On Sunday night, Hollywood will get together for its biggest party of the year, the 88th Annual Academy Awards, otherwise known as the Oscars. The night promises laughs, shocks, and plenty of controversy as for the second straight year all 20 acting nominees are white. With comedian Chris Rock hosting, expect some jabs directed at the Academy.
I love the Oscars, even when I hate them. Movies are my passion and the biggest night in movies has become a holiday akin to the Super Bowl. Every year, I try earnestly to see all the films nominated for top honors, and I went over and beyond this year. Not only did I watch all 8 nominated films, but I watched 19 of the 20 of the ranked Oscar performances (sorry Charlotte Rampling). Since this is my first of several Oscars 2016 columns to come, I thought it best to start in the same way the big show begins”¦ no sorry, not with a huge musical number. Nearly every year, they open the awards distribution with a Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Last year, JK Simmons accepted his trophy for playing the deliciously malicious orchestra leader in Best Pic nominee Whiplash. Simmons, much more resigned than his ferocious role as Fletcher, encouraged everyone to call their moms.
So without further ado, let’s introduce the Best Supporting Actor and Actress nominees, and then move on to the Best Actor and Actress nominees. I’ll tell you who will likely will win”¦ but more importantly, who I think should win.
The stars, the spectacle, the glamor that represents Hollywood’s best achievements all comes to a head tonight, when ABC broadcasts the 84th Annual Academy Awards, at 7PM Eastern, 4PM Pacific, live from the Hollywood and Highland Center (formerly known as the Kodak Theatre). And who better to host than a living legend, Billy Crystal?
The Geeks of Doom crew will be live-blogging the event right here, beginning an hour earlier, at 6PM Eastern/ 3PM Pacific, so we don’t miss the pageantry of the red carpet arrivals.
In case you’ve yet to see them, the nominees for the 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony were announced earlier today.
As is usual, some of the nominations made folks happy, while others left many enraged. Martin Scorsese‘s epic fantasy Hugo led the charge with 11 nods, with silent flick The Artist bringing it 10.
You can check out the full list of nominees down below now.
A trailer has been released for the upcoming 84th annual Academy Awards ceremony.
In the trailer, which was made with Funny or Die, Transformers co-stars Josh Duhamel and Megan Fox are special agents working for William Fichtner (Armageddon, Black Hawk Down), who sends them out to find the long-lost Billy Crystal (City Slickers, The Princess Bride), known only as the one they call “The Host.” Along the way they get a little help from Vinnie Jones (Snatch, Midnight Meat Train) and Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire), as well.
You can check out the trailer for the Oscars by clicking on over to the other side now.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press