VIDEO: Why Avatar Didn’t Sweep the Oscars
Regardless of what you think of Avatar, you can’t deny that it’s one of the most financially successful films ever made. As of today Avatar has brought in $1.3 billion dollars in sales, beating out…
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FOF #1153 – Wish I Were an #oscarweiners
This year’s Oscars with a new ranking-voting system. Our friend and movie buff Curtis Jensen shares with us his insights about the awards and how the new system impacts who wins.
Plus: Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin tear up the Windy City, a woman gets an unexpected breast augmentation, death by Sauna, breath by Chocolate, Killer whale woes and a letter from listeners in San Diego looking for a little friendship.
This year’s Oscars are a little different as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is mixing it up, with a new ranked voting system where the nominees are ranked on a scale from 1 to 10.
Join us today as our friend Curtis Jensen, a self proclaimed movie buff, who sees practically every single major film that comes out, shares with us his insights about the awards and how the new system will impact who wins.
Who do you think will sweep the awards? Will Mariah Carey’s fake mustache win best actor?
Plus- we’re getting ready for our live podcast this Friday, where hundreds of our listeners join us in the flesh for our live podcast at Steamworks in Chicago. Will our Low Budget Lady Gaga number be a hit or a bad romance? Don’t forget to print out the coupon for the show and get in for $5.
Plus hot news- Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin are in the Windy City performing their favorite songs from Broadway.
A woman gets an unexpected breast augmentation.
Death by Sauna, breath by Chocolate, Killer whale woes
And a letter from listeners in San Diego looking for a little friendship.
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Curtis’ View From the Back Row: Oscar Noms
I know, I haven’t been posting the last few weeks. I got lazy. What can I say? But this mornings Oscar nominations woke me up and have me back on target.
For the first time since…
I know, I haven’t been posting the last few weeks. I got lazy. What can I say? But this mornings Oscar nominations woke me up and have me back on target.
For the first time since 1943 there are a whopping 10 nominees for Best picture, a move made by the Academy to make room for “populist” films and attract a larger audience to the annual telecast. There was much talk in film circles when the announcement was made that it would be a failure both commercially (the top 10 films would still not be big box office successes) or make the awards a critical joke (films would be nominated purely for commercial success). I think the resulting nominees this morning are fairly solid with only a couple examples of films that made it to the list mostly for their commercial appeal.
The nominees for Best Picture are:
Inglorious Basterds, the Quentin Tarantino Nazi revenge fantasia.
Up in the Air, Ivan Reitman’s Corporate hatchet man flick starring George Clooney.
Up, the latest Pixar animated adventure about a grumpy old man and a flying house.
A Serious Man, the Coen Brothers latest about a Jewish man at the end of his ropes in 60’s Minnesota.
Precious, Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire the story of a troubled inner city teen
An Education a British 60’s-set coming of age story
District 9 the science fiction apartheid allegory
The Hurt Locker the Iraq war bomb diffuser drama
The Blindside the Sandra Bullock football weepy
Avatar an obscure art film about corporate greed and colonialism, er um, the James Cameron Sci-fi juggernaut.
The exciting news about the expanded field is that it has made room for an animated film in Pixars Up (though sadly a year too late for the sublime Wall-e) and for 2 Sci-fi films with District 9 and Avatar. Animation has been shut out by a separate category for nearly 2 decades and genre fare like sci-fi rarely makes the cut.
The bad news is that the expanded field made room for Avatar and the Blindside, two films whose best attributes are not their overall excellence as well made films but their broad popular commercial appeal. Avatar is undoubtedly a game changing technical marvel and the the movie event of the year , if not the decade, and the most commercially successful film of all time, worthy of every technical award it can gather, but it is narratively weak and naive. Blindside is little more than a Lifetime movie for television with a big star and is in my opinion a cliched emotionally manipulative melodrama. I personally would have been thrilled to see Star Trek or Moon in the Avatar slot and A Single Man or the Fantastic Mr Fox in place of Blindside.
The acting nominations turned out pretty much as anyone paying aqny attention over the last few weeks would have predicted. Best Actor noms: George Clooney (Up in the Air), Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), Colin Firth (A Single Man), Jeremy Renner (the Hurt Locker) and Morgan Freeman (Invictus). Best Actress: Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), Sandra Bullock (Blindside), Carey Mulligan (An Education), Helen Mirren (the Last Station), and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious). Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz (Inglorious Basterds), Woody Harrelson (the Messenger), Matt Damon (Invictus), Christopher Plummer (The Last Station), and Stanley (The Lovely Bones). Best Supporting Actress Mo’Nique (Precious), Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air), Penelope Cruz (Nine) and the one surprise: Maggie Gyllenhaal (Crazy Heart).
The Best Director nominees feature a battle between exes James Cameron (Avatar) and Katherine Bigelow (the Hurt Locker). Joining them are Jason Reitman (Up in the Air), Quentin Tarantino (Inglourious Basterds), and Lee Daniels (Precious).
I can’t say that there will be much suspense as to the possible winners, unless theres a major change in the air in regards to Hollywood politics and popularity in the next month, but I’m still looking forward to the Oscars on March 7. It’s my Superbowl, only with evening gowns and hot men whose faces I can actually see.
FOF #939 – Cleve Jones Dances with Madonna
Standard Podcast [44:43m]:
You saw him at the Oscars, now on today’s show we have longtime gay rights activist Cleve Jones talking about what it was like to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards, dance with Madonna at the after-party and hold Dustin Lance Black’s hand during the momentous evening.
The Oscar win for the film Milk certainly gives the national gay rights moment a shot in the arm but can we leverage the movie’s success into a comprehensive bill that ensures equality for all Americans?
Here are some memorable quotes from the interview:
On being at the Oscars with Madonna and a room full of celebrities celebrating Milk:
“It was an odd sensation to be in a room full of people and the only face I did not recognize was my own!”
On what an average citizen can do to fight for equality:
“I always go back to Harvey Milk. The single most important thing that we must all do as individuals is to come out of the closet and reveal ourselves to our families, neighbors and coworkers and let people understand who we are. I think the greatest obstacle that remains that individual queer people have about coming out.”
“The second step is to finally demand that straight people really get with the program and show their support. I think Sean Penn’s speech was very helpful in that regard. Too long we’ve accepted compromise and allowed our own leaders to sell us out. This is what President Clinton did… we need to hold all our leadership accountable.”
Cleve shares with us his thoughts on President Clinton crossing the picket line.
The fishy biological origins of sex.
Here’s another reason for pushing marriage equality: the environment. If Australian Senator Steve Fielding is right and divorce is ecologically unsound, then allowing same-sex couples to legally marry just may save the earth.
American Idol Judge Simon Cowell clarifies the rumors of him wanting to be frozen upon death. For now he’ll just enjoy being icy in life, not in death, thank you very much.
The world’s most unfortunate names.
Check out the world’s most windowed office building. Isn’t it cute? It looks like some cubist block of swiss cheese. Wouldn’t it totally blow if you worked there and didn’t have an office with a window?
How ecologists use magnets to confuse crocodiles.
If you got a moment, please vote for Feast of Fools in the Chicago Reader best of Chicago awards. We’re hoping to win Chicago’s award for the Best Gay News Source.
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FOF #938 – Oscar Hangover
Standard Podcast [1:03:14m]:
After the big ol’ lovefest known as the 81st Annual Academy Awards was over, the proverbial shit has hit the fan.
Beyonce’s mild wardrobe malfunction passed the network censors but thanks to the magic of High Definition television, was caught by some titaltated fans. Will Beyonce’s mosquito bites unleash a dengue fever of puritanical outrage?
People have to got to honestly get over celebrities showing their nips in public. I’m actually kind of pissed we didn’t get to see any pec action on Hugh Jackman.
Did you hear about how Sean Penn threw his ex-wife Madonna a little shade at the Oscar’s after party? Listen to today’s show to find out what he said about her new boy toy.
Relax Sean! Madge doesn’t even have a Oscar, and you have two. All she has a Golden Globe.
Curtis Jensen, Steamwork’s marketing manager and gingerbread house aficionado talks about his sweet confections and shares his thoughts on the Oscars.
One thing’s for sure, everybody is in love with America’s hottest gay bachelor, Dustin Lance Black.
How to connect with that handsome stranger you work out at the gym.
And you thought your lover was kinky! Elaine Davidson, the world’s most pierced woman adds even more metal to her body. Guess what she does for a living? I wanted to say she was a receptionist at a Real Estate agency, but she’s not.
And the drag queen fabulousness known as Ongina, sparks controversy when she reveals to the world she’s HIV positive on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Is declaring yourself as HIV+ carry the same weight as it did in the 1990s? Whats up with the angry comments chastising Ongina for getting a sexually transmitted disease in this day and age?
If you got a moment, please vote for Feast of Fools in the Chicago Reader best of Chicago awards. We’re hoping to win Chicago’s award for the Best Gay News Source.
Like CNN, but with a fruity twist- Feast of Fools.
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FOF #917 – The Politics of Failure
Standard Podcast [1:04:52m]:
The politics of failure is taking center stage. Today we take a look at three fallen leaders and their relationship to the media.
President Richard Nixon interviewed by David Frost.
The film Frost/Nixon received several Oscar nominations for the portrayal of David Frost’s famous interview with disgraced President Richard Nixon.
After seeing Frank Langella’s master performance as President Richard Nixon in the film, I have to say Sean Penn is going to have a run for his money in order to win the “Best Actor” award. Still, I think “Milk” will win best picture hands down because Hollywood loves a good cause.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich interviewed by Barbara Walters.
Illinois Governor Blagojevich timed his media blitz to the start at the beginning of his impeachment trial. On The Today Show Sunday, Blago compared himself to human rights heroes Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi.
Sound familiar? In 2007 Madonna made Time Magazine’s (and our) worst quote of the year when she said on Sirius’ Out Q Radio show: “I want to be like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and John Lennon―but I want to stay alive. For me, we need to be Jesus in our time.”
I love it when people feel the need to compare themselves to Jesus or Ghandi.
Ted Haggard interviewed by Alexandra Pelosi.
We’re all eager to watch HBO’s documentary “The Trials of Ted Haggard” about the fallen evangelical leader who was disgraced in 2006 by a gay sex & crystal meth scandal. Did we mention it’s being directed by Sen. Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, Alexandra?
Ted Haggard’s former church seems anxious that their fallen leader might be try to con the public with the documentary because Brady Boyd, the pastor who succeeded Haggard says that his church settled with a Denver male prostitute who came forward with an “overwhelming pool of evidence” of a three year sexual relationship with the Haggard.
It sounds like the New Life Church is trying to wash their hands of him once and for all.
Comedian Chicago Gay comedian Adam Guerino joins us on today’s show to discuss this and other over the top news.
Gay-for-pay porn star Mark Dalton soon to be out of prison once again. One of our listeners Dan-X from Denton, Texas shares with us his story.
America is the world’s second largest importer of frogs.
Comedian Phyllis Diller reflects on posing nude for Playboy Magazine. The photos never ran because of a technical glitch- the camera broke!
Your canary in the coal mine of crazy- Feast of Fools.
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FOF #908 – Kevin’s Oscar Picks
Standard Podcast [57:58m]:
Oscar! Oscar! Oscar! We’re not talking about the Odd Couple, we’re talking about the Academy Awards. What’s a golden globe? What’s the national board of review? What does this all mean?
Kevin Thomas, your gay concierge joins us to share his picks and tricks on films and actors possibly up for an award this year. Will Jack Nicholson keep his pants on this year? Will Mickey Rourke get a nomination of playing a wrestler in The Wrestler?
He’s hot, he’s wolverine and he’s gay friendly. But is Hugh Jackman’s name for real and will he be a good host for this years Oscars? Kevin certainly thinks so, and suggests he would make a perfect co-star with Babs on a remake of the musical Sunset Boulevard?
A cute and quirky couple decide to hold their wedding at a Taco Bell at the low cost of $200. Even the bride’s wedding dress cost just $15.
A man finds love with the blowup dolls he steals from adult bookstores and then ditches in back alleys. So far the burglar has nabbed three latex ladies and the owners of the store are perplexed as to his motive other than the obvious one.
A group of elephants are now using their trunks to paint amazing artworks in a conservation camp in Thailand. One 11-year-old elephant painted what was described as “a delicate painting of a potted yellow flower.” In 2004, the group pf elephants created a 72ft by 8ft work which is officially recognized as the largest and most expensive painting by a group of elephants. We wonder what the competition came up with.
The 1970s classic book “The Joy of Sex” gets a makeover with over 42 new chapters including ones on safe sex, eating disorders and trannies. We wonder if the illustrations in this edition will have unshaven ladies’ armpits like the 1970s version. That’s all we remember from that book- unshaven lady armpits. The Joy of Sex: The Ultimate Revised Edition // The Timeless Guide to LovemakingOrder it here on Amazon.
The podcast that makes your iPod a little more gay- Feast of Fools.
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FOF #711 – Oscarcast 2008
Standard Podcast [53:30m]:
I have Oscar Fever! Literally, because I drank too much cheap champagne last night. Owww.
Despite torrential downpours, the writers strike and the threat of the Westboro Baptist Church picketing, the “Superbowl for Gays,” the 80th Annual Academy Awards Ceremonies, also known as the Oscars managed to put on a relatively tight but lackluster show.
Many Oscar statuettes are going overseas this year as the majority of the big awards (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress) went to non-American talent. Are we seeing a trend here? Is Hollywood becoming more international? I certainly hope so. I want within my lifetime to see a Bollywood musical win “Best Picture.” Is that too much to ask?
On today’s show Amanda Steinstein celebrates her 40th birthday with Tracy Tyler, Marc Felion and me Fausto Fernós. Happy Birthday Amanda!
Listen as we talk with the gals about which celebrities looked hot on the red carpet and which one looked like Clay Aiken wearing a trash-bag. Somebody better tell Tilda to wear makeup next year! She was shinier than a greased pig. Girl, powder! And “girl power” too. Thanks to JaysNYC99 from the chat room for the joke!
But, actresses who play quirky roles might intentionally dress for the “worst dressed” list for the free publicity and to position themselves as edgy talent. After all, who can forget Bjork’s insane swan dress? Of course she never worked in Hollywood again, but she did get a lot of media attention from that swan dress.
Who was gay on the red carpet? Ryan Seacrest was! Did you guys see Ryan asking Patrick Dempsey what would he say if he woke next to Brad Pitt? Two major media hetero-identified celebrities talking about how sexy Brad Pitt was seemed pretty incredible, don’t you think?
And speaking of carpets, was anyone fooled by John Travolta’s peach fuzz toupee? I think that thing was spray painted on. Honestly, he should have put on the fat suit from Hairspray and showed up in drag and he would have looked better. John, it is time to think about growing old gracefully.
Montage, montage montage! What happens when Hollywood writers go on strike? They make montages of course. This year was littered with weird montages, as a tribute to “bees in films” (no joke) “binoculars and telescopes” and “nightmare sequences.” I thought for a moment they were going to make a montage of montage sequences, like the shopping scene in Xanadu where Gene Kelley tries on different outfits to look “hip and cool.” Thank God the writers strike is over, Bruce Vilanch, get to work on next year’s show!
The podcast that would like to thank the Academy, our friends, family, mom and dad, our lesbian pals, our leather daddies, my trannie gal pals, my nieces and nephews, and you, our audience for the privilege of podcasting- Feast of Fools.
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