This Man's Life

The discussion over who should have won the best actor Oscar has led us to wonder: For what movie role could Leonardo DiCaprio snatch an Academy Award?

DiCaprio is beloved by a good number among my college friends. We have been watching him even before the ship sailed. My own favorites are Marvin's Room, This Boy's Life, and his unbelievably astonishing turn in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

Lamplighter's favorite DiCaprio is The Man in the Iron Mask, and so it is with darkspark. Withavengeance insists he should have been nominated for The Departed.

Darkspark strongly believes Leo will win it; it's just a matter of time.

I have no doubt that collecting nominations will be easy. Remember that he has three already, while it took Brad Pitt 13 years to get his second one.

He has worked with actors such as Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep, and directors such as Steven Spielberg, Baz Luhrmann, Lasse Hallstrom, and James Cameron. His working relationship with Martin Scorsese is the subject of envy, and he attracts talents such as Tom Hanks, Jennifer Connelly, and Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road).  He has done Shakespeare, dual roles, the gay, and the mentally handicapped.

I think he has his best shot if he plays a flashy part, preferably in a biopic. A grandstanding political firebrand. 

On the more commercial side of things, I'd like to see him in a spy movie, something like Mission: Impossible and The Bourne trilogy. I'd also like him to do a thriller in a limited setting, like the Jodie Foster vehicle Panic Room.

Can't wait to see what lies ahead.

Wrestling

"Acting is just as challenging as wrestling."     - Dwayne Johnson

But aren't they one and the same? So that wouldn't be right- it's logically incorrect to say.

Heavyweight

In Forbes.com's first survey of the most bankable stars, Will Smith came in first. He scored 10 out of 10 for more than 150 industry professionals.

Smith has established control of the Fourth of July weekend at the box office, including his most recent hit, Hancock. His latest movie had a lot of negative reviews, yet it reached $70 million in US theaters. That's star power for you, and little for the critics.

Tied in second place are: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

Others on the list are: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Jack Nicholson.

Have It Guarded

The Reader had a surprisingly strong showing in the announcement of Academy Award nominations, with bids for best picture, director, and adapted screenplay; they are the same makers of The Hours. Reportedly, the role of the concentration camp guard was first offered to Winslet, but she bowed out because of her commitment to Revolutionary Road. The role was then offered to Nicole Kidman, but she had to back out because she got pregnant while shooting Australia. The role went back to Winslet.

If Winslet wins the Oscar this year, she will be the second winner to be produced by Daldry, Hare, and company. Imagine what would have happened if Kidman got the role and won another Academy Award.

Nicole Kidman needs to have her career revived. Any suggestions? 

Curious Cases

Nominations for the 81st annual Academy Awards were announced Thursday.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button led the list with 13 nods, including best picture, director, adapted screenplay, and acting honors for Brad Pitt and Taraji P. Henson. It ties the 13  nominations of Gone with the Wind and From Here to Eternity. The record is held by Titanic  and All About Eve at 14 each.

The Dark Knight received eight nominations, including cinematography, editing and visual effects, but failed to get nods for best picture or director. Heath Ledger is in the supporting actor race, as anticipated. 

Slumdog Millionaire is second in the race with 10 nominations, with two of the three nods for best song.

Kate Winslet was tapped for lead actress in The Reader.

Her competition includes Meryl Streep, who earned her 15th nod. She ties Katharine Hepburn's record in most nominations for a lead actress (12). Doubt also saw supporting actor honors go to Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis and Amy Adams. 

The Reader had a surprisingly strong showing, eclipsing Revolutionary Road.

Revolutionary Road seemed headed for Oscar glory: It was adapted from an acclaimed source (Richard Yates's novel). It is the first movie together of Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio since 1997's Titanic. It was directed by Sam Mendes, who had nabbed the directing Oscar for 1999's  American Beauty. But it only got nods for supporting actor (Michael Shannon), and for art  direction and costume design. 

I'm psyched that I got the spots for Melissa Leo (Frozen River) and Richard Jenkins (The  Visitor).

Based on my Oscar predictions in eight key categories January 20, I got a batting average of 70.75%. I got 46 nominees right, out of 30 nominees (Kate Winslet!) and 35 films (The Reader, but not Revolutionary Road). 

Passover

In the announcement of Academy Award nominations Thursday, The Dark Knight received eight nominations, the third-highest total for this year, but it did not get one for best picture. It seemed like it had been gaining steam in the past few weeks, but it did not get a best director nod either.

Kate Winslet got only one nomination; it was in the best actress race, but it was for The Reader.  Now it should be clear that it really is a lead performance.

Michael Shannon is up for best supporting actor, but Michael Sheen got shafted again- this time for Frost/Nixon. Remember The Queen?

Also missing on the list: Leonardo DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road; Dev Patel in Slumdog Millionaire; Ralph Fiennes in The Duchess and The Reader; Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marsan in Happy-Go-Lucky; and Kristin Scott Thomas in I've Loved You So Long.

Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) seemed a shoo-in for best actor, but he was shut out, even in the directing race.

Bruce Springsteen did not get a nod for the title tune of The Wrestler. We can  be thankful though that Miley Cyrus did not get one for Bolt either. How does this one sound like: Academy Award nominee Miley Cyrus.

On the best picture front, no love for Wall-E, Doubt and Revolutionary Road.

Where is Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona in the screenplay race?

Is He Lucky, or What?

Hugh Jackman, 40, has been tapped Friday to host the 81st Academy Awards.

This development comes as awards shows have been trying on new clothes. A few months ago, the Emmys had five reality-show hosts as masters-of-ceremonies. On the other hand, the Grammys added a live concert special to the announcement of the nominations. 

Results have been mixed. The Emmys received a beating because of the hosts, and this year's edition was one of the least-watched Emmys. The Grammys nomination special was fourth among prime-time shows.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has previously chosen new producers, a new director, a new music director, a new designer and it is even having a new accountant.

This is going to be an all-new Oscars this February 22. It is exciting and scary to see how things will turn out. The past few years we have seen Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres and Jon Stewart strut their stuff, and it is a wonder what Jackman will bring to the table. 

He had already been host to a few Tony Awards ceremonies. He even won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 58th annual Tony Awards. On the same night Tony, he got the best-actor prize for his role in the musical "The Boy from Oz."

He has done Broadway with distinction, so it is likely he will be doing songs and dances. Could he do stand-up monolgue? Will he?

Jackman has played Wolverine, he has worked with people such as Nolan and Kidman, and he had been nominated for a Golden Globe. This year People magazine named him "Sexiest Man Alive."  Now he can add Oscar host to his resume.

Somebody please stop him.

Wanted: Victor/Victoria

It has been reported that Angelina Jolie will be paid $15 million, with backend, for an action movie. The lead part was supposed to go to Tom Cruise.

What does it say about the Hollywood state of affairs when a  role can be cast in either gender? You would think that a person's sex will determine a character's motivations and actions, but here it gets thrown out the window. 

What does it show a screenwriter when an entire script can be reconstituted to accommodate a big star? Economics sure makes it easier to rethink business demands, especially casting decisions.

What does it mean when a woman is cast to play what is essentially a man's role? Given the perennial complaints about the roles the women are getting, including being victims or sex objects, does this part make her a demon? a predator? 

More important, what does it tell us when a role meant for Tom Cruise can be given to a woman?

Walking After You

This girl, whom we shall call Actress A, had auditioned for the lead role in a musical. As you may know, the part went to Nicole Kidman.

Eventually she starred in a movie of her own- a comedy- and their movies brought them to a face-off in the Academy Awards. They both lost, and the award went to another hot young thing.

The next year Actress A starred in a musical of her own, which earned her another nod from the Academy. She would then lose the category to... Nicole Kidman.

She would earn her own trophy the following year, for a movie in which she played support to...

Guess who.