LOS ANGELES -- The stars aligned for Slumdog Millionaire, literally. This weekend, a parade of Hollywood actresses almost unanimously cited Slumdog as their choice at tonight's Oscars.
"My heart goes to Slumdog Millionaire," Andie MacDowell told Sun Media at the super-chic Mont Blanc event for UNICEF at Paramount Pictures on Friday. "This movie will be remembered forever."
MacDowell also has a favourite in the best supporting actress category: "I really hope Penelope Cruz wins. I just love that scene from Vicky Cristina Barcelona when she fights with Javier Bardem!"
Model-actress Lauren Hutton, a committed social activist, said she was moved by Danny Boyle's masterpiece: "I visited the slums of Jakarta, Mumbai, Rio and Nairobi. His movie is realistic and raises awareness." Meanwhile, she voted for Kate Winslet as best actress for The Reader.
Eva Longoria, a charmer on the red carpet, went the Cruz route as supporting actress: "I really wish Penelope wins. It's her turn. I'm gonna light a candle today for her."
Milla Jovovich, sporting a funky hairstyle made of feathers, says she's proud of all nominated actresses: "It was a good year for women in cinema, but I've got to say that Kate Winslet in The Reader was a goddess."
Some celebrity guests refused to weigh in, however. Emily Blunt, Lucy Liu and Reese Witherspoon would not stop to talk on the red carpet. Marcia Cross and Sienna Miller just posed for photographs. "I'm not good at multi-tasking," Miller quipped.
Burlesque star Dita Von Teese, back from a Crazy Horse gig in Paris, said her Oscar vote is a curse. "For me, Oscar week is like taking some time off. I haven't seen any movie nominated. Anyways, any actor I vote for never wins."
PRINCELY: The Artist formerly and still known as Shy wasn't taking any questions, either. Prince, with a bodyguard, limped past your Sun Media correspondents at Vanity Fair's Hollywood Dominos party in the Andaz West Hollywood late Friday. Looking fragile and forlorn, he sat alone for five minutes, legs crossed, while the bodyguard fended off intruders. Prince then quietly limped out, taking refuge in a protected area hotel security carved out for him.
FORECAST: Not that anyone in frosty Canada cares, but the L.A. forecast calls for warm temperatures and only "a slight chance of showers" during the Oscars.
FRAUD FOR FOOLS: Calling it "a complete fraud," Academy Awards spokespeople have dismissed the viral list of 2009 Oscar winners contaminating the Internet. This should come as no surprise to anyone with a brain. Academy president Sid Ganis, whose name is on the phony "leaked" winners list, does not yet know the winners. And he won't until the rest of us do when the envelopes are opened on stage. So don't believe everything you read ... except in Sun Media.
DIAL-A-JOKE: Acerbic British comic Ricky Gervais is proud of his potential influence on the Oscar show. He has been advising the host in the art of funny, he says on his personal blog (www.rickygervais.com): "Hugh Jackman called me again for another brainstorming session about the Oscars," Gervais writes. "He called me out of the blue a couple of weeks ago and said he wanted me to write some gags for him. We've spoken a few times and we've come up with some funny ideas, I think. It's difficult for me because it's so mainstream, and 90 percent of everything that comes into my head is unsuitable. He's great, though. He seems to have no ego at all. Nice bloke. Hope he does well."
Gervais also told BBC Radio this week he does not want any of the dubious credit for influencing the host if Jackman bombs. And he jokingly questions why he isn't hosting: "It's 'cause he's handsome, isn't it," he laughed. "I'm like Cyrano de Bergerac. I'm the freak in the bushes giving him all the good lines."
RUMOUR HAS IT: Add Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Reese Witherspoon to the list of rumoured Oscar presenters. Robert Pattinson is "confirmed" for the delight of tween viewers staying up late. Beyonce Knowles, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, M.I.A., Queen Latifah and both Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper of Mamma Mia! are among rumoured performers. Anne Hathaway is widely thought ready to help Jackman open the show. Judd Apatow may do a homage to comedy. Jessica Biel, host of the Scientific and Technical Awards Feb. 7, will be there to recap these special Oscars. Jerry Lewis is getting an honourary award, so he will be on hand to say something outrageous.
Most notable among rumoured stars is Aniston, given that her ex, Brad Pitt, is a nominee and so is Aniston's romantic nemesis, Angelina Jolie. Wonder if Aniston vote for either of them.
