Congratulations to Jennifer Hudson for winning her well-deserved Oscar for Dreamgirls, and pulling off a great performance during the ceremony. I was disappointed they didn’t do “It’s All Over” and “And I Am Telling You”, but the medley they did of the nominated songs was great. As expected, Jennifer and Anika made Beyonce sound like a hummingbird. Wonder how Matthew Knowles feels about his daughter losing out on an Oscar to an amateur actress/American Idol reject, and getting reduced to a common back up singer in the performance. Beyonce looked genuinely happy for Jennifer, but the look on Papa Knowles’ face when J. Hud became an Academy Award winner was priceless. Watch her speech now.

I must say though, as much as I hate on Beyawnce, she looked gorgeous last night. Her dress on the red carpet and her performance dress were some of the best of the night. She was probably the best right behind Helen Mirren, Cate Blanchett, and Naomi Watts.

Here’s their performance:

I was both shocked and pissed that Eddie Murphy lost the Oscar to Alan Arkin. The Supporting Actor category was a weak one this year, and Eddie’s performance in Dreamgirls was not only the best of his career, but far above the other nominated performances. Some are speculating Norbit hurt his chances. I think it has more to do with him being a comedic actor. It’s sad really.

Either way, Eddie Murphy and his date Tracey Edmonds left the ceremony promptly after he lost.

I was glad Martin Scorcese finally got his Oscar, and that The Departed won Best Picture. I would’ve killed myself if Babel was named the best film of the year. Very happy that Helen got hers, though it would’ve been interesting to see an upset in that category, and then of course as expected, Forest Whitaker took home his Oscar gold for his haunting performance in The Last King of Scotland.

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In non-awards related news, Justin Timberlake’s new movie Black Snake Moan with Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson is releasing soon, and I guess they need serious promotion so they have leaked the sex scene from the film to the internet. They would’ve been better off not leaking it at all, because at least you could’ve imagined seeing something hot and would’ve gone to see the movie out of curiousity. Instead, you’re just disappointed.

You don’t get to see anything interesting (sorry, no Justin booty), and the sex is over after like 15 seconds. Almost as boring as Beyonce performing a ballad.

Either way, if you wanna see the scene, you can view it here.

We all know J Hud’s gonna take home the Oscar tonight. She’s won every other award under the sun, and the competition is weak. So in honor of what I know will be her first Oscar at tonight’s telecast, I bring you the amazingness that is Jennifer Hudson.

Good luck tonight Jennifer and Eddie!

Apparently the cast of Dreamgirls, including Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, and Keith Robinson, are slated to perform a medley at the Oscars. I’m pretty sure there’s only two songs all of them sing together in the movie, one of which sucks, and the other is “It’s All Over”, the song that comes right before “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”. Which means….J Hud’s going to blow your fucking WIGS off, bitches! Get that Oscar, girl!
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The gays are about to start a revolution in hip-hop, and bring homosexuality to the forefront of the rap genre. Time will tell if this community will be in any way accepting of these performers–gay rappers have been trying to make it in the business for years, unsuccessfully. I remember seeing a Logo special about some of these rappers a while back, and it was pretty interesting. With the Tim Hardaway mess sparking debate about the acceptance of homosexuality in the African-American community, this might be the perfect time to strike while the iron is hot.
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In Desperate Housewives news, Marc Cherry confirmed what I already knew anyway based on what Eva Longoria told us a while back, that Desperate Housewives will have a 7 year maximum run, and will end in 2011. He apparently got a deal where he is being paid well over 15 million dollars for the entire series run, which is more than what Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy is getting paid for the remainder of his show’s run on F/X.

Additionally, my favorite Housewives star Marcia Cross gave birth to two healthy twin babies on Tuesday, and her reps say both her and the babies are doing perfectly fine. They named them Eden and Savannah (they were both girls). Can’t wait to see you back on Housewives next season Marcia!
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In other ABC related news, apparently a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off is in the works that will star Dr. Addison Montgomery-Shepherd (played by the lovely and talented Kate Walsh). The two-hour pilot is likely to air in May. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Taye Diggs is slated to star opposite Walsh, as Dr. Montgomery-Shepherd is on the verge of leaving Seattle Grace.

I love Addison and I love Kate, so I think it’d be a great idea. I just don’t think I have any more room in my Tivo.

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Katharine McPhee is hosting TRL all this week to promote her self-entitled debut album and her new song and video “Over It”, but she also managed to pencil in some time to sit on Tyra’s couch and it resulted in this crazy picture that’s turning heads.

Katharine’s appearance on the Tyra show will be airing on February 27th. Tune in if you wanna live vicariously through Tyra’s hands or Katharine’s boobies.

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Christina Aguilera opened the North American leg of her Back to Basics tour last night in Dallas, Texas to a 95% sold out stadium, and she’s received rave reviews.

The Houston Chronicle said “If Madonna is still the mother of reinvention, Christina Aguilera is the prodigal daughter. Aguilera is no mere copycat. She takes essential pieces from other performers, other sounds, other eras and blends them into her own sexy style. A fantastic horn section and backing singers supported her every riff. While her former teen-queen counterparts have languished as tabloid fodder (bald Britney, jittery Jessica), Aguilera has emerged as the one true heir to the pop-queen throne.”

I’m hoping I can go to the Madison Square Garden show, but I must find someone to take with me first. Anybody?

Hey guys, sorry I haven’t posted in a while, I’ve been on vacation. But yes, I have seen the Oscar nominations, and suffice it to say I am truly pissed. I have two words. Mark. Wahlberg. WTF?

I have more things to say about this year’s nominations including the Dreamgirls snub for Best Picture, but I’ll save it for either tomorrow or Monday when I have more time and energy to post.

For now, here are the nominations for those who haven’t seen them.

UPDATE: Okay, it’s finally time for me to weigh in on this year’s Oscar nominations. Suffice it to say they’re pretty boring this year. Even more boring than last year…which I know is saying a lot.

Best Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio in “Blood Diamond” (Warner Bros.)
Ryan Gosling in “Half Nelson” (THINKFilm)
Peter O’Toole in “Venus” (Miramax, Filmfour and UK Council)
Will Smith in “The Pursuit of Happyness” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Forest Whitaker in “The Last King of Scotland” (Fox Searchlight)

Pretty much expected. If DiCaprio were nominated here for The Departed, he might actually have a chance at winning, but once I saw the words “Blood Diamond”, I knew Whitaker had this award wrapped up like a damn Christmas gift. Glad to see Ryan Gosling here though. Maybe somehow he could pull an upset and turn this snoozefest into a shocker.

Best Actress

Penélope Cruz in “Volver” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Judi Dench in “Notes on a Scandal” (Fox Searchlight)
Helen Mirren in “The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)
Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada” (20th Century Fox)
Kate Winslet in “Little Children” (New Line)

Same as Best Actor. All of these nominations were expected. Once again, Kate Winslet is nominated in a year where she has no chance of winning–given the competition. But she’s young, she’ll finally get her Oscar someday. This race is between Mirren, Streep, and Dench, with Mirren clearly having the edge over the other two.

Best Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin in “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
Jackie Earle Haley in “Little Children” (New Line)
Djimon Hounsou in “Blood Diamond” (Warner Bros.)
Eddie Murphy in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Mark Wahlberg in “The Departed” (Warner Bros.)

How Mark Wahlberg made it in here instead of Jack Nicholson or…anyone else really..I don’t understand. Maybe Warner Bros. should’ve campaigned Matt Damon’s performance as Supporting or something..I don’t know. I’ve just never been more puzzled by a nomination in my life. He did a good job with his role, but not only is it REALLY small, it’s nothing special. Neither is Jack Nicholson’s performance, but it was certainly better than Mark’s. Everyone else in this category is a deserved nominee, but I think Eddie Murphy’s gonna run away with this one, and he should.

Best Supporting Actress

Adriana Barraza in “Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)
Cate Blanchett in “Notes on a Scandal” (Fox Searchlight)
Abigail Breslin in “Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls” (DreamWorks and Paramount)
Rinko Kikuchi in “Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Babel is the most overrated movie this year and the performances are just as overrated. Rinko Kikuchi’s performance is the only once even possibly worthy of some buzz and even hers doesn’t live up to the greatness of her fellow nominees’, but alas, this category was a weak one this year. I would’ve rather seen Sharon Stone’s performance from Bobby be in Barraza’s spot, but the movie was so critically panned she didn’t have a chance. Looks like Dreamworkd/Paramount was smart to campaign Jennifer as supporting–because at this point her name is already inscribed on the Oscar statuette. The other nominees need not attend.

Best Picture

“Babel” (Paramount and Paramount Vantage)
“The Departed” (Warner Bros.)
“Letters from Iwo Jima” (Warner Bros.)
“Little Miss Sunshine” (Fox Searchlight)
“The Queen” (Miramax, Pathé and Granada)

Seeing the Dreamgirls snub was definitely the biggest shock after seeing Mark Wahlberg’s name on the list. Maybe it was backlash from all the hype around a flawed film, maybe it was the lack of big Blockbuster box office success, maybe it was racism against a movie with an all black cast (Color Purple anyone?), or maybe it was all three. Who knows. But at least this means one thing–Beyonce will NOT be attending. Or at least I hope so. After that trashy display at the Golden Globes, I’m afraid to see what Drag number she’ll pull out of a clearance bin for the Oscars.

I already knew this would happen anyway, as those I know who are very knowledgeable about the Oscars already told me that the rules only allowed for three statuettes, but now it’s set in stone: Beyonce Knowles will not win an Oscar.

Chances are already slimmed to none that her average performance in Dreamgirls will get her even a nomination at the Academy Awards, but a win is off the table. Going up against Helen Mirren and Meryl Streep? Honey, I think not. So getting a win for Best Original Song, for her “contribution” to Listen was the only way Matthew Knowles was going to get his clutches on a golden statue this year. Unfortunately for him, Beyonce not only can’t win, she can’t even be nominated. She’s disqualified. L.A. Times’ Gold Derby Columnis Tom O’Neil explains:

You can not only forget about Beyonce Knowles winning an Oscar for best actress this year. (If you haven’t heard, a certain ingenue keeps upstaging her throughout “Dreamgirls.” And in the race for best comedy/musical actress, she’s up against a real devil — Meryl Streep — who knows a lot about winning Globes.)

Now it looks like Beyonce won’t win as a songwriter either — for “Listen,” one of the original new tunes added to the original Broadway score. Officially, she’s listed as one of the song’s four writers, but the motion-picture academy only permits three names — max — as a credit. To see the specific language of its Rule 16 — CLICK HERE!

The Oscars’ songwriting branch has decided to qualify Henry Krieger, Anne Preven and Scott Cutler. No explanation is given for why Beyonce is excluded over the others. Is this just one of those cases of where the singer insisted upon having her name added to credits as part of her performance deal? Beyonce says “No!” In media interviews, she’s often said that she was truly involved in its songwriting. Apparently, not to the extent as her three collaborators.

Like Tom says later in the post though, she IS still eligible to win at the Golden Globes if Listen does in fact end up winning. The Globes have no such rule.

Grey’s Anatomy hottie Eric Dane looks regal and sophisticated in this month’s GQ. Let’s not forget sexy! Wedding Wars was kinda sucky, but I can’t wait for Grey’s to start up again.

I’ve always loved me some Giovanni Ribisi. He’s one of our most underrated actors, and he’s pretty sexy. Which is why it was so great to see him in a bikini on My Name Is Earl.

Christina Aguilera and her Jewish hubby Jordan Bratmanmake a stop in Santa Monica for some (yep, you guessed it–red) italian ice at Didio’s in Santa Monica, CA.

I saw The Pursuit of Happyness last week, and though the film overall was good, what really pulled it together were the performances. Will Smith’s son Jaden Smith was fantastic! Now he’s getting Oscar buzz.

There’s a new reality show on MTV that lets aspiring writers compete for a spot working at Rolling Stone magazine as contributing writer. Can’t wait to watch!

Apparently there’s a big American Idol bombshell secret that they’re going to reveal at some point during the season. It’s a big twist that should shake things up so that the show doesn’t get boring. For me, having good contestants keeps the show fresh, but whatev.

One of my favorite directors, Bryan Singer, who did a great job with the first two X-Men movies (let’s not talk about the third one) will direct an American version of the British hit Footballers’ Wives

Merry Christmas everyone!

Whoo! This is Breath of Fresh Ink’s first ever giveaway and I’m so excited.

I’m sure you’ve heard (or at least you have now) about the new George Clooney/Cate Blanchett movie The Good German, directed by Stephen Soderbergh.

It looks like it’s going to be an interesting movie to say the least, and it’s Cate Blanchett so you can’t go wrong.

Anyway, it’s based on a novel by Joseph Kanon, and the first person to answer the Giveaway Question will win the novel–all shiny and brand new!

It’s a two-parter!

Part 1: Cate Blanchett starred in what Academy Award nominated movie with one of George Clooney’s sexy blonde co-stars from Ocean’s Eleven and Ocean’s Twelve?

Part 2: What was the first name of George Clooney’s character on ER?

I can’t access my BOFI email right now, so send your answers to breathoffreshink@gmail.com with the subject “Giveaway”.

Can’t wait to see who wins!

UPDATE: Congrats to Mike who just won the Good German giveaway!

So there’s been much buzz around Brad Pitt’s performance in the new movie Babel where he stars alongside Oscar winner (and one of my fave actresses) Cate Blanchett, including praise from former girlfriend and previous co-star Gwyneth Paltrow. The movie doesn’t come out until November 10 nationwide but it’s already playing in New York.

I’ve never been a big fan of Brad Pitt and never will be. I don’t find him or attractive or sexy in any way, his face looks like that of an albino ape, and his movies usually put me to sleep (minus Se7en which just kept from going to sleep). But if his performance in this film is truly as good as everyone apparently says it is then good for him. Finally his talent is living up to his celebrity.

Interesting tid-bit (not for me, but I’m sure someone will find this tittilating): Brad found a way to keep things on the set light. He’d hitch up his pants and give himself a wedgie–then walk around with his butt pushed out waddling like a duck. Cate called it the “Hungry Bum.”

Brad’s ass may be hungry but I just lost my appetite.

Emilio Estevez’s highly anticipated drama “Bobby” is probably one of the surest bets for Oscar noms this awards season. Aside from the fact that it just look like a good movie, and the fact that it’s based on truth (which is always an upgrade come Oscar time), it also has one of the most all-star casts ever assembled. Let me read you the cast list:

Anthony Hopkins, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, Helen Hunt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lindsay Lohan, Elijah Wood, Martin Sheen, Laurence Fishburne, Ashton Kutcher, William H. Macy, Christian Slater, Freddy Rodriguez, Kip Pardue, Joshua Jackson, Heather Graham, Nick Cannon, and Harry Belafonte.

Sheesh! That’s a lot of fat paychecks.

The story centers around 22 people who were at the Ambassador Hotel when Senator Robert (Bobby) Kennedy was killed.

Promo pics below! More of them here.

This week’s video clip of the week is a compilation of Julia Roberts‘ best scenes in her Academy Award winning performance in Erin Brockovich.

It’s my favorite movie of hers–she basically makes the movie worth watching. A few people are pissed she didn’t thank the real Erin in her Oscar speech, but you know what people? Get over it.

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Freddie Prinze Jr. and Hustle & Flow star Taryn Manning are starring in a film called Jack and Jill v. the World by writer-director Vanessa Parise (Kiss The Bride).

The movie is a romantic satire of the advertising world concerns a cynical guy who falls for a carefree young girl with a secret.

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Vince Vaughn is ready to stretch his dramatic chops in a new movie by Oscar winning writer and director Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby, Crash). Haggis wants to cast Vince in his hot-button political drama Against All Enemies.

The movie chronicles how the Bush administration handled the al-Qaida threat both before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

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Lucy Liu and Batman Begins star Cillian Murphy will star in the romantic comedy Watching The Detectives.

“Detectives” centers on a film noir buff (Murphy) whose world is turned upside down when a beautiful, unpredictable femme fatale (Liu) provides far more adventure than he ever experienced — and possibly more than he can handle.

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Sienna Miller and Peter Sarsgaard (well overdue for an Oscar nomination by the way) are in final negotiations to star in The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, based on the novel by Michael Chabon.

Michael Chabon’s debut novel is set in Pittsburgh in the mid-1980s and chronicles the joy, sexual awakening, and heartache of growing up for the story’s central character, Art Bechstein.

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I always knew Ann Coulter was a bitch…but I didn’t know she was a lying, cheating, stealing bitch.