Oscar nominees: Follow Jeremy Irons' example of classy, low-key campaigning

I remember laughing like a besotted hyena when I watched this a couple nights before he brought home the gold for Reversal of Fortune. (Hat-tip to JeremyIrons.com.) Prepare to guffaw at the 2:20 mark.

"Put Down the Duckie!"

Fortuitously found this on YouTube today. Hadn't seen it in years -- and, oddly enough, I remembered it mostly because of Jeremy Irons' delightful song-and-dance bit. But now I see that he wasn't the only star to shine here. Look close, and you'll also see Paul Simon, two cast members from the original Upstairs, Downstairs -- and the late, great John Candy.

Coming distraction

Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit this Wednesday? Ya mo b there.

Galloping soon to a theater near you

I viewed a rough cut of Appaloosa about a month ago, prior to interviewing Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris for the next issue of Cowboys & Indians magazine (on sale -- hint, hint! - Sept. 2 at fine newsstands everywhere). The Warners publicists asked me not to comment on the film itself until closer to its world premiere next month at the Toronto Film Festival, so I can't tell you how good it is, and how terrific Mortensen and Harris (and Renee Zellweger and Jeremy Irons) are in the lead roles, and how it's an even better Western than last year's 3:10 to Yuma remake. But, hey, I can direct you to a trailer, right here.

Handicapping Oscar, Take 3

Roger Ebert thinks Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker are mortal locks. And in the Best Documentary category... well, let's just say, you've already read a lot about it on this blog.

BTW: Whitaker is hosting Saturday Night Live tonight. Seems to me I recall that Jeremy Irons did the very same thing right before his Best Actor win.