Tennessee Williams Meets Faulkner in 'August: Osage County'
Although the film is set in the Midwest, its dysfunctional family could easily be transplanted to the South.
Juleps to Johnnycakes: Deep South's 2014 Academy Awards Menu
The upcoming Academy Awards on March 2 are equivalent to the Super Bowl in our book and a great chance to throw a viewing party. The South is well represented this year in "12 Years a Slave" and "Dallas Buyer's Club," with Texan Matthew McConaughey the darling of this year's awards and Louisiana-born Jared Leto not far behind. Their performances in "Dallas Buyer's Club" are some of the most memorable. Kentucky gal Jennifer Lawrence also stole the show in "American Hustle," which has an excellent chance of picking up Best Picture. And let's not forget "The Great Gatsby," which didn't perform as expected but did dazzle with costumes and music. COCKTAILS The Mint Julep - "The Great Gatsby" may not have lived up to all the hype last spring, but it got an Oscar nod for costume and production design. Celebrate the movie on Sunday night with a classic cocktail whose silver serving vessel would fit right in with all the glitz and glam. Bourbon Milk Punch - In another nod to Gatsby, this New Orleans favorite is perfect for a late-night or early morning party and could also be served in a punchbowl to satiate a crowd. Blackberry Sidecar - The juice from
Lincoln, Beasts & Django Unchained Lead Oscar Noms
Actors Emma Stone and Seth MacFarlane announced the 2013 Academy Award nominations this morning, and we're glad to see some of the past year's excellent Southern films getting their due.
Watch 'The Fantastic Flying Books'
While "The Help" didn't take home best picture at the Academy Awards last night, and Viola Davis's best actress award went instead to Meryl Streep, it was still a great night for the South. Octavia Spencer was recognized as best supporting actress for "The Help," thanking her family and home state of Alabama, Mississippi got plenty of nods, and a little film made in Louisiana won best animated short.
Oscar Buzz for The Help
Earlier today, we got an email with an infographic from Banyan Branch, a Seattle-based social media agency, depicting buzz online for the Oscar nominees. Find out how much buzz "The Help" is getting on Facebook and Twitter and how many people are talking about Viola Davis's performance as Aibileen.
Southern Oscar Menu
The 2011 Academy Awards air tonight, and we've compiled a few menu ideas to help you watch Southern style. Just click on the links for recipes! Appetizers & Drinks Winter's Bone "Hush" Puppies Pimento Cheese Sandwiches "For the Kids" "Social Network" Caramel Appletinis Main Course Shrimp & "True Grits" Dessert King's Cake (with a speech if the spirit moves; pick up a King Cake at your local grocer or bakery) White & Black "Swan" Mississippi Mud Bars