Oscar

Though it’s only October and the official Oscar season is still around the corner, this month already has provided two movies I believe will compete for big awards early next year. And one of those releases is probably the best movie I’ve ever seeen. That would be “The Social Network,” first a book about the creation of Facebook. It might be easy not to take a movie on this topic very seriously, but I can tell you to do so would be a big mistake. “The Social Network” features performances, writing and directing better than I’ve seen in any other movie this year.

Well, I don't know what's such a big deal about some cat named Oscar who lives in a nursing home and seems to know when any of the residents begin the dying process! Even Katie Couric did a piece on him on her 6:30 news broadcast. Apparently, he has never been wrong, and 25 times he has been right on. The head nurse said on TV that Oscar makes rounds every day in their hospice wing, and if someone is in the last four or five hours of their life, old Oscar gets on the bed with them and refuses to budge until the passing is complete.

A few years ago, I gave up trying to see all the Oscar-nominated films before the Academy Awards ceremony. Most of the time, what I like and what the Academy likes are vastly different. But I do read a lot, from a variety of sources, about films, filmmakers and actors. I'm a sponge for that kind of information, which is why I know - and probably a lot of other people know - that Sofia Coppola is the third woman nominated for Best Director, and the first American woman. Someday, that little piece of info is going to be on Jeopardy.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' nominations this year certainly offered solid choices, but, as usual, they also made some glaring mistakes. Here are the top five: 1. Jennifer Garner, Best Supporting Actress, "Juno. " I dare you to find a more moving performance than Garner's as a seemingly frigid suburban wife who wants nothing more than to be a mother. You won't be able to. 2. Amy Adams, Best Actress, "Enchanted. " Enchanted, I was. That Cate Blanchett's uncharacteristically over-the top work in the awful "Elizabeth: The Golden Years" was nominated over Adams' royal work as a princess lost in New York is nothing short of criminal.

Best Picture Nominees: "Brokeback Mountain," "Capote," "Crash," Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Munich. " Will win: "Crash. " Momentum behind "Brokeback Mountain" has faded in recent weeks. "Brokeback Mountain" might have struck people on a more emotional level, but "Crash" got people thinking about the complexities of lives intersecting. "Crash" made people think, and months after its release, they're still seriously thinking about it, and discussing it. It's DVD release toward the end of 2005 didn't hurt, either.

Edna Brown Cocanougher, 89, of Lancaster, died Friday, May 23. A native of Cain's Store, she was born Sept. 19, 1918 to the late Oscar and Lottie Garner Brown. She was a member of the Lancaster Baptist Church, attended Berea College, and was the widow of Dr. Clifford H. Cocanougher. She was also preceded in death by a son, Robert Cocanougher; and a brother, Glenn Brown. Survivors include two sons, Paul (Sandra) Cocanougher of Marietta, Ga., and Clifford H. (Margie) Cocanougher of Danville; a daughter, Linda Hadden of Greenwich, Conn.

Irene Taulbee Fletcher Adams, 87, of Deland, Fla., formerly of Crab Orchard, died Sunday, June 3 in Florida. A native of Clay City, she was born March 16, 1920 to the late Oscar and Martha Taulbee. She was the widow of James Fletcher. Survivors include a stepson, Earl Adams of Deland, Fla. A memorial service was held Sept. 6 at the Lancaster Cemetery with Bro. Dan Gutenson officiating. Obituary courtesy of McKnight Funeral Home, Crab Orchard.

Rudy and Jacque McCue announce the engagement of their daughter, Jami Reed McIntosh, to Rickey James Whipple, son of Oscar and Patricia Whipple of Little Rock, Ark. The wedding will take place July 11 at Fort Boonesborough State Park at 6:30 p.m. A reception will follow the ceremony at the park. The bride-elect is a 2002 graduate of George Rogers Clark High School and a 2002 graduate of Trim International Floral Design. The prospective groom is a graduate of New Caney High School in Conroe, Texas.

Hollywood's biggest night is upon us once again. Tonight, Oscar will shine on (some of) the biggest and brightest in film for 2008, and the nominations are a bit of a mixed - but very eclectic - bag. Most everyone - including, rather vocally, myself - was a critic of the nominations when they were first announced. Rather than dwelling on what's already come to pass, however, it's best we focus on tonight. Before we jump into my predictions, I must point out my film viewing was severely limited in 2008.

Lois Marie Mayo, 62, wife of Steve Mayo of Winchester, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13 at her home. She was born in Kenton, Ohio, on Aug. 4, 1949 to Oscar and Lona Craft England. She was a medical transcriptionist and attended the Winchester congregation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Survivors include her husband; her children, Lynette Mayo and Kevin Mayo, both of Lexington, and Landon Mayo of Atlanta, Ga.; her granddaughters, Cheyenne Columbia and Syvannah Mayo, both of Lexington; her parents, Oscar and Lona England of Winchester; and her sisters, Linda (Russell)

What many thought to be a wild boar roaming the Boyle County countryside turned out to be a harmless family pet named Oscar. On March 22, a postal carrier from Lebanon reported spotting what he believed was a wild boar or hog on Webster Road while delivering mail. Having worked nine years in the area, the carrier said he had never seen any unusual animals. He took a photo and word quickly spread of the possibility of a wild pig on the loose. Danny Adams, 51, of 3816 Webster Road, chuckled when he learned of the story.

Oscar Shepherd, 90, of Lexington, passed away Thursday at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Lexington. Arrangements are incomplete with Scobee Funeral Home. The online guestbook is available at www.scobeefuneralhome.com and the 24-hour funeral information line can be reached at 744-2122.

Oscar Daniel England of Winchester died Thursday, Oct. 4, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Lona England. Arrangements are incomplete.

Lois Marie Mayo, 62, wife of Steve Mayo of Winchester, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13 at her home. She was born in Kenton, Ohio, on Aug. 4, 1949 to Oscar and Lona Craft England. She was a medical transcriptionist and attended the Winchester congregation of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Survivors include her husband; her children, Lynette Mayo and Kevin Mayo, both of Lexington, and Landon Mayo of Atlanta, Ga.; her granddaughters, Cheyenne Columbia and Syvannah Mayo, both of Lexington; her parents, Oscar and Lona England of Winchester; and her sisters, Linda (Russell)

Editor’s note: The 83rd Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards presentation will begin at 8 p.m. EDT Sunday. The hosts are Anne Hathaway and James Franco.   Advocate Film Critic Bruce Caudill and Contributing Writer Charlie Cox are both avid film fans who are eagerly awaiting the Academy Awards this week. The two recently sat down to discuss the top nominees.   Best Picture: “Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “The King’s Speech,” “127 Hours,” “The Social Network,” “Toy Story 3,” “True Grit,” “Winter’s Bone.

There are two movies currently out in theaters that have the two best leading performances of the year. In the past few weeks, I have been lucky enough to see both of them. If you like movies, I recommend you get to the theater as fast as you can to see them.   “Black Swan”  This movie is so different from anything else out there, and I think that has a lot to do with why I loved it so much. It is the kind of movie you have to give your full attention to while watching.

Hannah Martha Powers Grubbs, 89, widow of Isaac Grubbs, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010. She was born June 26, 1921, in Clay County to the late Oscar and Ollie Mae Wagers Powers.   Survivors include her children, Shorty Smith of Corbin, Beechel and Cecil Smith, Viola Peel and Lena and husband Garnett Lay, all of Nicholasville; 25 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.   She was also preceded in death by five children, Gracie, Luther, Abe and Jabe Smith and Ollie Dotson.

Though it’s only October and the official Oscar season is still around the corner, this month already has provided two movies I believe will compete for big awards early next year. And one of those releases is probably the best movie I’ve ever seeen. That would be “The Social Network,” first a book about the creation of Facebook. It might be easy not to take a movie on this topic very seriously, but I can tell you to do so would be a big mistake. “The Social Network” features performances, writing and directing better than I’ve seen in any other movie this year.

STANFORD — Oscar Cummins might not have had to work to become one of the top offensive players at Lincoln County, but he did it anyway. Cummins has a skill set that few players at Lincoln have ever developed, and he also has a drive to improve his game that has made this a magical season both for him and his team. The senior striker has scored nearly half of his team’s goals this season and has helped the Patriots put together what is fast becoming their best season ever.