Oscar fantasies come to life in Hamilton

By CATHY ARONSON

When the red carpet is rolled out for the Oscars on Monday the unsung movie critics who work at Hamilton's Village 7 Cinemas will be dressed up for the occasion.

And it's not the ticket sales which boom after the star-studded night that gets the staff so excited.

It's not the fact they have seen all the movies for free.

The 50 cent in-house bets on the winners is a bit of a buzz.

But the main thrill for the managers and ushers is seeing the actors whose heads they have invaded like The Cell for the past year.

"He must have felt so alone, the silence really gets to you," cries assistant manager Kim McQueen, referring to Tom Hanks' role in Cast Away. "And he lost so much weight. His man breasts transform into a well-defined chest and abs. Oh, and look at his shapely legs," she says pointing to the bearded, haggard man larger than life on the display screen.

"Anyone who can carry a film by himself, oh with the help of Wilson the volleyball, has to win the best actor award."

Usher James Marsters disagrees. While he admits the once "foolish actor" has now blossomed, the movie and therefore the actor failed to impress.

"It was slow and annoying. The only thing that kept me watching was that one parcel which he didn't open. You expect it to be a satellite phone or a survival kit, but he never opens it."

Russell Crowe is his pick.

"The man was born to be a gladiator. He doesn't look quite right in a tux. "Get back in the bush, it's not you."

Best supporting actor will go to Benicio Del Toro for his role, and overwhelming presence, as a Mexican police officer in Traffic. In fact, Traffic should win best picture.

"I wasn't going to see it because I thought it was another big name Hollywood hype movie. But I decided to watch 30 minutes of it until I had to catch the bus. I ended up staying for the whole movie."

This year the majority of movies have been coming-of-age, art house and true stories.

Ms McQueen said she liked enlightening movies such as Erin Brockovich, for which she predicts Julia Roberts will win best actress.

Best supporting actress goes to Judi Dench for Chocolat. "She's a cranky old piece of work."

In fact Ms McQueen and Mr Marsters believe Chocolat would be in to win best picture if Americans didn't feel the overwhelming need to pat themselves on the back.

"It's mystical poetry," says Ms McQueen. After watching Chocolat on a day off together, they couldn't resist a chocolate binge.

While the pair admit to living vicariously, they have also become continuity experts, slightly immune to Hollywood and critical of movies.

They will step into the real world of Hollywood on Monday night when they watch the Oscars like an extended family of the movie world.

"Your fantasy characters come to life. Tom Hanks really is a nice man.

"I can't wait to see what everyone is wearing. They'd better show all of the red carpet shots, otherwise it ruins that feeling of being there."