PART SIX: THE OSCARS

MICHAEL DOUGLAS RECEIVES THE HONORARY CECIL B. DeVille AWARD

The honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award went to Michael Douglas, whose actor father, Kirk Douglas, received the honour in 1968. "My father couldn't make it here tonight, but if Kirk was here I would acknowledge him for his stamina, for his endurance and for his great sense of material," Douglas said. Douglas, 59, also thanked another acting veteran, his co-star on the 1970s TV series The Streets of San Francisco, for teaching him about the business. "I will be eternally grateful to Karl Malden for showing me what a work ethic is about," Douglas said, while Malden smiled from the audience. The Globes event came just two days before Tuesday morning's announcement of the Oscar nominations. The Oscar ceremony is set for Feb. 29, about three weeks earlier than previous years.  Family in all its various combinations was the favorite accessory on the red carpet at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards. Troy Garity escorted his mother, Jane Fonda; Jamie Lee Curtis of Freaky Friday brought 17-year-old daughter Annie; Tom Cruise brought his mother; and Cruise's ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, had her parents in tow -- "How pathetic!" she laughed. Nominee Patricia Clarkson of Pieces of April came with her father; Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas had their brood; and Kevin Costner escorted fiancée Christine Baumgartner and Lily, his 17-year-old daughter who served as Miss Golden Globe. That honor annually goes to a second-generation performer who helps hand out the statuettes. "She's not just looking beautiful on my arm. She's got a little job to do, so we're kind of pleased for her," Costner said. His advice to his daughter: "Watch your footing." Family is more important in Hollywood than most people think, Costner said. "Our business, we're up and down like anybody, but when we're celebrating, sometimes it's time to bring your kids along," he said. The actor's 16-year-old son, Joe, hung back from the media mob. "He's my date," Lily said. Garity, whose father is politician Tom Hayden, was nominated for the television movie Soldier's Girl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At first, he wasn't sure he should bring Fonda, who is relaunching her movie career. "I was a little nervous that bringing my mother would create an uneven media frenzy, but at the end of the day, there's nobody I'd want here more than my mother," he said. "It's like payback because she used to drag me down the carpet and now I get to drag her. She has enough experience to keep me calm." And did Fonda need much persuasion to accompany her son? "No, it took me about two seconds," she said. Other duos were CBS President Les Moonves and Julie Chen of the CBS Early Show strolling the carpet hand-in-hand; Barbra Streisand and husband, James Brolin; and Elton John and his companion, David Furnish. "We're family. We've been together over 10 years," John said. "It's just nice to come with someone you know." Jennifer Lopez walked the red carpet alone Sunday, days after official word that she had ended her engagement to Ben Affleck. Dressed in orange, Lopez strode quickly past throngs of media shouting her name. She smiled and waved, but said nothing. Lopez and Affleck will be together again, however. Their movie Jersey Girl opens March 19. Lopez, who plays Affleck's wife, dies 12 minutes into the movie. Diane Lane of Under the Tuscan Sun also came to the Globes alone. Fiancé Josh Brolin was in the Bahamas filming, but she sent him a message via her strapless chiffon dress. "The floral and coral -- my homage to my sweetie," she said. "The film I'm here for is a lighter, happier film and I think that tends to have a little rub-off effect on me in terms of feeling lighter and happier." Nicole Kidman doesn't play around when it comes to picking her well-regarded awards show attire. "It's always the way. I pick one dress and that's it," she said. Her 1920s-inspired spangly dress was designed by Tom Ford in his last collection for Yves Saint Laurent. She complemented it by wearing her red hair in curls. "I hold him in very high regard and I wanted to wear this for him to pay my respects to him," she said. "He's been very good to me."

Stars Play it Safe With Blooming Spring Colors  

The red carpet blossomed with spring colors as stars donned ladylike gowns for Sunday's Golden Globe Awards. Outrageous fashions were in short supply as most stars played it safe with pretty pastels or black in gowns that revealed just enough to be sexy but not enough to steal the spotlight at the 61st annual awards show in Beverly Hills, Calif. Bucking that trend was Cold Mountain star Nicole Kidman in a gold sequin backless dress with a plunging neckline held together with nude fabric. Kidman's loose curls were held back with a gold headband. "I need a coat, though," Kidman told Joan Rivers on E! Entertainment Television. "I sort of like that it's got a sort of slight Salome feel to it." The other red carpet surprise was Jennifer Lopez, who wasn't expected to appear on the red carpet. Days after her breakup with fiancé Ben Affleck, Lopez strolled by fans appearing effortlessly chic in a tangerine goddess gown with silver straps, her hair pulled up in a loose ponytail. Valentino and Lost in Translation director Sofia Coppola in Azzedine Allaia. Youthful, fresh looks were seen on the red carpet, like the nude-colored corset gown worn by 19-year-old Lost in Translation star Scarlett Johansson, a fashion enthusiast who sang a song as part of Cynthia Rowley's spring runway show in September in New York.  Canadian Elisha Cuthbert, 21, of Fox's 24 wore a 1950s inspired, ladylike look with a strapless, pale pink organza cocktail dress by Monique Lhuillier, accessorized with a small bouquet of roses at the waist. "It's a little prom queen but I love it," Cuthbert told Melissa Rivers on E! "I wanted to do simple, I didn't want to do too crazy." Evan Rachel Wood, 16, of thirteen wore a simple metallic gray spaghetti strap gown, with minimal, radiant makeup and loosely pulled up hair, and Joan of Arcadia star Amber Tamblyn, 20, wore a pale apricot corset gown with handkerchief train by designer Reem Acra. Carson Kressley, the fashion guru on Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, got into the spring spirit, wearing a pink jacket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mystic River, Cold Mountain, Lost In Translation among top nominees

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association event is regarded by many in Hollywood as one of the year's biggest parties, but it's also a way to generate front-runner buzz for the Oscars. Cold Mountain, about a U.S. Civil War deserter whose journey to find his sweetheart is marked by heartbreak and death, had a leading eight nominations, including best drama.

FIVE NOMINATIONS WENT TO MYSTIC RIVER

Five nominations each went to Mystic River, about three adult friends whose lives are filled with tragedy and crime, and Lost in Translation, with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as lonely Americans in Tokyo. Besides Cold Mountain, best drama nominees were The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Mystic River and Seabiscuit, while comedy movie contenders were Bend It Like Beckham, Big Fish, Finding Nemo, Lost in Translation and Love Actually. Among the stars who have agreed to present awards at the ceremony: TV's Friends star Jennifer Aniston, No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani and lead Lord of the Rings hobbit Elijah Wood, along with Jim Carrey, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, Robin Williams and Jennifer Lopez. Although the Globes are distributed by a relatively small group, about 90 journalists who cover entertainment for foreign-based media outlets, a winning spot on the nationally televised NBC ceremony is highly coveted. Many actors and filmmakers use the Globes as a way to pique audience interest in their films and build momentum for the more prestigious Academy Awards, which are voted on by about 5,700 industry figures. The Globes have a history of honoring future Oscar winners, including Titanic, American Beauty and Gladiator. A win often bodes well for performers, too, with previous Globe winners including Hilary Swank for Boys Don't Cry, Julia Roberts for Erin Brockovich and Jack Nicholson for As Good as It Gets. The Golden Globes event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel comes just two days before Oscar nominations are announced Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the Oscar ceremony is set for Feb. 29, about three weeks earlier than in previous years. Denys Arcand, nominated for The Barbarian Invasions in the best foreign film category, said that attending galas such as the Golden Globes is a "full time job" as the Oscars draw near. "It's what we do these days -- attend these galas," the Montreal filmmaker said as he entered the 61st annual awards for motion pictures and television.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS LOST TO AFGHANISTAN'S FILM "OSAMA"

The Barbarian Invasions lost to a film from Afghanistan called Osama on Sunday night, but it is Canada's entry this year for the Academy Awards and could be nominated for an Oscar on Tuesday morning. When asked if the decisions made at the Golden Globes are echoed later at the Oscars, Arcand deferred to his wife Denise Robert, the co-producer of the film. "I'm not too familiar with all of these things. Denise is the one to ask," he said. Robert said the couple was just pleased to be at the Golden Globes. "Nobody knows that (about the Oscars)," she said. "If we had to go home tonight just with what we have here already, then we would be spoiled." Barbarian Invasions has already collected a fistful of honours, including best screenplay and best actress at Cannes. Toronto-born composer Howard Shore won Golden Globes in two musical categories Sunday night for work done on Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, and won two awards. Before he accepted the two small golden statues, he said he was content with the nomination.

 LORENZO SORIA, PRESIDENT OF THE HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION: "CANADIANS AND AUSTRALIANS CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO FILM AND TELEVISION"

"I'm very proud to be here," he said on the red carpet. "I'm very happy for the nomination. Mostly, it's good to see people are interested in the music and in listening to the record." Shore said he's also excited about the upcoming performance in Montreal of his two-hour composition in six parts performed by the Montreal Symphony, slated for Feb. 23. "I worked very hard with Peter Jackson and I had great collaboration in shaping the music for Lord of the Rings," he added. He noted that the friendships people made while doing the work were "exceptional." Another Canadian at the awards, Sex and City star Kim Cattrall, failed to win in her supporting actress category. Cattrall, wearing a wispy soft pink dress, stopped on the red carpet when she saw Canadian flags poking out from the crush of reporters. "It's not that I'm nervous so much -- it's just exciting," she said. "I bring my people with me where I go. The people around me are like my team." Fellow Canadian Mia Kirshner, of the newly-launched controversial cable show, the L Word, was asked if she saw herself being invited to next year's Golden Globes based on the initial success of her show. "It's the highest honor so I hope so," she said. "People are really excited about the show. It's the best job I ever had." Lorenzo Soria, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association which hosts the Golden Globes, said Canadians contribute greatly to film and television. "As an international event, we're very proud of Canadians -- the Australians, the Mexicans -- this is really a distinction that gives credit to whoever deserves it."

GOSSIPS, SURPRISES AND DRAMA

British comedy The Office and its creator Ricky Gervais have won two prestigious Golden Globe awards, causing a major upset at the ceremony.

Photo: Nicole Kidman was in high spirits as she arrived.

Surprises and drama were not part of the scenario. Yet, many were upset. Is it true that the Globes could and would predict future Oscar failures and successes? The show's creator Ricky Gervais won the TV comedy actor award, while the program won best TV comedy series. The sitcom was seen as a real outsider for the award, competing against global hit Will and Grace, while Gervais beat Friends' star Matt LeBlanc. The Globes cover TV and film, and are a barometer for next month's Oscars. They are awarded by the 90-strong members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and are seen as an irreverent and more informal awards than the Oscars. The Globes often predict future Oscar success and the Academy Award nominations are announced on Tuesday. In the all-important battle for film dominance, Cold Mountain, Mystic River and Return of the King are seen as the favorites for big success and are competing for best film. Renee Zellweger started the ball rolling for Cold Mountain, winning the Golden Globe for best supporting actress. Actor Tim Robbins walked off with the first trophy of the evening, best supporting actor, for his part in Mystic River. Both Zellweger and Robbins had words of praise for their respective directors. 

'My hero'

Photo: Zellweger started the ball rolling for Cold Mountain

"Clint. You are the man," Robbins said. "Anthony Minghella, my hero," the actress said. "I had had my fingers crossed for so long that you would call me." Jude Law and Nicole Kidman are also nominated for their roles in Cold Mountain. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King started strongly - winning two awards for best original score and best original song. The other films nominated for best drama movie are Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and Seabiscuit. Unusually, the awards recognize performances in musical and comedy films separately from drama. Diane Keaton won best actress for her role in comedy Something Got to Give, while Bill Murray's much praised performance in Lost in Translation won him the best comedy actor award.

COLD MOUNTAIN

Hollywood talent

Sofia Coppola, who wrote and directed Lost in Translation won the best original screenplay award, marking her arrival as a major new Hollywood talent. She is also competing for the best director prize, against Clint Eastwood, Peter Jackson, Anthony Minghella and Peter Weir (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World). In the TV categories, the third series of real-time thriller 24 won best drama, beating Six Feet Under and The West Wing. Anthony LaPaglia won best actor in a drama for his role in the missing persons' series Without A Trace. Frances Conroy won the corresponding best actress award for her performance in Six Feet Under. Angels in America won the best mini-series award, with Meryl Streep picking up the best actress awards for her role in the drama. The drama also brought reward for Jeffrey Wright and Mary Louise Parker as best supporting actor and actress. Sarah Jessica Parker won best actress in a TV comedy, for her role in Sex and the City.