The Academy Awards are back again. The Oscars are always odd and predictable in a fashion, but this year is shaping up to be rather different. The 84th Academy Awards will show at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26.
For starters Eddie Murphy, who was supposed to host, according to “Entertainment Weekly,” decided to bow out due to the resignation of artistic partner Brett Ratner on account of controversial comments.
But never fear because Billy Crystal has stepped in to host the Oscars for the ninth time in his acting career. Crystal, from my observation, is a fan favorite and offers some stability that the awards show needs.
Brian Grazer, who won his own Academy Award for producing “A Beautiful Mind,” will be producing this year’s Oscars for the first time and is making big plans for the show’s theme, which is a timeless picture palace.
The nominees for actors range in brilliance and age as usual, from your staples such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Meryl Streep to newcomers such as Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy and even Jonah Hill.
The best film nominations are a little different as the front-runners are movies that many people at Harding probably have not seen. One such movie is “The Artist,” a French romance about a silent film actor whose career is in peril as Hollywood introduces sound into film. The film has received a great deal of recognition since it is itself a silent, black-and-white film and has even garnered nominations in 10 categories. The other big, but unexpected, contender is Martin Scorsese’s film, “Hugo.” The holiday film about a young orphan living in Depression-era Paris has received nominations in 11 categories and is running head-to-head with “The Artist.” Both films are competing for the coveted Best Picture award, going up against the likes of Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” and the critically acclaimed civil rights era film, “The Help.”
The real fun of the Oscars, however, does not have to be just watching television while doing homework. The real fun is in throwing Oscar-themed parties for your friends, watching the show as a group while eating great food and making predictions on who or what will win what.
You and your guests could make a fancy party, of sorts, out of the event and have everyone dress to impress. There is also the fun of making it a costume affair and having everyone dress according to his or her favorite Oscar-nominated movie.
Why stop at apparel? Even the food can have an Oscar flair to match the clothing. Have your guests bring a dish that would fit with a fancy evening or just something based off one of their favorite movies they think will win.
One thing that an Oscar party cannot be without are personal ballots. You can print off nominee ballots at thelink.harding.edu and have guests fill them out beforehand to compare your party’s winners with the actual Academy Award winners.
