Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • March 3, 2010 Oscar predictions (continued from Restaurant page) The one slam dunk this year is in the Best Actor category. The nominees are George Clooney (“Up in the Air”), Colin Firth (“A Single Man”), Morgan Freeman (“Invictus”), Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker”), and Jeff Bridges (“Crazy Heart”). The Best Actor nominee pool is fairly unimpressive, with the exception of Bridges, a well-liked actor who has had a nearly 40-year career and has been consistently good in everything he has done. His broken-down, hard-living country singer Bad Blake is a showcase role, one that is well-written, demands a range of emotions, and portrays an imperfect man trying to put his life and career back on track. Bridges’ vivid performance will win him this year’s Best Actor Oscar. In the Best Director category are a former husband and wife, (James Cameron, “Avatar;” Kathryn Bigelow, “The Hurt Locker”), a second-generation Hollywood director (Jason Reitman, “Up in the Air”), and former video store and nursing agency employees (Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds;” Lee Daniels, “Precious”). The real competition is between Cameron, who helmed the biggest money maker in the history of movies, and Bigelow, who depicted the harrowing work of the men who locate and defuse bombs in Iraq. This is a sort of David and Goliath showdown, and I’m betting on Goliath. “The Hurt Locker” had a limited release and did not capture the public’s attention until it received a Best Picture nomination. My chips are on Cameron, the creative engine who transformed the look of movies. Because he spent years developing new technology and combined it with a solid story, the Academy will vote him Best Director. This year, for the first time since the 1940s, there are 10 nominees in the Best Picture category. Five can be eliminated right away: “An Education,” “A Serious Man,” “Up” (also nominated as Best Animated Feature), “District 9,” and “The Blind Side” have no chance against far stronger competition. Of the five remaining nominees, “Up in the Air” and “Precious” might be winners in other years, but not this one. “Inglourious Basterds” is an amazing achievement, but is too quirky and violent for mainstream Academy voters. That leaves “The Hurt Locker” and “Avatar.” The Oscar vote could go either way. Voters might want to reward a traditional film featuring actors rather than special effects. And “The Hurt Locker” makes no political statement, which might also gain it some votes. It neither condemns nor endorses the war in Iraq, but focuses on people who face death each day. However, very few movies like “Avatar” come along. In story, technology, audience popularity, and emotional impact, it stands head and shoulders above the others. It is the event picture of the year -- perhaps the decade -- and the one that will win Best Picture. izing of such an outwardly unpleasant individual is testament to Simon’s skill at avoiding the application of simple black and white strokes to his characters. Director Michael Bloom successfully blends comedy and drama, humor and pathos with endearing characters, especially Jay and Arty, who come of age and receive an education in relationships and humanity from the other characters. Bloom’s direction is 100 percent on the mark. There is not an awkward moment, a blown dramatic peak, or a false note of any kind. This production of “Lost in Yonkers” is Broadway caliber, if not better. “Lost in Yonkers” will run through March 14. Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 1:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $92 and may be purchased by calling (973) 376-43453, online at www.papermill.org., or at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on Brookside Drive in Millburn. ‘Lost in Yonkers’ (continued from Entertainment page) The audience hears about Grandma before she makes her entrance in Act I. From the descriptions of her, and by the trepidation she instills in Eddie, the expectation is that an imposing, larger-than-life person will walk onto the stage. When Rosemary Prinz hobbles out with her cane, she is more the image of frail old woman than the icy-cold, emotionless powerhouse who was described. Prinz has little dialogue in her early scenes, but commands the stage as other characters slink to the sidelines, their body language indicating they want to be as far away from Grandma as possible without fleeing the apartment. Despite the tales about Grandma, Simon manages to provide insight into her coldness and curious methods of child rearing. The human- ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Unfortunately, you’re 20 ARIES - Mar 21/Apr not very popular this week, Aries. You feel like you’re Unfortunately, you’re not very popular stranded behind enemy lines with this week, Aries. You feel like you’re nothing behind enemy low with stranded but your wits. Laylines for the next few days. nothing but your wits. Lay low for the next few days. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you are the life of TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 the party this week are you’re of the party Taurus, you and the life enjoying the spotlight and you’re enjoying the this weekimmensely. Everyone is supporting immensely. Everyone is supspotlight you so enjoy these moments while you so portingthey last. enjoy these moments while they last. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 GEMINIeven though you feel exposed Gemini, - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, even though you feel exposed and unready to conquer a major oband unready are conquer a major obstacle, you to actually ahead of the stacle, You haveactually ahead of the game. you are nothing to lose, so put game.heart have your work.lose, so put your You into nothing to your heart into your work. CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 CANCER - Jun 22/Jul your extensive Surprise everyone with 22 Surprise everyone with your extensive knowledge and charismatic personalknowledge and charismatic can justify ity, Cancer. Right now you personality, Cancer. Right nowwhat can justify anything. Appreciate you you can do anything. agree with your efforts. do -- others Appreciate what you can -- others agree with your efforts. LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 LEO - Jul 23/Aug know what they can Leos don’t always 23 Leos cannot do. But a realistic awareand don’t always know what they can and cannot do. But a realistic awareness of shortcomings inspires confiness ofin someone who is tired confidence shortcomings inspires of exdence in someone who is tired of excuses. cuses. VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 to for leadOnce again, you are looked Once again, youTuesday presentsleadership, Virgo. are looked to for your ership, challenging day presents your most Virgo. Tuesday yet. Be clear most challenging want yet.accomplish about what you day to Be clear about whatbe successful. accomplish and you’ll you want to and you’ll be successful. LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 LIBRA - Sept eager this week, Libra, If you’re too 23/Oct 23 If you’re too alienate friends and coyou’ll only eager this week, Libra, you’ll only alienate friends and coworkers. Be self-sufficient even as workers. Be self-sufficient Your time you track others’ progress. even as youshine will come soon. Your time to track others’ progress. to shine will come soon. SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 You’re on a roll, Scorpio, and espeYou’re on a roll, Scorpio, and especially make your mark on Thursday. cially make your mark on Thursday. You are a hero, a genius and generally You are a hero, a genius and generally entertaining to many around you. Enentertaining to many around you. Enjoy it. joy it. SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 If pushed too far you might be unable If pushed too far you might be unable to stop this week, Sagittarius. Be careto stop this week, Sagittarius. Be careful what you say before you spit out ful what you say before you spit out words that could get you in trouble. words that could get you in trouble. Take breather -- you need it. Take aabreather -- you need it. CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan 20 CAPRICORN --Dec 22/Jan 20 If your clients or coworkers are smart If your clients or coworkers are smart this week, Capricorn, they’ll give you this week, Capricorn, they’ll give you the final say. Your vision is the perfect the final say. Your vision is the perfect mix of art and emotion, and your touch mix of art and emotion, and your touch deeply affects others. deeply affects others. AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 AQUARIUS --Jan 21/Feb 18 Like so many others these days, you’re Like so many others these days, you’re slave to your reactions, Aquarius. An aaslave to your reactions, Aquarius. An unpredictablemove confuses an oppounpredictable move confuses an opponent, but you already know where the nent, but you already know where the relationship is going. relationship is going. PISCES Feb 19/Mar20 PISCES --Feb 19/Mar20 One way or another you’ll make One way or another you’ll make aa name for yourself this week, Pisces. name for yourself this week, Pisces. You attract people who like controYou attract people who like controversy. versy. Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle Answer to Last Week’s Puzzle