Of all the over-hyped, self congratulatory film industry award shows, the Academy Awards ceremony is by far my favorite. The enormous spectacle, the over-the-top effects, the highs and lows of haute couture, the sheer calamity of all that ego in one auditorium -- it is, for me, a feast for the senses. Today, more often than not, I get all dolled up and throw myself an Oscar Party. I recommend you call up your film buff friends and arrange the same.
The Academy Awards ceremony was first held on May 16, 1929 honoring films from 1927 and 1928. The awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the brainchild of Louis B. Mayer, then head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In 2007, the Academy boasted 5,829 voting members. The fetching gold statuette itself was originally called the "Academy Award of Merit," but is commonly known as the Oscar for reasons which remain shrouded in obscurity. The nickname dates back to 1931, and was officially accepted by the Academy in 1939.
This year will mark the 81st Annual Academy Awards with yummy host Hugh Jackman. More than just a pretty face with quite an accomplished singing voice -- but the pressure, oh, the pressure -- it will be interesting to see how he pulls it off. I hope he does well. It's so painful to watch when the host falls down (Chris Rock 2004, Ellen DeGeneres 2006).
And, without further ado, the nominees for best picture (with wine pairings) are:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directed by David Fincher, this film tells the story of little baby Benjamin (Brad Pitt) born horribly afflicted with a myriad of accelerated aging diseases. With few chances of survival, the child is raised by Queenie (Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson) who is, most appropriately, a caretaker at a nursing home. What makes Benjamin curious is that he gets younger with age. Watch him discover life and love from a very different perspective.
For this film, I recommend a German Riesling -- a wine that improves with age, as does glorious Brad Pitt (1963). Try the Balthasar Ress Riesling Kabinett 2007 ($18.95 CDN, $18.49 USD). This wine is so flavorful and robust, with a nose full of ripe apples and a hint of almond. You can lay this one down for up to 5 years.
Frost/Nixon
Directed by the lovable Ron Howard, Frost/Nixon is about a relationship with no love lost -- that of disgraced President Richard Nixon (Oscar nominee Frank Langella) with David Frost (Michael Sheen), a popular 70's television talk show host. Frost offers Nixon $600K for a series of interviews to set the record straight on his presidency and the Watergate scandal that lead to Nixon's 1974 resignation in the face of impeachment. Each man has a hidden agenda. Find out who gets the upper hand.
The meeting of these two men deserves a big, blended wine. Very fruit forward, Australia's J.J. McWilliam's Cabernet Merlot 2007 ($9.95 CDN, $9.00 USD) has elements of ripe cherries and prune. Deep red in color, the palate is full and round with a surprising finish. This entry level wine from McWilliam's offers a solidly cheap and cheerful alternative for any weeknight.
Milk
Acclaimed director Gus Van Sant is magnificent at telling stories of personal struggle and Milk is no exception. Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) was a Gay rights Activist turned politician in the 70's. The movie follows Milk through political trials and triumphs from age 40 until his death. Californian Sean Penn is also up for the best actor nod for his performance, not surprisingly.
Enjoy with another golden state native, the California Series, De Loach Zinfandel 2006 ($15.95 CDN, $11.99 USD). It has big, jammy fruit on the nose and a deep rich color. With traces of black pepper it packs a real zing!
The Reader
What I loved most about this film is how the plot and character development thicken into celluloid molasses. Set in post WWII Germany, this film, directed by Stephen Daldry, masterfully intertwines the lives of Hanna and Michael as what starts out as a twisted but casual inter-generational sexual affair, turns into something much, much more. Hanna's vile past is discovered and the horror of it changes both lives forever.
You'll need a serious wine for this film. Try the Bonny Doon Le Cigar Volant 2004 ($36.95 CDN, $29.99 USD), a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend with powerful flavor, big tannins, concentrated red and black fruit and 14.5 percent alcohol.
Slumdog Millionaire
This captivating film directed by Danny Boyle is at once stunningly beautiful and sometimes horrifyingly violent. It's a story about love, corruption, greed and courage. It's a story of a young orphan growing up in Mumbai with a bad seed for a brother. It's a story about a not-your-average game show contestant. It's a story about how we've come to learn what we know to be true. It's a story about collective hope. It's a must see.
I recommend you really drink this movie in, and enjoy it with your favorite wine, whatever that might be.
May the best film win!
Jill Vanderkooy, Sommelier and certifiable bon vivant, has worked in the wine industry for over 10 years, has been drinking wine for 25 years and is a true devotee of film across all genres. Her liver thanks you for reading.
