Last minute suspenseful ending of the writer’s strike paved way to this Sunday’s Oscars. Guaranteeing plethora of glitz, glamour and fabulousness, save for gloomy movies, potential downpour and a lack of garish parties threaten to lessen the excitement on Hollywood’s mother of all awards night.
Gil Cates, Academy awards producer has assured a time-honored award rites overflowing with stars like George Clooney and Cate Blanchett, and this week host Jon Stewart and his writers have been cooking up ‘one-liners’ to engross millions of global audiences who are likely to watch on television.
“Phew!“
the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Sid Ganis gushed when questioned how he felt now the show was going push through…
.”Very relieved, of course.”
Precipitation also menaces, but in Hollywood where high spirits and favorable endings is part of the norm, there is optimism the mood will cheer up.
“I’m confident the weather is going to be okay Sunday,” Cates said whilst drizzle fell on the plastic casing the red carpet.
Notwithstanding the last-minute provision, the script for the 80th Academy Awards had just been finished, he said, without exposing fine points of the ceremony’s telecast.
Gloomy and complicated movies take over the best picture category, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s larger-than-life There Will Be Blood and the Coen Brothers’ gruesome Western No Country For Old Men the top favorites for the grand honors.
Along with Legal thriller Michael Clayton, war drama Atonement and only comic candidate Juno finish off the nominees.
Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood) is huge contender for best actor for his character as a coldblooded oil man in early 20th century America.
People can also put their wager on George Clooney (Michael Clayton) and Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street).
The ‘golden gentleman’ could also go to British actress Julie Christie in Alzheimers drama Away From Her, while France’s Marion Cotillard, who plays disturbed soloist Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose, and Juno’s 21-year-old star Ellen Page, could pounce a shocker.
Talk about supporting class, the actress competition was too locked up to pick among nominees counting Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There), Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) and old hand Ruby Dee (American Gangster). Among supporting actors, Spain’s Javier Bardem is a runaway favorite in No Country for Old Men.
Of course, talented siblings Joel and Ethan Coen with No Country, were tough competitor in best director race..
Fashionistas are expected to grace the red carpet with their presence, actresses and starlets alike will parade in elegantly designed gowns of daring colors on the red carpet leading into Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre where the show is held.
Except for the fact that many post-Oscar bashes that run into the wee hours of the morning is cancelled this year.
Doubtful whether the Academy awards would be suspended due to the strike, Vanity Fair did not bother sending out the popular invites for its Oscar night shindig, at the same time as Elton John’s annual AIDS charity party has been condensed to a viewing party….
That puts huge responsibility into the academy, which hosts a Governors Ball annually after the Oscars are awarded.
“I would love for it to be an unforgettable night of abandon, especially with the Vanity Fair party not happening,” said ballroom DJ Jason Bentley.
