by Sam Juliano
Well, well, well. So in the end those who bashed the Academy for the likely choice of “La La Land” for Best Picture can now take all their shameful conspiracy theories and inane cultural blight crap and bury them. I don’t always agree with the Oscars but I respect them. And this year they chose a great film -Moonlight- one of my own Top 10 of the year as the Best Picture, after that embarrassing envelope snafu that has since been owned up by Price Waterhouse, the accounting firm. And our own insightful voters on this very page last week also chose “Moonlight” as Best Film of the Year. No need for “La La Land” rooters to cry though. The beloved musical copped 6 Oscars including Best Director and Best Actress, and many other awards from critics’ groups.
What a great night we had at the Tiger Hose Firehouse, where 36 guests dropped in and out for the six hour window of the event. Seeing John Grant and his lovely wife Pam drive in all the way from West Milford about one hour away still has Lucille and I gratefully amazed. Great food, great talk, great entertainment, and all things considered a great show with the hair raising conclusion. My 86 year old father is seen from back in bottom photo near center, and John and Pam are in top photo talking with yours truly.
Lucille and I saw a few repeats this week, but also a pretty creative horror film with some comedic elements called GET OUT:
Get Out **** (Saturday night) Ridgefield Park Starplex
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Reblogged this on Noirish and commented:
###Thanks to the party thrown by the extraordinarily generous Sam and Lucille Juliano of the amazing movies’n’otherstuff site Wonders in the Dark, we had a great Oscars Night . . . and too much excellent food. Just as I was realizing I could eat not one mouthful more, along came the homemade chocolate brownies: golly, but they were good.
We chatted with a bunch of people, notably including pal Sam himself, and in the background Oscars got awarded. I was disappointed by the animation picks (the Academy playing it safe) and elated by the foreign-language pick.
John, be rest assured Lucille and I will forever cherish your amazing attendance at the Oscar bash. But you have spoiled us. Now we will be looking for you again and again! Ha! Well, we’ll take it a year at at time. Was so fabulous chatting with you and Pam! And yes the food was great, but sadly the place that made it unexpectedly shut their doors on Tuesday after 31 years of business. But we have other great places in this neck of the woods. Yes, Jillian’s brownie confection turned out divine! I agree the animation pic should have gone to either THE RED TURTLE or KUBO, or even ZUCCHINI, but like you was thrilled Ashgar Farhadi took the foreign film prize. Such a memorable evening! And thank you for sharing it at your site too my friend!
Oh man, I might have flown up if I knew John was going to be up there! Quite a night, very pleasing not just because of the result, but the graciousness and respect. It’s not always about ego.
Speaking of flying up, we will be in the city in early August.
Aaron, having you and your lovely wife there would have taken the joy factor even further! Maybe next time. You will be here in August? Wow!!!! You know well we will be meeting you! That is a given my friend!!! We will touch bases on that well in advance!
Yes the LA LA crew were incredibly gracious. The director was hugging his MOONLIGHT counterpart on stage. So beautiful!
Thank you my friend!
Sam — Without a doubt, these are my favorite type of photographs; the kind where family and friends are gathered with good food and great conversation!
Same here. It was a whole lot of fun, and the photos tell it just like it was: lots of happy chatter, and I do believe it’s possible some people were knocking back beer.
I know there are several in that crowd who like their beer!
Laurie, you really did hit the nail on the head! Getting together with cherished friends is far more gratifying than the telecast that is the excuse for the party. And the photos do say it all indeed.
John, I still can’t get over that astounding attendance of you and Pam! You made the night a real joy!
Ha Ricky, you got that right!
Hey Sam,
I couldn’t stay up late enough to see all the drama of the final award. I did watch the finale on youtube though. I’m glad they corrected the mistake before the show ended. Otherwise it would have been much worse. It’s amazing something like this has actually never happened before. Keeping those envelopes in order seems like problem waiting to happen. I actually thought that Jimmy Kimmel did a good job. I wouldn’t mind seeing him do this again.
I’ve caught up with a few things….
Cameraperson: Really fine documentary….I was moved in ways I wasn’t expecting and the cumulative effect is enlightening. 3.5/4
Don’t Think Twice: Some seem to like this one…..I didn’t. Too many cliches and sappy drivel in the second half. Booooring and unfunny. 2/4
Up this week I’ve got Chevalier and American Honey at home to watch based on your list my friend. Have a great rest of your week!
Jon, first off I will tell you that I too found DON’T THINK TWICE overrated, but I do have some very good friends who I greatly respect who did love it. I liked CAMERAPERSON too, but maybe just a sliver less than you did. Can’t wait to hear about your viewings planned for this week. Like you I also thought Kimmel did a reasonably good job, especially holding things together at the end. You are right that they did in the end rectify the mistake, but I really thought they took too long by allowing three acceptance speeches that were nixed when everyone learned the truth. Thank you so much my friend!
Love the photos Sam! I wish I could have made this party. Everyone must have been going crazy at the very end with that envelope mix up!
Unadulterated chaos, Frank! Still hard to believe such an embarrassing mistake could have happened and that the speeches were still allowed to continue. Thank you my friend!
Mark and I were practically asleep when all the madness began on stage. We have since learned that a single member of the accounting firm was tweeting when he was supposed to be supervising the handing out of the right envelopes. I also heard his position with the film is in jeopardy. I can’t say I have sympathy for him as they are paid big money to get this one matter correct. What a great time you all had. Wonderful photos Sam.
Celeste, you certainly read correctly! The man’s name is Brian Cullinan, and he is in hot water now. A blunder of titanic proportions, that’s for sure. Thank you so much for the kind words my friend!
Sam, I must have missed the poll that you claim was held at the site last week. I would have liked to participate.
Ah, Ricky, I erred. The poll was conducted on my FACEBOOK page. MOONLIGHT won over MANCHESTER BY THE SEA by a single vote. LLL finish third. Thank you my friend.