Sourced: 456 posted on 03/23/2003 7:20 PM PST by Lily4Jesus
Posted on 02/24/2004 4:48:16 PM PST by RonDog
This just in from our good FRiend TED HAYES:
Hello Patriotic Peeps,Well, it's that time of year again.It's Oscar time. Sunday, February 29th
I and a few colleagues will be at the same location this year for the Academy Awards.3:00 PM.
We will be forming our line of defense for our beloved nation
on the corner of Hollywood and Highland around
Bring flags, signs supporting our country, the troops, the President etc.
I realize that this notice is a bit late for most of you, however,
those of you who can make this battle, please do so.
We will be looking for you.
Those of you who can't, that's okay too. Just hold us up in prayer and send good vibs.
When I return from San Francisco, I will send out more detailed information.
If you deem it good, please send this message on to your internet associates.
Thank you very much,
"All the way. USA"
LA SLIMES' NOTABLE OSCAR QUOTABLES --
NICOLE KIDMAN ON ONE SIDE...
AND FR'S "RONDOG" ON THE OTHER!
LEFT ANGELES SLIMES
Posted on 03/24/2003 1:59 PM PST by AnnaZ
So I finally start going through, page by page, the Oscar coverage in today's Slimes (that's right... still reading it so that you don't have to). And then I almost had a heart attack.The "E"/"Calendar Part 1" Section is dedicated to Oscar coverage, E1 starting it all off with a big pic of Best Actor winner Adrien Brody smooching presenter Halle Berry and the beginning of the story.Following it in to E2 and E3, there are a bunch of huge picture of various winners from the night, the top of each page prefaced with a huge bold quote.On the left side (heh, heh) is one quote:"Why do you come to the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil?Because art is important."Nicole Kidman, accepting the best actress awardOn the right side (in more ways than one ;^) is another quote:"If John Wayne was here, he'd be doing what we're doing.He'd be supporting the troops."Ron Smith, demonstrator at Hollywood and HighlandCONGRATULATIONS, RONDOG!!! You ROCK!!!CLICK HERE for the rest of the thread
and another
WE FREEPED THE OSCARS!
Posted on 03/23/2003 6:28 PM PST by Cinnamon Girl
Outside the Kodak theater, as close as the police would allow: thousands of patriots rallied in support of the troops, the President, and America. Flags waving, signs, and chants: "IMPEACH MARTIN SHEEN," "SUPPORT OUR TROOPS," "WE LOVE BUSH," "LIBERATE IRAQ."
NOW FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW: Yes, we were in plain sight of plenty of media cameras and the LIMOUSINE LIBERAL HOLLYWOOD LEFTIES! Several women in limos held up the "peace" sign, one actress unfurled a "no blood for oil" sign out her limo window. I only saw her sleeve so I'll have to wait until I see the inside pictures to know who it was. Another actress with a platinum blonde short shag held a "war is not the answer" sign out her tinted window as her limo turned the corner to the Kodak entrance.
Because of these Hollywood ingrates, streets were blocked off by police all around the area and we had to walk about two miles around the vicinity of Hollywood and Highland to get to our protest site.
Several people in our crowd had bullhorns and we chanted "Back to Berkeley," "USA" "G-d Bless America," "LAPD," "Smoke Saddam, not crack." Often, the chants were directed toward the ANTI-BUSH, ANTI-FREEDOM nuts who were situated on the opposite corner with their "BUSH IS STUPID" and "BUSH IS HITLER" signs. Most of their ILK were down on Sunset with their drums and their peace signs, gettin' busy bein' stupid...
CLICK HERE for the rest of the thread
I am so looking forward to a post Freep report.Thanks!Last year's was most entertaining and informative...
Not sure that THIS year's event will be as intense, but we will do our best!See also, from www.newsmax.com:
Academy Awards During WartimeJames Hirsen
Tuesday, March 25, 2003THE LEFT COAST REPORT
A Political Look at HollywoodThe nerve of the president to start a war just as Hollywood was about to host its most self-absorbed event of the year.Oh well. Despite the heavy military distractions that were taking place, the 75th annual Academy Awards show went on as scheduled...
-- snip --
"...An Internet-sized "thank you" has to go out to an enthusiastic group of demonstrators that displayed support for the U.S. military. They gathered on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, about a half block away from the Kodak Theater.Many of the demonstrators involved were "Freepers" from the Web site Free Republic.
These folks forced the news media to report the truth - that there are a whole lot of people who believe in this mission, back the president, thank the troops, pray for peace and love this great nation of ours..."
(Give it to 'em...)
Thanks for the ping, Ron Dog!! We have to do this again!!! Last time I made the AP wire chasing away the commies accross the street. Wonder if we can do it again ...
Poster size: 27" x 40"
Last year was about the history and elegance of our diamond anniversary. THIS year is all about the fun and excitement, the flash and pizzazz of Oscar Night. To capture that vibe, the Academy commissioned pop artist Burton Morris to create the official poster art for the 76th Academy Awards. Be part of the scene and order yours now.
AP Oscar Predictions: 'Rings,' Penn
You can never count out surprises at the Academy Awards, but this season is shaping up as fairly predictable. Associated Press movie reviewers David Germain and Christy Lemire, much to their chagrin, agree on many predictions for the top Oscar categories:
BEST PICTURENominees: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," "Lost in Translation," "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," "Mystic River," "Seabiscuit."
LEMIRE: The hobbits and elves will finally rule Oscar night. "Rings" is a sure thing _ not because it's the best picture, which it's not, but because of the vastness of the entire trilogy. Without "Rings," the powerfully tragic "Mystic River" would win, though "Master and Commander" is the kind of classic epic that old-school Oscar voters love. "Seabiscuit" was inspiring and beautifully shot, but it's almost too feel-good. "Lost in Translation" is a small wonder _ too small to take the night's biggest prize.
GERMAIN: I could say "Ditto" and be done with it, but what's the fun of coming to work if you can't nag colleagues? "Return of the King" is a virtual lock, and if any other film wins, all of Hollywood will demand a re-count. Yet there's the slimmest of chances a performance piece such as "Mystic River" could win over enough actors, who account for one-fourth of the 5,803 Oscar voters, to steal the precious trophy from J.R.R. Tolkien's gang of hobbits.
BEST DIRECTOR
Nominees: Fernando Meirelles, "City of God"; Peter Jackson, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"; Sofia Coppola, "Lost in Translation"; Peter Weir, "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World"; Clint Eastwood, "Mystic River."
GERMAIN: Let's see, a cast and crew of thousands, a trio of three-hour epics in a two-year span, nearly $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales. Peter Jackson has elevated the fantasy genre to mainstream high art, and the Oscar is bound to be his. Any other year, Weir would have a great shot for his ambitious high-seas adventure. Eastwood and Coppola deliver admirably, but their films' true strength lies in the writing and acting. Meirelles' "City of God" is raw and brilliant, but against Jackson, he hasn't a prayer.
LEMIRE: The "Rings" trilogy is as impressive as it is because of Jackson's sweeping scope. Any other year, Eastwood would have a great shot with his best film since his Oscar-winning "Unforgiven." But I was also wowed by Weir's ability to tell a huge story that's also quiet and intimate. And I'm just glad to see Coppola and Meirelles _ two extremely observant directors whose films couldn't be more different _ receive the recognition they deserve.
BEST ACTOR
Nominees: Johnny Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl"; Ben Kingsley, "House of Sand and Fog"; Jude Law, "Cold Mountain"; Bill Murray, "Lost in Translation"; Sean Penn, "Mystic River."
LEMIRE: As a father grieving for his murdered daughter, Penn has the showiest role in a film full of showy roles. After three earlier nominations, he should finally get his Oscar. Though I'd like to see Murray win _ he brings such nuance to a complex part. Kingsley was startling, but he's already won for "Gandhi." Law wasn't even the best thing in "Cold Mountain." And Depp was a blast to watch, but he won't walk away with the pirate's booty this time.
GERMAIN: Another ditto on Depp, Kingsley and Law. Penn has softened his awards apathy, turning up at Hollywood events and promising to attend the Oscars after skipping the show for his previous three nominations. Good timing, since "Mystic River" should finally bring him his award. Penn's other top-notch role in last fall's "21 Grams" is fresh in people's minds, giving him an extra boost. Murray, one of the finest modern comic actors, does have a shot for a performance brimming with world-weary charm.
BEST ACTRESS
Nominees: Keisha Castle-Hughes, "Whale Rider"; Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give"; Samantha Morton, "In America"; Charlize Theron, "Monster"; Naomi Watts, "21 Grams."
GERMAIN: Naysayers whine that people are suckered in by physical transformations, but Theron's sublime performance makes her the front-runner, not the pounds and makeup she put on to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Theron is frighteningly authentic, redefining herself as a daring actress. Keaton could be a sentimental spoiler for her comic comeback role, while Watts' showy performance gives her an outside shot. Morton and 13-year-old Castle-Hughes are terrific but just along for the ride.
LEMIRE: Theron gives THE female performance of the year _ she's an easy choice, even in a small, relentlessly bleak film. And you're right, Dave _ it's what's going on inside that truly astounds, the who-knew-she-had-that-in-her? factor. Watts is such an intense, instinctive actress, she'll get her Oscar one day. Keaton was lovely, but she's already been to the Oscar podium.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Nominees: Alec Baldwin, "The Cooler"; Benicio Del Toro, "21 Grams"; Djimon Hounsou, "In America"; Tim Robbins, "Mystic River"; Ken Watanabe, "The Last Samurai."
LEMIRE: This one's hard. Baldwin was fabulously sleazy as a Vegas casino owner, and I'd love to see him win. Del Toro was heartbreaking in one of the year's most emotional films. Hounsou and Watanabe each brought quiet strength _ and an intimidating presence _ to their roles. But Robbins is the heart of "Mystic River," and like his co-star Penn, should finally win his much-deserved Oscar.
GERMAIN: Actually, this one's not hard at all. Robbins has never been better, masterfully embodying an emotional wreck of a man with a few surprises left. Hollywood loves the guy and is just looking for a reason to give him the big prize. The other nominees are brilliant, but Del Toro already won for "Traffic," Baldwin did the slimeball thing better in "Glengarry Glen Ross," and neither Hounsou's nor Watanabe's roles have quite the flash to lift comparative unknowns above an established player like Robbins.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Nominees: Shohreh Aghdashloo, "House of Sand and Fog"; Patricia Clarkson, "Pieces of April"; Marcia Gay Harden, "Mystic River"; Holly Hunter, "thirteen"; Renee Zellweger, "Cold Mountain."
GERMAIN: Harden would get my vote if she had not won for "Pollock," putting her in the "already-got-one" category. Hunter, an Oscar winner for "The Piano," is a long shot for the same reason. With her third consecutive nomination, Zellweger should win for her role as a plucky Confederate survivor. Aghdashloo runs a close second, bringing tragic grace to her part as a motherly Iranian immigrant. And Clarkson cannot be counted out, a veteran finally getting her Oscar due with a caustically funny role as a breast-cancer victim.
LEMIRE: OK, here comes my maverick pick. The day Oscar nominations were announced, I said, "Renee, Renee, Renee." She's due, and who else could possibly win? But as time has passed, I've come to think Aghdashloo will take it. She gives such a subtle performance, it's as if she isn't even acting. (Plus, this is the category that often provides surprise winners _ just look at Harden.) Zellweger will get her Oscar in time, but not for "Cold Mountain," in which her performance is a bit shticky, even though it provides much-needed comic relief.
"ATTENTION HOLLYWOOD: TRY NOT TO MAKE ASSES OF YOURSELVES THIS YEAR." What do you think?
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
We need poster ideas...I will be bringing a GIANT "God Bless America" banner, like the one from LAST year.
Plus, I like:
Oscar security boost
By Marc Lavine
February 24, 2004
HOLLYWOOD was put under a security lockdown yesterday, just six days ahead of the unveiling of cinema's new reigning monarchs at this year's glittering Oscars ceremony.Authorities closed off entire streets around the Kodak Theatre, where the 76th annual Academy Awards will be held this weekend, to allow workers to lay the massive red carpet along which Tinseltown's good and great will parade and to begin security sweeps of the area.
"This area is going to look very different in one week's time," said one worker helping erect bleachers and prepare the red carpet area in a part of town that seems seedy by day.
"You sure won't find any bums on Hollywood Boulevard when the stars come out on Sunday," he added.
The Oscars, watched by up to a billion television viewers across the world, is the biggest awards show of the year, attended by thousands of movie stars and industry moguls, making it a potential terrorist target.
Live from the Red Carpet Academy Awards
Your favorite red carpet divas, Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers, play host to the hottest stars and riff on who's wearing what, who's with whom...and who's with Mom.
Premieres: Feb. 29, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
There will be no fan bleacher seats available at the 76th Academy Awards® for public lottery.So, there WILL be bleacher seats this year, just no TICKETS available for US. :(
At last year's Academy Awards® Show, in recognition of the seriousness of the world situation and the impending war in Iraq, the Academy significantly reduced the red carpet component of the event.As a result, there were no fan bleachers. [last year]
It seemed only fair to invite all of the fans who had been scheduled to sit in the bleacher section last year to use those seats in the bleachers outside the upcoming 76th Academy Awards® Presentation.
This year, the 76th annual Oscar Awards will be presented Sunday, February 29, 2004, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland (moving from its traditional March date.)
The host of this year's show will be Billy Crystal.In addition to the nominees, presenters announced so far for the 2004 show include Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Sandra Bullock, Angelina Jolie, Renee Zellweger, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, John Travolta, Will Smith, Susan Sarandon, Steven Spielberg, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta Jones, Charlize Theron, Tim Robbins, Pierce Brosnan, Liv Tyler, Naomi Watts, Ian McKellan, Julianne Moore, Colin Farrell, Sofia Coppola, Uma Thurman, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Scarlett Johansson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jack Black and Will Ferrell.
Performers/singers at the Oscar show will include Annie Lennox, Sting, Eugene Levy and Elvis Costello.
Sunday, February 29, 2004 (Day of Show):
1. Close Hawthorn Alley from Orange Avenue to Highland Avenue from 12:01 AM to 06:00 AM March 1, 2004.
2. Close south sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd from Highland Avenue to 200 feet east of Highland Ave from 12:01 AM to 06:00 AM Monday March 1, 2004, except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
3. Erect bike rack on east sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to Hawthorn Boulevard from 12:01 AM to 6:00 AM March 1, 2004, except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
4. Close west sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Blvd south to Hawthorn Blvd., in front of closed businesses from 12:01 AM to 06:00 AM March 1, 2004, except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
5. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd from Highland Ave to 75 feet east of Highland Ave in front of closed businesses from 12:01 AM to 12:01 AM March 1, 2004.
6. Close north sidewalk of Hollywood from 75 feet east of Highland Avenue to 200 feet east of Highland Avenue from 12:01 AM to 06:00 AM Monday March 1, 2004, except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
7. Erect bike rack on the east curb of Highland Avenue from Hollywood Boulevard to the Alley north of
Hollywood Boulevard from 12:01 AM to 6:00 AM March 1, 2004.8. Close east sidewalk of Highland Avenue from Yucca Street south to the alley from 12:01 AM to 6:00 AM March 1, 2004, except for 8-foot pedestrian access.
9. Close southbound 101 freeway off-ramp at Highland.
10. Restricted access on streets that end at or intersect Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue at the discretion of LAPD and LADOT.
= closures
Thanks for thinking about me, sweetie!
I might bring a sign that says:
Grant Parking at GalaxyTed says that we will be able to be where we were last year - at the NORTH-EAST corner of Hollywood and Highland.
It is just WEST of the Kodak Theather, and can be accessed from the NORTH side.It should cost about $5, and is less that a mile to walk.
I plan to get there around NOON - to stake out an area.The TV cameras should arrive around 3 pm, and leave by about 5 pm - when they all go INSIDE...
Too bad a night that should be all about "Lord of the Rings"....will be remembered by homosexual protesters, this year.Perhaps.
But the also still seem pre-occupied with the OLD (non-gay) liberal causes...From inhome.rediff.com:
Pretty wheels
Apparently, stretch limousines are out. Keisha Castle-Hughes and Diane Keaton (Best Actress nominees for Whale Rider and Something's Gotta Give), and Best Supporting Actress nominee Marcia Gay Harden will make their entries in a low-emission Toyota Prius on Oscar night.
The Toyotas are courtesy the environmental group, Global Green USA. They are stocked with eco-friendly eats: nuts, bars, water. No alcoholic drinks though -- an eco-friendly beverage hasn't yet been invented.
Oscar bites his fingernails over politically active starsHOLLYWOOD Feb 27 - Hollywood is fretting that outspoken stars could hijack Sunday's Oscars, the scene of frequent political outbursts, to score points ahead of this year's US presidential polls.
And amid a tough crackdown by US federal authorities on the broadcast of ``indecent'' material, Oscar bosses worry that an unexpected political tirade could be censored, tarnishing the image of cinema's top awards.
The Academy Awards, attended by all of Hollywood's good and great and watched by up to one billion television viewers across the globe, presents a tempting soap-box for politically active stars who win awards.
``Hollywood egos cannot resist telling us what they think about what's happening,'' said awards expert Tom O'Neil.
Last year, liberal US documentary maker Michael Moore scandalised Hollywood and America when he lauched a vitriolic attack on US President George W. Bush for waging war in Iraq during his acceptance speech for his best documentary Oscar for his anti-gun film ``Bowling for Columbine.''
With free-speaking left-wing actors Tim Robbins and Alec Baldwin sure to take the stage this year as presenters if not as best supporting actor winners, and with equally combatant Sean Penn also nominated, organisers are bracing for possible fireworks as conservative Bush seeks re-election.
Robbins, a Green Party activist, fiercely opposed Bush over the war in Iraq along with his Oscar-winning partner and fellow 2004 Oscar presenter Susan Sarandon,
``Who knows what people are going to say,'' O'Neil said.
ABC television, which broadcasts the event live in the United States, has for the first time instituted a controversial five-second delay to the telecast to allow it to block obscenities or nudity from going on the air.
The pause was announced after pop singer Janet Jackson exposed her breast during a live televised show on February 1, sparking widespread outrage in America as well as a clampdown be media watchdogs.
While ABC has said it will not bleep out political speeches, some Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences bosses are quietly worried about that possibility and its effect on the Oscars' image.
``Academy officials are not worried about the delay in terms of bleeping out and offensive word, but a concern is the bleeping out of a touchy political speech or gesture,'' said Tim Gray, managing editor of entertainment industry bible Daily Variety.
Academy president Frank Pierson said this month that the time delay was a step towards introducing ``a form of censorship.''
But Robbins has reassured Oscar producers that while he sometimes feels compelled to draw public attention to key social and political issues, he was not planning do so this year.
``I have presented at a lot of awards, but for some reason every time I approach a podium, people think I'm going to say something. But I have a healthy outlet with my writing, with the films I make and by being invited to speak,'' he said.
At the 1993 Oscars, Robbins and Sarandon caused a sensation by slamming then president Bill Clinton over the treatment of AIDS-infected Haitian refugees detained at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
In 1973, a woman calling herself Sacheen Littlefeather took the stage when Marlon Brando won the best actor Oscar for ``The Godfather,'' refusing it on his behalf to protest the movie industry's treatment of American Indians.
But in 1971, Jane Fonda, ardent anti-Vietnam War activist and best actress winner for ``Klute,'' however stunned the white-knuckled Oscars audience when she failed to stump on the stage.
In other years, it was not politics that provided some of Oscar's most shocking moments.
In 1973 a streaker raced across the stage as David Niven was hosting the show, prompting him to quip: ``The only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping ... and showing his shortcomings.''
But it may not be the big stars who Oscar and Hollywood bosses are most worried about as it is often lesser winners such as more Moore who lash out on the Oscars stage because they have access to fewer public forums.
``I think that ultimately people aren't so much worried about Penn, Robbins or Baldwin going off this year, but are going, `My God, what are those other people going to say?','' Gray told AFP.
``But, after all ... that's what makes the Oscars fun.'' - AFP
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
