“Our Oscar Party is a longstanding tradition,” said Neon manager Jonathan McNeal. “It’s casual, fun and the prizes are great. Special thanks to ThinkTV for helping us to get a signal and Square One Salon & Spa for contributing a prize to our ‘Star Treatment’ top prize, which will go to the person who correctly predicts the most Oscar winners.”
FilmDayton will host a fundraiser titled Dessert With Oscar, which features desserts themed after the Best Picture nominees created by a variety of local chefs as well as the Sinclair Culinary Competition Team. The festivities, to be held at the Venue on Third, located at 905 E. Third St., also includes prizes, fun games such as Oscar Bingo!, a film-themed silent auction and champagne toast. The cost is $25 for general admission, $20 for FilmDayton members and $50 for VIP. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http:// filmdayton.ticketleap.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.
“Dessert With Oscar is an Academy Awards party with the focus on ‘party,’ ” said FilmDayton executive director Megan Cooper. “There’s something for everyone, and it all supports FilmDayton’s work to grow our community through film.”
The Little Art Theatre, at 247 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs, will host its annual Oscar Party beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
“The last two years our Oscar Party was a fundraiser for the Little Art with a pre-party, but this year we’re just throwing the doors open to the public to join us for the evening, which is most fitting since I have long thought of the Little Art as the community’s living room,” said Little Art executive director Jenny Cowperthwaite. “All of our energy and focus now is going into our huge renovation that will begin this spring.”
Local experts predict
In advance of this year’s highly anticipated ceremony, which has the potential to be one of the most suspenseful in recent memory as “Argo” gives former frontrunner “Lincoln” a serious challenge for Best Picture, we asked some local movie experts for their predictions of which films and performers will take home the gold.
Steven Bognar
Best Picture: “Lincoln”
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Steven Bognar is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning documentarian whose films have been screened at such festivals as Sundance and Telluride and on network television, including HBO and PBS.
Megan Cooper
Best Picture: “Argo”
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”
A two-time graduate of the University of Dayton, Megan Cooper studied theater and communication before beginning a career as a developmental professional. As an actor, she has performed on many local stages and for regional radio, film and television spots.
Jenny Cowperthwaite
Best Picture: “Argo”
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Beset Actress: Emmanuelle Riva, “Amour”
Jenny Cowperthwaite began working at the Little Art Theatre in 1972 and became its manager in 1978. In 1998, she bought the theater and owned it for 12 years before transitioning it to a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in October 2009.
James Farrelly
Best Picture: “Argo”
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”
James Farrelly is a professor of English and director of film studies at the University of Dayton. His primary teaching areas are in literature, drama, film and pop culture.
W. Stuart McDowell
Best Picture: Will Win: “Lincoln”; Should Win: “Life of Pi”
Best Actor: Will Win: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”; Should Win: Denzel Washington, “Flight”
Best Actress: Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”; Should Win: Quvenzhané Wallis, “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
W. Stuart McDowell is the chairman and artistic director of Wright State University’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. He recently remounted his acclaimed 1996 production of “1913: The Great Dayton Flood.”
Jonathan McNeal
Best Picture: Will Win: “Argo”; Should Win: “Amour”
Best Actor: Will/Should Win: Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Best Actress: Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”; Should Win: Emmanuelle Riva, “Amour”
Jonathan McNeal is a graduate of Wright State University’s Motion Picture Production program. He has been managing the Neon Movies downtown since the fall of 2001.
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