There are three reasons to watch the Oscars this year: First, there’s a good chance James Franco, who cohosts with Anne Hathaway, might get weird. The actor is part of a performance art duo that includes Kalup Linzy, who dresses in drag and sings love ballads while Franco barks muddled lyrics through a voice-altering mike. Second, Exit Through the Gift Shop is up for Best Documentary, and no one is quite sure what will happen if it wins. The director is infamous and reclusive London street artist Banksy, who rarely shows up in public and, when he does, disguises himself in a monkey mask. Perhaps Gift Shop star Mr. Brainwash will accept the Oscar in his place and say something unintelligible? The third reason to watch the award show this year is that Miami’s official watch party, Oscar Night America, will take place at the new location of Miami Beach Cinematheque, formerly on Española Way. After almost a year, the new theater will finally open, and it will feature high-def projection, surround sound, and stadium-style seating. Watch a live telecast of the award show while snacking on bites from Escopazzo and libations from Bombay Sapphire and Coppola Wines. If you correctly predict that The King’s Speech will win (because it will), you may even win a prize. Read more about the Oscar nominees on page XX.
Sun., Feb. 27, 7 p.m., 2011