"The Hurt Locker" won the most Oscars this year, five. Image from Flickr.

In case you missed it, The Academy Awards have already come and gone. The Academy has been thanked, the Oscars have been distributed, and the tabloids have made lists of the Oscars best and worst dressed. In case  you avoided all of that , but you’re still curious about the results, here are the winners of the 10 “big ones.” Maybe after this we can all relax. That is, of course, until tax day and the ensuing debt settlement relief.

1. Best Picture

“The Hurt Locker” controversy started long before it won the Oscar for Best Picture. I was pretty surprised by this Academy Award; I thought “Avatar” would win.

2. Best Directing

Because “The Hurt Locker” won Best Picture, it was not-so-surprising that director Kathryn Bigelow won the Academy Award for Best Directing. I guess James Cameron will just have to be satisfied with his hundreds of millions of dollars and the three Oscars he already has.

3. Best Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock got a lot of attention for her acceptance speech when she won the Oscar for Best Actress, thanks to “The Blind Side.” She mentioned kissing Meryl Streep in her excellent, funny speech. Feedback was generally positive.

4. Best Actor in a Leading Role

Jeff Bridges had my vote for Best Actor on principle alone, and I was delighted to see that he won it for his performance in “Crazy Heart.”

5. Actress in a Supporting Role

No one seemed to be surprised that Mo’Nique won the Oscar for supporting actress. She took home the Academy Award for her performance in “Precious.”

6. Actor in a Supporting Role

Christoph Waltz won the Oscar for supporting actor for his performance in “Inglourious Basterds.” Despite eight nominations for Quentin Tarantino’s latest flick, Waltz’s Oscar marks the only Oscar win for “Inglourious Basterds.”

7. Writing in an Adapted Screenplay

Besides Mo’Nique’s supporting actress win, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” also scored the Oscar for Best Writing in an Adapted Screenplay.

8. Best Writing in an Original Screenplay

“The Hurt Locker” won a total of five Oscars, including Best Original Screenplay. Other Academy Awards for “The Hurt Locker” were for editing and sound.

9. Best Animated Feature Film

The Academy declared Pixar’s film “Up” the Best Animated Feature Film of 2009. With its $293 million box office earnings, the “Up” producers are one group of people who will not be needing debt settlement relief.

10. Music: Best Original Score

“Up” also took home the gold for its soundtrack, an original score by Michael Giacchino. That wraps up the list of the top 10 Oscar winners. Check out Oscar.com for more.

Jeff Bridges: The Dude. Image from Flickr.

Jeff Bridges won the Oscar for Best Actor at the Academy Awards last night, but thanks to Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech and her mention of kissing Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges hasn’t been a huge topic of conversation. Jeff Bridges was my first choice for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, so I’m happy to share some information about the man who many refer to as The Dude.

Jeff Bridges’ Oscar win

Jeff Bridges won the Academy Award for his performance in “Crazy Heart,” a film based on a novel with the same name. “Crazy Heart” tells the story of an alcoholic musician who has passed his prime and left several ex-wives in his wake. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays his love interest.

Producers for this movie would have had to get a personal loan rather than same day payday loans because it took a while for this film to actually start making money. Jeff Bridges’ movie “Crazy Heart” was first released to a limited number of theaters when it came out in December. Luckily, the film picked up enough steam that it went to wide release in February. Audiences had plenty of time to take in the film before the Academy Awards. Now that Jeff Bridges won an Oscar for his performance in “Crazy Heart,” it will no doubt pull in a whole lot more cash, thanks to the fact that it is still in theaters.

Why Jeff Bridges is The Dude

In case you’re wondering what all that “Dude” talk is about, Jeff Bridges is best known for his role in “The Big Lebowski.” His character’s formal name, Jeffrey Lebowski, is the premise for the hi-jinx that ensues during the film when he is confused with a very rich, much older Jeffrey Lebowski. However, Jeff Bridges’ characters friends and associates refer to him as The Dude, and he asks the elder Mr. Lebowski to refer to him as such upon their meeting.

“The Big Lebowski” as a huge cult following. It has spawned several drinking games and been the inspiration for countless Halloween costumes. The tale of The Dude in “The Big Lebowski” is a film that can be viewed and enjoyed over and over again. Trust me, I know from experience.

Jeff Bridges: Oscar winner

Though Jeff Bridges previously has been known as The Dude, perhaps he will now be known as Jeff Bridges the Oscar winner. This is the second time Jeff Bridges has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role but the first time he has won. Perhaps Jeff Bridges, 60, will want to quit while he’s ahead, but I hope he makes a few more films before he retires.

A statue of Walt Disney, Roy E. Disney's uncle. Image from Flickr.

Roy Disney was honored in a montage at the Academy Awards last night, along with several other players on the movie-making field who passed away in 2009. Natasha Richardson, Patrick Swayze and Brittany Murphy were among those who were remembered along with Roy Disney as James Taylor sang the Beatles’ “In My Life.” Though Roy Disney had a huge impact on the world of film, many people don’t know a lot about him. Get to know Roy Disney with this list of 10 facts.

1. The last of the Disneys

As you can guess by Roy E. Disney’s last name, he was a member of the Disney family — as in Walt Disney. Roy’s father, Roy O. Disney, co-founded The Walt Disney Company.  Roy Disney was the last member of the Disney family to be actively involved in the company; he was a shareholder and consultant. I don’t know who got Roy Disney’s 16 million shares, but that person won’t be needing a payday lender any time soon.

2. Roy Disney and book sales

“Project Future: The Story Behind the Creation of Disney World” tells a  story about Walt and Roy Disney Sr.; nevertheless, Roy E. Disney’s mention at the Academy Awards last night has called attention to the book. “Project Future” came out just a couple of weeks ago, so the timing works out well for author Chad D. Emerson.

3. A college grad

Despite the fact that Roy Disney was a shoo-in to work for an extremely lucrative company, he earned his college degree from Pomona College before he began his job at Disney. He started as an assistant director and producer.

4. In the long run

Being an assistant director and producer at Disney is a pretty sweet job, so it’s no wonder Roy Disney kept that job for 16 years, from 1951 to 1967. He then was elected to the Board of Directors. He resigned during a shakeup in 1984 but returned to the board of directors and took over as head of the animation department when the smoke cleared.

5. Roy Disney’s final position

Roy Disney resigned from the company in 2003, but as a shareholder he participated in getting the CEO at the time, Michael Eisner, ousted. After that, Roy Disney remained the company’s third-largest shareholder and a consultant until his death in December.

6. Time of death

There are some strange coincidences surrounding Roy Disney’s date of death, Dec. 16. For instance, Walt Disney died exactly one day and 43 years before Roy Disney. They both died of cancer. Roy Disney’s aunt, Lillian Bounds Disney, died on the same date in 1997. His father’s date of death was Dec. 20, four days after his, in 1971.

7. Old wives tales

Roy Disney was married to Patricia Dailey for 52 years, and they had four children. They divorced in 2007. In 2008 he married Leslie DeMeuse, and they made sailing documentaries together.

8. Pet project

According to Wikipedia, Roy Disney’s pet project was “Fantasia 2000,” which was actually a sequel to the 1940 animated film “Fantasia.” As executive producer, he worked on “Fantasia 2000″ for nine years. That’s longer than many payday lending companies have been in business.

9. Side jobs

Besides making sailing documentaries with Leslie, Roy Disney also was a trustee to the California Institute of the Arts.

10. A novel idea

Like his father, Roy Disney did end up a major character in a non-fiction novel. Published in 2005, James B. Stewart’s book “Disney War” chronicled Michael Eisner’s career and Roy Disney’s role in demolishing it.

Sandra Bullock, Best Actress winner 2010. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

I think most people would agree Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep were the frontrunners to be the Best Actress winner in 2010. Though Meryl Streep did not win, she did get multiple mentions in Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech, which some media are calling the best Oscar acceptance speech of the night. After Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech at the Academy Awards last night, the world is all atwitter about the Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss.

Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech

So what was it about Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress winner of 2010? She came across as humble, grateful and sincere. She praised the other actresses who were nominated for Best Actress 2010, starting with newcomer Gabourey Sidibe and the young Carey Mulligan. After saying Helen Mirren was like family, she said “Meryl, you know what I think of you, and you are such a good kisser.”

This time of year, people love a distraction from thinking about tax resolution, and the Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss seems to be doing the trick. The kiss in question actually happened Jan. 15 at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, which is a much less popular awards ceremony than the Oscars.

Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss

Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress winner of 2010 was the first time many people heard about the Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss. Fox News says “we’ve had to hear over and over again about her girl-on-girl good times with fellow nominee Meryl Streep,” but during Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech was the first I’ve heard of it.

The Critics Choice Awards aired on VH1 instead of a major network, and thus many people hadn’t seen or heard of the Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss. The two tied for the Best Actress winner of 2010 at the Critic’s Choice Awards, and when they were onstage together, Sandra Bullock kissed Meryl Streep.

Best Actress winner, 2010

Besides being awarded the 2010 Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role at the Academy Awards last night, Sandra Bullock is also getting a lot of positive feedback for her performance during her acceptance speech. Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress winner 2010 was funny, heartfelt and, of course, mentioned the Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss. Watch it:

Unfortunately, after all the hype about the Best Actress winner of 2010, Sandra Bullock’s Oscar acceptance speech and the Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep kiss dies down, we’ll all have to go back to thinking about getting a low rate personal loan or some other mundane task. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Oscar nominee Jeff Bridges. Image from Flickr.

Ah, the Academy Awards. It’s that special time of year when the self-proclaimed “biggest movie event of the year” draws people to living rooms all over America. There will be Oscar parties, secret ballots, cheers and boos as friends and families find out which movies and actors are, in fact, the very best. The Academy Awards ceremony airs Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Of course, you don’t want to watch the Academy Awards unarmed, so here’s a look at the Oscar nominees in the “big” categories.

Academy Award nominees for Best Picture

If you’re looking for surprises, you’re in the wrong place. The 10 films nominated for Best Picture are: “Avatar,” “The Blind Side,” “District 9,” “An Education,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious,” “A Serious Man,” “Up” and “Up in the Air.”

For you betting types looking for a quick payday, Moviefone says “Avatar” will win. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Picture.

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Everyone’s favorite Dude, Jeff Bridges, is nominated for his role in “Crazy Heart.” He is up against George Clooney for “Up in the Air.” In my opinion, they face their stiffest competition in Morgan Freeman, nominated for “Invictus.” I didn’t get to see “A Single Man,” which got Colin Firth a nomination. Jeremy Renner is also up for the prize thanks to “The Hurt Locker.”

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Naturally, Academy-Award-nominated movies produce nominated actresses, including Gabourey Sidibe for “Precious,” Sandra Bullock for “The Blind Side” and Carey Mulligan for “An Education.” No list of actress nominees is complete without Meryl Streep, and she’s on this list for “Julie & Julia.” Another list-completing name: Helen Mirren, who is nominated for “The Last Station.”

Best Directing

After he broke his own box office record when he made “Avatar,” the highest-grossing film of all time, I’d be surprised if James Cameron didn’t win the Oscar for Best Directing. But whether he wins or loses won’t affect the fact that he’s gone money to spend, money to lend and money to burn for the rest of his life.

Other nominees for Best Directing are Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker,” Quentin Tarantino for “Inglourious Basterds,” Lee Daniels for “Precious” and Jason Reitman for “Up in the Air.” Don’t forget to tune in Sunday to the Academy Awards on ABC at 8 p.m. on the East Coast or 5 p.m. on the West Coast.

Is it Will James, or is it Jeffrey Sarver? A judge will decide. (Photo: us.army.mil)

The Oscars will be awarded this Sunday, and everyone is wondering whether James Cameron’s “Avatar” or former wife Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” will walk away with top honors. The latter film has drawn the media spotlight of late for at least two reasons. First, one of the producers was reprimanded by the Academy Awards for campaigning abuses and will not be allowed to attend the Oscars ceremony. Second, the makers of the film are being sued by a man who claims that the film is based on his tour of duty in Iraq and he has been “cheated” out of “financial participation” in the film. In other words, he wants cash today.

Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver claims he coined the term “hurt locker”

MSNBC reports that Sarver’s attorney has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey federal court. The dollar amount being sought is currently unknown, but rumors place it in the “multi-million” category. What the suit alleges is that screenwriter Mark Boal was with Jeffrey Sarver’s unit in Iraq for more than a month in 2004, where he gathered the necessary information to write the screenplay. First it was an article in Playboy (please note, Playboy Web site might be NSFW), then adapted into a screenplay. Since the resulting film “The Hurt Locker” is nominated for nine Oscars (including best original screenplay), it is perhaps understandable that Sarver has extra cash on his mind.

Jeffrey Sarver, Will James. Will James, Jeffrey Sarver.

To Sgt. Sarver, it’s like looking in a mirror. He even asserts that the call signal “Blaster One” that the character Will James (played by Jeremy Renner) uses in “The Hurt Locker” is the same call sign Sarver used in Iraq. All Jeffrey Sarver wanted to do was help with the film, but he says he wasn’t given the chance.

“(I’m feeling) just a little bit hurt, a little bit felt left out,” he said.

All characters are fictional – your outrage is completely coincidental

That’s the common claim writers make, and that’s exactly what “The Hurt Locker” crew and production company claim. Mark Boal claims the screenplay was based on “many people’s stories,” and that could be as far as Jeffrey Sarver’s lawsuit goes. That is, unless he can prove that Boal made him some promise while he was with his unit.

Watch the Oscars to see who walks away hurt

FYI: If Kathryn Bigelow loses at the Oscars, it could be because she directed “Point Break” in 1991, which must be considered one of the worst films of all time. The Academy Awards voting was done before Jeffrey Sarver’s lawsuit was filed.

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In a few days, the attuned world will be witnessing Hollywood’s greatest awards show, and you could be considering payday loans. Why? Well, if you’re the type who obsesses over celebrity lifestyle and fashion, you could possibly be one to run out to the mall to get a knockoff of Angelina Jolie’s gown for your college reunion, or even be coerced by your daughter to get a cheaper version of Kate Winslet’s dress for her upcoming prom. Is this a good enough reason to get a payday loan? No. Think of payday loans as a warning device, or even an emergency measure, to evaluate your priorities.

Living the Celebrity Life

Too many people watching the glitz and glamour parading down the red carpet during this Sunday’s Academy Awards think the life of a celebrity is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s hard not to: perfect hair, flawless skin, gorgeous body, blinding jewelry, incredible gowns. You may think, “Hey, I can do that!” But really, we know looking good isn’t all they do. If that were the case, we might as well all be actors.

It is this image of money and prestige that many of us are attracted to; we try to experience this by buying products that celebrities use or endorse. Or at least we try to approximate what they have, like buying designer gown replicas. But do you absolutely have to? Or do you just want a piece of the lavish pie enjoyed by Nicole Kidman? The lure of celebrity and glamour can make you feel good about yourself for a moment, and dissipate once you’ve realized how much you’ve spent.

Keeping Up and Losing Out

There’s nothing wrong with wanting what celebrities have, but it is dangerous to actually keep up with their lifestyles—especially if you don’t have their talent fees. If you want to have what Sarah Jessica Parker is wearing that day, go ahead and get your own—copy or not—and be satisfied. But if you still want the outfit she wears the following week, it’s time to check your objectives.

Do you want it because it looks great, or you actually want to be Sarah Jessica? Absurd as it may sound, many continue to obsess over celebrities’ possessions just for this reason. Heard Cameron frequents this club? Go once and take in the experience. Want a car like Beyonce’s? Take a test drive and be happy. It doesn’t always mean buying into the celebrity life lock, stock, and barrel. You can just have a taste of it.

Go For the Best Picture

OK, so you’ve done it, you actually went ahead and bought a version of J. Lo’s gown and had your hair done by her favorite stylist. Now stop. Stop and smell the coffee—and check your funds. If you’re still fine, then relax, but don’t think about doing the same thing again next week, or even in the next year. You must be hiding under a rock if you still don’t know the kind of financial crisis the whole world is in.

If you realize that you’re running low on cash, credit, or both, make a promise that you’ll learn from all of this, and take out a payday loan. It comes in $100 to $1,500 amounts, so you won’t be too hard paying it back—but it will solve your problems right now. Payday loans are your best bet at this point. If you are able to control your celebrity fantasies, then you’ll soon know who the winner is.