Where Will You Be When the Oscars Air?

Most of us in Laguna Niguel will not spend umpteen hours primping in front of our mirrors or worrying about "who we are wearing" before the 83rd annual Oscar ceremony hits the small screen Sunday evening.

Nope. Most of us, self included, will be sitting in the comfort of our own homes, most likely kicking back in our favorite sweats and planted on our sofas. If you're one of the lucky ones, you will be watching in HD on a big plasma, which enhances everything—and I do mean everything.

If you're also like me, you'll be sitting with friends, critiquing every gown, hairstyle, piece of jewelry and searching for any sign of a single wrinkle on the faces of those parading along the red carpet.  You'll have a big bowl of popcorn balancing on your lap and your favorite cold drink in one hand, the remote in the other. There you will remain planted for the next three hours, or longer, if it the show goes over the allotted time.

Like most everyone, I have my favorite nominees, many of which have to do with The King's Speech (Go, Colin Firth!) and Black Swan. However, being a Golden Age of Hollywood movie buff, I wish I could hit rewind and play back to the beginning. How great to have been in the same room with the stars of yesteryear, such as Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. 

Here's a bit of Oscar trivia: "The first Academy Awards ceremony took place out of the public eye during an Academy banquet at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Two hundred seventy people attended the May 16, 1929, dinner in the hotel’s Blossom Room; guest tickets cost $5. It was a long affair filled with speeches, but Academy President Douglas Fairbanks made quick work of handing out the statuettes," according to the Oscars.org website.

And here's what some other Laguna Niguel folks shared with me about where they will be and whom they will be cheering on Sunday night.

Where Will They Be?

Greg LeNoue, general manager of Regency Theatres in Laguna Niguel: "I'll be watching at home with my family (as usual) ... it's always easier to crack open a bottle of wine at home. For best actor, Colin Firth; best actress, Natalie Portman (although it would be really cool see to see Jennifer Lawrence win);  best supporting actor, Christian Bale (although, I think it may go to Geoffrey Rush); best supporting actress, Jacki Weaver (although Hailee Steinfeld would be a big upset and Melissa Leo killed it in The Fighter); cinematography, Inception (although it may go to Black Swan); directing, too hard to pick; music (score), Inception; and best picture, The King's Speech."

Our own Song Mom, Casey Stark said, "I am watching the Oscars from home and rooting for Black Swan. Awesome, beautiful dancing and music!"

The Doran family will be watching at home with friends. "I am rooting for The Social Network, Colin Firth, Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Amy Adams and for animated movie, Toy Story 3," said Barbara Doran.

Katie Nelson, who grew up in Laguna Niguel and who is away at college said, "I watch them for the dresses. All the girls love to watch them for the dresses. I might watch at a friend's apartment so we can critique the fashion. That is a favorite of mine. Definitely rooting for the youngsters,  and so are a lot of others. Hailee Steinfeld was amazing in True Grit, but I feel like the academy will ... go with Melissa Leo instead."

Barton MacLeod, a John Wayne fan, is hoping True Grit wins, while Mayor Gary Capata says he has no idea who is even up for an award.

Did I already say, Go, Colin!?