Downey Jr: 'I know I'll win an Oscar'

Robert Downey Jr. can be described as many things, but an Oscar-winner? Not yet. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

HE'S not exactly known for his modesty, and now Robert Downey Jr. has declared he'll win an Oscar as he's "one of the best actors" around.

The Hollywood hunk has starred in iconic films such as the Iron Man franchise and the Sherlock Holmes series.
When it comes to his career, he is nothing if not confident.

"I'm probably one of the best [actors]," he grinned to GQ.

"Yeah. But it's not that big a deal. It's not like this is the greatest swath or generation of actors that has ever come down the pike."

The star was nominated for an Academy Award in 1993 for his role in Chaplin and again in 2009 for his performance in Tropic Thunder.

Despite not taking a golden statuette home yet, the 48-year-old is certain he will triumph before the end of his career.

"I, personally, would be shocked if we went to the end of the tape now and I didn't have at least one... Because I'm young enough, and I'm running down being occupied with these kind of genre movies, close enough. Even the next thing we're doing with the missus [producer Susan Downey], I'm so confident about it. It's the best script the studio has; it's the best thing I've read in years," he bragged.

"Look, even if I don't get one directly, eventually they're just going to have to give me one when I get old. So no matter how you slice it, I'm getting one."

When Downey Jr. was nominated for his first Oscar he narrowly missed out to movie legend Al Pacino, but he believes his rival "deserved it".

Despite his brazen attitude when it comes to awards, he insists they're not actually something he worries about.

"You know, honestly, my real answer to that is: I don't care," he shrugged.

"I used to think I cared, and I couldn't care less. Now, I'm not saying I wouldn't get a little choked up, but it is amazing to see how people are literally hyperventilating when they get up there, because they have such an attachment to this outcome. I mean, it's not like we're at the f**king Olympics or something."

Whereas the star and his contemporaries may seem like people to look up to, he laughs off the idea that they are all glamorous icons.

"That's the great thing - [the industry is] such a floating freak show... You get a bit older and you start to see what's going on backstage in the collective psyche of this ridiculous industry... Everybody is kind of the same. I'm sorry! We're all just kind of the same," he laughed.

"Nothing pleases me more than when somebody who was awe-inspired to be working with me realises I'm just another schmuck that they're bored of hanging out with on a set. I love that moment. I like it when that persistent illusion is smashed."
 

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Oscar gives Argo a box office bump

A scene from Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama Argo which won Best Picture. Source: Supplied

Ben Affleck (C), George Clooney (R) and Grant Heslov celebrate in the press room after winning the trophy for Best Picture for "Argo" during the 85th Annual Academy Awards on February 24, 2013 in Hollywood, California. AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMAR Source: AFP

THE Academy Awards gave Best Picture winner Argo a bump at the Australian box office, but the Oscars buzz did not translate into ticket sales for other films.

Director and star Ben Affleck’s drama - based on the true story of how a CIA agent smuggled hostages out of Iran under the guise of making a Hollywood sci-fi movie - added 29 screens after its Oscar win and rose 87 per cent from its previous weekend’s takings to move back up the box office chart to No.13.

It had been on the way out of the chart after 19 weeks of release. Its post-Oscars tally has pushed its gross in Australia past $12 million.

Silver Linings Playbook - for which Jennifer Lawrence won Best Actress - stayed steady, dropping just 1 per cent from its previous weekend. It came in at No.2 for the weekend overall behind new release romantic comedy I Give it a Year, starring Australia’s Rose Byrne and Simon Baker.

Also holding near steady was Life of Pi (Best Director for Ang Lee), which added four screens and was only down eight per cent on the previous weekend.

Lincoln (Best Actor for Daniel Day-Lewis) dropped 22 per cent; Django Unchained (Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz and Best Screenplay for Quentin Tarantino) was down 24 per cent.

Les Miserables (Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway) dropped 14 per cent and appears to have almost sung its last breath at the Aussie box office.

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Oscar goes to film shot on iPhone

Filmmakers Simon Chinn (L) and Malik Bendjelloul, winners of the Best Documentary Feature award for "Searching for Sugar Man," pose in the press room during the Oscars. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

THE FIRST Oscar-nominated feature film shot on an Apple iPhone has claimed an Academy Award and its app developer could not be happier.

The $1.99 app, 8mm Vintage Camera, became the first linked to the Academy Awards after Searching for Sugar Man claimed the Oscar for Best Documentary.

The Swedish and British documentary following two men searching for a 1970s musician was partially shot on an Apple iPhone with Nexvio's 8mm app after the production ran out of money.

Director Malik Bendjelloul said the final shots captured on an iPhone were "almost as good'' as the rest of the footage, shot on Super 8 film.

Nexvio president Hongyu Chi told News Ltd he watched the Oscars telecast to cheer on the film, and was "excited" by the result.

"(The) 8mm (app) has been used by a lot of indie musicians in their music videos but (now it has) been used in a feature film – an Oscar-winning film," Mr Chi said.

"That's a surprising and thrilling experience for us."

Despite the accolades, the price of the 8mm Vintage Camera app was unchanged in Apple's App Store yesterday, though its description was changed to reveal its new Academy Award ties.

 

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The 25 best Oscar quotes of all time

It's Oscar time and these are some of the reasons why we love or hate to sit through the speeches.

A tearful Halle Berry accepts her Oscar Award for Monster's Ball. Picture: Getty Source: news.com.au

AN OSCAR speech can make the most stoic of actors burst into tears at the drop of a hat and give others a life-changing career boost in a matter of moments.

Summing up a career achievement in thirty seconds or less is no mean feat, but film industry folk have become highly attuned to the need to seize their precious moments of live airtime and leave a permanent impression in the psyche of the viewers.

As we approach the 85th Annual Academy Awards on Monday morning, here are 25 of the best, the most iconic and the most quoted Oscar phrases of all time:

“When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Oh no. Come on... Her, again?' You know. But, whatever."
- Meryl Streep, Best Actress, The Iron Lady, 2012

"For the first time, you can actually see the losers turn green".

- Bob Hope, Academy Awards, 1965 - the first to ever be televised in colour

Hilary Swank holds her Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role during the 72nd Academy Awards. Picture: AFP Source: news.com.au

"I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream. I never thought this would ever happen."
- Hillary Swank, Best Actress, Million Dollar Baby, 2004

MORE:  'OMG I can't believe they won an Oscar' - the most surprising Academy Award winners

"This moment is so much bigger than me. It's for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."
- Halle Berry becomes the first black woman to win a Best Actress Oscar, Monster's Ball, 2000

"I haven't had an orthodox career and I wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it and I can't deny the fact that you like me—right now, you like me!"
- Sally Field, Best Actress, Places in the Heart, 1984

"When I was 19 years old, I was the number one star of the world for two years; when I was 40, nobody wanted me; I couldn't get a job."
- Mickey Rooney, 1982 Academy Awards honouree

"What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film."
- Jessica Yu, Best Short Subject Documentary for Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien, 1997

"Oscar and I have something in common. Oscar first came to Hollywood scene in 1928. So did I. We're both a little weather-beaten, but we're still here and plan to be around for a whole lot longer."
- John Wayne, 1979 Academy Awards honouree - two months later he died of cancer

Christopher Plummer holds the trophy for Best Supporting Actor onstage at the 84th Annual Academy Awards. Picture: AFP Source: news.com.au

"You're only two years older than me, darling. Where have you been all my life?"
- Christopher Plummer, Best Supporting Actor, The Beginners, 2012 - at 82, he is the oldest Oscar winner ever.

"I just said to Matt [Damon], 'Losing would suck and winning would be really scary.' And it's really, really scary."
- Ben Affleck, Best Original Screenplay together with Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting, 1997

"Am I allowed to say I really wanted this? This is fantastic."
- Steven Spielberg, Best Director, Saving Private Ryan, 1998

"God bless that potential that we all have for making anything possible if we think we deserve it. I deserve this."
- Shirley MacLaine, Best Actress, Terms of Endearment, 1984

"Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, 'Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding.'"
- Robin Williams, Best Supporting Actor, Good Will Hunting, 1998

Jamie Foxx accepts his Oscar for Best Actor for his role in film Ray. Picture: AP Source: news.com.au

"[Regarding his grandmother]: She still talks to me now, only now she talks to me in my dreams. And I can't wait to go to sleep tonight because we have a lot to talk about. I love you."
- Jamie Foxx, Best Actor, Ray, 2004

"Gee, this isn't like I imagined it would be in the bathtub."
- Dianne Wiest, Best Supporting Actress, Hannah and Her Sisters, 1987

"Roxy Sorkin, your father just won the Academy Award. I'm going to have to insist on some respect from your guinea pig."
- Aaron Sorkin addresses his daughter, Best Adapted Screenplay, The Social Network, 2011

"I, uh...I have a television, so I'm going to spend some time here to tell you some things. [To orchestra conductor:] And, and...and sir, you're doing a great job, but you're so quick with that stick, so why don't you sit. 'Cause I may never be here again."
- Julia Roberts, Best Actress, Erin Brockovich, 2000

"Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?"
- Sandra Bullock, Best Actress, The Blind Side, 2010

"This is a terrible mistake, because I used up all of my English."
- Roberto Benigni, after winning his second Oscar of the night for Life is Beautiful, 1999

Cate Blanchett accepts her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in film The Aviator. Picture: AFP Source: news.com.au

"I don't have a sense of entitlement or that I deserve this. You'd be surprised at the lack of competition between nominees - I think a lot of it's imposed from the outside. Can I have my champagne now?"
- Cate Blanchett, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, The Aviator, 2004

"There are a lot of great movies that have won the Academy Award, and a lot of great movies that haven't. You just do the best you can."
- Clint Eastwood, Best Director, Million Dollar Baby, 2004

"I just want to thank everybody I've ever met in my entire life."
- Kim Basinger, Best Supporting Actress, L.A Confidential, 1997

"This is one night I wish I smoked and drank."
- Grace Kelly, Best Actress, Academy Awards, 1955

"I won and I get to scream and jump a little. But I got to go back to work tomorrow."
- Benicio del Toro, Best Supporting Actor, Traffic, 2000

"I am king of the world!"
- James Cameron, Best Director, Titanic, 1997

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Oscar movies are hits, for a change

The success of this year's crop of Oscar-nominated films shows there is demand for serious, adult films. Picture: AP Source: AP

ADULT film lovers are flocking to the cinema to see years crop of Oscar-nominated films.

How accurate is Zero Dark Thirty? Is Lincoln an epic of historical recreation or a high school history lesson? What did you think of Django Unchained? Can we get Anne Hathaway something to eat, already?

As a crop, this year's nine best picture nominees has been one of the most talk-provoking, op-Ed-generating bunches in recent Oscar history. From Argo to Life of Pi, they've largely been popular at the box office, too.

This year, the question "Have you seen ...?" has been a frequent one, and often the reply has been positive. The movies have been debated, criticised, mulled over and tweeted. Above all, they've been relevant.

That hasn't always been the case, particularly in years where most best-picture candidates - and this is no slight to their worthiness - have struggled to surpass $US100 million ($97 million) at the domestic box office. Last year, of the nine nominees, only The Help managed to pass that threshold. This year, five have (Argo, Les Miserables, Lincoln, Django and Life of Pi) and two more are very close (Zero Dark Thirty and Silver Linings Playbook).

Many of this year's nominees have done particularly well overseas. Ang Lee's Life of Pi has proved an international juggernaut, approaching $US600 million worldwide.

The most heartwarming story of this year's Oscars isn't necessarily the nine-year-old star of Beasts of the Southern Wild, Quvenzhane Wallis. It could very well be the pervasive success of serious films for adults.

Part of what makes this year's class remarkable is that they aren't obvious box-office draws. Westerns are supposed to be dated. Excessively detailed stories about congressional politics aren't usually popcorn-munching hits. Religious-minded films centreed on an unknown young actor and a digital tiger adrift on a boat don't typically steamroll like a superhero blockbuster.

"The movies worked," Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of the Weinstein Co., which released Silver Linings Playbook and Django Unchained, said at a recent Producers Guild of America event.

He called the best picture nominees "the best collection of movies we've had in 20 years" and claimed the studios have a new boldness to "just go for it."

That's probably overstating the artistic drive of the studios, which are already on to releasing their typical mid-winter dreck ahead of their bloated summer franchise films.

But the studios are also well represented at this year's Oscars: Warner Bros. has Argo, Universal has Les Miserables, Disney has Lincoln, Fox has Life of Pi and Sony has Zero Dark Thirty.

Several of those films were produced with outside financing, but they all benefited from the strong distribution and marketing of a major studio.

It all points to strong health for Hollywood: A star-studded awards gala of nine varied movies to cap a boffo 2012. The year's domestic box office hit a record $US10.8 billion and the number of tickets sold increased for the first time in three years.

"The good news is there's a robust body of moviegoers seeing quality films. That's the real story," says Peter Guber, the veteran producer and chairman of Mandalay Entertainment who produced the best picture-winning Rain Man, among others.

"I have great hope that the films this year that did all this business will spawn more adult films and more films that have thoughtful content. I hope that will be the case, I really do," says Mr Guber.

"But if you look at the lineup for this year, what you'll see is sequels, remakes, re-dos, prequels and franchises."

This year's class is still missing a heavyweight, like Avatar or The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (which drive viewers to the telecast), or the drama of something like Kathryn Bigelow and The Hurt Locker going up against ex-husband James Cameron and Avatar. Argo vs. Lincoln, as many believe the competition has come down to, "is not much of a horse race," Gruber says.

That idiosyncratic movies by talented filmmakers from Ang Lee to Quentin Tarantino can be so lucrative, albeit not on the scale of the $US1.1 billion-making Skyfall, suggests that risk-taking can pay off. There still are cautionary tales like Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master, which earned only $25.7 million worldwide, a fraction of its budget.

The trend for adult dramas had been going in the other direction, prompting worries about the diminishing appeal of the theatrical experience in a time of ceaseless digital entertainment, the loss of independent studios specialising in films for adult audiences, and television's rise as the first destination for today's best dramas.

All of those concerns still have credence, but much of the critical discussion in 2012 turned not merely cynical but downright dismal. Many, including New Yorker critic David Denby (who released the book Do the Movies Have a Future?) pondered the shrinking stature of movies in American public life.

But at least this Oscar's batch has vibrancy, with films that have provoked audiences. Bigelow crafted Zero Dark Thirty as an almost documentary-like early draft of history, leading up to the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

She intended, she said, "to ask the audience to lean into their own conclusions" - and, boy, have they. No movie has been more hotly debated, from the corridors of Washington to the multiplexes of suburbia.

At a time when teenager-targeted extravaganzas increasingly crowd out quality films for adults, this year's best picture films made the argument for being a little daring.

"Every movie is unknown," said Lee. "If it's known, then no studio would lose money."
 

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I can't believe they won an Oscar

Shirley Temple won an Oscar at the ripe old age of six Picture: File Source: news.com.au

EVERY year movie critics and film fans try to predict who will take home an Oscar.

They bet, they scrutinise, they calculate and they predict - but no matter how good their movie knowledge is, there's always a few surprises.

As we approach the 85th annual Academy Awards next week, here are just some of the Oscar winners who have elicited an "OMG I can't believe they won" moment over the years.

(And while you’re here, test your knowledge on our “How well do you know Oscar” quiz at the bottom of the page to see how your Academy Awards fares.)

Three 6 Mafia - 1996
Over the Rainbow, Moon River and Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head all sound like Oscar-winning songs, but It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp? Not so much. Hip-hop trio Three 6 Mafia won the Best Original Song Oscar in 1996 for their Hustle & Flow tune, with DJ Paul, Juicy J and Lord Infamous collecting the gong in trademark T-shirts and baggy jeans.

Hilary Swank - 2000
Wait, isn't that the girl from The Next Karate Kid? While Hilary Swank may now be known as one of Hollywood's leading ladies, back in 2000 she became an overnight sensation after taking the best actress Oscar for her role in Boys Don't Cry prompting everyone in the industry to sit up and take notice.

Billy Bob Thornton, his baseball cap, and his Oscar. Picture: Supplied Source: news.com.au

Billy Bob Thornton - 1997
We know him mainly as Angelina Jolie's kinky much-older ex, but before he suited up as Bad Santa and developed his bad boy image, he was collecting an Oscar on stage for his best adapted screenplay. Thornton took home the statue for Sling Blade.

Whoopi Goldberg - 1991
We know her best as the sassy nun in Sister Act, but it wasn't the all-dancing, all-singing film that earned Whoopi a statue. Seventeen years before she appeared on talk show The View and four years before she hosted the Oscars herself, she collected the Best Supporting Actress gong for her role as psychic in Ghost.

Cher - 1998
She was reportedly still bitter about being overlooked for her role in Mask, but she finally took home the golden statue in 1988 for her role in Moonstruck.

Adrian Brody - 2002
Brody became the youngest ever Best Actor winner in 2002 for his role in The Pianist. While audiences were shocked he managed to beat Jack Nicholson (on his 12th career nomination) for About Schmidt and Daniel Day-Lewis might win for Gangs of New York, no one was more surprised than Brody himself who leaped out of his chair exclaiming "Holy s--t!" before locking lips with a clueless Halle Berry, who was on stage to present the award.

Shirley Temple - 1934
The esteemed Shirley Temple became the youngest honouree of an Academy Award when she received a special honorary achievement award way back in 1934 at the ripe old age of six. She received a special miniature sized Oscar for her outstanding contribution to entertainment.

Halle Berry - 2001
While it was no shock that Halle Berry took home the top gong for her role in Monster's Ball, what was astounding was that it took until 2001 for an African American to be named the Best Actress. An overwhelmed Berry burst into tears on stage as she realised what she had achieved in one of the Academy Awards' most memorable moments.

Flight of The Conchords - 2012
The group who used to refer to themselves as "New Zealand's 4th most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo" are now recognised as the "the almost award-winning fourth-most-popular folk duo in New Zealand" after Bret Mackenzie, one half of the duo, took home an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2012. He won the gong for 'Man or Muppet', especially composed for The Muppets movie.

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