Dolores Hart at the Oscars

Yes, it's true - Dolores Hart attended last Sunday night's Oscar ceremony, walking down the red carpet and everything! A video below

 I was rooting for her documentary - God is Bigger than Elvis - to win! 

But it lost to Saving Face.

Whitney Houston sings at the Oscars

A great Oscar memory from March 1999- Whitney and Mariah Carey singing the inspirational When You Believe from Prince of Egypt, which won the Oscar for Best Song.

This was back when one could look forward to big stars performing their hits in their entirety on the show. Seems like eons ago.

Damien Bona dies at 56; co-wrote 'Inside Oscar' on Academy Awards

I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Damien Bona, who coauthored my favorite movie reference book, Inside Oscar. 

From the LA Times:

Damien Bona dies at 56; co-wrote 'Inside Oscar' on Academy Awards

Jessica Lange back on big screen in The Vow (2013)

I went to see The Vow over the weekend, and I'd give it a C++. I give it the first "plus" because it's set in Chicago and has some nice exterior shots of Millenium Park and The Music Box theater. Really - The Music Box on the big screen! First time I've ever seen it in a major production!

The lovers in the film are married couple Rachel McAdams (Midnight in Paris) and Channing Tatum (Haywire), who both play artists (another plus for me!). Rachel is a sculptor and painter (and doodler); Channing owns his own recording studio. Rachel suffers from amnesia and can only remember her life before she was married. Things get interesting when a past lover steps into the picture.  Will Rachel go back to him and her old life or stay with her husband who's a total stranger to her? The movie is filled with questions like that, and it's amusing to see Channing try to make her fall in love with him again (even though he's rather wooden as an actor).

What I enjoyed most about the film was seeing Jessica Lange on the screen again. She and Sam Neill play Rachel's parents. Though it is a very small role - too small for her in my opinion - Ms Lange does have one emotional scene toward the end, and it reminded me of how good an actress she is. She also looked much older than I remembered; I couldn't believe how much time had passed since I last saw her in a film.

The Vow is now playing in theaters in the United States.

Whitney Houston's Final Movie 'Sparkle' Will Be Released in August - Celebuzz

Whitney Houston News - Whitney Houston's Final Movie 'Sparkle' Will Be Released in August - Celebuzz

I just watched Whitney Houston's last interview with Entertainment Tonight where she talks about her new period film musical Sparkle, set to open this summer. Looks like a good movie. Was so saddened to hear of her death. A great loss. Rest in peace Whitney.

LA Times article on new film 'Sparkle'

 

Jordan Sparks and Whitney in new movie "Sparkle"
opening in August 2012