I love the Academy Awards. I've had the thrill to attend in person three times. Yes, you do feel like Cinderella at the ball.
This year I've seen every movie nominated for best picture. You should see them too. Why...
The most cherished Academy Awards memory I have is when I watched Tom Hanks give his best actor acceptance speech for his performance in Philadelphia. He said, "The streets of Heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons we wear here tonight."
The movie, Philadelphia, was one of the first to put a face to the AIDS crisis. I lost my brother, Rick, to AIDS just a few years after that. I am forever grateful to Mr. Hanks for the dignity and respect he showed in his speech that night.
Do you have an Academy Awards memory? Ritual? Way to celebrate? See you on the red carpet.
I don't see it so often.
ReplyDeleteBut George Clooney? *swoons*
Swoonin' right there with ya.
DeleteYou've been three times?!? That is so cool!! I can't imagine how fun and interesting and intimidating that would be!
ReplyDeleteOk, so freaking jealous right now. I adore adore adore the Academy Awards! Tom Hanks is not only one of the greatest actors alive, but a fabulous person. Meryl Streep is my favorite, and I hope she wins this year. It's about time.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
You know I totally forgot the Oscars are this weekend. Now I'm pumped. Billy Crystal is back!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool that you were able to go to the awards in person. How'd you manage that?
ReplyDeleteWhat?! You've been to the awards! OMG! How awesome is that! Soooo jealous!
ReplyDeleteYou know, if I didn't like you so much I'd be about as green as your screen right now! Lucky Leslie!
ReplyDeleteAnd you have won an award of your own! (See my blog)
Tom Hanks is truly a prince among men, IMO.
I can only imagine the wonderful time you had attending the Academy awards. I, personally, am not as big into awards shows. They are nice, spectacular and magical though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your brother, Leslie.
ReplyDeleteOf this list, the only movies I've seen is Moneyball and The Help. But I LOVED both of them. Like, LOVED. We're big on DVD's so we'll be catching the rest of these movies as they come out on DVD.
As for the award ceremony itself, it's much too long and boring for me. I just wait for the recap the next day. *ducks tomatoes*
I haven't seen any of these. My son's son Hugo. My daughter didn't want to see it, so we watched We Bought A Zoo instead. I see it wasn't nominated for anything. :(
ReplyDeleteLike Julie, I'm not into award shows, either. I don't have the attention span for them, and I'd rather be writing.
Well I can't POSSIBLY top that memory. That's really awesome. Now I want to know what gowns you wore to the Oscars. That's my favorite part. I'm such a little girl.
ReplyDeleteTo such a fan of the Academy Awards, I'm embarassed to admit that I never watch them. However, the comment you made about AIDS and Tom Hanks was moving. I'm sorry you lost your brother back then. I didn't know 'regular' people could attend. How did you manage three times? Cool!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the loss of your brother, Leslie Rose. I hope it wasn't too painful for him. I remember Philladelphia. My husband still cries at that movie. My mind is too sluggish with drugs for me to remember even last years Awards, but I enjoy them. Sometimes I don't agree with them, but nonetheless. I'm looking forward to them this year! Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of the movies. I haven't been to the movies since The Blind Side.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear what you think about the Awards ceremony and the winners.
Heather
Thanks for all the chatting, everyone and the kind thoughts about my bro. I'll have to dig out the pictures for you, Lisa. A very generous UCLA connection made it possible for me to go to the awards. Did I mention I one year I smacked right into Val Kilmer. Hello, Batman.
ReplyDeleteWhere have I been? I haven't seen any of these movies.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you've gone in person. :)
I'm sorry about your brother, Leslie. That's a beautiful memory. I also remember that speech.
Oh you are lucky you got to go!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love Tom Hanks...
I wanted to see Midnight in Paris but somehow missed it.
My girlfriends and I used to go to this local movie theater that showed the awards on the big screen. We did it every year, it was fun. We were even featured in the newspaper once but the theater stopped doing it. The last few years, I haven't even watched them. I read and write so much, I hardly ever see movies. And the movies I love are usually not featured at the awards. HA!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you've been! I don't have a ritual--I don't even commonly watch--but my favorite memory would have to be my first year of college, when I and a bunch of friends set up a "classy movie star" spread of fruit and croissants from the campus dining hall and watched in the student lounge.
ReplyDeleteI was a theatre major in college, the Academy Awards were a holy day.
DeleteWe usually go to an Academy Awards party, red carpet, three major wide screen TVs in different rooms and lots of speculation about who will win. Some people dress as their favorite actors. It's really fun and it motivates me see all the movies! I'm short two, but I have a couple of days. Off to the movies!
ReplyDeleteTime to start watching Red Carpet Arrivals. I'm pulling for Hugo for best pic, but all nominees are so wonderful that no winner will disappoint.
ReplyDeleteSally Field was a memorable one!
ReplyDeleteI did't watch tonight, but I totally appreciate the post on it, thank you!
Two words - Billy Crystal.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that you were able to go to the Oscars 3 times! WOW! I don't know if I could handle being in the same room as George Clooney- love him. :) I enjoy watching the awards because normally I have seen most of the movies. This is the first year that I can remember- that I have only seen one of them. I want to see most of the others. Hugo is still playing at a small theater near my house (I loved the book). I enjoyed your information about each movie! I have a lot of movie watching to do.
ReplyDeleteOne year I went to an Oscar party. Everyone got dressed up, drank wine, and ate fancy appetizers while we watched the awards. It was fun!
Sorry to hear about your brother. I have an uncle who has had HIV for many years and know how difficuult things are for him. Tom Hanks put things beautifully.
Wow--you've got to attend it in PERSON? That would be amazing....so, so utterly amazing! I can't even imagine what it would feel like, brushing up against all those celebs. The air must have been crackling with energy and excitement, too. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you and your family like the Character trait thesaurus! I love that you guys talk abotu some of the entries! :) This comment made me grin ear-to-ear. :)