The Envelope Please

I hope you enjoy the 83rd Academy Awards this weekend! For a yummy Oscar dinner, I suggest this classic from The Silver Palette and plenty of good champagne! You can cast your vote on the New York Times ballot here. Cheers!

Illustrations by the celebrated René Gruau
Champagne Primer: Quintessence Blog

OSCAR WATCH | 2008 |

Photos: Penélope Cruz courtesy, NYT Style, Sophia Loren courtesy, Google Images
The spirited and complex performance by Penélope Cruz in the 2006 Almodovar film Volver solidified her standing as one of the best actors of our time. Her dramatic and comedic sensibilities radiate freely in her own native language and in characters of Spanish origin. Her Latin feistiness and sexiness in Volver and in this year's Vicky|Cristina|Barcelona [from director Woody Allen] are equal to that of a young Sophia Loren. Cruz deserves the Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and maybe even the Oscar, too.