North Carolina is proud of the slight top dog connections in the Best Actor category of the 84th annual Academy Awards. But first, who's the host with the most?
When Billy met Oscar from 1990 - 1993 viewers couldn't stop laughing for years. Locals couldn't be happier to see no other than City Slicker comedian Billy Crystal return as host to the 84th annual Oscars. Oscars deli will serve up some ham on rye with runner-ups like funny man George Clooney and father figure Brad Pitt with the pickle twist of Gary Oldman.
All three nominated actors dish out exactly what Raleigh ordered. Three flicks not only worthy of an Oscar but fool proof at the ticket counter. When one ticket is over $5 every local wants to get their moneys worth. Check them out at a theater or by DVD.
George Clooney, "The Descendants"; Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"; Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."
Other nominees for Oscars 2012 Best Actor? Demian Bichir, "A Better Life" and Jean Dujardin, "The Artist" (triple threat by 10 noms).
The two top Best Actor contenders for the 2012 Academy Awards? Clooney and Pitt.
"The Tree of Life" produced and starred Brad Pitt along with actor Sean Penn. But the big slice in Oscars deli goes to Brad Pitt in "Moneyball" (nabbed 6 Oscar noms). The co-star in "Moneyball" (Jonah Hill) is up for Best Supportive Actor. Terrence Malick, the director of "The Tree of Life", is up for Best Director. "The Tree of Life" has competition in "The Descendants", a movie announced as Oscar worthy, five times over (one less than "Moneyball"). "The Descendants" is up for the major awards base - Best Picture, Best Director, and yes, Best Actor (George Clooney).
Martin Scorsese's "Hugo" blew films out of the water by 11 noms.
Getting to the heart of Carolina
Clooney is no stranger to North Carolina. Clooney filmed "Leatherheads" mostly in North Carolina. The beginning and end of the game scenes were filmed at Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Filming began in 2007. "Leatherheads" hit theaters in 2008. On a global range the film grossed $35.8 million, just $22.2 million less than what it took to make the film to begin with. But that never stopped Clooney. He just ventures to new projects with good friends.
George Clooney and Brad Pitt co-founded Not On Our Watch along with Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, David Pressman, and Jerry Weintraub. The pitch was simple for 2011.
"Drawing upon the voices of cultural leaders to protect and assist the vulnerable, marginalized and displaced."
"Cloo-Pitt" traveled in a circle of friendship enough to get the punchline before the joke arrives. Recently Clooney used a cane on stage to mock an injury Pitt received after falling when holding his daughter. George couldn't leave out the fact that Pitt would need his cane back if he wanted to make it to the bar.
Brad has Raleigh connections!
When Brad formed Make It Right Foundation in 2007 Tom Dardin stepped out of his Raleigh office to assist in the goal. Dardin ran a real estate business which developed and transformed polluted properties. Dardin didn't just appear out of nowhere. He was in the circle before becoming Executive Director. Pitt and his crew at the Ninth Ward post Katrina needed a go-to-research-guy. Dardin's father knew one of the main players in the project. Dardin took on the task. Four years later Dardin held the title of Executive Director to Make It Right.
It is rumored that Pitt County is named after Brad's great great grandfather. Without any confirmation from Pitt himself that is merely speculation.
Gary Oldman, on the other hand, had different connections with North Carolina. The talented actor visited the Biltmore Estates as a past guest in the west sector of the state. He also was in "Track 29" (filmed in North Carolina). But then again, like Clooney and "Leatherheads", many films are produced in North Carolina. For instance, "Cold Mountain", "Cape Fear", and "Bull Durham".
To weigh an actor by the measures of distance between 49 states compared to 1 seems radical in concluding their true talent. But there's something about an award-winning actor taking the time out for the heart of Carolina and neighboring counties.
You got to love the guy!
Which would you give the Best Actor to?
For a complete listing of 2012 Oscar Acadamy Awards nominees visit ABC News.
Related:
http://notonourwatchproject.org/?features_page=1
http://greensource.construction.com/people/2011/1107_Make-It-Right-Darde...
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/2012-oscar-nominees-full-list/story?...
(Accessed: 1/25/12)
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