I have an Academy Awards fantasy. This Sunday, when the presenter opens the envelope for Best Achievement in Directing, I envision audible gasps, then stunned silence and, finally, thunderous applause when un-nominated Kasi Lemmons benefits from a secret write-in campaign and wins for Talk to Me.

And then, for the hell of it, Sarah Polley wins an Honorable Mention for Away From Her.

I suspect, however, that one of the actual nominees will win. (I'm pulling for Jason Reitman — Juno.) But this does not change the sad truth that sometimes the best movies and performers do not get nominated, and sometimes the absolutely wrong performers and movies win.

It can be pretty tough to figure out the logic. For example, my brother noted that the longest — read poorly edited — movies often win Best Editing. (As he elaborated, “All 28 hours of The English Patient beat Fargo in 1997.) And the acting nominees sometimes reflect the most offensive scenery-chewing.

Of course, my brother and I are not the only ones to spew righteous indignation about the state of Academy Awards affairs. I recently read a pretty good list of the Worst Oscars Ever, some of which I agreed with and some of which I disagreed with. And this led me to compile my own list of Academy Awards Travesties — the performers and movies that stole the awards that should have rightfully gone to more deserving others. … continue reading

Julie Christie thinks she has never been that pretty or clever. And, I must say, I’m inclined to agree with her. It’s true: Julie Christie isn’t pretty or clever. No, Julie Christie is beautiful and brilliant.

The Oscar-nominated actress recently gave a fascinating and free-flowing interview with the U.K. Telegraph. She discussed everything from her phenomenal performance in Away From Her to her aversion to celebrity and her passion for social activism. Though, if Christie had her way, she wouldn’t be in the news at all: “All these paragraphs about stupid old me — when there’s a war going on!”

In Away From Her, Christie gave a singular performance, rare both in its quality and its very existence. Since becoming the iconic face of the '60s, Christie retired herself from the Hollywood scene in the late '70s. While she still acted, she reemerged mostly in smaller roles by design. “It’s not my taste, being a film star,” she said. “It’s nothing I’ve ever longed for or admired.” … continue reading

A couple of nights ago at midnight, I watched fireworks from a friend's roof, kissed my girlfriend and thought about the career and personal changes I could make in the new year. Then I decided self-improvement was overrated, and it would be more fun and less work to make resolutions for others. I suspected that my girlfriend wouldn't let me make them for her, so I turned my attention to the powers-that-be in Hollywood and on Broadway. Here's what I resolve they do for women in entertainment in 2008.

Movies

I resolve that the Academy Awards will be less of a celebration of male accomplishment, and more of a recognition of the breadth of accomplishment in Hollywood. Last year, it was great that Ellen DeGeneres hosted the show, but the dearth of female nominees in the directing, writing and producing categories was a wee bit depressing. So I resolve that the Academy nominate at least two women for Best Director. If they need my help, I'll make suggestions: Kasi Lemmons (Talk to Me)

and Sarah Polley (Away From Her).

… continue reading

Sarah Polley, one of the most gifted actors and filmmakers of her generation, just began filming in Brussels for Mr. Nobody, an intriguing sci-fi fantasy by Belgian filmmaker Jaco van Dormael and co-starring Jared Leto.

The plot is described as having something to do with chaos theory, the "butterfly effect" and the exigencies of existence, and the last mortal man contemplating his past life and lost marriage. Whatever. We'll go with anything if it turns out well, which is always a long shot, if I'm up on my latest chaos film theory. … continue reading

I just watched the trailer for Away From Her, the new film starring Julie Christie and Olympia Dukakis and directed by Sarah Polley. It's based on the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" by Alice Munro.

… continue reading

It looks like the film just might live up to the expectations fostered by those big names.

by Dorothy Snarker

In this month's issue of Jane magazine, stars from the Sundance Film Festival (uh, wasn't that in January?) answered the question "What‘s your crime?" for a photo shoot. These true confessions came in the form of mug shots spelling out these so-called crimes. The spread yielded nary a felony (OK, Paul Rudd's answer raises an eyebrow ... ), but there were plenty of admissions of bad behavior and nasty habits.

My favorite: Mandy Moore pleading guilty to her crimes against our eardrums as the "Singer of 'Candy.'"

(Click "read more" to see more celebrity infamy.) … continue reading