Golden Boys

Shhh. Don’t let the Academy know, but the usual credo of nominating art-house snooze fests seems to have been abandoned for this year’s Oscars. Many of the contenders are actually fun-to-watch films made by unlikely Tinseltown heroes. Scorsese’s The Departed is leading the pack, and Miami Beach Cinematheque founder Dana Keith couldn’t be happier. “In a perfect world, Scorsese will win Best Director, and Babel will win Best Picture,” he declares. Keith’s suggestions are apropos, seeing as The Departed will be screened at his establishment on Saturday 23, and Scorsese is the Cinematheque’s Great Director for February. Babel director Alejandro González Iñárritu gets props in March.

Across the country cineastes are preparing canapes and pouring champagne in preparation for tonight’s ever-lengthy televised awards ceremony. This year, you can celebrate like an A-lister at the official Oscar Night America party. Kelly-Kapowski-lookalike Laurie Jennings will host, and SoBe drag diva Elaine Lancaster will hold court alongside Judith Gindy, who will come dragged-up as Queen Elizabeth Too in, um, homage to Helen Mirren’s Oscar-nominated performance. Proceeds benefit the Cinematheque.
Sun., Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m.