ABC gets to hang on to Oscarcast until 2020

The stunning Dame Helen Mirren

Oh happy day for ABC.

For a ballpark payout of $50 million per year, the network will hang onto its annual Oscarcast, Daily Variety reports, through 2020, with the latest licensing agreement to have expired in 2014.

Hollywood Boulevard: Ama Jo Budge on-the-street pre-Oscars 2011

I took to the streets this afternoon to inhale the pre-2011 Academy Awards Hollywood buzz. The road in front of Hollywood Boulevard is already blocked off with scaffolding, patrolled by security guards, and watched over by the towering canvas Oscars Award itself. The cramped corridors between the blockade and the shop walls becomes crammed with tourists, film-buffs, and locals alike, the usual touristy excitement heightened as people tramp up and down the (plastic covered) red carpet. 

I meet and talk to not only locals and Easterners but also some girls from Switzerland, a couple from Sweden and Norway, and a Dutch woman (the Scandinavians out in numbers)! I ask them whether they will be here on Sunday night or at home watching the Oscars, most say yes (apart from the occasional oblivious local). The general opinion is that best film will be a toss up between Black Swan and The Kings Speech (which took the British Academy Film Award for best film in the UK earlier this month) with which I agree, although there were a few batters on The Fighter’s team too.

A knowledgeable local showing around his New York friend gets into great detail, saying that The Kings Speech will undoubtedly take Best Film, although True Grit will be ‘the dark horse’. He predicts Colin Firth for best actor, Christian Bale for best supporting actor, and to my surprise names a pregnant Natalie Portman as the stunner he will be looking out for – “her talent makes her even more attractive” I am blown away, I must admit (they don’t think like that where I come from – and we’re supposed to be the gentlemen!) 

(Hollywood Blvd last week, and now...)

Some of the younger generation remind me (somewhat to my embarrassment) that Justin Timberlake does of course appear in The Social Network and will therefore be the hottie they are looking out for, with James Franco (127 Hours) brining up a slightly more mature fan base.

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie still take the cake for hottest celebs however, what a shame The Tourist was such a let down, I guess there is such a thing as too much gorgeousness on one set...

I meet some photographers from Portland, Oregon who will be working the red carpet on Sunday. They are all together unimpressed with the celebrity-hunger that surrounds them, refusing to pronounce any star-struckness other than a ones grudging confession that Sigourney Weaver said ‘hi’ to him last year “which was pretty cool”.

(Yes these were totally for my 8 yr old brother - if you can't beat em join em!)

I am undaunted, and soon meet a group of three (what I would call ‘lads’) from San Francisco who amusingly bicker over whether Scarlet Johansson, Angelina Jolie, or Natalie Portman deserve their most attractive vote. The discussion comes to the satisfying conclusion when one loudly concludes that regardless he would "definitely go gay for George Clooney…" To which I could think of no reply other than maybe (who wouldn't?)

Back to the professional stuff, they tipped Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) for best supporting actress and gave the first (and only) vote for The Kids Are Alright stating that Hollywood was sure to give the ‘lesbian nod’. I did not get into the discussion that I have had with many others about whether or not this film actually discusses or appropriately deals with Annette Benning and Julianne Moore’s characters sexuality at all, let alone the fact that Hollywood is not known for giving 'nods' of any kind to my knowledge.

There seems to be an overall feeling that Natalie Portman (Black Swan) deserves Best Actress despite previous loyalties for the consistent talent of (Rabbit Hole) Nicole Kidman (I will certainly always hold Annette Benning in a special place of high reverence in my heart) but Portman's got my money too…

****

I get stopped by a young woman reporting for a Boston TV show and do not hesitate to stop and have a bit of a chat about the Oscars on camera, and give a shout out for the blog of course.

My favourite comment of the afternoon/evening may be a Swedish young woman claiming, when asked who she would be most excited to see in Hollywood this week – “I want to see John Travolta!”

The tension is certainly building in Hollywood, stay-tuned folks, I have a feeling we could all be surprised, come Sunday night…

Ama J. Budge

Special Correspondent

2011 Academy Awards: Searchable Datebase

For all of you Academy Award trivia freaks, here's a handy searchable database provided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  Want to know who won Lead Actor the year you were born, check it out. 

http://twitter.com/#!/2011Oscars

2011 Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure: Oscar 2011 Sunday @ 9AM

Expect surprise celebrities at the 2011 Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure Oscar Sunday morning -- a cause I have participated in over the past 10 years since my cousin, a classical musician, Stanford University educator -- Dr. Adrienne Maravich Meckel was diagnosed with cancer over a decade ago and survived to see her children graduate from college -- and was a year short of seeing her first grandchild born. 

Adrienne survived nearly a decade beyond her prognosis thanks to advanced cancer treament and awareness and to the Susan G. Koman organization and many otherslike it, I am thankful for their continuing work in combatting this inciduous disease.

I urge each and every one of you to donate generously to the cause and to come out Sunday, February 27, 2011 to Dodger Stadium, located at 1000 Elysian Park Avenue in Los Angeles to cheer on celebrities Brenda Song, Aimee Garcia, Nia Long and others in support of this great cause.

http://twitter.com/#!/2011Oscars

2011 Academy Awards tidbits: Depp & Bale 2011 hotties, big no to media recording devices after Feb. 23

Rolling out the Red Carpet for the 2011 Oscars

Our woman on-the-street, Ama Jo Budge, at Hollywood & Highland claims that her personal survey reconfirms Johnny Depp as the hottest actor alive with Christian Bale following in second place of women aged 15 to 60 surveyed during this 2011 Oscar week.

Media warning -- wireless devices are verbotten after February 23, 2011.

Huh?

http://twitter.com/#!/2011Oscars

Academy Awards 2011: 3D mega performance may impact Oscar pics

Rumblings that 3D -- the new box office panacea -- may have judges inclined to vote for a genre that will keep money flowing in Hollywood could have an impact on the 2011 Academy Awards results.

Today, the Motion Picture Association of America reported that global box office reached $31.8 billion, a global box office record with an 8% increase in 2010 over last year, Daily Variety reports, with a drop 5% drop in actual domestic attendance.

So how does this affect the 2011 Oscars?

Dunno yet, but, I've got a cool $100 on Toy Story 3 and Alice in Wonderland taking home some bacon.

Follow us:  http://twitter.com/#!/2011Oscars

Academy Awards 2011: 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards today



13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards @ Beverly Hilton | February 22, 2011

 Check back in a few hours for our Twitter and blog coverage of the 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards this evening, February 22, 2011, to be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel with Halle Berry, Kristen Davis and Joel Schumacher expected in attendence as part of the on-going festivities associted with the 2011 Academy Awards.

2011 Academy Awards: Bad time to change last names

http://www.zennie62.com/

Here is a post in the San Francisco Chronicle by the phenomenal Zennie Abrahams, Jr. (and posse that includes me) announcing our coverage of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. 

To readers: I apologize for the confusion.  Yes, Milena Merrill = Milena Rimassa.  If there is a next time I go through a divorce, it will not be during Oscar season.

2011 Academy Awards: God of Love strong contender for best short

One of the most delightful short films I have seen in a good long while --God of Love -- that brought lead actor Luke Matheny a 2010 Coveted Coyote award for Best Actor last summer at the Topanga Film Festival is nominated in this category for a 2011 Academy Award and is this reporter's 2011 short film pick.

God of Love filmmakers have Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 to look forward to on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.


Kevin Macdonald
(c) A.M.P.A.S

Take a peek at Oscar nominated filmmakers Ivan Goldschmidt (left) "Na Wewe" and Luke Matheny (right) God of Love attend the Shorts! and Docs Shorts! screening at the Academy Theater at Lighthouse International on Saturday, February 19, 2011, held in New York.
　


 

2011 Academy Awards: Will Natalie Portman take home Oscar for Lead Actress?

My call is that Natalie Portman is going to take home the 2011 Academy Award as Lead Actress with Black Swan, but, not without a fight from Nicole Kidman, in Rabbit Hole, where she depicts a woman desperately trying to keep her marriage together after the death of her small child.

But wait, then there is the beautiful Michelle Williams who broke my heart in her portrayal of a woman seeking to bring life back to her marriage in Blue Valentine that juxatoposes vitality of youth and young love with inevitable ennui that sets in after the romatic glitter fades. This one hit way, way too close to home for me.

Then, there is the amazing Jennifer Lawrence who in Winter's Bone portrays a teen in search of her dad who sets out for the Ozarks to find her dad who has jumped a bond with his house in hock, leaving the girl dadless and nearly homeless.

Maybe a little formulaic yet entertaining nonetheless, in The Kids Are Alright, Annette Bening and Julianne Moore depict a lesbian couple raising two kids. A la Mama Mia, at the prodding of their 18-year old daughter, sperm donor dad shows up to shakes things up a bit.

　

2011 Academy Awards: Who is the hottest 2011 Best Actor nominee?

Okay so here's the scoop.  While plenty of 2011 Academy Award experts, pundits, critics and others pontificate the best performance of the year among Colin Firth, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Jesse Eisenberg and Jeff Bridges -- one of whom will be honored as 2011 Best Actor -- I am asking you something else.

Please rank these 2011 prospective Best Actors in order of hotness. 

Don't worry about professional ability, star rating, reviews.  Nope.  This is strictly hormonal. So, which one of the  floats your boat the most?

Colin Firth The King's Speech
Born September 10, 1960

Colin is a Brit film, TV and stage actor who came  to prominence circa 1995 with a TV version of Pride and Prejudice.  He has two Academy Awards and five BAFTA nominations.

James Franco 127 Hours
Born April 19, 1978

James is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, film producer, author, and painter who we saw briefly on Freaks and Geeks, a handful of teen pics and Sam Raimi's Spider Man trilogy.

Javier Bardem Biutiful
Born March 1, 1969

Javier was the first Spaniard to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2000 as well as a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA, four Goyas and a handful of other awards.  He is married to Penelope Cruz.

Jesse Eisenberg The Social Network
Born October 5, 1983

This native New Yorker's mom was a working clown and his dad works as a college professor.  Prio to landing the lead role in The Social Network, Jesse appeared in The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland and Zombieland.

Jeff Bridges  True Grit

Born December 4, 1949

Jeff is the kid of actress/writer Dorothy Bridges and actor Lloyd Bridges.  He acts and plays music.  A few of Jeff's works include The Big Lebowski, King Kong, The Last Picture Show, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and Tron: Legacy.

2011 Academy Awards: Predictions

The 83rd Academy Awards winners according to Milena:  

From the London Daily Telegraph, Salon.com to Metacritic.com, see how your 2011 Oscar predictions match up to the planet's top entertainment journalists . . . and in all humility, me.  Word of warning, the last time I ever won an Oscar pool was circa 1991.  

The primary contributing factor to my win might have been the fact that I was pregnant and not drinking and my co-workers, in true Spago style, were too inebriated to check boxes appropriately, so it is likely that I had a bit of an advantage.  Disclaimer notwithstanding, this year, I take a win-place-show approach to my 83rd Annual Academy Awards predictions.  This way, I just might retain a modicum of dignity if I flail.

Here goes:  

2011 Best Picture
Win - Inception.  Read and watch the Salon.com bash (Yes, click on the title).  I disagree.  I have nothing against a so-called A-minus cast.  Snobby elitists aren't my cup of tea, even though they write some sexy copy in Britannic.

Place - The Social Network.  (Note: I know deep down that it will likely win, however, out of principal I need to pull for the underdog).  Show - Black Swan

2011 Best Picture competitors:

    * 127 Hours
    * Black Swan
    * The Fighter
    * Inception
    * The Kids Are All Right
    * The King's Speech
    * The Social Network
    * Toy Story 3
    * True Grit
    * Winter's Bone

2011 Best Director Win - David O. Russell

 
Los Angeles Times says no-can-do for The Fighter for a 2011 Oscar.  The budget was indulgent at $70 Million (no doubt, what studio budgets aren't?)  Bad rap notwithstanding, my kid loved the picture so, Mr. Russell and The Fighter get my vote.

Place - David Fincher  Show - Darren Aronofsky

    * David O. Russell (The Fighter)
    * David Fincher (The Social Network)
    * Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)
    * Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
    * Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)

2011 Original Screenplay Win - Christoper Nolan 

Read the coverage in London's Daily Telegraph, not particularly because I agree with it, but the freelance film journalist, Andrew Lowry, covering the 2011 Oscars for the publication is clever . . . and not hard on the eyes which may or may not lend to the credibility, but it doesn't hurt . . .cougar growl inferred.   Place - Scott Siver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson

    * Scott Silver and Paul Tamasy & Eric Johnson (The Fighter)
    * David Seidler (The King’s Speech)
    * Christopher Nolan (Inception)
    * Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg (The Kids Are All Right)
    * Mike Leigh (Another Year)




2011 Adapted Screenplay WIN Social Network  - Aaron Sorkin

Place - Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy Show - Joel & Ethan Coen

    * Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network)
    * Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini (Winter’s Bone)
    * Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy (127 Hours)
    * Joel & Ethan Coen (True Grit)
    * Michael Arndt, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, John Lasseter (Toy Story 3)

2011 Lead Actress Win - Natalie Portman

    * Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
    * Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone)
    * Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)
    * Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)
    * Natalie Portman (Black Swan)

2011 Lead Actor Win - Jesse Eisenberg
 
Place - Jeff Bridges

    * Colin Firth (The King’s Speech)
    * James Franco (127 Hours)
    * Javier Bardem (Biutiful)
    * Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)
    * Jeff Bridges (True Grit)

2011 Supporting Actress Win - Melissa Leo   

Place - Hailee Steinfeld

    * Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
    * Amy Adams (The Fighter)
    * Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
    * Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)
    * Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech)

2011 Supporting Actor Win - Christian Bale 

Place - Geoffrey Rush

    * Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
    * John Hawkes (Winter’s Bone)
    * Christian Bale (The Fighter)
    * Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)
    * Jeremy Renner (The Town)

2011 Animated Feature Win - How to Train Your Dragon

    * How to Train Your Dragon
    * The Illusionist
    * Toy Story 3

2011 Foreign-Language Feature Win - Incendies

    * Biutiful
    * Dogtooth
    * In a Better World
    * Incendies
    * Outside the Law

2011 Documentary Feature Win - Waste Land

    * Exit Through the Gift Shop
    * Gasland
    * Inside Job
    * Restrepo
    * Waste Land

2011 Documentary Short Subject Win - Killing in the Name

    * Killing in the Name
    * Poster Girl
    * Strangers No More
    * Sun Come Up
    * The Warriors of Qiugang

2011 Animated Short Film Win - The Gruffalo

    * Day & Night
    * The Gruffalo
    * Let’s Pollute
    * The Lost Thing
    * Madagascar, a Journey Diary

2011 Live Action Short Film Win - God of Love

    * The Confession
    * The Crush
    * God of Love
    * Na Wewe
    * Wish 143

2011 Original Score Win - Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

    * A.R. Rahman (127 Hours)
    * Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network)
    * Hans Zimmer (Inception)
    * Alexandre Desplat (The King’s Speech)
    * John Powell (How to Train Your Dragon)

2011 Original Song Win - Coming Home

    * "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3
    * "If I Rise" from 127 Hours
    * "I See the Light" from Tangled
    * "Coming Home" from Country Strong

2011 Art Direction Win -True Grit

    * Inception
    * Alice in Wonderland
    * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
    * The King's Speech
    * True Grit

2011 Cinematography Win - Matthew Libatique


    * Jeff Cronenweth (The Social Network)
    * Wally Pfister (Inception)
    * Danny Cohen (The King’s Speech)
    * Matthew Libatique (Black Swan)
    * Roger Deakins (True Grit)

2011 Costume Design Win - The Tempest

    * True Grit
    * I Am Love
    * The King's Speech
    * Alice in Wonderland
    * The Tempest

2011 Film Editing Win - The Social Network

    * The King's Speech
    * The Fighter
    * 127 Hours
    * The Social Network
    * Black Swan

2011 Makeup Win - The Wolfman

    * Barney’s Version
    * The Way Back
    * The Wolfman


2011 Sound Editing Win - Tron: Legacy

    * Tron: Legacy
    * Unstoppable
    * Toy Story 3
    * Inception
    * True Grit

2011 Sound Mixing Win - The King's Speech

    * The King's Speech
    * The Social Network
    * Salt
    * True Grit
    * Inception

2011 Visual Effects Win - Alice in Wonderland

    * Hereafter
    * Alice in Wonderland
    * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
    * Iron Man 2
    * Inception

2011 Academy Awards: Around the clock coverage

For days an over-sized LED sign has blinked Highland Avenue closed February 27, 2011, averting unsuspecting motorists to impending commuter chaos on the corner of Hollywood and Highland as celebs and others converge for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

I circled the quarter-mile area to check out the scene 9 days and counting to the 2011 Oscars.  Horrid economy notwithstanding, hoards of glamo-tourists still  lingered snapping shots along the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 11PM on a Thursday night.

Good sign. Maybe not a real indicator to global economic improvement, but surely a sign that Hollywood -- as an institution -- is alive and well.

I join Zennie Abraham, the brain behind our Oscar coverage, and video-bloggers: Marla Schulman of Life After Kids TV, Jen Friel of Talk Nerdy To Me Lover in around-the-clock coverage of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

If you see us on the street and have a story, star-siting or tidbit to share: grab us.  We'd love to hear your take on the festivities.

The Zennie62.com posse:

Zennie Abraham, Jr.

Marla Schulmann

Jen Friel

Follow Milena's coverage on  Twitter:  #2011Oscars