By Sean O’Connell hollywoodnews.com: With little more than a week to go before the Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26, we truly have entered the final stretch, where frontrunners breathe a sigh of relief that the marathon’s almost over and analysts pick over every little crumb to see if there’s one more clue as to the direction Oscar voters might be heading with their ballots. We have more than crumbs on the plate for today, though. We have news, and plenty of it. So, let’s dig into the latest items, the finest columns, and the last pieces of the Oscar puzzle as we continue to prepare for this month’s ceremony. - One-time Oscar host Chris Rock has been added to the ever-growing list of presenters. - Awards Daily looks at the relationship between the Best Picture and Original Screenplay winners, stating, “going back eleven years, only three times did the Best Picture winner not win screenplay. Usually, a screenplay win, and a director win for that matter, are tied to Best Picture. That means this year’s expected winner in screenplay is Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist.” - Would you like to buy the glasses Best Actor nominee Gary Oldman wore in “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”? Because they are up for auction. - Sherri Shepherd, Cameron Mathison, Jake Whetter and Shira Lazar have been tapped to host Oscars’ “Backstage Pass” for the Oscars’ website and digital app. It will provide viewers with a behind-the-curtain glimpse of ABC’s telecast and the Governers Ball soiree at the Kodak Theatre. - Kris Tapley of InContention concludes his annual rundown of the Best Shots of 2011. - And finally, looking ahead to next year’s Best Picture contenders. No!! It’s too soon!! Awards Alley brings you the best Oscar coverage. Click below to read our exclusive interviews with: - Harvey Weinstein - The cast of “The Artist.” - Kenneth Branagh for “My Week With Marilyn.” - Bennett Miller talks “Moneyball.” - Producer Jim Burke for “The Descendants.” - Sir Ben Kingsley and Chloe Grace Moretz for “Hugo.” - Tilda Swinton for “We Need to Talk About Kevin.” - David Fincher, Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara on “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” - Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for “The Help.” - Tate Taylor for “The Help.” - Woody Harrelson for “Rampart.” - Gavin O’Connor for “Warrior.” - Gary Oldman and Colin Firth for “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.” - Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody for “Young Adult.” - Steve McQueen for [...]
