Maybe this year, the folks who put on the Oscars mean it. Maybe this year, Hollywood’s annual lovefest will be fun.
When the nominees for the 78th Annual Academy Awards walk the red carpet on Sunday, they’ll be greeted by designer Isaac Mizrahi, who will be working for E! And, yes, he plans on asking some of the same inappropriate questions he asked at the Golden Globes.
The irreverent Mizrahi won’t be the only new face they see. The Academy is hoping its choice for host, the popular (at least in blue states) Jon Stewart, will give Oscar a new smirk this year. It said the same thing about Chris Rock last year. Apparently, his skewering of audience members was a little too rough for the Academy’s liking.
Stewart has a perfect soapbox on Sunday to showcase the witty political and social commentary he uses on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.”
He’ll no doubt find humor in the nominated movies’ themes–gay cowboys, race relations, anti-Communist witch hunts and a tortured gay author.
What else will be new on Sunday? How about those nominees? Of the 20 actors nominated, 14 are first-timers, the most since 1995, when 15 were newbies.
Sounds like the perfect recipe to yield some unexpected moments.
One frequent complaint this year is that the nominee list lacks star wattage. George Clooney might be the only one who has that “it” factor.
That’s the beauty of this year, though. The actors honored are newer to the A-list, smart and daring in their film choices. They don’t care to be in blockbusters, and they disappear into their roles. When Philip Seymour Hoffman does a film, you see the character onscreen, not the star. (Sorry, Tom Cruise.)
Hoffman recently told David Letterman (www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/dave(underscore)tv/) that he and his “Capote” director and school-age friend Bennett Miller made a pact when they were teenagers that the first person to win an Oscar would have to bark his acceptance speech like a dog until someone yanks him from the stage.
Here’s hoping Hoffman keeps his promise.
TATER’S TAKE
4:30 p.m.
– Live from the Red Carpet: The 2006 Academy Awards, E!
– Joan & Melissa Live at the Academy Awards, TV Guide Channel
Ryan and Isaac vs. Joan and Melissa. Smackdown!
6 p.m.
– Oscar Countdown 2006, ABC
Official red-carpet show with Billy Bush.
7 p.m.
– 78th Annual Academy Awards, ABC
Found out what all the fuss is about.
First-timers
Here’s a look at the 14 newcomers to Oscar’s stage.
[REDEYE, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS]Reese Witherspoon
In “Walk the Line,” she found the heart of June Carter Cash–and she sang like an angel.
What’s next: Filming and producing the romantic fable “Penelope” in London.
A repeat? Her talent is unquestionable, but she’s all too willing to do commercially potent, bland fare.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Gyllenhaal gave an open-hearted performance in “Brokeback Mountain.”
What’s next: Currently filming “Zodiac,” about the police hunt for the famed Bay Area Zodiac serial killer.
A repeat? Absolutely. His independent streak belies a commitment to quality and risk-taking.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Playing writer Truman Capote, Hoffman goes beyond the standard mimicry.
What’s next: Cashed a nice paycheck for playing the villain in the upcoming “Mission Impossible” movie.
A repeat? Will he continue to test his dangerous talent or pursue a path of self-importance?
Rachel Weisz
She’s marvelously convincing as the brainy, reckless beauty in “The Constant Gardner.”
What’s next: She’s seven months pregnant with her first child and the fiance of filmmaker Darren Aronofsky.
A repeat? Yes. Maybe next year for “The Fountain.”
Terrence Howard
In “Hustle & Flow,” he took us into a pimp’s hopes and dreams–and proved to be a better rapper than a lot of charting artists.
What’s next: He has five films in the works this year, including “The Brave One” with Jodie Foster.
A repeat? It would be tempting to take every role that comes his way, ala Cuba Gooding Jr. But he’ll be choosy.
Heath Ledger
His anguished turn as a bottled-up cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain” broke hearts.
What’s next: He’s taking a year off to be with fiance Michelle Williams and their baby daughter.
A repeat? He’s barely started.
George Clooney
Clooney submerged his ego, packed on the pounds and added a thick beard for “Syriana.”
What’s next: The mystery-romance “The Good German” and legal thriller “Michael Clayton.”
A repeat? With three nominations this year in three categories, he’s likely to repeat in one.
Paul Giamatti
After being snubbed for Oscar-worthy performances in “Sideways” and “American Splendor,” the respected character actor scored with his colorful performance as a fight manager in “Cinderella Man.”
What’s next: M. Night Shyamalan’s “Lady in the Water.”
A repeat? He’s another actor who disappears in his roles, so he may be overlooked again.
Matt Dillon
He found the truth in an LAPD cop who could be hateful one moment and heroic the next in “Crash.”
What’s next: Stars with Owen Wilson and Kate Hudson in the comedy “You, Me and Dupree.”
A repeat? He may not see another Oscar-type role, but the nomination will provide a career boost.
David Strathairn
He perfectly captures the stern seriousness of Edward R. Murrow in “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
What’s next: Indie flicks “The Notorious Bettie Page,” “Matters of Life and Death” and “Sensations of Sound.”
A repeat? Maybe from the Independent Spirit Awards.
Felicity Huffman
In “Transamerica,” Huffman, a woman, plays a man who wants to become a woman. Got it? It could have been a train wreck, but she nailed it.
What’s next: A little show called “Desperate Housewives.”
A repeat? Emmys, for sure.
Keira Knightley
Pulled off the challenging feat of making Jane Austen’s heroine her own in “Pride & Prejudice.”
What’s next: Just finished back-to-back sequels for “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
A repeat? She’s 20. What do you think?
Amy Adams
Adams’ performance gave “Junebug” a heartbreaking sweetness.
What’s next: Will Ferrell’s summer NASCAR comedy “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
A repeat? At 31, Adams is getting a late start in film. Here’s hoping she can make up for lost time.
Michelle Williams
She crushes us in “Brokeback Mountain” when she sees her husband kissing another man.
What’s next: Plays a dumpy, small-town pothead in “The Hawk Is Dying.”
A repeat? If she could go from TV’s “Dawson’s Creek” to “Brokeback,” anything is possible.
