Oscars...tongue-tied actors coached on speech-making!

 

Didn't 'ya want to slap sense into Paltrow?

If you're ever found the Oscars to be a big yawn - and you've been inclined to channel surf away from the segments Hitchcock might refer to as the "boring bits" - you may want to stay glued to the glam broadcast this year to ensure you don't miss any memorable moments.

After all, the glitzy show-biz extravaganza is expected to zip along this year - in part, due - to the cheeky efforts of the producers.

At a tony luncheon yesterday in Beverly Hills to honor the nominees, actors were coached on the fine art of speech-making to help 'em along at the exciting proceedings this year at the Kodak Theatre (except for actor Colin Firth, of course, who is ably prepared in the event he has to scramble up to the podium to accept a coveted Golden Statuette).

Tips were offered up on how to deliver a touching heart-warming thank-you speech - within the forty-five second time limit - without fumbling and coming off like a amateurish jerk-off before the teaming masses around the globe come February 27th.

For example, producers cautioned performers about facilitating a scrap of paper to recall a laundry list rife with names of folks to thank (or using the palm of their hand for cheat notes).

Strictly taboo!

Just ask Sarah Palin.

To prompt the prime Grade A cattle along, a state-of-the-art indicator has also been installed on the front of the camera - to initiate a countdown - so unsuspecting thespians don't end up being yanked off stage with a hook (or cut off in the event irate sponsors cut to a commercial break).

For those who aren't a quick study, an instruction DVD was provided, for future reference.

So, if a handful of the speeches sound alike - or lack spontaneity or spark - you'll be able to fathom why.

You can't teach an old ham new tricks, after all!

http://www.thetattler.biz/



Cameron was "King of the World"

(in his own mind anyway!)



Oscars...Academy poll gives Inglorious Basterds, An Education & Avatar an edge! Dark Horses loom large...

If you've been reading the voluminous news reports spewing out daily on the upcoming Oscar celebrations, you've no doubt heard the name of an organization by the name of "The Academy" bandied about (the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences).

The members of the prestigious "club" - not only vote on candidates for the Oscar each year - but oversee the entire Academy  process before and after the big top goes up annually (as the world gazes on from the frenzied sidelines with a lot of anticipation and merriment).

Members represent various crafts in the film industry.

For instance - actors, directors, and producers - each have a stake in deciding who will walk away with the coveted prize each year by a vote count of the eligible membership.

Curiously, actors boast the largest block of voting power, with a membership in the vicinity of 1205 in number.

Maybe thespians are a dime-a-dozen, eh?

Make-up folks and hairstylists (who gussy up the stars before they stand before the penetrating lens of the movie camera) are at the low end of totem with 118 members in total.

In the LA TIMES today, the "Envelope" section noted the newspaper took an unofficial poll, to get a slant on how members were voting in the current Oscar race to be telecast on March 7th at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

The tallies were eye-opening, to say the least.

Although "The Hurt Locker" has been much-lauded (as a front-runner to win for Best Director & Best Film) the numbers revealed that upstart  "An Education" - for one - will be a dark horse that comes from behind in a couple of categories along with "Inglorious Basterds" neck-in-neck.

For example, three of the largest academy voting blocks (actor, directors, and producers) appeared to be ignoring " Hurt Locker" as a surefire winner in the Best Picture category.

Meanwhile, the Director's race among the same "gang of three", indicated a three-way split with nods to James Cameron (Avatar), Kathryn Bigelow ( Hurt Locker), and Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds).

 "The Hurt Locker"only received two nods from the actors, directors, and producers (Jeremy Renner, Best Actor; and Kathryn Bigelow, Director)

The bulk of the gold was spread out between "Inglorious Basterds" (Best Picture, Director, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay), "Crazy Heart" (Best Actor), "An Education" (Lead Actress, Adapted Screenplay) and Avatar (Best Director, Best Picture).

Lone picks included "Up in the Air" (Adapted Screenplay), "Messenger" (Best Screenplay), & "Up" (Best Screenplay).

Mo'Nigue (Precious) and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) garnered acting nods, too.

The numbers are downright telling (and intriguing for a myriad of reasons) when you consieder that this motley group of power-brokers in the biz represent almost half of the voting membership  at the Academy.


In a nutshell, there are bound to be a few upsets, surprise trots to the podium, and some wild unexpected back-slapping come Sunday.

"See, told 'ya so. Knew all along," may be the lament of the evening in some quarters

Ah, just a lot of  Oscar - Monday-morning quarter-backing -  in my estimation.

Pluck up the voter ballot from the LA tmes, fill in your choices, and see how you fair!

The insightful just might manage to rustle up a buck or two if they bet their hunches right in Vegas.

The Oscars are celebrating their 82nd year touting talent.

Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), has long been considered the major force behind the start-up of the organization.


The poweful studio mogul wanted to create an organization that would be able to mediate labor disputes and improve the industry’s image at a time when censors and the general public were concerned about racy onscreen material that bordered on the pornographic (and juicy scandals that were rocking Tinsel Town).

Initially the talks began with a handful of Motion Picture Producers, who sat down and discussed their vision one fine night a few decades ago.

After the initial meeting, Mayer invited thirty-six people involved in the film industry, to a formal banquet at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on January 11th in 1927. .

The idea for the formation of  "The Academy" was well-received by the celebrated industry guests in attendance that auspicious occasion.

Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was elected  the first president of the Academy.

Shortly after he was inducted, he proposed that "Awards of Merit" for distincitive achievement be bestowed on worthy recipients.

A year later, the voting system for the Awards was established; subsequently, the nomination and selection process continued yearly after that.

The "Award of Merit" later became known as the Academy Award (Oscar).

In 1929, the Academy - in a joint venture with the University of Southern California - created America's first film school to further the art and science of moving pictures.

 In addition to financing a school, the Academy also gives grants to filmmakers at the undergraduate and graduate level; awards up to five Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting annually; and operates the Margaret Herrick Library (at the Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study) in Beverly Hills, California and at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

The current President of the Academy is Tom Sherak.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Oscars...Sean Penn, Kate Winslet, Taylor Lautner, Zak Efron & Quentin Tarantino nabbed to present!

Oscar celebrations belong to young stars this year!

In a titillating move to rustle up a lot of frenzied exictement for the Oscar ceremonies next week, producers have begun to tease film buffs with news-breaking alerts about a bevy of high-profile stars to present the coveted prizes on March 7th!

The focus appears to be on youth, glamour, and popularity!

 For starters, it was announced that muscle-bound  stud - Taylor Lautner - has been slated to appear with Vampire actress - Kristen Stewart-  on his arm.

Yup!

Kristen was invited to the big top, a dazzling dream that eluded her last year.

Kate Winslet, a perennial favorite among Titanic fans, is expected to stroll down the red carpet just prior to her presenter duties early on in the proceedings, too.

Fans of heart-throb - Zak Efron - will be thrilled to hear that the handsome triple-threat talent will be appearing at the Kodak Theatre once again.

Unfortunately, no word from the Academy as to whether the popular stage performer will warble a tune or entertain with a snazzy two-step or three.

Quentin Tarantino (nominated for best director for Inglorious Basterds) will present the award for the Best Foreign Language Film.

Miley Cyrus will undoubtedly dream up an eye-catching gown - if only to cause a few tongues to wag and gossip-mongers like Perez Hilton to scream bloody murder!

I can't wait for the much-anticipated unveiling, can you?



Sean Penn, now a seasoned pro and respected actor in the biz, will also be on hand to present an award, too, shortly after the prestigious annual event strikes up the band and gets underway for the 82nd  year.

See 'ya there!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Oscars...dazzling Governor's Ball! Chic after-party gate-crasher's dream...

Chic Governor's Ball tough to crash, Mr. President!

The red carpets will be ceremoniously rolled out, dazzling celebrities will trip-the-light-fantastic as swarms of paparazzi and gushing fans gaze on from the sidelines, little Gold Statuettes will be touted and bestowed on worthy (!) recipients -  then - it's off to the Cinderella Ball!

Well, not exactly, but the the Oscar afer-party is the biggest soiree to attend on March 7th, when the curtain for the televised Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences shutters down and the brilliant kleig lights are packed away 'til next year.

1500 winners will trot a few steps from the Kodak Theatre to the Grand Ballroom next door to toast each other with a little bubbly (and in some instances, heal each other's open wounds).

This year, the par-tay hearty - and the chic elite of Tinsel Town - will eat, drink, and be merry amidst a stunning decor lifted from the divine Art Deco era.

Event producer Cheryl Cecchetto glowed with pride recently when she boasted to the media that everything from the lighting design to the servers' outfits was carefully chosen to evoke the feel (and dramatic flair) of the period.

"The Governor's Ball will fuse eclectic and innovative design elements of the era and style," she beamed.

"The overall look will marry artistic originality with the Academy's own tradition of class and elegance."

Think Chrysler building, in New York City, folks!

On the festive occasion, guests will be impressed by the table dressings, charcoal grey tablecloths fashioned with a subtle understated sheen, exquisitely crafted arrangements in purple, and Calla lilies designed by Mark Held of Mark's Garden.

A heavenly touch has been accomplished by virtue of a tasteful interplay of hydranges air-transported in from New Zealand, Rothchild Vanda orchids shipped first class from Thailand, and organically grown roses from Ecuador.

The menu sounds scrumptuous with main entrees such as wild salmon, Taylor Bay scallops, and lusty chicken pot pie.

Before the sit-down supper, well-mannered servers will tour the ballroom with hors d'oeuvres sure to be party-pleasers - black truffle and ricota cheese mini-pizzas, mini kobe burgers, and smoked salmon pizzas with caviar and dill cream - for starters (literally).

Desserts sound YUMMY, too.

Guests will nibble on baked alaska with espresso glace, chocolate sorbet, and toasted meringue.

Following tradition, Wolfgang Puck has created mini-Oscars in delicious chocolate with a fine spray of edible gold dust that will be inclined to wink at guests as the dazzling facets catch the light.



Golly, my invite hasn't arrived yet!

Has yours?

Gremlins at the U.S. Postal Service must have snatched them up, eh?

Wink! Wink!

Oscars...voting procedures change! Most votes may not garner win....

Under the new rules and regulations implemented at the Academy Awards headquarters, ten feature films will be vying for top-dog prize next year when the Academy Awards ceremony revs up at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

But, unless academy members are on-the-ball, their fave raves may be left out in the cold.

Under the spanking-new guidelines, voters will be instructed to cast a a score for each, from 1 to 10. 

After the ballots have been tabulated, the film with the fewest scores will be eliminated - at which point - the prestigious members of the Academy of Motion Arts & Sciences will tally all the No. 2 picks.

The process (in what amounts to a rat race to the podium) will contiinue 'til one entry heads up the top of the list (with a majority of votes cast).

OMG!

When you get right down to the nitty-gritty, some may be downright miffed about the tabulation process.

And, for good reason. 

Dark horses closing the gap from behind, in the end stage of the Hollywood promo game, may not have the golden opportunity to trot down the runaway last minute -  and likewise - breeze through to the finish line to  nab the coveted prize without warning.
According to critics and industry-insiders - although a tad complicated (unfair?) - the new-fangled method may prevent a movie with only a fraction of  the actual votes, from hitting the big time come Oscar-time.

Whew!

Who knew that an old soft shoe, and a few vocal lessons, would end up landing a few truly talented artists on the fast-track to glory, glamour, and gold?

After the tinkering at the ballot box, a handful may actually be the most popular, too.

The envelope, please!

http://www.julianayrs.com

The Oscars...Hugh Jackman danced his little butt off! The new James Bond???

As usual, critics grumbled and moaned about the quality (or lack thereof) of the 81st Annual Oscar Celebration in Tinsel town.

"Too long," many chided below the klieg lights at the Kodak.

One too many misguided cerebral moments, in my estimation.

In fact, the on-going proliferation of mind-boggling altruistic speeches from teary-eyed guests was enough to make me throw up, at one point!

Pottie-break!

But, Hugh Jackman scored an A+ for giving it the old college try.

The Aussie showman danced and sang his little heart out (to a captivated audience) and has the tight butt cheeks to prove it!

See 'ya next year, Hugh!

Unless the Academy chooses to go in a fresh direction - i.e. - with the new flavor of the month.

That's show biz!

Jackman, the new Bond?

http://www.julianayrs.com

The Oscars...Hugh Jackman & Beyonce to tête-à-tête! Zak Efron saunters on stage...

Fasten your seat belts, you're in for a bumpy ride tonight!

The rumor around the town the past few days is that Oscar producers have been trying to keep the identities of celebrity presenters and stage performers under wraps so that their glitzy walk-ons will be a surprise to viewers when they tune in on Sunday night.

But, this is Tinsel Town - after all - and the walls have Obama-sized ears!

In addition to hosting the little Gold man's big bash this year, hunky stud Hugh Jackman is allegedly slated to trip-the-light-fantastic under the flood lights with pop chanteuse Beyonce!

And, with the specific aim of rustling up nubile young blood in a bold-faced effort to boost ratings among the teeny-bopper set this year, the producers have hired on Zak Efron and Amanda Garrett (High School Musical) to showcase a catchy ditty or two at the 81st Annual Awards Show.

An insider whispered in my ear there will be close-up shots of the heart-throb's sensual eyebrows.

They're not waxed, 'ya know!

Mamma Mia stars will warble an upbeat tune or two, too.

Yup, quite a few in-the-closet dancing Queens in the audience in at the Kodak, will be tapping a foot or two when the musical hits ratchet up the night's festivities.

Who knows, maybe Pierce Bronson will toss in the Bond tuxedo image and squeeze into spandex pants and silk shirt, and twirl a tad with Meryl Streep in the wings.

One thing is for sure, though.

A well-trained actor or two will get all tongue-tied on stage come acceptance-speech time (and summarily make a fool of his-self) and jokes that writers half-expected to gag viewers will undoubtedly fall flat as Jamie Curtis' chest.

But, if die-hard Academy Awards fans are lucky - there may be a wardrobe malfunction or two - to keep the gossip-mills generating hot air balloons around the blogosphere for months on end.

Even so, at the end of the no-tinsel-unturned 3 1/2 hour show, Oscar devotees will be switching off their flat wide-screen high-definition sets, and wondering aloud.

Is that all there is?

'Til next year, anyhoo!

Hugh babe, ready for 'ya!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Oscar Nominations...few surprises! Nods to Button, Milk & Slumdog. Eastwood shut out, though...

There were few surprises when the Oscar nominees were announced bright and early this morning as the Nation struggled to survive an Obama hang-over from the night before.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" garnered 13 nominations - some worthy - others not.

If you recall, "Benjamin Button" snapped up a gaggle of nods at the Golden Globes Awards, but walked away empty-handed at the end of the glamorous day.

There was at least one oversight in the Oscar run, though.

Clint Eastwood failed to nab any respect from the Academy for his acting chops in the newly-released drama, Gran Torino.

Pity that; after all, the down-to-earth actor's actor was deserving of a nomination.

Gran Torino represents a crowning achievement in acting after at least fifty fruitful years in the business.
(review to follow)

Speaking of male leads, nominees for Best Actor are Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), Richard Jenkins (The Visitor), Sean Penn (Milk), Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon), and Brad Pitt (Benjamin Button).

Actresses nominted lead roles include Kate Winslet for a star-turn in "The Reader", fifteen-time nominee Meryl Streep for a stint in "Doubt", Ann Hathaway for her potrayal of an addict struggling with addiction in "Rachel Getting Married", Angelina Jolie as a distraught mother urging corrupt police to locate her missing boy in "The Changeling", and Melissa Leo as a desperate woman in "Frozen River".

The Academy is pinning their hopes on Hugh Jackman - sexist man of-the-hour - to inject new life into the Oscar celebration which is slated for broadcast next month on February 22nd at ground zero - the Kodak Theatre - in Hollywood, California.



Oscar Nominations

Best Picture

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

'Frost/Nixon'

'Milk'

'The Reader'

'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Director

Danny Boyle, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Stephen Daldry, 'The Reader'

David Fincher, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Ron Howard, 'Frost/Nixon'

Gus Van Sant, 'Milk'

Best Actor

Richard Jenkins, 'The Visitor'

Frank Langella, 'Frost/Nixon'

Sean Penn, 'Milk'

Brad Pitt, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Mickey Rourke, 'The Wrestler'

Best Actress

Anne Hathaway, 'Rachel Getting Married'

Angelina Jolie, 'Changeling'

Melissa Leo, 'Frozen River'

Meryl Streep, 'Doubt'

Kate Winslet, 'The Reader'

Best Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin, 'Milk'

Robert Downey Jr., 'Tropic Thunder'

Philip Seymour Hoffman, 'Doubt'

Heath Ledger, 'The Dark Knight'

Michael Shannon, ' Revolutionary Road'

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams, 'Doubt'

Penelope Cruz, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'

Viola Davis, 'Doubt'

Taraji P. Henson, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Marisa Tomei, 'The Wrestler'

Best Animated Feature Film

'Bolt'

'Kung Fu Panda'

'Wall-E'

Best Foreign Film

'The Baader Meinhof Complex' (Germany)

'The class' (France)

'Departures'(Japan)

'Revanche' (Austria)

'Waltz With Bashir' (Israel)

Best Original Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black, 'Milk'

Courtney Hunt, 'Frozen River'

Mike Leigh, 'Happy-Go-Lucky'

Martin McDonagh, 'In Bruges'

Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter, 'WALL-E'

Best Adapted Screenplay

Eric Roth, Robin Swicord, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

John Patrick Shanley, 'Doubt'

Peter Morgan, 'Frost/Nixon'

David Hare, 'The Reader'

Simon Beaufoy, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Documentary Feature

'The Betrayal'

'Encounters at the End of the World'

'The Garden'

'Man on Wire'

'Trouble the Water'

Best Original Score

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

'Defiance'

'Milk'

'Slumdog Millionaire'

'WALL-E'

Best Original Song

'Down to Earth,' WALL-E

'Jai Ho,' 'Slumdog Millionaire'

'O Saya,' 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Film Editing

Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Lee Smith, 'The Dark Knight'

Mike Hill, Dan Hanley, 'Frost/Nixon'

Elliot Graham, 'Milk'

Chris Dickens, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Documentary (Short Subject)

'The Conscience of Nhem En,' Steven Okazaki

'The Final Inch,' Irene Taylor Brodsky, Tom Grant

'Smile Pinki,' Megan Mylan

'The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306,' Adam Pertofsky, Margaret Hyde

Best Cinematography

Tom Stern, 'Changeling'

Claudio Miranda, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Wally Pfister, 'The Dark Knight'

Chris Menges, Roger Deakins, 'The Reader'

Anthony Dod Mantle, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Costume Design

Catherine Martin, 'Australia'

Jacqueline West, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Michael O'Connor, 'The Duchess'

Danny Glicker, 'Milk'

Albert Wolsky, 'Revolutionary Road'

Best Sound Mixing

David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten, 'Benjamin Button'

Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick, 'The Dark Knight'

Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt, 'WALL-E'

Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt, 'Wanted'

Best Sound Editing

Richard King, 'The Dark Knight'

Frank Eulner, Christopher Boyes, 'Iron Man'

Tom Sayers, 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood, 'WALL-E'

Wylie Stateman, 'Wanted'

Best Live Action Short Film

'Auf der Strecke (On the Line),' Reto Caffi

'Manon on the Asphalt,' Elizabeth Marre, Olivier Pont

'New Boy,' Steph Green, Tamara Anghie

'The Pig,' Tivi Magnusson, Dorte Høgh

'Spielzeugland (Toyland),' Jochen Alexander Freydank

Best Animated Short Film

'La Maison de Petits Cubes,' Kunio Kato

'Lavatory - Lovestory,' Konstantin Bronzit

'Oktapodi,' Emud Mokhberi, Thierry Marchand

'Presto,' Doug Sweetland

'This Way Up,' Alan Smith, Adam Foulkes

Best Makeup

Greg Cannom, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

John Caglione, Jr., Conor O'Sullivan, 'The Dark Knight'

Mike Elizalde, Thom Flout, 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army'

Best Art Direction

James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis, 'Changeling'

Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando, 'The Dark Knight'

Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway, 'The Duchess'

Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt, 'Revolutionary Road'

Best Visual Effects

Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber, Paul Franklin, 'The Dark Knight'

John Nelson, Ben

http://www.julianayrs.com

Oscar...ballots in hands of carriers & being delivered today!

Just as I turned the key in my mailbox and swung the little door open to check for mail, a few feet away - inside the sorting room - I overheard a reassuring announcement from a Supervisor at the West Hollywood Post Office.

"Listen up! For security reasons, I shall be personally turning over these Oscar Ballots in my hand to carriers who have recipients on their route . Please ensure that the envelopes are delivered today, if possible."

Ah, one of the benefits of renting a post office box.

If a box-holder is alert - and keen on eavesdropping - occasionally there is a bit of worthwhile scuttlebutt to lap up.

So, Academy Members, in the event you were in the dark about the ballots - take note that the precious little suckers are not only secure - but are being hand-delivered today for your immediate up-close perusal (provided you're at home to hear the knock on the door).

Will Milk get an Oscar nod or two?

The Envelope please!

Daniel Day Lewis...reveals bit**y side at Oscars; excuse me!

One more question like that...and I'll hit you with my purse!


Yup, I'm a big fan of Daniel Day Lewis.

Was pulling for the charismatic thespian to win the coveted Golden Statuette, too.

Fine actor...skilled, competent.

At the drop of a hat, it's easy to snatch a superlative from the great beyond to describe the guy's talent, wouldn't you agree?

But, I was a little taken aback by the actor's backstage behavior at the Oscar extravaganza, last Sunday eve.

When a member of the media innocently asked what he did in his spare time, he lashed out at the reporter,

"None of your f***ing business..."

Granted, he ended the surprising little hissy fit with a wicked little smile - as if to say - just kidding, fella!

Nonetheless, he gave the impression of being such a temperamental "Queen".

Until this incident, I was under the impression from screenings of his work, that he was all "man", through and through.

Obviously, not. But, it's a testament to his work that he's managed to pull off such a clever ruse to date.

In view of your vulnerability to the elements, Daniel, maybe you should stick to the scripted word?

Johann Wolfgang once pined,

"Behavior is a mirror in which every one displays his image."

The Oscars...the envelope, please!

For me, the big event each year is the Oscar Celebration.

Allegedly, when a friend of studio employee first gazed upon the little golden statuette, she declared:

"That looks just like my Uncle Oscar."

The name stuck.

I always wanted to attend in person and experience all the glitz and glamour in the flesh.

But, I made myself a promise.

I'd never stroll the red carpet (or even slip in a side door) until I was a nominee.

Well, I can dream, can't I?

One year - I was booked on a modeling shoot for a fashion lay-out for Vancouver Magazine - when it came to my attention that the assignment was slated to shoot on the eve of the Oscar show.

What was a boy to do?

Should I cancel the job, or forgo on the Oscar celebration for one year?

Well, the big bucks beckoned, so I trundled off to the location to fulfill my career obligation.

As luck would have it - the Fashion Editor was an avid fan of the Oscars - too.

Consequently, I was able to sneak quick peaks of the gala festivities on the old boob tube in the green room, in-between "takes".

But what about this year's star extravaganza?

Word from Tinseltown is that the show goes forward in spite of the WGA strike.

However, a number of actors are reticent about crossing a picket line.

Tony Gilroy - a nominee for Best Director for "Michael Clayton" - noted for the record:

"I would never cross a picket line ever. I couldn't. I'm a 20-year member of the Writers Guild. I think whatever they work out is going to be one way or the other. But no, I could never cross a picket line. I think there are a lot of people who feel that way."

So, it begs the question.

In the true Hollywood tradition, will the show go on?

Fortunately, animated talks between the producers and the writers started up this week.

Now, actors are inclined to cross their fingers and pray to the "Gods" of Award Shows, that the evening's festivities will go off without a hitch.

In the event there is a go, here are some of the contenders to place your bets on.

Best picture nominees include "Atonement" (a love story gone awry), "Juno" (the tale of an unplanned pregnancy), "Michael Clayton" (a legal suspense thriller), "No Country for Old Men" (a favorite with an ending that "fizzled" out into oblivion), and "There will be Blood" (a period piece with a top-notch performance by Daniel Day Lewis).

"No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" lead the Oscar race with eight Academy Awards nominations each.

In the male lead acting category, talented thespians include George Clooney (Michael Clayton), Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd), Daniel-Day Lewis (There will Be Blood), Tommy Lee Jones (In the Valley of Elah), and Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises).

The bar for Best Actress was set pretty high due to stellar performances by the likes of Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth: The Golden Age), Julie Christie (Away from Her), Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose), Laura Linney (The Savages), and Ellen Page (Juno).

Best director should go to Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), but other auteurs breathing down his neck for the coveted prize include Jason Reitman (Juno), Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men), and Paul Thomas Anderson (There will be blood).

The choices for animated film are Ratatouille, Persepolis, and Surf's Up.

The little rat chef will win, in my estimation.

Although Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James) was a first choice for best supporting actor earlier in the year, along came the release of "No Country for old Men" and the remarkable performance by Javier Bardem as a crazed bad guy.

Sorry, Casey, looks like the award is going that-a-way!

It is a toss up for Cate Blanchett for "I'm not there" and Amy Ryan in "Gone Baby Gone" for the supporting actress category, in my estimation.

Surprisingly, there were no nods this year for crowd-pleasers like Angelina Jolie, or Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild).

Sean Penn was also snubbed, despite a fine directorial stint (Into the Wild).

The whole scenario makes one scratch their head a little in wonderment.

After all, "Hairspray" - deserving at least one or two nominations in my opinion - was completely shut out.

At times, it appears that the Academy's taste, is up their wazoo.

Orson Welles once said:

“A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.”