The Red Carpet

Two posts in one week from Len... a new record.

So it's one of the most exciting weekends of the year here in the Mellen Patch... Oscar weekend. Melanie takes her Oscars VERY seriously. The annual Oscar Party prep is in full swing. I'm trying to stay out of the way... As I recall, Mel and I had our first big fight ever during the prep for our first Oscar party together, in Toronto, 3 years ago. I don't remember all the details but it had something to do with how I was cutting the strawberries for the special Oscar Party Punch. To this day, I will not bring a sharp implement near a highly coveted berry...And during the Oscar prep, I've learned to stay clear, don't speak unless spoken to, get continuous feedback on any assigned task, and, for God's sake, do not mention that the whole Academy Awards hoopla is silly and boring. So in the spirit of the Academy Awards 1) I've posted a new movie-themed mix for your listening pleasure, and 2) I'm going to play critic/prognosticator with respect to the major categories to be handed out Sunday night:

Best Picture:
Will win - Little Miss Sunshine
Should Win - Little Miss Sunshine
A movie that hit all the right notes, perfectly paced with a payoff that worked incredibly well. Not my favorite movie of the year (Borat was, with Children of Men and Half Nelson close behind), but my favorite of the nominations in this category

Actor
Will Win - Forrest Whitaker
Should Win - Ryan Gosling
The winners in this category are usually over-the-top, in your face performances. Gosling's was the polar opposite of over-the-top: understated, thoughtful, quiet, desperate.

Actress
Will Win - Helen Mirren
Should Win- Kate Winslet
This is the strongest category of all in my opinion. Other than Judy Dench (whose performance was at least half voice over), all of these women are deserving. I'm drawn to the understated, subtle performance of Winslet just a little more than to the subtle, understated performance of Mirren but it is really a toss up.

Directing
Will Win - Scorcese
Should Win - Stephen Frears
I did everything I could to avoid seeing The Queen. On paper, it sounded like a yawn fest. To be as riveting as it was, Frears had to be pitch perfect and could not leave a micro gram of fat on the film. Granted, he had Helen Mirren, but he didn't have Nicholson (boring and over-the-top, playing the same character movie after movie), Leo, and Wahlberg to chew up the scenery. A masterfully executed piece of directing.

And before I go, I have to say that this post would not have been possible without the contribution of so many important people... So I'd like to thank my publicist; my personal dog-walker/life coach; my favorite barista at Starbucks; Donald Rumsfeld; Anna Nicole's baby; and of course, my rock, the source of all my inspiration, the love of my life, Little Miss Sunshine herself... Oh shit, I'm being called from the other room... Yes, sweetie... Uhhhh... No, sweetie... I didn't touch the strawberries... gotta go