In appreciation: Kobe Bryant, a life defined by hard work

It was April 14, 2016. It was the first full day of Kobe Bryant’s new chapter as a retired NBA player. All he had done the night before was score a mind-boggling 60 points in his farewell game, not getting out of Staples Center until around midnight.

His staff at Kobe, Inc. were certain they would beat their boss to the office that morning.


They were wrong. He beat everyone there by two hours. “We have a lot of work to do,” Bryant told them.

Even in retirement, Bryant found no substitute for hard work.

Kobe Bean Bryant was many things: one of the greatest players in basketball history, a five-time NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, a fluent speaker of multiple languages, a resident of the world, an Oscar winner, the self-described Black Mamba that started as a nickname and became his brand, someone so good he had two numbers retired by the Los Angeles Lakers.

And he never stopped. Basketball was his obsession for 20 years in the NBA. Storytelling was the obsession for the rest of his life.

Tears, as would be expected once the news broke of Bryant’s death in a helicopter crash in Southern California on Sunday, flowed freely in the NBA world. LeBron James was inconsolable when he got the news, a day after passing Bryant for No. 3 on the all-time scoring list. Doc Rivers struggled when he tried to put feelings into words. Even from the normally beyond-stoic Kawhi Leonard had his eyes well up when he was talking about Bryant.

But the pain was obvious elsewhere: Oregon women’s basketball star Sabrina Ionescu didn’t hide her anguish when she said she was dedicating the rest of her season to Bryant’s memory, soccer’s Neymar held up a “24” with his fingers after scoring a goal for Paris Saint-Germain, and marquees at the Super Bowl in Miami were lit up in the Lakers’ colors of purple and gold as a tribute.

The elite ones, the ones like James and Leonard and Ionescu and Neymar, were all like Bryant. Driven. Obsessed with their craft. Those are the sort of people Bryant enjoyed most. He didn’t have much patience for anything else.

Teammates were never immune from his criticism; not even Shaquille O’Neal, a fellow all-time NBA great, could avoid clashes with Bryant. O’Neal was half-a-foot taller and probably an easy 100 pounds heavier than Bryant. Didn’t matter. Bryant wanted to fight one day in practice, so they fought.

His toughness was legendary; Bryant blew out his Achilles on a play in 2013 where he’d been fouled and made the two free throws knowing that his season would be over a few seconds later. It was against Golden State; the Lakers trailed at the time, and Bryant — who hyperextended a knee in that same game and played through it because the game was so important in the playoff race — swished both shots.



“We were down two. Had to tie the game first,” Bryant said years later, when asked why he stayed in the game.

His commitment was legendary; there was a game in 2011 in Miami where the Lakers lost by six, and Bryant was so displeased with how he played that he went back onto the court for 90 minutes of uninterrupted shooting that went on until after midnight. His teammates were on Miami Beach for dinner. Bryant was working instead. “It’s my job,” Bryant said.

His swagger was legendary; during the FIBA Americas tournament in 2007, Bryant was less-than-impressed with how Brazil thought it had a chance to beat Team USA.

So, he tasked himself with guarding Leandro Barbosa, who until that point had been the leading scorer in the tournament. With Bryant blanketing him — making it difficult for him to even dribble at times — Barbosa made one shot all night. The Americans won by 37.

“Looking at a great white shark is one thing,” Bryant told teammates, “but jumping into the pool with one is another thing.”

He played in Los Angeles, but he was a star everywhere. Everywhere. At the Basketball World Cup in China this past summer, Bryant was on the court for a game during the medal round. He said a few words in Mandarin and the fans in Beijing screamed in more delight than they had for the guy who had taken the floor just before Bryant, a fellow by name of Yao Ming.

He was as driven in his storytelling life as he was in his playing days. Kobe, Inc. wasn’t just a cool name. It was his world. He wanted to inspire kids through books that combined the worlds of sports and fantasy. He was toying with the idea of taking his stories to Broadway.

He won an Oscar for “Dear Basketball,” a short animated film in 2018 that had been converted from a poem that he penned when he decided it was time to retire from playing the game. He had a podcast for kids and families, not with him blathering on about whatever he wanted to talk about but with characters talking about how to be a good teammate. He had a franchise of shows called Detail, where he broke down the nuances of basketball and had other huge names from other sports do the same thing.

He wasn’t kidding around when talking to his staff on April 14, 2016. Kobe Bryant still had a lot of work to do.

He was just getting started. And now he’s gone.

The tributes will continue, though eventually fade away. The legacy will be forever.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Four travel destinations inspired by 2017 Oscar nominees

From Los Angeles in the United States with Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land”, to Kolkata, India with Garth Davis’ “Lion”, this year’s Oscar nominees give travel-hungry moviegoers a taste of all kinds of global destinations. Here’s a look at some of the locations where this year’s Best Picture nominees were filmed.

“Lion” directed by Garth Davis
Kolkata, India

This true story of a young Indian boy fostered by an Australian couple treats viewers to landscapes in India and Australia. While the Tasmanian capital, Hobart, and Melbourne, in the state of Victoria, are good options for a trip to Australia, the child’s search for identity also takes moviegoers to the heart of authentic, rural India, on location in the city of Kolkata. Visitors can take in the local architecture, stroll over Howrah Bridge (crossed by millions of Indians every day) and admire the reflection of the trees in the water surrounding Victoria Memorial.

“La La Land” directed by Damien Chazelle
Los Angeles, California, U.S.

This Oscar favorite, with no less than 14 nominations, pays homage to Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 1950s with a romantic tale that takes viewers on tour of Los Angeles. The movie was filmed at no less than 40 different locations in the City of Angels. One iconic setting, seen on the movie poster, shows a spectacular view over the San Fernando Valley. Scenes were also filmed at The Lighthouse Cafe, a club where legendary artists such as Miles Davis previously performed. Note that this nightclub is no longer a jazz club, and now plays salsa, reggae and country music. The Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park is also a must for visitors following in the footsteps of Mia and Sebastian. In addition to must-visit L.A. filming locations, visitors to the city can enjoy a trip to Universal Studios, a stroll along Hollywood Boulevard and a trip to Beverly Hills.

“Manchester by the Sea” directed by Kenneth Lonergan
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, U.S.

The American town that lends its name to this feature film is like a character in its own right in the movie’s narrative. However, the film’s main scenes were filmed a few miles away in Cape Ann. Still, moviegoers can be assured that some movie scenes were also filmed in Manchester-by-the-Sea, as well as Gloucester, Essex, Rockport and Beverley. The nearest major U.S. city is Boston, an hour’s drive away. A trip to this former colonial city should include a stroll around the stylish neighborhood of Beacon Hill, plus some chill-out time in the U.S.’s oldest public park, Boston Common. Other sights include Trinity Church and a student-led tour of Harvard.

“Hacksaw Ridge” directed by Mel Gibson
Sydney, Australia                                                                                                              
The historical war movie directed by Mel Gibson was filmed in the region of Sydney, New South Wales, where the battlefields of the Second World War were recreated. In fact, the production team set up in Goulburn, around 121 miles southwest of the stunning Australian city, famous for its iconic opera house. Scenes were also filmed in Bringelly and Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney. For a first trip to the Australian city, must-visits include The Rocks, a historic part of town previously inhabited by the first British settlers. Head to the Central Business District to visit the Sydney Opera House, Hyde Park and the Sydney Tower Eye for 360-degree views over the city. JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Oscars fashion: White and silver, and lots of beads

HOLLYWOOD — Hollywood’s A-list actresses oozed old-school elegance in white and glittering silver on the Oscars red carpet Sunday, even as rain tumbled down on Tinseltown’s top fashion parade.

Beyond the icy color palette, another trend for the ladies was lots of pearls and beads. Many of the gowns seen on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre were embellished to the max.

Luckily, organizers set up a canopy to protect the stars from the drizzle.

Julianne Moore, who won the best actress Oscar for playing a woman with early onset Alzheimer’s disease in “Still Alice,” wore a custom beaded white strapless Chanel gown with black accents, her red hair swept back in a bun.

“Karl Lagerfeld made this for me!” she exclaimed.

France’s Marion Cotillard, a previous Oscar winner and nominated again Sunday in the best actress category, also chose white — a sleeveless Dior polka dot gown with a geisha-style bustle.

“I dreamed of cinema glory, for sure… but I would have never thought I would be part of this American family of cinema,” Cotillard told E! television’s Ryan Seacrest.

Best supporting actress winner Patricia Arquette, who took home the trophy for her moving portrayal of a single mother raising two kids in “Boyhood,” arrived early with several members of her acting family in tow.

The 46-year-old blonde dazzled in a one-shoulder Rosetta Getty gown with a ruched white bodice and a form-fitting black skirt. A simple up-do gave her a bit of a Greek goddess look.

“It’s a beautiful story about human beings and kids growing up,” Arquette told CNN of “Boyhood,” which earned a total of six nominations, but only the one award.

Lupita Nyong’o — the best supporting actress Oscar winner last year for “12 Years a Slave” and a red carpet darling — wore a custom pearl-encrusted sleeveless Calvin Klein gown.

“The pressure’s off,” she said. “I can just dress up and enjoy the show.”

“Wild” nominee Laura Dern — who brought her actor father Bruce to the ceremony — glittered in a fierce silver-studded strapless Alberta Ferretti gown worthy of a warrior princess.

In a pale shade of silvery gray was best actress nominee Felicity Jones, who was resplendent in a hand-sewn, pearl-covered gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, her shoulders bare.

And Lady Gaga, who sang a powerful “Sound of Music” tribute medley during the show to mark its 50th anniversary, wore a space-age sparkling white and silver Azzedine Alaia gown with a full skirt — and bright red gloves that seemed better suited for washing dishes.

For fashion and jewelry designers, having an A-list star show up on the Oscars red carpet in one of their creations is essentially free advertising — thanks to the global coverage of the ceremony.

Bucking the pale color trend was British actress Rosamund Pike — a nominee for her startling turn in thriller “Gone Girl” — who looked sultry in a fire engine-red Givenchy gown with a high slit up the front.

And Scarlett Johansson rocked a curve-hugging Versace halter gown in emerald green.



For men, pops of color

For the men, there were lots of classic black tuxedos — best actor nominees Steve Carell and rival Michael Keaton, along with “Boyhood” star Ethan Hawke, a best supporting actor nominee, all kept it simple.

But a few used the red carpet to get noticed. Some mixed it up with color, while best supporting actor winner J.K. Simmons added a dapper black hat.

“Selma” star David Oyelowo, who many observers felt deserved a nomination for playing Martin Luther King, rocked a three-piece burgundy tux from Dolce & Gabbana.

Briton Eddie Redmayne, who as predicted took home the best actor prize for his moving, physical portrayal of astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, sported a midnight blue Alexander McQueen tux with black accents.

“It’s raining, which feels beautifully British,” Redmayne told E! television.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Nominees in main Oscars categories

HOLLYWOOD — Here are the nominees in the main categories at the 87th Academy Awards, to be handed out on Sunday (Monday in Manila) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood:

Best picture:

“American Sniper”

“Birdman”

“Boyhood”

“The Grand Budapest Hotel”

“The Imitation Game”

“Selma”

“The Theory of Everything”

“Whiplash”

Best director:

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, “Birdman”

Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”

Bennett Miller, “Foxcatcher”

Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game”

Best actor: 

 

Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”

Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”

Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”

Michael Keaton, “Birdman”

Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”

Best actress:

Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night”

Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”

Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”

Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”

Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”

Best supporting actor:

Robert Duvall, “The Judge”

Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood”

Edward Norton, “Birdman”

Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher”

J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”

Best supporting actress:

Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”

Laura Dern, “Wild”

Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game”

Emma Stone, “Birdman”

Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”

Best foreign language film: 

“Ida” (Poland)

“Leviathan” (Russia)

“Tangerines” (Estonia)

“Timbuktu” (Mauritania)

“Wild Tales ” (Argentina)

Best animated feature:

“Big Hero 6″

“The Boxtrolls”

“How to Train Your Dragon 2″

“Song of the Sea”

“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”

Best documentary feature:

“Citizenfour”

“Finding Vivian Maier”

“Last Days in Vietnam”

“The Salt of the Earth”

“Virunga”

Best original screenplay: 

“Birdman” – Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Nicolas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr and Armando Bo

“Boyhood” – Richard Linklater

“Foxcatcher” – E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” – Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness

“Nightcrawler” – Dan Gilroy

Best adapted screenplay: 

“American Sniper” – Jason Hall

“The Imitation Game” – Graham Moore

“Inherent Vice” – Paul Thomas Anderson

“The Theory of Everything” – Anthony McCarten

“Whiplash” – Damien Chazelle

Best cinematography: 

“Birdman”

“The Grand Budapest Hotel”

“Ida”

“Mr. Turner”

“Unbroken”

Best original score: 

Alexandre Desplat, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Alexandre Desplat, “The Imitation Game”

Hans Zimmer, “Interstellar”

Gary Yershon, “Mr. Turner”

Johann Johannsson, “The Theory of Everything”

Best original song: 

“Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie”

“Glory” from “Selma”

“Grateful” from “Beyond the Lights”

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from “Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me”

“Lost Stars” from “Begin Again”

Best visual effects: 

“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”

“Guardians of the Galaxy”

“Interstellar”

“X-Men: Days of Future Past”

Number of nominations for films with two or more nods:

“Birdman” – 9

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” – 9

“The Imitation Game” – 8

“American Sniper” – 6

“Boyhood” – 6

“Foxcatcher” – 5

“Interstellar” – 5

“The Theory of Everything” – 5

“Whiplash” – 5

“Mr. Turner” – 4 

 

“Into the Woods” – 3

“Unbroken” – 3

“Selma” – 2

“Guardians of the Galaxy” – 2

“Ida” – 2

“Inherent Vice” – 2

“Wild” – 2

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Helen Hunt Wears H&M (and $700,000 Worth of Jewelry) to the Oscars

Never has the term high-low dressing been more applicable. Oscar nominee Helen Hunt hit the red carpet in a gown with a label we never expected to see on the Academy Awards red carpet: H&M.

But she didn’t skimp when it came time to accessorize the mall-store gown, adding a Martin Katz diamond brooch to the back of the dress, plus a necklace and bracelets from the jeweler, which Hunt noted totaled up to $700,000 worth of jewelry.

Looks like Sharon Stone will have to give up her title of Most Frugal Oscars Dresser. (The actress famously stunned when she showed up at the 1996 Academy Awards in a Gap turtleneck.) Hunt has out-bargained Stone by wearing this midnight blue silk and satin strapless dress.

source:  http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2013/02/24/oscars-2013-helen-hunt-dress/

Disney composer Sherman dies

Robert B Sherman, who composed classic Disney songs such as Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and It's a Small World (After All), has died in London at the age of 86.

With his brother Richard, the late musician wrote songs for films such as Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Jungle Book.

His death, on Monday, was announced by his son Jeffrey Sherman with a message on Facebook and confirmed by his agent Stella Richards.

'I have very sad news to convey,' his son said.

'My Dad, Robert B Sherman, passed away ... in London. He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death.

'He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more.'

The Sherman brothers won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, including best song for Chim Chim Cher-ee.

They were nominated for several more Oscars, including for the title song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, during their career, which spanned more than 50 years.

They were honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1976.

The brothers enjoyed a 10-year association with Walt Disney in which they composed more than 150 songs for films, TV shows and Disneyland.

Their most famous compositions include A Spoonful Of Sugar in Mary Poppins, Trust In Me and I Wanna Be Like You from The Jungle Book, and Truly Scrumptious and Me Ol' Bamboo from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Their other Disney credits include the Winnie The Pooh series, Bedknobs And Broomsticks, The Sword In The Stone, The Aristocats and The Happiest Millionaire.

Jeffrey wrote on his Facebook page: 'I will write more about this incredible man I love and admire so much when I am better rested and composed. He deserves that.

'In the meantime, please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded.

'His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.

'I love you, Dad. Safe travels.'

source: http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=726163&vId=

Oscar Awards, behind the scenes

United States-based writer Janet Susan Nepales shares her behind-the-scenes experiences at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday (US time).

HOLLYWOOD --- The 84th Academy Awards held at the Hollywood and Highland Theater (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre) came back to life thanks to a crop of very good movies, great script for the presenters, the Cirque du Soleil number, and the wonderful host Billy Crystal.

But let us take you behind the scenes as we go from the red carpet to the interview room.

On the red carpet, we were entertained by the presence of Crystal the monkey from “The Hangover 2” dressed in a pink dress and wearing a necklace. Then she was followed by a group of penguins.

One of the most adorable couples we anticipated to walk down the red carpet but didn’t were Kermit and Miss Piggy. But we were happy to see Darren Criss perform a duet with Kermit and do “Rainbow Connection.”

Darren said, “I am a small guy like you. You should be in ‘Glee.’” To which Kermit replied, “And you should be in a ‘Muppet’ movie. So why don’t you talk to your people and I will talk to my people and let us make it happen.”

Halle Berry, at the last minute, cancelled her appearance at the Oscars due to a broken foot. She broke it, she said, while trying to chase her three-year-old daughter Nahla.

Producer Brian Glazer told a reporter that he advised actors “to be classy, funny and on time.”

Glenn Close of “Albert Nobbs” was probably the only actress who wore a jacket over her green gown. Just like George Clooney, she went straight to the screaming fans, to say hello before posing for photographers on the red carpet.

P. Diddy came as an executive producer of the winning documentary feature “Undefeated.” The documentary tells the story of the underprivileged and underfunded Manassas Tigers football team and their coaches as they hurdle their struggles and become heroes.

Eco-friendly gown for ‘The Artist’ actress

Missy Pyle of “The Artist” turned out in an eco-friendly, flowing blue gown that won the third annual sustainable couture competition known as the “Red Carpet Green Dress” in the hopes that “more actresses will grace the red carpet in eco-friendly gowns.” She said her gown, designed by Valentina Delfino was made from silkworms. She is the first actress in an Oscar nominated film to wear the annual competition’s winning design.

She was selected for her willowy 5 foot 11 inch frame and her interest in sustainability. Of course, with “The Artist’s” nominations, a lot of attention will also be showered on her. Her gown is made from gluten-free silkworms, she said.

The wife of “Avatar” director James Cameron, Suzy Amis Cameron, started the competition and was the first one to wear the winning eco-friendly design at the Oscars.

The Dictator Meets the American Idol (Host)

Ryan Seacrest, another host of E!, was excited to interview Sacha Baron Cohen who at first was denied to arrive at the Oscars red carpet as his character in his next movie, “The Dictator.” But at the last minute, the Oscar producers allowed him.

So when Sacha walked the red carpet as General Aladeen, the despot he is portraying in his upcoming movie, “The Dictator,” he talked to Ryan while two lovely assistants in military outfits stood beside him, one on each side.

He exclaimed, "Ryan, hello! Death to the West!"

Then Ryan asked him what he was wearing and he said, “I am wearing John Galliano (the designer who was found guilty of racist comments to customers in a café) but my socks are from Kmart! Because as Saddam Hussein once told me, ‘Socks are socks. Don’t waste money!” Ryan even pulled up his pants to show Sacha’s Kmart socks.

Ryan then asked the dictator if one of the biggest perks of being so powerful was that he got to attend the Oscars.

Sacha replied, “It gave me an opportunity to bring my dear friend and doubles tennis partner, Kim Jong II (the late North Korean leader).” Sacha was carrying what looked like an urn with the picture of Kim Jong II on it. “It was his dream to come to the Oscars and be sprinkled over the red carpet and HalleBerry’s chest again.”

Then Sacha accidentally stumbled and poured the ashes from the urn all over Ryan’s Burberry tuxedo, causing a commotion among Ryan’s colleagues. Two burly guards suddenly get Sacha out of the area while Sacha pretended to clean up Ryan.

Sacha shouted, “If they ask you who you are wearing, just say Kim Jong II!”

Ryan, who was visibly stunned, said while cleaning up the ashes from his tux, “I had an idea something was coming. I just didn’t know in what fashion or form.

Then Kelly Osbourne said, “We do not know what to say!” Giuliana Rancic said to Ryan, “Do you know how lucky you are? You were the chosen one by The Dictator!”

“Is this a vision of luck?!” Ryan replied while dusting him off. “Now all these cameras are focused on me dusting off.”

Good thing Ryan said, he brought two tuxedos because “my mother always told me to pack two. I did not understand her before but now I know why. Thank God I listened to my mom.”

Best dressed actresses

Some of those who made our “best dressed” list were:

Jennifer Lopez in her Zuhair Murad gown

Angelina Jolie in her high front slit, black Atelier Versace gown

Gwyneth Paltrow in her classic white Tom Ford cape and gown

Stacy Keibler in her gold off-shoulder Marchesa gown

Cameron Diaz in her flowing off-shoulder beige Gucci gown

Michelle Williams was hot in a coral Louis Vuitton strapless gown with ruffled bodice

“The Artist” actress Berenice Bejo wore a very feminine lacey long-sleeved Elie Saab mint-colored gown

Jessica Chastain of “The Help” was stunning in her black and gold brocade Alexander McQueen gown and $2 million in Harry Winston jewelry. She also brought her grandmother to the Oscar while “Moneyball’s” Jonah Hill brought his mom.

Penelope Cruz looked younger in her shorter shoulder-length hair and in a smoke-blue Giorgio Armani fitted bodice and long flowing train

Viola Davis made a strong and sexy statement in her custom-made Vera Wang emerald green corseted gown with a floral crystal appliqué and a chiffon pleated skirt. She also wore her own hair minus wigs and so she thanked Vera Wang for her outfit and “my mom for my hair.” She said it was her husband Julius Tennon who encouraged her not to use a wig. “Step into who you are! It’s a powerful statement,” he said.

Backstage

Meryl Streep encouraged all girls to do what they want and not to be discouraged. She also became emotional again when she talked about the support her husband gives to her to do what she loves to do.

Octavia Spencer was still in tears when she walked backstage and hugging her Oscar statuette tightly. She still could not believe that she has won.

Christopher Plummer, 82, said that he was not the oldest winner but thinks that Charlie Chaplin was the oldest. - GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Oscar red carpet heats up as stars arrive

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood's biggest fashion parade, the red carpet outside the Oscars, began heating up on Sunday afternoon ahead of the world's top film awards where silent movie "The Artist" is widely seen as the choice for best movie.

Early arrivals included "Artist" actress Berenice Bejo, who is nominated in a supporting role, in a mint green dress, "The Help" star Jessica Chastain in a stunning black gown embroidered in gold and "Descendants" actress Shailene Woodley in white.

Fans who had waited all day lined the red carpet in stadium seats to cheer their favorite stars including George Clooney and his girlfriend, Stacy Keibler. Photographers snapped thousands of pictures and television cameras rolled.

Tim Gunn, co-host of popular fashion TV show "Project Runway," called the Oscars' red carpet, "the runway to end all runways."

But it is later in the evening that the action really begins when comedian Billy Crystal, who returns as Oscar host for the ninth time, takes the stage and the awards begin to flow.

This year, "The Artist," a tale of old Hollywood that sees a fading star find redemption through the love of a woman just as silent movies are being taken over by talkies, is widely picked to take home best film by most industry pundits.

It comes into the night with 10 nominations, second only to Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" with 11. But most of the nods for "Hugo" are in technical categories like cinematography, whereas "The Artist" nominations are spread across several categories.

"It's unbeatable," said Dave Karger, movie writer for Entertainment Weekly magazine.

While it faces keen competition from civil rights drama "The Help," "The Artist" has come out on top in most award shows this year. Still, pundits point out that "The Help" did win best ensemble cast from the Screen Actors Guild, and actors make up the biggest group of Oscar voters.

The third movie that has had Hollywood buzzing this season is family drama "The Descendants," starring George Clooney as a man trying to keep his family together after his cheating wife is hospitalized in a coma. But "Descendants" has failed to spark Oscar voters, and its key win is seen as adapted screenplay.

Actors and actresses

The category of best actress features a too-close-to-call race between Viola Davis playing a maid in "The Help" and Meryl Streep as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." Tom O'Neil of awards website Goldderby.com calls that race "neck and neck."

The best actor category sees American Clooney "Descendants" face Frenchman Jean Dujardin, star of "The Artist." For a long time, Clooney seemed to have the upper hand, but Dujardin has won most every time the two have been pitted against each other.

Supporting actor and actress appear locked for Christopher Plummer, playing an elderly gay man in "Beginners," and Octavia Spencer as one of the black maids in "The Help."

At age 82, Plummer would be the oldest Oscar winner ever, and if both Spencer and Davis are victorious, then it would be the first time two African American women have won those categories in the same year for the same movie.

The race for director is widely tipped to go to "The Artist" maker Michel Hazanavicius, but could see a surprise by "Hugo" and Scorsese, Woody Allen with "Midnight in Paris" or Alexander Payne and "The Descendants."

Finally, Iranian film "A Separation" goes up against Israel's "Footnote" in the category for foreign language film, bringing world politics into the movie industry awards. –Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Guide to the 84th Oscars

MANILA, Philippines - Because the 84th edition of the Oscars is set on Sunday night (Monday morning in Manila), film buffs all over the world are in a whirl of excitement and anticipation trying to determine which among the nominated actors and movies will walk away with arguably the most coveted prize in the world after the Nobel Prize.

Per tradition, this writer is giving The STAR readers a quick run-through of which performers and movies could win in the major categories come Sunday. But before that, here’s a quick trivia: Who is the only actress to have received at least one Oscar nomination for every decade since the ’70s? If you answered Meryl Streep, then mark one correct answer for you.

The chameleonic actress, who began her record-setting Oscar haul of 17 nominations during the latter part of the ‘70s in the Vietnam drama The Deer Hunter, ushers in the second decade of the new century with a new nomination for her magnificent portrayal of England’s Margaret Thatcher in the biopic The Iron Lady.

Ironically, Meryl has amassed so many Oscar nominations that many people think she already has a shelf-full of golden statuettes at home. The sad truth is that she has not won an Oscar since winning in 1982. Consider this: She has been nominated 12 times and also lost for 12 consecutive times since then.

On Sunday night, the greatest American actress in history is poised to finally end the drought and make her 13th nomination since winning for Sophie’s Choice her lucky outing. But many Oscar prognosticators aren’t so sure though. Meryl is facing stiff competition from Tony-winner Viola Davis, whose star-making turn in The Help has already earned her a Best Actress trophy from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the all-important precursor award seen by many Oscar-watchers as the only accurate predictor of the Academy Awards.

Admittedly, this writer is one of Meryl’s biggest fans and every time she gets a nomination I always predict a win for her. Two years ago, she had the best chance of winning but Sandra Bullock had the best year of her career and that goodwill carried over to the Oscars. Sadly, the story from two years ago rings similar to this year’s race: Viola is enjoying her best year and the Academy may be inclined to crown that year with a Best Actress award for her.

But being a fan, I can always spin a story favorable to Meryl’s cause. Yes, Meryl will win but not because she hasn’t won in 30 years. She will win because she delivered the best performance of the year and because her turn in The Iron Lady is her best ever! Her towering performance offers many would-be actresses a clinical lesson on how to act.

Other actresses competing with Meryl and Viola for Best Actress are Michelle Williams, who was brilliant as the tormented Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn, Glenn Close, who earned her sixth nomination for her gender-bending role in Albert Nobbs and first-time nominee Rooney Mara for her fierce and brave performance in David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Best Actress prediction? I am going against the SAG and I predict that Meryl will win her well-deserved third Oscar.

In the hotly contested race for Best Actor, George Clooney and Brad Pitt are undeniably the most popular contenders among the five actors in the race. The Hollywood superstars, who are great friends in real-life, are competing for their masterful turns as fathers-in-crises in The Descendants and Moneyball, respectively. However, the frontrunner in this category is an otherwise unknown French actor named Jean Dujardin whose charming turn as a fading silent film star in the silent movie The Artist has already been recognized by the SAG and the British Academy.

George is tipped by many to win his second Oscar but Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor will most likely spend the evening smiling before the camera while stuck to his seat if the predicted sweep of The Artist materializes and Jean waltzes his way to the stage to collect his Oscar on his very first nomination.

The two other actors nominated in the category are also first-timers: Mexico’s Demian Bichir, who delivered a heartbreaking performance as an illegal immigrant caring for his son in A Better Life, and, surprise, surprise, Gary Oldman! Yes, the actor, considered by many critics as the greatest European actor of his generation, has never received a nomination until this year. The actor was cited for his understated but powerful performance as a master spy in the British adaptation of John Le Carre’s classic novel Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

My prediction for Best Actor: Jean Dujardin.

While the Best Actor and Best Actress races are difficult to predict, the race for the supporting performances has been virtually decided months ago. Octogenarian actor Christopher Plummer is set to become the oldest performer ever to receive an acting Oscar for his delightful turn as a widower who came out as a gay man to his son during the last days of his life in the acclaimed movie Beginners.

Chris is competing against Max Von Sydow (Extremely Close/Incredibly Loud), Nick Nolte (Warrior), Jonah Hill (Moneyball) and Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn).

In the Best Supporting Actress race, character actress Octavia Spencer is also virtually guaranteed to receive an Oscar for her affecting and audience-pleasing performance as a feisty maid in The Help. Octavia is joined in this category by her The Help co-star Jessica Chastain.

Other actresses nominated in this category are former nominee Janet McTeer for Albert Nobbs, Berenice Bejo for The Artist and Melissa McCarthy, whose scene-stealing turn in Bridesmaids is the only comedic performance to receive a nomination this year.

The race for Best Director pits four of Hollywood’s legendary and greatest directors against a Frenchman, whose homage to silent movies could also sweep the Oscars.

French director Michel Hazanavicius, who was declared winner by the Directors Guild of America, is tipped to also win the Oscar for his work in The Artist against Martin Scorsese (Hugo), Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), Terence Malick (The Tree of Life) and Alexander Payne (The Descendants).

Alexander and Woody are most likely not going home empty-handed because the nominated directors are also nominated and are expected to win for their writing works on their respective movies.

For the nights’ biggest award, the Best Picture race, nine movies are in competition this year: The Artist, Hugo, War Horse, The Help, The Tree of Life, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, Extremely Close/Incredibly Loud and The Descendants.

My predicted winner for Best Picture is The Artist. But if there will be an upset, look out for either The Help or The Descendants to pull the trick. If Hugo pulls the unlikeliest of upsets and win Best Picture, I will be happiest.

In the animated feature film category, the western Rango is expected to win in a category where the only other mainstream nominees are Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots.

Only two movies are expected to duke it out in the other categories. The Artist and Hugo will most likely split the awards haul with the latter taking most of the technical awards.

The Iranian film A Separation will most likely score a historic win for its country in the Best Foreign Language Film category. However, Poland’s entry In Darkness, which is based on a harrowing true story about the Holocaust, is a dark horse contender that could very well be the surprise winner in the category — and I will be disappointed, if that happens.

Final count. Hugo: Six wins. The Artist: Five wins. The Iron Lady: Two wins.

Beloved comedian and veteran Oscar host Billy Crystal will again take over the emceeing job Sunday night.

Article Source: philstar.com