make that 4 things....

4. This quote from a critic:

"Take heart in the probability that neither Fassbender nor Swinton are the type of talents to place any more stock in these contests than we critics do. Indeed, I'm sure Swinton is too busy orchestrating morris-dancing flashmobs and rock-painting in the Hebrides, or whatever it is she does in her spare time, to have heard today's news. If nothing else, I'm sure they're both pretty pleased for Gary Oldman. Who isn't?"

3 things

1. Gary Oldman!!!
2. Terrence Malick!
3. Poor Albert Brooks :-(

Best Trivia Night Ever

I played bar trivia last night with some guys from work at the Flying Saucer. There is a bonus round question (which is like Final Jeopardy - you wager a certain amount of points (we wagered the max)). The bonus round question for which we wagered all our points was:

Name 7 of the Academy Award Best Actor winners from the 1990s (film released in the 90s, not the award date).

I started shaking uncontrollably.

The list:

1990: Jeremy Irons
1991: Anthony Hopkins
1992: Al Pacino
1993: Tom Hanks
1994: Tom Hanks
1995: Nicolas Cage
1996: Geoffrey Rush
1997: Jack Nicholson
1998: Roberto Benigni (sp?)
1999: Kevin Spacey

We lost anyway, but still.

A Few Early Oscar Thoughts...

- Even with the expanded set, Shutter Island fails to receive a Best Picture/Best Actor/ or Best Director nod*
- Not so sure about Bright Star and Abbie Cornish's chances either...the buzz is deafening, but I'm bored.
- The Best Actress race is over: Carey Mulligan (An Education)
- I'd like to say the same holds true for Morgan Freeman (Invictus), but I'm wondering what those nasty rumors will do for his campaign?
- Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) seems like a no-brainer for the Supporting Actor short list
-No go for Michelle Pfeiffer (Cheri). At the risk of upsetting the List Anything Gods, I ask: when did the mere announcement of a Pfeiffer choice equate to immediate Oscar Speculation?
- As expected, Johnny Depp (Public Enemies) sneaks into the Best Actor list...with little, to no fanfare.
- (500) Days of Summer gets some Original Screenplay kudos
- A heated sci-fi, District 9 vs. Avatar debate resonates, with the former pushing for a Best Picture spot

* So, in a stunning development, I just read the film is getting pushed to 2010. I'll boldly predict (based on the gloriously underwhelming trailer) that it gets shut out then too.