in her speech and giving her a big kiss before taking the stage.
"She was so important to me, especially with this project," she said of Michaels. "She said, 'Write what you feel.' She saved my life. I was kissing her because that's what you do when you win and Oscar, you kiss your loved one."
As far as anyone raising an eyebrow over such same-sex affection, Etheridge said: "I think the Oscars, it's like a gay holiday. So it's really meaningful that [host] Ellen [DeGeneres] or myself, there's no token gay here. It's a real mix here."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 08:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... for showing excellent judgment in leaving Anna Nicole Smith out of the In Memoriam package. Yeah. technically speaking she was in a couple of movies, but...

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 08:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Al Gore and the team behind "An Inconvenient Truth" were just wrapping up their backstage Q&A session and were almost out of the room when Melissa Etheridge's name was called as winner of best original song "I Need to Wake Up" which she wrote for the movie. Gore tip-toed back into the press room to watch Etheridge accept the Oscar. He clapped wildly and smiled ear-to-ear. He clapped again when Etheridge said "caring about the Earth is not red or blue, we are all green."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 08:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's kind of bizarre. Al Gore is back here taking questions, and at least three reporters have referred to him as "Mr. President." Finally, Gore says "I WAS president of the senate!"

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 08:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Celine Dion is singing on the screen and the backstage interview is the foreign film winner who is speaking in German. So what is there to do? Gossip with Richard Roeper! He heard that after losing the best supporting actor race to Alan Arkin, Murphjy left! If that's the truth, it's not very gracious of Norbit. After all, remember 10 years ago when poor Lauren Bacall, as much as a front-runner for "The Mirror Has Two Faces" as Murphy was for "Dreamgirls," smiled bravely and clapped after Juliet Binoche won (this pains me to this day) then not only did Bacall stay through the whole show, she went to the Governor's Ball and danced with Kevin Spacey.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 07:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When Sherry Lansing saw Tom Cruise at a pre-Oscar party a few days ago, she said she thought he was kind of cold when he greeted her. When he presented her with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, he whispered into her ear that he really wanted to do it and that's why he couldn't say much at the party: "It was a secret. I had no idea who was giving me the award," Lansing said backstage.
She also, during a very loooooooooooooooooooong Q&A session, defended Cruise as an actor and believes he will be back at the top of his profession and be standing at the Academy Awards holding his own Oscar one day.
Cruise ex-wife Nicole Kidman, who presented the first award tonight with Daniel Craig, already has an Oscar, and ex-girlfriend Penelope Cruz is up for one tonight.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Hooray!!! It happened. After Eddie Murphy's loss, I was a bit nervous about this. But Jennifer Hudson took the best supporting actress Academy Award for "Dreamgirls" and she was tearful and gracious. "I just have to take this moment in. I cannot believe this. Look what God can do."
She hugged Beyonce and others on her way up to the stage. I gotta say, it is so annoying to have the music start playing her off the stage. Dammit. Cut out the stupid costume segment and let the best supporting actress speak!
Over the music, Jennifer Hudson did thank Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role of Effie on Broadway, won the Tony for it 25 years ago, and was publicly pissed off over not being given even a cameo in the film.
Holliday should feel much better now and thanks to the classy Hudson, her legacy was honored.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Now I wish I hadn't blown off the producer of "The Lives of Others" on the red carpet. I was sure "Pan's Labyrinth" would win in this category, especially since it had already won for art direction and cinematography AND make-up! With six nods overall, it seemed to be a shoo-in to win at least five wins...OK, here comes best supporting actress! Will Jennifer win? I'm a wreck!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 07:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Oscar producer Laura Ziskin meant well when she asked for some sort of display on stage of nominated costume designs. But what the hell was that? "Curse of the Golden Flower" and "Marie Antoinette" were showcased nicely, but the corgi next to the multiple versions of "The Queen," the two white-haired Mirandas in their "Prada" wear and the Voguish posing of the "Dreamgirls" were just campy gone weird.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Something tells me that if Paraount Pictures studio head Brad Grey were receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award tonight, Tom Cruise would not have shown up to present the honor. But since it was going to former studio head Sherry Lansing, under whom he enjoyed a heady run of hits over 20 years, Tommy was here with bells on. He's the perfect gentleman these days and I think the whole image makeover post-Oprah couch jumping and Brooke Shields bashing will work provided he follows it up with a good movie role and continued good behavior.
Sherry's speech was kinda stiff but she looks dazzling not just for a 61-year-old woman, but for a woman any age.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 07:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

-- Meryl Streep giving co-presenters (and co-stars) Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway the evil eye from the audience when they quiz each other over who forgot to fetch Miss Streep her capacinno (I can't spell it!)

-- Helen Mirren, that classy English Dame, saying the entire title of "Borat:Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kasakhstan" with a straight face and dignified manner...making it all the funnier.

-- Host Ellen asking Speven Speilberg to take a photo of her and Clint Eastwood in the audience. Then had him take a second one because it wasn't centered enough.

-- Ellen saying Dame Judi Dench was not at the awards because she was having "knee surgery" (she used air quotes) then adding that it was actually surgery on eyes. Then later she says she has to correct herself: "It wasn't her eyes...it was her boobs."

Ellen to nominees: "It's not that we don't have time for long speeches...we don't have time for boring speeches!"

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Was it me or did “The Departed” screenplay winner William Monahan just get played off – very gently – to “So Long, Farewell” from "The Sound of Music?"

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 06:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As an uncle who takes his niece and nephew to just about every animated film that comes out, I take special interest in the best animated film category. I figured "Cars" would win. It was good, it's Pixar, made gobs of money, had top-flight talent. But the movie that me and the kids really loved was Happy Feet. After it was over, my 5-year-old nephew Ben could not stop tap dancing. "I have happy feet!" he explained. I mostly loved that this film had a wonderful message about accepting people's (or penguin's) differences...that different isn't bad. Let people, or penguins, be their authentic selves.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 06:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Vice President Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio just came out to announce that for the first time in Oscar history, the show has gone green, meaning whenever possible, choices favored those that were ecologically sound.
Of course, it probably was much closer to green back in the early ‘30s when it was just a dinner get-together of Hollywood insiders. You wanna be really green? Don’t force the closure Hollywood Boulevard for about a week, leaving cars trucks and buses belching fumes while they idle in the traffic.
And don’t anybody remind Al about all the chemical waste involved in metal plating on those statuettes.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 06:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Gosh, people keep calling me. Friends. A buddy Scott calls and says, "Hey, we're on the road. Do you know what radio station is playing the Oscars?" I whispered: "DUDE, I'm BACKSTAGE right now, I can't talk!" Then my friend Evan texts me to tell me he grew up with one of the winners and to ask him something but I don;t read the text until the guy was already out of the interview room.
Anyway, both Richard Roeper and I lament that fact that our predictions of major categories will not be perfect since we both picked Eddie Murphy to win. Richard and I are likethis now. I wouldn't be surprised if we went out and grabbed a few beers after this is over....

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 06:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Alan Arkin's win for "Little Miss Sunshine" cuts into the sweep by persons of color. Djimon Honsou of "Blood Diamond" and Eddie Murphy of "Dreamgirls" -- who had a leg up from the SAG Awards, we thought -- were left in their seats. Arkin is the first "first-timer" among major categories. More to come, for sure.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Alan Arkin took the supporting actor trophy over tough competition, including front-runner Eddie Murphy. I can only think this helps "Little Miss Sunshine" in the best picture race. Ellen Degeneres is now roaming around the audience, she doesn't head toward Murphy, who can't be happy, but did chat with Mark Wallberg, who was clearly just happy to be nominated. I think Murphy is probably planning "Norbit 2" right now, and I don't blame him! But Arkin is a worthy winner.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Those Oscars sure look COOL!! The night's first winners are backstage -- they won for art direction for "Pan's Labyrinth." I wonder if they would let me hold it just for a minute. C'mon. which of you hasn't wanted to hold up an Oscar and give a fake speech? I have a friend whose husband won an Emmy, and I was at their house for brunch one Sunday and did the whole stand-in-front-of-the-miirror-with-the-Emmy thing. They just laughed because apparently about a dozen people had done it before me that very day.

All these answers are in Spanish from the "Pan's Labyrinth" peeps. How do you say, "Can I borrow your Oscar for a minute in Spanish?"

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 05:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Great opening sequence with absolutely no frills. Short, sweet and endearing straight-on interviews with the nominees, cut just quickly enough. Thank you, Errol Morris. Then came Ellen DeGeneres. She's known for her apolitical comedy, and she likes it that way. But she did get in one impartial comment. It came after acknowledging Jennifer Hudson, noting the irony that Americans did not vote for her to win "American Idol," and yet here she is with an Oscar nomination for "Dreamgirls." "And Al Gore is here tonight, (for the documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth')," DeGeneres said. "Americans did vote for him, and.... It's very complicated."

Touche. Al and Tipper had a good laugh, and Ellen got big applause.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 05:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The show starts in a few minutes! So I'm sitting across from Stacy Jenel Smith, who does Marilyn Beck's column with her, and I told her about how 3 or 4 years ago, I was seated next to Beck at a screening of "The Four Feathers" on the lot of Paramount Pictures and midway through...I FELL ASLEEP! (I wasn't reviewing it!) so Stacy calls Marilyn up and asks her if she remembers. She does and puts her on the phone with me! We had a good laugh.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 05:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's so much more fun watching stuff going on on the red carpet backstage than actually on the red carpet. When I was out there, it was cold and blustery, and now I'm inside here sitting next to Richard Roeper sipping hot tea. Which would you rather be doing? Cameron Diaz is on the screen right now blabbering on and on. But she looks a lot better than she did at the Globes. Now Eddie Murphy is on and he insists that he likes ALL his movies: "I even like 'Pluto Nash.' "

They are doing a spot on Ryan Gosling right now. I ask you, is it really necessary to keep bringing up that he was on "The Mickey Mouse Club" with Justin, Britney and Christina Agulera? I mean, do all roads lead to Britney? I wonder if Britney is watching the Oscars from her rehab facility, and if so, if she is watching them with a wig on ...

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love Ricky Gervais! If you didn't catch his video message to Kate Winslet on E!'s red carpet coverage, then it's going to lose something in this translation. The creative genius behind "The Office" and star of "Extras" was polite and suportive of his old friend, but his Siamese cat apparently couldn't hold back, expressing her preference for Helen Mirren's performance and her snide opinion of Winslet's gown. Kate thoroughly enjoyed it, and that was the idea. Every nervous nominee should have a friend like him to help them relax on their way in to the big event.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm back in the press room waiting for Roeper to get here. I've disagreed with many of his reviews this year so I hope things don't get ugly back here between us. But, some more red carpet sightings. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is here and said something about how cool it is to be mayor of LA where you can go from a baseball game in Encino to the Oscars. That's all fine, but he really should not have shown up at the Oscars wearing baseball gear.
KIDDING!
The queen Helen Mirren has arrived with hubby Taylor Hackford and said she was feeling "a combination of nerves and feeling unbelievably excited..it's always the most amazing afternoon and evening of one's life." She says her nominated role in "The Queen," allowed viewers to "look behind the curtain a bit behind the mystery of the monarchy."
And finally, Celine Dion shows up (not wearing the ridiculous backward white suit from years back...remember THAT?) and she said, "It's our fifth time at the Oscars and it's an amazing honor."
I'm just grateful she is not going to be singing "My Heart Will Go On." I can go another 25 years before hearing that song again.
Leonardo DiCaprio whisked by looking super-sharp with his hair slicked back and only stopping to sign an autograph for some little kid. I don't think Leo will win for "Blood Diamond" but, I believe he deserves to win.
Also, Jennifer Hudson whisked by. She looks like a winner already!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Beyoncé said on Oscar's red carpet Sunday: "It's a wonderful year to be an African-American actor."
If only they'd get the names right.

At Saturday's Independent Spirit Awards -- the indie Oscars -- newcomer Shareeka Epps, the African-American who won best actress for "Half Nelson," was called "Shakira" twice by presenter Felicity Huffman

"Oh, my name's Shareeka by the way," Epps said from the Spirit Awards stage.

At the end of the night, the unbearable Sarah Silverman, who hosted, said "Next year's host will be Facility Hoffman." Good one, Sarah.

Posted by Fred Shuster at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So here's the deal, the press bleacher I'm at is situated right before the celebs are going to walk into the Kodak, so by that time, they are sick of doing interviews, I would guess. But, I was shouting out questions to see if they'd give me just a little crumb of something.

To Jodie Foster, looking like a million bucks in a Vera Wang gown, I said, "Jodie! Who ya rootin' for for best director." She looks back, smiles and says, "Awww, Martin Scoresse." That's the man who directed her to her first Oscar nomination 31 years ago in "Taxi Driver." Egads! Time Flies. She, of course, has won two Oscars since then. ...

Then, knock me over with a feather, I see the stunning, beautiful, flawless Catherine Deneuve. Wow! Total babe. Asked her who she is rooting for to win best picture. This French goddess looked panicked and said, "I don't know! I don't know!" So, I figure she doesn't want to take sides ... or she doesn't even know who the heck is nominated!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you're ex-Idol contestant and Oscar nominee Jennifer Hudson, one good thing about being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on the Academy Awards red carpet is his ability to get Simon Cowell eating a heapin' helping of crow on tape. Cowell submitted a video message just for Hudson, whom he drubbed during her "American Idol" performances in season three. "We're rooting for you," he said, predicting she would win the supporting actress honor for "Dreamgirls." Hudson was so touched that she expressed concern about her makeup being runined by a tear or two. Finally! Simon making somebody cry is a good thing.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My credentials allow me access to the backstage interview room and what is called the press bleachers, which are different from what I'm used to but kinda fun. You are mixed in with seat-fillers, and I was sitting with Janice Campbell of Ontario, Calif., and Gale Wilson of San Dimas. We became fast friends and began giving our catty opinions of some of the fashions of the early arrivals. Some REAL nightmares! Joan Rivers must be fainting.

The co-screenwriter of "Borat" has arrived (not Sacha Baron Cohen, the other dude) and he told the announcer: "It's amazing, it's surreal. [Award season] seems to last forever. We hoped [the movie] would do well, but we were just blown away."

Paul Haggis, who won last year for "Crash," is up this year for adapated screenplay for "Letters From Iwo Jima," and says that with each Oscar win (he's won twice now) his wife says, "I get much better looking."

OK friends, I'm writing you this from the interview room, where I am slated to sit right next to Richard Roeper, who is currently doing the ABC pre-show. I'm going to go back out to the bleachers (and Janice and Gale) and see how the A-listers look now that they are arriving.).

Stay tuned!

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Kodak Theatre, anyway. Former Vice President Al Gore, hoping for a documentary award for director Davis Guggenheim's "An Inconvenient Truth," just did the red carpet thing with wife Tipper -- she in Bill Blass, he in Ralph Lauren.

He's as sharp and self-deprecating as ever. When E! host Ryan Seacrest asked him who could play Gore in a biopic, he replied, "I don't know ... William Hung?" If you've ever seen Al dance, you know his suggestion has some merit.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 03:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm kinda under the weather here at the Oscars but will try my best to bring you what's going on. Got here later than I had hoped but had a chance to wander around the red carpet and chatted up Mark McGrath, the former Sugar Ray singer who is now co-host of "Extra." He could not have been nice and told me he is "still figuring this all out. It's been an interesting transition."
Then I saw Wolfgang Puck on the red carpet and walked right up to him, pointed to this tray of goodie he had and asked if it was all real chocolate Ichocolate Oscars, chocolate burgers etc). He said in his delightfully thicik accent: "Yes, all is chocolate except for salom on oscars at the bottom."
Gotcha.
I was just about to say hello to Joan Rivers when some Academy official demanded to see my credentials and said I was no longer allowed in this area. (bitch!)
I was ushered to the press bleachers where I was seated with some journalists and a bunch of seat fillers. The woman in front of me is from Japan and her dress has a big bow in the back. It's lovely. But, it is getting in my way. I feel like tearing it off.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 03:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Irony is alive and well and ready for its closeup at the Oscars. E! has announced that Jennifer Holliday, who may or may not still be extremely bitter about being passed over for the role of Effie in the "Dreamgirls" film, is going to provide live entertainment during its six-hour "Countdown to the Red Carpet" special. She's going to sing "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" -- Effie's showstopper that marks the beginning of a steep personal and professional decline. Jennifer Hudson is picking up the hardware at nearly every awards show and is in the elite Oscar nominees club, but Holliday, who originated the role on Broadway, is digging her heels into the red carpet.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mark your calendars for two extraordinary, Oscar-nominated films, arriving on April 17th from Fox Home Entertainment:

THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
Oscar-nominee Forest Whitaker portrays the charismatic, yet psychopathic Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, who led one of the most horrific reigns of terror in modern times. Based on chilling, actual events, the film follows Amin’s rise to power and subsequent fall from grace chronicled from the perspective of his personal physician, a young Scotsman blinded by Amin’s charm who ultimately must confront both the reality of Amin and face the consequences of his own actions. Boasting gritty and realistic direction from documentary filmmaker Kevin MacDonald ("Touching The Void," "Being Mick") and a versatile supporting cast that includes James McAvoy ("The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe"), Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”) and Kerry Washington ("Fantastic Four"), the DVD includes audio commentary by MacDonald, seven deleted scenes with optional director commentary, a “Capturing Idi Amin” documentary, and a Forest Whitaker featurette.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL

Two of the world’s best actresses, six-time nominee and Oscar-winner Judi Dench and three-time nominee and Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett deliver superb performances along with Golden Globe-winner Bill Nighy ("Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest," "Constant Gardner") in what The New York Observer called “a cinematic triumph of scalding intensity.” Directed by Richard Eyre ("Stage Beauty," "Iris"), the film is nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Acting nods for Dench and Blanchett as well as Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. In the story, one woman’s mistake is another’s opportunity in this stylish, suspenseful thriller that binds two women together by the secrets that they share. The DVD features deleted scenes, director commentary, webisodes, multiple featurettes – including “Notes On A Scandal: The Story Of Two Obsessions” and “Notes On A Scandal: Behind The Scenes."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One really cool thing about the Oscar nominees luncheon is that there is no pecking order when it comes to seating. Nominees are spread out throughout the Beverly Hilton Hotel ballroom which means there is no single table dedicated to "The Departed" or "Babel" etc. So this is why I found myself sitting right NEXT to Jennifer Hudson at lunch. You know, "Can you pass the butter?" close. She was very nice and remembered our little elevator ride at the SAG awards a few weeks ago when we chatted about the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack.
So that's pretty cool I figure, I'm good. Then a nice couple sits down to the left of me and it is Curtis Hanson and his wife. Curtis is not only an incredible director-screenwriter ("L.A. Confidential" "Wonder Boys") but he is also a member of the Academy's Board of Governors. I tell him how "Wonder Boys" is one of my very favorite films. He could not have been more friendly, full of questions and even stopping Sherry Lansing to introduce her to me as she makes her way to her table. Lansing is glowing and is to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscars.
Several other nominees are at out table including writer Todd Field who wrote "Little Children" and was nominated previously for the terrific "In the Bedroom," and film editing nominee Christopher Rouse ("United 93").
So, our table in pretty top-notch.
Then the table right next to us fills up and i realize I am sitting back-to-back with Leonardo DiCaprio. I've seen both "Blood Diamond" and "The Departed" in recent weeks and tell him how good he was in both. I also tell him how moved everyone was by his tribute to Martin Scorsese a few nights earlier at the Directors Guild of America Awards. Mark Wahlberg is also at that table and I congratulate him on his supporting actor nomination.
Even though I have covered the industry for going on eight years, I realize that this is a really singular experience for me and I try and take it all in. But I'm also hungry so I'm not so overcome with awe that I don't dig into an appetizer platter that includes vegetable sushi roll with wasabi caviar, peking duck in mandarin pancake, smoked salmon canape with dill mouse, and (my favorite): Kyoto Beef Roll with cumcumber and jicama. Hey, I don't know what half that stuff is but it was all printed in the program so I am able to inform you in detail. It was TASTY!
Jennifer (as in Hudson) is with her acting coach but spending a lot of time on her Blackberry. I later find out that it's her sister she's communicating with and they are dealing with their mother who is fretting over what to wear at the Oscars.
As we dig into our artichoke salad, I start my head around and see that sitting at the table next to DiCaprio's but up on another level of the ballroom, is Helen Mirren, looking as lovely as ever. Eddie Murphy is at another nearby table which also includes director James L. Brooks. Scorsese is nearby and Leonardo goes over to give him a hug hello.
Before we are served the main course, all of the nominees are called to the stage for a big group picture. That is fun to watch and it is even more fun when they are then called, one at a time, from the bleachers is reverse alphabetical order to receive their nomination certificate as well as a gift bag that includes an official Oscar sweatshirt as well as a T-shirt, each with a line from one of the best picture winners of years past.
The process takes a long time but I don't mind because Wahlberg got his early and I find that we are standing next to each other at our tables watching the rest of the nominees and clapping wildly. Curtis Hanson had gone to stand with James L. Brooks and Jennifer was still up there so I felt a little abandoned at my table.
When Jennifer gets back to our table, I ask her what line her T-shirt has. She takes it out of the bag and we look: it's Diane Keaton's "La di da" line from "Annie Hall."
At this point, DiCaprio and Wahlberg are about to skip out before the main meal and Jennifer shyly taps Leo on the shoulder to ask if she can get a photo taken with he and Mark. Leo, looking pleasantly surprised, said, "I'd be honored."
I was honored to share this lunch with all of them.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

I got to the Beverly Hilton Hotel kinda early to watch the stars walk in and saw Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith nearly cause a riot when they entered the lobby and fans were lined up with cameras. I don't think there is a nicer couple in Hollywood when it comes to fans. They posed for pics, signed things and looked happy and relaxed. Forest Whitaker was also working the line tirelessly as was Penelope Cruz. When Abigail Breslin, the little girl from "Little Miss Sunshine" was giving an autograph, I thought: 'How cute, some star is letting her daughter give a fan an autograph." Duh! I soon realized who it was! Mellissa Ethridge, looking terrific, caused a frenzy and radiated such great energy as she interacted with fans.
Once the stars made it past the fans and a roomful of photographers, they entered the ballroom with an entrance crammed with superstars, legends and other nominees. When former Academy President and Oscar winner Karl Malden, now into his 90s, made his way to the door, Clint Eastwood quickly walked over to warmly greet him. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Wahlberg chatted against a back wall, out of eyeshot of most people. Djimon Hounsou stood near the entrance with his manager, looking dapper in a dark suit.
Now here's a scary moment for Peter O'Toole. He walks into the ballroom and the first face he see is...ME! Maybe I was the one who was scared. I had not thought he was coming since he missed the SAG Awards last week and the Golden Globe Awards in January. But there he was wearing a tan jacket and looking pleased to be among his peers. Our eyes met and I said: 'Peter O'Toole!" He smiled and said, "Hello." Then I said, "Good luck!"
Real articulate.
A few minutes, I see O'Toole hugging the very funny Bruce Vilanch who is usually on the writing staff for the Oscar telecast. They chat for a long while and at one point, O'Toole is petting Vilanch's trademark mop-top of blonde hair. After they parted, I walked over to Vilanch, who I have met several times in the past and said, "Do you and Peter O'Toole go way back?"
Bruce: "I'm the O'Toole family's pet Jew. I did 'An Evening with Peter O'Toole,' a one-man stage show, so I've known him for over 20 years. Whenever he comes into town, I get petted."
We both laugh. I laugh again when Helen Mirren walks in, with a friend, and is stuck in the middle of the crowd. She says: I don't know where we go here. Perhaps nowhere."
At one point, I stopped and took in my surroundings. Literally within a 10-feet radius of me are Penelope Cruz talking to Guillermo del Toro, Forest Whitaker, Will and Jada, Eddie Murphy and Sherry Lansing. It's surreal, and really terrific fun.
And lunch has not even started yet at this point. Will tell ya all about that in the next post.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Maybe you're a parent who spent more time last year in the G and PG realm of singing slugs and dancing penguins. Or maybe you mistakenly thought "The Good Shepherd" was a sure contender. Now it's almost time to fill out your Oscar ballot and you realize you haven't seen a single one of the candidates for best picture.
AMC is here for you. They've just announced that on Saturday, Feb. 24, AMC Burbank 16 will screen the entire slate back to back, starting at 11 a.m. That's "Babel," "The Queen," "The Departed," "Letters From Iwo Jima" and "Little Miss Sunshine" for one $30 ticket (and please note, the R rating rule applies to all). With a free large popcorn, free large soda and unlimited refills, it's probably the best deal this side of Netflix.

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Even if they win the Academy Award for their feature documentary "Jesus Camp," it would be hard to top the excitement of learning about its nomination. Heidi Ewing says she and co-director Rachel Grady were boarding a flight in New York for the West Coast to screen their film at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, and she asked the flight attendant how long they could keep their cell phones on because they were waiting for word about a possible Oscar nomination. The flight attendant passed the word to the cabin, and not long after the plane hit the air, Ewing and Grady got the good news.
"The captain made an announcement on the flight," she said. "We were laughing and crying. We drank an entire bottle of wine. We took all these photographs (with the cabin crew) like we've been friends for years.
"It was the perfect way to find out the news.... but honestly, it's shocking."

Posted by Valerie Kuklenski at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On Oscar night last year, Paul Haggis was celebrating a best picture win for his movie "Crash." So what does he do for an encore? He got himself nominated again this year in the adapted screenplay category. He co-wrote the story of "Letters of Iwo Jima" which is also a best picture nominee.
"II'm just a greedy pig," he joked from the New Mexico set of his next movie. "It's just really thrilling. Im especially happy for [director] Clint [Eastwood]. It was his passion from the beginning. He had a real passion to tell both sides of the story so I'm glad I could help him do that."
Haggis is currently directing "In the Valley of Ella" which, ironically, stars three Oscar winners: Charlize Theron, Tommy Lee Jones and Susan Sarandon.

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tom Perrota, a nominee for best adpated screenplay for "Little Children," got the news in Boston where he lives. He wasn't watching the television because he said the tension of the Golden Globes got the best of him: "There's an aspect of a bad dream, waiting for someone to say your name on television. I told my agent to call me if the news was good."
It was. He got a call.
“It’s more the feeling of relief and then real pleasure. I expect the worst. Now I can continue my Zelig-like appearances at places I don't belong."

Posted by Greg Hernandez at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)