Monday, February 27, 2006

FROM OLYMPIC GOLD TO OSCAR GOLD

After two weeks, another Olympic Winter Games for the 20th time has come and gone. Sweden ousted Finland 3-2 to take the men's hockey gold, while Apolo Anton Ohno took gold and bronze in the men's 500-meter and 5000-meter short track speed skating relay respectively. And Bode Miller? Well, he leaves Turin with NOTHING! No medals whatsoever! I guess all this hype about him leading up to the games bit him in the ass.

I think in the end, Miller has become the New Coke (or Edsel or XFL) of the Olympics. I wouldn't be surprised if the next time we see him will be on "Hollywood Squares" as the next Paul Lynde.

Germany takes the most medals out of these games with 29 (11 of them gold), followed by the United States (25; tying Austria with nine golds), Canada (24), Austria (23), and Russia (22). The stage is now set for the 21st Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010, meaning it could be Advantage: Canada as far as taking the most medals are concerned.

But I guess the real ratings winner -- at least here in Fairbanks -- has to be Bill St. Pierre at Tanana Valley Television. His KFXF Fox 7 and KXD CBS 13 with powerhouses "American Idol", "Survivor", "House", and "CSI" have literally taken a chunk of KTVF's audience these last two weeks, though the final February numbers may say otherwise.

The Olympics may be over, but there's one more piece of gold yet to be handed out: Oscar gold! Next Sunday is the 78th Annual Academy Awards, and as I've been doing on the old "Allen Report" site from 2000 to 2004, all this week I get you ready for entertainment's night of nights with a look at who's up for Hollywood's biggest prize in:

(Please ignore the "NewsBeat" on the top; this came straight out of the graphics archives. As always, film synposes and role information courtesy of Oscar.com)

Supporting Actor
George Clooney, "Syriana": As Bob Barnes, George Clooney portrays a CIA agent who finds himself at the center of a conspiracy to guarantee U.S. access to foreign oil.

Matt Dillon, "Crash":
Matt Dillon portrays Ryan, a racist cop whose humiliation of an African-American couple will come back to haunt him during an unexpected encounter.

Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man":
As Joe Gould, Paul Giamatti plays a boxing manager who works with a down-on-his-luck fighter struggling to make a comeback. Film synopsis: Based on the life of boxer James Braddock, this Depression-era drama follows Braddock's fortunes as his promising career and early successes give way to hard times and despair. As he struggles to provide for his wife and children, Braddock embarks on a comeback in the ring under the guidance of his manager, Joe Gould. Giamatti's nomination is the film's only major one after being snubbed for Best Picture and Actor (Russell Crowe).

Jake Gyllenhaal, "Brokeback Mountain":
Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jack Twist, a cowboy who falls in love with another man over the course of a summer in the Wyoming mountains.

William Hurt, "A History of Violence":
As Richie Cusack, William Hurt portrays a brutal mobster who finds the man who disappeared after betraying him years earlier. A three-time Best Actor nominee in the 1980's (he won in 1985 for "Kiss of the Spider Woman"), this is his fourth nomination.

Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "Junebug": Amy Adams plays Ashley, an open-hearted girl from a small town who is entranced by her sophisticated new sister-in-law. Film synposis: Six months after her impulsive marriage, Chicago-based art dealer Madeleine has yet to meet her husband's family. A dual-purpose visit to their North Carolina town--Madeleine hopes to sign a contract with an artist living nearby--leads to an uneasy stay with her new in-laws, whose small-town manners are worlds apart from Madeleine's more sophisticated lifestyle.

Catherine Keener, "Capote":
Catherine Keener plays writer Harper Lee, who accompanies her childhood friend, Truman Capote, to Kansas as he prepares to write about a terrible crime. A first-timer, she was last seen in a much more light-hearted fare, Steve Carell's "The 40-Year Old Virgin."



Frances McDormand, "North Country":
As Glory, Frances McDormand plays a coal mine employee who must battle both sexual harassment and a crippling illness. Her fourth nomination; her only win was for Best Actress in "Fargo."

Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener":
As Tessa Quayle, Rachel Weisz portrays a passionate activist whose investigation into the dealings of an international pharmaceutical company leads to her murder.

Michelle Williams, "Brokeback Mountain":
Michelle Williams plays Alma, a cowboy's young wife who learns that her husband's heart belongs to another man. Her co-star and fiance Heath Ledger is up for Best Actor...

And we'll have him and the other Lead Acting nominees as (not "NewsBeat's") Oscar Countdown Week continues. Good night!

No comments: