Can Rourke, Weinstein upset Oscar?

It's hard not to like Mickey Rourke these days, even though many of us can see his story as the comeback kid for what it is -- a carefully orchestrated and masterfully rejiggered positioning statement. It's a brand overhaul!

He was fantastic in "The Wrestler," a "broken down piece of meat" role that mirrors some of his own life experiences, and he's well deserving of the Oscar nod.

But will he upset the presumptive front runner (and Gold Rush pick) Sean Penn, whose turn as slain gay activist Harvey Milk was moving, captivating, awe-inspiring and prescient of the times we're living in?

There's chatter to that effect in the blogosphere, particularly after Rourke's win this weekend at the BAFTA awards. Check out his acceptance speech in the video and see how it works for you. 

And speaking of upsets, Oscar tsunami Harvey Weinstein is doing his awards-season thing (circa the '90s) to try to push "The Reader" over the top in the best picture race. Will it work? We certainly hope not.

'Slumdog Millionaire' hears ka-ching at BAFTAs

By Mimi Turner

LONDON -- It was "Slumdog Millionaire's" night from the starting pistol at this year's Orange British Academy Film Awards, with the favorite picking up three of the first four awards handed out Sunday night including best music, best editing and and best sound. Perhaps the only reason it missed out on the fourth was that it was the award for short animation.

Young stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto earned a huge roar shortly afterwards when they took to the podium to hand the best costume design award to "The Duchess."

By the time Danny Boyle arrived at the podium to collect the best director award from Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, the audience in the Royal Opera House were on their feet, Boyle played tribute to his family and said he had been amazed by the experience making the film in India.

"We are hugely indebted to the people of Mumbai, especially all the young actors."

"What a night!" said "Slumdog" producer Christian Coulson after accepting the coveted best film award. " 'Slumdog' was dragged kicking and screaming into the world against the advice of many. Danny Boyle dreamed the dream 24 hours a day, seven days a week for two and half years. I'd like to share this film with the people of Mumbai," Coulson added.

Virtually hyperventilating, but staving off the tears many had predicted, best actress winner Kate Winslet dedicated her gong to Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack.

"You are much missed today and you will be missed for many days to come," said Winslet. "This is for you."

Garnering perhaps the biggest cheer of the night, Mickey Rourke was roared to the rafters when he collected the best actor award. "It's a pretty statue," he said, and proceeded to thank Fox Searchlight, co-star Marisa Tomei and director Darren Aronofsky. "He gave me second change after fucking up my career for seven years. I want to thank David Unger for putting his career on the line for representing me. It is such a pleasure to be here after years in the darkness. Did I thank everybody? My memory's not as good as it used to be."

In other highlights, veteran British journalist David Frost and "Michael Sheen took to the podium to present the original screenplay award, earning laughter for Frost's impromptu interview of the actor. "What are you doing next?" he asked Sheen. "Frost/Nixon the Musical" came the answer. Possible song and dance numbers, suggested Frost, included "Who's Kissinger Now."

(photo by Getty Images)

Jonathan Ross 'shaking like Christian Bale's PR'

By Mimi Turner

LONDON -- Recently rehabilitated star Jonathan Ross was warmly welcomed by the audience at this year's BAFTA film awards.

"Its an honor for me and a little bit of a surprise, to be honest," he told a packed Royal Opera House at he kicked off the Orange British Academy Film Awards.

"I'm a passionate fan of cinema, not so much of opera, but I am happy to be here in this beautiful building because it means they can't stage one while we are on."

But the star, who last month ended a three-month suspension from the BBC after making lewd phone calls to the actor Andrew Sachs, nonetheless confessed to some pre-match nerves.

"It's a nerve-wracking experience to be up here," he said. "Inside I'm shaking like Christian Bale's PR."

Rain-soaked red carpet at the BAFTAs

By Mimi Turner

LONDON -- Driving rain and sleet befell stars struggling up the increasingly sodden red carpet Sunday at the 63rd Orange British Academy Film Awards.

Stars including Brad Pitt, Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Penelope Cruz, Michael Sheen and directors Ron Howard and Danny Boyle braved the elements to greet fans and cameras outside the ceremony at London's Royal Opera House, but it was the male actors and directors who put in a noticeably longer run than the actresses, whose wilting blooms were ushered into the Opera House beneath a flotilla of umbrellas bearing the sponsor's logo.

"He's a fantastic person and a great director -- he is the most humble and most down to earth person," Pinto said of Boyle, whose film "Slumdog Millionaire" is hotly tipped to run away with the evening, fielding 11 nominations, including best picture.

"I'm 18 and I'm here. Danny Boyle's daughter saw me in 'Skins,' and look, I'm here," said an excited Dev Patel. "It seems a bit like destiny, a bit like the film. All my friends are texting me to tease me about my enormous ears."

"It feels pretty nice -- nice to get something like this," Boyle said. "I'm delighted for the actors, they're the ones who are up in the screen. I thought I'd never want to do a film about a game show."

(photo by Getty Images)