An Awards Nightcap
After losing to "Argo" writer Chris Terrio at the Writers Guild Awards Sunday night, "Silver Linings Playbook" writer-director David O. Russell still came out a winner in Hollywood.
Russell picked up a "Director of the Year" Award at the L.A., Italia Film Festival, which took place at the rechristened TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman's).
For any as-yet undecided Academy voters watching the clock, Russell's appearance came only hours before Oscars voting closes Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Al Pacino joined Russell at the festival, picking up the inaugural Jack Valenti - Legend Award, a tribute to the late former MPAA president. Larry King, fresh off presenting duties at the "Streamy Awards" earlier in the day presented to Pacino.
Scheduling issues kept Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence away from picking up their respective Actor and Actress of the Year awards on Sunday night, but just-off-the-plane-from-New York Harvey Weinstein accepted on their behalf.
Talent manager Rick Nicita, Martha De Laurentiis (above right, with Russell), and Mark Canton steer the eighth edition of the L.A. Italia festival, which coincides with Oscar week.
Continuing past the Academy's voting deadline and into Oscar weekend, the festival ...