: Goldfish Theron
"Jenny, Michael told me you're about to perform with Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl, right?"
Inside the lounge, everyone else had been sent away, leaving only Eric and the Jackson siblings.
Jenny nodded, "That's right. It should be before The Voice premieres. By the way, has The Voice's premiere date been set?"
"Hmm, it premieres at the end of March. American Idol is also in that time slot. I'm going head-to-head with Fox and I'm going to beat it."
"This year's Super Bowl is scheduled for the end of February, which is a bit later than before, but as long as it's before The Voice, it'll still add some points."
"Have you been rehearsing with Justin Timberlake for a long time?"
"Of course, this is a major moment. For the past six months, I've only been busy with three things: recording my new album, The Voice, and the Super Bowl."
"If you have any questions, just ask, Eric. Jenny doesn't mind," Michael said straightforwardly.
"Alright, first, let me clarify that I'm not trying to pry into the performance details, nor does it have anything to do with leaking information. I just want to know one performance detail."
"Have you designed any relatively bold or sexy segments?"
"Sexy segments? Are you talking about kissing or touching? I don't quite understand."
"Even bolder, like exposing private parts, breasts or other areas?"
Jenny looked bewildered, "What? Why would we design such moves? That's the Super Bowl, with tens of millions of people watching nationwide. Exposing private parts in that kind of setting would be suicide, wouldn't it? It's not an underground performance."
"No one would dare to do that at the Super Bowl. Forget me, not even Madonna would dare!"
"So that means no, then."
"Of course not! Who would be that foolish? I certainly wouldn't. If Justin Timberlake has such a fetish, that's his business, but I'll warn him."
Eric breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Jenny was still very clear-headed. So, the question remained: how did the biggest incident in Super Bowl history actually happen?
It couldn't have been that she was drugged and foolishly cooperated.
A mystery, an unsolvable mystery.
"I'm relieved that you're thinking this way. I was worried you might be framed, and by then, it would be too late to regret it."
Jenny felt confused and couldn't help but look at her brother, "Michael, what's going on? You both seem worried about something? Is something big going to happen? Does it concern me?"
Eric nodded, "I received news that someone might try to embarrass you at the Super Bowl, or even use this big show to ruin your career."
He deliberately exaggerated the situation to get Jenny's attention. Regardless of whether it would happen, a preventive shot would always serve as protection.
Hearing this, Jenny's expression was one of surprise.
"Who? Who wants to deal with me, Eric?"
She asked urgently, her brother's experience still fresh in her mind.
"I only heard this rumor, but the source of the information isn't clear. However, it's always right to be prepared."
"After much thought, the most likely person to make you look bad is your partner, Justin Timberlake."
"Let's imagine, if you two are performing on stage and he suddenly does something unexpected, like ripping off your clothes, the consequences would undoubtedly be disastrous."
"Justin Timberlake could completely brush it off by saying, 'I was just too hyped up,' or 'I just got carried away,' but you would be the one taking the blame."
Recalling the rehearsals during this period, Jenny said hesitantly, "That's impossible, isn't it? Justin is a really nice person. Our rehearsals went smoothly, and everything was very pleasant."
"No, you can know a person's face, but not their heart. Alright, regarding Justin Timberlake, I'll reveal some more secrets to you."
Eric recounted the gossip he and Michael had discussed on the plane, and Jenny's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way, I can't believe he's that kind of person. And after enduring such a great grievance, why didn't Britney tell the truth?"
"Because she's foolish! We have to admit, there are indeed such foolish girls in the world."
"They're blinded by love, willing to be infinitely humble for it. Think about it, if Britney could tolerate Justin Timberlake cheating multiple times, what else couldn't she tolerate?"
"By the way, have you seen that guy's interview? After the breakup, Justin Timberlake still boasted loudly about taking Britney's virginity, even describing the details. He was completely making fun of that foolish girl and seeking attention."
Jenny nodded, "I know about that. It caused quite a stir at the time because Britney had always maintained a cute and innocent image. Her image took a considerable hit after that happened."
"But many people always thought it was just a slip of the tongue by Justin Timberlake, or that he was misled, and his intention wasn't to destroy Britney."
"But after hearing you say so many terrible inside stories, if it's all true, it's absolutely disgusting. This man is simply the most repulsive scoundrel in the world."
"Vulgar and sordid are not enough to describe the filth of his heart. He's like a sewer rat."
"Jenny, I guarantee the information is absolutely reliable. That's precisely why I'm worried that scoundrel will harm you just like he harmed Britney," Eric solemnly promised.
Michael also advised, "You must believe Eric. He has never been wrong. This concerns the rest of your life, Jenny."
With Eric and Michael both working on her, Jenny had no reason not to believe them.
And as a woman, Britney's experience made her even more furious. She hadn't expected to be collaborating with such a scumbag, and she had even been happy about it. The thought made her nauseous.
She calmed her turbulent emotions, "I understand. Don't worry, I definitely won't let those guys succeed."
"As for Justin Timberlake, hmph!"
"If he performs honestly, then fine. But if he really dares to do anything, I'll definitely make him pay."
After getting Jenny on board, Eric felt relieved. He presumed that the Super Bowl incident would not happen.
Los Angeles, ArcLight Cinema.
Eric attended the premiere of the hangover held here today.
The film's investment was only 30 million US dollars, which could only be considered mid-to-low level. It didn't even reach 50 million US dollars, so it couldn't be called a major production. Only if the cost exceeded 100 million could it be touted as a super blockbuster.
Eric openly brought Theron to support the event, which was also a disguised promotion for monster's award Impact.
The three main actors of the movie were Little Mercenary Ryan Reynolds, who played the handsome teacher Phil, Jack Black, who played the chubby Alan, and Adam Sandler, who played the dentist Stu.
Among the three, Adam Sandler was undoubtedly the most famous, a big name who had been deeply involved in comedy films for many years.
But now it was hard to say, Ryan Reynolds was fully qualified to be mentioned in the same breath as him.
Eric hugged or shook hands with a few people to greet them, and then watched the main creators go on stage to talk about the interesting stories and the process of making the movie.
As the clock struck midnight, after a lion's roar and the MGM logo, the movie officially began.
In the first few minutes, the cause of the events was clearly explained.
Doug, who was about to become a groom, decided to take a bachelor trip, so he invited his brother-in-law and two good friends to Las Vegas for a good time.
Bachelor parties, often seen in American TV shows and movies, are indeed very popular in reality.
The groom and bride decide to have one last crazy celebration to bid farewell to their single lives.
It's usually hosted by the groomsmen and bridesmaids for their respective buddies and girlfriends. It can last for one night, or a week, or even longer.
Some wild ones are truly crazy, but some conservative ones are really just a party. This varies from person to person.
When the trio appeared, while their personalities were revealed, the jokes also started to appear.
Phil, the teacher, openly raised funds from students through deception to get money. Stu, the honest dentist, was a pushover who didn't dare to resist even when his girlfriend openly cheated on him. Alan, the chubby guy, was a bit neurotic.
Theron gently pinched Eric's hand, "With friends like these, it seems this trip is bound to be unlucky."
"Exactly, they have to be unlucky for the audience to be happy. That's comedy."
"Building your happiness on the suffering of others?"
"Bingo! You've found the essence, baby! But your face is truly too beautiful; you're destined to have no connection with drama in this life."
"What! You don't believe in my acting? I can become ugly and fat for monster, and I can also become ugly and unlucky for a comedy role," Theron said with some dissatisfaction.
I pinched myself, why did I say the latter half of the sentence?
Theron has indeed acted in comedies, such as "A Million Ways to Die in the West," but her character really had no necessary existence, or rather, replacing her with any pretty actress would have worked.
This face can work in fantasy, magic, horror, suspense, sci-fi, romance, school, and other types of films, but not comedy. One look makes people feel out of place, or rather, seeing her doesn't make people want to laugh.
"Of course not, my dear. It's just that you should understand that every actor believes they can handle all kinds of roles, but in reality, they really can't."
"Especially comedy, it's harder than any other type of film. Making an audience laugh is ten times harder than making them cry."
"Are you saying that comedy is more advanced than other genres?"
"Movies don't have a distinction of advanced or low-level, but their purposes are different."
"To give a common analogy, archery. Other movies can set the target at different distances according to difficulty: closer for easier, farther for harder. But as long as you hit the target, the movie is a success."
"However, the rules of comedy are different. It doesn't require hitting the target, but rather hitting the bullseye. If it deviates even a little, the movie is a failure. So comedy is the hardest to perform, do you understand?"
"I think I understand," Theron puffed out her cheeks, looking exactly like a goldfish.
Eric couldn't help but poke her with a finger, and her mouth immediately puffed out, making a 'phoo' sound, like a leaky bag.
"Hmm? See, that's a very natural comedic moment."
"Are you saying we should publicly flirt?"
"Uh, this scene actually isn't funny at all."
"Hmph! Coward!"
On the big screen, after the friends woke up, the hotel room had undergone a drastic change.
Several chickens were walking around Room, some with hands and feet, and others with wings.
Stu's unlucky appearance with a missing tooth caused a burst of laughter in the cinema. The extra tiger and baby made people even more confused, but the most important groom, Doug, was nowhere to be found. Something must have happened.
After an investigation, it turned out that they had held a wedding for Stu last night, and he married a prostitute with a child.
"OMG! If my girlfriend finds out, she'll castrate me!" Stu cried out in despair.
"No, no, no, this might not be a bad thing. Anyway, your girlfriend isn't good to you either; she's cheated many times. You can use this to break up," Phil said with some schadenfreude.
"But he married a goddamn prostitute with a kid! How is that any different from his girlfriend?" The chubby Alan delivered the fatal blow.
Hahahahaha!
A burst of laughter immediately erupted in the cinema.
After another round of commotion, they still hadn't found the groom, Doug, and everyone was a bit dejected.
The chubby Alan was incredibly sad, "Sigh! If I can't find my brother-in-law, I'll lose another family member, just like when I lost my grandfather. I'm so sad."
"How did your grandfather die?" Phil asked casually.
"During World War II."
"I see, he died on the battlefield. He was a hero."
"No, I mean, during World War II, he went skiing in Vermont and accidentally fell to his death."
"Uh..."
Immediately after, the appearance of boxer Tyson made the movie go full throttle on the gross-out humor path, with scenes like peeing in the pool, tiger rear entry, and projectile vomiting appearing one after another.
Tyson even joked about his time in prison; he was imprisoned for 6 years in 1992 for rape, but ended up hooking up with a female prison guard. It just goes to show that novels and movies aren't just fabricated.
The dense jokes filled the cinema with a joyful atmosphere. Hearing these laughs, everyone knew the movie was a success.
Comedy can be said to be the most self-generating type of film. If one person likes it, they'll recommend it to another, and laughter is a necessity in everyone's life, so many people will spontaneously go to the cinema.
The ending even had a sublimation: the dentist Stu awakened, dumped his cheating girlfriend, and bid farewell to his past weakness.
The movie also moved towards a warm ending with a series of photos from Las Vegas.
the hangover undoubtedly achieved immense success, which could be inferred from the audience's laughter and the smiles on their faces as they left.
Everyone was delighted that the movie was a success.
But if you were to ask who was the happiest, besides Eric who would make a fortune, it was probably Adam Sandler.
He had voluntarily reduced his salary to star in the hangover, aiming for another career breakthrough and to truly join the ranks of A-list comedians.
Facts proved his vision and choice were correct. With the boost from the hangover, the media and fans no longer had to hide it; they could openly place him alongside A-list comedians like Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey, and Robin Williams.
"Mr. Cooper, I must thank you again for giving me the opportunity to star in the hangover. This was absolutely the best decision I've ever made."
Eric smiled, "The film's success is the result of your collective efforts; my contribution was minimal."
"No, if you hadn't approved this project, it wouldn't even have started, so it's still thanks to your keen eye."
He certainly knew how to talk; saying it this way was indeed flawless and sounded pleasing to the ear.
As for the director, Todd Phillips, he couldn't stop smiling. He was also a huge beneficiary, but directors are not as exposed as stars in the front, so the media's attention would definitely not be on him.
Although Todd Phillips had previously directed several successful films, the investment amount always fluctuated in the tens of millions.
Once the hangover's box office soared, major companies' A-list blockbusters would undoubtedly extend olive branches to him.
A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier; a director who doesn't want to direct blockbusters is not a good director.
"Todd, I heard you turned down Warner Bros.' starsky & hutch for the hangover back then?"
"Hmm, at the time, both scripts were in front of me. After reading them, I decisively chose the hangover. Well, actually, I struggled for a while, but the hangover's plot was more appealing to me and also more marketable."
"Don't worry, your choice will never be wrong. starsky & hutch is released on March 5th; let's wait and see."
Saying that, he put his arms around their shoulders, "Since the audience reaction is so good, I think the hangover 2 should also be put on the agenda."
Upon hearing this, their eyes tightened, and a thought simultaneously popped into their minds: wouldn't it be too early?
After all, it was just the premiere. Whether the movie was truly successful or just an illusion, they would have to wait until the first-week box office results were released to judge.
Many movies started with a bang and received rave reviews, only to fizzle out shortly after.
"Why are you all looking at me? Don't tell me you lack confidence, or that you don't want to make a sequel?"
Little Mercenary immediately stated, "I have no problem. Just contact me when the project starts."
The others also nodded in agreement. If you, the big boss, aren't worried, then we, the employees, are even less worried. On the contrary, you'll have to give us a raise.
Given Ryan Reynolds' current status, even at a friendly price, his salary would not be less than 3 million US dollars. He only earned 700,000 US dollars for the first movie.
Adam Sandler's would be even higher; getting him for 7 million US dollars would be considered lucky. Everyone else's salaries would also increase significantly.
This is why movie sequels often don't show a significant improvement in production quality, with no special effects or grand scenes, yet their production costs increase so much.
In the following days, MGM's investigators in various cities provided results: the attendance rate was quite good, laughter was dense, and reviews and word-of-mouth were also unlocked.
Rotten Tomatoes' fresh rating reached 95%, with excellent word-of-mouth among audiences, surpassing most comedy films.
"Hahaha, I highly recommend watching the hangover! This is the funniest movie I've seen all year, filled with all sorts of language gags. But I don't recommend bringing children, as some scenes are quite explicit."
"Drinking, drugs, streaking, public urination—do these elements make you think the hangover is a dark drama? But I want to tell you, it's a hell of a comedy! Ryan Reynolds is truly handsome, especially the part where he… well, you know, with the tiger, OMG!"
"I love gross-out movies; they bring me a different kind of joy. Lately, it's all blockbusters or Oscar-bait art films, or horror movies. I'm tired of it. the hangover brought me and my friends a fresh feeling; this is the kind of comedy movie we want to see."
"An unparalleled good movie, completely different from Jim Carrey's comedies, but it can still make you addicted and laugh out loud. Everyone in the cinema went crazy with laughter; these scoundrels brought me joy."
"If you want to laugh, go watch the hangover. If you want to be scared, go watch saw 2."
The moment the Rotten Tomatoes score was released, everyone knew the movie would be a big hit; MGM had created a new film series, a cash cow.
However, unlike the audience's good word-of-mouth, critical reviews were mixed.
After all, they are film critics; some are self-proclaimed noble, evaluating a film from the perspective of appreciating art.
Let alone a gross-out movie like the hangover, even the lord of the rings, transformers, pirates of the caribbean, or The Matrix, as long as they have a strong commercial flavor, they won't impress them.
Only art films like blue is the warmest color and Girl with a Pearl Earring are the cup of tea for these types of critics.
For example, the chicago Tribune published an article: "the hangover offered a decent trailer, but that's all."
The Independent: "the hangover is a vulgar, boring, and tasteless film. You'll find almost no interesting comedic elements in it; the entire movie is filled with gross-out humor. If you want a good laugh, then it's best not to buy a ticket; it will only waste two hours of your life."
Truth News: "A dull, unoriginal, and cheesy film, the hangover completely wasted Adam Sandler's comedic talent, delivering only an extremely boring pile of vulgar scraps."
There is nothing in the world that can satisfy everyone, not even money.
However, amidst the controversy, MGM's stock price rose by nearly 3 points again, moving one step closer to 20th Century Fox.
At the same time, movie fans on the internet summarized the films and TV shows produced by MGM over the past year or so, and surprisingly found that almost all of them were profitable, and not just small gains, but at least tens of millions of dollars in profit, with very few losing works.
If barbershop, red dragon, and 007 were the quality legacies of the previous generation, then from sharknado onwards, this lion began its running mode.
saw, get out, dont breathe, happy death day, the purge, transformers.
Even an extremely niche art film like blue is the warmest color could gross over 200 million globally, which was truly exaggerated.
Coupled with the highly anticipated the walking dead, it could be said that both movies and TV series were flourishing.
If there were a few films that didn't make money, they were probably only whale rider and monster, but both of these films had excellent word-of-mouth.
It's just that the box office didn't make money, but subsequent copyright revenues would certainly still be profitable.
Fans were already calculating how long it would take for MGM to surpass Disney and become the head of the Big Seven companies.
The most upvoted answer to this topic was two years.
The prerequisite is that MGM can continue to develop smoothly and Disney cannot keep producing blockbusters, as Finding Nemo boosted Disney's stock price by nearly 10%.
Some netizens also offered a creative idea, hoping that after MGM became powerful, it would acquire Warner Bros. so that many lost copyrights could be reclaimed.
Eric was very much in favor of this suggestion from netizens; he really wanted the copyrights for DC and tom and jerry.
If both DC and Marvel were in his hands, a Justice League versus The Avengers movie could defeat titanic, which would be no dream.
Amidst audience adoration, the hangover undoubtedly took the top spot at the box office this week.
It grossed 57 million US dollars from 2555 cinemas, strongly climbing to the top.
February 27th, Los Angeles, Dolby Theatre.
Today, the place was bustling with people; major stars from all over the world gathered here to attend the 76th Academy Awards ceremony.
Unlike the Golden Globe Awards and Emmy Awards, the Oscar doesn't do the eating and drinking round table thing; everyone sits in rows in formal attire.
To Eric's left was the cast of blue is the warmest color, to his right was the cast of transformers, and behind him were the casts of get out and monster.
With veteran actor Sean Connery's opening remarks, the awards ceremony entered the tribute segment.
This year's host was Billy Crystal, who came from a Hollywood acting family, a multi-talented individual who could write, direct, and act. His hosting skills were exceptional, surpassing many professional hosts and talk show comedians.
This year, due to the lord of the rings likely making history, its importance was self-evident, so ABC specifically invited him.
He was invited, not competing for the position, because this big brother's resume was too rich.
He started hosting the Oscar in 1990, and due to his excellent performance, subsequent Oscar ceremonies almost became his personal show.
1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000. 1998 was the year titanic swept the awards, and Crystal was also holding the fort, so it's not surprising that ABC invited him.
Eric also remembered that at the 82nd Oscar, due to the original host Eddie Murphy's last-minute withdrawal, this old man had to be brought in to save the day; that's how trustworthy he was.
In the short film, Crystal first ate popcorn in a cinema, only to find a golden ring. After putting it on, he was instantly sucked into the big screen, stripped of his clothes and half-crouched on the ground, just like in The Terminator.
He then sailed the high seas with Captain Jack, received the Sword of the King from the Elven King, raced horses in the last century with Tobey Maguire, and swam in the ocean with Nemo, contributing a famous Hollywood meme.
Crystal transformed into Gollum, muttering to his reflection in the lake.
"I can't host this year."
"No, you must go; they are all counting on you."
"I haven't hosted since the Oscar was occupied by evil wizards."
"Are you talking about orcs?"
"No, it's the Weinstein Brothers!"
Hahahaha!
When the short film reached this point, it instantly triggered laughter from the entire audience, and many people were genuinely mocking.
Everyone knew that Peter Jackson, to mock Harvey Weinstein, deliberately created an orc commander modeled after him in the lord of the rings: the return of the king.
And Harvey Weinstein's use of various despicable tactics to attack opponents and win major awards made many people despise him.
Seeing this segment, everyone naturally felt a secret satisfaction.
Even Harvey Weinstein himself, sitting in the audience, could only smile and applaud, having to appear magnanimous, though he must have hated the scriptwriters and director to death in his heart.
Finally, guided by Jack Nicholson, disguised as Gandalf, Crystal walked onto the main stage of the awards ceremony.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome our host — Billy Crystal!"
Amidst thunderous applause, Crystal smiled and greeted the audience below.
"Tonight we will present many trophies, and many of the recipients are first-time nominees."
"A reminder to all first-time nominees: if you win, remember to tip the host."
"First-time nominee Charlize Theron!"
The camera focused on Theron, who was wearing a beautiful white evening gown today, and she immediately showed a shy smile.
But in her heart, she was screaming: "Oscar, Oscar, I must get the Oscar! Give it to me!"
"Theron, you look radiant tonight, but in the movie, you can scare people to death."
"Also Ashley and Mary, this is your first nomination too. Good luck to you."
For such a provocative shot, the audience naturally gave applause, enjoying the spectacle.
The two sisters, also in red and blue evening gowns, waved at the camera with smiles.
Their hearts were also roaring: "Damn it, if we don't get Best Actress, everyone can go to hell!"
"This year there's a very interesting film, lost in translation. The director, Sofia Coppola, is the first woman to be nominated for Best Director."
"Sofia said it's great to be nominated, and she doesn't expect to win, but I don't think that's the case."
"Because early this morning, many judges said they found a horse's head by their pillows."
Hahahaha!
Sofia Coppola is Francis Coppola's daughter, and the horse's head is a famous scene from Francis's classic masterpiece, The Godfather.
This was followed by a medley of operatic singing, showcasing Crystal's talent to the fullest.
In front of their televisions, tens of millions of viewers watching this scene had to admit that he was indeed the strongest; even the most popular talk show hosts, be it Ellen, Conan, or Jimmy, everyone had to concede defeat.
After a grand show, Crystal loudly announced: "Let's welcome our first presenter, last year's Oscar Best Supporting Actress winner, Catherine Zeta-Jones!"
Los Angeles, Dolby Theatre, 76th Academy Awards ceremony.
Catherine Zeta-Jones emerged in a red carp-patterned evening gown, her long black hair and radiant smile making her look truly like a mermaid from the sea.
"For an actor, the moment the white envelope is revealed is the most important moment of his life, and the following male actors will enjoy the honor of this moment."
"Nominated for Best Supporting Actor are Tim Robbins for 'mystic river,' Alec Baldwin for 'The Cooler,' Benicio del Toro for '21 Grams,' Djimon Hounsou for 'In America,' and Ken Watanabe for 'the last samurai.'"
The camera focused on each person, with Ken Watanabe, the only East Asian actor, being almost the chief Japanese actor in Hollywood films.
For any role requiring a touch of nobility, power, or authority—like high-ranking Japanese officials, wealthy merchants, or daimyo—he was always the first choice, almost becoming a typecast actor.
Catherine Zeta-Jones opened the white envelope: "And the winner is Tim Robbins for 'mystic river.'"
The same answer as the Golden Globe Awards, and the venue immediately erupted in cheers and applause.
Tim Robbins, after embracing and kissing his cast and crew, excitedly walked onto the stage. By this time, his hair was already gray, and he had matured significantly compared to his time in 'The Shawshank Redemption.'
After a series of thanks, he specifically mentioned director Clint Eastwood, who looked very handsome today.
He also mentioned his girlfriend, Susan Sarandon. The camera showed the acclaimed actress, her face beaming with a smile, clearly happy about her boyfriend's win.
Hiss!
Eric was looking at the stage, a scene from 'The Shawshank Redemption' flashing through his mind, when he suddenly felt a stinging pain on the back of his hand.
Ashley and Gadot, though looking straight ahead, were simultaneously pinching him, seemingly in complaint.
"Why don't you dare to go public? Why do you keep it a secret? Can't you be a responsible man?"
Eric could only smile wryly in response, thinking, "Why can't you put yourselves in my shoes?"
"Am I being irresponsible? I'm worried that if we go public, you'll start fighting first. If it weren't to protect you, would I endure this grievance?"
Alas!
Being a man is hard! Being a celebrity is hard!
Being a rich and powerful celebrity man—that's hard!
"Finally, I want to say that in the film, I am a victim of bullying and violence. If you are also suffering from similar pain, please remember to seek help."
"Additionally, I urge everyone to take this matter seriously. This is what each of us can do to prevent tragedies from happening."
"Thank you, everyone!"
This extremely positive message earned a standing ovation, and amidst the applause, Tim Robbins exited the stage.
The camera turned to Crystal, who, with a serious expression, said, "The first award has been presented smoothly, which is good. I'm finally not nervous."
"You know I haven't hosted the Oscar in four years, and I thank the Academy for allowing me to freely enter and exit this highest temple of cinema, just like joining the Texas Guard."
Hahahahaha!
The venue immediately erupted in cheers, as the joke was a blatant mockery of Bush.
Bush had joined the Guard years ago, but his family's power was well-known, so military discipline was virtually nonexistent for him; he could come and go as he pleased.
Bush is a Republican Party member, and Hollywood is a major Democratic Party stronghold, so political jokes in recent years have almost all targeted him.
After the laughter, Crystal returned to the main topic: "Let's welcome our next presenter, he is a Maia of Middle-earth, the leader of the mutants, welcome Ian McKellen."
The elderly gentleman, with his energetic short hair, elegantly walked out from backstage, speaking with a distinctly charming English accent.
Eric, whether due to professional habit or not, always felt like he was listening to a play when he heard him speak, even during casual conversations.
"Art direction is about designing and outlining everything on the big screen, making you believe you are in the hobbit's dwelling, an artist's studio, a Japanese samurai village, a 20th-century racetrack, or a transforming car."
"Nominated for Best Art Direction are: 'the lord of the rings: the return of the king' Grant Major, Dan Hennah, Alan Lee; 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' Ben van Os, Cecil Hiedeman; 'seabiscuit' Jeannine Oppewall, Leslie Pope."
"'the last samurai' Lilly Kilvert, Gretchen Rau; 'transformers' William Sandell, Robert Gould."
"It's our turn! It's our turn!" Gadot said with some excitement. As a first-time Oscar attendee, she still harbored fantasies.
But then Gandalf shattered her illusion: "And the winner is 'the lord of the rings: the return of the king,' Grant Major, Dan Hennah, Alan Lee, congratulations!"
The entire venue instantly erupted in enthusiastic applause. This was an undisputed result.
Eric gently patted Gadot's thigh to comfort her. Tonight was 'the lord of the rings' home game; no one else stood a chance.
The three art directors walked onto the stage; two of them were already bald, which showed the difficulty of their work.
Next, Best Animated Feature Film went to 'Finding Nemo,' Best Animated Short Film to 'Harvie Krumpet,' and Best Documentary Short Subject to 'Chernobyl Heart.'
Eric acknowledged that the animated film was indeed excellent, but he did not agree with 'Chernobyl Heart' as a documentary.
In his opinion, a documentary should strive to restore reality as much as possible, without adding the director's subjective shots or judgments, and without being influenced by personal values; otherwise, it would lose its impartiality as a documentary.
And this 'Chernobyl Heart' precisely did not do well in this regard; the director brought too many subjective factors, even a somewhat condescending pity.
Compared to the 2019 HBO series 'Chernobyl,' it fell short in all aspects, and its win was largely due to political correctness.
Immediately following, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup, two technical awards, were taken by 'the lord of the rings 3,' without dispute.
To the background music, Val Kilmer walked onto the stage to present the Best Supporting Actress award. For some reason, this guy seemed to be in a bad mood, his face remained expressionless, not even cracking a smile. He recited the lines like a script, as if he was in a hurry to get off work.
Ultimately, Best Supporting Actress was won by Renée Zellweger for her film 'cold mountain.'
On the podium, Zellweger held a prepared speech, reading and delivering her acceptance speech. It was evident that she was truly excited.
After Zellweger left the stage with her trophy, the awards ceremony began its routine song and dance performance.
Eric looked back and saw Theron staring straight ahead expressionlessly, but upon noticing him, she immediately revealed two dimples.
Behind her, Jude Law, not yet bald, was in his 'Jude Flower' era. His gaze flickered between the two of them, then he nodded slightly, seemingly realizing something.
After about ten minutes of song and dance, Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith walked onto the stage together to present Best Visual Effects.
Regarding this couple, there were too many scandals in later generations, often dominating trending topics.
Things like 'they each do their own thing,' Will Smith letting other black men be with his wife because his own 'little brother' was too small to satisfy her.
Jada Pinkett Smith had her own young boyfriend, and Will Smith also had his own young girlfriend, with media even exposing photos, though their authenticity was hard to verify.
Just as the rumors were flying, Will Smith delivered an angry slap at the Oscar, giving presenter Chris Rock a big smack for insulting his wife.
It stunned the celebrities present, and Nicole, in the front row, even made an expression that became a meme.
Although it was later confirmed that the meme-worthy expression wasn't due to this incident, the expression still went viral.
This big slap not only put himself on global trending topics but also doubled the Oscar's viewership, a remarkable achievement.
Then everyone wondered, were they truly in love or was their marriage just a facade?
Can't figure it out, really can't figure it out!
However, at present, they are still considered a model couple in everyone's eyes.
With a head difference in height, the two walked to the microphone: "Some fantastical films cannot exist in reality, such as a cursed skeleton ship, black-robed figures flying on dragons in the sky, or transforming car-planes."
"And when these things that don't exist in reality are brought to the big screen, the special effects experts behind the scenes are definitely the ones who have made outstanding contributions."
"Nominated for Best Visual Effects… Oh my, it feels great to present an award with my wife, let's say it together."
"OK!"
"The films nominated for Best Visual Effects are: 'the lord of the rings: the return of the king' Jim Rygiel, Randall William Cook; 'pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl' John Knoll, Hal T. Hickel; 'transformers' Charles Gibson, Terry Frazee;"
Unlike other categories with at least five, or even six, nominees, awards like Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing, and Best Documentary often have fewer than five.
The reason is simple: not many blockbusters are released every year, especially in this era.
Even if there are more than five this year, nominees of similar quality must be selected. Many films have large investments but poor special effects, which is why there are often fewer than the full number of nominations.
Gadot pinched Eric's hand again, her lips pursed, watching the white envelope nervously, but the result, without a doubt, disappointed her once again.
"And the winner for Best Visual Effects is 'the lord of the rings: the return of the king,' congratulations!"
The grand and majestic music of Middle-earth filled the hall, and Gadot slumped into her seat like a deflated balloon.
Eric gently patted her: "Mind your composure, don't look so upset, or you'll be in the newspapers tomorrow."
"But I can't be happy."
"I'm not happy either, but we must have the basic professionalism of actors. Do you see those nominees looking happy?"
"Alright, but the camera didn't catch me."
At this moment, comedy master Jim Carrey walked onto the stage, beginning to display his rubber face and jokes.
"I love playing pranks on people, always have since I was a kid. The most memorable time was when I pranked my sister."
"I hid under the bed, and she and her boyfriend were doing it on the bed. I suddenly appeared and scared them, limbs flailing, drool flying."
"Although she was very angry and felt violated, from then on she became particularly sensitive, a blessing in disguise."
"OK! I don't know why I told such a joke, let's get to the awards quickly."
"Nominated for Best Actor are: Sean Penn for 'mystic river,' Johnny Depp for 'pirates of the caribbean,' Jude Law for 'cold mountain,' Bill Murray for 'lost in translation,' and Anthony Mackie for 'get out.'"
In the 'get out' crew, everyone held their breath. Although Anthony Mackie was not a favorite, what if?
"And the winner is Sean Penn for 'mystic river,' congratulations!"
Unfortunately, the result was the same as the Golden Globe Awards. Anthony Mackie was still too young, and purely in terms of acting, he didn't have a significant advantage.
He let out a long sigh of relief, his tense mood relaxing, and he smiled as he applauded.
As a well-known Hollywood bad boy, Sean Penn, no matter how bold, didn't dare to cause trouble at the Oscar. He delivered his acceptance speech dutifully.
After he stepped down, a dazzling figure emerged: Scarlett Johansson in a dark green evening gown.
Her styling today was much better than at the Golden Globe Awards. Eric found her simply beautiful, while Ashley and Mary focused on her lipstick shade; women always notice things men don't.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today I want to share a piece of knowledge with you. Do you know what the first sound film was?"
"Hehe, I knew many wouldn't know, so let me tell you, it was Alan Crosland's 'The Jazz Singer.'"
"From then on, cinema had sound, becoming more vivid and lively, and better able to convey emotions."
"Nominated for Best Sound Editing are: 'master and commander: the far side of the world' Richard King; 'pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl' Christopher Boyes, George Watters II; 'transformers' Gary Rydstrom, Michael Silvers."
There were also three nominees, and this was 'transformers' most likely category to win, as other awards overlapped with 'the lord of the rings 3.'
The Black Widow then took out the winner's card: "Let's see who gets the good news. And the winners are 'transformers,' congratulations to the two of you!"
Yeah!
The two editors excitedly stood up, and the rest of the crew also rose to hug them. Eric patted both of their shoulders: "Go quickly, don't keep the beautiful lady waiting."
Ouch!
Looking down, he saw a new mark on his shoe. He glanced around at Gadot, Ashley, and Mary's faces; only the three of them were suspects and could have touched him.
However, all three were smiling and applauding, no one could tell, their acting was much better than when they were filming.
"Thank you, and thanks to the Academy for giving us this award. To be honest, the process of filming 'transformers' was both enjoyable and challenging, because the schedule was really tight, and the director was rushing us every day."
Hahaha!
The camera showed Eric, who genuinely applauded.
"But without his urging and guidance, we wouldn't have been able to produce such a great work. So we must thank everyone in the crew, thank Mr. Cooper, and I hope you achieve even greater success today!"
After winning Best Sound Editing, "transformers" finally had some Harvest, at least it didn't come up empty-handed.
There were plenty of films more unlucky than it, such as "eight below," which was only nominated for this one award, making its attendance at tonight's ceremony completely in vain.
Watching Eric's shot on the big screen, Harvey Weinstein felt a surge of suppressed anger.
The more he thought about it during this period, the angrier he got, almost to the point of exploding.
Except for "Kill Bill: Vol. 1," which made money, all the Christmas holiday films were annihilated, resulting in over a hundred million dollars in box office losses.
Although subsequent copyright revenue could recoup some losses, the timeline was too long, taking five to seven years to materialize.
In particular, "eight below" lost terribly; not counting the $150 million cost for promotion and distribution, even if inflated, it still cost at least $120 million.
Ultimately, its global box office only garnered less than $50 million, and after splitting with theaters, it lost an exorbitant amount.
Mickey Mouse was very displeased with this and began to doubt the Weinstein brothers' capabilities, with many even suggesting replacing them.
Although the brothers were very capable, controlling Miramax and Dimension Films, their strength depended on who they were compared to; they couldn't compete with the seven major studios.
Once Mickey Mouse truly made a decision, those so-called Hollywood emperors would have to pack their bags and leave!
And the cause of all this tragedy was Eric Cooper; ever since MGM rose, Miramax began to decline.
Harvey Weinstein even resorted to desperate measures, secretly consulting a fortune teller to ask if it was because both companies started with 'M', causing a name conflict, and Miramax's luck was being siphoned off by MGM.
But even if he was angry, there was nothing he could do; with MGM's re-listing, that brat's power had multiplied several times, and he had completely become a new Hollywood giant.
He couldn't afford to offend him, truly couldn't!
After Best Sound Editing, the big-mouthed beauty Julia Roberts took the stage to present the Best Sound Award, or more accurately, the Best Sound Recording Award or Best Sound Mixing Award.
The names of these two awards are very similar, and the nominees also overlap, easily confusing laypeople, but there are still differences.
An easy-to-understand example is that a sound editor is like a composer, responsible for providing the score, while a mixing engineer is like a conductor, presenting the score.
The two links are inseparable, cooperating and achieving each other.
These two awards are generally reserved for blockbusters like sci-fi and war films, but if there's an exceptionally outstanding realistic film, then all others usually defer.
For example, the original "transformers" lost to "The Bourne Identity," and "Avatar" lost to "The Hurt Locker," both following this rule.
The result was no surprise: "the lord of the rings: the return of the king" defeated "transformers," "the last samurai," "seabiscuit," and "pirates of the caribbean" to successfully claim the Oscar.
"Eric, look, quick, look! It's an Oscar trophy, a real Oscar!"
Gadot excitedly held the Best Sound Editing Oscar, stroking it back and forth with both hands, looking at it from left to right like a diligent scientist.
"Wow! It feels really heavy. Is it pure gold?"
Eric looked speechless: "What are you dreaming about? This Oscar weighs over 4 kilograms. If it were pure gold, do you want the Academy to go bankrupt?"
"Moreover, if it were truly pure gold, it would attract a lot of unnecessary trouble, like thieves and robbers."
"I heard this thing is cast from an alloy and merely plated with a layer of gold. It's not actually worth much money; its value is primarily honorary."
Gadot fiddled with it, a hint of envy on her face: "I wonder when I'll be able to win an Oscar. Do you think there's a chance?"
Eric found this question difficult to answer. Gadot wasn't involved in behind-the-scenes work or directing, so the only awards she could compete for were Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress.
But these two awards require exceptionally strong acting skills, and she has a long way to go; in short, it's very difficult.
The only method Eric could think of was to produce an art film specifically to promote her, and even then, it would be highly dependent on luck.
"Maybe, yes."
"Your tone lacks confidence. Actually, I'd also accept a Golden Globe, just like the Olsen Sisters."
"Uh, that doesn't lower the difficulty much, does it? How about MTV or Teen Choice Awards?"
"Those are too second-rate. I want something authoritative."
"It's not that there's no way. Can you accept playing a lesbian? Or a transgender person? These marginalized roles are bonus points; the Academy loves them."
"Lesbian? Is there any other way? I have no experience."
"The Olsen Sisters also had no experience, but under my guidance, they developed their talent. This is a shortcut; otherwise, you'll need to go to school to study and build a foundation."
Gadot looked troubled: "I need to think about it carefully."
"Hmm, this is one of the few methods I can think of that has yielded results."
If he could ignite Gadot's 'queer' side, then all of Eric's women would have starred in LGBTQ+-themed films and TV shows, which would be an unprecedented and unparalleled achievement.
In the dead of night, when they were sleeping together, letting them comfort and perform for each other, how wonderful that would be.
Eric's mind was fantasizing about a beautiful future. On stage, the soundtrack of "the lord of the rings" played repeatedly. By this point, it had already won Best Makeup, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Mixing, Best Original Song, Best Original Score, and Best Adapted Screenplay—9 major awards.
All its nominations were successful; as long as the Middle-earth knights were involved, all other competitors regrettably lost. "transformers" also lost out on the Best Original Score award again.
Thanks to Peter Jackson, thanks to New Line Cinema—the voices were endless. The bearded man, who had been a runner-up for two consecutive years, hadn't stopped smiling all night.
Currently, "the lord of the rings: the return of the king" still had two major awards left: Best Director and Best Picture, which were undoubtedly secure.
If it ultimately won 11 awards, it would tie the highest record in film history.
Currently, the films with the most awards are "titanic" and "Ben-Hur"; the former had 14 nominations and 11 wins, while the latter had 12 nominations and 11 wins.
Among them, "Ben-Hur" was also a representative work of MGM, saving the on the brink bankrupt MGM back then, but it was unfortunately sold to Warner Bros..
Damn it! In the future, I must get them all back!
14 nominations were already the most for an Oscar. Besides "Ben-Hur," there was also "All About Eve" from 1950; if you fast forward in time, "la la land" would also appear.
But apart from "the lord of the rings: the return of the king," no other film achieved a grand slam; only it won all its nominations, an unparalleled ultimate record that will absolutely never be broken in the future.
As the Canadian French film "The Barbarian Invasions" won Best Foreign Language Film, the ultimate Oscar showdown of the night began.
Currently, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture remained. Based on public attention, Best Original Screenplay was presented first.
Renowned director Francis Ford Coppola and his daughter Sofia Coppola walked onto the stage together as presenters.
Back then, Sofia Coppola was heavily criticized for her role in "The Godfather Part III" and later frequently received Golden Raspberry Awards, mocked by countless people for nepotism.
But who would have thought that today she is an excellent director with astonishing creativity and has earned the right to stand alongside her esteemed father? This joint presentation was also a form of recognition from the Academy.
"Sofia, I always hoped you would inherit the family business."
Old Coppola's classic line from "The Godfather" immediately drew laughter from the entire audience.
Sofia Coppola responded: "Passing on Dad's experience to the next generation, right?"
"Yes."
"I wasn't talking about 'The Godfather,' I was talking about 'The Barbarian Invasions.'"
Hahahaha.
Sofia Coppola continued: "An Irish family starting a new life in America, a thriller about human trafficking using hypnosis, a fun journey of a baby fish looking for its dad, and the budding romance between two young girls."
"Nominated for Best Original Screenplay are: 'The Barbarian Invasions' by Denys Arcand; 'Finding Nemo' by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds; 'get out' by Eric Cooper, Leigh Whannell."
"'In America' by Jim Sheridan, Naomi Sheridan, Kirsten Sheridan; 'blue is the warmest color' by Eric Cooper."
MGM received the same treatment as at the Golden Globe Awards; Eric received two nominations, making it another day of making history.
The difference was that "lost in translation," which was considered to have an excellent screenplay, did not receive this nomination. Although it had two more nominations for Best Director and Best Picture later, it was already over; this Oscar night was destined to yield nothing.
On the big screen, shots of each nominee flashed by. Some had calm expressions, some looked expectant, some seemed slightly nervous, some smiled faintly, while Eric showed no emotion.
"Eric, aren't you nervous?" Ashley whispered.
"Nervous about what? Is there a need? This award is 100% mine; it was destined the moment 'lost in translation' was out."
"What if there's an unexpected turn? 'Finding Nemo' is also very good, and the media buzz is high."
"Impossible. An animated film getting a nomination is already the greatest praise; winning is out of the question. The 'all-ages' label puts it at a disadvantage from the start; the Academy judges don't like it. Even'Shrek' only received a nomination."
The result indeed confirmed Eric's view. Francis Ford Coppola opened the envelope and calmly read: "The winner for Best Original Screenplay is 'blue is the warmest color' by Eric Cooper."
Clap, clap, clap.
Snap, snap, snap.
Instantly, the entire hall erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Excluding the bonus from his identity, this award was well-deserved and undisputed.
Eric tapped Ashley and Mary on their cheeks, then hugged the others before walking onto the stage.
"Congratulations, young man, you deserve this trophy."
"Thank you!"
Francis handed the Oscar to Eric, and the two shook hands.
"Eric, your screenplay is excellent. I'm completely convinced of my defeat. Congratulations!"
Sofia Coppola initiated a hug and whispered her congratulations into Eric's ear.
"Thank you. I hope we'll have a chance to collaborate."
The father and daughter stepped aside, and Eric began his acceptance speech.
"This trophy is very significant; it's my first Oscar. Thank you to the Academy for this honor."
"Thanks to Ashley and Mary for their wonderful performances, Andrea, my assistant director, contributed a lot, Neil Blomkamp, my assistant, worked incredibly hard, and every single person on the crew—without your efforts, even the best script couldn't be brought to the big screen."
"I also want to thank my parents and family, thank you for your silent support behind the scenes; your contributions are also part of this."
Generally speaking, after thanking everyone, it would be time to step down.
However, looking down at the trophy in his hand, Eric suddenly didn't want to be humble anymore. Was there a need?
A year ago, he had to thank the Academy for its generosity, but it wouldn't be long—perhaps two, three, or at most five years.
The Oscar would be proud to invite him to attend, so when it's time to be wild, be a little wild. I have the capital for it!
Under the gaze of thousands of people in the audience, Eric raised the Oscar high: "I made history, don't you agree?"
The venue first paused, then suddenly erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
Handsome, capable, and talented—such a person being a little wild suited his youthful temperament and made him even more likable, especially to women.
Walking off stage with the Coppolas, Sofia's eyes darted back and forth over him: "Eric, I suddenly realized you've become much more handsome. If it weren't for the 11-year age difference and my boyfriend, I'd really want to try with you."
Eric smiled, thinking that 11 years wasn't a big difference; the age gap between him and Nicole was even larger. If they truly clicked, it wouldn't be an issue; the key was that they didn't.
After chatting with her for a few moments, both returned to their seats.
This time, the Oscar wasn't snatched away by the Olsen Sisters, because Best Actress was also being presented.
Last year's Best Actor winner, Adrien Brody, walked to the center and first made a small joke: "Don't worry, the Academy has issued a ban on me this time; I won't be kissing anyone."
"Among this year's nominees, there are two familiar faces and four new ones. They are all excellent actors who have delivered outstanding performances."
"Nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress are Diane Keaton for 'something's gotta give,' Samantha Morton for 'In America,' Charlize Theron for 'monster,' Naomi Watts for '21 Grams,' Ashley Olsen and Mary Olsen for 'blue is the warmest color.'"
On the big screen, clips from the five films began to play in rotation, finally dividing into six equal parts, with each nominee occupying a section.
The most senior nominee, Diane Keaton, looked as usual, appearing calm and collected, but that was just a facade to hide her inner excitement.
The other five nominees' nervousness was clearly written on their faces, unable to be concealed.
Adrien Brody picked up the envelope, ready to open it, then suddenly pulled out a breath spray from his pocket and spritzed his mouth a few times.
Hahahaha.
After another small humorous act, he opened the envelope and announced: "The winner for Best Actress is—"
On the big screen, the avatars of the six Oscar Winner nominees were displayed.
At this moment, over 40 million American viewers were watching the live broadcast simultaneously, because this award was not only significant but also fiercely contested and full of suspense.
The other three were destined to be runners-up; the key competition was between the Olsen Sisters and Charlize Theron, both of whom had very high support.
Both films were on similar themes, both had extensive promotional campaigns, both actresses made great sacrifices for their roles, both delivered groundbreaking performances, and both films were produced by the same company.
This time, the test was not for the three women, but for the Oscar judges and the Academy.
At the Olsen Family home, the family gathered together again after the last Golden Globe.
Little Elizabeth sat in the middle, with her parents on either side, all three holding hands, their eyes fixed on the TV screen.
Success or failure depended on this one moment. If they could win the Oscar Winner again, Ashley and Mary would instantly become world-class actresses, completely shedding their past labels and becoming legends overnight.
At the same time, it would greatly stimulate Dual Star Entertainment's performance, and the sales of the two sisters' merchandise would surely skyrocket.
At the Theron family home, her mother, Gerda Theron, also nervously watched the TV screen.
Since the year she shot and killed her husband to protect her daughter, she had been acquitted and then pursued her dreams with Theron, eventually arriving in Los Angeles.
More than ten years had passed in a flash; she remained single, but her daughter had grown increasingly powerful.
Starting from small roles, she gradually rose to leading lady status, her box office appeal growing stronger, and her reputation as a glamorous goddess becoming more widespread.
As long as she won the Oscar again, it would symbolize her daughter's career reaching its peak.
"She must get it, she must get it!" Gerda's palms were unknowingly drenched in sweat.
Dolby Theatre.
Adrien Brody tore open the envelope, raised his eyebrows after a glance, and announced, "The Oscar Winner for Best Actress goes to… Charlize Theron for monster!"
Boom!
Instantly, the entire venue erupted in enthusiastic applause, and everyone offered their congratulations at that moment.
Eric looked to the side, worried that the Olsen Sisters might lose their composure, not wanting them to be as embarrassing as Joey in friends.
Things were indeed as he expected; the two sisters angrily pounded their chairs, fortunately, their actions were discreet and not caught on camera.
Just as he was about to offer a reminder, the two of them smiled and clapped, offering their congratulations, as if they truly felt that way.
Hmm, their acting skills have indeed improved greatly.
The monster crew was in the row behind Eric. Theron had already excitedly stood up, a smile on her face, but her eyes welled up with tears.
After such great sacrifice and so much effort, her wishes were finally granted; she had not let herself down.
Her mental pressure had been very high during this period, and a constant state of anxiety was normal, making her feel very conflicted.
At times, she believed she must go all out to fight for it, and at other times, she felt that it was fine if she didn't get it, believing in 'what is meant to be, will be.'
So, the moment she heard the result, tears involuntarily welled up.
After hugging the crew members, Theron felt a bit empty, because she was still missing the blessing of one important person.
At this moment, Eric stood up, turned, and opened his arms, and the two immediately embraced.
As an investor, his actions were not inappropriate; if monster had won Best Picture, he would have been responsible for going on stage to accept the award.
After their embrace, Theron finally walked onto the stage with satisfaction, accepting the trophy from Adrien Brody's hand.
This young man was very well-behaved this time, as his previous act of passionately kissing Halle Berry had indeed earned him a warning from the Academy.
Looking at the crowd in front of her, Theron's voice was choked with emotion: "I can't believe it, I really won Best Actress. This is absolutely thrilling."
"I feel very emotional, I want to cry but I know I can't, because there isn't enough time, and I have so many people to thank."
Hahahahaha
Light laughter rippled through the crowd.
"I want to thank Director Patty. It was she who wrote such an excellent script and specifically convinced me to participate."
"Just as you might imagine, at the beginning, I was very hesitant about playing this role, but thanks to Patty, thank you."
"Thanks to Sam, Bob, and other media professionals, and thanks to Carol, Jennifer, and other crew members. I can't name all of you individually, but thanks to you, the film was completed."
"I also want to thank Christina Ricci. We worked together very well. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to perform so well. We elevated each other."
The camera panned to Ricci, who smiled and nodded. She looked beautiful today too.
"I also want to thank the film's producer. Eric is not only a talented young man but also possesses astonishing courage and vision."
"You all know he guest-directed for a day, but actually, it's more than that. Many profound scenes in the film were also added at his suggestion. I know this makes the film seem cruel, but it also makes it more profound."
"However, I hear the film's box office isn't ideal. For that, I can only say I'm sorry. Perhaps I can compensate you privately."
HO!
HO!!
HO!!!
Upon hearing these words, the scene immediately erupted in a thunderous chorus of cheers and catcalls.
Just kidding, that was Charlize Theron, even in Hollywood, a place full of beautiful women, she was called the most dazzling pearl.
Everyone knew she had been single for a long time and had a few rumored romances, but no media had ever captured concrete evidence, so she was most likely still single.
Now the goddess had extended an invitation. Although it was likely a joke, what if it was real?
However, seeing that the invitee was Eric, a super-rich man and a super player in Hollywood, many people's jealousy disappeared.
Can't compare, truly can't compare!
For a guy like Eric Cooper, even a goddess pursuing him could be understood.
On stage, Theron continued: "Time is running out, and finally, I must thank one more person, and that is my mother."
"To live here, to make my dreams come true, you sacrificed so much for me, even more than I sacrificed for the film."
"My love for you cannot be described in words!"
"Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone!"
Clap clap clap clap
Amidst enthusiastic applause, Theron walked off the stage holding the Oscar, feeling the heavy weight in her hand, which contained so much.
After she left, Martin Scorsese came on stage to present the Best Director award.
"The nominees for Best Director are: Peter Jackson for the lord of the rings: the return of the king, Sofia Coppola for lost in translation, Clint Eastwood for mystic river, Fernando Meirelles for City of God, and Eric Cooper for blue is the warmest color."
Ashley and Mary, having lost the Oscar Winner, felt unwilling, but could only shift their attention to other awards.
If they could win, even if it wasn't an honor directly belonging to them, they would still have contributed, and moreover, it was their man's award, which could be considered a compensation.
Seeing their somewhat nervous expressions, Eric, on the other hand, didn't take it seriously.
"Don't get excited, it's normal not to win. My mindset is more peaceful than yours."
But such words of comfort clearly didn't work for teenage girls making their Oscar debut. Instead, they glared at him, perhaps still inwardly blaming him for being so unmotivated!
Old Martin opened the envelope and smiled slightly: "The winner is Peter Jackson for the lord of the rings: the return of the king, congratulations."
An unsurprising result, and the bearded man happily went on stage to accept the award.
Ashley and Mary puffed out their cheeks in annoyance. Only one more award was left. With the film's popularity so high, it couldn't possibly only get a screenwriting award, could it?
Finally, Spielberg came on stage to present the ultimate award, Best Picture.
"We always save Best Picture for last, because it is the sum of all elements."
"The end of a journey always begins with a dream."
"This year, the dreams were sparked by Tolkien's the lord of the rings trilogy, seabiscuit, adapted from the excellent novels by Aubrey and Maturin, a tribute to horse racing of the last century."
"The thrilling story of three friends growing apart, mystic river, the love story of an old man and a young woman, lost in translation, and blue is the warmest color, which depicts the sincere emotions and lives of two young women."
"All five works are the finest cinematic achievements, condensing the sweat and efforts of hundreds and thousands of people. Everyone deserves the most solemn applause and praise."
As he spoke, Spielberg opened the envelope and smiled slightly after seeing the result.
He pushed up his glasses on his nose: "The Oscar for Best Picture at the 76th Academy Awards goes to the lord of the rings: the return of the king!"
It was still an unsurprising result. With this, the lord of the rings completely ascended to godhood, achieving 11 wins out of 11 nominations, creating history and tying the record for most awards in film history.
Peter Jackson led a large group of people onto the stage to accept the award, and after delivering a speech.
Host Crystal invited all the winners to come on stage for a group photo, together leaving behind this precious picture.
After the awards ceremony, it was naturally the Vanity Fair party. Eric, as usual, was too lazy to attend. After going through the motions and posing for some media photos, he got ready to leave.
The same scene as at the Golden Globe Awards played out: he was called out when he was almost at the door.
He looked back and it was still Paris Hilton.
The two had not been in contact since the Golden Globe, and Eric had almost forgotten about her until she appeared before him.
Paris Hilton quickly caught up: "Eric, why are you always in such a hurry to leave? You seem to dislike parties."
"No, I don't dislike parties, I'm just not interested in ineffective socializing, and there are already too many stars here; they don't need me."
Paris Hilton clearly couldn't understand his point of view. This girl was a socialite, the type who would die without social interaction; it would take many years for her to awaken.
"Eric, you made history. That line you said was so cool; when I was watching from below, I was almost captivated by you."
"Heh heh. It was just a spontaneous thought. So, you specifically came to congratulate me?"
"Not entirely. Regarding your proposal, that reality show, I've considered it for a long time, and I feel it might be worth a try."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Nikki and I discussed it. We'll both appear on screen."
"Understood, Paris. MGM will not betray your trust. Someone will contact you in the next few days. We'll finalize the specifics. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration."
"Working with you will definitely be pleasant. Everyone outside is saying that MGM is the company that knows best how to promote new talent. Come on, let's go inside and have a drink to celebrate."
Eric looked at the time: "Not this time, I still have things to take care of. I'll treat you next time."
Watching Eric get into his car and drive away, Paris Hilton stomped her foot in anger.
She had specifically dressed up and attended in full glam today, even using a special perfume, which was said to have a unique formula with an aphrodisiac-like charm, especially strong in attracting men.
The reason for doing so was partly the Oscar, and another reason was to try and hook up with Eric Cooper.
Such an excellent man; if she couldn't sleep with him once, it would be too regrettable.
But she had failed again. She had already failed twice.
Taking out a small mirror from her bag, she couldn't help but touch her face: "Am I not pretty enough? Why am I not attractive to him? Damn it!"
"No, everyone compliments my beauty. It must be something wrong with that perfume. Those guys lied to me, it must be fake."
"No, I need to find another opportunity to try. I'll definitely be signing a contract in a few days. Maybe I can dress a bit more daringly. I refuse to believe you won't take the bait."
Click!
Theron pushed open the door and walked into the villa, flipping the switch, and the lights came on.
Then she gasped in surprise, covering her mouth, as her eyes met a scene filled with red roses, incredibly beautiful.
Eric stood there, holding a vibrant flower in his hand, his gaze burning as he looked at her.
"Darling, did you do this?"
Eric nodded. After Theron left for the ceremony, he had arranged for everything to be decorated, just to give her a surprise.
If she hadn't won an award, then with a different reason, the surprise turning into comfort would also be reasonable.
"OMG! Oh my goodness! Darling, my heart is pounding, it's about to burst out!"
Eric smiled and said, "Then ask her to wait a moment, because next, I'm going to give you my blessing."
Snap!
With a snap of his fingers, the music began.
Flamenco!
The dance known as the most provocative and sexy male dance, Eric's movements and gaze danced with power and desire.
Looking directly into his eyes, Theron felt her heart pound even faster, her whole body seemed to be on fire, her desires aroused.
Click! Click!
The crisp rhythmic sound of leather shoes hitting the ground. Eric lifted Theron and spun her around; the Oscar had fallen to the floor unnoticed.
No one cared about it; the fiery atmosphere and desire almost consumed the two of them.
Twirling, leaping, Theron moved with him to the window.
Suddenly, Beverly Hills was ablaze with light, countless fireworks soaring into the sky, covering the entire expanse, just like on her birthday night.
Beneath the beautiful fireworks, a passionate kiss conveyed their love, and their two figures intertwined tightly.
"Eric, I love you!"
"Me too, baby!"