By Erica C.Am I the only one excited for the Oscars?
We have one more week to try to see as many as we can, and I’m behind because the Pacific Northwest got hit with crazypants snowstorms and I’ve been trapped in my house! But I still think I can do it as long as the weather holds.
Also, helpfully, all Best Picture Nominees except for Vice will be available to either rent or buy no later than February 19th. I prefer to see them in a theater with other movie goers. But, one does what one must to see all the nominees if that is your goal. My last year’s Phantom Thread experience was enhanced by the sold out independent theater and our collective responses to the twists and turns of that amazing plot! Netflix’s Roma is NOT being shown in theaters at all. It is only on Netflix, and it has strong odds to win. Even though, Netflix premiered it in theaters just enough to satisfy the Academy’s rules. So, if you don’t have Netflix, borrow a friend’s log in or sign up if they have a free trial.
The Films
So far, I’ve seen Black Panther, BlackkKlansman, The Favourite, and A Star is Born. I saw Black Panther when it came out, not having a clue that it would be nominated. I’m usually a DC girl, but I LOVED Black Panther. I absolutely think that Danai Gurira, who played Oyoye, got robbed of a nomination. Frankly, she “stole the show”. As I stated in my earlier blog, I’m obsessed with A Star is Born. It is a personal fav, and I adore Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. I also think that their treatment and depiction of mental health issues was spot on. Frankly, it is a travesty that Bradley Cooper didn’t get a Best Director nomination, even over the Best Picture and Best Actor/Actress nominations.
On a side note, I’m also hoping to squeeze in The Wife and If Beale Street Could Talk. From everything I’ve read, Beale Street,based on a James Baldwin novel, should have been nominated as well. The director/screenwriter, Barry Jenkins, also wrote and directed Best Pic winner Moonlight.
The Female Nominees
It would also be a shock and upset if Regina King did not win Best Supporting Actress for her role. The Wife is all about Glenn Close perhaps finally being recognized for the acting goddess she is. Early on in award season, it was all about Lady Gaga. Frankly, I was one of them. Then, I watched the Critics Choice Award where there was a TIE. Glenn Close was announced first, and she actually spoke about how they pit women against each other. She stayed on stage to find out who the other winner was, and nearly lost her shit when it was Lady Gaga. Turns out, Lady Gaga’s mama and Glenn Close are friends! Take that haters!
I’m kind of hoping for an Oscar upset in a tie so these bad ass women can show their solidarity! The not so long shot in Best Actress could also be from Olivia Coleman, who kicked ass in The Favourite, a weird historical drama that I am still not sure about. She’s won a few accolades this award season as well. I am beyond excited for her to play Queen Elizabeth II in Season 3 of The Crown.
The Featured Shorts
I’ve preached about seeing the Oscar Shorts before. In past years, I’ve been able to see them at independent, nonprofit theaters near me. Because I’m behind schedule, I Googled. ShortTV, who puts these out, may have them available for streaming on Tuesday, February 19th. It may not be all of them apparently. Also, I should tell you that one of the independent theaters actually put out a warning on the Live Action Shorts. This year’s nominees are especially heavy, with murder, rape, and endangered children. I’ve never had one of these theaters warn us like that, so I take it seriously. I’m not sure I’ll be watching Live Action this year. I will be checking out Animation for sure, and perhaps Short Documentary.
Erica’s Oscar Menu
As for the day itself, I have figured out most of the menu! Wolfgang Puck has been catering the Governor’s Award Dinner after the show, where all the attendees get to go eat. I’ve read that when he took it over, he realized that the last thing the people wanted to do was sit down for a full course meal since they’d just been sitting for hours! So he prepares “small bite” plates to choose from, making main dish recipes into appetizer sizes. He also does things we consider appetizers as well. This is so the people can get well fed, but can mix and mingle between eating. One mainstay is his individual chicken pot pie, with a puff pastry crust. It is apparently a favorite of Meryl Streep and Barbra Streisand!
I MIGHT also do his other mainstay, short ribs, but we’ll see if I have the time and money for that. I’m not a dessert person, so I’ve not thought of anything yet. Maybe just some ice cream.
Where to Watch The Red Carpet
Interestingly, I can’t find a lot of mention of their Red Carpet coverage on E!. Usually there is no other alternative, which I find frustrating because I really hate Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet. I only tolerate Giuliana Rancic. She never seems to change up the questions, and in this Me Too era, that is inexcusable. I so miss Ross Matthews and Kelly Osbourne, and of course, Joan Rivers. However, I looked ahead on my DVR’s guide and it looks like ABC is going to air the local ABC affiliate, KABC, red carpet coverage starting at 1:30 PM Pacific/4:30 Eastern time.
Then “Oscars Opening Ceremony: Live from the Red Carpet” is showing at 3:30 PM Pacific/6:30 Eastern. The big hostless show starts at 5 PM Pacific/8 PM Eastern. As bad as the Red Carpet coverage has been from E!, ABC has an opportunity to dominate the entire day.
I’m actually looking forward to a hostless ceremony. Rumor has it that they tried to limit the musical numbers to only three, but those three protested and said they wouldn’t perform unless everyone gets the chance! It is an insane idea, frankly, when they have great nominations this year and no host. I can’t wait for them.
So, are you watching this year? Who are you rooting for? Please join me next Sunday for the Tamara Tattles Watch Party! We will be discussing the red carpet looks and the crazy speeches.
I just hope that whoever wins, when they give their speech it’s not a bazillion hours long!
Looking forward to your watch party TT!!
Not true that Roma isn’t being shown in tbeaters. It’s currently playing at the Landmark Shattuck in Berkeley, CA and l asume it must be playing on other Landmark theaters (the best chain IMO).
Ugh. Missing the Oscars because the hubs decided we needed annual Disney passes and my stepdaughter is running the marathon that day so we will be in Orlando.
Very interested in the Rami Malik/Brian Singer controversy. Of course he know BS was a monster because all of Hollywood turned their heads at that one also. Of course RM is claiming ignorance but when they were casting the roll, if he had turned it down, someone else would be Oscar nominated.
I’m conflicted.
Um, hello!!!! ROOM SERVICE!
I was on vacation during the Oscars once. We skipped the red carpet, then we ordered room service during the show. (It was Reno, so we just went out gambling again afterward.)
It isn’t like you will be “wasting” one of the days on a park hopper pass where you feel like you need to be in the park from opening to closing – you have annual passes!
I know… but it would be hard for Rami to turn that down for another reason; some of the women who turned Weinstein down ended up with a “hard to work with” reputation. I do wonder if that was the real reason Sascha Baran Cohen had “creative” differences.
I am still going to see BR and see Green Book (another one with some controversy). Christian Bale was so good in Vice, I’m finding it hard to believe Rami will sway me. (
Yeah, it’s also playing in Marin and Sonoma counties too!
The NYT published an article with 20 anonymous Academy members on which film they’d vote for Best Picture. The most interesting bit from that article— ALL 20 were voting for Rami Malek for Best Actor.
I loved The Favourite. The story, the costumes!!! The performances. I’ve yet to see The Wife, but prefer Olivia Colman’s performance to Lady Gaga.
The Wife is excellent. It’s definitely worth watching and not boring at all, which I kind of thought it would be from its description.
Well, I am jelly that some of you get to see Roma in the theaters. I struggle with subtitles in a foreign language when at home as I get easily distracted and I’m usually on the computer at the same time.
Darkened theater, I get absorbed into the story, and subtitles don’t bother me.
Maybe I read the article wrong – its the chains that are near me that it isn’t being played. Even the theaters that are doing the “see all the best pictures in one weekend, wear comfortable clothes” type of passes.
I actually have theater sleep syndrome. I don’t know if there’s a name for it. I pass out during movies. It’s weird. I took my husband to see Jurassic Park 4d in downtown LA and fell asleep in a moving, vibrating moving chair with crap “smells” being sprayed in my face and 3D glasses on. Does anyone else do this? I’m curious. It’s uncontrollable. I don’t do it anywhere else. Not narcolepsy.
I dated a guy who LOVED movies once and went multiple times a week. I would fall asleep within minutes. I think it was because I felt a subconscious sense of safety being there with someone who could protect me. It sounds dumb, I know but I never fall asleep in a movie alone.
We broke up over it (mostly) we would be especially pissed when I PICKED THE MOVIE and still fell asleep. I don’t know it was weird.
In HS I also dated a really hot guy and would THROW UP as soon as he called me on the phone or pick me up for a date. He dumped me too. lol.
I think you have the crazy. You will survive. I have.
I like to call it eccentric but either way I’m definitely touched!
She doesn’t fall asleep in the theater, but my bff since middle school falls asleep in movies, even the ones she picks!
Her husband and I joke that thank god we have almost the same taste in movies – movies she doesn’t always appreciate. He and I have watched plenty of films together where she’s asleep – a couple of their kids are the same way. We have hope for the youngest though.
I do that at home and at theaters no matter how much I liked the movie. Both straight and sober. The worst time I remember sitting in Grauman’s Chinese Theater in LA having to sit through several showings because I kept falling asleep. And I was snorting coke betwwen each show. That’s weird.
I heart you Nanette!
❤️ you too Erica!
Movie update: I’ve now seen Vice and Bohemian Rhapsody. Rami was excellent as Freddie, with some minor things that bugged me. I do NOT think the film itself is deserves the Best Picture win.
As for Vice, I really didn’t have high expectations, but I was blown away. It is pretty different – not straight historical like The Post or Lincoln. More “political play” type of genre.
Christian Bale was INCREDIBLE. I forgot I wasn’t actually watching Dick Cheney. I’m not sure I could say the same for Rami.