After reading my usual blogs this morning it appears the order of the day is bash the Oscars as being superficial and self celebratory and I can only somewhat agree. Although I am more in tune with the Independent Spirit awards which are presented the day before the Oscars with less gilt, pomp and circumstance I do enjoy the yearly spectacle that is the Academy rewarding their own. I don't get out to movies that often, the Roommate tends to get hijacked to all the good ones without me so I usually wait till the DVD rolls out before I get to view the best of the best, so the special preview that the Oscars affords me is greatly appreciated, allowing me to pick the films I really want to see. This was the rare year when I actually did manage to see quite a few of the nominated, so that was an added bonus.
So by now you already realize I did in fact watch the majority of the presentation but I did not do so at home sitting on my ass and eating a lot of cheese. This year I volunteered to work a benefit put on to finance the restoration of a fine Portland landmark. Film Action Oregon put on Oscar Night America as a benefit to promote it's organization and to help rejuvenating the grand old theater and I assisted by helping out my friend Pat who catered the event as well as provided the cosmos. So that was fun, I got to help out a friend, a theater and watch the show at the same time. Good times, good times. My only regret is that I didn't wear sensible shoes.
Here are some shots of the historic Hollywood Theater, built before movies had sound*!
Outside the theater today.
The theater, getting ready for opening day.
Close up of the detail of the theater's crown.*No, I wasn't born yet.
7 comments:
I wish I could take part in Oscar bashing, but alas, I didn't watch them!
PS - I would like you to know, for the record, that I read your blog daily, but from work, where I do not login, and thus, I cannot post a comment. BUT I READ YOU! I think that's important for you to know.
Sounds like a cool event and a worthy cause.
What is it with you and old theaters?
I never bash the Oscars themselves because I watch every year. A tear comes to my eye when they play the "who's dead" montage (ok, I'm a guy...just kidding). But I do enjoy it all.
Oh, and also, I remember being in the Hollywood during the opening run of the Godfather in the early 70s back when it was still a grand single theatre with a balcony! I even used to work in the building right next to it. Lots of fond memories of it; glad it is still there. Oh, and the Roseway is still there on Sandy too. Lost my virginity there (another story).
Wow, volunteer??? I didn't know you had it in ya! I'm so proud of you!
The Oscar's sucked this year, I usually watch from beginning to end, and I was bored after 10 minutes, I would flip back, but figured that I could just get the results in the am, and not have to watch.
The Roommate and I went to the Roseway to see The Queen and we were the only ones in the theater. When he asked the concession chick why no one was there she said they had a huge turn out at the last showing, huge being 15 people. That is a monsterous theater, 15 people would be pretty spread out pretty thin. Hope it makes it.
Hey Suz...I was just reading through Iamnot's blog, which I troll regularly to look at his awesome pics, and I see that he is from Shreveport, and that you commented on Shreveport, so are you from there too? I always assumed you were from New Orleans. Why do I care? We are moving there in July. Troy is going to be the new Physics prof at Centenary College. We are going on a house hunting trip next week. Any helpful hints or knowledge about the town?
Yes Jodi, I grew up in Shreveport and even knew iamnot there. I lived on Centenary Blvd, smack up against Centery College, so I know the area well. Definitely look in Highlands area, although it's been since the late 1980's since I lived there. Haven't been back since. Luckily you'll only be 3 hours drive from Shawna!
E-mail me at paganmonster@hotmail.com if you want more info.
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