Well, it's Oscar Night, and in just a few hours we'll get the answer to the question that has been on everyone's mind all week- will all the actors and actresses shave their heads in solidarity with Britney Spears?
OK, maybe not.
We're rooting for The Departed to win awards, not only because it's a good movie, but because my wife actually saw some of it shot. A few years ago, when they were doing the Boston filming, they used the alley in back of the building her photo studio was in for several scenes, including the one where Martin Sheen gets shot and falls off the roof of the warehouse.
These scenes were shot in Boston's Fort Point Channel district, an area of 19th century brick warehouses which used to be Boston's "Photo District". Today it's all going upscale-condo, and my wife and all the other photo people and artists have been kicked out.
Anyway, one day I got a call from her- "You'd never guess who's having coffee in the alley below my studio," she said. I told her she was probably correct, the only people I'd ever seen there looked like they didn't "do" coffee... "Martin Scorsese, Martin Sheen, and Leonardo DiCaprio," she told me.
So the crew shot there all week, with all the photo people watching from their windows, and me getting minute-by-minute updates on the phone.
The scene that impressed my wife most was the one where Martin Sheen, having been shot and fallen off the roof, lies dead in the alley and Leonard DiCaprio runs around the corner and comes to a stop over him. Apparently Martin Sheen spent an entire day lying on his back in that damn alley (in a puddle) as they did take after take. And let me tell you- I've been in that alley many times, and I don't care how many cleaning crews have been through- I wouldn't lie down in it.
On one take Leonardo came racing around the corner, missed his mark just a bit, and stood on Martin Sheen's hand. Sheen didn't even wince, he just lay there until the take was over, and then they got him up and took him over to the medical person who worked on his hand for a while.
The whole week was like that- I'd get phone calls from Amy with updates- "Martin Sheen's got the dreamiest blue eyes", and "Lenny DiCaprio is leaning over and I can see his ass crack". Then a few gunshots would go off in the background.
So we'll be tuning in tonight to cheer the cast and crew on. Go, Departed, Go!
16 comments:
I am betting that Anna Nicole Smith wins the Lifetime Achievement award.
Mike- or perhaps "Best Special Effects"...
How come you dint report th BEST part o th whole event?
That was when Martin Sheen leand ovr to Leo n said, "Thanks fer bustin my friggin hand, kiddo. Yer ass-crack is showin, by th way."
Joey- oddly, they cut that part from the theatrical release. I'll bet it makes it into the Director's-Cut DVD though.
Colonel--I think the Best Special Effects award needs to go to MSNBC for keeping ANS alive long after she's been dead.
Raise yer hands, anyone whos NEVR seen Anna Nicoles ass-crack.
Oh cool! I'd forgotten that was the movie that she got to watch being filmed! I could probably have done without Lenny's butt crack, but I would have loved to see Martin's dreamy blue eyes!
We just saw it last weekend. Two things bothered me about. One, I was put off by EVERYBODY getting shot in the head at the end and dying with one shot. Yes, I realize it's a good storytelling convention going all the way back to Hamlet, but... it bugged me.
Two, I never got the relationship between Ben Affleck and the psychologist. Just didn't ring true for me.
Those two things aside, it was a pretty good movie.
Mike- yes; and that Florida judge gets Best Dramatic Overperformance by a Supporting Idiot.
Joey- the old one, or the new one, or the new new one?
Phoebe- you can never go wrong with Hamlet.
& eggs.
I just saw it last weekend, too, and enjoyed it but I don't think it's a "Best Picture." That having been said, it's the one I pick to win the Oscar, along with Scorsese.
Those of us intending to watch the broadcast down on this side of the globe have to spend the day with our fingers in our ears going "lalalalalalala" trying not to hear who won what. Then, if it's anything like last year, on the very channel that will be showing the broadcast, they give away the info before the show starts. Bastards.
Cissy- but but but... wait. You Down Under are AHEAD of us. So you've already seen the show (you know- like you always have the New Year come in, and know who wins our elections, before we do).
So, who won the Oscars?
LaLaLaLaLaLaLaLa - I can't heeeeaaaarrrr yooooooo.
My predictions for the top 6 awards were right on the money except for Supporting Actor. In that category, the guy who I would have preferred to win actually won. And, in deference to Cissy, I won't mention any names.
Cissy- Oscars? What Oscars? Aren't those NEXT week??
Catalyst- um, yeah, What you are talking about (I think Cissy is listening). I really liked when that guy won best actor, you know? Although I was sorry the other guy didn't win. And the Best Picture? Wow! And then when Al Gore said he was running for Prime Minister of England and those giant psychedlic elephants thundered onstage during the final speech? Never saw anything like... oops!
Oh, and you know I meant Matt Damon, right? I mean, I knew it was Matt Damon. I just had a brain fart. Sorry. This is why I'd never make it as a Hollywood Reporter. E! will not come knocking.
Phoebe- you have a brain. That automatically disqualifies you from being a Hollywood reporter.
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