Jason Binn’s DuJour magazine-sponsored cocktail party for Simon Aboud’s new movie couldn’t have been nicer. Held in the 2nd floor ballroom of the very ritzy new Park Hyatt Hotel on West 57th (across from Carnegie Hall), the party was catered with a slider bar on one side of the room and a risotto station with hand sliced black truffles on the opposite end.

The crowd was swanky and included a lot of Sir Paul’s family including photographer daughter Mary (she’s married to Simon) as well as brother in law John Eastman and wife Jody, their son Lee, who is also Paul’s attorney with his dad, Paul’s son James, the musician; and niece Louise. The late Linda Eastman McCartney must have been smiling down from heaven.

And while all the talk was of Simon’s movie “This Beautiful Fantastic,” which will be released in the US in February by Samuel Goldwyn Company, the growing number of guests were hoping for a Sir Paul sighting.

They got one, alright: Sir Paul and wife Nancy Shevell arrived around 7pm, walked right into the room without fanfare or a bodyguard, and were immediately overwhelmed by a tsunami of well wishers. Before Paul could even see his daughter or son in law, or anyone, he looked like he turned white. In less than four minutes, the McCartneys exited the Park Hyatt. Was it the crowd rushing him? Or the deejay who immediately switched to “Say Say Say” as flashbulbs started popping? That error alerted everyone that Paul was in the room!

The story has a happy ending: Paul and Nancy went downtown to the actual screening on West 23rd St. where they walked the red carpet, took photos on the step and repeat, and hung out under calmer conditions. The movie got a thumbs up from the audience– among its stars is Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil on “Downton Abbey.”

By the way: like sister Stella and mom Linda, Mary McCartney is an absolute doll, very much a real person and totally delightful. No surprise– the McCartney- Eastmans have always been a fun, friendly, classy gang!

photo courtesy of Jason Binn Instagram

EXCLUSIVE Past Oscar nominee and likely 2017 winner Viola Davis got an especially thrilling congrats last week after winning the Critics Choice Award of Best Supporting Actress in “Fences.” She tells me the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, sent her a huge bouquet of roses with this card: “From one natural woman to another.”

“Oh my god,” Viola said, a sentiment echoed by her producer husband Julius Tennon. “You should see these flowers. I couldn’t believe it!” We talked last night at Tavern on the Green at the New York “Fences” premiere party after a wildly successful screening at the Rose Room in Jazz at Lincoln Center. Director-star Denzel Washington was there with the entire cast. Guests ran the gamut from Phylicia Rashad and Ruben Santiago Hudson to Michael Moore.

Aretha was inspired by Davis’s speech accepted the #SeeHer award and the. She said: “I’ve always discovered the heart of my characters by asking ‘why?’ I truly believe that the privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. I just recently embraced that at 51.”

Davis is a hot as a pistol right now thanks to “Fences” and her hit TV show “How to Get Away with Murder.” Viola is so hot that I can tell you exclusively that Meryl Streep is presenting her with a Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 5th, three days before the Golden Globes.

“Fences” opens Christmas Day, and it’s poised for a nice box office take and many Oscar nominations. Seeing it again last night, I was blown away by the August Wilson play which has been adapted and opened up for film. Washington has done a remarkable job. But it’s the performances by every cast member that are heart-rending. Davis is already being talked about like crazy. But Denzel Washington is no slouch. As Troy Maxson, Denzel is on screen most of the time. He is ferociously invested in Troy, revealing him in ways that elevate “Fences” to the venerated status of “Death of a Salesman.” We are witnessing a classic in the making.

Paramount is on fire, too– “Fences,” “Silence,” “Arrival” are all in the Oscar mix along with “Florence Foster Jenkins.” Three months ago everyone feared for Paramount. Now everyone wants to come to their parties. Ah, Hollywood.

photo c2016 Showbiz411 by Paula Schwartz

Good news for Paramount: Martin Scorsese’s “Silence,” which opens on Friday, has a 96 rating on Rotten Tomatoes. There are 27 positive reviews and only one negative one. (Imagine being the one guy who doesn’t get this amazing movie!)

But I keep getting these Oscar prediction updates from places like GoldDerby.com. These sites have turned the Oscars into a kind of 24/7 game. They are often way off the mark and not in touch with the Academy. On these sites, so far “Silence” has not emerged in any form. The leaders of the guessing game are “Manchester by the Sea,” “La La Land,” and “Moonlight.” All of this is based on critics’ awards from across the country.

“Silence” was screened too late for those groups, and too late for the Golden Globes and Critics Choice. So Paramount and Scorsese are rolling the dice for the Oscars. With the right campaigns, they should do very very well. I have to put “Silence” at the top of my list for 2016, followed by those other three already mentioned, plus “Lion,” “Fences,” “Arrival,” “20th Century Women,” “Hell or High Water,” and “Sully.”

Andrew Garfield gives a far better performance– more nuanced, better written, much deeper– in “Silence” than he does in “Hacksaw Ridge.” I hope Academy voters really watch him in “Silence.” Of course, it’s hard to beat Casey Affleck or Denzel Washington this year, but at least let’s get Garfield’s better work in there.

Also watch for Liam Neeson as a supporting actor nod in “Silence.” Mahershala Ali is already the front runner in Supporting Actor for “Moonlight.” He’s certainly my choice. But I’d like to see Neeson, as well as Dev Patel (Lion), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), and Lucas Hedges (Manchester). Also not to be forgotten: Mykelti Williamson and Stephen Henderson from “Fences.” Brilliant work.

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow kept “Star Wars” fans from “Rogue One” this weekend.

US total: $155 million.

International total: $290 million.

“Rogue One” is the 12 biggest debut of all time. And the 2nd biggest December opening of all time.

Meantime, Will Smith did have his worst opening ever with $7 million. “Collateral Beauty” couldn’t even get a loan from the audience.

Doing well among Oscar faves: “La La Land,” “Manchester.” Struggling: “Lion,” “Jackie.” “Lion” needs a wider release, an ad campaign and a PR blitz. Great movie but needs support. “Jackie” — surprised that it’s not doing better.

“Moonlight” is also stalling out. I think it’s a limited audience for an excellent movie. They will still get Best Picture, and Supporting Actor and Actress noms. I pray that A24 puts some muscle into “20th Century Women” and Annette Bening. This should be her year. I love Mike Mills’ movie!