The Justin Files, 2/25/08

Even Oscar himself kinda looks like he's saying, "meh"
It was an odd year for Oscar movies. There were no huge blockbusters on the ballot, nor any big mass market flicks. Most of them were smaller "artsy" projects. In fact, I saw all of two of the nominated movies this year. One was a cartoon (Ratatouille, probably the only true blockbuster of the bunch), and the other I saw the night before the show (La Vie En Rose - see it if you don't mind subtitles). But there were still some interesting things that came out of the ceremony.

The most interesting fact that may have gone unnoticed by many, there were no American acting winners. Yup, they were all European:

Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men) - Spanish
Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) - English
Marion Cotillard (La Vie En Rose) - French
Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood) - English

Also, did you notice the two blatant omissions during the montages that Oscar loves oh so much? During the montage of former hosts, no Whoopi Goldberg. During the montage of industry people who have passed in the previous year, no Brad Renfro.

An Oscar rep's reply to Brad's deletion..."it was an editing decision, we can't fit everyone in".

I'm sure his family will understand.

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From the best to the worst
Traditionally, on the day that we celebrate the best in cinema, there's a small ceremony down the street celebrating the worst. The Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as The Razzies, celebrated their 27th year this year. Of note, Lindsay Lohan's stinker I Know Who Killed Me (which I keep wanting to call "I Know Who Killed Me Last Summer") took home 8 statues. And Eddie Murphy set a record as the first person to win 3 acting awards...all for the same movie. Murphy, who traditionally plays multiple characters in his comedies, was honored for his roles in Norbit and took home the guilded fruit for Worst Actor, Worst Supporting Actor, and Worst Supporting Actress.

All that just a year separated from his Oscar nomination for Dreamgirls.

Ouch.

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OCNJ getting some Oscar love
Fellow Point DJ Jill Pantozzi pointed out to me that the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject went to a project right out of our own backyard in Ocean County. Check out the story in the Asbury Park Press for all the details.

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Quick Hits
* The reunion of Point legends The Police was short lived. Sting announced that the June 29th show in Hyde Park, London will be their last. Anybody wanna get me tickets since it's the day before my birthday?

* There's finally good news to report as far as Britney is concerned. She was allowed to visit with her kids for the first time in nearly two months this past weekend.

* In other Britney related news, apparently Kevin Federline is claiming to have "two or three" acting offers on the back burner. Hey Kev, I don't think playing a costumed rat at a local kiddie themed pizza joint counts.

* Finally, the pride of New Jersey gastronomy, The Clinton Station Diner, home of the 50 pound burger is getting a run for it's money. A restaurant in Detroit has put a 134 pound bacon cheeseburger on the menu. It requires 24 hours notice, takes 12 hours to prepare, costs $350, and will most likely cut your life expectancy by about 12 years.