The 81st Annual Academy Awards archive
Monday, February 23, 2009
'Slumdog Millionaire' Trumps Oscar Competition
February 23, 2009 The Academy Awards took over Hollywood last night as some of the world's biggest stars were honored for their work in film. Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner, sweeping the ceremony with eight awards, including the prize for best picture. Boston Globe film critic Wesley Morris offers a wrap-up of last night's festivities.
Inspirational Movies Win Big At Oscars
February 23, 2009 The ghetto-to-glory story Slumdog Millionaire was named Best Picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday. It won seven other Oscars, including Best Director. Kate Winslet won Best Actress for the Holocaust-themed drama The Reader, and Sean Penn took Best Actor for the title role in Milk.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Curious Case Of A Missing Academy Award
February 22, 2009 Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in the 1939 epic Gone With the Wind — becoming the first African-American to win an Academy Award. But her award has been missing for some 40 years. Was it lost, stolen or simply overlooked?
Movie Music 2009: Oscar-Nominated Scores
February 22, 2009 Tucked in among the Oscars for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Picture is a lesser-known category: Best Original Score. Film-music specialist Andy Trudeau has come to discuss the nominees every year since the 68th Academy Awards.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Creating Queenie: Taraji Henson's Leap Of Faith
February 20, 2009 The Benjamin Button actress talks with NPR's Michele Norris about bringing a character to life on screen — and helping audiences connect with the movie's distinctly different hero.
Who Are You Wearing To The Oscars? Who Cares?
February 20, 2009 At the annual Oscar gala, the cameras flash and reporters ask whose clothes you're wearing. But they only offer a glimpse of nominees and their escorts. This Sunday, commentator Peggy Orenstein will walk the red carpet with her filmmaker husband — another time.
At 91, Shoemaker To The Stars Is Still In Business
February 20, 2009 The man behind Charlton Heston's sandals in The Ten Commandments is 91-year-old Willie Rivera, who began making shoes at the age of 13 in Mexico City. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s and has dressed the feet of legends such as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Lily Tomlin and Bill Cosby.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Movie's Look, From Toilet To Villain's Lair
February 19, 2009 Lighting, props, sets and costumes all contribute to the "look" of a movie — and production designer J. Michael Riva, the grandson of Marlene Dietrich, makes sure all those elements integrate seamlessly for a film. He has worked on blockbusters such as The Goonies and A Few Good Men.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Before 'The Wrestler,' True Drama Beyond The Ring
February 18, 2009 Pro wrestling may be big on theatrics, but the main character in the Oscar-nominated film The Wrester is a lot like a real guy — Jake "The Snake" Roberts, whose rise and fall was recorded in a documentary in 2000.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
'The Queen Of Bling' Preps For The Oscars
February 17, 2009 Third-generation jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz has adorned Beyonce, Barbra Streisand and Elizabeth Taylor.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Building The Curious Faces Of 'Benjamin Button'
February 16, 2009 Effects-driven acting? Actor-fueled effects? The line between performance and technology has rarely been thinner than in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Laura Sydell goes behind the scenes with the FX gurus who helped make it happen.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Oscars: Keeping Things Short ... And Sweet
February 14, 2009 A short film must make its point quickly, but what becomes clear watching the Oscar-nominated shorts each year is how many different ways there are for a filmmaker to make a point. A lot of heart can be put into a few minutes.
Monday, February 09, 2009
