Brits Hope for Oscar Glory
Brits Hope for Oscar Glory - There are high hopes of a night of British success as Hollywood on Sunday finally gets down to the business of giving out its 81st Academy Awards, the world's top film honours.
Academy bosses are waiting to see whether changes to the format can boost ratings which have slumped in recent years. Actor Hugh Jackman replaces the usual comedian as host and suspense surrounding the glamorous affair has shifted to whether he can dazzle audiences and stop the slide in television viewership.
Viewership hit a record low of 32 million in 2008, down from 40 million in 2007. So, the academy hired movie musical producers Condon and Mark ("Dreamgirls") to shake up the show, and they hired actor and song-and-dance man Jackman, who thrilled audiences as the host of Broadway's Tony Awards.
Tom O'Neil, columnist for awards Web site TheEnvelope.com is quoted as saying:
"Oscar producers Bill Condon and Laurence Mark are proven showmen who know how to package entertainment and Hugh Jackman knows how to sell it,"
Slumdog Millionaire - British film Slumdog Millionaire is the talk of the town and is widely expected to win many of the 10 categories for which it has been nomonated.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Slumdog's biggest competitor for Best film is 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' which is also widely acclaimed.
The Reader - Despite its considerable pedigree, including producing credits for departed film makers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, this drama is widely perceived as being the fifth film on the list.
The other great Brits Hope for Oscar Glory is actress Kate Winslett who will be hoping that her 6th nomination will produce her first Oscar win. But she faces tough competition from Meryl Streep.
