You didn’t see it on TV, but there was a moment at the Oscars, right in the front rows of the Kodak Theatre, where the most important nominees always sit, that perfectly encapsulated the entire evening. James Cameron walked straight up to Kathryn Bigelow, grabbed at her throat, and pretended to wring her neck. In Hollywood, apparently, that’s how ex-spouses say “Congratulations!” (Cameron, obviously, was kidding.)
Of course, there were other dramas unfolding on the podium, and elsewhere in the Kodak, even if they weren’t all quite so gripping. Sandra Bullock winning Best Actress for her turn as a pistol-packing Southern socialite in The Blind Side had a bit of suspense (who knew she’d have to play a Republican to get an award in Hollywood?). On the red carpet, Bullock was already planning her next career move. “A lesbian comedy with Meryl Streep,” she quipped, referencing a jocular smooch she and fellow nominee Streep had shared earlier in the season at the Critics’ Choice Awards. But nobody was shocked that Jeff Bridges finally picked up a statue, for Best Actor in Crazy Heart, after four previous nominations. “It’s like what the Dude says—strikes and gutters,” the star philosophized at the Governors Ball, referring to another, non-nominated role in The Big Lebowski.
For more from behind-the-scenes at the Oscars, including George Clooney‘s reactions, Woody Harrelson‘s gracious neatness, and tequila shots with Quentin Tarantino, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands Friday, March 12.
Hey Sandra, Anyone that watched, The Blind Side knew this was your year for a change! You were really AWESOME!!!!
I have a feeling that in 2 years time, we will be looking back at her oscar win and feel the same way we did about Halle Berry’s and Nicole Kidman’s win. Just wait and see.
I have to disagree on Nicole. Is still an amazing performance. Nothing can take that the station scene was amazing.
The Hours is amazing, and Nicole is fantastic!!! (Though I agree on Halle…)
http://www.highoncelluloid.blogspot.com
I’m sure Sandra’s alright, but she was hardly the best in the race. Gabourey Sidibe, Meryl Streep, and Carey Mulligan were far more deserving.
Despite what Halle Berry has done since, she more than deserved the award. Same with Kidman. You are totally wrong in this respect, Moe.
i think instead of halle berry(which is my opinion was well deserved! i mean did you even see monster’s ball!) maybe instead we should think of renee zelwegger. i mean i am a HUGE fan of Cold Mountain but an oscar for her? dont think so!
nah, halle and nicole desserved their wins. On the other hand, Julia Roberts winning over Ellen Burstyn is still upsetting.
Agreed. Actually I feel that way about so many recent actress winners…Reese Witherspoon? Catherine Zeta-Jones? Julia Roberts? Jennifer Connelly? Gwyneth Paltrow? All of them beat far more deserving nominees, IMHO.
I’m sorry I could not disagree more, are you seriously doubting Halle Berry in the powerful Monster’s Ball???? Nicole Kidman in the great THE HOURS? after the year she had Moulin Rouge? If you need to look back at anyone’s win — look at Reese Witherspoon’s non-role, supporting at best win. But other than than — give me a break — popular actors are good actors as well and are oscar worthy.
Actually, no one thinks that the Nicole Kidman Oscar was a mistake. She was incredible.
Hi Sandra, Anyone watching The Blind Side knew this was your year!!, ABOUT TIME!! You are truely great even tho you don’t see it!
Terrible close up on her dress there. You shouldn’t be able to see that “nude” layer.
…well, this is EW we’re talking about. They’ve really had some crappy covers lately.
No kidding. And what’s worse, more pictures. So more worse pictures. And it’s like 8 pages long, most reprinted from the internet. I almost bought one pn a flight last month, then saw there were like 100 words in the whole issue, most of which I’d read online. EW.com is now the *real* EW, so I hope the online ad revenue is working out to keep this site coming….
Exactly. This cover sucks compared to this Oscar cover from 2006:
http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/entertainment-weekly/924-1.jpg
And this one from last year:
http://livelovegossip.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/slumdog-millionaire-entertainment-weekly-cover1.jpg
I agree. They’re covers have been lacking in creativity lately.
You’re right. Those other covers were posed for the EW. This is just a slap-together of candids from that night. And I guess Christoph Waltz doesn’t rate in the US.
This is NOT the cover that came in my mailbox yesterday.
Was not a fan of that dress, she has been dressed MUCH better this year. Glad she won though!
Interesting how the best actor out of the 4 acting winners is not on the cover. There’s plenty of room over Bullock’s elbow for Christoph Waltz.
Thank you! Could not agree with you more.
You are so right. He actually should have been up for leading actor. I’m sure he had 50 times more lines than any of the other leading actors, given Quinten’s script! And he played the most important role in the movie. His performance just completely knocked me out. I’m in my 50s, watch a lot of movies, and can hardly remember the last time someone I’d never seen before made such a huge impression on me. Probably would have to go back to Al Pacino in the first Godfather movie.
who’s Christoph Waltz?
Kathryn Bigelow is a much more important story than Sandra Bullock – so why isn’t Bigelow the main focus/story on the cover?
THANK YOU. I was about to comment with the same thing. No disrespect for Sandra at all, but this is the FIRST TIME a woman has ever won that Oscar, C’mon, EW.
Well count on EW to put the least deserving of the big winners front and center. It’s the same star-worshiping logic that “earned” her the award in the first place.
I so agree Nate but Sandra will sell more magazines. Its all about making money.
Eactly! People have to realize that this is an entertainment magazine focused on attracting readers and making money. It makes sense for them to put Sandra on the cover because that’s who the readers want to see. Besides, to be fair, there might be good coverage on Kathryn’s win inside the issue (hopefully).
Literally in shock/horror about this too. So glad I no longer buy this magazine.
Totally agree, not to mention the fact that Sandra was just on EW’s cover a couple months ago, and has been mentioned on the cover in addition to that. I feel like she’s being shoved down our throats.
Agreed agreed agreed. Agreed!
Defiantly! But I guess the other posters are right, it’s all about $$
No Christoph Waltz on the cover?
In fact, EW could have used the usual picture of the four winning actors. The cover is a miss.
funny how sandra wins an oscar and a razzie all in one weekend.
I have nothing against Sandra Bullock – I have enjoyed her on screen and she seems like a nice person. But I look at photos of her with that Oscar and I just know that it’s wrong. The truth is, that Oscar should have gone to Meryl Streep.
Meryl has enough…..let someone else win one!
Meryl Streep has not won an Oscar since Sophie’s Choice. I think we’ve given her plenty of a “rest”
SO disagree…Meryl was good, but not great. Anybody can do Julia Child….it isn’t that tough. I worked my ass off for The Blind Side- I SO deserve it. Hollywood and the public agreed. Mack – just go die somewhere.
Sandra was the least deserving winner of the night, Kathryn should be the main feature and Christoph should be on the cover.
Meryl should have won. But Sandra knew how to “work the room,” while Meryl sat it out for the past 2 months. You gotta give Bullock credit for creating the “Best Marketing Campaign.”
Some have speculated that Meryl sat it out purposefully. She’s probably very happy with her two wins and additional 14 nominations. Maybe she, too, wanted to give another actress a chance? I know that doesn’t sound realistic, but Meryl seems to be that gracious and mature of a person.
Sandra had a big meaty dramatic role very much like Ellen Brokavich, Norma Rae and Coal Miners Daughter. Oscar loves true life stories and southern belles.
That’s Erin Brokovich – Just saying.
I’m glad for Sandra Bullock but why wasn’t Kathryn Bigelow in the bigger picture? Her Oscar win made history in the film industry. I work with someone who is a film student, and she was so inspired by Kathryn’s win– it’s like finally women are being shown appreciation for the work they do in the Director’s chair.
Oh God. For the rest of time, all the pictures of Bullock with her Oscar are going to be complete eye-sporks because of that godawful magenta toned lipstick. Why oh WHY didn’t someone tell her??
I know. That night my husband said–why does she look all kabuki?
Meryl deserves to win in a year when her performance isn’t lightweight and comedic. She deserved it last year.
I disagree… Meryl won both her Oscars for HEAVY Dramatic Roles. (One of which – Sophie’s Choice – is the measure by which most Actresses are compared to.) It would be great for her to win for a comedy; show her versatility and range is appreciated.
She should but she won’t. If Meryl wins again, it will be for a drama.
Sandra, Monique and the first woman director (to win a oscar) should have graced the cover together!. Oscar night was definitely ladies night.