9Oscars winner Allison Janney and Gary Oldman during Saturday rehearsals.

Best Picture
Green Book
Media Guy Thoughts: The outrage police will be patrolling Twitter when this one wins. A Green Book win could set the Oscars back a few years. All of the so-called progress that occurred with the Shape of Water, Moonlight, and 12 Years A Slave victories might be destroyed. The hate Green Book has generated throughout awards season is might be enough to break Twitter when Peter “I flashed Cameron Diaz” Farrelly and Nick “Muslims celebrated on 9/11” Vallelonga get on the Dolby Theatre stage to accept their award.


Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Glenn Close, The Wife
Media Guy Thoughts: How she didn’t win for Fatal Attraction will never be explained.  No other actress has ever been nominated seven times without a win. This is her seventh nom. The Academy doesn’t like those kind of streaks.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Media Guy Thoughts: At all of the Oscars events where actual voters are present, I spoke with about 40 (out of 50) who said they voted for Malek. In other words, in a sample of this size, it’s as close to a lock as possible.

Amy Adams and I have six Oscars noms and two Emmy wins, combined

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali, Green Book
Media Guy Thoughts: Two wins in three years sounds about right.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Media Guy Thoughts: She was the critical darling taking the Big Three (New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association and National Society of Film Critics), plus she’s adored and respected. Ask one hundred critics and you will be hard-pressed to find anything but a positive story about King.

Directing
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma
Media Guy Thoughts: They won’t give him Best Picture, but he will take this and also honors for Foreign Language Film.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Media Guy Thoughts: Spike won’t win the directing honors (at least he can’t say it’s a white thing) so this is the shot to get him his Oscar. Get ready for the drama.

The Oscars Swag Bag

What’s in the 2019 Oscars Swag Bag? Win or lose, all of the nominees are gifted swag bags filled with luxury travel packages, world-class beauty products, fine art, jewelry and even the opportunity
to give back to charities.

The “Everyone Wins” nominee gift bags were crafted by Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, who says “Every human being, regardless of career or fame, appreciates a great gift. While our ‘Everyone Wins’ Gift Bag is certainly not given based on need, it is put together with a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible performances these talented individuals gave all of us this year.”

Here are some of the highlights:

One of a kind custom stained glass portrait created by glass master and artist John Thoman.

Pure Organic Maple Syrup and Glamour Gourmet Gift Set: gourmet maple products with recipes.

Millianna’s interpretation of pop culture and fashion is infused with inspiration from historical eras such as Elizabethan England and various art movements. The company employs women from the World Relief Spokane Refugee Organization to make their pieces which provides the women with meaningful work while they resettle in the US.

Nominees (and a guest) can enjoy a luxury small-ship adventure with International Expeditions. Choose one of four: an adventure to Iceland, the Galapagos, the Amazon or Costa Rica and Panama.

Proceeds from every Love Is Stronger Than Hate merchandise purchases will provide hope and healing to communities impacted by tragedy through the Stars of HOPE therapeutic arts program and the New York Says Thank You Foundation.

The post Oscars Week 2019: My Picks appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

Before I get to my picks I need to pat myself on the back. Since I started covering the Oscars seven years ago, let it be noted my picks have been correct to the tune of 45 out of 53 in the major categories! At 84.9%, that warrants a regular trip to Vegas or London to book some bets. That is, uh, if I gambled. Now that the shameless promotion is over, here’s the Media Guy choices for the telecast on Sunday:

Best Picture
Get Out
Media Guy Thoughts: I have a feeling it’s time for the Oscars to honor a movie like this, plus who would want to be the person or company reaped the profits from a movie that has grossed over $250 million off a $4 million production budget? SPOILER ALERT: Who didn’t lose it when Daniel Kaluuya found all of this old boyfriend pictures in the closet? I’d go with The Shape of Water but Splash and Creature from the Black Lagoon are already better.

Kobe and I have 33,643 combined NBA points.

Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Media Guy Thoughts: Easiest choice on the board.

Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Media Guy Thoughts: If Get Out gets on a role, then this pick won’t make it.

Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Media Guy Thoughts: He’s won everything else.

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Media Guy Thoughts: She’s won everything else and a boatload of Emmys.

Directing
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Media Guy Thoughts: #TimesUp

Animated Short Film
Dear Basketball
Media Guy Thoughts: Kobe Bryant has home court advantage. Go Lakers!

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Jordan Peele, Get Out
Media Guy Thoughts: If is Get Out’s year then Jordan Peele wins directing and Greta Gerwig wins this one. So, I’m hedging my bets and going Peele here.

The Oscars Swag Bag

I think it’s pretty funny that the what’s perceived as the official Oscars swag bag really has no association with the Oscars. This is true to the point were in 2016, the Academy sued Distinctive Assets for trademark infringement (they have since settled).

Since the legal extras, Distinctive Assets has also toned it down its extravagant image, taking the value of each bag from its high of $230,000 down to the current overall value around $100,000. Ad, oh, you have to pay taxes on the bag if you opt to take it! Highlights include:

• 12-night Tanzania vacation for two…The package from International Expeditions is the most expensive gift at more than $40,000. The journey includes spa services, a private safari guide, wild game drives and a hot air balloon safari with champagne breakfast.
• Week-long stay at the Golden Door spa…The relaxing San Diego retreat goes for $8,850 and the spa donates 100% of net profits to children’s advocacy organizations.
• Six-night and seven-day stay at Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu in Kauai…Nominees and their guests get to stay in a two-bedroom villa with an ocean view. Additional perks include a zipline adventure and helicopter tour.
• 10,000-bowl donation from Halo, Purely For Pets…Donations are made in the nominee’s name to an animal shelter or rescue of their choice. $8,000. 
• Luxury false lashes from Le Céline

• A commitment from Jarritos iconic Mexican soda to donate a pallet of soft drinks to a charitable event of the nominee’s choice
• A lifetime supply of Oxygenetix Breathable Foundation and Hydro-MatrixALLÉL DNA-based skincare
• Avaton Luxury Villas Resort Greek beachfront escape
• BANGARANG Positive Cube
• Blush & Whimsy magical color changing lipstick
• Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation
• Charleston & Harlow candles
• Chocolatines’ edible 16-piece jewelry box
• Cook Yourself Happy: The Danish Way cookbook
• Curlee Girlee children’s empowerment book
• Dandi Patch amazing underarm sweat patches
• Delicacies Candy & Confections organic & vegan lollipops
• D.Thomas Clinic Signature DNA Head-to-Toe Treatments
• DNA kit from 23andMe
• Fresh crate of California oranges from EpiFruit
• Esther Fairfax Lotte Berk Barre Method private group class
• Face It makeup remover combo kit
• Happiest Tee luxury t-shirts
• Hydroxycut Organic weight loss supplements
• Inception of Beauty 10-piece makeup brush set
• Justice For Vets Challenge Coin
• Kalliope NYC Phobia Relief Expert
• Liwu Jewellery inspired by ancient Celtic symbols and Chinese calligraphy
• Look Fabulous Forever Prime Collection
• Luxura Diamonds limited edition conflict-free diamond necklace
• My Magic Mud activated charcoal whitening toothpaste
• M·Y·O Cosmetic Cases
• MZ Skin Collagen Eye Mask and Golden Eye Treatment
• “99 Creative Wows – Words of Wisdom for Business Celebrity” Creativity Kit
• Non-invasive full face skin rejuvenation from Nurse Gigi
• No. 9 Daily Chemical Exfoliant from Oumere Skin Care
• Paiva Aloe Gorgeous! luxury cleanser and mask fusion
• Personal training sessions with celebrity trainer Alexis Seletzky
• Posh Pretzels gourmet gift box
• PROVEN AI-based personalized skincare based on the Beauty Genome Project
• Quincy Herbals SlimMax Detox Tea
• Quip beautifully simple electric toothbrush
• Reian Williams Fine Art
• Rouge Maple pure organic maple syrup
• Safi Kilima Tanzanite bolo bracelets
• Southern Wicked Lemonade all-natural lemonade moonshine
• The Green Garmento Gigantote
• TOTALEE hair care products
• Vaya Tyffyns stainless steel lunchboxes
• Wetsleeve wearable hydration on-the-go
• Youth Blast anti-aging supplement

The post Oscars Week 2018: My Picks appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

It’s Oscar® Week and who’s more excited than me?

No one, that’s who!

Between hockey games at Staples Center I’ll be spending a whole lotta time at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater participating in the overview symposiums. Take a look at this lineup:

February 23rd – OSCAR WEEK: SHORTS / Hosted by director Jennifer Yuh.

February 28th – OSCAR WEEK: RED CARPET and the LIVE SHOW / Hosted by Chris Rock from the Dolby Theatre.

I’ll try to be prompt sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning to deliver my annual Backstage at the Oscars column that always seems to capture the imagination the readers. (Okay, I may have over stated that one…) As a primer, bone up on the past year’s columns:

2015     2014     2013     2012

Oscars Week has me a little giddy over my Oscars notebook that’s coming in the mail. I highly recommend getting yours:

On an opposite note, I’m still reeling over the Academy suing the Oscar swag bag company over copyright infringement. What of the fitness training sessions with Jay Cardiello (valued at $1,400)? Or the year’s worth of Audi A4 rentals from Silvercar ($45,000)? Or my personal favorite, the $55,000 VIP all-access trip to Israel? My imagination goes wild for what you get for fifty grand in Israel! While my brain cramped up thinking of how I would pay $66,000 in taxes for the $200,000 swag bag was quickly quelled as I got to see how the Oscar statuettes are actually made…

Making of the Oscar Statuettes

All Making of the Oscars photos courtesy of Dorith Mous / ©A.M.P.A.S.

The 3D printed Oscar image is cleaned prior to making the production mold.

A rubber mold of the 3D print is made and used to make a wax pattern for each bronze Oscar casting.

The wax Oscars are reworked as necessary and attached to a plumbing system through which molten bronze flows into the ceramic shell mold.

After molten bronze is cast into the ceramic mold, the Oscars are cut loose from their plumbing systems and sanded and polished by hand.

The statues are then plated with 24 karat gold, given a final buff, and mounted on their bases. Since no one knows who the recipients are at this time, Polich Tallix staff will be on hand at the presentation ceremony to put nameplates on the bases after the Oscars have been presented.

Now, from the classy to the tasteless…


AD OF THE WEEK/MONTH/WHATEVER

“You can almost taste the Bush”

Are you kidding me? Are you pulling my leg? Who is the agency that decided to present this ad to Premier Estates Wine? Forget that, who advertising executive at the winery greenlit this series of ads.

I mean, is your wine as tasteless as your advertising? Are the wines as bad as their creepy, sexist, objectifying adverts? Really, what were they thinking?

Thankfully, the Taste The Bush ads, an innuendo-laden throwback to sexist airline ads for the Australian wine maker has been banned for being offensive and objectifying women after making an obvious reference to oral sex. Thank goodness!

The online ad for Premier Estates Wine showed a woman with a strategically placed glass of red wine, using the tagline ‘you can almost taste the bush’.

The ad stars a brunette model saying ‘take this exquisite Aussie shiraz, a mere £5.99 a bottle’ and then taking a sip and adding: “Mmm, Luscious, earthy, bursting with fruit and spice.” She then places the glass down on a table in front of her – right in front of her crotch – and says: “Australia practically jumps out of the glass – in fact, some say you can almost taste the bush.”

UGH!

Not outraged yet, take a look:

Note to Premier Estates: If you want some quality ad concepts, give me a ring. I’ll be happy to present some at no charge! 

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