Sunday, February 22, 2009

I'd Like To Thank The Academy....

When I was a little girl, all I wanted to be was an actress. But, I guess they're not called actresses anymore ... they're all called actors, the male gender, because the word "actress" is sexist. So a feminine actor would be -- what -- Jude Law?

Oh, I don't know...

Anyway, I wanted to act. I used to dress up in various costumes and present plays in our garage. I was the playwright, stage manager, front of house ticket-taker and main actress actor. Later on I joined the drama club in high school, but I was always given the part of the "woman of a certain age" while my friends Kathy or Heidi were given the parts of the femme fatale.

Tonight are the 81st annual Academy Awards. Even the name has a magical ring to it, doesn't it? Academy Awards; Oscars. My favorite thing to do is to pick who will win, and who should win. Last year my picks were all 100% correct, much to my amazement. Can anyone remember who they were? The best actress award went to Marion Cotillard for her amazing portrayal of Édith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose". As soon as I saw the movie, I knew she had won. This year I watched an absolutely wonderful movie called "The Visitor" starring Richard Jenkins, and he has been nominated for best actor for his role in the movie. He won't win, of course; the Oscar will go to either Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler" or Sean Penn for "Milk".

This year I have not seen all the films nominated, so I can only speculate as to whom the winners might be, so here are my guesses for the top six awards.

Best actress: Kate Winslet
Best actor: Mickey Rourke
Best supporting actress: Viola Davis
Best supporting actor: Heath Ledger
Best movie: "Slumdog Millionaire"
Best animated movie: "Wall-E"

"Wall-E" just happens to be my favorite movie this year, and one of my all-time favorite movies. Here is a clip from it. Ta-da!



The envelope, please...

21 comments:

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Since I don't go to movies, I can't even speculate winners.... I am currently keeping my 4 year old grandsons puppy and his name is Wall-E and I did watch that with said grandson and agree with you. My little dachshunds are named Oscar and Emmy; they had a baby named Toni and I guess we would name another dog Academy..... Too cute?

Anna Kauz said...

That is too funny (and cute), I have a dog name Wall-E too, though we spell it Wally. Its just the name he came with when we got him at the shelter (Way before the movie ever came out). Yes, I don't go to movies either, its kind of hard with a little baby at home! Someday we will again though, and I can speculate the winners!

Judi said...

I haven't followed the Oscars as closely this year since I haven't had an opportunity to see all the nominated films. Yet, I did see The Visitor and remember wondering why these performances are sometimes overlooked. That said, I am thrilled about Richard Jenkins! If I was going to pick based only on my personal favorites and the clips I've seen, I'd vote Kate Winslet and Robert Downey, Jr. They are, IMHO, actors.They are actors in the same category as Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
P.S. Your art is reflected writing.

Judi said...

Sorry... That should read "Your art is reflected in your writing:-)

Scoobyloves2004 said...

Wall-E is my boys' favorite movie this year as well. They run around the house saying Waaalllleeee and Eeeeeva. We of course own the movie and watch it at least once a week. However, We never go to the movies, so I have no idea what any of those other nominations are for.

Stephen Leach said...

Yeah...... I'm into drama, all that. I want to go to stage school eventually Loved Slumdog Millionaire, although I wasn't crazy about Wall-E. It's just not my thing.
www.greenpanda666.blogspot.com

Stephen Leach said...

Yeah...... I'm into drama, all that. I want to go to stage school eventually Loved Slumdog Millionaire, although I wasn't crazy about Wall-E. It's just not my thing.
www.greenpanda666.blogspot.com

Stephen Leach said...

Sorry, I posted twice. Don't know how I did that. ?!

jackc50 said...

you know, wine, cheese, selected memories all get better with age. i'm looking at your photo and all i see is ''femme fatale''...oooh lala....bye for now and good luck on your picks, jc

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I saw Wall-W with my son and loved it. It wasn't just a straight forward animated story. There was a lesson behind it which a lot of people sould learn.

Carl said...

Hi Jo-

Our lists are pretty close.. I think Sean Penn should win best actor though. It seams like every role he plays is Oscar worthy. It is funny how different and succesful (in different ways) his Taps co stars Timothy Hutton and Tom Cruise are. Who knew back in 1982 (ot there abouts) Right?

Patsy said...

Jo, I think that you could indeed be in the acting profession. I can't say exactly why, but I have a sense of it. The way you are able to get into the skin of others, like those Invisible People. The way you are able to see not just the pretty but also the underside of things. Your open mind. Close minded people cannot act; they curb the interpretations of those with whom they disagree. (With the exception of “O,” I mean.

You have enough whimsy and confidence to do it. You would make a fine actress.

As for the Academy Awards, I have not seen all of the films, but I know that Mickey Rourke always brings an edge to his parts,

Ah, but Heath Ledger, not only was he brilliant in whatever the name of that movie was, but he has died, making him quite eligible for a sympathy vote.

But as far as track records, it is Mickey Rourke.

Kate Winslett? There is not enough of her to stand out for me. My favorite of everyone is Cate Blanchett, but of course she has no movie in contention.

I watched about half an hour of Wall-E on Pay Per View on DirecTV and turned it off after finding no interest in it. Where have I gone wrong? Everyone loves Wall-E. I am the Samurai Dame who said Pah! Pah! Pah!

Elvis was not a good actor.

Lorna

John said...

I didn't know they dropped the use of the word actress. Joan Crawford would roll over in her grave, if she knew that!

Your picks are right on the money.

Karen Cantwell said...

I would choose the exact same picks, BUT upsets COULD be: Meryl Streep for Best Actress and Sean Penn for Best Actor.
I was a drama major in college and also wanted to be an actress, but sadly, I lacked one thing: talent! But what I loved -- every year we'd have Oscar parties. How I miss them!

Unknown said...

I agree, The Visitor was absolutely terrific. An unbelievable movie that has not received nearly enough credit. I am still crossing my fingers that he gets the award!

Donnetta said...

Liz and I were supposed to be famous actresses. (I think we'd still rather be actresses than actors.) We KNOW we could have done comedy together. We had several good skits that we performed for family and friends back in the day. You should have seen our Sonny and Cher imitation. We would have accepted our Oscars so graciously. We would have batted our eyes with that half open royal glance and blown kisses to our adoring fans. Out of our way, Angelina. Anybody want an autograph? D

Bagman and Butler said...

My wife and I watched the Academy Awards last night for an hour before falling asleep...we are usually in bed by nine...I'm not sure why we watched them since we hardly ever go to the movies. Later we rent videos and watch them from home...and fall asleep.

Karen said...

I was so glad to see that others liked "The Visitor" as much as I did. I tried staying up to watch the entire presentation of the awards, but, as usual, fell asleep. Good to see this morning that Sean Penn won for best actor. Your predictions were incredibly accurate!

Anonymous said...

When getting ready to publish the Denver Cereal and the Fey, I sat in front of the Author Acknowledges page for...ever.

Finally, I decided that this whole need to publically thank people is ridiculous. Someone is always left out - and gets their feelings hurt.

So, when I win an Oscar ;), I will thank the academy and sit down.

I think....

Mona said...

acting is a very interesting profession...it allows the actor/actress (i like those 2 terms) to explore that part of themselves and get paid for it (;

i don't watch the award shows, i find them narcissistic...

Susan English Mason said...

I loved Wall-e.