Complete coverage of the 2014 Academy Awards.

Entertainment

Movies

et-Oscars2013-guide

After badly mispronouncing the name of singer Idina Menzel at Sunday night’s 86th Academy Awards ceremony, Travolta has drawn some harsh reviews. While the Syosset-raised singer performed her hit song "Let It Go," Twitter lit up with outraged questions, head-scratching comments and mockery, much of it from fellow celebrities. 
"Really?????" posted Sarah Michelle Gellar. Rosie O’Donnell asked, "My TRAVOLTA name is ROXY DOOGLE ... What's urs?" Comedian Matt Mira offered, "I would pay 500 dollars to hear John Travolta pronounce Chiwetel Ejiofor." 
Travolta’s version of "Idina Menzel" came out sounding something like "Adele Dazeem." By morning, parody Twitter accounts had sprung up, including @AdelaDazeem, who tweeted, "THANK YOU, JORN TROMOLTO!" 
None of that, however, stopped Menzel from performing. The song, from the animated Disney film "Frozen," went on to win the Oscar for best original song. 
Menzel, on her Twitter account, has remained silent. 
<iframe class="vine-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://vine.co/v/MA7WgDqvqUD/embed/simple" width="480"></iframe><script async src="//platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Travolta mocked for renaming LIer: Adele Dazeem?!

Who's Adele Dazeem?! John Travolta wins the Oscar for worst introduction of LIer Idina Menzel

adele dazeem cropped

Other than a surprising instance of what many critics deemed the should-win best picture candidate topping the will-win candidate ("Gravity"), the 86th Academy Awards did not really have all that many other surprising instances, did they? 
This all proceeded with the sure-footed -- if not exactly light-footed -- grace of a massive institution that knows what it is and knows that it is not about to explore new and uncertain terrain either. The Academy tried that last year, which is why Ellen DeGeneres -- whose most dangerous move Sunday night was prying cash out of Harvey Weinstein for the pizza -- was back as presenter. 
After 86 years, the Oscars has lost its youthful spark because youthful sparks only seem to get it in trouble; it's Woody Grant, stumbling his way toward Lincoln, Neb., a little bit dazed and a little bit confused in the modern world of annual TV awards presentations, where even the Tonys have more life force. The Grammys have now emerged as the de facto standard of what an awards show should be -- but Sunday night's Oscars felt at moments more like the daytime Emmys by contrast. 
There were certainly high-water marks -- exciting moments that you remember or savor in the moment or the next day, when something real or unbridled or joyful broke through the crust and must of a lumbering TV spectacle: Steve McQueen's sort-of-verbal back flip thanking everyone and anyone while knowing that he had just made history as the first black director who's film won for best picture, or Jared Leto's terrific moment in the spotlight, or Lupita Nyong'o's tearful tribute to Patsey. 
Ellen was good, too -- but safe and good, in that order, which is now the order of importance for any host post-Seth MacFarlane, who didn't merely reverse the order but demolish it and add a few other elements to the mix last year. 
The Oscars is about honoring a very nervous body of industry players who really aren't there to be part of a large TV entertainment put out by a TV network looking for younger viewers, or preferably those elusive younger male ones. They are there to get awards. 
Ellen tried to humanize it with an Oscar selfie, then a pizza shtick that went on and on -- Rainn Wilson actually timed it, saying in a tweet that it went on for 11 minutes and 54 seconds; he wasn't exaggerating, and the thing really did start to feel like a frat house transaction (who's got five bucks for the tip?) after awhile. The pizza was ice cold by the time it was over and so was the joke. 
Her opener was all-establishment. Check out -- for contrast -- her 79th opener, in that maroon velour (I guess it was velour) suit: "My job is to put you at ease and make you forget this is a make or break night for you..." Of course that got a laugh. That one ran a brisk five minutes; last night's ran nine, for those keeping count. 
Ellen looked sharp in a black tux, and she seemed comfortable herself. No meanness, nothing arch. To Barkhad Abdi: "Who's the wine captain now!..." Or nothing too arch: "One of the most amazing Liza Minnelli impersonators I have ever seen, good job sir!"&nbsp;Or this, to JLaw: "If you win tonight, I think we should bring you the Oscar..." 
The night wanted some drama but couldn't quite locate it, and clearly wanted to avoid it, too. Not a word whispered about the recent death of Philip Seymour Hoffman -- just a terribly sad bookend to the In Memoriam segment. 
"Gravity" kept winning all the early awards, then all the technical awards, then the director award -- Alfonso Cuarón -- and if you paid much attention to the experts, that kind of roll would inevitably lead to one thing -- the best picture. Even McQueen's loss to a nevertheless richly deserving Cuarón seemed a letdown, for he would have become the Academy's first winning black director. Cate Blanchett's win, then Matthew McConaughey's win, seemed to indicate that Those Who Know really in fact knew. 
... And then "12 Years a Slave" brought their all-knowingness to a crashing halt. Too bad viewers had to wait all the way until 11:59 for the night's one genuine surprise. Seemed like an awfully long wait. 
What did you think of the 86th Academy Awards? Tell us in the poll and comments below.

Have the Oscars lost their spark?

Oscars 2014 telecast review: Have the Academy Awards lost their youthful spark?

ellen cropped

The Oscars loves its award show conventions. But while we can count on stilted teleprompter banter between co-hosts, plenty of cinematic montages and poor time management of the entire production, we can also learn a lot. Here are our takeaways from the 86th Academy Awards, in no particular order. 
1. Oscar style is officially homogeneous. Though we've been in the Age of the Stylist for years now, we can usually find flavor in the musical performers. These are the people to live for, now that Cher tends to stay home. Those hopes were largely dashed this year, with singer Karen O preferring a perfectly respectable red gown and Pink dipping into the same closet. Only Pharrell Williams showed some personal style, dressed in a reverse mullet of a tux (long on the top, short in the back). His nod to Angus Young was noted, and appreciated. 
2. The notion of the auteur is dying. For decades, Academy voters subscribed to American film critic Andrew Sarris' auteur theory, the concept that a film's director is its driving artistic force. But this year and last, the 6,000-some ballot casters split those categories, so that in 2013 Ang Lee ("Life of Pi") took best director and "Argo," directed by an un-nominated Ben Affleck, won the top picture honor. This year followed suit, with "12 Years a Slave" grabbing best picture and "Gravity" landing its seventh statue for best director Alfonso Cuarón. 
3. There is still plenty of history to be made. Steve McQueen won best picture for "12 Years a Slave," the first black director to do so in Oscars' 86-year history. This was after Mexican filmmaker Cuarón won best director, and Lupito Nyong'o, who shares Mexican-Kenyan citizenship, walked off the stage with the statue for best supporting actress. In addition to these wins, show producers offered numerous multi-racial presenting duos -- Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx, Anna Kendrick and Gabourey Sidibe, Penelope Cruz and Robert De Niro. Yes, mainstream cinema is still riddled with stereotypes, but this Oscars, led by an openly gay host, was encouraging. And a reminder that films should reflect the diversity of their audiences. 
4. We love J. Law, but not that much. She was the frontrunner to take home the best supporting actress nomination for "American Hustle," but Jennifer Lawrence lost out to Nyong'o. Lawrence won best actress at last year's Oscars for "Silver Linings Playbook," and it would have been historic had she, at age 23, taken home the supporting statue this year. But here are reasons for fans to still put forth the love: She once again awkwardly tripped in her gown (this time, on the red carpet rather than on stage) and she said she brought a Slim Jim with her. 
5. Ellen DeGeneres is Billy Crystal. At least when it comes to hosting, there wasn't much difference between her straightforward humor (Bruce Dern age jokes, ordering pizzas for audience members then asking who could pay for them) and his one-dimensional 2012 turn. Which is to say, amusing at times in a safe way, but The Academy is a reactionary group and, after last year's far-edgier Seth MacFarlane hosting, the producers when with a tried-and-true choice. 
6. The up-to-10-films-nominated-for-best-picture experiment should end. Begun with the 2009 awards, it was and remains a transparent ploy to tempt more viewers. No one ever thinks that an "Avatar" (a 2009 nom) or "Toy Story 3" (2010) should or could win, and the same continued this year with a number of films. "Dallas Buyers Club," set in the 1980s, centers around an interesting story, but it was told with poor pacing and riddled with continuity errors (such as the poster of a Lamborghini Aventador, a car that wasn't introduced until 2011). 
7. Selfies have jumped the shark. In the hour after DeGeneres tweeted her selfie with a flock of stars including Angelina Jolie, Bradley Cooper and Meryl Streep, it was retweeted some one million times. That's akin to a leather-jacket-clad Arthur Fonzarelli on water skies flying over a shark, right?&nbsp; 
8. "All right all right&nbsp;all right" -- three times in a row, with a Southern drawl -- is officially in the lexicon. Your co-workers will say it. Your mom will say it. If he could, your dog would say it. Matthew McConaughey, in his lengthy best actor acceptance speech, made sure of that. He closed with: "So, to any of us, whatever those things are, whatever it is we look up to, whatever it is we look forward to, and whoever it is we’re chasing, to that I say, 'Amen.' To that I say, 'All right, all right, all right.' To that I say 'just keep living.'"

8 things this year's Oscars taught us

Oscars 2014: 8 things we learned

McConaughey/Nyongo/Leto cropped

"Gravity" was the big winner at Sunday night's 86th Academy Awards, taking home seven Oscars, including for Alfonso Cuarón as best director, but the award for best picture went to "12 Years a Slave."
The film's director, Steve McQueen, dedicated the award to victims of slavery past and present. "Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live," he said.
It was the last in a series of emotional speeches in which actors and filmmakers accepted awards for films that often addressed difficult issues. Jared Leto, winning best supporting actor for playing a transgender AIDS victim in "Dallas Buyers Club," dedicated his Oscar to "the 36 million people who have lost the battle of AIDS." Lupita Nyong'o, winning best supporting actress for "12 Years a Slave," invoked the ghosts of slavery as well. And Cate Blanchett, winning best actress for "Blue Jasmine," said that Woody Allen's film proved that female-driven movies could succeed and "earn money." Matthew McConaughey won best actor, also for "Dallas Buyers Club."
"American Hustle," which went into the evening with 10 nominations, left with none. "Her," a dark horse in the Oscar race, won for director Spike Jonze's original screenplay.
Ellen DeGeneres, hosting the show for the second time, otherwise kept the mood light, using her opening monologue to gently rib her famous audience. She compared the Oscars to "The Hunger Games" -- "There are cameras everywhere, you're starving, Jennifer Lawrence won last year" -- and took a jibe at herself when she referred to Jonah Hill's semi-nude scene in "The Wolf of Wall Street": "You showed us something in that film that I have not seen for a very, very long time." DeGeneres also took a group photo of herself with Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and countless other members of Hollywood royalty. "Did you get in on that, too?" DeGeneres said to Brad Pitt. "God, you're a photo hog."
The ceremony's theme this year was "Heroes in Hollywood," a nod to the many bio-pics and true-life stories crowding the list of best picture nominees. Sally Field introduced a montage of "stories that inspire and challenge us" that included past classics such as "Gandhi," recent movies like "42," the current contender "Dallas Buyers Club" and Field's own Oscar-winning film "Norma Rae." Other presenters had a tougher time, however, introducing the evening's best nine picture nominees into sometimes arbitrary-seeming blocks of three: Tyler Perry, for instance, had the thankless task of introducing "Her," "Nebraska" and "Gravity."
PHARRELL MOVES THE STARS. Performing "Happy" with his trademark Mountie/Smokey the Bear hat, Pharrell Williams came down to the front row and got several women -- even Meryl Streep -- to shake to the beat.
HIPSTER SIGHTINGS.New York indie-rock darlings Karen O, of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend performed a stripped-down, voice-and-guitar version of "The Moon Song," from the movie "Her."
LOVE AT THE OSCARS. Darlene Love, a subject of the Oscar-winning documentary about backup singers, "20 Feet From Stardom," joined the filmmakers onstage and received a standing ovation for singing "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."
VOICE LESSON. Syosset's Idina Menzel belted it out, Broadway-style, on "Let It Go," from the movie "Frozen," and gets a standing ovation from the movie-star audience. (Shortly after her performance, "Let It Go" won for best original song.)

ETOSCA03

Oscars 2014 winners include 'Gravity,' with 7 awards, and best picture '12 Years a Slave'

best actress in a supporting role-CROPPED

By all accounts this year's Oscar race was among the tightest ever, but when it came to fashion, there were obvious and early runaways. 
All eyes were on fashion darling Lupita Nyong'o and she did not disappoint in an ethereal pleated Prada (the color, she said, reminded her of Nairobi) with a plunging neckline and flecked with silver "inspired by Champagne bubbles." 
Sandra Bullock did blue, too, hers a curve-hugging Alexander McQueen . . . impeccable. Amy Adams strutted in bold, structured cobalt Gucci couture. Jennifer Lawrence, who took another fall on the red carpet, laughed it off in cheery red Dior with side peplums. 
But mostly, shades of pale were everywhere -- perhaps a bit subdued for the occasion -- though Cate Blanchett's mega-embellished Armani Privé and Naomi Watts' icy Calvin Klein were stellar. In matching blush tones -- Jessica Biel wearing Chanel Couture, Sally Hawkins in beaded Valentino and Sarah Paulson in Elie Saab Couture, along with Camila Alves donning what seemed like bolts of pink -- were pretty, but a tad overwhelming. 
Some of the best gowns were black, notably Charlize Theron in a drop-dead Dior with invisible straps. Julia Roberts redeemed herself from past red carpet sins in a pretty, lacy Givenchy, while saucy Anna Kendrick's J. Mendel was a little tough and a bit girlie. Olivia Wilde, very pregnant, looked smashing in black-and-white Valentino. And speaking of pregnant, Kerry Washington stunned in Jason Wu's sarong of silky purple. 
Black tuxes seemed just a bit passé -- Ryan Seacrest, Jared Leto (hair flowing) and Matthew McConaughey wore white dinner jackets, and plenty of the guys did navy, Kevin Spacey and Leonardo DiCaprio included. Then there was Pharrell Williams, who left his Mountie hat at home, and part of his pants. He wore Lanvin shorts.

Celebrities

ETRED03

Oscars 2014 red carpet: Lupita Nyong'o, Sandra Bullock and more stand-outs

blanchett - cropped

The first statue of the night went to Jared Leto for best supporting actor, but the big winner was "Gravity," which took seven awards total including best director. 
"Frozen" won for best animated feature, while Lupita Nyong'o won best supporting actress for "12 Years a Slave." 
And, always on the watch for LI connections, "The Great Gatsby" took best costume design and production design. 
(App users, scroll up and click on the link to follow the live blog.) 
Happy Oscars to all!

ET-ocscars-scribble

Oscars 2014 ceremony: Highlights, lowlights and interesting moments

selfie2 -- cropped

OK, Oscar, we've got your number. This year's nominees are the source of the kind of fun factoids and useless trivia movie mavens gobble up like so much artificially flavored popcorn. Here are some choice morsels. 
3 The number of movies -- including David O. Russell's "American Hustle" -- to be nominated for best picture, direction, writing and all four acting categories. The others are "Reds" (1981) and Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012). 
16 Woody Allen's number of nominations for screenwriting. A win for "Blue Jasmine" would be his fourth. 
18 How many times best actress nominee Meryl Streep ("August: Osage County") has been up for an Oscar. 
23 The age of supporting actress nominee Jennifer Lawrence ("American Hustle"), the youngest actress to score three nominations. 
49 The number of times composer John Williams ("The Book Thief") has been nominated. The only person with more nominations is Walt Disney (59). 
522 The instances -- give or take a few -- a certain obscenity is uttered in "The Wolf of Wall Street."

ETBUZZC02.WEB

Oscars by the numbers

Movie Review-August:Osage County-CROPPED

The historical drama about American slavery, the rollicking caper-comedy or the effects-driven sci-fi flick? 
That's pretty much what the race looks like, with "12 Years a Slave" vs. "American Hustle" vs. "Gravity," going into Sunday night's 86th Academy Awards. As always, the winners and losers may tell us more than just what Oscar voters were thinking. They may also reveal a little something about the national mood. 
Of the nine best picture nominees, nearly all are based in fact. From "12 Years a Slave," about a free black man sold into slavery in 1841, to "Dallas Buyers Club," about a homophobic Texan diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, many of them tackle challenging and uncomfortable topics. "The Wolf of Wall Street" addresses America's recent financial collapse, "Captain Phillips" asks us to empathize with desperately poor Somali pirates and "Philomena" explores another shameful chapter for the Catholic Church. 
Yet take a look at two movies gaining momentum in the Oscar race. According to conventional wisdom, "Gravity," a deep-space thriller starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, is likely to emerge as the biggest winner, nabbing not only many technical awards (effects, sound and such) but best directing for Alfonso Cuarón and, quite possibly, best picture. "American Hustle," a crowd-pleaser inspired by the FBI's Abscam operation, seems sure to win for supporting actress (for Jennifer Lawrence) and for original screenplay; it, too, has a shot at best picture. "12 Years a Slave," which initially looked like across-the-board Oscar material, no longer seems a sure bet in any category. 
In the end, academy voters will probably spread the honors around, rewarding reality-based dramas and escapist fare alike. After all, isn't that what most of us moviegoers do? 
BEST PICTURE 
"American Hustle" 
"Captain Phillips" 
"Dallas Buyers Club" 
"Gravity" 
"Her" 
"Nebraska" 
"Philomena" 
"12 Years a Slave" 
"The Wolf of Wall Street" 
SHOULD WIN "12 Years a Slave." In terms of artistry, this historical drama had no equal. Then again, the Producers Guild, which almost always predicts this Oscar, split its award between "Slave" and "Gravity," an unprecedented tie. 
WILL WIN "12 Years a Slave," if only by a hair. 
ACTOR 
Christian Bale, "American Hustle" 
Bruce Dern, "Nebraska" 
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 
Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave" 
Matthew McConaughey, 
"Dallas Buyers Club" 
SHOULD WIN McConaughey. His physical and mental transformation into an AIDS victim is one of the most astounding performances you'll see on a screen. 
WILL WIN McConaughey. 
ACTRESS 
Amy Adams, "American Hustle" 
Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine" 
Sandra Bullock, "Gravity" 
Judi Dench, "Philomena" 
Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County" 
SHOULD WIN Blanchett. However you feel about this movie -- and about its re-scandalized director, Woody Allen -- there's no arguing with her fierce and funny performance as an unbalanced socialite. 
WILL WIN Blanchett. 
SUPPORTING ACTOR 
Barkhad Abdi, "Captain Phillips" 
Bradley Cooper, "American Hustle" 
Michael Fassbender, "12 Years a Slave" 
Jonah Hill, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 
Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club" 
SHOULD WIN Leto. It's no mean feat to shine next to McConaughey in this film, but Leto does it -- and he does it in heels as a transgender woman. 
WILL WIN Leto. 
SUPPORTING ACTRESS 
Sally Hawkins, "Blue Jasmine" 
Jennifer Lawrence, "American Hustle" 
Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave" 
Julia Roberts, "August: Osage County" 
June Squibb, "Nebraska" 
SHOULD WIN Nyong'o. As the ill-treated slave Patsy, she's a fresh face playing an old soul. 
WILL WIN Lawrence, for her turn as a wacky Long Island housewife in David O. Russell's freewheeling crime comedy. 
DIRECTOR 
David O. Russell, "American Hustle" 
Alfonso Cuarón, "Gravity" 
Alexander Payne, "Nebraska" 
Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave" 
Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 
SHOULD WIN McQueen, who gives the entire film the aesthetic discipline of an 18th century canvas. Directors don't direct like this anymore. 
WILL WIN Cuarón, for his eye-popping work on "Gravity." His recent win at the Directors Guild Awards seems to spell Oscar gold. 
BEST ORIGINAL SONG 
"Happy," by Pharrell Williams, from "Despicable Me 2" 
"Let It Go," by Idina Menzel, from "Frozen" 
"The Moon Song," by Karen O, from "Her" 
"Ordinary Love," by U2, from "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" 
SHOULD WIN "Happy," a sophisticated mix of vintage R&amp;B and super-processed pop that sounds exactly like its title. Too bad it's attached to such an irritating kiddie film. 
WILL WIN "Let It Go," a Broadway-ready hit sung by Syosset's Menzel and written by Brooklyn spouses Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. 
----- 
WHERE TO WATCH: THE OSCARS (8:30 p.m., ABC/7) — Ellen DeGeneres hosts from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Performances by U2, Pharrell Williams, Idina Menzel, Karen O and Bette Midler. 
BEFORE THE SHOW: COUNTDOWN TO THE RED CARPET (1:30 p.m., E!) ON THE RED CARPET AT THE OSCARS (5-6 p.m.; 6:30-7 p.m., ABC/7) LIVE FROM THE RED CARPET: THE 2014 ACADEMY AWARDS (5:30 p.m., E!) — Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic host. LIVE FROM THE OSCARS (6 p.m., WPIX/11) — Sam Rubin and Jessica Holmes host. OSCARS RED CARPET LIVE! (7 p.m., ABC/7) — Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, Jess Cagle and Tyson Beckford host. 
AFTER THE SHOW: E! AFTER PARTY (11:30 p.m., E!) JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE: AFTER THE OSCARS (12:05 a.m., ABC/7)

ETWINN02.WEB

Oscar predictions 2014: Critic's picks for best picture, more major races

Dallas Buyers Club cropped

There are always a few surprises in the best picture Oscar nominees. For starters, this year's list is once again an odd-numbered nine, not an even ten. Not making the cut, apparently, were Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine" and the Coen brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis," critical hits that earned nominations in other categories. And the movie that initially looked set to sweep the Oscars, "Lee Daniels' The Butler," is nowhere to be seen. But here's the biggest surprise of all: The Producers Guild Awards, a near-clairvoyant predictor of this Oscar, went to both "Gravity" and "12 Years a Slave," the first tie in PGA history. Here's a brief run-down of this unusually tough-to-call race: 
AMERICAN HUSTLE David O. Russell's high-energy caper-comedy is a contender, but its awards will come elsewhere, namely in the acting and writing categories. 
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Terrific reviews, but this is the rare Tom Hanks movie that might be a little too brainy and edgy for Oscar voters. 
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB The attraction here is the acting, from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto as AIDS patients in the 1980s. Otherwise, this is a fairly straightforward message movie. 
GRAVITY In a year of topical, challenging, visionary films, will the Academy really give best picture to a 90-minute sci-fi thriller starring Sandra Bullock? We might be surprised. 
HER Spike Jonze's sci-fi fable about virtual romance hasn't been able to attract a large audience. Those who do see it, however, tend to love it. 
NEBRASKA Bruce Dern's seemingly effortless performance took up most of the media oxygen around this well-received movie. A best picture nod is nice, but a win is unlikely. 
PHILOMENA This modest film is a surprise entry -- or maybe not, given its Oscar-aggressive studio, The Weinstein Company. Mostly, the nod is well-deserved recognition for star and co-writer Steve Coogan. 
THE WOLF OF WALL STREET A good showing for Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, but this 3-hour-long comedy-drama seems a long shot for best picture. 
12 YEARS A SLAVE Here's where the rubber meets the road. Steve McQueen's artful film has that "important" feel that Oscar voters usually like, but will they pick it to win?

ETOSCA28.WEB

Oscars best picture category full of surprises for 2014

12 years - cropped

If they gave out an Oscar for best-dressed on the red carpet, bets are that it would go to Lupita Nyong'o, 30, whose role as Patsey in the film "12 Years a Slave" has earned her multiple nominations. 
Also noted: her wardrobe choices -- minimalist, bold, often colorful -- which have garnered wows and admiration from just about anybody who has laid eyes on her. So Sunday at the Academy Awards, fashion folks will be watching with bated breath to see what she wears. 
The reaction was nothing short of seismic when she showed up at the Golden Globe Awards in Ralph Lauren's fiery red cape gown that revealed only the tops of her shoulders. The blog Tom &amp; Lorenzo underscored the impact, noting that Nyong'o was "clearly the grand high empress of the red carpet." 
Then came her body-con white Calvin Klein gown with sexy cutouts for the Critics Choice Awards. Why that dress? "It reminded me of the sea," she told Women's Wear Daily. "And the sea makes me calm and I was hoping it would help me with that." The lush turquoise Gucci number harnessed with beaded, floral cutouts she wore to the SAG Awards was just as impactful. More recently, she downright dazzled on the red carpet in a belted emerald Dior Haute Couture at the BAFTA awards. 
It's fashion hit after hit and while her natural beauty is her calling card, her secret weapon may just be her stylist, Micaela Erlanger, who also works with Michelle Dockery, Martha Plimpton and Winona Ryder. "She comes with a look that seems authentic in an industry where authenticity is so rare," says celebrity stylist Robert Verdi. "She's comfortable in her own skin and has the ability to be versatile. Could you see her in a J.Crew campaign? Yes. A Versace campaign? Yes. Maybelline? Yes. She seems fresh and new in the landscape of girls who I think are so prefabricated." 
Verdi predicts, "She'll have a beauty contract by next year." She already has a fashion contract with Miu Miu: She's the face of the Italian clothing company's spring/summer 2014 campaign. Verdi adds, "She's a star."

ETBUZZB02.WEB

Lupita Nyong'o's flawless red carpet looks win 2014 awards season

Lupita Nyong'o - cropped

Best supporting actor 
It's hard to say who's the most unexpected face in this year's supporting actor category. Is it first-time actor Barkhad Abdi, a Somali-American from Minnesota? Is it Jonah Hill, a raunchy comedian now enjoying his second Oscar nod for a dramatic role? You could also make a case for Bradley Cooper, once considered little more than the pretty face of "The Hangover." Even the likely winner, Jared Leto, an actor who hasn't appeared in a major film since 2005, is something of a surprise. 
THE ACTOR Jared Leto, "Dallas Buyers Club" 
THE DEAL Just when his acting career was taking off, Leto hit the road with his rock band, 30 Seconds to Mars. Good move: For his performance as a transgender AIDS victim, Leto is all but guaranteed the Oscar. 
THE ACTOR Bradley Cooper, "American Hustle" 
THE DEAL Now on his second nomination, Cooper is establishing himself as a serious actor. Next up, however, is "Guardians of the Galaxy," in which he plays the superhero Rocket Raccoon. 
THE ACTOR Michael Fassbender, "12 Years a Slave" 
THE DEAL The Irish-German actor and director Steve McQueen collaborated on two other acclaimed movies, "Hunger" and "Shame." This is Fassbender's first Oscar nod. 
THE ACTOR Jonah Hill, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 
THE DEAL Proving that his role as a dweeby number-cruncher in "Moneyball" was no fluke, Hill plays Donnie Azoff, an amiably abrasive financial criminal, in Martin Scorsese's "Wolf." It's a weird, wonderful, show-stealing performance. 
THE ACTOR Barkhad Abdi, "Captain Phillips" 

 <bthe b="">
 The former limo driver surely never imagined that his first film gig -- sharing near-equal screen time with Tom Hanks -- would result in an Oscar nomination. Abdi is now trying his hand at directing.
 </bthe> 
Best supporting actress 
Geographically, some of the women in this year's supporting actress category had to stretch (one is a Brit playing a Californian) while others stayed a little closer to home (June Squibb, born in Illinois, plays a Nebraskan). In the end, though, the award will likely go to a certain Kentucky girl for playing a Long Islander. 
THE ACTRESS Julia Roberts, "August: Osage County" 
THE DEAL Roberts holds her own among a fine cast -- Meryl Streep, Sam Shepard, Chris Cooper, Benedict Cumberbatch -- though this dysfunctional-family drama hasn't enjoyed much Oscar buzz. 
THE ACTRESS Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave" 
THE DEAL The Mexican-born daughter of a Kenyan senator, Nyong'o graduated from Yale's drama school and speaks four languages. You wouldn't know it, however, from her performance as Patsy, an illiterate slave trapped on a Southern plantation. 
THE ACTRESS Sally Hawkins, "Blue Jasmine" 
THE DEAL The London-born actress plays a San Francisco denizen in Woody Allen's excellent drama. It's a fine performance, though her accent somehow keeps sliding toward Brooklyn. 
THE ACTRESS June Squibb, "Nebraska" 
THE DEAL The oldest actress in this category at 84, Squibb nearly steals the show in Alexander Payne's sardonic Midwestern comedy as a long-suffering and foul-mouthed wife. Her best lines, unfortunately, cannot be printed here. 
THE ACTRESS Jennifer Lawrence, "American Hustle" 
THE DEAL Lawrence is great as a manipulative Long Island housewife, but after winning best actress last year for "Silver Linings Playbook," can she win yet another award for yet another David O. Russell film that also stars Bradley Cooper? That would be a yes.

ETOSCA26.WEB

Oscar predictions 2014: Best supporting actor, actress

dallas buyers club PG - cropped

It's a two-way race for the best directing award this year, and for two movies that couldn't be more different. One is Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave," a richly detailed, rigorously composed historical drama about a free black man sold into slavery in 1841. The other is Alfonso Cuarón's "Gravity," a sci-fi thriller driven by state-of-the-art special effects and dazzling camerawork. As for the other nominees, well, they're just happy to be here. 
David O. Russell, "American Hustle:" Russell is the distant third here, but don't count him out. "American Hustle" is almost this year's "Argo," a smart and entertaining movie that just about everyone seems to like. 
Alexander Payne, "Nebraska:" Payne has won two writing Oscars, for "Sideways" and "The Descendants," but he may have to wait for the directing statue. 
Martin Scorsese, "The Wolf of Wall Street:" This may be the closest Scorsese has come to making a straight-up comedy. Voters clearly liked it, but don't bet on a win. 
Steve McQueen, "12 Years a Slave:" McQueen comes on like the heir to Kubrick: austere, classical, violent. For Oscar voters, this movie may be easier to admire than to love. 
Alfonso Cuarón, "Gravity:" The Directors Guild gave Cuarón its top award earlier this month, essentially sealing the Oscar deal. This year, Cuarón's technological dazzle will carry the day.

ETOSCA27.WEB

Oscar predictions 2014: 'Gravity,' '12 Years a Slave' front-runners for best director

Film Review 12 Years a Slave_CROPPED

What are the odds that Long Island and the Academy Awards would go hand-in-hand? Not as slim as you might think. Over the decades, many memorable films have been filmed here or set here, and we’re not just talking about “The Amityville Horror.” Here’s a list of 19 movies with Long Island connections that made it to the Academy’s red carpet.

 Oscar-nominated films with Long Island connections

"Strong Island" (2017)

Strong Island (2017) edf

"The Disaster Artist" (2017)

Disaster Artist (2017) edf

"Phantom Thread" (2017)

Phantom Thread (2017) edf -- cropped

"Jackie" (2016)

Jackie (2016)

"Joy" (2015)

15. Joy (2015) edf

"Birdman" (2015)

Birdman (2015) edf

"American Hustle" (2014)

American Hustle (2014) edf

"The Wolf Of Wall Street" (2014)

Wolf of Wall Street (2014) edf

"The Artist" (2011)

The Artist (2011) edf

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004)

10. Eternal Sunshine (2004) edf

"Pollock" (2000)

Pollock (2000) edf

"Reversal of Fortune" (1990)

Reversal of Fortune (1990) edf

"Annie Hall" (1977)

Annie Hall (1977) edf

"The Godfather"(1972)

The Godfather (1972) edf

"Love Story" (1970)

5. Love Story (1970) edf

"North by Northwest" (1959)

North by Northwest (1959) edf

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) edf

"Sabrina" (1954)

Sabrina (1954) edf

"Citizen Kane" (1941)

1. Citizen Kane (1941) edf

Oscar-nominated films with Long Island connections

19 Oscar films through the years with LI connections 

Take "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Captain Phillips” and other Oscar-nominated movies and ask kids to re-enact some of the scenes. What do you get? Adorable little ones wearing fake mustaches, wigs and other costumes as they recite lines (in their own words) from the movies. 
These kids get a nod -- and a chuckle -- from us. Nothing beats watching young children re-enact scenes involving controversy and crime, historical drama and suspense. 
Here, the <a href="http://mom.me" target="_blank">mom.me</a> and Cinefix production of "Kid Oscars” features nine films nominated for best picture (sans "Philomena” because they didn't watch it). Click below to watch the video. 
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://pshared.5min.com/Scripts/PlayerSeed.js?sid=1283&amp;width=560&amp;height=345&amp;playList=518129522"></script>

Things to Do

Family

Watch Oscar-nominated movies re-enacted by kids

KidOscars

There isn't much suspense in this year's race for the best actress Oscar, but there's certainly some tension. Cate Blanchett, playing a fallen socialite in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine," has been the front-runner ever since the film's July release. Earlier this month, however, came an open letter from Allen's adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, accusing the filmmaker of molesting her when she was 7 years old. Farrow pointedly asked, "What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett?" The scandal may not change the Oscar results, but it raises the question of what, if anything, Blanchett will say in what's likely to be a closely watched acceptance speech. 
 THE ACTRESS Amy Adams, "American Hustle" 
THE DEAL If there's an upset in this category, it might be Adams. In David O. Russell's rollicking caper flick, she's terrific as a con woman who somehow manages to be deceitful, truthful, fickle and faithful all in the same split second. 
 THE ACTRESS Sandra Bullock, "Gravity" 
THE DEAL Critics went virtually breathless raving about this deep-space thriller, though it seemed clear that the movie was mostly a triumph of technology. Nevertheless, here's Bullock in the best actress category, and there's "Gravity" jockeying for the lead in the best picture race. 
 THE ACTRESS Judi Dench, "Philomena" 
THE DEAL As a working-class Irish woman searching for her lost child, Dench turns in a lovely but not quite Oscar-caliber performance. If anything, the movie's success may spell good things for her unlikely co-star, Steve Coogan, who also co-wrote and co-produced. 
 THE ACTRESS Meryl Streep, "August: Osage County" 
THE DEAL Apparently, the unspoken rule at Oscar headquarters is that when Meryl acts, Meryl gets nominated. Mixed reactions to this talky play-turned-movie, however, make her a long shot. 
 THE ACTRESS Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine" 
THE DEAL A shadow may hang over Blanchett when she walks the aisle, but there's no taking away from her marvelous performance in Allen's film. It will still be an Oscar well-deserved.

ETOSCA25.WEB

Oscars 2014 predictions: Cate Blanchett deserves best actress for 'Blue Jasmine'

blue jasmine cropped

Two of the most famous nominees in this year's best actor category, Bruce Dern and Leonardo DiCaprio, have never won an Oscar. That's somewhat surprising, given DiCaprio's megastardom and Dern's nearly 65-year career. Nevertheless, this may not be either man's year. Another well-known but overlooked actor seems likely to bring it home. 
 THE ACTOR Christian Bale, "American Hustle" 
THE DEAL Just last year, we saw him as both a lean brawler in "Out of the Furnace" and as a paunchy con-man in "American Hustle." Apparently, Oscar voters preferred the latter incarnation. 
 THE ACTOR Bruce Dern, "Nebraska" 
THE DEAL Rave reviews for his performance as a harmless old codger -- an unusual role for the legendarily intense actor -- set the groundwork for Dern's all-out, unabashed, yeah-I-want-it campaign for the Oscar. If nothing else, he's suddenly a magazine-profile celebrity at the ripe age of 77. 
 THE ACTOR Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Wolf of Wall Street" 
THE DEAL DiCaprio seems drawn to larger-than-life roles -- J. Edgar Hoover, Howard Hughes, Jay Gatsby -- but he showed a flair for comedy and even sight-gag slapstick in this drug-fueled crime comedy from Martin Scorsese. Oscar voters took notice. 
 THE ACTOR Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave" 
THE DEAL The movie is a front-runner for best picture, and Ejiofor deserves this nomination for playing the real-life figure of Solomon Northup, a free black man sold into slavery. As a lesser-known face delivering an interior-driven performance, however, Ejiofor seems a long shot for the Oscar. 
 THE ACTOR Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyers Club" 
THE DEAL Losing a third of his body weight to play an AIDS victim, the hunky Texan seemed to reach some kind of acting nirvana in this compelling, real-life drama. His win at the Golden Globes boosted McConaughey's fortunes considerably. Once the deserving contender, he's now the man to beat.

ETOSCA24.WEB

Oscars 2014 predictions: Critic's pick for best actor

woodruff (McConaughey ) cropped

According to the old Hollywood adage, you're only as good as your last picture. Fortunately for this year's best actor and actress Oscar nominees, the following films weren't their last movies, although they're quite possibly their most forgettable. 
THE ACTORS 
CHRISTIAN BALE, "Newsies" (1992) Speaking in a New York accent that Newsday critic Jack Mathews found "as pleasing to the ear as a death threat," Bale sang, danced and organized an 1899 newsboys strike in this Disney disaster. 
BRUCE DERN, "Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood" (1976) Dern had it "ruff" with this dog about 1920s Hollywood in which a German shepherd modeled after Rin Tin Tin chewed the scenery. 
LEONARDO DICAPRIO, "Critters 3" (1991) DiCaprio's career could only go up after his film debut in this creature feature about alien furballs who wreak more havoc than an earthquake on an L.A. apartment complex. 
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, "Three Blind Mice" (2003) Call it "Rear Microsoft Windows." Techie Edward Furlong witnesses a girl's murder via webcam and turns to a fellow nerd (Ejiofor) and a lady cop to solve the case. They also take time to go Rollerblading. 
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY, "Tiptoes" (2003) Starring in a dwarf romcom was certainly a tall order for McConaughey, who played the only normal-size person in a family of little people. 
THE ACTRESSES 
AMY ADAMS, "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (1996) Adams played a ditsy cheerleader in this mockumentary that aspired to be a beauty-pageant version of "Heathers." The results weren't pretty. 
CATE BLANCHETT AND JUDI DENCH, "The Shipping News" (2001) The "News" wasn't good for either actress, both of whom got stuck in this muddled film version of Annie Proulx's bestseller about life in a Newfoundland fishing village. 
SANDRA BULLOCK, "Fire on the Amazon" (1993) Bullock's career wasn't up to "Speed" yet when she made this South American fiasco that included a nude scene in which she and co-star Craig Sheffer make jungle love to the strains of pan-flute music. 
MERYL STREEP, "She-Devil" (1989) The devil must have made Streep do this infernal comedy, which strained credibility by imagining that her romance novelist character would dally with accountant Ed Begley Jr. A bigger stretch was imagining Begley married to Roseanne Barr.

ETBUZZB23.WEB

Oscar nominees' most forgettable roles

drop dead gorgeous cropped

Not too long ago, you could depend on one thing in a Matthew McConaughey movie: He would definitely take off his shirt. 
McConaughey's habit of parading his firm pecs in otherwise unremarkable romantic comedies made him something of a pop culture punchline. Even Matt Damon repeatedly poked fun at his longtime friend on "Late Show With David Letterman," doing impersonations of the actor on-set: "I think today's scene would be a great opportunity for me to take my shirt off." 
Last year, McConaughey revealed his physique yet again in "Dallas Buyers Club." This time, however, no one was laughing. 
McConaughey lost more than 40 pounds to play Ron Woodroof, a man diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, a time when the disease was a death sentence. In the film, the muscular, 6-foot McConaughey is nearly unrecognizable, skin taut against his skull, bony legs moving with the clackety gait of a marionette. Essentially, the actor starved himself, often substituting ice for meals. In one scene, when Woodroof's wasted frame is stretched out on a hospital bed, McConaughey weighed a pitiful 135 pounds. 
The role also transformed McConaughey's career, drawing widespread critical acclaim, landing him on countless talk shows and -- last but not least -- earning him his first Oscar nomination, for best actor. 
McConaughey's new success may seem sudden, but it's actually been part of a larger plan. A few years ago, the well-paid, bankable star, once crowned People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, halted his smooth-sailing career and began taking challenging roles in smaller, more serious and sometimes rather weird films. It was a risky and unusual move, if not an unprecedented one, that paid off in full. 
"I in no way feel like this is a surreal moment," the 44-year-old actor told CNN's Piers Morgan recently. "I'm very engaged in what's happening." 
Engaging performance 
McConaughey, a native of tiny Uvalde, Texas, whose easygoing charm stems partly from his soft drawl, first caught moviegoers' eyes in the early 1990s. Fellow Texan Richard Linklater directed him in the 1970s period piece "Dazed and Confused" (1993) in the role of David Wooderson, a shaggy-haired lady-killer who prefers underage prey. McConaughey made the character so likable that you almost overlooked the loser within. "That's what I love about these high school girls, man," he said in what's now an immortal line. "I get older -- they stay the same age." 
"His performance in 'Dazed and Confused' has become so legendary, but it's really tiny," says Jenelle Riley, associate features editor at Variety. "It's just one or two lines, but it really made an impact. And that's a movie star for you." 
Within a couple of years, McConaughey was starring in the latest John Grisham adaptation, "A Time to Kill," which earned an impressive $152 million. He played the lead in Ron Howard's reality-television comedy "EDtv" (1999), though the film was overshadowed by the previous year's similar hit "The Truman Show." The middling World War II film "U-571" saw a crew-cut McConaughey playing a submarine commander in 2000. 
It was the 2001 Jennifer Lopez vehicle "The Wedding Planner" that launched McConaughey's romantic-comedy phase, one marked by box- 
office gold but critical condescension. "Jennifer Lopez looks soulfully into the eyes of Matthew McConaughey, but is he looking back?," Roger Ebert wondered in his review of the movie. An Entertainment Weekly review of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (2003) barely mentioned him; The New York Times, reviewing "Failure to Launch" (2006), compared him to Travis Stork of "The Bachelor: Paris." 
"He made movies people liked, but he did not have that defining role," says Anthony Breznican, of Entertainment Weekly. "I defy you, or anyone who is a fan of those movies, to tell me the name of one character he played." 
Shifting gears 
Then, a couple of years ago, came McConaughey's left turn. Under his long-ago collaborator Linklater, he played a district attorney in the 2011 black comedy "Bernie," starring Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine. In 2012, McConaughey played a mysterious fugitive in "Mud" and a violent sociopath in "Killer Joe." And although he again went shirtless in the 2012 stripper-comedy "Magic Mike," the movie capped a breakthrough year in which McConaughey was repeatedly honored by film critics' associations and won several niche awards, including a Gotham and an Independent Spirit. 
The actor's next film role is in Christopher Nolan's under-wraps epic, "Interstellar," due for a November release, but he's currently enjoying more critical plaudits for the HBO series "True Detective" and for his small but memorable turn as an off-kilter stockbroker in "The Wolf of Wall Street" (he also sings the film's closing song). As for his Oscar chances next Sunday, McConaughey looks to be a sure bet after his win for best actor at the Golden Globes. (He's been opening his acceptance speeches with the refrain "All right, all right, all right," the first words he ever spoke on film, in "Dazed and Confused.") 
"He seems the pretty clear winner at this point," says Jo Piazza, executive news director of Closer Weekly magazine. "Hollywood loves nothing more than a great transformation, especially combined with a great story, and I think we're seeing both." 
Other McConaughey roles 
Though it may seem that Matthew McConaughey has suddenly switched gears, he's been trying out various roles and different genres since his career began. Here are five McConaughey movies you may be less familiar with: 
Angels in the Outfield (1994). In Disney's syrupy family film, a young McConaughey shows up briefly as outfielder Ben Williams, who is hoisted into the air by winged angels to catch a bleachers-bound ball. 
EDtv (1999). In this comedy about an average guy who becomes a reality television star -- a hilarious premise at the time -- McConaughey's earthy charm served him well. He also makes out with Elizabeth Hurley. 
U-571 (2000). A World War II uniform didn't seem to suit McConaughey, who looks a little stiff as the young Lieutenant suddenly in charge of a submarine. Most critics ignored him and carped about the movie's historical inaccuracies. 
Surfer, Dude (2008). A weirdly titled stoner comedy about one waveless month in the life of a surfer. The actor's one genuine bomb went almost completely unseen, except by critics, who gave it a combined 0% rating on RottenTomatoes. 
The Lincoln Lawyer (2011). As a shady but good-hearted attorney who works out of his car, McConaughey showed off his charm, his acting chops and his star potential in this old-fashioned but thoroughly satisfying courtroom drama. Though a middling performer at the box-office, it now looks like a pivotal movie in the actor's career.

ETMOVIE23.WEB

How Matthew McConaughey went from shirtless rom-com stud to Oscar nominee

McConaughey cropped

Every year some Oscar nominee remarks they don't care about winning, it's an honor just to be nominated. Yeah, right. 
Then again, getting nominated does guarantee one prize. Los Angeles marketing firm Distinctive Assets will once again create swag bags for this year's acting and directing nominees, a prize package valued at roughly $80,000. (By contrast, the Oscar statuette costs about $400 to make, according to CBS Moneywatch.) 
Among the goodies in the swag bag: Hydroxycut Gummies, Swiss-made Slow watches, Vetvik luxury leather iPhone cases, Le Petit Cirque aerial lessons, a Steamist Total Sense Spa System, Epic Pet Health electrolyte therapy, Max Martin shoes and vacation packages to either the Canadian Rockies, Hawaii, Mexico or Japan. 
This is also one gift that keeps on giving. Halo Pet Foundation, whose board members include Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres, has partnered with Freekibble.com and is asking gift bag recipients to donate 10,000 meals of Halo pet food to the shelter of their choice. How's that for a pet project?

ETBUZZC23.WEB

Oscar nominees to receive $80,000 goodie bags at 2014 ceremony

lawrence cropped

Cher, Adrien Brody, and more stars haven't been held back during film's biggest night: the Oscars. From a stand-in to a streaker, the Academy Awards telecast is seldom short on drama -- or comedy.


ffetOSCARS

1968: A best-actress tie

1973: Marlon Brando refuses his best actor award

1974: Streaker surprise

1975: Louise Fletcher signs her acceptance speech

1977: Vanessa Redgrave's politically charged speech

1987: Cher's show-stopping look

1989: A 'Snow White' embarrassment

1991: Jack Palance's pushups

1998: Roberto Benigni, all over the chairs

2002: Adrien Brody kisses Halle Berry

2010: Melissa Leo curses

2013: Shirley Bassey stuns

Oscars most shocking moments

12 most shocking Oscars moments

Huntington Station’s Andrew Greene, former head of corporate finance at the Lake Success brokerage firm depicted in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” has sued Paramount Pictures and three production companies for $25 million, alleging the movie portrayed him “as a criminal, drug user, degenerate, depraved, and/or devoid of any morality or ethics.” 
Greene’s attorney, Stephanie Ovadia, filed the lawsuit Tuesday at the Eastern District of New York federal court, in Brooklyn. 
“He was neither notified nor compensated,” Ovadia, of Syosset, told Newsday. “He was never spoken to” about his film portrayal as the toupee-wearing Nicky “Rugrat” Koskoff, played by P.J. Byrne. “It was never discussed.” She added the movie has harmed his reputation and his relationship with his family. 
A Paramount spokeswoman said the studio would have no comment on the lawsuit. Greene declined to comment, and representatives for Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions, Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Red Granite Pictures did not respond to requests for comment. 
The lawsuit asks for “in excess of” $25 million for compensatory damages and for exemplary damages 
Greene — in real-life nicknamed “Wigwam” for his toupee — was with the brokerage firm Stratton Oakmont from 1993 until resigning in 1996. His boss, Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio in the film based on Belfort’s 2007 memoir, was arrested in 1998 and convicted of money laundering and securities fraud in 2003. The Oscar-nominated film describes how prior to the firm’s downfall Belfort’s staff engaged in wild debauchery and criminal activity. 
“He’s not that guy in that movie,” Ovadia says of Greene. “He’s mortified by the way he was portrayed. He’s passed the New York State bar exam, and he’s waiting to be admitted. He just wants to live his life and take care of his family.”

Andrew Greene of Huntington Station sues 'The Wolf of Wall Street' for $25 million

Andrew Greene of Huntington Station sues Paramount for $25 million over 'Wolf of Wall Street' portrayal

LIer files $25M suit for 'Wolf of Wall St.' portrayal

greene-CROPPED

It's easy to call these actors Hollywood legends, but guessing whether they've won an Oscar can prove a bit tricky. Some have been snubbed more times than others, but it's almost unbelievable that all of these A-listers have been nothing but losers at the Academy Awards.

Great actors who have never won an Oscar

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L Jackson - Oscars PG

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver - Oscars PG

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr - Oscars PG

Bruce Willis

bruce willis - Oscars PG

Glenn Close

Glenn Close - Oscars PG

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt - Oscars PG

Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer - Oscars PG

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise - Oscars PG -- cropped

The last musical shoe has dropped with the Academy's announcement that Karen O will perform her Oscar-nominated track “The Moon Song,” from the Spike Jonze film “Her,” during the awards ceremony. The other Oscar nominees for best original song, whose appearances have already been confirmed, include Pharrell Williams (“Happy,” from the animated film “Despicable Me”), U2 (“Ordinary Love,” from the bio-pic “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”) and Idina Menzel (“Let It Go,” from Disney's animated fairy-tale “Frozen”). 
Karen O may add a little underground edge to the Oscars, or perhaps the Oscars will push the singer further into the mainstream. Her band, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, have been longtime staples of New York City's indie rock scene, and Karen O was once infamous for spitting beer on her audience. Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been nominated for several Grammys. 
Karen O also co-wrote original songs for the soundtrack of Jonze’s 2009 film “Where the Wild Things Are,” earning a Grammy nomination for the song “All Is Love.” She has performed on various film soundtracks, including for “Frankenweenie,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “I’m Not There.”

Karen O to perform at Oscars

Karen O to perform 'Moon Song' from 'Her' at Oscars 2014

ffetMUSIC CROPPED

The announcement you knew was coming officially arrived Wednesday evening. U2 will perform its Oscar-nominated song "Ordinary Love," from the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" at the Academy&nbsp; Awards ceremony March 2. &nbsp; With Idina Menzel scheduled for perform "Let it Go" and Pharell Williams set to perform "Happy," there's only nominated song still not being represented at the Oscars with a live rendition. That's "The Moon Song," from the film "Her," which singer Karen O co-wrote with director Spike Jonze.

U2 performing 'Ordinary Love' at Oscars

u2-CROPPED

Age ain't nothin' but a number for these tiny actors -- a couple of whom beat out nominees more than three times their age to win an Academy Award.

youngest oscar nominees

Jackie Cooper

9 jackie cooper (1931)-lt

Bonita Granville

14 Bonita Granville (1936)-lt

Brandon de Wilde

11 Brandon de Wilde (1953)-lt

Patty McCormack

11 Patty McCormack 1956-lt

Patty Duke

16 Patty Duke (1961)-lt

Mary Badham

9 Mary Badham (1963)-lt

Tatum O'Neal

10 Tatum O'Neal (1973)-lt

Jodie Foster

14 jodie foster 1976-lt

Justin Henry

8 justin henry (1979)-lt

Anna Paquin

11 anna paquin 1994-lt

Haley Joel Osment

11 Haley Joel Osment (2000)-lt

Abigail Breslin

10 abigail breslin (2006)-lt

Saoirse Ronan

13 Saoirse Ronan (2007)-lt

Hailee Steinfeld

14 Hailee Steinfeld (2010)-lt

Quvenzhane Wallis

9 Quvenzhane Wallis (2013)-lt

Youngest Oscar nominees

The Tony-award-winning actress from Woodbury will perform "Let It Go," from the animated Disney musical "Frozen," at the 86th Academy Awards ceremony next month. &nbsp; "Let it Go" is nominated for best original song, while "Frozen" is up for best animated feature. The performance will mark her first time performing an Oscar-nominated song at the awards show. &nbsp; News of Menzel's appearance followed soon after the announcement that Pharell Williams would perform his Oscar-nominated song "Happy." That leaves only two nominated performers still outstanding: Karen O, the singer and co-writer of "The Moon Song," from the sci-fi romance "Her," and U2, whose song "Ordinary Love" is featured in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." &nbsp; This year's best original song category includes only four nominees instead of the usual five. One, "Alone Yet Not Alone," from the faith-based film of the same name, was rescinded after its composer was judged to have improperly lobbied voting members. &nbsp;

LI's Idina Menzel singing at Oscars

Idina Menzel singing at Oscars ceremony

Oscars 2014: Complete coverage

Oscars 2014: Complete coverage

Most Popular

Top Stories