Handicapping the Oscar In Memoriam Montage 2012

I believe the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences uses the end of January as the cutoff date for fallen celebrities to be included in their annual montage. This rules out the possibility of Whitney Houston's inclusion unless they make a decision that she's too big not to include. She was never nominated for an Oscar, although some songs she performed in The Bodyguard were nominated, and she only starred in three Hollywood movies. I think it's possible we'll see her included, but not surprised if she's left out.

Frances Bay is an actress whose face you probably recognize for all the bit parts she's had over the years. I don't think we'll see her, but she died last September at age 92.

Elizabeth Taylor 1932 - 2011

One of the greatest of Hollywood stars in history has died today. I'm no giant (no pun intended) fan of her as an actress, I suppose mainly because I'm not very familiar with her work. I've seen bits of Cleopatra and all of Father of the Bride, but the only film of hers I've seen in its entirety that I have any real recollection of is Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? which she is devastatingly brilliant in. Mike Nichols directed her to her second Best Actress Oscar in that film.

What I honestly most remember her for is her bizarre announcement of the Best Picture winner at the 2001 Golden Globes when she seemed half drunk and in a senile haze. She almost opened the envelope before reading the list of nominees. The stunned audience had to shout up at her that she was doing it wrong. When she finally got around to announcing the winner it was this odd screech of "Glaaaaadiator!" Poor woman. How far they fall.

Normally I would take an opportunity like this to visit some of her work and provide fresh reviews like I did with Dennis Hopper and my reviews of The American Friend, Colors and Hoosiers last year. Unfortunately I am bogged down with work and family and don't have the time right now.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is probably worth a look as well as Giant and A Place in the Sun. If only I had the time. Oh well.

Goodbye Liz.