promoearn: And the envelope please...Can Jordan Peele's 'Get Out' shake up the Oscars?

Thursday, March 1, 2018

And the envelope please...Can Jordan Peele's 'Get Out' shake up the Oscars?

Daniel Kaluuya scored a best-actor Oscar nomination

All eyes are on the Oscars this weekend, but will it be more of the same?

It's been three years since the #OscarsSoWhite movement called out the award show, which airs Sunday, for its all-white acting nominees. Critics blamed the Academy's old, white voting bloc for turning its back on diverse nominees. Now, following a push by the Academy to add younger, more diverse voters to its ranks, the Oscars finally appear to be on the right track. Following on the heels of Moonlight's surprise 2017 best picture win, Get Out, which is nominated for best picture, best actor, best director and best original screenplay, could be a historic first for filmmakers of color. But will Get Out be among the winners? TBH, no one really knows which film will take home Best Picture. We're just hoping there's not another mix-up akin to the Moonlight, La La Land best picture fiasco.

Your guide to the glitziest night in Hollywood:

•	Watch these movies before the show. Odds are, you have a lot of catching up to do before the Academy Awards air March 4 (ABC, 8 ET/5 PT).
•	Get Out could mark a turning point. No nominee better captures the generational shift between the old and new Oscars than Get Out.
•	Outrageous Oscars gift bags. Oh how the rich do live! What's in the bag that goes out to 26 stars and directors this year? A bounty of gifts that are worth at least $100,000.
•	Where are the Latinos, Asians? Asians and Latinos were shut out of Oscars 2018 acting categories completely.

Ben Carson: So about that $31,000 dining set

Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson wants to hit rewind on his exorbitantly expensive Washington, D.C., executive suite makeover. Carson became the brunt of taxpayer fury after news broke that his office spent $31,561 on a custom hardwood table, chairs and a hutch to replace a 1967 set in his suite. Yeah, that's a whole year's salary for most people. HUD is now "working to rescind the order for the dining room set," at Carson's request. But, could Carson and HUD have gotten a better deal for American taxpayers by shopping around? USA TODAY did a quick online comparison and identified less-pricey options. Your welcome, Mr. Carson.

The Golden State? Not so much, report says

California's beaches, redwoods and Hollywood glam weren't enough to keep it from earning this unenviable distinction: the state with the worst quality of life. At least that's according to U.S. News & World Report 's Best States rankings. The report, released Tuesday, judged states' quality of life based on natural and social environment factors, such as drinking water quality and voter participation. The Golden State's bad side is often highlighted. Los Angeles consistently tops the list of most traffic-congested urban areas and some people even want to secede.

Really, Russia? Putin unveils nuclear missile nicknamed "Satan 2"

Move over North Korea, there's a new nuclear missile on the world stage. Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted that his country has developed a nuclear missile with an unlimited range, and it's completely immune to interception. During an annual state-of-the-nation speech in Moscow, Putin said the new nuclear rocket effectively renders U.S. missile defense systems around the world meaningless. The missile — an RS-28 Sarmat rocket — has been nicknamed "Satan 2" by NATO. There was no immediate reaction from the White House or U.S. defense community. However, in February, the U.S. had already called for new nuclear weapons in reaction to Russia's development of a nuclear-armed torpedo and made plans to deter a strike from North Korea.

Kristen Bell says she got 'anal worms' from her daughter, and we're all seriously grossed out. Thanks, Kristen.

If you're a parent, here are two words you should really fear: anal worms. Gross? Yes. Real? Absolutely. Actress Kristen Bell openly discussed her experience with them on The Joel McHale Show , recounting how her 3-year-old daughter got pinworms after the preschool she attended reported a case of them among students. Here's the really scary bit: Bell then subsequently contracted them herself since pinworms can live on surfaces like clothing, bedding or carpets, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you're considering never sleeping or sitting down again, don't worry, there are ways you can prevent them from affecting you and your family.