Sunday, February 24, 2008

Dark films and politics loom over Academy Awards

http://entertainews.blogspot.com


By Arthur Spiegelman
1 hour, 39 minutes ago


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -
The "green" limos are ready and
graceful gowns begged, borrowed and bought. Hollywood is ready
for a glittering Oscar Sunday, but the films that will be
honored are expected to be darkly pessimistic and the comedy
sharply political.

Having hired America's leading political satirist, Jon
Stewart
, as master of ceremonies during a presidential
campaign, Oscar organizers hope to spice up Hollywood's big
night with jokes that will be repeated around the water cooler
on Monday.

Oscar producer Gil Cates has promised an award ceremony
filled with big stars including George Clooney, Cate Blanchett,
Broadway songstress Kristin Chenoweth and teen idol Miley Cyrus
to cheer the crowd. Still, rainy weather may conspire against
the festivities and dampen the red carpet that had been
expected to explode with color.

Hollywood can't say this Oscar season has been an ebullient
one as a three-month screenwriters strike, which ended earlier
this month, caused awards shows to be canceled or drastically
curtailed.

"No Country for Old Men," directed by brothers Joel and
Ethan Coen
features an insane killer played by Javier Bardem as
its main character. It has eight nominations overall, and has
earned the favor of critics and Hollywood's talent guilds.

DAY-LEWIS VS. CLOONEY

Best actor frontrunner Daniel Day-Lewis commands the screen
in "There Will Be Blood" as a sadistic oil man at the turn of
the early 20th Century. It also has eight nominations.

Rival best actor nominee George Clooney wins respect as a
fixer of problems in a New York law firm.

"Atonement" tells of a passionate romance derailed by a lie
between sisters, and "Juno" charts the life of a pregnant
16-year-old, played by best actress nomineeEllen Page, who
plans for her baby's adoption.

Optimistic "Juno" has been the biggest box office hit among
the best picture nominees with more than $125 million in U.S.
and Canadian ticket sales. "No Country" has topped $60 million"
and "There will be Blood" more than $30 million. "Atonement"
and "Michael Clayton" took in about $46 million each.

Time magazine film critic Richard Schickel noted there is
an increasing disconnect between films that attract viewers and
award-nominated movies that stir critics and industry groups
like the academy.

Yet at Saturday's Spirit Awards, the independent film
world's equivalent of the Oscars, the honor of best film was
given to director Jason Reitman's "Juno," which ultimately has
a message of hope for the future.

Joining "Juno" star Page in the Oscar race for best actress
are favorite Julie Christie for Alzheimer's drama "Away From
Her" and French actress Marion Cotillard playing troubled
singer Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose."

Among supporting actress nominees are Cate Blanchett for
"I'm Not There," Tilda Swinton in "Michael Clayton" and veteran
Ruby Dee for "American Gangster."

The best actor race looks to be a toss-up between Day-Lewis
and Clooney.

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Todd Eastham)

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