What's Céline Dion’s best Oscar performance?

by Cláudio Alves

Céline Dion sings from the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

After hours of badly shot kitsch, much Parisian rain, and the occasional surge of Revolutionary camp complete with flamethrowers, the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony came to a close. Thankfully, artistic director Thomas Jolly saved the best for last, ending the festivities with Céline Dion, glorious on the Eiffel Tower, singing her take on Piaf's "Hymn to Love." For those who've followed the artist's recent health struggles or watched the documentary I Am Céline Dion, the moment had added meaning. Despite it all, the great diva fulfilled what she promised, returning to the world's stage after five years away from her public. It was beautiful beyond words.

Because Oscars are always on the mind around these parts, Dion's many Academy Award performances came to mind. She has appeared in six ceremonies to sing seven numbers, ranging from Best Original Song contenders to In Memoriam segments. That makes her one of the most invited singers in the awards' history, with every appearance an event. But what is her best Oscar performance? Time to vote on a new readers' poll…

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Review: "Aline" is a Stranger Version of Your Average Biopic

By: Christopher James

Director/actress Valerie Lemercier tackles the life of "Aline Dieu" from age 5 to 50.Aline is a conundrum and a contradiction. More than any other recent biopic, Aline soldiers through all of the cliches and plot devices we’ve seen repeated ad nauseum. Yet, there’s a bizarre core that spins every scene on the axis. Much like the “subject,” Céline Dion, it’s a movie that tries to appear normal, but is so much wackier than one would imagine. 

Everyone’s first question is answered in the opening disclaimer. “This film is inspired by the life of Céline Dion. It is, however, a work of fiction. As such, some characters, places and facts have been modified, in keeping with the filmmakers’ vision.” Céline Dion songs are used throughout the film and the closest the movie comes to a central storyline mimics Dion’s own relationship with her much older manager, René Angélil. It’s hard to see why a name change was needed when so many other elements hewed close to life. 

So is Aline “so bad it’s good,” “better than expected” or just “bad bad”?

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Would you rather?

WOULD YOU RATHER...

• kiss a giraffe with Asa Butterfield?
• cut your own hair with Nathan Fillion?
• do a happy dance at Disney with Mira Sorvino?
• smoke a cigar with Michael B Jordan?
• try a glass of wine with Jennifer Coolidge?
• sing Joni Mitchell with Minnie Driver?
• paint your house with Celine Dion? 
• greet the spring with Tessa Thompson?
• box with Billy Magnussen? 

Pictures are after the jump to help you decide

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Soundtracking: A "Titanic" melody and Oscar memory

by Chris Feil

Aren’t we all happy now that the Best Original Song nominees are staying on the ceremony? Now that the uproar is settling, perhaps it’s a safe time to reflect on why removing them from the telecast never should have been up for debate. What better example of music’s inextricability from the movies and their intertwined cultural impact than Titanic?

“My Heart Will Go On” was its own inescapable beast in 1997 aside from Titanic itself, the dominance of the film and song fueling each other’s fire in tandem...

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Would you rather?

Time for another round of our silly celebrity gawking. Your response is requested in the comments. WOULD YOU RATHER...

... see Paris with Céline Dion?
... get your nails did with Busy Phillips?
... reminisce about your very first job with Charlize Theron?
... feel anxious with Topher Grace?
... touch John Boyega's lips with Daisy Ridley?
... hit the slopes with Olivia Munn?
... go to a photo exhibit with Agnes Varda?
... enjoy a waterfall with Zac Efron and his brother?
... visit Madame Tussaud's with Priyanka Chopra?
... learn to cook with Mary Steenburgen?
... or reunite with the cast of My Best Friend's Wedding?

Pictures are after the jump to help you decide

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