Total Oscar Recall

The fashions, the speeches, the gossip…it’s all over. Another Academy Awards have come and gone. But of course, I couldn’t go without our thoughts on the show last night. I hope you’ll indulge me as I recollect what we saw. In bullet points for brevity.

• I don’t care how handsome or talented he is, please never invite Hugh Jackman back to host. The show works so much better with a comedian at the helm. Most notably if it’s Steve Martin or Jon Stewart.
• Speaking of Steve Martin, he and Tina Fey are utter comic brilliance.
• Initially the panel of past winners giving out awards was annoying but as their direct talk to the nominees offered some fairly genuine moments and interesting exchanges i.e. Whoopi to Amy Adams (cute), Christopher Walken to Michael Shannon (creepy), Adrien Brody to Richard Jenkins (random), Marion Cotillard to Kate Winslet (sweet) and Nicole to Angelina (fabulous!).
• Fashion hoorays- Natalie Portman, Marisa Tomei, Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Freida Pinto, Daniel Craig, Meryl, Latifah and Klum.
• Fashion boo-rays – Reese, Whoopi, Angelina, Bill Maher, Goldie, Jessica Biel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kate Winslet’s dad.
• Fashion NO-SHE-DI’INT! – one clear winner – Sophia Loren. Tragic.
• By the way, the BF thought Loren was drunk. I’m convinced at the very least, she wasn’t all there.
• WHAT was that horrible musical songs number? Other than a mess!
• Mostly great speeches by all.
• Was more impressed than moved by Heath Ledger’s family not going for tears but mere appreciation. Classy.
• Poor Mickey Rourke but a nomination and all the press is good enough for him right now.
• Richard Jenkins didn’t quite seem there. Or perhaps merely in shock.
• Not a lot of white ribbons on lapels.
• Thank you God for Sean Penn’s speech.
• Please quit nominating Disney movie songs just because they are Disney. That Wall-E song was trite and typical Disney fashion. Plus, why did John Legend perform it? And then, why did he come back out during “Jai Ho”? That performance was on the verge of a mess if I didn’t like the winning song so much.
• Sweetest moment was the cast and crew going up to accept Slumdog Millionaire for best pic. That NEVER happens.

Until next year’s Gay Super Bowl…

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Countdown to the Gay Super Bowl – The Oscars

The movie awards season is upon us officially with last week’s Golden Globe nominations being announced. And how did the gays fare? A bit on the lackluster side. Milk received only a Best Actor nomination for Sean Penn, who is not gay lest anyone get confused. Neil Patrick Harris who is out was nominated for best supporting actor in a TV series but that’s TV.  Meh. Back to movies.

The selections however for the GG’s are still interesting and open up some eyes to other films that the Academy might start to consider. In Bruges, Pineapple Express and Last Chance Harvey seemed out of nowhere nominations but they are also all comedy which might get them overlooked for heavier awards.

But, despite all that, Milk, with all its ingredients should be a multiple Oscar nominee. And it doesn’t hurt that it was named Best Picture along with Best Actor by the New York Film Critics. The L.A. Film Critics also named Penn as Best Actor. Soooo, what does that mean? Just momentum for now but the Golden Globes are the highest profile awards up until perhaps the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Without Milk in heavier awards, we might end up with a road for Sean Penn all the way to Oscar. Who, we must remember, is not gay.

Of course, Milk just marks the highest profile gay film of the year. Is it necessarily the best? Too early to tell. But recognition in other categories sure wouldn’t be a bad thing.

UPDATE: Milk named Best Actor, Best Screenplay and in the Top 10 Films of 2008 by Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association.

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Weekend Picks of Mint – The D@mn I Be Tired edition

Man, there is lots going on. Arts, music, blah and blah. Where to begin?

How about America’s Best DJ? Dubbed that by DJ Times, DJ Christopher Lawrence hits Dallas this weekend over at the Lizard Lounge. Full Access is putting on the show and is offering you a chance for a free round of drinks. Read the flyer. This might be a good time to take all the friends should you win. You’ll be totally popular for the night.

Our fab activist buddies, Join The Impact is hosting a movie night this week over at the Angelika. Saturday night they invite you to join them in watching Milk starring Sean Penn in a most likely Oscar nominated performance. Get to the theater on time as they catch the 5:15 showing tomorrow. The Angelika is located at Mockingbird Station, 5321 Mockingbird @ the NE corner of Central and Mockingbird.

If you can’t make that and end up laying low, might I recommend the documentary The  Times of Harvey Milk. In a one word review – fascinating. Totally worth the time to check it out. Perhaps Tapelenders or Premiere Video or Movie Trading Company will have it. Plus, it should probably be required viewing for all GLBT peeps.

The always reliable Buddies II will be hosting quite the holiday weekend. Tonight will be A Twisted Christmas with the Dukes of Dallas. I’m a little skeerd of what that could entail because those dukes can be pretty twisted. The show starts @ 10:30 p.m. And then tomorrow is their Dance Party Night. Buddies II sports one of the best dance floors and sound systems in the city so get your dancing shoes on and head there Saturday.

Of course, you know about tonight’s Guerilla Gay Bar.

Tonight is also Space Rampage over at Hal Samples’ studio in Deep Ellum. His one night only event with cheap art, good food and drinky drink. Plus, it’s Samples’ last party for the year and it looks like he’s going out of 08 with some bang. Not only all of the above will be on hand for party attenders, he’ll also have special musical act, reggae/jazz/dubmaster Aton. He says tonight will be “A VARIETY OF LIVE MUSIC,VISUAL ART, PERFORMANCE ART, VIDEO, AND LOVE TAKING PLACE… all in the same SPACE.” Totally check it.

Also tonight (whew!) is local band The Bright over at Sue Ellen’s. Booking director Jennifer snagged a star of a band shaking up the usual lineup a bit. The Bright is on the up and up. Why? Oh, perhaps because a tune of theirs may have been featured on The Hills. OK, whether they blow up because of that is uncertain but by no means does it hurt their chances. Bravo to Sue Ellen’s.

Tomorrow, you art lovers should not miss Art Conspiracy4 by any means. Local art, local music, fab times can never miss. Now you’ll just have to break out the Mapsco to find it. It starts tomorrow night at 6:30 and boasts 2 DJs, three bands and 150 friggin’ artists. Plus, art auctions begin at a mere $20. Bam! Ten bucks to get in and cash needed for refreshies but bust that plastic out as you snag your new piece of art. Find ArtCon 4 at 3011 Gulden St. in West Dallas.

And finally (we promise), the Turtle Creek Chorale has their annual Christmas concert which should never be missed. Ooops, HOLIDAY concert – my bad, whatev. Me personally is a little miffed that I’ll be missing the show for the first time in ten years. But no doubt the show will go on and greatly I predict. Four performances only and two are on Sunday. Check out Hottest Holidays Ahead by getting your tickets here. And don’t forget to take a toy for their annual drive benefitting Children’s and Parkland Hospitals. Now doesn’t that just make you feel fuzzy and kind? And what a better way to end the weekend?

But Monday’s probably going to be a b*&(@!

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