Go, "Argo." The 2013 best picture Academy Award is yours to claim.
Ben Affleck‘s insightful and gripping political drama is the one to beat in tonight’s Oscarcast from Hollywood, with the delayed broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on KITV.
Affleck, an actor who produced and directed the project, was denied a best director nomination. But since the snub, he has collected accolades and momentum— including the telling Directors Guild nod — whichmeans the best-picture laurel is just an arm-length away. If "Argo" gets the Oscar, Affleck gets the statuette anyway, as its producer.
What about the other major categories? Here’s how we pick ’em:
» Best actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, for "Lincoln." Unquestionably the most dynamic portrayal of Honest Abe ever; a win would make him the only actor in a Steven Spielberg movie to snatch a prize.
» Supporting actor: Robert De Niro, for"Silver Linings Playbook." It’s a tossup with Tommy Lee Jones for "Lincoln" in perhaps the closest of races, but it’s been far too long since De Niro’s been a contender.
» Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, for "Silver Linings Playbook." She’s the belle of the ball, and her "Hunger Games" franchise should also steer the prize her way.
» Supporting actress: Anne Hathaway, for "Les Misérables." Her Fantine was fantastic, absorbed with passion and pain. With one tune, chopped hair and live singing, she copped the dream early on.
» Director: Spielberg, for "Lincoln." Simply because the Oscars don’t allow a write-in for Affleck. But Ang Lee, for "Life of Pi," could sneak into the saddle.
» Song: "Skyfall," by Adele, from "Skyfall."She’s bonded with everyone — including 007. Finally, an Oscar song worth singing. …
VOLUNTEERISM: The Waikiki Community Center annually salutes its ohana of volunteers, and this year’s luncheon, March 6 at the Hale Koa’s Banyan Ballroom, will salute Judy Trimlet, volunteer of the year; the Sand Island Treatment Center, receiving the Makana Ola Loa Award for two decades of kokua; and Jack Cione, the indefatigable show entrepreneur, for three decades of tap-dancing instruction at the center and a couple of decades of honchoing the "Follies" at Pearl Harbor (which earmarked some proceeds to the Waikiki Community Center) and at Arcadia. Cione has been a tireless supporter and presenter of the arts, says the center’s Jeff Apaka. …
THE LOCAL ANGLE: Jason Momoa, the actor with island ties, has joined the cast of "Guardians of the Galaxy,"a Marvel Comics project via its Phase Two films wing. Momoa, known for his role as Khal Drogo the warrior in HBO’s "Games of Thrones," earlier starred in the reboot of "Conan the Barbarian" and was one of the hunks on TV’s "Baywatch" franchise. The movie is due Aug. 1, 2014. …
Hawaii superpopster Bruno Mars has announced his 2013 concert slate, beginning with a March 7 concert in Houston, but alas, no mention of a Hawaii stop. He is going abroad — Europe, Canada, Australia — as well as the mainland, so an island pause is not impossible to tuck in somewhere. …
Local boy Sean Jones, son of musician Steve Jones, was home for the holidays, catching up with mentors Ron Bright, the director, and Loretta Ables Sayre, the Tony nominee of "South Pacific" fame. He’s earning his Equity credits, and completed a University of Connecticut summer Repertory production of the Tony-winning "Man of La Mancha" last summer with Terrence Mann. Nextup, Sean plays Graffiti Pete in SpeakEasy Stage Company’s "In the Heights," another Tony winner, in May. …
Meanwhile, Saint Louis’ "In the Heights," which Kyle Kakuno directs beginning March 1 at Mamiya Theatre, is assembling a cast of 26 high-schoolers. Raymon (aka Raymond) Del Barrio, who was Billy Dixon in Las Vegas’ "Jersey Boys" and Damon Runyon in Broadway’s "Guys and Dolls," will choreograph. They earlier collaborated here on "Rent" in 2008. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
