Top Ten Film Award Moments

2 weeks ago the Golden Globes kicked off the film awards season. There were plenty of brilliant moments on the night, mostly from the hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler with their hilarious monologue and a drunk Emma Thomspon throwing her shoes. I'm sure there will be plenty more memorable moments to come over the next month or so, but in the meantime I've chosen my Top Ten Film Award Moments. 

What are yours? Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog and you could be featured in the next post.

1. Colin Firth aka Prince Charming

As if he wasn't charming enough, when Meryl Streep went up to accept her BAFTA award for The Iron Lady, Colin Firth ran to her rescue. Streep's shoe came off as she walked up the stairs but, ever the gentlemen and as if from a fairytale, Firth saved the high heel placing it back on Streep's foot.

2. Hugh Jackman Oscar Medley

Hugh Jackman features prominently in this list, and this is one of the best moments ever at the Oscars. Hosting in 2009, Jackman sang a whole medley, with a little help from Anne Hathaway, bringing together all the films nominated for Best Picture. Just pure brilliance.

3. Billy Crystal's 2012 Oscar Monologue

Hosting 9 times, I had to pick at least one of Billy Crystal's opening monologues with his wonderful trademark 'Oscar Oscar' song! Click here to see the video of his 2012 monologue (for some silly reason it is not on YouTube).

Image: nydailynews.com

4. Jennifer Lawrence wins Best Actress, Oscars 2013

Jennifer Lawrence was certainly shocked when she won the Best Actress Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook. And as she walked up the stairs, she fell up them. Come to the rescue - Hugh Jackman! Another Prince Charming moment. The rest of the audience stood up for the actress whilst she said 'you guys are just standing up 'cause you feel bad that I fell and that's really embarrassing'.

5. Ricky Gervais's 2011 Golden Globes Monologue

A controversial host for the Golden Globes, presenting from 2010 to 2013. I've chosen Ricky Gervais's 2011 opening monologue. His comments on The Tourist may have left us giggling but he certainly did not impress Johnny Depp. Awkward and hilarious.

6. 'You're Boring' Song

You know the bit where an actor/actress/director etc is accepting their award, gushing in their speech and THAT music comes on beckoning the person to shut up and get off stage? Did you know there are apparently lyrics to this song? Jack Black and Will Ferrell have the answers.

7. Ellen's Picture with Clint Eastwood, by Steven Spielberg

Hosting in 2007, Ellen DeGeneres takes the opportunity to have a picture with Clint Eastwood. Who better to take it than Steven Spielberg? Just get that framing right, Steve. Also - is it weird that hearing that it's 'for my MySpace' sounds dated now? Ellen is hosting the 2014 Oscars and I'm hoping she will get a selfie with another famous face.

8. Sandra Bullock: From Worst Actress to Best Actress

The Razzies look at the year's worst Hollywood films and performances. Sandra Bullock was one of the rare actors to accept their Razzie award in person. The day after the awards, Bullock won her first Oscar. The accolades were for two different films - the Razzie was for her performance in All About Steve whilst her Best Actress Oscar was for The Blind Side in 2010. Her Golden Rasberry and Academy Award now sit side by side. Here's her acceptance speech at the Razzies.

9. Gollum accepts MTV Movie Award

Back in 2003, Gollum won the MTV Movie Award for Best Virtual Performance. As Andy Serkis accepts the award, who comes along to eff and jeff about Dobby from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson? It's only Gollum himself!

10. Ensemble of Les Miserables Sing at the Oscars

The final Hugh Jackman mention in the list. Last year the cast of Les Mis all sang together for a showstopping performance of One Day More. A rare moment as the cast had never sung altogether before.

What are your favourite film award moments?

What are your predictions for this year's Oscars?

Comment below or tweet @TicketStubBlog with your suggestions

When Harry Met Annie

Earlier this month, I recommended Annie Hall as Ticket Stub's Sunday Classic. In the post, I mentioned the films that have been heavily influenced by Woody Allen's classic. So I thought we would look at this a little more closely...

When Harry Met Sally is one of my all time favourite films and it definitely pays homage to Annie Hall. 

I'm going to run through a few examples, which I hadn't noticed until watching the films recently.

1. Opening Monologues

Annie Hall begins with Woody Allen's character Alvy, explaining his outlook on life and his relationships.

When Harry Met Sally is interspersed throughout with short monologues by couples, talking about where and when they first met. Like Annie Hall, the background colours are similar and the characters all look, more or less, straight down the lens addressing the audience. The couples are hilarious and charming. Here is an edited version of all their stories together:

2. Annie and Sally's Costume

Annie's costume became iconic in the 70s so it is no wonder that Sally takes a leaf out of her book here in the autumnal scene at Central Park. Notice the same hats, long trousers and masculine look of the two outfits.

Image: thebudgetfashionista.com

Image: thecitrusreport.com

3. Montage

A clear homage is paid here and it was one of the first examples I noticed. Both films have montages showing the course of each relationship, through happy, sad and hilarious moments - such as Sally's fake orgasm scene and Alvy sneezing from the cocaine.

Watch the first 47 seconds for When Harry Met Sally scene:

4. Location

Both are set in New York and use the city to its full capacity in filming. From the quirky diners and small bookshops to the impressive city skyline, you definitely know you're in NYC. The concrete jungle creates a stark contrast to the sunny superficial world of Los Angeles depicted in Annie Hall.

"Well, have a nice life"
Harry and Sally say goodbye after their first meeting by Washington Square Arch

Image: christianallaire.com

"I'll have what she's having"
The most famous scene from When Harry Met Sally, which takes place at the popular diner, Katz's Delicatessen  

Image: en.wikipedia.org

"I luff you"
Annie and Alvy awkwardly confess their love to each other with the romantic city skyline in the background

Image: thirteen.org

"Love fades...God, that's a depressing thought"
As the couple argue in the intense city streets, Alvy turns to New Yorkers to hear what they have to say about love...

5. Soundtrack

It Had to be You is sung in both films.
Annie's version however, is a disaster. She sings it beautifully in the New York bar but no-one appreciates it.

In Rob Reiner's film though, It Had To Be You is sung by the classic voice of Frank Sinatra. This is a far more romantic moment as Harry finally realises that he truly loves Sally.

6. Musings on Death

We all know that Woody Allen is obsessed with this theme and Alvy certainly thinks about death a lot.
He even gives Annie books on the subject:

Harry similarly obsesses over death - "I spend hours, I spend days".
Hear what he does every time he buys a new book...

7. Split Screens

Split screens in Annie Hall happen on two occasions: When Annie and Alvy's mothers exchange conversation while at the dinner table and during both the characters' therapy sessions.

When Harry Met Sally uses split screens for telephone calls. The best one being the four way split screen with Jesse and Marie picking up each of Harry and Sally's calls the morning after:

Both these instances create comedy and are very clever in terms of timing. Yet, it is interesting to notice that the split screens in Annie Hall are always dominated by Alvy's side and his point of view whilst Annie's screen is shoved to the left hand side. It further shows how dominant Alvy is on Annie and her way of life. However, with Harry and Sally the split is even. No dominant. They are both equals and friends, which visually indicates that their relationship is more balanced and solid compared to Annie and Alvy.

8. High Maintenance 

High maintenance or low maintenance? When Harry Met Sally explores this throughout, particularly with Sally's ridiculous food orders:

It is a very brief moment I noticed in Annie Hall but one none-the-less! A very quick instance shows this difference between Alvy and Annie as they order food at a diner. Just look at Alvy's face as Annie orders.

Although both these films have many similarities, it is the fate of both relationships and the outlook of the two that differ. Harry and Sally have their ups and downs but develop a strong friendship leading to their long lasting relationship together. Annie and Alvy seem like a great match but ultimately do not see eye to eye and, as we know from the very beginning of the film, they are not destined to be together.

It is fascinating to note that the original ending of When Harry Met Sally did not have the couple getting together. This ending didn't resonate with test audiences so was scrapped. The perfect Hollywood ending. So, although there is a clear respect and homage to Annie Hall, the conclusions of both the films are widely different.