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And the Oscar goes to …

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Follow along with Hoopla’s Diana Nollen as she live blogs from Hollywood Live! at The Englert starting at 6:30 p.m.:

Host Chris Okiishiis expecting to see “a lot of ‘True Grits’” in Sunday’s Oscar party potluck.

This is the second year he’s moved the gala from his home in Iowa City to the nearby Englert Theatre.

For 20 years he had opened his doors to fellow Oscar buffs, but when 280 people showed up three years ago, a partygoer from the Englert staff suggested moving the festivities there.

“It looked like a really good idea, so we moved to an appropriately sized venue,” says Okiishi, 42, a psychiatrist by day who volunteers as chairman of the City Circle Acting Company of Coralville.

 Between 150 and 200 people showed up for last year’s inaugural Englert event, despite inclement weather.

 It’s definitely a party, he says, with costume contests, prizes and a themed-food potluck, where clever cooks in past years have offered up Hilary Pigs-in-a-Swanket, Michael Clarke Duncan Donuts and Lord of the Onion Rings.

But when the action on the big screen heats up, the party calms down.

“ We’re respectful of the awards themselves,” he says. “When the awards are given, it’s relatively calm. The rest of the time, it’s a full-out party. … “It’s a very positive evening.”

Along with celebrating the awards and movies, he says the event also celebrates the local community “and how much creativity we have here.”

The evening party follows the afternoon matinee of City Circle’s latest production, “A Little Night Music,” so for a full day of the arts, revelers can come to the play and stay for the festivities.

While party admission is free, donations will be accepted help support the Englert.

— Diana Nollen

DETAILS: “Hollywood Live!” 6 p.m. Sunday (2/27), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City; free admission, $10 suggested donation; features red carpet interviews, potluck, contests for most glamorous attire and costumes reflecting nominated movies, grab bags, silent auction; www.englert.org

WATCH IT

The 83rd annual Oscars will be broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC. Anne Hathaway, who recently starred in “Love and Other Drugs” and James Franco, who is nominated for best actor for his role in “127 Hours,” will share emcee duties.

FOLLOW ALONG

Watch the Oscars with Diana Nollen at the Englert party, here or Easterniowalife.com

YOU DECIDE

The Gazette, Hoopla and KCRG-TV9 are giving you the chance to be the big winner. Pick the winners in Ashley and Nicole’s Red Carpet Movie Awards contest and you’ll be eligible for our grand prize drawing — a red carpet makeover from Zender’s Salon and Spa in Iowa City.

oscar ratings rise

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The early ratings returns for last night’s Academy Awards indicate that more people watched this year’s show than last years, which might be attributed to the humongous success of Avatar. Or not.  We don’t really know at this point.

Anyway, the Oscars were up 20% from last year, averaging a 27.4 rating and a 41 share.  What this means, in terms of raw numbers, is that it’s more than likely that the Academy Awards were seen by over 40 million people in the United States (the numbers will be out later today).  36 million watched last year’s telecast.

Like I said in this post’s first paragraph, there’s a good chance that the increase in viewers is due to Avatar being nominated for so many awards.  If a movie is seen by a lot of people is nominated in several big categories, there’s a good chance that the Oscars will see its ratings rise. For example, the award show’s biggest audience ever was in 1998 – the year Titanic was up for all of its awards.  It was seen by 55.2 million people.

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This post was written by Eric Van Dril.  For more of his writing, visit RipcordNews.com.

Three things to do this weekend

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maplesyrup

Maple Syrup Festival
Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7

Break out the pancakes, it’s maple syrup time. Drop by the Indian Creek Nature Center Saturday and Sunday morning to take part in the whole sticky experience — from tapping a tree, to gathering sap and processing it into real maple syrup. Breakfast — including pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee — will be served so visitors can taste the fruits, er, syrups, of their labors. Plus there will be musical entertainment while you eat. Sweet!

Maple Syrup Festival
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Saturday (03/06) and Sunday (03/07), Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids, $3.50 to $6.50 in advance or $4 to $7 at the door,
(319) 362-0664, www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org

oscar

Hollywood Live!
Sunday, March 7

The Englert Theatre is rolling out the red carpet in honor of the 82nd annual Academy Awards on Sunday. Make plans to watch the show live on the big screen with local theater enthusiast Chris Okiishi hosting. There will be movie-themed food, costume contests, grab bags and a silent auction. Guests can cast their own Oscar ballots and vote for best and worst-dressed celebrity. If you can’t make it to L.A. for Oscar night, this is the next best thing.

Hollywood Live!
5:30 p.m., Sunday (03/07), Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City, Free but small donations are welcome, (319) 688-2653, www.englert.org

dervish

Dervish
Sunday, March 7

Ready to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day (and we don’t mean drinking green beer)? Legion Arts continues their tradition of presenting traditional Irish bands in honor of the upcoming holiday and Dervish won’t disappoint. Just listening to this six-member band — hailing from northwest Ireland — bring their toe-tapping instrumentals and powerful lyrics to the Corridor will make you feel a wee bit more Irish. ‘Tis grand!

Dervish
7 p.m., Sunday (03/07), CSPS, 1103 Third Street SE, Cedar
Rapids, $20 in advance, $25 at the door, (319) 364-1580,
www.legionarts.org

Three other things

Killadelphia: A Mixtape of a City
7:30 p.m. Friday (3/5)
Riverside Theatre, 213 N.
Gilbert St., Iowa City, $12 to $26, 319.338.7672,
www.riversidetheatre.org

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
7 p.m. Saturday (3/6)
Blue Moose Tap House, 211
Iowa Ave., Iowa City, $6,
www.bluemooseic.com

Moscow String Quartet
7:30 p.m. Monday (3/8)
Cornell College King Chapel, 660 1st St. SW, Mount Vernon, $10 at the door, $5 for students, www.cornellcollege.edu

The Oscar Breakdown-2 guys, a girl and a movie style

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After a bit-too-long intermission, Two Guys, A Girl and a Movie are back with their thoughts on eight of the ten movies nominated for Best Picture.  An Education and Precious have yet to be screened (o.k. we ran out of time).

A Serious Man:
E:  A true Coen brothers flick – great writing, dark humor, and memorable characters wrapped around a morality play.  Similar to No Country for Old Men (case of money) and Burn After Reading (top secret files), A Serious Man forces the main character to look at the tangles of his life when he receives a bribe to change a student’s grade.  Not for all movie fans, don’t see it taking a statue, but entertaining.

S:  I thought it was very American Beauty-esque…a movie I liked, not loved.  I thought the story unfolded well but took a while.

District 9:
K:  A mild surprise to see this sci-fi nominated film over the higher grossing Star Trek. Neill Blomkamp brought fresh eyes to the genre that looked more impressive than many higher budget action/fantasy movies.

E:  You’re right on the ‘fresh eyes’ comment (which, considering what takes place in the movie may be a bit of a pun, K?).  Still, it has what OSCAR voters look for in Best Pics:  social commentary, great cinematography and a good story.  Won’t win, but still recommended for most (if you hate sci-fi, probably not for you).

S: Scary movie does not equal  S seeing to it.  Glad you both enjoyed it.

UP:
S: The first 20 mintues of the movie, I kept thinking, “Why is this marketed to young kids?” Rough subject matter for a Disney/Pixar creation.  But after, WOW what a fun ride (pun intended).  My favorite part was Doug the Dog.  I know it won’t win but I’d say it was my second favorite Oscar nominee!  See it if you haven’t already!

K:  Disney’s (Pixar’s) track record of quality movies in recent years is outstanding. The first 20 minutes of Up provides all you need to see just how deserving this Oscar nomination is. The rest of the movie is pretty entertaining too.

Up in the Air:
K:  George Clooney, Vera Vermiga, & Anna Kendrick nominations were well deserved.  May very well win an OSCAR for Adapted Screenplay.  Jason Reitman deserves kudos for his direction.  I had a good time seeing it but I can’t bring myself to see it win Best Picture.

Our Final Four for Best Picture

The Blind Side:
K:  Mix in Sandra Bullock’s commanding performance with football and elements of tone Crash and what do you have? An outperforming smash hit appealing to many in middle America-shocking many in Hollywood. An uplifting feel good movie that felt very Lifetime-like in overall film quality.

S: I’m not sure I agree with a Lifetime movie feel…I’ve never watched a full Lifetime movie and the only reason I’ve ever watched Lifetime is for Project Runway!  However, I will watch a football movie anytime, anywhere, any way I can!  I LOVED THIS MOVIE!  Can’t say enough how worth the time it was to see.  I will be Sandra Bullock’s character Leigh Ann Tuohy when I grow up.  No nonsense but with compassion to spare! Not sure if you can see this was my favorite of the nominees or not. ;-)

Inglourious Basterds:
K:  This writer/director came back with a vengence this year! Simply put the most divisive Best Picture nominee in this group.  People really love it or really are put off by Tarantino’s over the top pushing the envelope style of film making. I understand both sides of this argument. The opening scene & the bar basement scene are classic Tarantino. Expect a wild OSCAR acceptance speech should this movie win.  Christoph Waltz’s electric performance dominates when he’s on screen. He’s a probable shoo-in for Best Supporting Actor.

Avatar: 
E:  When S and I were getting popcorn before the 2D showing, we overheard the cashier saying the movie was “life changing.”  We had to chuckle.  Life changing – no.  Very, very good – yes.  Great story, easy to follow, amazing effects, it’s what a movie is supposed to be.

K:  Who knew that when I attended the midnight show before its opening day in December that it would become the all time highest grossing worldwide and domestic?  Simply put the greatest 3-D movie on the “environment” ever made (with my apologies to Al Gore). Even with James Cameron’s track record there were many a doubter saying this movie would flop on its face.  No movie has made more haters eat crow than on this one.  This film will win many or sweep the technical Oscars.  I thought the screenplay was average but Cameron more than made up for it in his outstanding direction.  Special mention to Stephen Lang and Zoe Saldena for their outstanding performances.  The favorite to win Best Picture in my opinion.

The Hurt Locker:
E:  This had OSCAR buzz from the minute it was released.  If you haven’t seen it, check your cable or satellite PPV – it should be there.

S:  We PPV’d it and was just as moving as seeing it in the theatre I’d expect.

K:  The “David” of the Best Picture nominees. Got a heck of a slingshot’s chance to win, however. Director Kathryn Bigelow sets a new standard for action directing, so much so she’s the favorite to win Best Director according to her ex husband James Cameron.  Kudos to  Jeremy Renner for his Best Actor nomination. (S:  Did you know he’s in a band and write music for keyboards and sings.  Ladies, he’s supposedly single!  Do you have your plane ticket to LA?)  No movie moved me in profound ways this year that this one. In many ways the best Hollywood made on the Iraq war and the least preachy politically.  I’ll be smiling if this one were to win Best Picture.

In the end, all are worth seeing but see these top 4 if you haven’t already!  It’s worth it to be ready for your local Oscar party!

let’s talk oscars

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Watch the Oscars along with The Gazette’s Diana Nollen and Jamie Kelly Sunday at 6:45 p.m. on HooplaNow.com

Dish on all the juicy details. Whose dress is awful? Whose is divine? Which acceptance speech made you cringe. Which performance did you change the channel during rather than watch.

For even more fun times. Play Oscar Bingo along with Diana. Click here for a printable version of the Bingo card.

will hugh jackman be a disappointment

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Hugh Jackman is hosting tomorrow night’s Oscar awards.  He’s an actor without any hosting experience, which means that the Oscars will be very entertaining.  Whether that means Jackman will be any good at the toughest hosting gig around (according to Chris Rock) is unknown.

But some footage from the X-Men star’s rehearsal leaked today.  It can be seen at this link, and I must warn you that it’s very good.  It’s a little bit risky, and Jackman should be able to pull it off with over 200 million watching across the world.

Jackman is almost reason enough to tune in.  Almost. Of course, if you have any sense, you’ll simultaneously watch the Oscars and check out HooplaNow.com starting at 6:30 PM.

Enjoy the Oscars, everyone.

mickey rourke addresses courtney love rumors

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You’re going to hear a lot about Mickey Rourke over the next week with the Oscars on Feb. 22 (yeah, I’m sorry if I’ve mislead you over the past three months by saying they’re on the 15th – I feel stupid).

Part of that will be about his role in The Wrestler – where he’s allegedly brilliant.  Part will be about his profanity and pretty weird behavior.  And part will be about who he’s hooking up with.

After the SAG Awards a couple weeks ago, Rourke was seen making out with Evan Rachel Wood – former girlfriend of Marilyn Manson, and the actress who plays Rourke’s daughter in The Wrestler. Those rumors were shot down quickly by both parties.

Now, Rourke has been linked to the Kurt Cobain’s former wife, Courtney Love.  I have no idea why, but Rourke felt the need to dispel the rumors recently by telling TMZ: “I’d rather be on a deserted island with a gorilla!”

Can we stop guessing who’s involved with Mickey Rourke, please? It’s making me queasy.

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For more updates on Mickey Rourke’s sex life (we mean that as a joke, we’re not touching this subject again), follow author Eric Van Dril on www.twitter.com/isthisitx

the dark knight is back in imax

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After becoming the second-highest grossing film of all-time during the summer, The Dark Knight is back in theaters to make more money (and promote the film, and it’s rock-star Supporting Actor before the Oscars on Feb. 22).

Specifically, TDK is back in 143 IMAX theaters.

But the question is: Will anyone go see it?

The film already made almost a billion dollars in theaters, and was the year’s most popular DVD.  It was also the most-stolen DVD on the Internet. So, I theorize, that people would rather sit on their couch and watch Christian Bale pilot the Batbike.  Especially with money being so tight in the States.

I personally won’t see it, but will you?  Is IMAX worth it?

who was snubbed for an oscar

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So, if you haven’t heard, the Oscar nominees were announced today.

(If you’re looking for a run-down of the nominees, head here)

A lot is being made about the Oscar snubs, and I’ve got to say: what’s the big deal?

So what if Gran Torino wasn’t nominated for Best Picture, and Clint Eastwood wasn’t nominated for Best Actor?

It really doesn’t matter, because I don’t think Gran Torino had any chance in either category.  You know what I mean?

The whole Oscar-snubs type of arguments is directly related to to sports and All-Star games, though the Oscars do actually mean something.  But if you saw the Golden Globes, or even just the winners, you’ve seen the favorites for each of the major awards.  And I don’t think that there’s going to be that much of a difference between the GG and the AA.

Slumdog Millionaire is (seemingly) the favorite for every category it’s in, Mickey Rourke is the favorite for Best Actor and Heath Ledger is a shoe-in for Best Supporting Actor.

I guess, with all of this being said, the only thing that is disappointing is that The Dark Knight wasn’t nominated for Best Picture.  I personally think it deserved it, even though I haven’t yet seen The Reader, which was (allegedly) the final film to make it in to the Best Picture nominees.

The Oscars air on Feb. 22.