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February 2008
Oscar doesn’t care whether you like his winners
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I saw the Oscars telecast. Tilda Swinton won for best supporting actress. Was she in that very odd movie some years ago called “Orlando”?
BETTY FORSTER, Orono, Minn.
Dear Loner,
So you’re the person who watched the Oscars.
The ratings for Sunday’s telecast were so low I thought maybe no one saw the show at all.
What’s interesting to me is what always happens with the Academy Awards. The public complains about how the Academy nominates movies nobody goes to see. They complain that Academy voters don’t cast their lot with popular choices. They complain that nobody watches the show and say if the Academy catered more to public tastes, perhaps ratings would go up.
My good people, I have a message for you from Hollywood and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
It goes just like this: We don’t care.
The Academy Awards is a feel-good private party for Hollywood. The public is invited to look on from afar in amazement. But the public is not invited to attend, to question or to request alterations in the proceedings.
You see, Hollywood cares whether you buy a movie ticket. That is why the theaters are clogged with mindless entertainment, movies that go boom and stupid, stupid romantic comedies without an ounce of artistic quality to them.
But the Oscars represent the time Hollywood pats itself on the back and whispers into each other’s ears that they are good and produce art.
One thing more the public must understand: They pay for the Oscars. It’s your money — the millions that you heap upon “Spider-Man” movies and a failed full-length “Simpsons” feature and sickening comedies — that, in effect, bankrolls the party you are not invited to attend.
So watch or don’t watch.
But don’t expect an industry that depends on you for its very existence to then turn around and care if you don’t like how they celebrate.
That would be like asking Hollywood to be human. And that, my friends, is asking the impossible.
(By the way, Betty, Tilda Swinton did indeed star in 1992’s “Orlando.” And at the Oscars she most certainly looked like she picked up her bathroom rug and wore it to the show.)
ALAN
P.S. You get an “Indiana Jones” whip (use it wisely) and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Do you know when “The Counterfeiters” will play in Atlanta?
JEFFREY A. FREEMAN, Atlanta
Dear Oscar-minded,
As I am sure you know, Austria’s “The Counterfeiters” won the Oscar for best foreign-language film and is about a Nazi concentration camp where Jews were forced to print fake pounds that Germany could pass in England.
The film was screened last month at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Obviously, you missed that opportunity.
A regular theatrical run is scheduled to begin April 4 at Landmark’s Midtown Art Cinema.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Ratatouille” T-shirt and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Everybody asks you about the “best” this or that. But what, in your estimable opinion, are the worst movies ever to win the Oscar for best picture?
DANIEL PINKERTON, Minneapolis, Minn.
Dear That or This,
I try to forget the clunkers. I really do.
I also believe the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a habit of making some fairly horrific selections.
For you, Daniel, I’ll give you my Worst 10 countdown:
“Oliver!” (1968).
“The English Patient” (1996).
“Gentleman’s Agreement” (1947).
“Around the World in Eighty Days” (1956).
“Forrest Gump” (1994).
“The Life of Emile Zola” (1937).
“Cimarron” (1931).
“The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952).
“The Broadway Melody” (1929).
“Cavalcade” (1933).
ALAN
P.S. You get “Spiderwick Chronicles” toys and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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March to be big month for Tyler Perry
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just about every month something big is happening with Tyler Perry. But March will be more notable than usual.
This weekend the Atlanta entertainment mogul will begin production of his next big-screen comedy, “The Family That Preys” at Tyler Perry Studios and other Atlanta locations.
On March 11, Perry will be the cover image for Best Life magazine’s April issue. And on March 21, he will release the big-screen version of his comedy stage play “Meet the Browns” in theaters nationwide.
After production of “The Family That Preys” officially begins Sunday, Perry’s Family Productions on Monday will begin shooting scenes in a southeast Atlanta home. Residents in the area received notice of the filming earlier this week.
“Preys,” about two families, stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates, Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan, Taraji Henson and Rockmond Dunbar. Perry co-stars and directs.
The film is tentatively scheduled to debut in theaters in September.
In Best Life, Perry talks about his rise in the entertainment industry, from originally living in his car to running a $500 million enterprise.
Billboards are already up in Atlanta to promote “Meet the Browns,” which stars Angela Bassett, Irma P. Hall and Perry as Madea and Uncle Joe. Rated PG-13, it was filmed in Chicago and Atlanta.
Permalink | Comments (38) | Categories: Bob Longino
‘Semi-Pro’ means semi-fun at the movies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most among new movies this weekend:
1. “Semi-Pro.” Semi-funny, semi-long, semi-worth it.
2. “Bonneville.” Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Joan Allen and the ashes of a dead husband on a road trip. Not my idea of fun.
3. “The Other Boleyn Girl.” Lukewarm Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman. If I’m going to have to watch a bodice ripper, the least I expect is for said bodice to be ripped.
4. “Penelope.” Christina Ricci in a pig nose and Reese Witherspoon as an edgy, wild-haired hipster. Didn’t buy any of it.
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‘No Country’ taking advantage of its Oscar win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TV ratings might not have been so hot for the Oscar show, but Miramax is taking advantage of the best picture win for “No Country For Old Men” by doubling the number of theaters screening the drama.
On Friday, at least 15 theaters in metro Atlanta will be playing “No Country.” Nationwide, the film’s screening venues will increase from 1,101 to 2,030 theaters.
Since its November opening, “No Country” has earned just under $65 million in North America and more than $102 million worldwide.
“No Country” won four Oscars, including best picture, director, supporting actor (Javier Bardem) and adapted screenplay.
If you haven’t already seen “No Country,” will you see it now?
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The stars — some new and some very old — at Elton John’s post-Oscar soiree
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It must have been heck being Heidi Klum, trotting around in that long, flowing, red-red gown at the Oscars. Post-show at the 16th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party she’d already changed attire, showing off her back and gams in a short-short metallic silver dress.
Among those who attended Sir Elton John’s party with her: Patrcia Clarkson, Sean Penn, Mary J. Blige, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart (looking rather matronly in a baby blue gown), the ubiquitous Sharon Stone, silver suited Ellen DeGeneres (holding hands with Portia de Rossi for photos), Sean “P. Diddy (I Am An Actor)” Combs, CNN’s Larry “Diary of the Dead” King and Simon Cowell.
A suggestion — just a small one — for the Mr. “American Idol” judge: Find the buttons on your shirt and use them.
Oh, and before I forget, Oscar came too. The little fella’s date: very pretty in white best actress winner Marion Cotillard (“La Vie En Rose”).
The foundation announced Monday the party, held at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, had raised $5.1 million for charity.
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Atlanta Film Fest to start with Georgia-made world premiere
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The 2008 Atlanta Film Festival will open on April 10 with the world premiere of the made-in-Georgia “The Lena Baker Story,” starring Tichina Arnold and Peter Coyote.
The drama, set in the 1940s and filmed in Colquitt, recounts the real-life story of an African-American housekeeper who was forced into sexual favors and, after a murder, became the only woman ever to be executed in Georgia’s electric chair. She was posthumously pardoned in 2005.
The film is the first feature to be made at the 22,000-square-foot Jokara-Micheaux Film, Television and Music Production Studio in southwest Georgia.
“Lena Baker” is written, directed and produced by Ralph Wilcox and is based on Lena Bond Phillips’ 1998 book.
A veteran television actor, Wilcox appeared in “SeaQuest DSV,” “Matlock” and dozens of other series and TV movies. Arnold is best known for playing Rochelle Rock on “Everybody Hates Chris” and Pam on “Martin.”
The Atlanta Film Festival, presented by Image Film and Video Center, will run April 10-19 and include screenings of more than 150 full-length features, documentaries and film shorts.
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Jon Stewart said it: Atlanta’s Jamia Nash is ‘unbelievable’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles — She came. She sang. She conquered — even if her song didn’t.
Gwinnett County’s 11-year-old Jamia Simone Nash sang the Oscar-nominated “Raise It Up” from “August Rush” on Sunday night’s Oscar show and grabbed another fan.
After the performance, host Jon Stewart dubbed her “unbelievable.”
Later, she joined Stewart on stage for a quick game of Wii Sports tennis.
“It was fun. It was extraordinary,” Jamia said backstage after her first Oscar experience. “I think I did good because of the reaction from the crowd and the words I played out (while singing). It was like acting and singing at the same time.”
She was thrilled to see in person fellow Oscar show stars Miley “Hannah Montana” Cyrus “and Mr. Dwayne Johnson and Mr. John Travolta,” she said.
Nash sang with the 21-member IMPACT Repertory Theatre of Harlem, which performed “Raise It Up” with her in the film.
She appeared not to miss a single note and evoked a rousing moment or two of emotion, especially when she sang the lyrics “feeling like a motherless child, hankered into my soul it’s bringing me down can’t find my smile n the face of a motherless child.”
Later, “Falling Slowly” from the indie drama “Once” took the best song Oscar. But the multiple mentions of the young Nash on ABC’s telecast likely made an impression on viewers worldwide.
Jamia said it was sad that her “Raise It Up” songwriters didn’t win.
“But I wish the best for those who did win,” she said. “And we’ll win next time.”
Earlier, she said the “August Rush” song nomination and her being able to perform at the Oscars were enough. “Raise It Up” was written by three members of IMPACT.
She walked the red carpet in a pink Ella Zahlan couture dress, leaning forward to tell the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “This is so amazing. There are so many, many people here.”
Joining her on the red carpet were her father, James Nash, mother Charlene and 7-year-old sister Olivia.
Jamia’s Oscar day started early. She arrived for a 6 a.m. hair appointment at Spice near Beverly Hills. By 10 a.m. she was enterting the Renaissance Hotel at the Hollywood and Highland Center to make her way to the Kodak Theatre for a final run-through of the song. Then she returned to the Renaissance to dress for the awards. After the Oscar telecast, her family planned to dine on Wolfgang Puck’s delectables at the Governors Ball.
Today, she is expected to tape a segment for “Ellen” that is expected to air on Tuesday. She and her family plan to return to Atlanta late tonight.
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The Oscars as only Smithee can see them and judge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles — I can’t believe it. Somehow the Oscars did it. This year they avoided the dreaded “The English Patient” syndrome. They looked beyond sentimentality. They picked movies that were actually more than good.
And, best of all, they aligned with my upset special: Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton” for best supporting actress. She won. But of course, I predicted as much.
FOR LOVE OF GEORGE: It’s time for Daniel Day-Lewis, who won Oscar’s best actor late Sunday for “There Will Be Blood” to explain himself.
Why after his name was announced, did he kiss George Clooney on the cheek?
“I have to kiss someone,” he joked offstage. “I kissed my wife and in the interest of parity, I kissed George. … Because George has been there for me.”
It didn’t hurt that Clooney was the nearest fellow lead actor nominee.
“I was very proud to be included in that group of actors,” Day-Lewis said.
And he served up a list of deserving actors who didn’t get nominated: Emile Hirsch (“Into the Wild”), Ryan Gosling (“Lars and the Real Girl”), Frank Langella (“Starting Out in the Evening” and Benicio del Toro (“Things We Lost in the Fire”).
THE ‘JUNO’ VICTOR’: A giddy Diablo Cody came backstage with her animal-print gown, tattoos, dyed black hair, red-red lipstick and her original screenplay Oscar for “Juno” cradled in her left arm like a baby.
She joked how she’d like to have enough money to pay journalists to no longer mention her previous profession.
For those who are clueless, she was once a stripper, stripper, stripper, stripper, stripper.
One press person then decided to refer to her in his questioning as a dancer.
“I am not a dancer,” she said. “I can’t dance.”
VIVA LE EUROPEANS: Backstage, English performer and supporting actress winner Tilda Swinton (“Michael Clayton”) was on a roll about the success of Europeans in Hollywood when, on the TV monitors surrounding her, French actress Marion Cotillard was named best actress for “La Vie En Rose.”
“See what I’m saying?” Swinton told the backstage press. “Fantastic. Fantastic.”
Swinton had been asked about the night’s rush of European victories and whether it meant a new wave.
“Europeans are everywhere,” she said, joking. “Don’t tell anybody. … I’m really sad I couldn’t deliver a speech in Gaelic. I would if I could.”
HEAR HER SING: Cotillard was still breathing heavily after she arrived backstage to talk about her best actress win. And she sang a few lines of “Padam, Padam” one of the featured songs in her Edith Piaf biopic.
“I am totally overwhelmed with joy and sparkles and fireworks and everything that goes boom, boom, boom,” Cotillard said of her win.
She made no mention of sprinkles on ice cream.
Asked if she could name actors who inspired her, she came up with a few of the usual suspects: Meryl Streep, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cate Blanchett and Toni Collette.
Then she dropped her bomb: “I’m a very, very big fan of Peter Sellers. I wanted to marry him when I was a child.”
MY FAOVRITE SPEECH: “I wanted to like Swinton’s televised jibes at “Michael Clayton” co-star George Clooney about “Batman & Robin,” but that material was just so old and wrinkled.
I much preferred supporting actor winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”): “Thank you to the Coens for being crazy enough to think that I could do that and put one of the most horrible haircuts in history over my head.”
DID YOU BEAT ME?: The person whose writing you are currently reading — that would be me — selected 13 out of 21 Oscar winners from my predictions published in Movies & More on Friday. Three of the categories I didn’t pick correctly I had marked as individuals or movies that should win. Yours truly got five categories completely wrong. Here are the categories I picked correctly: picture, actor, director, supporting actor, supporting actress, foreign language film, original screenplay, adapted screenplay, art direction, costume design, animated feature, song and makeup.
MR. SMITHEE’S RED CARPET GOOD, BAD AND THE OBVIOUSLY UGLY REPORT: You think rain causes traffic to clog in Atlanta? The wet weather clearly delayed Hollywood’s entertainment elite. The arrivals were, at first, slow and far between. First up: Former Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr.
The slog meant a long delay in the top-nominee arrivals, which led not to a memorable red carpet, but to the running of the overpaid stars.
So many only waved as they dashed by, opting not to talk.
BEST DRESSED IN RED: “Project Runway” bombshell Heidi Klum, a welcome vision from the front and behind. I also couldn’t take my eyes off Helen Mirren, draped in a memorable red dress.
BEST LINE: “Juno” actor Jason Bateman told Oscar night greeter and Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne this was his first Academy Awards celebration to attend in person: “I’ve watched from home before,” Bateman quipped, “in comfy socks.”
THE SNOOTY CREW: Among those who pretty much ignored the print press: “Juno” writer Diablo Cody in wild-animal print and tats, Nicole Kidman, a pregnant Cate Blanchett and, of course, Tommy Lee Jones.
FIRST STAR (WELL, SORT OF) ON THE RED CARPET BEFORE NOON: The immortal? Donny Osmond of “The Insider.” He also registered the first emotional quake in the fan bleachers. Mr. Osmond kindly accepted my advice: “Don’t get wet.”
THE BEST STAR ON THE RED CARPET GOES TO …: Are you surprised? It’s George Clooney. He spent plenty of time time up and down the media line talking to reporters and posing for pictures. But who should be surprised. He always acts just … like … that.
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I swear I didn’t break Tommy Lee Jones’ Oscar chair
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles — I swear I didn’t break Tommy Lee Jones’ Oscar seat. But I sat in it. And it is indeed a little, shall I say, askew.
I was where most people in the world are not allowed — inside the Kodak Theatre during Oscar rehearsals. There was a sea of placards with giant faces of the stars and their names in big letters in the audience chairs. The placards mark where the major nominees and Academy Award presenters and guests will be seated Sunday night.
Who wouldn’t want to take a big, relaxing moment in Tommy Lee Jones’ high-profile, everybody-watching-on-TV-can-see-him aisle seat? I sat and the left side of the chair immediately swung out into the aisle. It’s partially detached from where it should be and no amount of discreet repair work on my part, shall I say, repaired it. I moved it best I could back into place.
Thank Godard I didn’t plop myself into Javier Bardem’s seat. Probably saved my life. Anyone who’s seen “No Country for Old Men” would have to agree. Still, I also sat in the chair next to Bardem’s placard.
Clearly, I was in the “No Country” section. It’s where the Coen Brothers (one with Oscar-winning wife Frances McDormand) and “No Country” star Josh Brolin and his to-die-for spouse Diane Lane will be parked.
One set of stairs to the stage is right in front of where they will all be sitting, which certainly suggests “No Country” is the favorite, which it most certainly is.
But I want everyone to know this right now: if the Coens win any or part or all of the four Oscars they are up for and, in his excitement, Mr. Jones jostles his chair to the point the left side swings out into the aisle thereby causing one of the C. Brothers - be it Joel or Ethan — to go cascading over it in an historic Oscar fall … well, it is simply not my fault.
I swear.
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Jamia Nash’s advice to other kids who want to sing and act
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles — Before Jamia Nash’s rehearsal in a church gym on Thursday of the Oscar-nominated song she’ll be singing at Sunday’s 80th annual Academy Awards, the 11-year-old Duluth resident offered up advice to kids who might want to do what she did in the movie “August Rush”: sing and act.
Wannabe kid performers, the Gwinnett County middle school student said, should:
“Be confident. Make sure you have a high self-esteem.”
“Don’t give up on your dream, even if somebody says it’s stupid or they don’t like that dream.”
On the Oscar show, Nash will perform the gospel-infused “Raise It Up” with the choir known as Impact Repertory Theatre of Harlem led by Jamal Joseph. They all performed the song in the movie.
Joseph is one of three individuals nominated for best song for the writing of “Raise It Up.”
“I’ve been sleeping wonderfully,” he says when asked about anxiety about his Oscar nomination. “I’m relaxed because it’s really a dream come true for the people of Impact from Harlem. The Oscars is just a wider chance for a bigger audience to hear them and so we’ve already won. I know we’re going to be great so I’ve been sleeping like a baby.”
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How a pre-Oscar bash connects to Tyler Perry’s next film in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles — I’ve been standing and waiting for two whole hours at Ebony’s pre-Oscar shindig at the posh and aptly named Boulevard on West Sunset Boulevard. Not on the passe red carpet, mind you, but inside the exclusive, tented courtyard where attendees mingle, mix and sip the first booze of the evening.
Where the heck is Taraji P. Henson? I need her talented self and I need it now.
She’ll be flying into Atlanta next week to join a cast of Oscar-connected stars and others for the March 2 start of filming of Tyler Perry’s comedy “The Family That Preys Together” at his Georgia studio.
Henson’s co-stars include Oscar-winner Kathy Bates, Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan, Cole Hauser, Rockmann Dunbar and the man himself, Perry.
At the Ebony soiree I finally run into Henson’s publicist, who says the star won’t be coming to the pre-Oscar party as expected because she “isn’t feeling well.”
I can only imagine that the current downpouring of rain and rush of cold winds have nothing to do with her state of health.
Alas, looks like Ms. Henson and I will have to settle for lunch in the ATL soon. And I can’t wait. After her more-than-fine performances in “Hustle & Flow” and “Talk to Me,” she’s on my A-list.
With Henson a no-show, I thought it best to just amuse myself.
I spotted Ruby Dee, the Oscar-nominated one whom I had visited with the previous night at the Black Enterprise party, and immediately ran up and accused her of stalking me.
She either loved the joke or is the best actress on the planet. No reader comments, please.
I witnessed a steadily moving Quincy Jones telling the celeb-frenzied Hothollywood.com reporter and photographer that he oh so couldn’t do an interview now but would be back momentarily.
Don’t hold your breath, I advised my young dotcommers.
Omarosa came by and, later, so did Star Jones.
I stared right past them.
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Me and Ruby Dee, Jon Stewart and Jamia Nash
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Los Angeles — I’ve been here only 24 hours and this year’s 80th annual Academy Awards is already way ahead of last year’s initial pre-Oscar moments.
On my first day in 2007, my car was nearly sideswiped by a moptopped man who I still believe could only have been questionable awards-show writer Bruce Vilanch. Later, Ryan Seacrest busily marched through a swarm of press with his busy, busy entourage.
This year, I first spotted Alan Thicke at a restaurant’s outdoor table. Or do you care?
But it gets better. The smaller, but just as busy entourage that next came into view was led by Oscar show host Jon Stewart.
Late Wednesday, I struck a gawking fan’s motherlode at the Black Enterprise magazine’s pre-Oscar party at the Beverly Hills Hilton.
Supporting actress Oscar nominee Ruby Dee sat centerstage on a comfy couch behind protective velvet ropes and between large posters of “American Gangster” in the ballroom that was converted into a kind of music-blaring nightclub. The DJ cranked up Beyonce Knowles’ “Crazy in Love” as the 83-year-old actress radiantly smiled for TV crews recording her every glance.
She and I, naturally, reminisced for a while about her last visit to Atlanta in 2006 when she brought her indie film “No. 2” to the Atlanta Film Festival.
Certainly with the Oscar nomination, I said, she must be feeling Hollywood’s love.
“It’s a heady situation,” she said. “I have a hard time getting my head around the whole idea.”
Dee also squeezed, laughed and talked with Jamia Nash, the 11-year-old Gwinnett County songstress who on Sunday’s Oscar show will sing best song nominee “Raise It Up” from “August Rush.”
They represent the youngest performer and oldest acting nominee who’ll appear on the show.
Among the many others I spotted at the Black Enterprise event: producer-director John Singleton, actor Tyrese Gibson and one-time Broadway “Dreamgirls” diva Sheryl Lee Ralph.
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Best Supporting Actor: From Brennan to Arkin
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not begin handing out Oscars for supporting roles until the mid-1930s.
These days, supporting trophies are often the most hotly contested contests.
Here are the supporting actors who’ve won over the years. My favorite? Denzel Washington in “Glory,” of course.
Enjoy!
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The horror: Ellen Page tackles a new genre
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Most moviegoers know Ellen Page as an in-your-face actress spouting funny lines in “Juno.” But now with her best actress Oscar nomination pushing her into extreme limelight, the actress’s mainstream presence is about to take a turn.
Next month Page, who will turn 21 on Thursday, will begin filming “Drag Me To Hell,” a horror project to be directed by Sam Raimi (the “Spider-Man” movies). The plot involves the recipient of a supernatural curse.
Then in May she will begin filming the psychological thriller “Peacock” with actor Cillian Murphy. Set in the small town of Peacock, Neb., Page will play a young mother who holds the key to the past of Murphy’s character, who has a split personality and convinces townsfolk his alter egos are husband and wife.
Then in summer, she is set to star in “Whip It” to be filmed in Austin and to be directed by Drew Barrymore. The plot can be summed up in two words: roller derby.
Are you a fan of Ellen Page? Do you want to see her in a horror film?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Bob Longino
Best Actress — From Janet Gaynor to Helen Mirren
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was so happy to be at the Academy Awards to see Helen Mirren accept her very deserving award.
Here are all the best actress winners over the years.
Enjoy!
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Red carpet moments to amuse and repel you
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve covered red carpets from New York to Los Angeles, Toronto to Sundance and points in between. The one thing you can count on about me and Oscar’s red carpet: I look smokin’ hot.
We’re talking Calvin Klein tux and Kenneth Cole shoes. You can trust that I’ll also spend extra quality time with my battery-operated Vidal Sassoon nose hair trimmer. If one is to impress, especially when the competition includes George Clooney, one must shine.
I will once again be on the red carpet on Sunday in Hollywood for the 80th annual Academy Awards. And I expect it to be more intense than usual what with all of Hollywood giddy over the end of the Writers Guild strike.
Still, somebody’s going to have to do a lot to surpass some of the sights and moments witnessed on previous red carpets.
Here are my five favorite moments from years gone by:
1. Bjork’s road kill dress. In 2001, the Icelandic songstress decided nothing could possibly be more haute couture than to wrap what appeared to be a deceased swan around her body.
2. Those “South Park” boys. At the 2000 Oscars, Matt Stone and Trey Parker arrived in drag. Parker was awash in a pink cotton dress that resembled what uppity Gwyneth Paltrow wore when she won best actress for “Shakespeare in Love.” The scene stealer, however, was Mr. Stone, who bared his bearded belly in a knockoff of Jennifer Lopez’ overly revealing greenish gown that featured a plunging neckline that never quit.
3. Kathy Griffin versus Dakota Fanning. OK, I know. This wasn’t at the Oscars. It was at the Golden Globes. But in 2005, the red-haired comic covered the red carpet for E! and upended Hollywood by joking that the then 10-year-old Fanning had gone into rehab. Especially unamused was Steven Spielberg, who was set to feature Fanning in his remake of “War of the Worlds.” He demanded an apology and Dreamworks threatened to place Griffin on a list of the banished. What did Griffin do? She put the whole affair into her stand-up act.
4. The charm of Will Smith. If all celebrities acted like him, the world would be a better place. At last year’s Oscars, he made a point of connecting with the public by crossing the red carpet’s demilitarized zone and getting face to face with fans in the bleachers.
5. “My eyes! My eyes!” For the 2000 Oscars, Angelina Jolie arrived with her brother James Haven. Both were draped from head to toe in Goth black. She clung to him on the red carpet. And after she won best supporting actress for “Girl, Interrupted” … they … locked … lips.
Do you enjoy watching celebrities on the red carpet? What moments do you remember most from past red carpet events?
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Screen on the Green to be held at Centennial Olympic Park
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s drought won’t stop Atlanta’s popular, free outdoor film series Screen on the Green, which this year will temporarily move to Centennial Olympic Park.
Turner Broadcasting plans to announce next week that Screen on the Green, which attracts hundreds of thousands of movie fans each summer to Piedmont Park, will be held at Centennial and begin May 29. Films will be screened each Thursday through June 26.
The movie lineup will be named later. But one thing is for sure: presentation of the series will switch from Turner Classic Movies to Peachtree TV.
Moviegoers can bring picnic baskets and food to Centennial for the series and vendors will be selling food and drinks. Items not allowed: glass containers, alcoholic beverages and grills of any kind. Participants are asked not to bring pets and to avoid umbrellas and high-backed chairs.
Once the drought situation is over, plans are for Screen on the Green to return to Piedmont Park.
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Best Actor — From Emil Jannings to Forrest Whitaker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Loyal Mr. Smithee readers already know my favorite best actor of all time: Gregory Peck in “To Kill A Mockingbird.”
Here’s a video that runs through the entire list of Academy Award-winning lead actors.
Enjoy!
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Singing at the Oscars: Atlanta’s Jamia Nash, Amy Adams
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As expected, Gwinnett County’s 11-year-old Jamia Simone Nash will be on her way in a couple of days to Los Angeles where on Feb. 24 she will sing at the Oscars telecast.
Nash, who played the role of Hope in the music-infused “August Rush,” has a solo in the best song nominee “Raise It Up.” Like in the film, she’ll perform the gospel song with IMPACT Repertory Theatre of Harlem.
Other best song performers were announced this week by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“Enchanted” actress Amy Adams will sing “Happy Working Song,” one of three song nominees from her film. Tony-winner Kristin Chenoweth and Marlon Saunders, who appeared in “Enchanted” as a calypso singer, will perform “That’s How You Know.” Rock singer Jon McLaughlin will sing “So Close.”
The fifth nominated song is “Falling Slowly” from the indie drama “Once.” It will be sung by the film’s co-stars and songwriters, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova.
Do you like hearing the best song nominees sung at the Oscars? Or do they slow down already long proceedings?
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Key to Oscars: The voters aren’t like you and me
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Would you please explain how voting is done for the Academy Awards?
Who gets to vote? How much time do they have to see the films nominated? How could professionals not vote for the best performance and instead vote for a sentimental favorite? How is it decided when a film is a “foreign film”?
DAWN HILL, Golden Valley, Minn.
Dear Election Central,
Like any organization manned by attack dog-style control freaks, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences protects its brand with great energy and verve.
Things. Are. Done. Only. In. A. Certain. Manner.
And they will be done whilst wearing a tuxedo, thank you very much.
Votes come from the active membership of the Academy, which numbers roughly 6,000 people (many of them older than dirt) divided into 15 distinct branches plus one more group considered members-at-large. Actors form the largest branch, numbering well over 1,000.
One fact that might raise an eyebrow: There are more people in the public relations branch than in either the film editing or cinematography branches.
Nominations are attained through the various branches. Only actors vote to nominate actors. Film editors vote to nominate film editors. The entire membership casts nominations for best picture.
Nominations were announced Jan. 24. Final ballots are due Tuesday. In the final balloting, everyone votes in nearly every category they wish. There are some categories that require that an Academy member see each of the nominees before being allowed to vote in that category.
Take note that Oscar voters are not like you and me. They don’t have to go to a theater to see every nominee. In most cases they are sent “For your consideration …” DVD screeners of nominees from the studios.
The Academy’s Rule 14 outlines the definition for a foreign-language film as “a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States of America with a predominantly non-English dialogue track.”
Each country is allowed to submit only one potential nominee. Those are screened by a committee representing all branches and that panel determines the five nominees.
The one question among your inquiries that, frankly, astounds me, Dawn, is your wondering as to how professionals could let sentiment factor into their decision-making.
In other words: What planet do you live on, my dear?
Despite the formality and utterances declaring grave importance, Oscar night is not an officious event. It is a party.
Sentiment is free to run rampant.
Follow the history, my friend.
The best picture Oscar winner for the 1928-29 season was “The Broadway Melody.” It was produced by Louis B. Mayer.
He was one of the 28 founding members of the Academy. He also appointed Oscar judges.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Spiderwick Chronicles” collection and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
First of all, let me say that I lurve your column.
I wanted to get your take on the older films (not the later, pathetic attempts to stay in front of the camera) of Bette Davis. There has never been a better female actress.
MARGARET STEWART, Norcross
Dear Right Back At You,
Dare I speak my mind and, perchance, fall in your hallowed favor?
Bette Davis is, of course, excellent.
I love the evil look of happy circumstance and sheer excitement on her face in “The Little Foxes” as she waits for her husband (Herbert Marshall) to die. He’s careening around the house in a full-blown heart attack after his important vial of medicine has crashed to the floor.
I love her in “Dark Victory” and “Now Voyager” and “All About Eve.”
But I also think Elizabeth Taylor in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and Katharine Hepburn in “The Lion in Winter” are as good, if not better, than anybody.
Except Vivien Leigh.
ALAN
P.S. You get an “I Am Legend” survival kit and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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Oscar’s best pictures — from ‘Wings’ to ‘The Departed’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This compilation video steps through every single Academy Award-winning best picture from “Wings” to “The Departed.”
It proves that Oscar sometimes selects great movies. And at other times, not so great ones.
Enjoy!
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Oscar now free to haul out its red carpet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the Writers Guild strike officially over, Hollywood will now be able to do what it does best — celebrate itself.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold a news conference Thursday morning to discuss plans for its Feb. 24 Oscar telecast on ABC.
Stars are now free to walk a red carpet, free to come forth and present awards to each other, free to close down blocks of streets in Hollywood for the last weekend in February.
Gwinnett County’s Jamia Simone Nash, 11, a co-star in “August Rush” is expected to leave Atlanta on Monday for Hollywood. She only returned home in the last couple of days from the Grammy Awards. But on Feb. 24, she’ll be singing the Oscar-nominated song “Raise It Up” from “August Rush” on the Oscar telecast. Variety says Oscar voters will be “floored by the song’s chilling gospel arrangement” and by Nash’s “soulful vocals.”
Are you looking forward to the Oscar show and its traditional red carpet? Who do you want to see looking their best? George Clooney? Julie Christie? Jamia Nash?
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Nobody gets into the Oscars without credentials … unless … you’re these guys
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In 1988, two Cal Arts students took a camera, mustered their guts and broke into the Academy Awards without credentials.
Here’s the evidence. Enjoy.
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Films for Valentine’s that go beyond ‘Casablanca’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I don’t know about you, but for me, love means never having to say you’re sorry … unless you’ve hurt my feelings.
And sometimes, sorry just isn’t enough.
While I do love movies, I’m not hooked on the genre known as the romantic comedy. But it’s almost Valentine’s Day. I have a heart. And there are some romance films I do find that make the heart grow fonder.
I like failed love (“Annie Hall”) and impossible love (“Roman Holiday”), the love of discovery (“The Apartment”) and did I mention impossible love (“Atonement”)?
“Casablanca” is great. And I think I’ll always remember the first time I saw “Amelie.” What a charmer.
When it comes to watching a movie on Valentine’s Day, there’s always the obvious. “Shakespeare in Love” or “Sleepless in Seattle” or one of the new great romantic comedies like “Knocked Up.”
But what I’m going to give you are five movies you might not have thought about in a while. Some you’ve probably never even heard of. But consider watching them. Because they are great.
1. “Reconstruction” (2003; starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas and Maria Bonnevie). Danish director Christoffer Boe’s yearning, burning love mystery is my most favorite romantic drama of all time. Alex (Kaas) has a girlfriend but he’s smitten by a woman he spies at a rapid transit station. It turns his world upside down.
2. “House of Flying Daggers” (2004; starring Zhang Ziyi). This beautiful Chinese martial arts movie has it all: intrigue, infatuation, sex and cinematography to die for.
3. “Romeo and Juliet” (1968; starring Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting). I know, it seems like an obvious choice. But what it does better than any movie I’ve ever seen is capture the essence of young love on film. It is passionate, delicate and so steeped in the culture of the late 1960s.
4. “Sounder” (1972; starring Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield). I’d watch this Southern-bred film a million times for just one perfect scene: Tyson running with abandon down a dusty path to greet Winfield.
5. “Crazy Love” (2007). A great documentary about a real-life couple caught up in a weird, strange, shocking relationship. It’s one of those movies you have to see to believe.
What are your favorite movies to watch around Valentine’s Day?
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And the awards go to … ‘Ratatouille,’ ‘No Country,’ ‘Atonement’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the pending end of the Writers Guild strike, the future looks red (as in carpet) for the Oscars. I saw my first Academy Awards ad on ABC Sunday night.
The weekend was full of awards. “Ratatouille” was the main attraction at The Annies (it won eight awards) and also did well in animation categories at the Visual Effects Society. The latter awards also honored “Transformers” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
The results of the British Academy Film Awards looked a little bit like the Golden Globes. “Atonement” won best film. Others honored included Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”) for best actor, Marion Cotillard (“La Vie En Rose”) for best actress, Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”) for best supporting actor and Tilda Swinton (“Michael Clayton”) for best supporting actress. Joel and Ethan Coen (“No Country for Old Men”) took best director.
Also over the weekend, the Writers Guild named its winners. As expected, the victors were “Juno” in original screenplay and “No Country for Old Men” in adapted screenplay.
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Two real-life Oscar voters scarily speak their minds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Meet Lorenzo and Marcia.
They are typical Oscar voters … for real. Unlike you and me, their opinions count. And they dole out what they think about this year’s nominees.
Brace yourself.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Mr. Smithee's Megaplex
You have to read between the lines of Oscar’s snubs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
The other night I was watching one of my favorite movies, “Requiem for a Dream” with the memorable Ellen Burstyn. To this day, I still can’t fathom how Julia Roberts won the best actress Oscar for “Erin Brockovich” over Burstyn.
In your expert opinion, what actor and actress in recent history was most robbed of the Oscar?
HEATHER BRANIFF, Dacula
Dear My New BFF,
I have waited years for some smart and delightful reader to step forward with high praise for “Requiem for a Dream” (2000).
I loved that movie. No, as Woody Allen might say, I lurved that movie. I loved it more than “Traffic” and “Erin Brockovich.”
I loved it more than “Gladiator.” I certainly loved it more than “Chocolat.” And I dare say I might have loved it more than “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”
Ellen Burstyn in “Requiem” was fantastic.
But, unlike you, Heather, I can be a realist.
“Erin Brockovich” contains the best Julia Roberts performance ever put to film. I am quite serious about that. Her Oscar win was no joke.
It is also not unreasonable to recognize that:
1) Miss Burstyn had already won an Oscar for “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”
2) “Requiem” was not overly popular fare while “Brockovich” certainly was.
3) The Oscars don’t really represent best, but are the favorite selections of a group of people in a special club to which neither you nor I belong, and, therefore, they can give an award to anybody they want and do —- whether we plebians like it or not.
As far as the actor and actress in recent history who were most robbed, I’d say that in this decade they are:
Ben Kingsley (“Sexy Beast”), who in 2001 lost the supporting actor trophy to Jim Broadbent (“Iris”). Kingsley’s embodiment of evil while standing in front of a mirror in one scene was reason alone to vote him the award. But he already had an Oscar for “Gandhi” and Broadbent had been seriously overlooked in the previous year’s best actor race for his stunning performance in “Topsy-Turvy.”
Patricia Clarkson (“Pieces of April”), who in 2003 lost the supporting actress Oscar to Renee Zellweger (“Cold Mountain”). Clarkson was amazing as the bitter and ill mother in “Pieces” while Zellweger won, I believe, only because she had lost best actress the previous year for “Chicago.”
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Juno” hamburger phone and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
Most film buffs no doubt have a list of actors they feel have been unfairly snubbed for the Oscar, but I seldom see similar discussions regarding great directors who never got their due.
Sidney Lumet, Robert Altman, Spike Lee and Hal Ashby are among those dear to my heart who were never rewarded with best director.
Can you please illuminate your own personal favorites who were similarly overlooked? (No doubt a long list).
LARRY FRIEDMAN, Decatur
Dear Armchair Voter,
Ever heard of Alfred Hitchcock?
He’s definitely one.
As you know, sometimes the academy tries to make up for oversights with a lifetime achievement or honorary award. I don’t even count the best foreign film award, because while it is most often accepted by the director, it really is an honor for the film itself.
Sometimes the Oscar voters toss a winless director a side-category bone.
Stanley Kubrick’s only Oscar involves him being on the visual effects team for “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
Kubrick’s on my list, too. So are these filmmakers who have never won Oscar’s best director: David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joel and Ethan Coen, Howard Hawks and Quentin Tarantino.
I would most certainly add Ingmar Bergman, Akira Kurosawa, Federico Fellini, Lars von Trier, Francois Truffaut, Pedro Almodovar and Wong Kar-Wai.
Also Fritz Lang, Sergio Leone, Ernst Lubitsch, F.W. Munau, Michael Powell, Jean Renoir, Ridley Scott, Preston Sturges, Peter Weir, Norman Jewison and Mike Leigh.
ALAN
P.S. You get a “Fool’s Gold” hat and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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Vince Vaughn wants you to laugh this weekend
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s my indubitable list of what matters most among new movies this weekend:
1. “Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days and 30 Nights: Hollywood to the Heartland.” Plenty of crude stand-up humor. Frequently it’s also funny.
2. “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins.” Martin Lawrence. Do you really need to know more?
3. “Taxi to the Dark Side.” A devastating look at abuse in prison at Abu Ghraib and other places involving those arrested in Afghanistan and Iraq.
4. “Caramel.” A beauty salon, Beirut style.
5. “Fool’s Gold.” Who are the bigger fools — the people in this movie or the ones who go to see it?
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Get ready for ‘The Signal’ from Atlanta filmmakers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The best horror film I’ve seen in this decade is definitely “The Signal” made in Atlanta by local filmmakers, including co-directors Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry and David Bruckner.
It’s bloody, sometimes a little disgusting and always smart with a complicated, involving plot about electronic signals that turn humans into berserk killers.
The movie debuted at Sundance last year and was bought by Magnolia Pictures for the studio’s new specialty arm Magnet Releasing.
Here’s one of the original trailers for the movie. And pay no attention to the “Summer 2007” opening in the final frames. The movie does finally have an opening date — Feb. 22. (A Feb. 21 premiere is expected to be at the Plaza).
Enjoy! And be afraid. Very afraid.
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Valentine’s Day — Say it with one of four new movies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Most movies open on a Friday, or sometimes a Wednesday, but not that often on a Thursday unless it’s summer.
This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Thursday, so you know Hollywood is going to take advantage.
At least four new films open on Feb. 14 just in case your idea of love means, “Let’s go to the movies”:
“Definitely, Maybe” — For the romantic-comedy minded. Ryan Reynolds is the dad. Abigail Breslin is his inquisitive daughter. His spins for her a bedtime tale of the three main women in his life. Do you think it ends with true love?
Step Up 2 The Streets” — For the romantic-dance drama minded. People you’ve never heard of are dancing this way and that at the Maryland School of the Arts. This is a sequel of sorts to Disney’s 2006 “Step Up” and we hear that film’s star, Channing Tatum, has a cameo in “2.”
“Jumper” — For the romantic-action minded. Hayden Christensen can teleport here and there in the blink of an eye.
“The Spiderwick Chronicles” — For those whose heart gets a kick jump from fantasy. For three young siblings, a garden is a gateway to faeries and otherworldly beings.
Do you and yours like to go to the movies on Valentine’s Day?
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Something is unusual about Julia Roberts’ next role
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Let’s cut to the chase.
Julia Roberts is 40. Ryan Reynolds is 31. In their upcoming drama “Fireflies in the Garden,” she plays … his mother.
“You know, you’d think it was brother-sister but she’s playing my mother. Amazing,” says Reynolds, who visited Atlanta Tuesday to promote his Valentine’s Day romantic comedy “Definitely, Maybe.”
“Fireflies,” a drama with a tragedy that affects a family, will have its world debut this month at the Berlin Film Festival. Co-stars include Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson and Carrie-Anne Moss
When we last saw her on film, Smyrna-born Roberts played a glamorous and dolled-up Texas beauty queen in “Charlie Wilson’s War.” For “Fireflies,” Reynolds says she donned “age makeup and that kind of thing” to look several years older.
“I always thought, ‘Wow, I get to work with Julia Roberts,’” Reynolds says. “But it’s not a love interest thing. It’s a loving interest thing, which is still nice, I suppose.”
Though the age differences in “Fireflies” is unusual, it’s not without precedent in Hollywood.
For 1962’s “The Manchurian Candidate,” Angela Lansbury was 36 when she portrayed the mother of 33-year-old Laurence Harvey. During filming for 1967’s “The Graduate,” Anne Bancroft was 35 and Dustin Hoffman turned 30.
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Strictly for crazy cat lovers — a celebration of Caturday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cats are crazy.
Cats are kooky.
Cats are cat-ankerous.
Enjoy!
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Metro Atlanta bought into ‘Hannah Montana’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Disney’s 3-D “Hannah Montana” concert film beat the big boys at the box office. Bad.
In metro Atlanta, “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert” took in $777,198 over the weekend. Way behind at No. 2 was the horror film “The Eye” with Jessica Alba at $211,263.
But to realize how really dominant “Hannah Montana” was you have to look just a little deeper.
“The Eye” played in 38 theaters here. “Hannah Montana” played in only 16 theaters. And the concert film’s per screen average was through the roof: $48,575. Around $5,000 per screen is considered strong.
It doesn’t matter that it cost more to see “Hannah Montana” (the cheapest ticket was a hefty $15). The movie still performed.
And, clearly, by limiting the number of theaters that played the film, Disney created a sense of urgency about its “Hannah Montana” brand with plenty of screenings selling out.
Did your family go to see the 3-D “Hannah Montana” concert? How did it compare to the live event?
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Is it too soon to crank dat Sanford stadium again?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I cannot wait until fall.
How about you?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Mr. Smithee's Megaplex
‘No Country’ earns another award on its way to Oscar
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Can you say steamroll?
The Coen Brothers’ “No Country for Old Men” won best production over the weekend at the Producers Guild of America awards. “No Country” has now captured the top prize from the PGA, the Directors Guild of America, the New York Film Critics Circle and the Critics Choice Awards. It also won best ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
The film is now a hefty favorite for the Academy Awards.
At the Oscars, however, nothing is ever a sure thing. Remember that “Brokeback Mountain” won honors from the DGA and PGA, but lost the Oscar to “Crash.” And the same thing happened to “Saving Private Ryan” in the late 1990s when it got upended at the Academy Awards by “Shakespeare in Love.”
Among other winners at the PGA awards: “Ratatouille” for animation and “Sicko” for documentary.
Do you think “No Country” will be the runaway winner at the Oscars?
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It is not for mere mortals to question Oscar
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I’m counting on you to explain why Ang Lee’s beautiful “Lust, Caution” got not a single Oscar nomination.
The cinematography was superb as was the original soundtrack. The performances were solid, the art direction incredible.
Is it because the box office wasn’t big enough?
JOYCE ALARCON, Atlanta
Dear Says You,
If I understand correctly, you are wanting me to enter the minds of the Academy’s foreign film selection committee and Oscar voters to determine why they like one film over another.
My dear, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is best described as the rambling, running, fish-out-of-water, people-devouring beast in “The Host.”
There is no ready answer behind the result of what they do other than that it is done with unbending determination as a means toward self-illumination for Joyce, all her friends, everyone she knows and everyone on the planet she doesn’t know to humbly bow toward.
But I can say this: “Lust, Caution” wasn’t going to get a foreign language film nomination no matter what. The all-knowing Academy determined some time ago that not enough of the movie’s hard-working filmmaking team was from Taiwan, the country that attempted to submit it for consideration.
That’s a no-no in the Academy’s rule book. Taiwan, which previously submitted Lee’s Oscar-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” had to step back and bring forth another film.
You want to know why?
Because Commandment No. 5 in the eligibility section of the Academy’s Rule 14 for special instructions regarding the best foreign language film category states ever so bluntly, “The Academy will make the final determination in all questions of eligibility.”
So there.
Regarding other categories, one must suppose that perhaps voters felt that while “Lust, Caution” might be beautiful and superb and solid and incredible, it was also long and, beyond the bed, boring.
As for box office, you are correct that “Lust, Caution” didn’t earn much.
But as every Oscar enthusiast is well aware, the voters couldn’t care less how much money a film has made.
If they did, it would have spelled trouble for “There Will Be Blood,” “Atonement,” “Michael Clayton” and “No Country for Old Men.”
ALAN
P.S. You get “Bambi” notepaper and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
There was a question on “1 vs. 100” the other night that never got answered. Maybe you can help.
At $20 million, what is the highest grossing NC-17 film?
KEVIN MCCOY, Norcross
Dear I’ll Always Take Easy Queries for $1,000,
The answer is without question 1995’s glorious, oversold, best/worst glitter party and career killer known as “Showgirls.”
And so that you’ll be better prepared upon the next moment you plop yourself in front of the idiot box, Kevin, here are the other top moneymakers:
R —- “The Passion of the Christ” at $370.78 million.
PG-13 —- “Titanic” at $600.78 million.
PG —- “Star Wars” at $460.99 million.
G —- “Finding Nemo” at $339.71 million.
ALAN
P.S. You get a special “The Spiderwick Chronicles” book and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
Dear Mr. Smithee,
I have heard that “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is the first singing role in a movie for Johnny Depp. Was he not doing the actual singing in his role for “Cry-Baby”?
ED FUNK, Minneapolis
Dear Just Sing … Sing a Song … Make it Simple,
That was definitely Johnny Depp’s face in John Waters’ 1990 “Cry-Baby,” but the singing came from the mouth of vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and actor James Intveld, whose name did not appear in the film credits.
If you’d like to hear Intveld on some of his recent CDs, go to www.jamesintveld.com.
ALAN
P.S. You get recipes and wisdom from “How to Cook Your Life” and an “Ask Alan Smithee” T-shirt.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR MR. SMITHEE?
E-mail him at alansmithee@ajc.com or go to accessAtlanta.com and click on Movies. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Mr. Smithee can’t reply to every request, but inquiries chosen for publication will receive movie-related prizes.
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On Super Bowl weekend, time for a little football dance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
American ideas aren’t always bright.
Here’s a video of everyday USAers demonstrating the dance they’d do if they scored the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl.
My vote goes to Mr. It’s Football Time, People.
Enjoy!
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