I didn’t see another thread on this yet, so does that mean I get to start the watch-along this year? Perhaps I will be lonely here, given the general lack of enthusiasm for the nominees this year.
I don’t get E! so I can’t watch the “real” red carpet show. Any recommendations for the best basic-cable option? It has to be one of the major networks, PBS, CSPAN or the TV Guide channel (or NY1). I would love it if CSPAN had a red carpet show - no annoying commentators, just a parade of dresses - add your own snark!
Anyone else watching? Rooting for anyone in particular? Can’t wait to see someone’s outfit? How are your snacks?
I’m watching, and rooting for Kate Winslet who gave a great performance in The Reader. Probably not the greatest she’s done, but she’s quite due for an Oscar.
My wife and I will be talking on the phone to each other while watching the ceremony. Since we’re separated (no, not that kind of separated, our lives are in a bit of a transition with my new job in San Antonio and her still being in Knoxville, selling the house) we’re charging up the cell phones as we speak. It’s an annual tradition that she fall asleep around 10:30, only to be cross at me when I wake her up (at her request) when the B. Picture is awarded.
I have enthusiasm for the nominees, just not for the show itself. Even though my favorite film of the year (The Fall) was totally ignored, my 2nd favorite, Milk, is right up there in the mix. I love Slumdog Millionaire, I’m thrilled for Melissa Leo and Richard Jenkins and plenty of others.
The only thing that ruins the Oscars for me before they even start is knowing how horrible Bill Condon is going to fuck things up. This will be one for the ages, trumping Rob Lowe and Snow White, finally. We already know that he’s screwing over the song nominations, choosing to have dorky, stupid and awkward production numbers of songs that don’t have anything to do with the nominated films, while treating the vibrant, exciting and interesting actual nominated songs like bastard black sheep 3rd cousins twice removed, truncating them into meaninglessness. Oh dear lord in heaven I loathe and despise Bill Condon, jealous dickhead. He got all 3 songs from his film Dreamgirls performed in their entierty, then plays god to not have better and more interesting songs played except as a short, frustrating medley. And to diss Peter Gabriel, a beloved and highly-respected artist, to the point where he boycotts performing, that takes a special kind of dickheadishness. I’ve heard rumors of other things Condon is going to do that made my eyes bug out, but I’m not going to share them because they’re too horrible for words and maybe they were wrong. It’s gonna be a cringe-fest though.
Of course I’ll watch. I always watch, because I love the movies. We’ll be watching in high def in our home theater, so I won’t be participating here during the show.
And at least I’ll finally get to see Kate Winslet win her Oscar.
I suspect I’ve read many of the things you have, but I’m going to reserve judgement until it all plays out. While it is a bummer that they won’t play out the Song nominees in their entirety (there are only 3, after all!), I don’t think it’s going to be nearly as bad as you make it out (honestly, that Rob Lowe/Snow White business will never be matched). Condon has some interesting ideas and while it may sound dubious on paper, it’s all in the execution. And anyway, what’s an Oscar night without something to dish about, eh?
One of my favorite moments from past award ceremonies was when the director Stanley Donen received an Honorary Oscar a few years ago, and gave a really classy speech. Fortunately, it’s one of the videos that the AMPAS uploaded to YouTube (they even have their channel). If you’re bored, I recommend watching it. Here is a link to it.
There are some others, but not as many as I’d like. (For example, I saw an article complimenting Emma Thompson’s acceptance speech, but I couldn’t find a clip of it.)
I’m somewhat interested in the awards, being interested in the film biz and all, but I just turned on the TV and caught a few minutes of the “red carpet pre-show” and it made me want to hurl.
Amy Adam’s dress looks like it could stand up without her. I hate it when they build a boob-shelf in a dress that the woman doesn’t fill properly. Actually I liked the dress but the poorly-fitting boobage bothers me.
Ooo, I don’t even have HD and Sarah Jessica Parker is looking old.
Taraji P. Henson - my favorite so far. Such a pretty balance of elegance and glam.
I just saw Danny Boyle with some of the cast from Slumdog Millionaire, and I was amused at how excited Dev Patel was to be there. It was much nicer than the blase attitude of some others.
I thought the same thing. Couldn’t she put something under her boobs to lift them up so there’s no gap between her body and the dress? I’d be worried that something would fall down the front – there’s such a gap. But she looked gorgeous, and the dress is a stunner.
