Oscar thread & Oscar Pool standings

ABC's telecast of the Academy Awards is underway. This thread will remain on top of my homepage throughout the show.

After the jump are the latest standings in the 4th annual Irish Trojan Oscar Pool, as well as any liveblogging I may do about the show itself. Updates are in reverse chronological order, so the latest update will always be posted on top (immediately after the jump). You may want to simply go to the permalink and reload it throughout the evening.

You may also want to check out Nikki Finke's liveblog.

UPDATE, 11:46 PM: Best Picture: No Country for Old Men.

Here are the final standings!

1. Lisa Velte 72
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 68
3. Kristin West 62
4. Victoria W. 60
5. Brendan Loy 58
5. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 58
7. Brandin Hay 57
7. Joe Swiderski 57
7. Victoria Lopez 57
10. Barbara Cross 56
10. Nate Djordjevic 56
10. Steve Copenhaver 56
13. Jennifer Davis 55
13. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 55
15. Cam McLachlan 54
15. Rachel L. 54
17. Bockster 53
17. Jeff Vaca 53
19. GWH 51
19. Jeff Morrison 51
19. Steve Duvernay 51
22. Jay Johnson 50
23. Marel N. 49
24. Jeff Freeze 47
24. K. Moot 47
26. Juan Cruz 45
27. Marty West 43
28. Andrew Hunter 42
29. C. Bassett 34
29. Courtney Tawresey 34
29. JLR 34
32. Alec Taylor 33
32. Anthony H. 33
32. Mike Wiser 33
32. Randy S. 33
36. Kristen Wall 31
37. Soo 29
38. David K. 27
39. Kristy LaPlante 23
40. Eli Styles 21
40. Julia Honeyman 21
40. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 21
43. TSKelso 20
44. Becky Loy 19
45. Bill P. 17
46. Antonia Namnath 10
47. Uncle Larry 8

UPDATE, 11:44 PM: Confirmed: Lisa Velte wins the pool, regardless of who wins Best Picture. Congratulations, Lisa!

UPDATE, 11:43 PM: Best Director: Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.

I think Lisa just clinched the pool. Confirmation shortly.

Here are the standings through 24 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 80.

1. Lisa Velte 57
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 53
3. Kristin West 47
4. Victoria W. 45
5. Brendan Loy 43
5. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 43
7. Brandin Hay 42
7. Joe Swiderski 42
7. Victoria Lopez 42
10. Barbara Cross 41
10. Nate Djordjevic 41
10. Steve Copenhaver 41
13. Jennifer Davis 40
13. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 40
15. Cam McLachlan 39
15. Rachel L. 39
17. Bockster 38
17. Jeff Vaca 38
19. GWH 36
19. Jeff Morrison 36
19. Julia Honeyman 36
19. Steve Duvernay 36
23. Jay Johnson 35
24. C. Bassett 34
24. Marel N. 34
26. Alec Taylor 33
26. Randy S. 33
28. Jeff Freeze 32
28. K. Moot 32
30. Juan Cruz 30
31. Marty West 28
32. Andrew Hunter 27
33. Kristy LaPlante 23
34. Eli Styles 21
34. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 21
36. TSKelso 20
37. Becky Loy 19
37. Courtney Tawresey 19
37. JLR 19
40. Anthony H. 18
40. Mike Wiser 18
42. Bill P. 17
43. Kristen Wall 16
44. Soo 14
45. David K. 12
46. Antonia Namnath 10
47. Uncle Larry 8

UPDATE, 11:41 PM: The following scenarios are unofficial, but I think they're right:

If Julian Schnabel wins Best Director, Joe Swiderski wins.

If the Coens win Best Director, Lisa Velte wins.

If Tony Gilroy or Jason Rietman win Best Director, Lisa Velte clinches a share of first place, but Alec Taylor can tie her if "There Will Be Blood" wins Best Picture.

If Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Director, then it comes down to a battle in the Best Picture category between Taylor (if "There Will Be Blood" wins) or Velte (if anything else wins).

UPDATE, 11:34 PM: Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood.

Here are the standings through 22 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 56.

1. Lisa Velte 48
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 44
3. Joe Swiderski 42
4. Barbara Cross 41
5. Kristin West 38
6. Victoria W. 36
7. Brendan Loy 34
7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 34
9. Alec Taylor 33
9. Brandin Hay 33
9. Victoria Lopez 33
12. Nate Djordjevic 32
12. Steve Copenhaver 32
14. Jennifer Davis 31
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 31
16. Cam McLachlan 30
16. Juan Cruz 30
16. Rachel L. 30
19. Bockster 29
19. Jeff Vaca 29
21. Marty West 28
22. GWH 27
22. Jeff Morrison 27
22. Steve Duvernay 27
25. Jay Johnson 26
26. C. Bassett 25
26. Marel N. 25
28. Randy S. 24
29. Jeff Freeze 23
29. K. Moot 23
31. Eli Styles 21
31. Julia Honeyman 21
31. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 21
34. TSKelso 20
35. Becky Loy 19
35. Courtney Tawresey 19
37. Andrew Hunter 18
38. Bill P. 17
39. Kristen Wall 16
40. Kristy LaPlante 14
40. Soo 14
42. Antonia Namnath 10
42. JLR 10
44. Anthony H. 9
44. Mike Wiser 9
46. Uncle Larry 8
47. David K. 3

UPDATE, 11:25 PM: Best Original Screenplay: Juno.

Here are the standings through 21 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 47.

1. Lisa V. 39
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 35
3. Joe Swiderski 33
4. Barbara Cross 32
5. Kristin West 29
6. Victoria W. 27
7. Brendan Loy 25
7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 25
9. Alec 24
9. Brandin Hay 24
9. Victoria Lopez 24
12. Nate Djordjevic 23
12. Steve Copenhaver 23
14. Jennifer Davis 22
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 22
16. Cam McLachlan 21
16. Juan Cruz 21
16. Julia Honeyman 21
16. Rachel L. 21
20. Bockster 20
20. Jeff Vaca 20
22. Courtney Tawresey 19
22. Marty West 19
24. GWH 18
24. Jeff Morrison 18
24. Steve Duvernay 18
27. Jay Johnson 17
28. C. Bassett 16
28. Marel N. 16
30. Randy S. 15
31. Jeff Freeze 14
31. K. Moot 14
31. Kristy LaPlante 14
34. Eli Styles 12
34. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 12
36. TSKelso 11
37. Antonia Namnath 10
37. Becky Loy 10
37. JLR 10
40. Andrew Hunter 9
40. Anthony H. 9
40. Mike Wiser 9
43. Bill P. 8
43. Uncle Larry 8
45. Kristen Wall 7
46. Soo 5
47. David K. 3

UPDATE, 11:20 PM: Four categories left. The only contestant currently within 15 points of the leader who picked a movie for Best Picture other than No Country For Old Men is Alec (last name unknown).

1. Lisa V. 35 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 31 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

3. Joe Swiderski 29 No Country, Schnabel, Day-Lewis, Juno

4. Barbara Cross 28 No Country, Schnabel, Day-Lewis, Juno

5. Victoria W. 27 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Michael Clayton

6. Kristin West 25 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

7. Brendan Loy 21 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 21 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

9. Alec 20 There Will Be Blood, Thomas Anderson, Day-Lewis, Juno

9. Brandin Hay 20 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

9. Victoria Lopez 20 No Country, Coens, Day-Lewis, Juno

Everyone in the Top 10 except Lisa V., Joe Swiderski and Alec are eliminated. I don't know whether anybody further behind could rally if there are multiple upsets.

UPDATE, 11:17 PM: Best Documentary Feature: Taxi to the Dark Side.

Here are the standings through 20 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 43.

1. Lisa V. 35
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 31
3. Joe Swiderski 29
4. Barbara Cross 28
5. Victoria W. 27
6. Kristin West 25
7. Brendan Loy 21
7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 21
9. Alec 20
9. Brandin Hay 20
9. Victoria Lopez 20
12. Nate Djordjevic 19
12. Steve Copenhaver 19
14. GWH 18
14. Jennifer Davis 18
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 18
17. Cam McLachlan 17
17. Juan Cruz 17
17. Julia Honeyman 17
17. Rachel L. 17
21. Bockster 16
21. Jeff Vaca 16
21. Marel N. 16
24. Courtney Tawresey 15
24. Marty West 15
26. Jeff Freeze 14
26. Jeff Morrison 14
26. Steve Duvernay 14
29. Jay Johnson 13
30. C. Bassett 12
31. Randy S. 11
32. Becky Loy 10
32. JLR 10
32. K. Moot 10
32. Kristy LaPlante 10
36. Anthony H. 9
37. Bill P. 8
37. Eli Styles 8
37. Uncle Larry 8
37. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 8
41. Kristen Wall 7
41. TSKelso 7
43. Antonia Namnath 6
44. Andrew Hunter 5
44. Mike Wiser 5
44. Soo 5
47. David K. 3

UPDATE, 11:14 PM: Best Documentary Short: Freeheld.

Here are the standings through 19 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 42.

1. Lisa V. 35
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 31
3. Joe Swiderski 29
4. Barbara Cross 27
5. Victoria W. 26
6. Kristin West 25
7. Brendan Loy 21
7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 21
9. Alec 20
9. Brandin Hay 20
9. Victoria Lopez 20
12. Nate Djordjevic 19
12. Steve Copenhaver 19
14. Jennifer Davis 18
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 18
16. Cam McLachlan 17
16. GWH 17
16. Julia Honeyman 17
16. Rachel L. 17
20. Bockster 16
20. Jeff Vaca 16
20. Juan Cruz 16
20. Marel N. 16
24. Courtney Tawresey 15
24. Marty West 15
26. Jeff Freeze 14
26. Jeff Morrison 14
26. Steve Duvernay 14
29. Jay Johnson 13
30. C. Bassett 12
31. Randy S. 11
32. Becky Loy 10
32. JLR 10
32. K. Moot 10
32. Kristy LaPlante 10
36. Anthony H. 8
36. Bill P. 8
36. Eli Styles 8
36. Uncle Larry 8
36. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 8
41. Kristen Wall 7
41. TSKelso 7
43. Antonia Namnath 6
44. Andrew Hunter 5
44. Mike Wiser 5
46. Soo 4
47. David K. 3

UPDATE, 11:10 PM: Original Score: Atonement.

Here are the standings through 18 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 41.

1. Lisa V. 34
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 30
3. Joe Swiderski 29
4. Barbara Cross 27
5. Victoria W. 26
6. Kristin West 25
7. Brendan Loy 21
7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 21
9. Victoria Lopez 20
10. Alec 19
10. Brandin Hay 19
10. Nate Djordjevic 19
10. Steve Copenhaver 19
14. Jennifer Davis 18
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 18
16. Cam McLachlan 17
16. GWH 17
16. Julia Honeyman 17
16. Rachel L. 17
20. Jeff Vaca 16
20. Juan Cruz 16
20. Marel N. 16
23. Bockster 15
23. Courtney Tawresey 15
23. Marty West 15
26. Jeff Freeze 14
26. Jeff Morrison 14
26. Steve Duvernay 14
29. Jay Johnson 13
30. C. Bassett 12
31. Randy S. 11
32. Becky Loy 10
32. K. Moot 10
32. Kristy LaPlante 10
35. JLR 9
36. Anthony H. 8
36. Bill P. 8
36. Eli Styles 8
36. Uncle Larry 8
36. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 8
41. Kristen Wall 7
42. Antonia Namnath 6
42. TSKelso 6
44. Andrew Hunter 5
44. Mike Wiser 5
46. Soo 4
47. David K. 3

UPDATE, 11:06 PM: As can be seen below, Lisa V. has a four-point lead. These are her picks in the remaining multi-point categories:

Best Picture (15): No Country for Old Men
Best Director (9): Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Best Actor (9): Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood
Best Original Screenplay (4): Juno
Original Score (2): Atonement

Snyder, in second place, agrees with all of those. So I think he's mathematically eliminated.

Cross and Swiderski, tied for third place (5 points behind Lisa), picked Julian Schnabel as Best Director; Cross also picked The Kite Runners as Best Score. Otherwise they agree with Lisa.

Victoria W., 6 points back in fifth place, agrees with Lisa on the major categories except that she picked Michael Clayton for Best Original Screenplay and Ratatouille as Best Original Score.

I haven't calculated the mathematical possibilities yet (which would also involve the three remaining one-point categories), nor have I looked at contestants further behind, who could rally in the event of a Best Picture upset (worth 15 points) or other upsets. But at a glance, it looks like the crucial categories will probably be Director, Screenplay and Score. Everybody seems to agree on Actor and Picture, so they'll be less important. But again, I don't know about possible upsets resurrecting someone who is nowhere near the lead right now.

UPDATE, 11:00 PM: Cinematography: There Will Be Blood.

Here are the standings through 17 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 39.

1. Lisa V. 32
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 28
3. Barbara Cross 27
3. Joe Swiderski 27
5. Victoria W. 26
6. Kristin West 23
7. Brendan Loy 21
7. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 21
9. Victoria Lopez 18
10. Alec 17
10. Brandin Hay 17
10. Nate Djordjevic 17
10. Steve Copenhaver 17
14. Jennifer Davis 16
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 16
14. Marel N. 16
17. Bockster 15
17. Cam McLachlan 15
17. Courtney Tawresey 15
17. GWH 15
17. Julia Honeyman 15
17. Rachel L. 15
23. Jeff Morrison 14
23. Jeff Vaca 14
23. Juan Cruz 14
26. Marty West 13
27. C. Bassett 12
27. Jeff Freeze 12
27. Steve Duvernay 12
30. Jay Johnson 11
30. Randy S. 11
32. Becky Loy 10
32. Kristy LaPlante 10
34. JLR 9
35. Anthony H. 8
35. Bill P. 8
35. Eli Styles 8
35. K. Moot 8
35. Uncle Larry 8
35. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 8
41. Kristen Wall 7
42. Antonia Namnath 6
43. Andrew Hunter 5
43. Mike Wiser 5
45. Soo 4
45. TSKelso 4
47. David K. 3

UPDATE, 10:50 PM: Original Song: "Falling Slowly" -- Once.

Here are the standings through 16 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 38.

1. Lisa V. 32
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 28
3. Barbara Cross 27
3. Joe Swiderski 27
5. Victoria W. 25
6. Kristin West 23
7. Brendan Loy 21
8. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 20
9. Victoria Lopez 18
10. Steve Copenhaver 17
11. Alec 16
11. Brandin Hay 16
11. Jennifer Davis 16
11. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 16
11. Nate Djordjevic 16
16. Cam McLachlan 15
16. GWH 15
16. Marel N. 15
16. Rachel L. 15
20. Bockster 14
20. Courtney Tawresey 14
20. Jeff Morrison 14
20. Jeff Vaca 14
20. Juan Cruz 14
20. Julia Honeyman 14
26. Jeff Freeze 12
26. Marty West 12
28. C. Bassett 11
28. Randy S. 11
28. Steve Duvernay 11
31. Becky Loy 10
31. Jay Johnson 10
31. Kristy LaPlante 10
34. Anthony H. 8
34. JLR 8
34. K. Moot 8
34. Uncle Larry 8
38. Bill P. 7
38. Eli Styles 7
38. Kristen Wall 7
38. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
42. Antonia Namnath 6
43. Andrew Hunter 5
44. Mike Wiser 4
44. Soo 4
46. David K. 3
46. TSKelso 3

UPDATE, 10:43 PM: Best Foreign Language Film: The Counterfeiters -- Austria.

Here are the standings through 15 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 36.

1. Lisa V. 30
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 26
3. Barbara Cross 25
3. Joe Swiderski 25
3. Victoria W. 25
6. Kristin West 21
7. Brendan Loy 19
8. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 18
9. Nate Djordjevic 16
9. Victoria Lopez 16
11. Cam McLachlan 15
11. GWH 15
11. Marel N. 15
11. Steve Copenhaver 15
15. Alec 14
15. Bockster 14
15. Brandin Hay 14
15. Courtney Tawresey 14
15. Jeff Morrison 14
15. Jennifer Davis 14
15. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 14
22. Rachel L. 13
23. Jeff Freeze 12
23. Jeff Vaca 12
23. Juan Cruz 12
23. Julia Honeyman 12
23. Marty West 12
28. Steve Duvernay 11
29. Becky Loy 10
29. Kristy LaPlante 10
31. C. Bassett 9
31. Randy S. 9
33. Anthony H. 8
33. Jay Johnson 8
33. JLR 8
33. K. Moot 8
37. Bill P. 7
37. Eli Styles 7
37. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
40. Antonia Namnath 6
40. Uncle Larry 6
42. Andrew Hunter 5
42. Kristen Wall 5
44. Mike Wiser 4
44. Soo 4
46. David K. 3
46. TSKelso 3

UPDATE, 10:29 PM: Film Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum.

Bourne is cleaning up!

Here are the standings through 14 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 35.

1. Lisa V. 29
2. Barbara Cross 25
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 25
4. Joe Swiderski 24
4. Victoria W. 24
6. Kristin West 20
7. Brendan Loy 19
8. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 18
9. Nate Djordjevic 16
10. Marel N. 15
10. Victoria Lopez 15
12. Bockster 14
12. Cam McLachlan 14
12. GWH 14
12. Jeff Morrison 14
12. Steve Copenhaver 14
17. Alec 13
17. Brandin Hay 13
17. Courtney Tawresey 13
17. Jennifer Davis 13
17. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 13
17. Rachel L. 13
23. Jeff Freeze 12
23. Jeff Vaca 12
23. Marty West 12
26. Juan Cruz 11
26. Julia Honeyman 11
28. Becky Loy 10
28. Kristy LaPlante 10
28. Steve Duvernay 10
31. C. Bassett 9
31. Randy S. 9
33. Anthony H. 8
33. Jay Johnson 8
33. JLR 8
33. K. Moot 8
37. Bill P. 7
37. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
39. Antonia Namnath 6
39. Eli Styles 6
39. Uncle Larry 6
42. Andrew Hunter 5
42. Kristen Wall 5
44. Mike Wiser 4
45. David K. 3
45. Soo 3
45. TSKelso 3

UPDATE, 10:13 PM: Best Actress: Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose.

And Lisa takes a big lead!

Here are the standings through 13 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 34.

1. Lisa V. 28
2. Barbara Cross 25
3. Joe Swiderski 24
3. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 24
3. Victoria W. 24
6. Kristin West 19
7. Brendan Loy 18
8. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 17
9. Nate Djordjevic 15
10. Bockster 14
10. Cam McLachlan 14
10. GWH 14
10. Jeff Morrison 14
10. Marel N. 14
10. Victoria Lopez 14
16. Brandin Hay 13
16. Jennifer Davis 13
16. Steve Copenhaver 13
19. Alec 12
19. Courtney Tawresey 12
19. Jeff Freeze 12
19. Jeff Vaca 12
19. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 12
19. Marty West 12
19. Rachel L. 12
26. Julia Honeyman 11
27. Becky Loy 10
27. Juan Cruz 10
27. Steve Duvernay 10
30. C. Bassett 9
30. Kristy LaPlante 9
30. Randy S. 9
33. Jay Johnson 8
33. K. Moot 8
35. Anthony H. 7
35. Bill P. 7
35. JLR 7
35. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
39. Antonia Namnath 6
39. Eli Styles 6
39. Uncle Larry 6
42. Andrew Hunter 5
42. Kristen Wall 5
44. Mike Wiser 3
44. Soo 3
44. TSKelso 3
47. David K. 2

UPDATE, 10:11 PM: Best Actress? Now?? WTF??

UPDATE, 10:06 PM: Sound Mixing: The Bourne Ultimatum.

Transformers gets shut out! Lame!

Here are the standings through 12 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 25.

1. Kristin West 19
1. Lisa V. 19
3. Brendan Loy 18
4. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 17
5. Barbara Cross 16
6. Joe Swiderski 15
6. Nate Djordjevic 15
6. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 15
6. Victoria W. 15
10. Bockster 14
10. Cam McLachlan 14
10. GWH 14
10. Jeff Morrison 14
10. Marel N. 14
10. Victoria Lopez 14
16. Brandin Hay 13
16. Jennifer Davis 13
16. Steve Copenhaver 13
19. Alec 12
19. Courtney Tawresey 12
19. Jeff Freeze 12
19. Jeff Vaca 12
19. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 12
19. Marty West 12
19. Rachel L. 12
26. Julia Honeyman 11
27. Becky Loy 10
27. Juan Cruz 10
27. Steve Duvernay 10
30. C. Bassett 9
30. Kristy LaPlante 9
30. Randy S. 9
33. Jay Johnson 8
33. K. Moot 8
35. Anthony H. 7
35. Bill P. 7
35. JLR 7
35. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
39. Antonia Namnath 6
39. Eli Styles 6
39. Uncle Larry 6
42. Andrew Hunter 5
42. Kristen Wall 5
44. Mike Wiser 3
44. Soo 3
44. TSKelso 3
47. David K. 2

UPDATE, 10:04 PM: Sound Editing: The Bourne Ultimatum.

Now Kristin and Lisa are tied for the lead, and I'm second.

Here are the standings through 11 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 24.

1. Kristin West 19
1. Lisa V. 19
3. Brendan Loy 18
4. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 17
5. Barbara Cross 16
6. Nate Djordjevic 15
6. Victoria W. 15
8. Cam McLachlan 14
8. GWH 14
8. Jeff Morrison 14
8. Joe Swiderski 14
8. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 14
8. Victoria Lopez 14
14. Bockster 13
14. Brandin Hay 13
14. Jennifer Davis 13
14. Marel N. 13
14. Steve Copenhaver 13
19. Alec 12
19. Courtney Tawresey 12
19. Jeff Freeze 12
19. Jeff Vaca 12
19. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 12
19. Marty West 12
19. Rachel L. 12
26. Julia Honeyman 11
27. Becky Loy 10
27. Juan Cruz 10
29. C. Bassett 9
29. Randy S. 9
29. Steve Duvernay 9
32. Jay Johnson 8
32. K. Moot 8
32. Kristy LaPlante 8
35. Anthony H. 7
35. Bill P. 7
35. JLR 7
35. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
39. Antonia Namnath 6
39. Uncle Larry 6
41. Andrew Hunter 5
41. Eli Styles 5
41. Kristen Wall 5
44. Soo 3
44. TSKelso 3
46. David K. 2
46. Mike Wiser 2

UPDATE, 9:52 PM: "I always thought it was superdelegates." Heh.

UPDATE, 9:48 PM: Best Adapted Screenplay: No Country for Old Men.

Defending champion Kristin West takes the lead! And Lisa and I are tied for second. :) Curran falls to fourth, Cross to fifth.

Here are the standings through 10 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 23.

1. Kristin West 19
2. Brendan Loy 18
2. Lisa V. 18
4. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 17
5. Barbara Cross 16
6. Nate Djordjevic 15
6. Victoria W. 15
8. Jeff Morrison 14
9. Brandin Hay 13
9. Cam McLachlan 13
9. GWH 13
9. Joe Swiderski 13
9. Marel N. 13
9. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 13
9. Victoria Lopez 13
16. Alec 12
16. Bockster 12
16. Courtney Tawresey 12
16. Jeff Freeze 12
16. Jeff Vaca 12
16. Jennifer Davis 12
16. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 12
16. Marty West 12
16. Rachel L. 12
16. Steve Copenhaver 12
26. Julia Honeyman 11
27. Becky Loy 10
27. Juan Cruz 10
29. C. Bassett 9
29. Randy S. 9
29. Steve Duvernay 9
32. Jay Johnson 8
32. K. Moot 8
32. Kristy LaPlante 8
35. Anthony H. 7
35. Bill P. 7
35. JLR 7
35. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
39. Antonia Namnath 6
40. Andrew Hunter 5
40. Eli Styles 5
40. Kristen Wall 5
40. Uncle Larry 5
44. Soo 3
44. TSKelso 3
46. David K. 2
46. Mike Wiser 2

UPDATE, 9:38 PM: Best Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton.

Kevin Curran, a.k.a. kcatnd, takes the lead, with Barb Cross close behind -- and defending champion Kristin West is tied with V for third. And I'm tied for fifth with Lisa!

Here are the standings through 9 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 19.

1. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 17
2. Barbara Cross 16
3. Kristin West 15
3. Victoria W. 15
5. Brendan Loy 14
5. Lisa V. 14
7. Nate Djordjevic 11
8. Becky Loy 10
8. Jeff Morrison 10
8. Juan Cruz 10
11. Brandin Hay 9
11. C. Bassett 9
11. Cam McLachlan 9
11. GWH 9
11. Joe Swiderski 9
11. Marel N. 9
11. Randy S. 9
11. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 9
11. Steve Duvernay 9
11. Victoria Lopez 9
21. Alec 8
21. Bockster 8
21. Courtney Tawresey 8
21. Jay Johnson 8
21. Jeff Freeze 8
21. Jeff Vaca 8
21. Jennifer Davis 8
21. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 8
21. K. Moot 8
21. Marty West 8
21. Rachel L. 8
21. Steve Copenhaver 8
33. Bill P. 7
33. Julia Honeyman 7
33. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
36. Eli Styles 5
36. Kristen Wall 5
38. Kristy LaPlante 4
39. Anthony H. 3
39. JLR 3
39. Soo 3
39. TSKelso 3
43. Antonia Namnath 2
43. David K. 2
43. Mike Wiser 2
46. Andrew Hunter 1
46. Uncle Larry 1

UPDATE, 9:32 PM: Best Animated Short: Peter & the Wolf.

Here are the standings through 8 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 13.

1. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 11
1. Nate Djordjevic 11
3. Barbara Cross 10
3. Jeff Morrison 10
3. Juan Cruz 10
6. Brandin Hay 9
6. C. Bassett 9
6. Cam McLachlan 9
6. GWH 9
6. Joe Swiderski 9
6. Kristin West 9
6. Marel N. 9
6. Randy S. 9
6. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 9
6. Steve Duvernay 9
6. Victoria Lopez 9
6. Victoria W. 9
18. Alec 8
18. Bockster 8
18. Brendan Loy 8
18. Courtney Tawresey 8
18. Jay Johnson 8
18. Jeff Freeze 8
18. Jeff Vaca 8
18. Jennifer Davis 8
18. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 8
18. K. Moot 8
18. Lisa V. 8
18. Marty West 8
18. Rachel L. 8
18. Steve Copenhaver 8
32. Julia Honeyman 7
32. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 7
34. Eli Styles 5
34. Kristen Wall 5
36. Becky Loy 4
36. Kristy LaPlante 4
38. Anthony H. 3
38. JLR 3
38. Soo 3
38. TSKelso 3
42. Antonia Namnath 2
42. David K. 2
42. Mike Wiser 2
45. Andrew Hunter 1
45. Bill P. 1
45. Uncle Larry 1

UPDATE, 9:30 PM: Best Live Action Short: Le Mozart des Pickpockets.

Back to a multi-way tie atop the leaderboard. Here are the standings through 7 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 12.

1. Barbara Cross 10
1. Juan Cruz 10
1. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 10
1. Nate Djordjevic 10
5. C. Bassett 9
5. Cam McLachlan 9
5. Jeff Morrison 9
5. Marel N. 9
5. Randy S. 9
5. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 9
5. Steve Duvernay 9
5. Victoria Lopez 9
5. Victoria W. 9
14. Alec 8
14. Brandin Hay 8
14. Brendan Loy 8
14. Courtney Tawresey 8
14. GWH 8
14. Jay Johnson 8
14. Jeff Freeze 8
14. Jeff Vaca 8
14. Jennifer Davis 8
14. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 8
14. Joe Swiderski 8
14. K. Moot 8
14. Kristin West 8
14. Lisa V. 8
14. Rachel L. 8
14. Steve Copenhaver 8
30. Bockster 7
30. Julia Honeyman 7
30. Marty West 7
33. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 6
34. Kristen Wall 5
35. Eli Styles 4
36. Becky Loy 3
36. JLR 3
36. Kristy LaPlante 3
36. Soo 3
36. TSKelso 3
41. Anthony H. 2
41. Antonia Namnath 2
41. David K. 2
41. Mike Wiser 2
45. Andrew Hunter 1
45. Bill P. 1
45. Uncle Larry 1

UPDATE, 9:23 PM: "The Oscar Salute to Binoculars and Periscopes." The audience doesn't seem to be amused, but I think it's hilarious.

UPDATE, 9:18 PM: And Barb Cross takes sole possession of the lead as the night's first major award (worth 6 points, versus all the one-point awards thus far) is given out.

Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men.

Here are the standings through 6 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 11.

1. Barbara Cross 10
2. C. Bassett 9
2. Juan Cruz 9
2. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 9
2. Marel N. 9
2. Nate Djordjevic 9
2. Randy S. 9
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 9
2. Victoria Lopez 9
10. Alec 8
10. Brandin Hay 8
10. Brendan Loy 8
10. Cam McLachlan 8
10. Courtney Tawresey 8
10. GWH 8
10. Jay Johnson 8
10. Jeff Morrison 8
10. Jeff Vaca 8
10. Joe Swiderski 8
10. Kristin West 8
10. Lisa V. 8
10. Steve Copenhaver 8
10. Steve Duvernay 8
10. Victoria W. 8
25. Bockster 7
25. Jeff Freeze 7
25. Jennifer Davis 7
25. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 7
25. Julia Honeyman 7
25. K. Moot 7
25. Marty West 7
25. Rachel L. 7
33. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 6
34. Kristen Wall 4
35. Eli Styles 3
35. Kristy LaPlante 3
37. Anthony H. 2
37. Antonia Namnath 2
37. Becky Loy 2
37. David K. 2
37. JLR 2
37. Mike Wiser 2
37. Soo 2
37. TSKelso 2
45. Andrew Hunter 1
45. Bill P. 1
45. Uncle Larry 1

UPDATE, 9:16 PM: I'm so glad the are -- as always -- wasting our time with retarded retrospective bulls*** but then, in the interests of keeping the show short, ushering the technical-category winners off the stage after 10 seconds. It's like the honestly don't understand what makes the show go long every year.

UPDATE, 9:11 PM: Art Direction: Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Kristen Wall finally gets one wrong, and Barb Cross ties for the lead.

Here are the standings through 5 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 5.

1. Barbara Cross 4
1. Kristen Wall 4
3. C. Bassett 3
3. Eli Styles 3
3. Juan Cruz 3
3. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 3
3. Kristy LaPlante 3
3. Marel N. 3
3. Nate Djordjevic 3
3. Randy S. 3
3. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 3
3. Victoria Lopez 3
13. Alec 2
13. Anthony H. 2
13. Antonia Namnath 2
13. Becky Loy 2
13. Brandin Hay 2
13. Brendan Loy 2
13. Cam McLachlan 2
13. Courtney Tawresey 2
13. David K. 2
13. GWH 2
13. Jay Johnson 2
13. Jeff Morrison 2
13. Jeff Vaca 2
13. JLR 2
13. Joe Swiderski 2
13. Kristin West 2
13. Lisa V. 2
13. Mike Wiser 2
13. Soo 2
13. Steve Copenhaver 2
13. Steve Duvernay 2
13. TSKelso 2
13. Victoria W. 2
36. Andrew Hunter 1
36. Bill P. 1
36. Bockster 1
36. Jeff Freeze 1
36. Jennifer Davis 1
36. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 1
36. Julia Honeyman 1
36. K. Moot 1
36. Marty West 1
36. Rachel L. 1
36. Uncle Larry 1
47. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 0

UPDATE, 9:08 PM: Best Visual Effects: The Golden Compass.

Huh??? The Golden Compass? Not Transformers or Pirates?? WTF?!?

But hey, Kristen Wall got it right! Again!

Here are the standings through 4 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 4.

1. Kristen Wall 4
2. Barbara Cross 3
2. C. Bassett 3
4. Alec 2
4. Anthony H. 2
4. Becky Loy 2
4. Brandin Hay 2
4. Brendan Loy 2
4. Cam McLachlan 2
4. Courtney Tawresey 2
4. Eli Styles 2
4. GWH 2
4. Joe Swiderski 2
4. Juan Cruz 2
4. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 2
4. Kristin West 2
4. Kristy LaPlante 2
4. Lisa V. 2
4. Marel N. 2
4. Mike Wiser 2
4. Nate Djordjevic 2
4. Randy S. 2
4. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 2
4. Steve Copenhaver 2
4. Steve Duvernay 2
4. Victoria Lopez 2
27. Andrew Hunter 1
27. Antonia Namnath 1
27. Bill P. 1
27. Bockster 1
27. David K. 1
27. Jay Johnson 1
27. Jeff Freeze 1
27. Jeff Morrison 1
27. Jeff Vaca 1
27. Jennifer Davis 1
27. JLR 1
27. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 1
27. Julia Honeyman 1
27. Rachel L. 1
27. Soo 1
27. TSKelso 1
27. Victoria W. 1
44. K. Moot 0
44. Marty West 0
44. Uncle Larry 0
44. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 0

UPDATE, 8:58 PM: "I'm French!! Why else do you think I have this outraaaageous accent?"

UPDATE, 8:57 PM: Best Makeup: La Vie en Rose.

We have an early sole-possession-of-first-place leader! Kristen Wall is 3-for-3, and nobody else is.

Here are the standings through 3 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 3.

1. Kristen Wall 3
2. Alec 2
2. Anthony H. 2
2. Barbara Cross 2
2. Becky Loy 2
2. Brandin Hay 2
2. Brendan Loy 2
2. C. Bassett 2
2. Cam McLachlan 2
2. Courtney Tawresey 2
2. Eli Styles 2
2. GWH 2
2. Joe Swiderski 2
2. Juan Cruz 2
2. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 2
2. Kristin West 2
2. Lisa V. 2
2. Nate Djordjevic 2
2. Randy S. 2
2. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 2
2. Steve Copenhaver 2
2. Steve Duvernay 2
2. Victoria Lopez 2
24. Andrew Hunter 1
24. Antonia Namnath 1
24. Bill P. 1
24. Bockster 1
24. David K. 1
24. Jay Johnson 1
24. Jeff Freeze 1
24. Jeff Morrison 1
24. Jeff Vaca 1
24. Jennifer Davis 1
24. JLR 1
24. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 1
24. Julia Honeyman 1
24. Kristy LaPlante 1
24. Marel N. 1
24. Mike Wiser 1
24. Rachel L. 1
24. Soo 1
24. TSKelso 1
24. Victoria W. 1
44. K. Moot 0
44. Marty West 0
44. Uncle Larry 0
44. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 0

UPDATE, 8:54 PM: Best Animated Feature Film: Ratatouille.

Here are the standings through 2 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 2.

1. Anthony H. 2
1. Barbara Cross 2
1. Becky Loy 2
1. Cam McLachlan 2
1. Courtney Tawresey 2
1. Eli Styles 2
1. Juan Cruz 2
1. Kristen Wall 2
1. Randy S. 2
1. Steve Duvernay 2
11. Alec 1
11. Andrew Hunter 1
11. Antonia Namnath 1
11. Bill P. 1
11. Bockster 1
11. Brandin Hay 1
11. Brendan Loy 1
11. C. Bassett 1
11. David K. 1
11. GWH 1
11. Jay Johnson 1
11. Jeff Freeze 1
11. Jeff Morrison 1
11. Jeff Vaca 1
11. Jennifer Davis 1
11. JLR 1
11. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 1
11. Joe Swiderski 1
11. Julia Honeyman 1
11. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 1
11. Kristin West 1
11. Kristy LaPlante 1
11. Lisa V. 1
11. Marel N. 1
11. Mike Wiser 1
11. Nate Djordjevic 1
11. Rachel L. 1
11. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 1
11. Soo 1
11. Steve Copenhaver 1
11. TSKelso 1
11. Victoria Lopez 1
11. Victoria W. 1
44. K. Moot 0
44. Marty West 0
44. Uncle Larry 0
44. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 0

UPDATE, 8:50 PM: Man, look at all the other years when the Oscars were good. I bet this year's will suck by comparison.

UPDATE, 8:43 PM: Costume Design: Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Here are the standings through 1 (out of 24) awards. Maximum possible points thus far: 1.

1. Anthony H. 1
1. Barbara Cross 1
1. Becky Loy 1
1. Cam McLachlan 1
1. Courtney Tawresey 1
1. Eli Styles 1
1. Juan Cruz 1
1. Kristen Wall 1
1. Randy S. 1
1. Steve Duvernay 1
11. Alec 0
11. Andrew Hunter 0
11. Antonia Namnath 0
11. Bill P. 0
11. Bockster 0
11. Brandin Hay 0
11. Brendan Loy 0
11. C. Bassett 0
11. David K. 0
11. GWH 0
11. Jay Johnson 0
11. Jeff Freeze 0
11. Jeff Morrison 0
11. Jeff Vaca 0
11. Jennifer Davis 0
11. JLR 0
11. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 0
11. Joe Swiderski 0
11. Julia Honeyman 0
11. K. Moot 0
11. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 0
11. Kristin West 0
11. Kristy LaPlante 0
11. Lisa V. 0
11. Marel N. 0
11. Marty West 0
11. Mike Wiser 0
11. Nate Djordjevic 0
11. Rachel L. 0
11. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 0
11. Soo 0
11. Steve Copenhaver 0
11. TSKelso 0
11. Uncle Larry 0
11. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 0
11. Victoria Lopez 0
11. Victoria W. 0

UPDATE, 8:40 PM: "Gaydolph Titler." Tee hee.

UPDATE, 8:38 PM: "The movie [Michael Clayton] is about 100 minutes long, but since it's about lawyers, you can round that up to two hours." Heh.

UPDATE, 8:31 PM: Um, what's the deal with the production values on the opening sequence? Did the special-effects artists go on strike along with the writers?

7:27 PM: Forty-seven contestants entered this year's pool. Here are the current "standings" -- showing everyone tied for first place with zero points. :)

1. Alec 0
1. Andrew Hunter 0
1. Anthony H. 0
1. Antonia Namnath 0
1. Barbara Cross 0
1. Becky Loy 0
1. Bill P. 0
1. Bockster 0
1. Brandin Hay 0
1. Brendan Loy 0
1. C. Bassett 0
1. Cam McLachlan 0
1. Courtney Tawresey 0
1. David K. 0
1. Eli Styles 0
1. GWH 0
1. Jay Johnson 0
1. Jeff Freeze 0
1. Jeff Morrison 0
1. Jeff Vaca 0
1. Jennifer Davis 0
1. JLR 0
1. Joe McDade (Texasyank) 0
1. Joe Swiderski 0
1. Juan Cruz 0
1. Julia Honeyman 0
1. K. Moot 0
1. Kevin Curran (kcatnd) 0
1. Kristen Wall 0
1. Kristin West 0
1. Kristy LaPlante 0
1. Lisa V. 0
1. Marel N. 0
1. Marty West 0
1. Mike Wiser 0
1. Nate Djordjevic 0
1. Rachel L. 0
1. Randy S. 0
1. Roger Snyder (USC Roger) 0
1. Soo 0
1. Steve Copenhaver 0
1. Steve Duvernay 0
1. TSKelso 0
1. Uncle Larry 0
1. Upset Face LOLZERZ ROFLCOPTR 0
1. Victoria Lopez 0
1. Victoria W. 0

Comments

[NDLauren]

George Clooney managed to work in a conversation about ND basketball with Regis on the red carpet. Regis appeared to be pretty clueless about ND basketball, but nonetheless it was nice to hear George bring it up.

[Texasyank]

Ah . . . I bag on the first award.

But Stewart bagged on his first three political jokes before recovering with the black or woman President and the asteroid.

[Marty West]

Montageeeeeee...

Brendan:
How do you get the points up so fast????
Roger

[Brendan Loy]

Roger, I made a really cool Excel spreadsheet. :) All I have to do is copy & paste the winner into the"Winner" slot, hit Apple + Option + B ("B" for "Blog") and paste it into the blog.

You must have input all the entries into the spreadsheet, then--I guess. Could you email it to me for next year ;O)

[Texasyank]

Wow! Tilda Swinton in the evening's first stunner. Probably the closest-run category of the evening.

How many people got Tilda right? A group of 15 here noone got it

[Becky]

I got Tilda! :)

What do y'all think of Jon Stewart?

[David K.]

The Golden Compas?? Its a vast atheist wing conspiracy! They are against the goddess Calypso and the all powerful Allspark!!

[Becky]

Wow. The Coen brothers are serious dorks. How adorable!

[Brendan Loy]

I got Tilda, too.

Jon Stewart is very blah so far.

(Let it be duly noted that I'm responding to Becky's comments about the Oscars on the blog even though we're both sitting on the same couch watching it.)

David, I agree, Transformers was robbed. Megan Fox's hotness in that movie was an incredibly special effect. :)

[Brendan Loy]

Wow, another retarded video segment. I'm glad they're wasting time on this. Now watch the Best Cinematography winner get 8 seconds for his speech.

[Becky]

I'm glad that the actors get to talk for 2.3 seconds each but the Academy can worship itself in a stupid 10 minute video. UGH!

[Texasyank]

So: the two winners in one of two categories dedicated specifically to words are at a loss for words.

Kinda touching.

[Brendan Loy]

So far, this show is well on its way to living up to Nikki Finke's lofty expectations.

[Brendan Loy]

I love how we made basically the same comment like 15 seconds apart, Becky. :) Nikki Finke agrees with us:

"For crissakes, tonight's winners can't even thank their mother, much less their lawyer, without being cut off by the music."

"Jeez, free the winners. Let them talk. Let them have time to at least say outrageous stuff. Why the heck does Gil Cates think we watch this god-awful show... For the obit segment?"

Also:

"Oh no, that sensation I recognize so well is starting to come on. That panic. That hopelessness. That this-effing-show-is-going-to-last-a-lifetime feeling. "

Heh.

[Becky]

There are 13 awards left! Holy crap. This show is going to drag until 3am.

I'm feeding the baby in like 15 minutes and going to sleep!

[Brendan Loy]

I honestly don't understand what the directors/producers of this show don't understand.

It's the Same. Exact. Problems. Every. Year. Too many lame, utterly unnecessary, overlong video segments, forcing the band to rush the winners' speeches, thus annoying everyone, saving a grand total of like five minutes, and failing to prevent the show from dragging on waaaaay too long (which is caused by those video segments, as well as unnecessarily long presenter speeches, NOT by each of five sound mixers thanking their mothers).

This is not a difficult problem to figure out, or to solve. But they never, ever try.

[Texasyank]

And while we're at it, what about the sorry state of film songs? Best Song once went to classics like "When You Wish Upon a Star" and "Somewhere over the Rainbow." As recent as two decades ago, "Footloose" competed with "Against All Odds" competed with . . .

HOLY CRAP! Marie Cotillard?

Anyone with the Swinton-Cotillard parlay?

[kcatnd]

I think this is normally about the time they do Best Actress isn't it?

[David K.]

And another lame win for the French. Oh well i suppose since they can't win wars, they are making up for it by winning film awards?
Maybe the right wingers were right, maybe hollywood really DOES hate America...

[Marty West]

I want a Wii.

[David K.]

Oh my gosh... freakin Wii sports??? They are trying to glom on to Nintendo's popularity now? That is so so lame and so so sad....and I OWN a Wii.

[Marty West]

Kristin Chenoweth is so hot.

[Brendan Loy]

Kcatnd, maybe you're right. I thought they usually saved the lead acting categories till a little later. But I could be wrong.

[Brendan Loy]

Nikki Finke has the same impression I do: "Gosh, I don't remember the Best Actress award coming this early in the show..."

[Texasyank]

Okay, back to my original point. Do you realize there was a time that "You're the One That I Want" from "Grease" didn't crack the top five? Or "Grease," the song itself? Or that none of the original songs the Bee Gees wrote for "Saturday Night Fever" earned a nomination?

This time? I suppose the catchy reggae-ish Kristen Chenoweth song from "Enchanted" is catchy. And that thing about the kid musician. Catchy. That's it.

[Brendan Loy]

Oh. My. Goodness. EVERY BEST PICTURE EVER??? Give me a break. They do this shit, and then they don't let the minor winners thank their families... it's honestly a disgrace.

[David K.]

See Brendan, they are reminding us how in just about every other year people actually WATCHED the best pictures...

[Marty West]

If I had a Wii I would be playing it now. I can't take much more.

[David K.]

Wow...i've never seen someone whose skin was that pale outside of a computer lab...

[Brendan Loy]

Anyone with the Swinton-Cotillard parlay?

In my pool, yes, 3 out of 47 got it -- and, not coincidentally, they're all in the top five. :) Barbara Cross, Victoria W., and Lisa V.

[David K.]

Dang it, i won another one, i was enjoying last place!!!

[uscroger]

Did you get cinematography on your last update

[Brendan Loy]

No, because they haven't announced it yet. :) They're doing it now.

[kcatnd]

Is this some kind of conspiracy, uscroger?!

[Brendan Loy]

Will Tommy Makem be on the obit list? Was he ever in a movie? I guess not. Oh well.

[Brendan Loy]

Nope.

R.I.P., Tommy, anyway.

[Texasyank]

Okay--Stewart redeems himself MAJORLY by bringing the girl from best song back to talk.

Brendan, I'm with you re the long, unfunny routines, the endless segments, etc. But to be specific, the worst--the really only truly unforgivable--aspect of each Oscars telecast is the shutting off of the microphone just as the One Winner Too Many steps forward. That tactic is a disgrace, especially given how unfairly it is dispensed. Adrien Brody can literally shush Bill Conti's orchestra so he might speak two, three, four minutes long. Julia Roberts can speak so long she might be filibustering the Voting Rights Act, and people can marvel at her "spunk." But let the second winning Art Director say hello to her children, and they not only play, THEY SHUT THE FREAKING MIKE OFF, thus maximizing the humiliation toward this poor person at the precise apex of that person's professional life.

If this will continue, never mind Stewart or Goldberg or even Chris Rock. Assign Chuck Barris the permanent host and be done with it.

Stewart isn't having a good night. But his gesture toward that poor embarrassed woman makes up for everything.

[Marty West]

Tom Hanks has a weird head.

Conspiracy? I'm getting a lot of heat here for giving foreign film a mere Fucla 1 point--give me a freaking break? You either consider the weight or you lose....I think

[Alec]

"The only contestant currently within 15 points of the leader who picked a movie for Best Picture other than No Country For Old Men is Alec (last name unknown)."

It's Taylor. :)

Hopefully my dark horse will carry me up your leaderboard!

[C. Bassett]

Anyone notice that, as long as the Oscars will be on tonight, the NASCAR race over on Fox will have been on longer? It came on at 3:30(eastern), was stopped at various times for rain, then red flagged while Fox switched over to the Sunday cartoons and local programming. Now they're wanting to start it up again at midnight, which means if it runs the distance it'll probably be on past 2 am.

The Hollywood audience can at least be thankful they're not NASCAR fans, waiting out a rainy NASCAR track all these hours. I think the track is only about 50 or 60 miles away from the Kodak Theatre.

[Texasyank]

Two Brits, a Spaniard and a Frenchie.

It's official. Americans can't act.

[Alec]

Either that or they're unduly modest about their abilities!

[David K.]

damnit, why did i guess RIGHT on the last two catagories, i was so close to last pace

[Texasyank]

And sheesh, what an ending. Whatever happened to showing a socko clip from each Best Picture nominee, either dispersed throughout the telecast or--even better--right at the moment of the award? The best part of the Oscars is the roll of fantastic scenes, so that people who haven't even seen those films can say

. . . Wow, that looks good . . .

then

. . . WOW, THAT looks good.

I can remember my first time through, the year ROCKY won, the WOW, THAT looks good scene they played was Rocky's, "YEAH, I WANNA KNOW!" scene in the gym with Mickey. I'd already seen the film twice, and the scene still blew me away.

Eh, none of that tonite. And the write's strike is no excuse. Another blah year.

[Alec]

It's like they did some things on the cheap (the writing; the opening and closing segments) and blew their budget on all those bloody video montages. Who watches those things anyway? Perhaps their principal purpose is to give everyone in the theatre an opportunity to take a comfort break....?

[CD]

I confess: I love the montages. They are the main reason I watch. That and to see the acting and movie clips from this year's crop.

The speeches are entirely lame 99.5% of the time and I don't feel bad for people who get cut off. In what other profession do we think that a billion people want to hear you thank jesus (oh wait, that's the Grammy's), your agent and your family? I also think that it is reasonable that the actors receive more time to speak since those are the folks that the viewers are familiar with and like and follow, and they are the face of the films.

Where is the outrage for the poor science and technology geeks that get relegated to one one minute expose? Where are our tears for those guys?

In sum, can you in all seriousness call anything associated with the Oscars a 'disgrace'? Really? Not that I have't taped the Oscar's going back to the year of Dances With Wolves or anything... Just sayin'.

[Brendan Loy]

Point conceded: "disgrace" was a little strong. :)

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