Oscars Guide: Your Ticket to the Red Carpet
Even if you haven’t seen all the nominated movies, there’s a good chance that you’ll tune in for some, or all, of the Academy Awards show. You may watch to admire (or mock) the fashions, to root for your favorite actor or because you’re hoping to win the office pool. Read on for a guide to maximizing your Oscar experience.
Expand All Guide SectionsOscar History and News
Winning an Oscar is the greatest honor a film, actor, director, writer or crew member can receive. While it’s not your career on the line, it’s perfectly normal to be intrigued by this illustrious ceremony. So read up on Oscar history, ogle red carpet fashion or keep up with your favorite nominees via Oscar news.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The findingDulcinea Movies Web Guide has copious resources for getting familiar with the nominated pictures, including links that help you research films, buy tickets or DVDs, read reviews or keep up with gossip.
- For many viewers, the hosting of the Oscars is as exciting as the nominated movies. This year, Oscar host Jon Stewart will have excitement of a different kind as he rushes to assemble a show after the writers’ strike.
Dulcinea's Picks
For Oscar history ...
The BBC
provides a quick history of the Academy Awards that covers topics such as the first ceremony, the design of the statue, top winners and controversies over the years.
Filmsite
's Oscar page presents an introduction to the Academy Awards and lists the winners in each category for each year since the Ceremony’s inception. Be sure to peruse interesting lists summarizing top winners, or the collection of “Mistakes and Omissions” that points out excellent films jilted by the Academy.
To learn about this year’s Oscars …
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science
hosts a fully stocked Web site devoted to the Oscars, also known as “the Academy Awards.” Find the basics, such as the list of nominees and broadcast information, as well as other information about the Awards ceremony, and the Academy. If you’re a real movie buff, check the “What’s New” column on the right for some more obscure awards.
Entertainment Weekly
has a section devoted to Oscar coverage. Read articles about projected winners, big hits, Oscar news and features. Or sign up to play the Oscar Game and pick your favorites.
Little Gold Men
is Vanity Fair magazine’s daily Oscar blog. Pick up industry gossip, check out the films projected to win or read interviews and fun facts about how the stars are handling Oscar season.
The LA Times
has a section called “The Envelope” designated entirely to Oscar obsession, news and speculation. You’ll even find videos discussing different aspects of the Oscars and the Buzzmeter that predicts the winners.
To research movies …
The Internet Movie Database
lists the casts, crews, synopses and reviews for pretty much every movie out there. If you missed a movie, you can usually find the trailer. IMDB also lists new DVD releases, which should help you catch up on films you missed in the theaters.
Apple Movie Trailers
offers a sizable collection of high-quality movie trailers. Browse by category or use the search function.
All Movie
delivers exactly what it promises. Research genres, specific films, catch relevant news or read the site blog. Search for a particular movie and then browse through tabs to find specific information, such as cast, crew, reviews and even whether anyone in the film won an Oscar.
To research celebrities …
InStyle.com
has a complete section devoted to the glamorous celebrities that are nominated this year, as well as those who have graced the red carpet in the past. If you’re interested in red carpet fashion, star Q&A, Oscar parties or celebrity video clips, enjoy getting lost in the site’s abundant content.
People.com
feeds your hunger for Oscar celebrity gossip with profiles of nominees, essential news updates, details about Oscar parties and a generous array of photos. Browse, obsess or test your Oscar knowledge with quizzes.
Who knew?
ReelClassics
, a Web site devoted to film fans, has this page of fun Oscar trivia.
Watching the Oscars
Use the sites below to map out the perfect evening of stargazing for you and your friends.
Dulcinea's Insight
- If you're expecting a lot of people for your party, you'll need to consider viewing angle, and may decide to splurge for a new TV. Some types of TVs can be seen just as well from anywhere in the room, but others provide a drastically diminished picture for those sitting off to the side. Peruse the Television Buying Guide at CNET and the background information available at the Web sites of major electronics retailers to get all the facts before buying anything.
- For more tips on putting together the perfect soiree, look to the findingDulcinea Throwing a Party Web Guide.
Dulcinea's Picks
To throw a party …
Food Network
offers this guide to throwing an Oscar party. Get suggestions for full meals, quick snacks or specialty drinks. Find general party-planning tips or arrange for an easy but sufficiently Oscar-themed night with “Cinema Snacks.”
Oprah
hosted an After Oscar Party show in 2005, and her Web site still has fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi’s tips for a fabulous Oscar-themed party. He’ll tell you what to wear, how to determine your guest list and how to keep everyone entertained in the less exciting moments.
Oscar Pools
If you read Isaac Mizrahi’s Oscar party hints in the “Watching the Oscars” section, you know he’s a big fan of a little friendly competition at an Oscar party. Below, find sites that can help you spark debate with friends, coworkers or other Internet users.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Hone your decision-making skills by reviewing the sites in the Oscar News and Research section of this guide.
- If you’re having an Oscar party, consider printing out Oscar ballots for all your guests. Have little prizes for winners to spice things up.
Dulcinea's Picks
For Oscar pool basics …
The Star Tribune
published a guide to setting up—and winning—an Oscar pool. Read the article for site recommendations, organizational tips and a healthy dose of humor.
To join an Oscar pool …
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
has a “Predict The Winners” game. Sign up on the site, enter your predictions and get the chance to win prizes.
Entertainment Weekly
, noted previously for its excellent Oscar coverage, also has an online Oscar game where you can pick winners and play against others.
To win an Oscar pool …
Cinemoose.com
, a filmmaker’s blog, shares an insider’s perspective on how to win your office’s Oscar pool. The post provides solid information on how voting is done, and the research you’ll need to do to win.
BetFirms
, a blog for gambling pros, offers Oscar odds and predictions. If you’re intent on winning your Oscar pool, you’ll want to see how serious bettors view the nominees.
To make your own Oscar pool …
Defective Yeti
is the blog of a self-described “Pretty Okay Guy.” He offers a make- your-own Oscar pool section on his site, allowing you and your friends to start placing bets online.
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
