Meryl Streep came out of the Kodak Theatre and whispered two words in my ear.
“That bitch!” she said with a laugh, then added: “I love her!”
OK, this was Meryl’s umpteenth loss in a row. She hasn’t won an Oscar since “Sophie’s Choice.” You do realize she was just here last year for “Doubt.” Her most recent run of performances has been staggering, from “The Manchurian Candidate” remake to “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Adaptation,” even the little seen “Rendition.”
She’ll be back, maybe not next year, but in 2012. She makes the entire Oscar process worth it for the rest of us…
…The Basterds gather: After Christoph Waltz won his Oscar for “Inglourious Basterds,” and Quentin Tarantino lost his, they met in the — where else? — lobby bar. Quentin was accompanied by producer Lawrence Bender; Waltz was with his wife. The four huddled and examined Waltz’s gold statue. Quentin kissed the Austrian actor on each cheek, and a tear ran down his own. It was one of those lovely moments. And Waltz’s acceptance speech was one of the highlights of the night…
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Waltz’s wins everywhere prior to the Oscars meant that the other nominees were there in good faith but with few expectations. One of these was Hollywood legend and famed theater actor Christopher Plummer. The once and always Captain Von Trapp from “The Sound of Music” works consistently, and his work is consistent. He was amazing in Michael Mann’s “The Insider,” playing Mike Wallace. His next stop: He’s going to play Prospero in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” up at Stratford in’Canada. He has two more movies on the way. Isn’t it time for a Lifetime Achievement Award? Hello, Oscars…
