Oscars 2012

It is that time of year again. A time when the famous faces of Hollywood and beyond give themselves a hearty pat on the back and shower praise on the best in their industry. Technicians, producers, cameramen and women plus a whole host of workers will be honoured apart from the actual stars. Of course we, the great unwashed, that is the general public, tend to only be interested in the highlights such as the best actress, best film, who wore what and any of the latest gossip. Such is life.

This year it is expected that a low budget, as far as Hollywood goes, black and white silent film, The Artist will dominate the event. This movie dominated the UK BAFTAs, British Film awards, a short time ago but will it wow Hollywood?

Some may claim that the Oscar Event is way passed its best by date but TV audiences will no doubt put paid to that assessment. The Oscar ceremony proves almost as popular now as ever, in spite of very changing times. That said it does not receive the huge viewing audiences that it once did. The Oscars were launched in 1929 but were not broadcast till the fifties. For some Oscar night will be essential viewing though. A brief glimpse into another life, namely that of a Star.

This year's Oscar nominations include:

Best Picture

• The Artist Thomas Langmann, Producer
• The Descendants Jim Burke, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor, Producers
• Extremely Loud & Incredibly CloseScott Rudin, Producer
• The Help Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan, Producers
• Hugo Graham King and Martin Scorsese, Producers
• Midnight in Paris Letty Aronson and Stephen Tenenbaum, Producers
• Moneyball Michael De Luca, Rachael Horovitz and Brad Pitt, Producers 
• The Tree of Life Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Dede Gardner and Grant Hill, Producers
• War Horse Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers

Some great films there for this blogger, notably The War Horse, Hugo and The Artist. Who will win through though? Will Hollywood break the mould, go back to its roots and opt for the black and white silent movie The Artist? 

Actor In a Leading Role

• Demián Bichir A Better Life
• George Clooney The Descendants
• Jean Dujardin The Artist
• Gary Oldman Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
• Brad Pitt Moneyball
  

Actress In a Leading Role

• Glenn Close Albert Nobbs
• Viola DavisThe Help
• Rooney Mara The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
• Meryl Streep The Iron Lady
• Michelle Williams My Week With Marilyn

Actor In a Supporting Role

• Kenneth Branagh My Week With Marilyn
• Jonah Hill Moneyball
• Nick Nolte Warrior
• Christopher Plummer Beginners
• Max von Sydow Extremely Loud & Incredibly close

Other categories include, Art Direction, Costume design, directing, Documentary shory, documentary feature, film editing, visual effects, music and more.  

One vital ingredient of a successful Oscar show is the host. This year it will be Oscar veteran host Billy Crystal. 

---

Actress In a Supporting Role

• Bérénice Bejo The Artist
• Jessica Chastain The Help
• Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids
• Janet McTeer Albert Nobbs
• Octavia Spencer The Help

 This will be Billy's ninth Oscar hosting role. The last was in 2004. According to the Daily Mail he has given his reason for agreeing to host the show again as,  ‘so the young woman in my local pharmacy will stop having to ask my name when I pick up my prescriptions’. Joking aside though Crystal has the necessary personality and experience to be a great host. Let's face it some hosts in the past, remember Ricky Gervais, have left a lot to be desired.

In the UK Breakfast TV Monday February 27, 2012, will have highlights from the Oscar Ceremony and the Red Carpet. The after show parties will be under way and weary celebrities will be hauled in front of TV cameramen and women from around the world. Just what you need to watch before a dreaded Monday at work. Hollywood royalty enjoying yet another moment in the limelight whilst you struggle to survive. You've got to love 'em.