Digital Popcorn

I've been a little bit offended by the "In Bruges" trailers. In them, Colin Farrell's character appears to be stuck in the Belgian town and none too happy about it. His line: "If I'd grown up on a farm and was retarded, Bruges might impress me. But I didn't ... so it doesn't."

Hey now, Colin Farrell's character. Bruges is beautiful, rich in culture and bursting with chocolate, fries and waffles. Hopefully, in the actual movie, he will come to realize so.

Have you seen "In Bruges"?
— Emily

("The Other Boleyn Girl")

Wondering which new release to check out this weekend? amNewYork movie critic Mina Hochberg is here to help:

Chop Shop
Once called a "euphemism for blight" by Mayor Bloomberg, Willets Point, Queens, is for all intents and purposes the star of Ramin Bahrani's "Chop Shop." Nicknamed the "Iron Triangle" for its high density of junkyards and auto shops, this 61-acre neighborhood in the shadow of Shea Stadium is, in real estate terms, an eyesore that many mayors (including Bloomberg) have tried to earmark for redevelopment. Read more...

The Other Boleyn Girl
Heaving bosom alert! This story of Anne Boleyn's rise from the ranks of minor nobility and her subsequent fall to the chopping block is a sweeping Tudor soap opera, from the bethrothals and betrayals to the chin-stroking villain.

Natalie Portman plays Anne, the doomed coquette, with Scarlett Johansson as her plain sister, Mary. (In Hollywood, "plain" is conveyed by denuding a face of all makeup.) Read more...

AP Photo/Columbia Pictures

Thinking of staying in this weekend? Check out the latest DVD releases:

* "Beowulf": Scandinavian hero Beowulf fights Grendel and Grendel's mom in this digitally-rendered film based on the Old English poem.

* "The Darjeeling Limited": Three brothers take a trip through India to find themselves.

* "30 Days of Night": Vampires take over a town in Alaska.

— Korin

It's OK to judge a movie by its trailer. Or rather, most movie goers do, which makes it perfectly acceptable in our book. Here's the latest analysis ...

The movie: "The Other Boleyn Girl"

In theaters: Tomorrow

The plot: Boleyn sisters Anne (Scarlett Johansson) and Mary (Natalie Portman) vie for the affections of King Henry VIII (Eric Bana).

The trailer: Natalie and Scar-Jo are sisters and BFF; There an "opportunity" to be a mistress to the King of England and Natalie's dad puts her up for the task; Natalie's peeved at first, but goes along with it; Uh-oh, the king eyeballs Scar-Jo and, OMG, they're kissing!; Scar-Jo's in, Natalie's out — and ticked off; Scar-Jo goes to the palace and is ready to do the deed with the king, Natalie mocks her; Scar-Jo does unmentionable things with the king, Natalie's still ticked; Look out, Scar-Jo! Natalie's after your man; Natalie wins over the king, Scar-Jo's sad, Natalie wants to be queen; There's trouble in paradise and things look bad for Nat; Scar-Jo's still sad; The king's mad at Natalie; Natalie could be killed, Scar-Jo tries to save her.

Well, well, well! Looks like quite a saucy lil' silver screen soap opera.

— Korin

* Mark those calendars! Scarlett Johansson's album of Tom Waits covers will be released in May.

* Police are investigating two doctors who prescribed medicine to Heath Ledger.

* Several films are still in limbo, despite the demise of the WGA strike.

— Korin

With nothing to watch at 10 p.m. last night, I stumbled across a screening of "Painted Babies" on We. (Yes, We — get your laugh in now.)

The documentary, first aired in the mid-90s, follows the lives of 4-year-old pageant queens Asia and Brooke, and the pushy moms behind them. The movie builds up to the all-important Southern Charm Pageant in Atlanta, where the two girls go head to head in the categories of western wear, modeling and talent.

There's definitely something jarring about little girls wearing tons of makeup and a gallon of hairspray. If you get a chance to check out the doc, take a look in the audience at these shows — no one is in it, other than the stage parents, and yet these parents are incredibly invested in whether their child will win.

Check out an excerpt from the talent competition at the Southern Charm Pageant in the film, above. (By the way, the competition still exists. Here's the official Web site: http://misssoutherncharm.tripod.com/.)

— Korin

* Is Brangelina moving to France?!

* Katie Holmes is not pregnant, thank you very much.

* Strike insurance has arrived!

— Korin

Whoopi Goldberg's omission from a video montage of the greatest Oscar moments was just one big oopsie, the show's producer told People magazine.

"No harm was intended, and I feel very, very badly that she was left out," Gil Cates said. "I'm going to call her and tell her that."

Whoopi, the Academy Award's first black female host, teared up on "The View" earlier this week, after suggesting she was purposefully left out of the montage.

— Korin

* Well ... the Oscars happened.

* George Clooney "helped" girlfriend Sarah Larson get ready for the Oscars.

* The new "Hellraiser" just nabbed a writing team.

— Korin

(Marion Cotillard)

This year's Academy Awards only went a half hour over schedule. Not bad!

Here's a recap--you can find more results and our comments as it all happened below:

Highs
* Marion Cotillard's acceptance speech
* Jon Stewart's hosting gig (second time's the charm)
* Marketa Irglova's acceptance speech for Best Song (after she was originally cut off by that darn music)
* George Clooney

Eh
* Red carpet fashion — nothing too daring; nothing too stunning

Lows
* Multiple performances of juvenile songs from "Enchanted"
* Blink-and-you'll-miss-it mention of Heath Ledger's death
* Video montages of 80 years of Oscar award winners before each major category

* Photos of all the winning (and losing) Oscar moments

* Photos of Oscars red carpet fashion worst and best here

* Videos of Oscars red carpet fashion worst and best here

— Korin

Hooray for Ethan Coen's short and sweet Best Director speech.

The director had already snagged Best Adapted Screenplay alongside his brother, Joel Coen.

When he accepted his second award, Ethan said simply, "I don't have a lot to add to what I said earlier ... Thank you."

His brother was a little more chatty the second time around, but left the talking to their co-workers after Best Picture was announced.

- Korin

(George Clooney, right, with girlfriend Sarah Larson)

Well, George Clooney called it.

Daniel Day-Lewis took home the gold for his lead role in "There Will Be Blood."

The actor took moment to give Clooney a man hug before heading to the stage to accept his award.

Last week, Clooney, a fellow Best Actor nominee, told Time magazine that he expected Day-Lewis to win. "It's like being Hillary Clinton," he said. "If it weren’t for Barack Obama, it would have been a very good year. ...I thought Daniel Day-Lewis had the best performance of the year."

The "Juno" writer (and ex-stripper) just won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

She gave a cute shout-out to the movie's star, Ellen Page.

(Yay, "Juno"!)

- Korin

Seriously.

We'll buy what he's selling.

- Korin

Does everyone in America know that "Juno" writer Diablo Cody was once a stripper? I had no clue.

Turns out the ex-stripper's real name is Brooke Busy-Hunt.

If everyone already knows that, too, well, then ... shoot.

- Korin

Heath Ledger briefly appeared at the end of the traditional Academy Awards tribute to notable actors who died during the year.

What do you think? Was it a fitting tribute to him? Should he have been mentioned at all?

- Korin

Patrick Dempsey just gave away the ending to "Enchanted."

Darnnit, McDreamy!

Dempsey introduced yet another performance of a song from the fairy tale, explaining that the tune appears in the flick when Princess Giselle falls in love with a man and becomes a real person herself.

Well, shoot. Time to take that movie off Netflix.

- Korin

Nicole Kidman jazzed up a plain black dress with a sparkling, multi-layered diamond necklace. Diamonds really are a girl's best friend, huh?

(Has anyone else noticed something about Nicole that seems to have grown lately (besides her baby bump)?)

- Korin

The Oscars are scheduled for three hours - and usually last at least a half hour longer.

Even members of the Academy complain about the length. But, well, all of those video montages and Best Song performances suck up at least five minutes each time. And "Enchanted" has three out of five nominations in the Best Song category this year.

All those in favor of cutting that segment out next year ...?

- Korin

Marion Cotillard was literally shaking as she left the stage after winning the Oscar for Best Actress.

And how 'bout that speech? "Thank you life. Thank you love! It's true there are some angels in this city," she said.

It's nice to see a heartfelt Oscar speech again. We haven't had one of those in a while.

(Ellen Page looked like she knew she didn't have a shot in heck, by the way.)

- Korin

(Javier Bardem smooches his mom, Pilar)

Javier Bardem had a special message in Spanish for his mom/Oscar date when he won for Best Supporting Actor.

According to ABC News, this is the translation:
"Mama, this is for you. This is for your grandparents and your parents, Rafael and Matilde. This is for the comedians of Spain who like you have brought dignity and pride to our profession. This is for Spain and this is for all of you."

- Korin

Ooh - Jon Stewart might be in trou-ble with famous mamas-to-be.

The Oscar host pointed out that show attendees Jessica Alba and Cate Blanchett are both with child, adding, "Obviously, the night is still young. Jack is here so perhaps, sir, we will tally at the end of the night. The compulsories are open."

After the commercial break Stewart correct himself, noting presenter Nicole Kidman is also pregnant. The mamas faces were flashed onscreen (Jessica Alba looked pretty darn embarrassed) and Stewart announced, "And the baby goes to ... Angelina Jolie!"

Was that the sound of a pin dropping we heard?

- Korin

Best Supporting Actress winner Tilda Swinton poked fun at George Clooney during her acceptance speech. Ha!

Swinton suggested her "Michael Clayton" co-star climbed into his old school "Batman" suit before work every day, after profusedly thanking her agent and director. Clooney didn't look very amused.

Someone in Hollywood teased George Clooney?! Well ... she's British.

- Korin

Jerry Seinfeld knew who won Best Animated Short before any of us.

The comedian voiced the presentation of the award via his "Bee Movie" character Barry B. Benson.

We can live with that.

- Korin

Owen Wilson presented the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film. Surprisingly, he didn't get as much applause as we would have thought.

The "Drillbit Taylor" star, who tried to commit suicide last year, kept things short and, well, humorless. He skipped the red carpet on the way in, too.

Welcome back, Owen!

- Korin

The youngest performer ever to grace the stage at the Academy Awards just sang her heart out.

Jamia Simone Nash, 11, sang "Raise It Up" from "August Rush" with the IMPACT Repertory Theatre of Harlem.

So cute!

- Korin

Jennifer Hudson hasn't spent much time in the limelight since her Oscar win last year. And the "Dreamgirls" star looks phenomenal in her white dress. (See that, Andre Leon Talley?)

By the way, we'll see Hudson next on the big screen playing ... Carrie Bradshaw's assistant in the "Sex and the City" movie.

How fitting for an Academy Award winner.

- Korin

We're willing to bet Amy Adams wasn't exactly thrilled to sing "Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted" in front of an audience packed with Hollywood elite and, you know, Academy Award winners.

Cheese-y.

Bet the kiddies at home loved it!

- Korin

Could the Academy only find three nominees for Best Animated Feature Film and Best Makeup? Apparently so.

The nominees for Best Animatied Feature Film:
"Persepolis"
"Surf's Up"
"Ratatouille"

Makeup:
"La Vie en Rose"
"Norbit"
"Pirates of the Carribbean: At World's End"

And poor "Ratatouille" director Brad Bird was cut off during his acceptance speech after only a minute.

You know you're watching a Hollywood production when ...

Celine Dion's "Titanic" song is playing during the "80 years of Oscar" retrospective.

Is that necessary?

- Korin

(Jon Stewart)

Looks like Jon Stewart might actually redeem himself with Hollywood, following last year's disastrous Oscar hosting gig. Disastrous to those in Tinseltown, mind you.

Celebs sat on their hands last year as Stewart poked fun at their lifestyle. This time around, they actually giggled and even (gasp!) clapped.

Maybe they got a sense of humor in their goodie bags?

- Korin

(Javier Bardem)

Attention Regis Philbin: Javier Bardem's first name is pronounced "Hav-e-ehr," not "Xavier."

Big no-no, buddy.

Philbin made the faux pas just before the ceremony got underway.

Check out photos of all the Oscars red carpet fashion hits and misses by clicking here

- Korin

(George Clooney)

You're welcome.

"There Will Be Blood" star Daniel Day-Lewis with his wife, Rebecca Miller.

Yikes.

- Korin

Colin Farrell brought his mom to the Oscars. Viggo Mortenson brought his niece.

The ladies will love it!

- Korin

So ... Casey Affleck and Jennifer Garner are both at the Oscars.

Where the heck is Ben Affleck?

- Korin

Jessica Alba is finally showing.

"The Eye" star is expecting her first child with fiance Cash Warren.

- Korin

Gary Busey managed to scare the heck out of Ryan Seacrest and Jennifer Garner in less than a minute. Impressive!

Busey wrapped Garner in a hug while she chatted with Seacrest, and then did the same to the E! host mere seconds later.

Garner gives props for her graces under random hugging.

- Korin

(Left to right: Miley Cyrus, Saoirse Ronan)

Three cheers for age-appropriate style!

"Atonement" star Saoirse Ronan and "Hannah Montana" actress Miley Cyrus both are wearing modest gowns - perfect for the teen girls that they are.

Miley's in Valentino; Saoirse in Alberta Ferretti.

- Korin

(Left to right: Kristin Chenoweth, Michelle Williams)

Kristin Chenoweth's gown looks awfully familiar. Ah, yes. Her dress' twist at the hips also popped up on Michelle William's 2006 yellow Oscar gown by Vera Wang.

Hmm...

- Korin

Anne Hathaway looks stunning in a red, Grecian-style Marchesa gown. Looks like the "Get Smart" star is trying to make up for last year's scary Valentino dress.

Thoughts on the train of roses up her shoulder?

- Korin