A Guide To The Oscars
The Academy Awards has an 80-year history of commemorating the talents of the film industry. Over the years, categories have been added and special awards have been received, but the gala event provides the public with a chance to view excerpts of nominated movies, see live performances of nominated sound tracks, catch a glimpse of Hollywood stars and join in the celebration of determining the best of the best for that year.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, developed in 1927, is a professional honour society encouraging excellence in the industry and commemorating those who exemplify Academy standards. Individuals are invited to become members, which are comprised of actors, directors, producers and other film making artists. Besides nominating potential award candidates, the Academy is involved with numerous industry fields, including film preservation and new technology projects.
Prior to the awards ceremony, the statuettes are cast. Each Oscar stands 34.3 cm tall and weighs 3.85 kg. The statue is constructed of britannium, plated with 24 karat gold, and attached to a marble base. The figure is a crusading knight holding a sword, standing atop a movie reel with 5 spokes that represent the original branches of the Academy, namely actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. The statue was originally called the Academy Award of Merit until the 1930’s when a librarian remarked that it bared an uncanny resemblance to her Uncle Oscar. The nickname was mentioned in a Hollywood article and started to catch on; the name was officially adopted by the Academy in 1939.
Five nominees are selected in each category from a list of the year’s possible candidates. The nominees are first compiled on a list as producers or distributors submit an Official Screen Credits to the Academy for consideration. In the first month of the new year, the list and a ballot are sent to members of the Academy, who must choose five candidates in each category. Each member votes within his/her area of specialty. Actors vote for other actors and directors vote for other directors, but the best picture category is determined by all members. Likewise foreign films or documentaries are voted on by specially formed groups.
Once the ballots are completed and returned they are sent to an accounting firm for secret tabulation. The Academy then holds a press conference to disclose the names of the nominees. Again members of the Academy are sent ballots to vote on a winner in each category. The ballots are again returned and submitted to the accounting firm for secret tabulation.
In preparation for the event, hundreds of individuals are employed as artists, chefs, carpenters, cameramen, musicians and technicians who perform numerous tasks including constructing the stage, feeding the staff, developing visual and audio effects, and formulating all the details of the event known as the Oscars.
Top 10 attractions and activities in Bangkok
Visiting Bangkok soon? There’s plenty more to this city than traffic congestion and massage parlours. In fact this happening Asian city is one of the region’s most visited and offers up a host of great value and culturally rich experiences. Here are 10 of my favourite recommendations for spending a few days in the Thailand capital.
1. Jim Thompson’s House
This stunning teak house, now a museum, was built by silk industry legend Jim Thompson. A colourful American character, he made his home in Thailand after developing a love for the country and its people when he was stationed here during WWII. Before his mysterious disappearance in the late 1960s, he had completed this magical home and successfully revived Thailand’s silk industry. Visitors can tour the house that was once the talk of the town, see some of his personal belongings and read allegations about what happened on his fateful vacation to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.
2. Patpong
While this red light district attracts plenty of sex tourists who come for just one thing, it has a wide appeal to many types of tourist. Aside from the rows of go-go bars offering a menu of delights, there are lots of regular cafés that make for great people-watching. Shoppers will want to hit the night market which sells everything from cheap CDs and watches to fake designer handbags. You may be accosted by bar touts while you are browsing, but most of them are not too persistent and there is a friendly, harmless atmosphere. If you don’t want to spend your night watching naked ladies dancing, there are many nightclubs and live music venues that do not provide any ‘extra’ services.
3. Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
While the Grand Palace is little used by royalty today, its adjacent neighbour, Wat Phra Kaew, is probably the most visited temple in the country and certainly a must-visit on any break to Bangkok. Housing the Emerald Buddha statue and some intricate murals, the temple is the site of many significant Buddhist religious ceremonies. Visitors must cover their legs and arms before they will be allowed entry, so make sure you dress appropriately.
4. Wat Arun
This temple was most significant during the height of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, but it experienced a fall in visitors after the capital was moved down the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok’s current location. Having experienced a revival, the temple is once again one of the most visited in the country, and sits nestled between six Chinese-style pavilions on the riverbank. Its most unusual feature is its Khmer-style tower which has depictions of Chinese soldiers and animals as well as a statue of the Indian god Indra. The tiny pieces of cut glass and seashells used to adorn the tower glisten in the sun. The temple was briefly home to the Emerald Buddha statue before it was moved to Wat Phra Kaew.
5. Shopping
Bangkok’s latest glitzy addition to its super-malls is Siam Paragon, a designer lover’s paradise, with every outlet from Gucci to Louis Vuitton represented. But if your budget doesn’t allow for such luxury, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. Siam Paragon’s neighbour, Siam Discover Centre has a popular bookshop and some home decorating outlets, while nearby Siam Square has a number of specialist boutiques mainly selling clothing and music. Within walking distance is MBK, a vast mall with hundreds of shops and bargains. The cheapest deals however can be found at Pratuman Market, where the biggest problem you will have afterwards will not be your bank balance, it will be getting all your purchases home.
6. Khao San Road
This backpacker’s mecca has been popular with travellers for decades and provides a lively, if noisy, atmosphere for those passing through the capital. Lined with cheap guesthouses, restaurants and bars, visitors can shop here by day and party here by night. It is also a good place to shop for hippy-style clothes, jewellery and CDs, while dozens of travel agents offer inexpensive tickets to onward destinations. If you want to meet other fellow travellers, this is the place.
7. Chatuchak Market
This vast weekend market is a day out in itself. Get here early and make your way through the little alleys, picking up bargains along the way. By afternoon, the markets gets very crowded and expect to be pushed, shoved and tugged at as you hot-foot it around. But if the heat and crowds get too much, rest up at one of the inexpensive food stalls before a second round. With everything from puppies to books and plants to clothing, whatever you are looking for, you are guaranteed to find it here. Be careful you don’t loose your friends as you shop; it’s easy to get lost here!
8. Muay Thai Boxing
This martial art is passionately followed by Thais who like nothing more than to watch two opponents battle it out with lethal swings and crushing kicks. While at first this may not seem like the ideal way to spend you evening, the electric crowds and charged atmosphere is contagious, making for a great night out. Tickets are sold in three tiers, depending how close you want to be, and fights are held almost nightly. Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen stadiums are the most popular venues and tickets can be bought on the door.
9. Lumpini Park
Bangkok is a busy city and if you find yourself in need of tranquility, you won’t have far to go. Lumpini Park lies at the heart of the city, and is an oasis of calm. Visitors can paddle their way around the lake and its canals on a rented peddle-boat, or alternatively lounge in the shade of palm trees. There are also a few architectural attractions within the park including a Chinese-style clock tower, Thai Lanna and Chinese pavilions, a variety of sculptures, a children’s play park and a rest area.
10. Dreamworld
If you think Bangkok sightseeing is all about ancient temples and palaces, you are wrong! This exciting adventure theme park is a break from tradition and is the ideal daytrip for those with children. Alongside heart-stopping roller coasters, there are relaxing theme gardens, replicas of famous landmarks, live shows and performances and even a cable car. Easily accessible by public transport or by car, the park is conveniently situated within proximity of the city centre.
By: Andy Burrows
World Cup 2010 – Classy Uruguay overpower hosts
South Africa’s hopes of reaching the World Cup knock-out stages were left hanging by a thread after Diego Forlan scored twice in Uruguay’s 3-0 win over the host nation in their Group A meeting in Pretoria.
Forlan silenced the home fans at Loftus Versfeld Stadium when he drilled a shot over the home goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune from 30 yards with the ball deflecting off Aaron Mokoena on 23 minutes.
The night got worse for the home fans on 80 minutes when Khune was rightly sent off for a late two-footed tackle on Luis Suarez only five yards from goal.
Forlan endured a five-minute wait until Moeneeb Josephs’s arrival before he could take the penalty, but he slammed the ball high to the substitute keeper’s right.
Alvaro Pereira nodded the third from Suarez’s cross seconds before the end to complete an overwhelming and deserved victory for the South American side, who displayed a cutting edge missing in the 0-0 draw with France in their opening match.
South Africa must beat France in their final group match to keep alive their hopes of a place in the last 16. Uruguay will probably require only a draw against Mexico to progress.
Uruguay made a sharp opening, playing with a three-pronged attack that saw Forlan sit slightly deeper with Suarez, Edinson Cavani and Pereira operating in a fluid attacking format.
Uruguay were first to threaten when Forlan attempted a free-kick from 25 yards. Steven Pienaar, who was later sacrificed to make way for Josephs, charged it down too early.
The Everton player was booked before Forlan’s second effort was hit straight at the wall. The danger signs were already there for South Africa, but they failed to heed the warning.
The visiting players continued to push. Jorge Fucile meandered up a flank, but he couldn’t get hold of a shot and the ball failed to trouble Khune in the home goal.
Some more nice play between Forlan and Suarez allowed the Ajax player to win space, but he was off balance and the ball flew harmlessly wide.
South African’s Bongani Khumalo got his head on a free-kick, but could not direct it goalwards as the home side struggled to make any telling impression on the visiting goal.
Forlan silenced the large crowd and their blaring vuvuzelas when he thumped an effort into the net before racing to celebrate with the delighted Uruguayan bench.
It marked the end of a long wait for a first World Cup goal by a member of the Forlan family: Diego’s father Pablo Forlan was selected for the 1966 World Cup squad, but didn’t play in England. He played in three 1974 matches without scoring.
Diego failed to score in one 2002 World Cup match and in the 2010 opener against France, but this was worth the wait.
He would soon have a second as Uruguay continued to leave at least two men up at all times, which was commendable.
Kagisho Dikgacoi was booked for a late foul on Suarez. He will miss the final group match against France, an occasion that may be South Africa’s final fling at these finals.
Khune was sent off after he brought down Suarez with his feet and Forlan punished the 10 men with an expert penalty.
They completed the job deep in injury time. Forlan was again involved in a lovely move before Suarez turned provider for Pereira to net.
Some of the home supporters had already been spilling out of the ground and their team, despite not lacking heart, may soon be emptied out of their home tournament.
South Africa face a fraught finish to avoid becoming the first host nation to fail to progress beyond the first round.
Match Facts
South Africa v Uruguay
Goals 0-3
1st Half Goals 0-1
Shots on Target 3-6
Shots off Target 16-3
Blocked Shots 5-9
Corners 3-4
Fouls 13-10
Offsides 3-2
Yellow Cards 2-2
Red Cards 1-0
Passing Success 86.5%-70%
Tackles 16%-25%
Tackles Success 87.5%-79.1%
Possession 57.6%-42.4%
Territorial Advantage 50.5%-49.5%
Eurosport
Source: YAHOO! SPORT