The Academy Awards: an event so big it calls for tongue-in-cheek reinforcement. I introduce "Lost Angel," one of my favorite Hollywood insiders, to comment on this year's noms from the city that always tans. Yes, now we even outsource blogs. Greetings from this blog's foreign correspondent. Because to a New Yorker, Los Angeles is about as foreign as it gets. Our coffee is served ice blended and the pairing of uggs and a skirt is a completely respectable ensemble, but we do know our movies. This is Hollywood, baby, this is where movies are made! Or at least tabloid headlines, I guess most movies are made in Canada now? Either way, we do have the ability to see movies and lots of them. Any true Los Angeles resident
loves their movies, loves their fourteen dollar ticket to the Arclight that comes complete with an introduction from a pimply usher, a ginormous screen and the opportunity to buy overpriced yet delicious caramel popcorn. And we do love our award shows...or award press conferences as they are coming to be known. So in honor of our lovely Nouveau Yorker's birthday and the fact that I am writing this mere miles from where the nominations were just announced, my first column will discuss the Oscar nominations! The two lone surprises in the Big
Categories (read: the categories people actually care about, actors, directors, best picture) were Tommy Lee Jones and Laura Linney and I could not be happier. The lamest thing about the Oscars and, okay, granted, this industry, is that so much is often based on "buzz." IN
THE VALLEY OF ELAH and THE SAVAGES both lacked this elusive "buzz,"that "it quality," that "stardust," that myriad of lame catchphrases that must be put in quotes. Personally, I enjoyed both movies, particularly THE SAVAGES, which I found to be an under-rated and
upsettingly realistic black comedy and I had mourned the fact that neither of these stellar performances would get recognized because they weren't currently "in fashion." It's great to see the Academy proved me wrong. However, they didn't prove me wrong with another
complaint I have (I might maybe complain a lot) about how award shows are run: they're rarely reflective of a year's achievement in film. They're mostly reflective of the months of November and December and, in the case of lucky MICHAEL CLAYTON, October (George Clooney has the
ability to transcend calendars). It's a shame Judd Apatow wasn't recognized for the genius of KNOCKED UP and I loved WAITRESS too. I'm not sure who'd I'd boot from the Original Screenplay category to make room, but in a year with so much stellar writing, I wish they had just expanded the category. The writers should add that to their list of grievances, at least twenty screenplay nominees per Oscars. While there are a few locked-in categories, much of this year is up in air, so I'll refrain from making any predictions. What would make me happiest would be for the show to go on and the red carpet ridiculousness to resume. I can't very well judge the fashion choices of the news correspondents. Unless Nancy O'Dell decides to wear a swan dress.
Also, if you must accompany your award shows with a caffeinated
beverage, may I recommend Starbucks' new Skinny drinks. Because what
could be more Hollywood than a beverage named after the town's most
coveted trait? Or you could always caffe9nate a colonic.
Until next time,
Lost Angel
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