The Great Escape: Hurray For Hollywood and the Movies

Movie buff moms this is your weekend to shine like a Hollywood star. With the Academy Awards being presented on Sunday, February 26th there are plenty of ways for you to get in on the festivities, even if you didn’t get a nomination nod from the Academy.

And the winners are:

1. Roll out the red carpet, literally.  It's simple just get a roll of red vinyl table covering from on Main Street, and host an all-out star studded Oscar Party. Make your party paparazzi worthy by offering a menu of movie themed food and cocktails.
Serve some chilled Black Swan Martinis, this recipe and more can be found on www.People.com.  While at Party Hardy, head to their Oscar themed aisle for more Hollywood like decorations.

• For a memorable night look up Oscar night trivia on www.oscar.org . (Here’s one for you: Which actor has the most Oscar nominations for his performances? See answer below.)

• Print and hand out ballots for your guests to predict the big evening’s winners. Hand out Oscar replicas as prizes.

• Don’t send them home empty handed - everyone will be a winner with their very own swag bags. Favor items can include sunglasses, disposable cameras and small sized bottles of champagne to celebrate the night.

Patti Schmitt, plans to host a bit of glitz and glamour in her Stony Brook home. She’ll be inviting some of her close female friends and family to watch the stars strut their stuff on the biggest night in Hollywood. Most often it’s the pre-show that proves to be more entertaining than the actual ceremony. Schmitt, who says she hasn’t seen all the nominees yet but hopes to get in at least one more movie this week, thinks it's a great reason to celebrate.

"An Oscar Party is not only fun to do, but for me,  a great excuse to hang out and have fun with the women I love," said Schmitt.

2. There’s still time to see the nominations. The Commack Multiplex is showing
four of the 10 nominated movies. True Grit, Black Swan, The King’s Speech and The Fighter will run all weekend long. Check your local movie listing for times.

3. Seen all the nominations? Then grab your girlfriends or make it a date night with the husband and see a new release. This weekend is the premier of Hall Pass, a new film from the directors of There’s Something About Mary.  Guaranteed to entertain, the plot involves two men, Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis,  who get permission from their wives to spend one week doing whatever they please without fear of suffering any consequences.

Whichever festivity you choose, celebrate like a celebrity and  most of all make sure you have plenty of popcorn on hand.  Oh, and the answer to the Oscar trivia question is , the envelope please…. Jack Nicholson, with 12 nominations.