the hostess with the most-ess
ELLEN DeGENERES
“I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say - the third time’s the charm.” As you flip through the Watchlist, keep an eye out for this bookmark. While I can’t say with certainty who will take home the prize, these are the ones I think are safe bets.
Get ready to get your dance on. Yep, the lady who has been bringing the boogie to television daily for eleven seasons is back to host her second outing on the big stage. Her first gig was back in 2007 and ended up earning her a Primetime Emmy nomination. While she didn’t win, I think her 45 Daytime Emmy wins more than soften the blow. With her comfort and effortless charm, she is sure to bring her good humor to the Dolby Theater. And since most of the people in the audience have sat across from her on her show, I’m sure the stars will be thrilled to see a welcoming face. She won’t be as edgy or cutting as Seth MacFarlane was last year, but I don’t doubt she will bring a surprise or two to the show.
Starting her career in her hometown of New Orleans as the host of a local comedy club, Ellen leveraged that into a successful career as a standup comic and even acting on her own show. Because of that show (with the highly original title “Ellen”) she received an Emmy and the Peabody Award for writing “Puppy Episode” where her character (and eventually she) came out as a gay woman to over 46 million viewers. I love watching her get down and I think that she has grown more easy with her comedy in the seven years since she last graced the stage. And I can’t help but believe the more than 225 countries and territories worldwide will feel the same way.
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTOR, ACTOR & ACTRESS, SUPP
PORTING ACTOR & ACTRESS
AMERICAN HUSTLE Director David O. Russell knows how to set a stage - a story where “some of these events are true”. Set in the world of one of the most compelling scandals that rocked our nation, this is a delightful type of film that combines drama, comedy, and a who-done-it twist. Sony’s official description goes like this: American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man, Irving Rosenfeld (played by the almost unrecognizable Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (amazingly portrayed by Amy Adams) is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper, can we talk about his hair?!). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey power-brokers and mafia that’s as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn (the beautifully insane Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. With his beyond incredible cast, it is not surprising that almost all of the actors received acting nominations this year. Will Jennifer Lawrence score a repeat and take home the gold for the second year in a row? Tune in to see. But if you haven’t seen the movie yet you can preorder it now through iTunes or Amazon.
julia roberts & meryl streep
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Family, am I right?! Meryl continues to prove that she is a force of nature, throwing herself fully and completely into the role of matriarch Violet Weston. Harshly honest and an addict for both pills and drama, it is no wonder her daughters are less than enthusiastic about coming home. Facing her down with passion and power is her oldest daughter (played fiercely by Julia Roberts) who is fighting for normalcy while realizing there is really no such thing. Compelling and engrossing, August almost feels as though you are watching real life - it’s not always pretty, but you deal with what you’ve got. Available to preorder now on iTunes or Amazon.
BEST ACTRESS & SUPPORTING ACTRESS
The fall from grace isn’t always an easy ride. Cate Blanchett is the title character, Jasmine French, a New York socialite who has lost everything. So she heads across the country to take refuge with her sister (played by the delightful Sally Hawkins), bringing all her emotional baggage along with. From pill popping to practically bathing in booze, Woody Allen continues his study of the heartbroken and emotionally distraught. Blanchett is pretty much a lock to win, but we shall see! Get it now, to rent or own, on iTunes or Amazon.
BEST ACTRESS & SUPPORTING ACTRESS
cate blanchett & sally hawkins
BLUE JASMINE
While I haven’t had the chance to see this nail-biter, there is no denying the power of the film. With Tom Hanks as the title character, he fights for his life (and that of his crew) when his ship is boarded by Somali pirates (lead by limodriver-turned-Supporting Actor Nominee, Barkhad Abdi). There are no skull and crossbones here, just a story based on the true-life account of the real Captain Phillips. While it doesn’t have much of a chance of taking home the big prize - I’m sure it is more than worth watching. It is now available to rent or own on iTunes or Amazon.
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
BEST PICTURE & SUPPORTING ACTOR
music & lyrics by pharrell williams
HAPPY, DESPICABLE ME 2 It might seem crazy what I’m about to say Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah, Well, give me all you got, and don’t hold back, yeah, Well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine, yeah, No offense to you, don’t waste your time Here’s why Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do Hey, come on (happy) Bring me down Can’t nothing bring me down My level’s too high Bring me down Can’t nothing bring me down I said (let me tell you now) Bring me down Can’t nothing bring me down My level’s too high Bring me down Can’t nothing bring me down I said
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE & ORIGINAL SONG
Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do Hey, come on (happy) Bring me down… can’t nothing… Bring me down… my level’s too high… Bring me down… can’t nothing… Bring me down, I said (let me tell you now) Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth Because I’m happy Clap along if you know what happiness is to you Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do Come on
If you haven’t seen the movie, it is available now to rent and own on iTunes or Amazon. You can also download “Happy” on both Amazon and iTunes now.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB BEST PICTURE, ACTOR & SUPPORTING ACTOR
Based in 1985 Dallas, this is the raw and astoundingly honest story of a real-life electrician/rodeo bull rider/party boy, Ron Woodroof (the remarkable Matthew McConaughey), who, due to his wild ways ends up contracting HIV. Woodroof works through his denial of having a “faggot” disease and lives beyond his thirty-day death sentence to establish a buyers’ club to provide drugs (more than the traditional AZT treatment) for others with AIDS. While McConaughey’s performance is truly impressive, it is his co-star Jared Leto’s Rayon that is the heart (and sadness) of the film. I’d be surprised if they don’t both take home the gold. It is available now to rent or own on iTunes or Amazon.
music & lyrics by kristen anderson-lopez & robert lopez
LET IT GO, FROZEN
The snow glows white on the mountain tonight, not a footprint to be seen . A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I’m the queen . The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside. Couldn’t keep it in , Heaven knows I tried. Don’t let them in , don’t let them see. Be the good girl you al ways have to be. Conceal , don’t feel , don’t let them know. Well , now they know! Let it go, let it go! Can’t hold it back any more. Let it go, let it go! Turn away and slam the door. I don’t care what they’re going to say. Let the storm rage on . The cold never bothered me anyway.
Let it go, let it go. I am one with the wind an Let it go, let it go. You’ll never see me cry Here I’ll stand, and here I’l Let the storm rage on
My power flurries through the air i My soul is spiraling in frozen fract And one thought crystallizes like I’m never going back; the past is
Let it go, let it go. And I’ll rise like the break o Let it go, let it go That perfect girl is gon Here I stand, in the light o
It’s funny how some distance, Let the storm rage on makes everything seem small . The cold never bothered me a And the fears that once controlled me, can’t get to me at all It’s time to see what I can do, to test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me. If you haven’t seen the movie, it is available now to rent on I’m free!
Amazon. You can download “Let It Go” on both Amazon and
performed by idina menzel
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n iTunes or preorder on d iTunes now.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE & ORIGINAL SONG
GRAVITY Whoa. Now, I know that I’m biased because of my life-long love and devotion to the one and only Sandra Bullock, but walking out of the 3D IMAX theater I felt like I had just touched down to earth with her. The visual effect are nothing short of life-like and the story is as thrilling and dramatic as any I’ve seen in recent memory. Beginning to end, I found myself at the edge of my seat, jumping at explosions and crying along with Bullock’s lost-in-space Dr. Ryan Stone. This is a thriller in the true sense of the word and is now available to rent or own on iTunes or Amazon.
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTOR & ACTRESS
A quiet movie that practically yells. In a not-too-distant future version of LA, Joaquin Phoenix plays a lonely Theodore who spends his days writing beautiful letters for people he doesn’t know. One day, he upgrades his operating system to the new “smart” version... and ends up falling in love with constantly evolving Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). His best friend Amy (the magically natural Amy Adams) is there to support him along the way in this unconventional love story that is so human and on the verge of being imaginable. Original and compelling, this is one of those films I felt like I experienced as much as watched. If you missed it in theatres, you can preorder it on iTunes or Amazon now. (You can also download the nominated “The Moon Song” on both Amazon and iTunes.)
BEST PICTURE, ORIGINAL SONG & SCREENPLAY
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o & spik n e r a k y sb
HER
o., lyric n e r a k y music b
THE M
G N O S OON
n the moon soon o g n i y l m I’ e ll be therplace I’ , r a e d My starry t e i u q a s It’ llowed up s away a w s e r ’ e Time’s w ere a million mile e’re h In space w I knew h s i w I s g ou hin There’s tthing I keep from y e o There’s ndark and shiny plac It’s a my dear es away u o y h t i w But on mil i l l i m a e nd we’r I’m safe a n the moonn o g n i y l e o We’r ct afterno ll day e f r e p a It’s ows me a and l l o f w o d a Your sh re that I’m okay Making su million miles away We’re a
The sea wants to kiss the golden shore The sunlight warms your skin All the beauty that’s been lost before Wants to find us again I can’t fight you anymore It’s you I’m fighting for The sea throws rock together But time leaves us polished stones We can’t fall any further If we can’t feel ordinary love We cannot reach any higher If we can’t deal with ordinary love Birds fly high in the summer sky And rest on the breeze The same wind will take care of you and I will build our house in the trees Your heart is on my sleeve Did you put there with a magic marker For years I would believe That the world couldn’t wash it away ‘Cause we can’t fall any further If we can’t feel ordinary love We cannot reach any higher If we can’t deal with ordinary love Are we tough enough For ordinary love We can’t fall any further If we can’t feel ordinary love We cannot reach any higher If we can’t deal with ordinary love We can’t fall any further If we can’t feel ordinary love We cannot reach any higher If we can’t deal with ordinary love
performed by U2
usic by paul hewson, dave evans, adam clayton and larry mullen m with lyrics by paul hewson, performed by U2
WALK ORDINARY LOVE MANDELA:TOLONG FREEDOM
The film is available for preorder on iTunes and Amazon. You can also download “Ordinary Love” on both Amazon and iTunes.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
NEBRASKA Some trips need to be shared. Woody Grant (brought to life by Bruce Dern) is a gruff and rough alcoholic who believes that he has won a million-dollar sweepstakes, but in order to claim his prize he must travel from Montana to Nebraska. He turns to his estranged son (Will Forte) while also dealing with his brutally honest wife (the revelation known as June Squibb) as they go on a modern odyssey into age and relationships. While I don’t think they are going to win the big prizes, you never know what might happen with director Alexander Payne. Known for bringing the human condition to film, this is no different. It is available now to rent or own on iTunes or Amazon.
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTOR, ACTOR & SUPPORTING ACTRESS
PHILOMENA BEST PICTURE & ACTRESS
In the end I could say just two words and be done - Judi. Dench. Period. How she continues to not only improve but transcend beyond her body of work is more than I can comprehend. This film is based on a true story of Philomena Lee’s quest to locate the son who was taken from her while placed at a Catholic convent. Steve Coogan (who also co-wrote the screenplay) plays Martin Sixsmith, a disgraced journalist who is reticent to tackle a human-interest story, offers a perfect foil for Dench. He is difficult to like, but the magic of Philomena’s outlook proves to be transformative for them both. It is available to preorder now on iTunes or Amazon.
12 YEARS A SLAVE Damn. While the film is not easy to watch, it is an important part of our nation’s history. The acting is beyond impressive and this true story is one of perseverance and strength. Chiwetel Ejiofor is Soloman Northup, a free man from upstate New York who is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing the kindness of some and the harshness of most, it is no small miracle that Northup’s spirit remained intact. Smart and determined, his story gets added depth with the supporting cast of Micheal Fassbender’s vicious slave owner and the revelation who is Lupita Nyong’o. It is available now to rent or own on iTunes or Amazon.
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTOR, ACTOR, SUPPORTING ACTOR & ACTRESS
BEST PICTURE, DIRECTOR, ACTOR & SUPPORTING ACTOR
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET I needed a shower (or two) after taking a dive into depravity with Martin Scorsese’s latest partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio. Leo is more than a little vile as he portrays Jordan Belfort, a real man with few-to-no scruples who believed in living hard and partying even harder. Jonah Hill is an obscene caricature as Belfort’s right-hand man, but he continues to prove his acting chops. Just be prepared, if you’re looking for a low-key, family-friendly drama this is decidedly not it. Available now to rent or buy on iTunes or Amazon.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN william chang suk ping
THE GRANDMASTER
michael wilkinson
AMERICAN HU
patricia norris
12 YEARS A SLAVE
catherine martin
THE GREAT GATSBY
USTLE
michael o’connor
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN
BEST PICTURE
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
ACTOR
Christian Bale AMERICAN HUSTLE Bruce Dern NEBRASKA Leonardo DiCaprio
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET
Chiwetel Ejiofor 12 YEARS A SLAVE Matthew McConaughey
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
ACTRESS
Amy Adams AMERICAN HUSTLE Cate Blanchett BLUE JASMINE Sandra Bullock GRAVITY Judi Dench PHILOMENA Meryl Streep AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Dallas Buyers Club
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY American Hustle
ERIC WARREN SINGER, DAVID O. RUSSELL
Blue Jasmine WOODY ALLEN Dallas Buyers Club
CRAIG BORTEN, MELISA WALLACK
Her SPIKE JONZE Nebraska BOB NELSON
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Before Midnight RICHARD LINKLATER, JULIE DELPY, ETHAN HAWKE
Captain Phillips BILLY RAY Philomena STEVE COOGAN, JEFF POPE 12 Years a Slave JOHN RIDLEY The Wolf of Wall Street
TERENCE WINTER
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Barkhad Abdi CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Bradley Cooper AMERICAN HUSTLE Michael Fassbender 12 YEARS A SLAVE Jonah Hill THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Jared Leto DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
SUPPORTING ACTRESS Sally Hawkins BLUE JASMINE Jennifer Lawrence AMERICAN HUSTLE Lupita Nyong’o 12 YEARS A SLAVE Julia Roberts AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY June Squibb NEBRASKA
DIRECTOR
MARTIN SCORSESE
H
VISUAL EFFECTS
Gravity TIM WEBBER, CHRIS LAWRENCE, DAVE SHIRK, NEIL CORBOULD
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug JOE LETTERI, ERIC SAINDON, DAVID CLAYTON, ERIC REYNOLDS
Iron Man 3 CHRISTOPHER TOWNSEND, GUY WILLIAMS, ERIK NASH, DAN SUDICK
The Lone Ranger TIM ALEXANDER, GARY BROZENICH, EDSON WILLIAMS, JOHN FRAZIER
Star Trek Into Darkness ROGER GUYETT, PATRICK TUBACH, BEN GROSSMANN, BURT DALTON
PRODUCTION DESIGN American Hustle
JUDY BECKER, HEATHER LOEFFLER
Gravity A NDY NICHOLSON, ROSIE GOODWIN, JOANNE WOOLLARD
FILM EDITING
American Hustle JAY CASSIDY, CRISPIN
STRUTHERS, ALAN BAUMGARTEN
Captain Phillips CHRISTOPHER ROUSE Dallas Buyers Club
JOHN MAC MCMURPHY, MARTIN PENSA
Gravity ALFONSO CUARÓN, MARK SANGER 12 Years a Slave JOE WALKER
CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Grandmaster PHILIPPE LE SOURD Gravity EMMANUEL LUBEZKI Inside Llewyn Davis
BRUNO DELBONNEL
American Hustle DAVID O. RUSSELL Gravity ALFONSO CUARÓN Nebraska ALEXANDER PAYNE 12 Years a Slave STEVE MCQUEEN The Wolf of Wall Street
Gravity
Nebraska PHEDON PAPAMICHAEL Prisoners ROGER A. DEAKINS
The Great Gatsby
CATHERINE MARTIN, BEVERLEY DUNN
Her K.K. BARRETT, GENE SERDENA 12 Years a Slave
ADAM STOCKHAUSEN, ALICE BAKER
COSTUME DESIGN
American Hustle MICHAEL WILKINSON The Grandmaster
WILLIAM CHANG SUK PING
The Great Gatsby CATHERINE MARTIN The Invisible Woman
MICHAEL O'CONNOR
12 Years a Slave PATRICIA NORRIS
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING Dallas Buyers Club
ADRUITHA LEE, ROBIN MATHEWS
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa The Lone Ranger
STEPHEN PROUTY
JOEL HARLOW, GLORIA PASQUA-CASNY
Her
Nebraska
SOUND MIXING
Captain Phillips CHRIS BURDON, MARK TAYLOR, MIKE PRESTWOOD SMITH, CHRIS MUNRO
Gravity SKIP LIEVSAY, NIV ADIRI, CHRISTOPHER BENSTEAD, CHRIS MUNRO
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug CHRISTOPHER BOYES, MICHAEL HEDGES, MICHAEL SEMANICK, TONY JOHNSON
Inside Llewyn Davis SKIP LIEVSAY, GREG ORLOFF, PETER F. KURLAND Lone Survivor ANDY KOYAMA, BEAU BORDERS, DAVID BROWNLOW
SOUND EDITING All Is Lost
STEVE BOEDDEKER, RICHARD HYMNS
Captain Phillips OLIVER TARNEY Gravity GLENN FREEMANTLE The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
BRENT BURGE, CHRIS WARD
Lone Survivor WYLIE STATEMAN
ORIGINAL SCORE
The Book Thief JOHN WILLIAMS Gravity STEVEN PRICE Her WILLIAM BUTLER, OWEN PALLETT Philomena ALEXANDRE DESPLAT Saving Mr. Banks THOMAS NEWMAN
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street
ORIGINAL SONG
"Happy" music and lyrics by Pharrell Williams DESPICABLE ME 2 "Let It Go" music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez FROZEN "The Moon Song" music by Karen O. with lyrics by Karen O. and Spike Jonze HER "Ordinary Love" music by Paul Hewson, Dave Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen, with lyrics by Paul Hewson MANDELA:
LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
ANIMATED FEATURE The Croods Despicable Me 2 Ernest & Celestine Frozen The Wind Rises
12 Years a Slave
DOCUMENTARY
FEATURE
The Act of Killing Cutie and the Boxer Dirty Wars The Square 20 Feet from Stardom
DOCUMENTARY SHORT CaveDigger Facing Fear Karama Has No Walls The L ady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life Pris on Terminal: The Last Days of Private Jack Hall
LIVE ACTION SHORT
Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me)
ESTEBAN CRESPO
ANIMATED SHORT Feral DANIEL SOUSA, DAN GOLDEN Get a Horse!
LAUREN MACMULLAN, DOROTHY MCKIM
Mr. Hublot
LAURENT WITZ, ALEXANDRE ESPIGARES
Possessions SHUHEI MORITA Room on the Broom
MAX LANG, JAN LACHAUER
Avant Q ue De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything)
XAVIER LEGRAND, ALEXANDRE GAVRAS
Helium ANDERS WALTER, KIM MAGNUSSON Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?) SELMA VILHUNEN, KIRSIKKA SAARI
The Voorman Problem
MARK GILL, BALDWIN LI
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM The Broken Circle Breakdown
BELGIUM
The Great Beauty ITALY The Hunt DENMARK The Missing Picture CAMBODIA Omar PALESTINE
WHAT ARE YOUR PICKS?
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...