'Slumdog,' 'Wall-E' rise, fall

As much as we'd like to brag that we were the first to single out "Slumdog Millionaire" as an Oscar contender for best picture, we can't, in all honesty. But we were among the first to do so, all official-like. How's that for literal?

We plucked Danny Boyle's mostly-English-language rags-to-riches "Slumdog" from the festival circuit, via its rave reviews, and included it along with "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Doubt," "Milk," and "The Dark Knight" in our Too Early for Real Oscar Predictions list via Gold Derby.

Rolling Stone's Peter Travers and InContention's Kris Tapley agreed, sharp guys that they are. Travers, meanwhile, was the only other prognosticator to side with us on "Dark Knight."

But today it seems that others are now copying off our papers. Cheaters!

Look here to see who's following the leaders.

And go here for a sneak at the Fox Searchlight one sheet, which latches onto the love story as the film's salable hook. Well, you didn't think it was going to be the torture scenes, did you? Maybe the Bollywood song-and-dance numbers, which will figure heavily into the media campaign, but certainly not the beat down scenes.

Good call!

While one star rises, another seems to fade. Excitement about "Wall-E," the Pixar/Disney not-just-for-families flick, was all the rage this summer, when awards season was far, far away. And it wasn't just bandied about for best animated picture, but best picture.

Gold Rush readers were all for it.

Haven't heard a peep about its chances for the top prize lately, though. It's not on our list, but we think it's already a lock for best animated pic. That'll have to do, and that ain't bad.

Recognizing the Oscar-winning creative mind behind "Wall-E" and a long line of Pixar mega-blockbusters, THR has given John Lasseter the new title, King of the World! Actually, it's Innovator of the Year, whose epiphany came in high school when he stumbled across "The Art of Animation" book:

"It dawned on me that people actually make cartoons for a living."

Learn how Lasseter's doodling in church, devastating heave-ho from Disney back in the day, and fortuitous meet up with LucasFilms set the stage for some of the most eye-popping, pathos-packing animated fare any of us has ever seen.

We fully expect to see him, gold-laden, on Oscar night.

Michelle Obama meets 'The Daily Show'

Does this mean Cindy McCain will be stopping by "The Colbert Report?"

Not likely. She's probably still stinging from the sit-down with those broads at "The View" who tore into her and hubby/presidential candidate John McCain a few weeks back. Man, that was crazy. Real questions were asked -- and not answered. Who knew Whoopi and the crew had it in them?

Comedy Central says today that Michelle Obama will make her first appearance on Jon Stewart's Emmy-heavy late-night fake news program, "The Daily Show," on Wednesday.

Her husband, The Man Who Would Be President, has been on the show three times.

But, we all know how competitive the potential First Lady is -- she popped up on "The Colbert Report" during its heavily snack sponsored "Doritos' Spicy Sweet Pennsylvania Primary Coverage From Chili-Delphia -- The City of Brotherly Crunch!"

Elsewhere at the cable net, Tony Award-nominee David Alan Grier is about to get added to the mix with a race-centric pseudo-news show in which the day's events will be "not just filtered, but filtered with menthol," says Grier. "This is not your father's investigative news. It's your baby daddy's."

It'll be sandwiched between the Emmy- and Peabody-winning "South Park" and "The Daily Show" starting Oct. 15. See some clips here.

And watch Colbert flirt shamelessly with Michelle Obama here. Stewart has a tough act to follow.

An animated Emmy chat

We love a man with the courage of his convictions.

Brother blogger Ray Richmond at Past Deadline picked "Family Guy" as one of the 10 Emmy finalists in the comedy category. And he was all alone. Oh, the pointing and laughing he endured.

Turns out he was right. (And there was much gloating).

Nice to see he's standing firm, again choosing the animated series to be among the five contenders when the prime time Emmy nods are announced tomorrow.

This time, though, we think he's wrong. People love them some "Two and a Half Men," remember? And even though it would be one for the history books (first animated show to score a nomination since The Modern Stone Age Family), we can't see it. Emmy votes = risk aversion.

Check out Ray's prognosticating, which we don't find at all gutless or weaselly. We even agree with him sometimes -- we'd love to see a "Mad Men" rout, and think Glenn Close should take the trophy for "Damages." Other times -- Holland Taylor over Jane Krakowski? -- not so much.

Do note that he has both Kristen Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris on his lists. Since they're doing the announcements in the a.m., that should avoid some really awkward moments.

Hating on Wall-E, Dark Knight

Was the backlash inevitable?

A couple of summer movies have had so much success ("Wall-E") and early buzz ("The Dark Knight") that the haters just can't resist weighing in. Being contrary for its own sake? Is that human nature, or just reviewer nature? Justifying their ever-tenuous jobs by stirring up some controversy?

There are several recent examples even after -- or perhaps because -- both movies have inspired Oscar talk ("Wall-E" for animated picture and/or best picture; and Heath Ledger's sociopathic mad dog performance as the Joker in "The Dark Knight").

That populist first-read The New Yorker said "The Dark Knight" will send you out of the theater with "post-movie stress disorder" because "it is constant climax; it's always in a frenzy, and it goes on forever."

New York magazine adds its assessment of the superhero action flick as "a morbid affair" that's "noisy, jumbled and sadistic."

Reviews like these are dragging down the Rotten Tomatoes score, and that's just the overripe fruit that could come in handy if crossing paths with those writers. Just kidding. Sort of. Not that their opinion will matter a bit at the boxoffice.

Meanwhile, An L.A. Times analysis takes "Wall-E" to task because it's not Ursula Le Guin. Again, fans are speaking with their dollars and apparently they understand Pixar's sense of humor, if not its sense of purpose, in creating entertainment that works on multiple levels.

Hey, it's not "2001: A Space Odyssey," and that's OK. Really.

We'd like to hear from you on this -- agree or disagree with these critical jabs?

Hate Wall-E, love SJP?

But he's such an adorable little trash compactor...how can anyone hate on "Wall-E?"

Our commenters aren't that harsh -- yet -- but they're making their feelings known about the Oscar potential of the animated flick, which has inspired some of the most glowing reviews of the year and the kind of buzz that could catapult it beyond the kid-friendly target.

The best animated movie category was created for a reason, readers say, and "Wall-E" should stick to it, leaving the best picture to live action fare.

"I'm so sick of the yearly Pixar animated film 'getting Oscar talk' for the best picture race. Even if it did get nominated for both categories, the chances of winning both would be nil and would just take up a worthy nominee for best picture."

Settle down, Katie.

At least one prominent blogger agrees with you, though, asking people to "stop the 'Wall-E' Oscar madness, please!" and giving some historical context for an uphill battle for the love-struck robot flick.

Steve, another Gold Rush reader, goes the opposite direction here, figuring there's such an overlap in genres that all movies should go into the same pot for consideration:

"Considering all the CGI in films today, isn't everything an animated film? Let's ditch that category and the best foreign film category and put everything on the same level."

Never gonna happen. But it's a good conversation starter, and we're all about that. Keep it coming, y'all.

And speaking of water cooler chatter, we're seeing some genuine enthusiasm from our readers for Sarah Jessica Parker's performance in "Sex and the City." Oscar contender? Feel free to weigh in.

Oscar's baaaack!

Gluttons for punishment that we are, we and many of our awards blogger brethren started ruminating on Oscars '09 moments after Oscars '08 were doled out in late February.

Can the Coen brothers go back-to-back? Leo and Kate -- reunited for gold? Big Biopic for Benicio!

Never mind that we hadn't seen any of the movies yet.

Here we are a couple months and many non-awards contenders later, and Gregg Kilday says that this Friday, with the release of "Wall-E," the Oscar race is unofficially on. The Disney/Pixar release is a lock in animation and maybe even best film categories.

Since we try not to take too many wild stabs (not this early in the season anyway), we'll give you our perspective on hotly anticipated/potential Oscar bait. There's always the danger of early overhype (evidence: "The Kite Runner," "Dreamgirls") so at the risk of putting the whammy on these movies by even daring to single them out, here are some initial thoughts, in shorthand:

Joel and Ethan Coen, a slew of A-list talent like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Tilda Swinton, John Malkovich and Frances McDormand get together for "Burn After Reading." Expectations are high, but the Academy rarely goes for comedy in the best picture race. Doesn't mean some of the performances couldn't break through.

Steven Soderbergh's "Che" had Oscar buzz until people had to actually sit through its four-plus-hours at Cannes. Now, it's all about Benicio Del Toro, not at all about the marathon movie. But all prospects are up in the air since it doesn't even have distribution yet.

"Blindness" -- could it spell a win, finally, for Julianne Moore? "Australia" -- Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Sweeping vistas. Epic struggles. WW II! "The Duchess" -- Oscar loves powdered wigs (on men) and hoop skirts (on Keira Knightley). "Revolutionary Road" puts Leonardo DiCaprio back with Kate Winslet for the first time since "Titanic." "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" -- Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. "Doubt," Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

Heath Ledger for "Dark Knight?" Probably not.

"Changeling," from Oscar fave Clint Eastwood, starring Oscar darling Angelina Jolie. Way hot.

This is just the beginning, and we have plenty of time. Come on back to see us muse until we can't muse no more.

Key to the kingdom

We've all been suckered by a well-crafted trailer, one-sheet, Web site, wild posting, widget or other viral/guerrilla/experiential ad that got us hyped up to see what turned out to be a pretty awful flick. Et tu, "Cloverfield?"

Those aren't the campaigns that won the Key Art Awards this weekend (Unless you count "Premonition.")

The big winners couldn't be more different in their content, but what "The Simpsons Movie," "No Country for Old Men" and "300" had in common was eye-catching creative that told us what we needed to know about each in a skillful, snappy shorthand. Not to mention making us laugh, creeping us out and giving us palpitations.

Reigning It Boy of Comedy Judd Apatow (pictured) won the Visionary Award for inspiring studio marketing teams and used the opportunity to take a little jab at those very same guys.

So, maybe they don't always agree? Can't imagine. It still begs the question: Whose idea were those obnoxious "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" postings?

Full list of winners here.

Hail, hail, rock 'n' roll man

Sad news at the top of the week (but keep reading -- it gets animated eventually).

Bo Diddley, legendary musician who helped bust color barriers and influenced countless bands, singers, songwriters and strummers from Buddy Holly to the Rolling Stones and well beyond, has died in Florida. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy lifetime achievement award winner was 79.

Last season on "Rescue Me," the characters in her raucous fictional family sat Tatum O'Neal's Maggie Gavin down and told her she had a serious problem. (Pot calling kettle black, but that's part of the show's twisted charm.) This is after she rips apart her marriage to a doltish but soft-hearted firefighter and appears to be on a self-destructive tear that knows no bounds.

So much for that intervention.

The Oscar-winning actress, who has written about her struggles with substance abuse, has been swept up in a crack bust in New York in an unfortunate case of life imitating art.

Not content to hang in the animated category, "Family Guy" will try to cross over into the comedy field of this year's Emmys, competing against the likes of "30 Rock" and "The Office." That news gets a big "whatevs" from us. We do take exception to this comment from exec producer Chris Sheridan:

"It always seemed a little odd that we were up against 'The Powderpuff Girls.' "

For the record, it's "The Powerpuff Girls" and, in our book, those little bug-eyed butt-kickers can give you a run for your money. Stewie, indeed.

Vertigo alert

Such a killer trip to Krustyland (and, as you'll learn when you go to The Simpsons Ride, there's a pivotal Sideshow Bob joke in that statement that juices the action).

So, we braved the skin-singeing heat this past weekend for the launch of the first Simpsons-themed motion simulator ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. We were in good company -- Matt Groening (pictured)! Sideshow Bob himself, six-time Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer! Mayor V!

And there was Larry Birkhead, who'd drag that poor baby to the opening of an envelope if there were photographers on hand. The paps were poised on the Simpsons "yellow" carpet, and so there, too, was Birkhead. Not sure little Dannielynn understood much of what was going on. She's not exactly "The Simpsons" demo yet, and she sure didn't look 40" tall (required so the littlest ones don't go flying off the attraction).

During the pre-party, some guy got shot out of a cannon. No, it wasn't Grammer, or Birkhead, but it sure was loud. (Paramedics standing by!)

The ride itself: the run-up gives fans a cornucopia of "Simpsons" clips and characters. Makes the wait go by a lot faster. (Never get tired of Apu). The ride, a la "Back to the Future," runs you head-first through the rickety Krustyland theme park and other Springfield scenarios, chased by the murderous Sideshow Bob. It's a thrill ride/roller coaster, (hang onto your stomach!) complete with giant nuclear Maggie, that's, at its heart, a bonding experience with the iconic cartoon family.

Score: highly recommended. Opens this weekend.

Meanwhile, Variety reports that there's no deal in place yet for the voice talent for "The Simpsons" historic 20th season. (You'll hear all those voices at the theme park ride, by the way. Must've been a separate deal).

Word to Fox: Don't be a Mr. Burns. Give them their half-mil an episode so we can all look forward to more of the brilliant subversiveness that's always a ray of light on network TV. Do it!

Homerpalooza

Since it's Africa hot in Los Angeles -- brain-melting record heat wave continues! -- we can think of nothing better to do than head to the concrete confines of a nearby theme park where we'll be shoulder to shoulder with screaming kids and sweaty humanity. We told you it was brain-meltingly hot.

But there's no need to worry about us. There's good reason for the trek -- we'll be among the sun-stroked crowd at The Simpsons Ride launch at Universal Studios tomorrow. (Come back next week and we'll tell you all about it). Hooray, Krustyland!

Aside from our glee about this particular brand extension, (won't be able to sleep tonight!) we already had "The Simpsons" on the brain, what with some awards nominations the multiple Emmy-winning property has scored of late. It's in the running as one of the best entertainment brands of the year for its hit film, its 400th episode, its raft of cool swag and makeovers of 7-Elevens into Kwik-E-Marts last summer. (Now that's good Squishy, even though we had to stand in line for it).

The Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association will pick between "The Simpsons," "American Idol," "High School Musical 2," "Shrek the Third" and "Spider-Man 3" for the honor next month at New York's Licensing Show.

And today, "The Simpsons Movie" has picked up seven nominations, more than any other film, for the 37th annual Hollywood Reporter Movie Marketing Key Art Awards.

Judges pick the honorees based on trailers, posters, TV spots and such so, like the Golden Trailer Awards before it, there are boxoffice stinkers like "30 Days of Night" that make it into the pool. Hey, don't blame the one-sheet!

But in the case of "The Simpsons Movie," the product lived up to the hype, a rare feat in Hollywood these days. And no matter how many times we see Homer, Bart, et al lovingly portrayed on larger-than-life-sized standees and billboards, we still laugh. Every time.