Oscar buzz in my ears
ALFONSO Cuarón will schlep home a trunkful of statuettes. Question is, how many? Can “Roma” win Best Picture plus Best Foreign Language Film? Five foreign entries are up. Never has any in Spanish won Best Picture and very few in black-and-white have won.
Cuarón had more hands in his movie than a centipede. He shot, directed, edited, was involved in the cinematography, and also orchestrated a brilliant campaign. He probably even sold the theater popcorn.
Modest, articulate, kind, a respectful gentleman. Everything’s going for him. Hollywood, a town where moviemakers even knock the angel Gabriel, loves him.
The world applauded “A Star Is Born” and Bradley
Cooper’s astounding direction. For some reason — maybe because it opened too early — it seems eclipsed. The song will get sung. The song will get the award.
“BlacKkKlansman” should or could make history for Spike Lee as first black man to win an Oscar for directing. There was a push for this in the season Lee
Daniels made “Precious.” But it didn’t happen.
This year it’s a League of Nations. Four bear the new mantra “diversity.”
Three stories of African-Americans: “Klansman,” “Black Panther,” “Green Book.” Mexican is “Roma.” Many nominees are worthy, but the money is on four Best Picture contenders: “Roma,” “BlacKkKlansman,” “Black Panther” and “Green Book.” Supporters worry “Green Book’s” niceness mightn’t cover its detrimental slurs and mudslinging baggage. A furious family and executor of Dr. Shirley’s estate remain unpacified since none were in the will. I was told that all of his money went to a white protégé lover. Those who really knew the man — including orchestra leader Peter Duchin, who lived at Carnegie Hall at the same time he did — each say, “As a friend he was difficult. A handful.”