If you squinted real hard and looked past the Golden Globes construction at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, you would have noticed thousands of flashing lights on the rooftop of a parking structure as cameras captured celebrities arriving at The Art of Elysium’s Third Annual Heaven on Earth Black Tie Gala.
First timers like Juliette Lewis and Kat Von D were excited learn about the organization. “It’s so crazy. Just two days ago I happened to go to the children’s hospital with my friend and I was able to draw with these really awesome kids. It was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done,” Von D told TakePart.
Once inside, it was hard to believe the walls covered in murals created by Shepard Fairey and paintings of butterflies and school buses by The Art Elysium kids once housed parking spots for cars. “I blew some of their original work up and we worked back into those pieces with some of my paints and stencils. It was a really fun collaboration,” Fairey said of working with the kids. More
The People Speak is a new documentary film premiering on HISTORYDecember 13th 8/7c. The film highlights the lives and experiences of ordinary Americans who spoke up for social change throughout history with dramatic performances from their letters, songs, diaries and speeches. Produced by Chris Moore, Matt Damon, Anthony Arnove and Howard Zinn, the film is based on Zinn’s books A People’s History of the United States and Voices of A People’s History. Featured artists include Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, Marisa Tomei, Danny Glover, Bruce Springsteen, and John Legend.
THE PEOPLE SPEAK COLLEGE TOUR is bringing the film's producers and cast members to eight universities across the country for live readings, clip screenings, and in-depth discussion! The college tour begins tonight at Boston University. We will be featuring blogs and videos from students on each campus right here. So be sure to check back in with us!
So, in a much different spirit than my actual Oscar Predictions, comes my list of Oscar Wishes. Basically I am rooting for things that obviously won't win and Milk (which might be able to win some stuff!) It should be pretty obvious that these are wishes simply from the fact that I shut-out awards favorite Slumdog Millionaire. But honestly, that film is ridiculously overrated.
Give a look to who I will be rooting for on Sunday night, let me know if you disagree and be sure to takepart and catch up with our 81 for 81 Oscar series that highlights 81 films that pushed the envelope in terms of content and social change!
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Best Actor in a Leading Role : Sean Penn - Milk.
This may be one of the only categories where my wish matches my prediction.
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I can't support The Reader due to Harvey Weinstein - my sworn enemy - so even though Kate was better I'm rooting for Anne and the far superior Rachel Getting Married. More
So last night I, semi-begrudgingly, dragged myself to the movie theater to see Frost/Nixon - the only Oscar nominated film I hadn't yet seen.
And now I give you my Oscar predictions (soon to be followed by my Oscar wishes). Unfortunately these predictions are based less on my thoughts after viewing the films and more on my thoughts after catching up on the news.
But either way - here goes!
Also- be sure to takepart and catch up with our 81 for 81 Oscar series that highlights 81 films that pushed the envelope in terms of content and social change!
______ Best Actor in a Leading Role : Sean Penn - Milk.
This may be one of the only categories where my wish matches my prediction. Of course Mickey Rourke could come through as his is a story of a comeback and Penn is known to be difficult. But even with that, Penn was amazing and he's been picking up awards form other groups and shows and I think he will pull it off.
______ Best Actress in a Leading Role : Kate Winslet - The Reader
I wish she was nominated for Revolutionary Road, but the fact is she is nominated and that everyone out there knows she deserves an award. Plus, and maybe most importantly, she's got Harvey Weinstein pulling his infamous strings for her. More
When it comes to predicting the Oscars, everyone is an authority. But I will confess straight away that in the past year I have probably seen fewer movies than I have my entire life. And alas looking over the list of nominees I realize that I have seen none, zero, of the films up for consideration for this year's Academy Awards. But I remain undeterred. Predicting the Oscars, after all, isn't about which films or performances you liked or didn't like. It's about reading the tea leaves and feeling which way the wind is blowing. So pull up a chair and get your fill of the most hopelessly uninformed Oscar predictions you will ever read. Hey...it's cheaper than going to a psychic.
What person with a properly functioning heart could possibly root, or vote, against this guy winning the Oscar? Mickey Rourke is one of the most mangled movie stars in the history of motion pictures and has gone through more real drama in his life than he's put up on the screen in his 30 year long career.
2. Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
This one is a no-brainer. Heath Ledger's performance was so universally acclaimed in The Dark Knight that he would have most likely been a lock even if it weren't for the tragedy of his untimely death. More
The Oscar's seem to get more Green every year, and while this year's awards ceremony may not feature Leonardo DiCaprio's Prius, a talk from Al Gore or guidance from the NRDC, there are plenty of efforts under way to make the Academy Awards more sustainable. So, to recognize those eco-efforts, I've created a set of Green Oscar predictions for awards that you won't see anywhere else, but really should.
The Vanity Fair party may be recycling their decorations, and the Governor's Ball will feature local and sustainable food, but nothing beats Global Green USA. Tonight's gathering will benefit the construction of green schools in New Orleans, and feature super celebs like DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Penelope Cruz, Kate Bosworth, Marisa Tomei, Sheryl Crow and the list goes on. For a preview check out Causecast's video:
Hey, it's Academy Award time, soonish! And, like many other people out there on many other websites, we here at TakePart want to share our picks and predictions with you. So, after the jump, see mine! More
I know Gina already wrote an excellent post about the film The Wrestler but I had to share my kudos after seeing the film this weekend.
I loved this movie. Mickey Rourke's portrayal of Randy "The Ram" Robinson was amazing. Randy tries to start a life after wrestling by reconciling with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood) and pursuing a romantic relationship with an exotic dancer (Marisa Tomei). Sadly Randy's attempts are not so successful as the lure of the wrestling life is all he really knows. What I liked most about the film was it was simple yet powerful. Overall, an awesome flick.
I really hope Rourke is nominated for an Oscar. Check out this great interview from ABC News at in which Rourke opens up about the hard times and his huge comeback. It's really inspiring to see an actor go from famous, to forgotten to admired again.
Rosie Perez is talking about her awkward sex scene with John Leguizamo for the movie "The Take". And everyone is talking about Rosie joining "Exit 19" a CBS pilot with Geena Davis. But the most exciting Rosie related news is what she talked about when she spoke at Kutztown University, in Pennsylvania. Rosie told a crowd of over 400 people to "Listen to your hearts and do something about the injustices in the world." Rosie also explained how her own activist spirit launched her career.
My life would not have changed if I didn't have that activist spirit... If I didn't have something inside me that I didn't understand at that time, at 19 years old, that said, "ËœThis is wrong. I'm going to stand up and make this stop by any means necessary.'
What was it that the Brooklyn-native 19 year-old-boricua biochemistry major saw that made her so upset? It involved Spike Lee! More
Our second installation of the TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is here give you the very best of Katie, Nicole, Giulia, Gina and Kerry! More blogs means more to love this Valentine's Day week, and more social action means a healthier and happier world for everyone. Check out our most popular posts of the week, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites.
I agree. I live in a small town as well. I have for several years now wanted to do something to make a difference with our food, children, animals, enviroment, etc. I just don't know where to turn. There has got to be someone or some organization out there to help and guide people like us to help our community. I would be willing to do the "work" if I had some backing. Maybe the right person will see our messages and help. People like us are wanted so bad out there and here we are sitting and waiting. BTW, FOOD, INC IS AWESOME!!!!
The People Speak
When it comes to predicting the 
Hey, it's Academy Award time, soonish! And, like many other people out there on many other websites, we here at TakePart want to share our picks and predictions with you. So, after the jump, see mine! 
I know Gina already wrote an 
Rosie Perez is talking about her awkward sex scene with John Leguizamo for the movie "The Take". And everyone is talking about Rosie joining "Exit 19" a CBS pilot with Geena Davis. But the most exciting Rosie related news is what she talked about when she spoke at 
Katie:
Nicole: 
Giulia:
Gina: 
Kerry:
