Zoinks! Nicole + Cate, Holly + Anna

Aussie actresses Nicole and Cate are fans of each others. We shouldn't be surprised and perhaps we already knew but have forgotten. The March issue of In Style asked four Oscar winning actresses Nicole Kidman, Anna Paquin, Hilary Swank and Susan Sarandon to name their "Oscar Inspiration" and they chose Cate Blanchett, Holly Hunter, Jessica Lange, and Vanessa Redgrave respectively.

This photo has a certain imaginary Film Experience spark as it's an actress (Kidman) that readers tend to think I'm rather too scarily devoted to combined with an actress (Blanchett) that I tend to think readers are rather too scarily devoted to. ;) Not that they both aren't great actresses, mind you.

The article may well have been titled "Airbrushed Inspirations" because all of the photos are way way glossy. But it's a fun concept. Here's what Cate said about her Oscar win for The Aviator.

I was frankly relieved when I won -- relieved I wouldn't have to answer all the questions about what it feels like to lose, and relieved because, playing Katharine Hepburn, you can't but disappoint some people. You have to throw caution to the wind when you take on those real-people roles; you can't think of the outcome.

I don't see this info at In Style's official site but here is a photo-set. The Hilary Swank/Jessica Lange photos are fun but the one that just thrilled me, for the sheer nostalgia, was seeing The Piano's mother and daughter Holly Hunter and Anna Paquin reunited.

The Piano (1993) is among my all time favorite movies and who wouldn't want such a reminder. Anna is apparently now taller than Holly! Although one reason I object to the super processed/airbrushed photo shoots that are the norm these days is that in the age of Photoshop when a photo looks too plastic, I just assume no one was in the room together. Let me see an errant hair or a wrinkle or a weird pucker of cloth, or some PROOF that these are flesh and blood people in a room together.

The other thing I think of when I look at this photo is: DOES HOLLY HUNTER WATCH TRUE BLOOD? Heh. I do. I wonder.

Best Actress. Final Notes

My favorite category didn't disappoint this year, offering up the strongest overall lineup in quite some time. In fact, though these 2010 Best Actress roles won't prove as iconic in the long run as 2006's primo batch, I actually think as an entire range of performances, it might be that year's equal. Would you agree?

Should Natalie Portman be nervous about her chief rival? Or is it all in her head?

The question in terms of who will win is whether Natalie Portman's long lead is going to pay off or if a recent arguable passion / mood to finally crown The Bening has grown enough in the industry to yank that shiny gold man away. If that happens, Natalie, not Annette, will be the one yelling "Interloper!"

But I don't think it's going to happen. The Bening can console herself with the knowledge that she is one of my 33 all time favorite actresses. ;)

THE UPDATED BEST ACTRESS PAGE
includesPOLL "Who Should Win?" and the reader requested "how they got nominated? silliness. Which is actually not ever entirely silly even though it's meant for fun. We all know Oscar is not only about the performances. And if you don't know that, you must have slept through Sandra Bullock's win last year.

The Grammys Down Under

Awwwww I hadn't seen this.

I love Australians so much I feel like someone should offer me honorary citizenship. It's only right! In case you missed the previous Grammys posts, here's a better video of Nicole Kidman's already famous lipsynching moment. It makes me wanna put Moulin Rouge! in the DVD player right this second. 10th anniversary this summer!

But here we go again: Baz, stop partying! Get back to work.

Best Part of the Grammys

Apart from the Cee Lo, Gwyneth Paltrow, Muppets performance of "Forget You", the best part of the Grammys was obvs all the Nicole Kidman reaction shots.

The one that got everyone was talking was her lipsynching to "Teenage Dream" as Katy Perry performed. (Here's a better video of that though it starts immediately so if you're not expecting sound, watch out!)

But she was just awesome throughout, singing along, dancing, smiling, applauding vigorously, etcetera. Since the Grammys have 213 categories they should add a 214th: Best Reaction Shots. Nicole Kidman for the win.

I can't prove the theory but it seems to me that whenever Kidman's hair stays red for long periods the world improves immeasureably.

The Big Wins of the Night
Best Album: Arcade Fire "The Suburbs"
Record and Song of the Year: Lady Antebellum "Need You Now"
Best New Artist: Esperanza Spalding
Best Pop Album: Lady Gaga "The Fame Monster"
Best Rap Album: Eminem "Recovery"

Oh and here's the OTHER Actress Oscar winner who made the night.

Ada & Ruby. Look at them now.