Malibu Seen / By Kim Devore

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Award-winning actor George Clooney and girlfriend Stacy Keibler hit the red carpet on the road leading up to Oscar night. Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Film Festival

Race to the Oscars

It’s getting down to the wire as the clock ticks down to Oscar time. The buzz is everywhere about “The Artist” for best pic. The film has a whopping ten nominations. It seems like the only thing this silent flick isn’t up for is a Writers Guild Award.

With a DGA award for Best Director, a Producers Guild of America award for Best Picture, a SAG award for Best Actor and three Gold Globes, the black-and-white retro film seems to be sweeping the competition. Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” which is up for 11 Academy honors, could be a close second on Sunday. Even though my personal fave is Woody Allen’s breathtaking “Midnight in Paris,” I say the smart money’s on “The Artist.”

George Clooney has been pegged by many as the man to beat for Best Actor. Gorgeous George won rave reviews for his performance in “The Descendants.” He also won a Golden Globe for the role. His big competition is another Hollywood heartthrob. Brad Pitt is up for his out-of-the-park performance in “Moneyball.”

As for the ladies, the two big front-runners are Viola Davis for her portrayal as a Southern housekeeper in the 1960s in “The Help” and Meryl Streep, who plays former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.”

Before the big night at the Kodak Theater, look for the Independent Spirit Awards where “The Artist” is also a favorite. The film is up for Best Feature along with “The Descendants.” “The Artist” is also up for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. The other candidates for Best Feature include a few films you haven’t heard much about this awards season, such as “50/50,” “Beginners,” “Drive” and “Take Shelter.”

The Robert Altman Award, named for the late director and longtime Malibu resident, will be given to the directors and ensemble cast of “Margin Call.”

CURTAIN CALL

Malibu’s Ed Harris and Amy Madigan have a new project together. The two are stepping into the spotlight at the Geffen Playhouse to perform in “The Jacksonian.” The black comedy is set in Jackson, Mississippi in 1964. The production is staged by Tony Award-winning artistic director Robert Falls. Performances can be seen at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater through March 25.

IT’S A BOY!

Congrats to Malibu’s Robert Downey Jr. The actor and his wife, Susan, welcomed a new arrival recently. He’s a 7-pound, 5-ounce baby boy named Exton Elias. The “Iron Man” star also has an older son named Indio, now 18. The couple are said to be over the moon with their new baby boy and baby joy.