Confessions of an Oscar-holic

Feb 21st 2009
LoriHandelandGoddess Grins & Lori Handeland

49 Responses to “Confessions of an Oscar-holic”

1. Margaret on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:43 am #

   I’m going to leave the pool to those who’ve seen the movies. It’s embarrassing to admit that I haven’t seen a single one! Not even on On Demand. I, who once never let Oscar night creep up on me w/o having seen all the nominated pictures/actors/actresses and made my selection of who I wanted to win. My friends and I would have Oscar parties and dress up accordingly. TG no photos have survived.

   Not only am I embarrassed that I haven’t seen the movies, it gets worse. I don’t know who several of these people are! Oh my.

   Have fun, goddesses.

2. Lisa H on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:03 am #

   Hi Lori – I do love the Oscars. I mostly watch for the fashions and am always hoping for a glimpse of Johnny Depp. I do plan on watching. I feel terrible though, because like Margaret, I haven’t seen any of the movies that are up for an award. I tired to see Benjamin Button, but it wasn’t playing at that time.

   I did see Dark Knight and know Heath was beyond fabulous in his role, but that is the only movie I saw.

   I read the book “The Reader” and would like to see that one as well. I thought it was an intriguing premise.

3. Kathy/Cookiedough on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:21 am #

   My friend goes through a mad dash this time of year to see everything nominated. She gets stressed if she even misses one and feels she won’t enjoy watching the awards show.
   I usually have seen a few of them, but kind of use the awards as a “put thi smovie on my list to see” kind of thing. I’m a huge movie buff and enjoy the red carpet preshow as well. My friend and I hope to make the trip from little Nova Scotia, Canada to sit at the fanstand and watch the arrivals.

4. Kathy/Cookiedough on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:24 am #

   …and oh yeah, I’m home from my busy week at my sister’s and blissing out with goddess books, dvds and my cat after a stressful week of 5 children, 3 elderly dogs, and worry over my brother in law and how my sister copes with all of it.

5. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:43 am #

   I’ve only seen two of the nominated films, Margaret, though I’ve seen clips of all the others. Mostly I just like watching all the people and the dresses and the hair.

   I saw The Reader, LisaH. Very good. I think Kate deserves the Oscar there. But totally depressing. I prefer upbeat movies these days but my mom insisted.

   Wow, Kathy! I’d be stressed too if I tried to see all the nominated movies. I think my mother did, but she’s retired. I end up seeing more of them later on DVD.
   And you are definitely a GODDESS for watching 5 kids and 3 dogs for a week. My cousin has 5 kids and I don’t know how she does it. That’s without the 3 dogs!

   I stopped at 2. Knew I’d never survive. And it’s lucky I did because that second kid is trying to drive me insane!!

6. Karen Rose on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:56 am #

   Lori, I’ve only seen Dark Knight, which I ended up seeing three times (or was it four)? Twice in Omnimax. Kids had a thing for it. So I can’t vote…

   DH watches a LOT of movies, and by default (because I’m too lazy to leave the room, LOL), so do I. We watch old movies, foreign movies, not many new movies unless the kids like them.

   I’m bad to talk about movies, thus. However, DH is the leading movie reviewer on IMDB.com in the WORLD. Yes, it’s true. He has reviewed more than 6000 movies. He started when I’d go into my writing cave to work on a book. He was in the next room, watching his vids. It was kind of nice

   He’s seen all the Oscar nominated shorts, live action and animated, plus the honorable mention ones. He’s pretty sure the one he liked the best has no chance of winning.

7. cail on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:10 am #

   i often watch the oscars, but i also often don’t like most of the oscar nominated pictures. i saw/heard a lot about most of the movies, so i’ve sent you my ballot. Generally, I don’t go to movies, but a few of my friends in NY get screeners since they work in the biz. Last year we watched a lot of the movies at my apartment, while they were still in theaters. I miss not living close to them, I’ll tell you that much! Anyways, I tend to not go since I could buy a few days worth of food, or close to two books for the cost of one movie ticket. Sad, isn’t it?

8. Julia London on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:12 am #

   I have seen Benjamin Button and Slumdog. I want to see all the others but when???

   I’m like you, Lori. Dresses hair and the guy eye candy. I would be much happier if Brad Pitt showed up without Angie. She sort of ruins the vista for me, hahahaha.

   The other thing I like about the Oscars is that there are people like Kate Winslet, who I think is such an extraordinary actress, who has been nominated a gazillion times and never won. Makes me feel better about my own RITA nominations that have never been won, LOL

9. JudyPatooty on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:14 am #

   I’m with Margaret on this one! I haven’t seen a single one of the movies, so I’ll leave the contest to those who pay attention to the Oscars.

   I used to watch the Oscars every year, but more for the red carpet arrivals to see all the stars in their fancy clothes. Or weird clothes. Remember Bjork in that strange swan outfit? Or Cher in any one of hers?

10. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:23 am #

    How cool, K-Ro that your husband has seen all the Oscar nominated shorts etc. And 6000 movies! I’m jealous. Does he watch the Oscars?

    I’m the same, Cail. The movies I really love are not the type to get nominated for Oscars. (Like Live Free or Die Hard!) I did not care for No Country For Old Men at all, although I thought Javier Badem was brilliant.
    I agree about the cost of movies. I rarely go at night when the cost is outrageous, IMO. And I watch most of my movies on DVD.

    Julia–I agree on Angie-less Brad. Wasn’t he PRETTY in Button?
    I think Winslet is going to get her gold this year. And you will too! Cream always rises. It just may take a while.

    I do remember Bjork, Judy. And Cher in that weird black bird headdress with the revealing strap dress. People on Facebook were talking about an AMEX Credit Card dress someone wore once. I don’t remember that but I looked it up on Google (LOVE google) and it wasn’t that bad. Although I wouldn’t have worn it!

11. Louisa Cornell on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:45 am #

    I’m with you, Lori ! I am a HUGE fan of the Oscars. I watch them every year in my PJs with the canine and feline crew piled in the bed with completely nutritionless snacks and beverages. And I am very excited about Hugh Jackman being the host this year.

    Julia, I am 100% with you on a Angie-less Brad. Much prettier that way.

    I love the dresses, when they’re good and even better when they’re “Did she LOOK in a mirror before she left the house?”

12. Sabrina Jeffries on 21 Feb 2009 at 8:51 am #

    I watched the Oscars for a few years, when a friend of mine had an Oscar party every year. But once she stopped, I stopped. Most of the time I haven’t seen the movies (I haven’t seen a single one of them this year), and I find the awards ceremony boring.

    The clothes can be interesting though. I checked out the AMEX credit card dress. Very interesting! And the swan dress, too, although I liked the credit card one better.

13. Karen Rose on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:05 am #

    Lori, our local movie theatre did an Oscar short film festival this month. One weekend for the animated shorts, one for the live action. DH and a few of his teacher pals went. I had booksignings or I might have hit the animated one with them.

    DH won’t watch the Oscars. He doesn’t do the new movies often and really likes the indies or low budget films that don’t have the star power or financial backing to make it to national distribution. It’s interesting – lately he’s been getting emails from young indie directors, asking his opinion on things, which I think is very cool.

    I’ll look at the dresses online the next day. When I haven’t seen the movies, the competition doesn’t seem worth the hours it takes to watch.

    I did use the Oscar statue in a book, once though. Did you know he’s holding a sword, clutched in both hands? I didn’t, until I wrote a scene in DIE FOR ME, where one of the victims is found with his hands wired together, as if he held a sword. Later they find the Oscar statue tattooed on his bicep. That’s when I realized Oscar was actually holding a sword, just like I’d buried the poor victim doing. Kind of creepy, the things that reside in your subconscious.

14. Karen Rose on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:07 am #

    I don’t know about the “what was she thinking” dresses. I look at them on line and say, “She looks pretty dang good to me.”

    So what do I know?

15. SheridanLA on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:12 am #

    I watch the Oscars sometimes.. sometimes have a party.. sometimes attend a party – but I am not obsessed with it. In fact, I am attending a party tomorrow and I have not seen any of the films.. I did see Dark Knight and Tropic Thunder, so I guess I did see a couple of them. I will go check out the dresses online after, but I love gowns, so I check them out on everything

    On that note, I sent in my total guess ballot.. I liked “Any Given Doomsday” and want to continue the story

16. Freshechelle on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:27 am #

    I’m pathetic. Only saw Tropic Thunder. Once my movie friend moved in with her boyfriend, guess I stopped going to the movies. oh, well. got invited to an Oscar party which is great mostly because it means I’m making new friends in my new city.

    Have an old friend who will be at the Oscars as a seat filler. Don’t remember how she got the “in” but she’s been doing it for years.

17. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:54 am #

    And I’m with YOU, Louisa on the PJ attire. My mom wanted to dress up for our party and I said, “Uh no. I’m wearing loose pants and no shoes!”

    Oscar parties are such fun, Sabrina! I wish everyone lived close to me and could come to mine!

    I also wish we’d have a theater that showed all the shorts. I’d go there! It is SO cool that your husband is getting questions from Indie directors. I’d love that. And I thought the AMEX dress was kind of pretty myself though most people hated it. I always think that maybe some of the “what was she thinking?” dresses would look completely different and much better on someone else.

    Have fun at the party, Sheridan. I’m glad you liked AGD. I’m really excited for the next installment to hit the stands.

    Fresh–Loved Tropic Thunder! I’ve always thought Robert Downey a great actor and he was amazing in that too. I wanna be an Oscar filler seat person!!! That would be great.

18. Karen Rose on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:59 am #

    What is the Amex dress? I’m picturing a dress made of Amex cards. That is a little disturbing.

19. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:02 am #

    That’s what it is K-Ro!

    Check this out

    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2291/2037479333_30d8d2bbff.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/7663207%40N02/2037479333/&usg=__eJOqn1yFqAPHjghugEleW83qFOA=&h=500&w=283&sz=122&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=hfvVgBt3ARVLCM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=74&prev=/images%3Fq%3Damex%2Bcard%2Bdress%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

    If that link doesn’t come through go to google images and type in Amex card dress

20. Rachel Gibson on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:12 am #

    The only one of these movies I’ve seen it Dark Knight. And sorry to all the many fans of the movie, I don’t think I’d vote for Heath Ledger.

    I don’t watch the Oscars, but I do watch the after shows to see the best and worst dressed.

    rachelg

21. SuzyQ on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:16 am #

    Oh yeah! I can’t wait to see Hugh on Sunday!!! I always watch the Oscars but this year will be even better. Like, Sheridan, I’ve only seen Tropic Thunder and Dark Knight. As said before, the movies I like usually don’t get nominated. Aside from the clothes and glamor, one of my favorite parts of the Oscars is when they do the tribute to all those who have passed away. Morbid, I know, but so many times there are actors that I didn’t know died.

22. Madeline Hunter on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:27 am #

    I’m taking a shot even tho I haven’t seen them. I’m just going on what I have read. So these are the ones I think will win. I’ll probably get at least half wrong, like I normally do.

    Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
    Best Dirctor: Fincher
    Best Actor: Langella (He has been around forever, has a solid body of work, and he owned this role)
    Best Actress: Leo or Streep. I’m picking Leo because the voters are all mostly non-stars and she will be a sentimental favorite.
    Best Supporting actor: Well, duh. Heath (although there can be a reaction against that being a slam dunk and there ends up being a surprise)
    Best Supporting actress: Tomei, because Micky doesn’t get best actor and the voters want to acknowledge the film and the acting

23. Madeline Hunter on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:32 am #

    Oh, and I watch the Oscars but it sort of plays in the background while I do other things. Then I pay attention when it is an award I think is interesting. I do watch the arrivals, though. I love to check out the gowns.

24. Nicole Jordan on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:35 am #

    Like a lot of you, I’ve only seen Dark Knight, so I can’t judge yet. But there are several I’d like to see.

    But no matter, I think Heath deserves the win in his category. I’ve rarely seen better acting…. a manic villain who made me care for him. Just awesome, IMO.

25. Janae on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:50 am #

    We’ll be watching; or at least Tivoing the Oscars since dh is in the biz. His biggest interests are Best Animated Short and Feature since he’s in animation. He has seen all the nominated shorts and 2 of the 3 nominated features. We missed the Bolt screening last summer, and our children have no desire to watch the screener with him. Kung Fu Panda swept the Annie’s, which are animation’s highest award, but I’m certain that Wall-E is likely to get the Oscar because of it’s content. Personally, I prefer Kung Fu Panda to Wall-E because Panda is a tighter film. I never experienced the same boredom in Panda that I did in Wall-E.

    Beyond the animated features, we’ve only seen The Dark Knight because it’s impossible for me to enjoy watching movies with my dh. If we see it in the theater, he analyzes it to death. If we watch it at home, he’ll have watching many scenes at least half a dozen times to breakdown how they made it; and then, he has to analyze it to death. It’s just too painful.

    I love Oscar fashion – the red carpet shows, the post show fashion shows, etc.

26. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:53 am #

    Rachel–I wasn’t a fan of Dark Knight either. Liked the first one much better for a ton of reasons. But I felt Heath was so fantastic. I’m a huge horror movie/gore fest fan, but he scared the crap out of me. I spent half the time he was on screen with my hands over my eyes twitching because I just knew he was going to do something BAD. And he did.

    I don’t think that’s morbid, SuzyQ. I love that part too. Makes me remember all the great movies with those people. So it’s bittersweet. And a lot of the people I didn’t realize had passed or didn’t really know what they’d done, so that part is entertaining and enlightening.

    I worried about the slam dunk aspect of the Heath thing too, Madeline. I guess we’ll see what happens. I think Langella is a great actor. Would love to see him get an Oscar. Sometimes I wish there could be two winners in each category, but I guess that negates the whole idea of “winner.

    Heath surprised me and impressed me so much. I definitely think he deserves the win, Nicole. Just bummed he isn’t here to see it. What a waste.

27. Rachel Gibson on 21 Feb 2009 at 11:03 am #

    Lori–I’m a huge horror movie fan, too. Just watched Saw 5 the other night. To me, the scariest villains are the one’s who seem so normal in every other way.

28. evlqn on 21 Feb 2009 at 11:33 am #

    I will probably give the Oscars a miss again this year. I haven’t enjoyed them for a long time. But then I rarely watch awards shows anymore. I did watch whe LOTR were up for awards.
    The only movie I saw was Dark Knight, I will probably wait for DVD on the rest. I always loved Heath even as a maniac.

29. Jody F. on 21 Feb 2009 at 12:08 pm #

    My friend and I celebrate the exact same way…Chinese take-out and sparkling cider. We start by watching the pre-shows and critique the clothing. I don’t think either one of us cares overly much about who wins, but we definitely care about the fashion.

30. dbrown3400 on 21 Feb 2009 at 12:44 pm #

    I’m also a big fan of the Oscars, but this year I’m in FL helping DD#2 prepare for a move to NJ. The downside is she has no TV. In preparation, my DVR is set to tape not only the Oscars, but also the Barbara Walters interview with Hugh Jackman before the show. This year I have no favorites except Heath Ledger but want to see how HJ does as host. In hopes all is not lost, I have someone checking my DVR to make sure it remains operational so all my preset tapings are not lost.

    BTW, I skipped taping the Red Carpet shows. Enough will be posted about those online.

31. Gannon on 21 Feb 2009 at 1:23 pm #

    I love the Oscars and never miss them. Of course, having Hugh Jackman host this year will be an added bonus! I kick it all off by watching the Barbara Walters special and then I must critique the red carpet fashions.

    I still haven’t seen many of the movies, but I will in good time.

32. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 1:27 pm #

    Rachel–you and I have to talk. Compare slasher films. Love Saw movies, but haven’t gotten to 5 yet. I want to go see the new Friday the 13th but haven’t gotten to that yet either.

    Evlqn-I’m hoping that having Hugh as a host will really spiff things up. Can’t hurt.

    JodyF-I found a recipe for champagne cocktails I’m making this year. I hope they’re good.

    Dbrown-Sorry about the move. That sounds tiring. Hope it goes well for you. At least you’ll have the Oscar taping to look forward to when you get back.

    Gannon-I meant to look up who Barbara was interviewing and didn’t get to it yet. Should have known one would be Hugh.

33. Lisa on 21 Feb 2009 at 1:46 pm #

    I love the Oscars too. I love to see the fashions,(especially ones I cannot wear myself). I also love the history of the Oscars. I’m an old movie buff so I love when they show the clips of past Oscar winners. What I hate about the Oscars is the length of the show and going through all the boring awards until they finally get to the good ones. (Best Actor,Best Picture, etc) I’m also not so fond of the boring monologue at the beginning with all the inside jokes that only the actors know what is so funny.

34. dbrown3400 on 21 Feb 2009 at 2:28 pm #

    According to one source, HJ is supposed to do at least one or two musical numbers. Now that should be worth any boring comments he might make.

35. Philomena D on 21 Feb 2009 at 3:03 pm #

    I only seen 1 movie so far but love to watch the Oscars to figure out which ones I should see on DVD

36. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 3:08 pm #

    Lisa, I enjoy the historical clips too. I alway love it when they have a theme and show clips of movies to illustrate.

    I figured HJ would do some singing and dancing, D, I’m looking forward to it.

    I don’t usually get to see the majority of the nominees until AFTER the show either, Philomena.

37. Paula on 21 Feb 2009 at 4:21 pm #

    I’m going to have to join the ‘not seen any of those movies’ camp.
    i have seen clips of The Reader as in the UK it has been on the news with Kate winslet and also on our local news as I live 30 mins drive from Reading where kate used to live.
    i think she deserves to win but that is biased as I havent seen any of the other clips.
    if slumdog doesn’t win i will be so surprised as it is so popular

38. Linda on 21 Feb 2009 at 5:04 pm #

    Strangely enough I enjoy watching the Oscars although I haven’t seen a movie in the theatre since LOTR and most of the time the movies that are nominated are not movies I’d watch in any case. I’m much happier sitting at home with a book.

39. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 5:37 pm #

    The Reader was really good, Paula. I hope Kate wins too.

    Me too, Linda. I also prefer DVDs, but some movies I just can’t wait to see and brave the theater. But usually in the middle of the day. I’m not a fan of the crowded theater. Ugh.

40. TinaLouiseF on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:55 pm #

    I have no interest in seeing any of those movies, and I have no idea who many of the actors are either.

    Just because I like Hugh Jackman, doesn’t mean I’ll watch the Oscars.

    I do usually see some of the photos of the dresses, but I don’t always agree with the reviewers.
    Everyone has different tastes.

41. TinaLouiseF on 21 Feb 2009 at 6:58 pm #

    At least the AmEx dress is gold.
    It probably would not look as good if it was blue and silver.

42. LoriHandeland on 21 Feb 2009 at 7:35 pm #

    I agree, Tina, everyone has different tastes. And I hardly ever agree with reviewers.

43. evlqn on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:22 pm #

    Lori, you are right Hugh might make it worth it. I’ll let you know on Monday. But for all of you that are already off the fence, HAPPY VIEWING!!

44. Margaret on 21 Feb 2009 at 9:57 pm #

    Donna, your DVR should be fine unless the power goes out during the show. I live in the country and my power has gone out several times. Each time, I worried that my DVR settings would be wiped out the way they are on a VCR. Lo and behold, they would all still be there. The settings are not in the box, but somewhere away from your tv/house. I like it that way.

45. nancyg on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:10 pm #

    I haven’t seen any of the movies this year. I very rarely get out to the movies these days – I wait for the DVD. I’m a nerd-at-heart – for the cost of a movie & concessions these days, I’d rather go to a play, symphony, or museum.
    My husband & kids saw Dark Knight on DVD – kids loved it, husband said is was OK. I’m rather comic-book- based-movied-out these days between X-Men, Daredevil, Superman, Batman, Sin City, Iron Man… couldn’t sit through another one…saving myself for Iron Man 2 this summer, although my 17-year old is hyped for Watchmen.
    I did want to see Frost/Nixon, but the play is coming to Dallas in a few weeks, so I’d rather see it there 1st, then the movie, since it was originally written for the stage.
    I’ll watch the Oscars, mostly because Hugh Jackman is hosting – to quote Rachel Ray – YUM-O!! He did a great job at the Tonys. But, I’ll Tivo it and watch it on delay – will probably catch up “live” after 30 minutes or so.
    I love the dresses!! Good, bad, ugly, they’re fun to watch, wondering whose stylist is getting fired in the morning. The pre-show interviews are always fun since everyone is in high on anticipation!

46. nancyg on 21 Feb 2009 at 10:42 pm #

    Lori -
    the e-mail I sent for my Oscar ballot came back as undeliverable. Is your mailbox full??

47. Yasmin on 21 Feb 2009 at 11:12 pm #

    I think I will skip this contest. I am not much for movies. Good luck everyone else

48. LoriHandeland on 22 Feb 2009 at 8:05 am #

    Nancyg-The rush of superhero movies is bit much for me too. Though I’m with you on Iron Man 2. I’m there.
    I sent you an e-mail to try the contest again. Not sure what happened with the first one.

49. Sandy on 22 Feb 2009 at 12:02 pm #

    I may just watch it tonight for the HOST…..