I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

…for giving me so much material to write about today…

Before we get to the recap of the 77th Academy Awards that I’ve been promising for days, we start with the recap of the 2nd Chris and Spud Oscar Party, here after referred to simply as Oscar Party 2.0, or occasionally as the even simpler OP2.0.

I think I just made simple too complex. Drat.

Anyways, despite any pending stupid neighbor protest, Oscar Party 2.0 went off without a Hitch (which was too busy in area theaters). As the guest count fluctuated in the twenties throughout the prior week, we ended up clocking in with an impressive 25. 25 ended up being a great number for the following reasons. 1) Made doing post-game statistics incredibly easy, and 2) no one was forced to sit anywhere uncomfortable like on a tablelamp or my guitar stand. (This did not excuse people from being forced to sit on the third most uncomfortable thing – our couch.)

A mixture of Monrovians, SAIC co-workers, the MeWhee Contingent, and people Liz Grimm Knows gather together for a dazzling array of snackables, ranging from Julie’s homemade guac to bread ends and hizzouse, to Condon microwaving some mean Super Pretzels. Upon entry to the Random Fun, guests headed to the Wall of Movies, where they were instructed to pull their packet down (sorry for putting yours so high, Jon (it was Nordberg’s idea)) Inside was their Oscar ballot, whose categories were weighted by importance, and a series of Teleclassic questions, whose answers would only unfold as the Oscars progressed. Do you have any idea whether or not any Oscar winner would try and shut up the band? (Answer was yes, btw)

We’re the first to admit that there are some slow parts to the Oscars. For example, we’re all for honoring Sidney Lumet (this will be Scorcese’s Award 15 years from now), but an honorary award for the other guy who cleans film? Please. Give the man a certificate and not a speech. This is where OP2.0 steps in. Replacing last years’ trivia was our Ode to Best Original Song: The OP2.0 Song Bee. 68 catchy movie tunes and 20 eliminations later, none other than Katie Pretz aka “Driving Miss Katie.” I can’t remember, but I think “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher (from Groundhog Day) was the clinching melody.

Also worried that attention spans would wane during the Beyonce concert we all witnessed, we also chose to honor Best Adapted Screenplay with a round of Best Picture MadLibs. Best you didn’t know the following:

- That Venkman Charles made huge advances in the battle for soggy cheese.
- That Sideways involved incidents with a Wookie farm and a naked Yoda running down the street.
- That James Barrie would rather screw hanging out with the kids for some good White Castle.

(and so on…)

When the night was over, and the neighbors never called the cops, the ballot competition came down to the final award, Best Picture, whereupon the million dollar darkhorse, Kristy Glines came from nowhere to take the top prize. Second year in a row that a invited ringer took home the AMC gift certificate. Looks like Clint Eastwood wasn’t the only big winner of the night. (Spud wasn't eligible, Condon didn't matter)

The furniture still hasn’t been put back in place, we’ve got enough chips to bankroll a casino, and those 17 Best Picture DVDs we own are still on top of the entertainment center. OP2.0 may be done, but we’ve already begun plans for next year: March 6, 2006.

To keep you busy until then, here’s the final standings. Oscar Recap later.

Name // No. Correct // Total Points
1. SPUDler's List // 15 // 50
2. The EnGLINES Patient // 14 // 49
3. ANDERSingin' in the Rain // 13 // 47
T-4. How Green was My MEWHEE // 12 // 45
T-4. Driving Miss KATIE // 12 // 45

6. NORD of the Rings // 14 // 44
7. MAZER vs. MAZER // 13 // 44
8. The Manchurian CONDONate // 13 // 43
9. Forrest GRIMMp // 11 // 43
10. From Here to ETURNERty // 11 // 39

11. One Flew over the MEKO's Nest // 11 // 38
12. JACQUESy // 10 // 38
T-13. JONdhi // 11 // 37
T-13. AMATTIAS // 11 // 37
15. Mutiny on the BARRETT // 10 // 37

16. Lawrence of ARACHEa // 9 // 36
17. Butch Cassidy and the MEGAN KIDD // 11 // 35
18. Dr. ZhiVIEHWEG // 9 // 35
19. My Fair LIGGETT // 11 // 32
20. PAToon // 10 // 31

21. The Sound of MOODY // 9 // 30
T-22. In the PETE of the Night // 7 // 30
T-22. All the KIM's Men // 7 // 30
24. MATTon // 7 // 25
25. FERRIots of Fire // 6 // 22