It’s Oscar Night!

The night to celebrate Hollywood and the movies.

Once upon a time, I would have seen most (if not all) of the nominated films, actors, and directors…  And I may have gone to, hosted, or – back in my restaurant and hotel days – worked an Oscar Party.  I remember one Oscar party in particular where everyone was supposed to dress up as a movie character.  One guy showed up as an Oscar statue.  Lots of gold and not much more.  He was definitely the hit of the party.  Sweet youth, indeed…

But this year I haven’t seen a one of them.  Nada.  Zero.  Zip.

I still love movies, but I have finally come to realize that I hate multiplexes.  I used to love seeing movies in a grand old theater.  There was a romance about seeing a movie back in the day.  And we went all of the time.

I simply loathe seeing movies in those sterile boxes the movie palaces of old have succumbed to.  And the prices.  It is just not worth it to me, anymore.  If I really want to see a movie – and there’s just not a lot out there that’s grabbing me – I’ll wait for it to hit On Demand.  I can watch them in my PJ’s and hit “pause” to get a snack or go to the bathroom.

It’s so much more civilized.

But I still love the Oscars – not that I really know any of the actors out there, anymore, either.  I guess ya kinda hafta see a movie now and again to know who is starring in them.

My mother was The Movie Trivia Queen of the Universe.   She knew movies, the stars, the directors, the scenes.  Many a night I would call her up to ask about an actor or something and she would rattle off who it was, when the movie was made, character actors, stars, bit players…  And if we were playing Trivial Pursuit, she would roll for those Pink squares.  She knew her Hollywood.

But fast-forward to tonight and I haven’t seen any of them.  I barely know what’s been nominated.  Barely.  And what’s with having TEN films nominated for “Best Picture?!?  C’mon…  Ya think this might be a bit of a merchandising gimmick?!?  “Nominated for Best Picture!”  Yeah…  just like every other movie made in 2010.  I think it cheapens the category a bit.

But I’m not the demographic, anymore.  My opinion really doesn’t matter.

What does matter is having a great dinner as a prelude to the festivities!

Tonight we had a filet roast.  Simply roasted in the oven for 25 minutes. Rare and sliced thick.  A simple pan-sauce of red wine and beef broth, thickened with a bit of cornstarch added that simple je ne sais quoi.
The potatoes were fun.  I took teeny tiny potatoes and sliced them with the food processor.  I then threw them in a skillet with a bit of olive oil and a huge sliced onion.  I slowly sauteed them together until the onions and potatoes were soft and lightly browned.  A bit of a faux Lyonnaise Potato.

Roasted brussels sprouts finished the plate.

Rich and extravagant.  Just as a Hollywood party should be.

And we have a fun dessert planned for later…