BA-DA-BLING!
Red carpet queens like Jessica Alba got an eye-popping look at what this year’s Oscar goers will be wearing when it comes to dazzling gems and nice ice.
The “Fantastic Four” super-girl joined Allison Janney, Maria Bello, Mira Sorvino and Molly Sims at the Beverly Hills Hotel to check out a treasure trove of sensational stones and settings.
A whopping $40 million of worth of drool-worthy jewels were on display created by some of the most brilliant names in the diamond biz. Rock on!
ACCOLADES FOR ALTMAN
In other Oscar news, celebrated director Robert Altman will be honored with a special award at this year’s ceremony. Mr. Altman has an amazing 85 directing credits to his name, including classics like “M.A.S.H.,” “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” “Nashville,” “Gosford Park” and that all time Hollywood favorite, “The Player.”
These days Altman is busy at work on his latest production, “A Prairie Home Companion.” Like many Altman films, it features an all-star cast. Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Klein, Lindsay Lohan, Robin Williams, Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep are just a few of the big names making up the impressive ensemble cast.
The 80-year-old filmmaker also has numerous producing and writing credits. He has been nominated for Oscar gold five times, but has never snagged the shiny statuette.
AFI FAVES
Now that The Golden Globes have weighed in, it’s time for the American Film Institute to have its say. AFI has announced its top films of the year. Not surprisingly, “Brokeback Mountain” rides into a top spot as well as Steven Spielberg’s “Munich,” Peter Jackson’s “King Kong,” George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck” as well as “Syriana” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” All seem like good Oscar contenders except for “Virgin,” which is unlikely to score.
BEST OF THE WORST
On the other side of the spectrum, it’s time to dig deep into the bottom of the Hollywood barrel. On Oscar eve, the winners of this year’s Razzie Awards will be announced. Once again the competition is frightful. “Son of the Mask” leads the pack with eight nominations, including worst picture. Other Razzie contenders include “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo,” “House of Wax” and, of course, “The Dukes of Hazard.” What can you say but may the worst film win!