The 81st Annual Oscar Awards Are Tonight – Play the Pool – Live Blog

I just want Kate Winslet and Viola Davis to win (and Slumdog Milionaire).

I did the “pool thang” but not having seen the majority of the nominees I’m sort of just playing to the conventional wisdom (what critics say). Doubt was the only one I’ve seen. Amy Adams is so cute!

Heath Ledger- Suporting actor”Dark Knight”

He was a young ,talented and died way before his time .I respected the guy because he veered off the teen idol pathwhen picking some roles.Health is a heavy favorite but IMo deserves it and also should have won one for “BrokeBack Mountain”..

I think I’ll be good for the Big 8, but the tech awards are going to kill me. It’s pretty much a split between Slumdog and TCCOBB but I don’t want to paint myself into a corner, haha. And I keep going back and forth on Waltz With Bashir and The Class!

I haven’t seen very many of these at all, but what the heck! Gives me a reason to actually watch the awards.

Yeah, although I’ll likely be watching other things tonight. I have no interest in these.

I have only seen three of the films that have been nominated (or have peeps nominated). Slumdog Millionaire, Frost/Nixon and The Dark Knight. I made my guesses, anyway.

holeighannie, for what it’s worth (little, considering the above), I went with The Class.

I’ll be in chat unless I decide to go with some friends to an Oscar party. I’m waffling on that since it’s a school night.

Haha, I will take that into consideration, pj. It seems The Class has been experiencing a big push over the last couple weeks or so…I’ll make an 11th hour decision later!

Slumdog is a great movie. I’m dying to see Milk. Hey MJ so you cover the Oscars too. A woman of many interests.

Slumdog Millionaire is such a powerful and memorable film, but the violence may be disturbing to some people. It will win many awards tonight!

Awesome! I made my picks!!

Made my picks. It was a great movie season imho.

This is the first time I’ve done a pool here so was fun to do although have no clue about most of the categories. Makes me wish I had gotten in the AI one.

Bean99, it’s not too late to get into the AI one, but you will be about 20 points behind. It could be made up over time.

holeighannie , the tech/art awards are going to kill my score too! I think The Dutchess will win the costume award. Yahoo! put up a guide to Oscar picks and for costumes, they said that anything with the most hoop skirts wins! haha so The Dutchess it is for me!

I picked Waltz With Bashir, it won the Globe, which often foreshadows Oscar winners, not always, but most of the time. Plus it’s current, given all that’s going on over seas.

If Heath Ledger doesn’t win, I’m going to riot. His performance was absolutely haunting.

He WILL win! My picks are the same as yours.

OK, made my picks. Even though I’ve seen a bunch of the movies, when it comes to “best animated short”, etc., who the hell knows.

I’m pulling for Slumdog FTW! Is is gross stereotyping to think this movie winning best picture could help Anoop pick up fans (assuming he gets a wildcard spot)? Just thinking out loud.

Looking forward to the show and eye candy Hugh Jackman. Yes!

Oh. Thanks, Pj. It might be fun and I wouldn’t expect to win anyway.

I’m rooting for Slumdog, Frost/Nixon, Wall-E and Waltz With Bashir to take something home.

I think The Dark Night is extremely overrated, but Heath Ledger really is fantastic in that role.
Also hope this time Kate can take the Oscar!

Is Carrie performing?

Slumdog Millionaire and Heath Ledger will win, I have no doubt about it. Well, almost. Haha. I don’t know what to pick for the other categories, like the documentary stuff coz I haven’t seen any of those… I’ll probably lose points for that. And I hope Kate Winslet wins already!

The violence in Slumdog didn’t bother me – I turned away a couple of times – I avoid violence and don’t see a lot of movies because they are too violent, but I can say that Slumdog is not, imo, overly violent, and in the end it’s very life-affirming.

After that moment in the red carpet with all the cast of Slumdog Millonaire I want them to win so bad and I haven ´t even see the movie… so cute…

Yay I won those points with Penelope and Milk screenplay! =)

For some reason my pick for Best Animated Film did not go in and now I can’t update it. Sadness =( I was pretty sure about my pick there.

Carrie isn’t actually at the Oscars, she’s at Elton John’s party looking stunning

Aww. I lurved the cheesiness of the opening number. Point poses and everything. It was velveeta good. I saw Hugh Jackman in “The Boy from Oz” and the boy can sing and dance. He won a Tony for that. He’s better than last year’s host.

Kodak theatre looks small.

ETA: What is Jessica Biel wearing? She looks like a ribbon.

I have a crush on Dustin Lance Black now. Lovely speech. And the cinematographer of Slumdog was quite charming.

Carrie looks stunning. She really is a gorgeous woman.

Yeah, Slumdog FTW!

What is Jessica Biel wearing? She looks like a ribbon.

ROFL. She really does though

And did anyone see Lisa Rinna and her lips? WOW.

Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix was hysterical!!

I also loved that Pineapple express bit.

Everything is soo flashy this year and the oscars. Its like they went all out or something.

Aw, Heath! And his family! Everyone in the audience was crying. :glurps_tb:

I liked the bits with Ben Stiller and James Franco and Seth Rogan. I thought that both of those bits were funny.

I love the tribute to the Musicial. Just awesome!

The “Dark Knight” just messed up my score. Up to this point, I was doing pretty well.

I think that the only wins that Benjamin Button will get tonight are in some of the techincal categories. I don’t think that the movie will win any acting awards, or Best Director, or Best Picture.

Lame opening number? I say Instant Classic!!

The faux homespun geekiness of it…the Craiglist dancers…the duct tape…the lawn chairs…I…I..I….’ve never seen anything so fantastic!!

(Sorry, can’t help it…loves me some Hugh)

Now the number with Beyonce got the mute button. Bootyliciousness ruins any possible enjoyment of HJ.

Resul Pookutty FTW! What a sweet acceptance speech for Sound Mixing. Damn dust. Hee.

ETA: Alicia Keyes’s dress is stunning. What a gorgeous color on her.

We are really moving along here! I lost on the best song but will admit it was outstanding at the end of the film.

My thoughts have been on Anoop tonight as I watch these awards.

I am glad that Slumdog Millionaire won for Best Song. I think that the movie is going to win Best Director and Best Picture. I hope that it does. I hope that Mickey Rourke wins for Best Actor, but I think that it’s a strong possibility that Sean Penn might win that award.

Also tonight’s Oscar telecast doesn’t seem nearly as long winded as some of the past Oscar telecasts have been.

I am glad that Danny Boyle won.

I wish that they would show clips of the actor and actresses performances like they have in the past. Even though I do like past Oscar winners honoring the nominees.

I think that Halle Berry looks great tonight.

I am also glad that Kate Winslet won.

GO KATE!

Wow, Slumdog Millionaire must be an amazing movie. I have to see it!

Did Kate Winslet just tell Meryl Streep to “suck it up” ??

LOL!!

Awesome. Finally, Kate won. And Ricky Gervais was right.

Yay Kate!!! Loved her dad whistling. LOL

I am happy that Slumdog Millionaire won for Best Picture.

Yeah for Heath Ledger – the man deserved it. Ick on Sean Penn – that guy gives me the creeps. He and Paul Schaffer – equally. Ick, ick, ick.

Slumdog was an amazing movie. The opening shot with the children running through the slums of India is incredible. You get a real feel of how expansive they really are.

Wish I had won, but I’m doomed never to win a pool! I guess top 20 isn’t bad.

Sad about Mickey Rourke, but thrilled for Slumdog and Kate W.

The opening shot with the children running through the slums of India is incredible.

It really is amazing. The editing in that scene is phenomenal, with the music playing.
It’s not a surprise Slumdog won, but it’s well deserved.

I loved Kate Winslet’s call out to her Dad. Made me weepy. Glad she won, she’s incredible. I love Seam Pean and his speech. Classy. Happy for Slumdog Millionaire and all of it’s wins. Great night for movies, and movie lovers! The best change and they should do it every year is to have several past winners salute the nominees. It was a great touch. Sort of welcoming them into the club, as least the winner, but giving kudos to all the nominees. I didn’t watch the entire show, but I did tune in for the last hour and a half. Will catch the cheesetastic opening number later.

The best change and they should do it every year is to have several past winners salute the nominees.

Aww, I hated that part. Some of them were obviously reading from a teleprompter, which made the whole thing seem insincere. I’d prefer clips!

Loved that Slumdog sweep!!!

MJ, Ben Stiller was doing a take off on Joaquin Phoenix, Joaquin appeared on David Letterman looking exactly like that and acting just like that. So I guess it was a little Hollywood joke!

I think the only loser was Hugh Jackman for being roped into hosting the Oscars. BUt if he takes off his shirt, I won’t think he’s a loser anymore. :wub_tb:

flynnsgirl, I think Joaquin Phoenix is punking us all with that. Well, I hope so.

MJ, Ben Stiller was doing a take off on Joaquin Phoenix, Joaquin appeared on David Letterman looking exactly like that and acting just like that. So I guess it was a little Hollywood joke!

Oh right! I heard about that, but never got around to seeing the clip…

Just WOW!!!

Slumdog won 8 out of 10 nominations (including both original songs) so it makes it 8/9 (lost sound editing). I’m so happy, this movie deserves all the recognition, by far the best movie of 2008.

I live in Mexico and this movie premiered in theatres last Friday, so I saw it just before the Oscars.

The music is excellent I’m so buying the soundtrack.

MJ, Ben Stiller was doing a take off on Joaquin Phoenix, Joaquin appeared on David Letterman looking exactly like that and acting just like that. So I guess it was a little Hollywood joke!

I haven’t watched David Letterman for ages (I lurve DL). I happened to watch the night Joaquin was on and it was weird and hilarious at the same time because imo, DL is a master with interviews! JP says he’s done with acting and is going to do music.

flynnsgirl, I think Joaquin Phoenix is punking us all with that. Well, I hope so.

So after tonight, I thought it would be really interesting in Ben Stiller was some how involved with this…

I thought the opening number by HJ was great! I loved the opening number and thought Anne Hathaway was great!

So happy for Slumdog, I really NEED to see this movie, I’ve heard nothing but great things!:)

Okay, I have to say this: While I know there are not a lot of Jonas Brother fans on here (and I’m really not one, but have a ten yr. old daughter), I watched the Pre-Oscar Barbara Walters special and she had the JB’s on.
IMO, Nick (16 yrs. old) showed more maturity than Danny Gokey in the fact that he said, in order to be an inspiration, you have to first have a handle on something you’re dealing with (diabetes in his case) before you can inspire someone else. THEN after saying that, he said his fans were more of an inspiration to him than he was to them. Sigh. Sorry to bring AI8 conversation into this thread, but that was immediately what I compared it to.

cookcricket, I thought Hugh was great in that opening number, also! I thought it was one of the best opening numbers I’ve ever seen for the Oscars. I especially loved how he worked in “Wolverine” at the end of his performance. I’ve liked Hugh before, but, he really impressed me with his singing voice and comedic timing during that number. I wish I had recorded it; Dang It!

—————————————–
Peace Out & Poke Smot

Yay Kate and Slumdog Millionaire!

Go Wolverine! LOL!

I think TDK is a little overrated…it was good but not great, I personally liked Iron Man better but Heath was really really good in it so this is definitely well-deserved.
Also, I think he deserved to be Best Actor for BBM. He was WAY better there than Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote.

As an aside to HardKandy’s post above mine: The actor on stage announcing the best supporting actor nominations said “Seymour Philip Hoffman.” Oops.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is a truly spectacular movie. Such a beautiful, moving, tragic, uplifting story. You cannot take your eyes off the screen. You are IN the heart of the characters. Stunning in every sense. And do not leave when the credits come on. Think Bollywood dancing. You will love it. LOVE it.

MILK is a fantastic movie, even moreso because of its truth. Even if you didn’t live through those times. Sean Penn was not acting. He became Harvey Milk in every sense. You felt as if you were watching real life– not a movie.
AND… I adored what Sean Penn said in his acceptance speech. That people would be outside spewing hate speech vs. gays in 2009? I should be shocked. But I’m not. But still. Who controls the rights of people to live and let live? Should I stand outside their religious functions and scream epithets that they do not deserve to practice heterosexuality? It sounds absurd- because it it is. Sean Penn told a reporter after the Oscars that those protestors’ signs should not be addressed there in the press room. He felt dismissing them made more sense. They have their free speech, to be sure, but that doesn’t entitle their free speech to be legitamized as rational speech.

HUGH JACKMAN is a triple threat and could host a PTA meeting with as much grace and wit as he did the Academy Awards. Loved his homage to this year’s movies– done with simple brilliance.

Bring on the arts– the universal language, as Penelope Cruz said. How right she is.

Is is gross stereotyping to think this movie winning best picture could help Anoop pick up fans (assuming he gets a wildcard spot)?

It doesn’t hurt to hope. I personally think it will.

I’m really happy about most of the winners, though I was rooting for Brad Pitt and Anne Hathaway tonight. I almost cried when Heath’s family accepted the award. I still have a hard time believing he’s dead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXpYk7WGN5Y

JOAQUIN PHOENIX on Late Night with David Letterman

Must See TV

This was one of the best Oscar shows in years!

I am very happy that Heath Ledger won, very deserving! And whoever said he should have gotten it for BBM, too…WORD. He was incredible in that. Very happy Kate Winslet won, too!

The Joaquin Phoenix spoof was the funniest thing Ben Stiller has done in quite awhile!

What sadistic director panned the cameras to Angeliina mildly pretending to laugh when Jennifer Aniston was presenting her schtick with Jack Black?! Jennifer is going to go crazy when she watches the feed at home. Of all the cuts, that one had to be the deepest. And silliest. Stop the manufactured cat fights.
:flush_tb:

HIGH FIVE OSCARS for being 100000x more entertaining this year. I actually watched the WHOLE show, haha!
The set (crystal curtains!!!) and graphics (esp. loved how they presented the screenplay part) were absolutely beautiful and the format was improved tremendously IMO. <3′d how they honored the acting nominees with previous winners, <3′d Seth Rogan & James Franco comedy part, <3′d Hugh Jackman in all his cheesy musical hilarity, <3′s the shorter and mostly pretty good acceptance speeches (Go Sean Penn and Dustin Black for their shout-out to gay rights), <3′d most of the presenters – I LOL’d quite a bit, <3′d the winners (esp. Heath Ledger’s win, very very happy about that), even <3′d most of the dresses this year.

(Paging AI producers…THIS is how you change up and improve a show!)

Dangit, I was doing really well in the pool but then I messed up on song and I picked Mickey for best actor and it just started going downhill from there.

I did surprisingly well on all those itty bitty awards I thought I’d bomb!

I’m really happy for Kate Winslet. I’ve always found her to be a brilliant actress and this Oscar I feel has been a long time coming.

I love Sean Penn the actor, but man I hate it when actors get up there and start spouting their points of view at an Awards ceremony. I do not care for Sean Penn the activist.

I haven’t actually seen a single movie that was nominated for Best Picture, although I really want to see Slumdog Millionare. I rarely do see more than one picture that’s nominated. I think this years movie choices over all were very good though! I’d like to see them all at some point.

Great Oscar night all around! I gained new respect for Hugh Jackman, and thought the opening number was absolutely hilarious and well done. Happy about all the winners, and can’t wait to pick up the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack (and see the movie, of course). Sean Penn gave a gracious and funny acceptance speech. Come to think of it, there are lots of films I need to get myself to!

I’ve probably watched 50 of the 81 Academy Awards Shows, I’m aging myself, and I thought that this one rated as one of the better ones. Hugh Jackman was ever so good. He is multi-talented, quick witted, handsome, debonair, a class act! I thought the set decoration (stage) was particularly awesome and getting the orchestra out of the pit and onto the stage was brilliant. It brought the nominees right up front and made it so easy for winners to get to the stage. And the opening song and dance bit was beyond awesome. I thought it matched Billy Crystals opening from several years ago and that was the best ever.

Acceptance speeches ALL seemed very heartfelt and sincere. And it was so good to have all of the nominees in attendance (I think Heath was even there enjoying himself). Even though the actors who introduced the nominees in the acting categories read from scripts I thought it was a beautiful way to express how much actors respect their own craft and respect their compatriots.

It was good to see everyone so dressed up and respectful, I didn’t get the feeling that people were forced to be there (presenters), and I especially loved the joy that the people connected with “SlumDog” brought to the show.

Amen to Hugh Jackman’s opening number being as good as Billy Crystal’s a few years ago–and Jackman is so dang handsome! Loved the part with Anne Hathaway, thought they looked and sounded gorgeous together. Having seen the Joaquin Phoenix from DL clip, thought Ben Stiller was a hoot, but I sincerely hope Phoenix IS punking the world, and not having some kind of breakdown. Really liked having 5 stars of the past give out the acting awards, even if it made the ceremony go a little long. Those words of praise seemed appreciated by the nominees.
If y’all liked Jackman in the Oscars, buy or rent the version of “Oklahoma!” he did a few years ago.

I liked Hugh as host but did f/f though much of the show. I was happy for Kate Winslett (loved her dad whistling) and Penelope Cruz and Slumdog Millionaire. There were a couple of good bits throughout and a few dresses I liked although no wows for me. Overall a pretty decent show but not one I’ll remember.

Just a thought:
I never understand why actors/artists/musicians get a thumbs down for saying something they believe in–public forum or not. Sean Penn’s comment was particularly relevant since it reflected the premise of his Oscar-winning role: a person fighting for equal rights. A Person That Happens to be Gay.

Why do radio/tv news commentators/pundits have any more right to proffer opinions? What makes their views any more legitimate? Artists do not need to leave their voices at the stage door. If their comments are based on reality and facts and offered with clairty of mind and thought, all the better. But their status as “actor” per se should not preclude one from a political, cultural or policy pronouncement.

I can love someone’s acting or singing with not necessarily agreeing with every word out of his or her mouth. But I’d rather know than NOT know. It’s all a part of the package.

“Package.” Oh I sound so Paula Abdul-ish! (clap clap clap with my palms spread wide apart)

^^^Totally agree, BlankSlate!

And, an observation: peeps (in general, not specifically here) tend not to get in so much of an uproar when celebs advance beliefs or take on universal causes such as cancer, world peace, or child hunger. So, at least to me, it appears at times to be what is being said, not who is saying it that gets under the skin. Sometimes not, but sometimes. The last presidential campaign comes to mind…

MILK is a fantastic movie, even moreso because of its truth. Even if you didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t live through those times. Sean Penn was not acting. He became Harvey Milk in every sense. You felt as if you were watching real lifeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ not a movie.
ANDà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I adored what Sean Penn said in his acceptance speech. That people would be outside spewing hate speech vs. gays in 2009? I should be shocked. But Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m not. But still. Who controls the rights of people to live and let live? Should I stand outside their religious functions and scream epithets that they do not deserve to practice heterosexuality? It sounds absurd- because it it is. Sean Penn told a reporter after the Oscars that those protestorsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ signs should not be addressed there in the press room. He felt dismissing them made more sense. They have their free speech, to be sure, but that doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t entitle their free speech to be legitamized as rational speech.

Completely agree. Well said.

I love Sean Penn the actor, but man I hate it when actors get up there and start spouting their points of view at an Awards ceremony. I do not care for Sean Penn the activist.

There was a really good reason for him mentioning this in his speech, the protestors standing right outside the building.

Oh noes, Phoebe Cates, stay away from the Gokey!

ETA: Regarding political speeches…I could take them or leave them but I think that this was totally appropriate. Harvey was a man who spoke out and defended for the gay community, I just find it fitting that the man who played him speak about the injustice of Proposition 8. I find it even more awesome that a gay man whose life was saved by Harvey Milk goes on to win by writing about him. I love how Dustin Lance Black tries to honor him by in his own way, “saving” someone else by telling gay kids all over the world that you’re not alone, you’re loved and everything will turn out right.

I know that the words inspiration and hope have been bandied about for the past week here but honestly, that was inspiring.

Hypertwink: what do you mean–Phoebe Cates and Gokey? What news did I miss today? Isn’t she happily married to the luscious Kevin Kline or am I not getting an inside joke?!

Thanks for the nice compliment WEAREALLINNOCENT and FLYNNSGIRL.
I love MJs blog. People actually read and comment and agree or disagree here without blood shedding. {}