Who’s Got Spirit Awards??

I’m doing a live as it happens Spirit Awards play by play. So far Milk has won two awards, James Franco for Best supporting actor and Dustin Lance Black the extremely young writer of the screenplay. I am watching the winners on line as they enter the press tent. Pretty interesting, my spelling my take a dive and the wonders of technology may not let me get all the info. The sound comes and goes and you can’t hear the questions only the answers.

Penelope Cruz just won best supporting actor for Vicki Cristina Barcelona, Woody Allen’s film. Sorta expected as she is a front runner for Oscar as well. I am pulling for Marissa Tomei for an Oscar, but that’s just me. Penelope answers a question in her native language-Spanish- and leaves the stage. She said it was an exhausting process, her portion of the shoot and was glad not to have to keep up that level of chaos. I like her, she was good in her US intro role in Women on Top.

So we’re watching the show online, via the press room monitor, not even a camera in the main area, just a shot of the monitor in the press room. This is a first for me, viewing as it happens live on line and writing all at once. Fun way to spend a snowy afternoon here in the big city.

The train wreck that is Jocquin Phoniex is helping to present best documentary. Jocquin just gave up acting to begin a hip hop music career. Let’s wish him luck. Whoever was the Batman character on stage gave him real hell. Of course they will bleep out the swearing that is happening on stage…MAN!!

In Search Of A Midnight Kiss won the John Cassavettes award for emerging film makers. I love John Cassavettes and have seen all his films. I wish he were still here making films. They are making reference to Cassevettes films and thanking him for his vision.

As they shoot the montior for best actress, we get sound but then they cut away and totally leave you hanging as they intro the next winners in the press room. It makes me want to watch AMC later to see how they will chop it up.

Meilssa Leo just won for best actress for Frozen River, a film not many saw and is now out on DVD…and I never even heard of till last week..

They may cut Teri Hatcher’s musical tribute to Wendy and Lucy, but then again maybe not for artistic reasons.  A special version of the Bitch is Back.

Thoms Hayden Church and Andie McDowel present the Paiget’s Producer’s award to Heather Rae for Frozen River. Ok, so now we put that in the Netflicks’ line up- Frozen River

Of course Woody Allen didn’t make it west. His screenplay for Vicki Cristina Barcelona won….We’re back to silence and a shot of the press room mike on line. The people on the live chat are keeping me interested. Reading their banter is educational and humerous all at once. Lots of bitter indie film makers on this chat. The moderator is not fairing too well in keeping it nice… They don’t like Slumdog over here.

The French Film, the Class won for best foreign film. It’s playing here in Chicago at the Landmark. The preview was compelling. School children all have the same trials and tribulations, no matter the class or language. We love it when the director answers a question we can’t hear…in French, ah what a lovely language.

A long lull and the screen goes black. Is it all over, no it’s back and still with no sound. Just keep reading the outrageous live chat. WOW!  I can’t join that racy banter!!

I am really, really glad Mickey Rourke won for the Wrestler. I feel a bit better about the film community and forgiveness. If you haven’t seen the Wrestler- SEE IT!! What a story, it pulls at your heart. I am so happy…Now if the Oscars go his way?!?   So now I will probably watch the telecast to see the speech Mickey gave after winning to the indie audience. I wonder who he thanked and if he had one of his dogs with him….hmm
I’m waiting for Mickey Rourke in the press room…which now has no sound.

The Wrestler won best film at the Independent Spirit Awards. WOW- who would have thought. I could wrap it up but I want to see the rest of what happens. I am happy for the film, and can I say one more time, it was a good story and a good film. See it if you can. The Wrestler.

Darren Aronofky, the director who appeared with the film the Wrestler at the Chicago International Film Festival was the final person to speak in the press room at the Independent Spirit Awards. How cool is that?? The Wrestler wins, a
film screened at the Film Festival.

See you at the movies! Enjoy the Oscars..