The Oscars Countdown

L.A. Is Abuzz With All Things Oscar

(AP)  IRISH ALLIANCE: After running through his lines on the Kodak Theatre stage Friday morning, Colin Farrell joined a handful of stand-ins and other Oscar workers to watch a rehearsal of "Falling Slowly," the nominated song from the Irish indie film "Once."

Wearing a torn T-shirt topped with a vest and blazer, his shaggy hair tucked under a gray fedora, the Irish actor tapped his toes as the film's stars, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, played their original ballad.

Hansard, cradling the same beat-up acoustic guitar featured in the film, sat on a stool in front of Irglova's grand piano. The two shared a smile as the full sound of the Oscar orchestra rose up behind them.

When the song ended, Farrell bounded onto the stage to greet Hansard with a hug. Academy Awards producer Gil Cates chatted with the two Dubliners, and Farrell joked that he would "do some accent work tonight" so his Irish lilt would be show-ready.

"By Sunday I'll have the accent down," he said.

STARS IN SNEAKERS: They'll don designer tuxedoes and gowns on Sunday, but stars dressed down for weekday rehearsals at the Kodak Theatre.

Denzel Washington wore sneakers, track pants and a backward ballcap as he ran through his lines Thursday afternoon. Veteran stage manager Dency Nelson guided him through the two-minute rehearsal before sending him on his way with a friendly "See you Sunday."

A ponytailed, makeup-free Hilary Swank embodied superstar casual chic in a silky white blouse, skinny black pants and towering high heels. She stepped on stage, read through her lines and quickly disappeared into the Kodak commotion.

OSCAR NOMINATIONS EQUALS PARTY TIME: Everyone loves recognition from their peers, and actors, directors and film execs are no exception. That's why for many in Hollywood, Oscar week is party week.

Paramount Vantage toasted its nominees - best-actor favorite Daniel Day-Lewis, "There Will Be Blood" writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson and "Into the Wild" supporting actor Hal Holbrook, among others - with a private dinner-and-drinks soiree Thursday night at the week-old STK restaurant in West Hollywood.

John C. Reilly, Sissy Spacek, Maya Rudolph and celebrated cinematographer Roger Deakins joined the nominated guests, nibbling on tuna tartare, mini steak sandwiches and oversized french fries. Day-Lewis, wearing a tan leather jacket and a woven fedora, was all smiles as he shook hands with fans.

Fox Searchlight was set to fete its nominees - including "Juno" director Jason Reitman, screenwriter Diablo Cody and star Ellen Page - with a dinner Friday at the same new hotspot. The festivities continue Saturday with Jeffrey Katzenberg's annual "Night Before" party, which benefits the Motion Picture & Television Fund and typically draws an A-list crowd.

BRING ON THE BLING: The red carpet wouldn't be complete without oodles of jewels, and stars and stylists have their pick of the bling during Oscar time.

Costume designer and sometime stylist Sophie de Rakoff stopped by Neil Lane's jewelry showroom in Beverly Hills on Thursday afternoon to select diamonds for Maya Rudolph, who was set to accompany her longtime partner, writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson, to Sunday's ceremony.

"The jewelry is as important as the dress," said de Rakoff, who picked out three possible pairs of earrings and a set of stackable diamond bangles.

Rudolph will choose from 20-karat leaf-shaped dangles, 20-karat chandeliers and 15-karat teardrop-shaped earrings. Average price: $45,000 a pair.

In Hollywood's golden age, actresses wore their own jewelry to events, Lane said. But Rudolph, like most red-carpet beauties, is borrowing the pricey gems.

"A star could not buy enough jewelry to accessorize every red carpet she does," Lane said. "Now because everything is a fashion statement, everything is an accessory to be looked at. Every detail is looked at. If she wore that (piece) last time, she'd get ridiculed."

De Rakoff, whose costume-design credits include "Legally Blonde," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "All About the Benjamins," considers Lane her go-to diamond guy.

"In Hollywood," the jeweler said, "it's all about relationships."

[kevin67a-2009]

It''s enjoyable to see the hypocrisy of the anti-military leftists worshipping a statuette holding a sword.

"If you''re 20 and not a liberal, you don''t have a heart. If you''re 30 and not a Conservative, you don''t have a brain."

[ssm9451]

Daniel Day-Lewis was do good in, "There Will Be Blood"!! Hope he gets his oscar. Awesome actor!

[sinibaldi1]

Perception of love.

In a pensive
pigeon, and near
the colour of
a perpetual land,
there''s a resolute
sound now
reflecting a savour
of love, that
greeting and the
delicate prudence.

Francesco Sinibaldi

[keithle1]

It''s not about acting & the movie business for the ladies. It''s all about:

"Who are you wearing? Twirl for us!"

ATTENTION MUST BE PAID