All About Awards Show Season

There Will Be Blood? No Country for Old Men? Atonement? Do these titles scream party time? We say, of course they do, especially since all have been nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. If planned correctly, one could put together an unforgettable, drama-filled Oscar party, based on this year’s top movies.

With this, we’re offering tips on how to have a good time whilst watching the ceremony come February 24th. We’ve listed do-it-yourself party ideas for each Best Picture nominee (choose your favorite), complete with theme, what to wear, what activities to partake in and the ever-important what to drink. So even if your favorite film doesn’t nab the coveted golden boy, you’ll at least have the party to remember it by.

The Juno

The coveted hamburger phone.
© Fox Searchlight

Party Theme: Teenage-hipster baby shower. Tunes should include lots of Mott the Hopple, The Runaways, The Stooges and The Moldy Peaches.

Attire: For girls, casual pregnant stretch clothing. For guys, running shorts and headbands.

Drinks: For the love of blog, no alcohol – expecting here! Partygoers can get all their vitamin C with pints sized glasses of Sunny Delight. Or better yet, give them their own bottles of Sunny D to chug. Party activities: Juno Jargon contest – those who can rattle off the most quotable lines ("Thundercats are go!" "This is one doodle that can’t be un-did" or "I'm already pregnant so what other kind of shenanigans can I get into?") . Top prize is a brand new hamburger phone.

The Michael Clayton

Don’t forget the baguettes!
© Warner Bros. Pictures

Party Theme: Host your own after-hours office party. Lots of drinking along with document shredding and the general awkward behavior (like Tom Wilkinson’s memorable strip tease) that you’ll regret the next day at work.

Attire: That’s easy. For men, it’s suit and tie, Brooks Brothers preferred. For women, conservative though curiously hot lawyer attire – fitted pinstriped jackets, pearls and skirts just above the knee.

Drinks: We’re talking lawyers here, so the stiffer the drinks, the better. Focus on libations that will easily drown out stress (also perfect if you’re rooting for this picture to win, because, sorry, you’re gonna lose that case). Serve up the always reliable Gin and Tonic and some seriously strong Scotch. And encourage revelers to drink it straight – best to avoid any harmful additives.

Party Activities: Since the movie’s about examining your own conscience, there’s not much to recommend in terms of fun and games. However, you might want to pass out stress-balls for the more addled guests to squeeze and the soothing carb-heavy deliciousness of baguettes, Tom Wilkinson’s bread of choice.

The There Will Be Blood

Put on your prospector gear
and grab a milkshake.
© Paramount Vantage

Party Theme: Men only. Sorry ladies, got to stay consistent with the picture so…no women allowed.

Attire: OK, if you can swing it, prospector wear which entails heavy cotton long-sleeve shirts, high-backed trousers with suspenders, vest and lace-up boots. If all else fails, long thermal underwear will work, but smother those long johns with oil-like chocolate syrup.

Drinks: Milkshakes, of course. If you’ve haven’t heard the line by now, simply do a Google search for the name "Daniel Day-Lewis" with the words, "I Drink Your Milkshake" – you’ll see what all the fuss is about (and better still, go see the movie!). Just make sure to drink it up. (If this reference is too obscure for your guests, you can resort to the more traditional Bloody Marys, befitting the film’s violent theme.) And in honor of Day-Lewis’ power-hungry oil tycoon Daniel Plainview, order in some huge T-bone steaks.

Party Activities: Go out for bowling after the party – just don’t invite anyone you despise. This will safeguard you from any violent, "milkshake"-yelling behavior. Again, if you don’t know what we’re talking about, re-read above.

The Atonement

Party Theme: Given the film’s decades-spanning plot concerning a complicated relationship and a serious misunderstanding that dramatically impacts everyone involved, you’ve got a lot of options. But to keep things light (or perhaps to keep up appearances) we favor the English manor garden party, circa 1935. Drink, eat, and convince yourself everything’s going to be OK, even if it’s not…

Attire: Vintage formal wear. Tuxedos for men, slinky, silky gowns for women, preferably in green (which Keira Knightley wears to spectacular perfection) and don’t forget your red lipstick.

Drinks: In keeping with the British theme, serve strong Earl Grey Tea. But given the nature of the movie, make sure to add bitters. Name your new concoction "Hot Bitter Briony" because, you know, she’s all of those things.

Party Activities: Remember that game, "Telephone"? Where one person whispers a sentence in one person’s ear and by the time the sentence goes around the room, it invariably morphs into a completely different story? This might be fun, only make sure to double-check the names on your guest list. Don’t want any Saoirse Ronan’s Briony-types out there causing endless drama from one innocent game.

The No Country for Old Men

Party in some Larries on Oscar night.
© Miramax Films

Party Theme: Dusty Texan BBQ, circa 1980, held in the hot, dry outdoors.

Attire: You have to wear Larries (those are Josh Brolin’s cowboy boots, in case you didn’t remember). And any other gear that Brolin’s nearly-naked Moss bought when he walked into that Western wear store, clad only in an overcoat, hospital robe and boots. ("You get a lot of people come in here with no clothes on?" "No sir, it’s unusual.") If you’re not up for that look, rock out Javier Bardem’s frightening killing machine Chigurh’s late ‘70s/early ‘80s stay press pants and jean jacket. If you’re a brave one, give yourself one mean Dutch boy haircut.

Drinks: Beer. Because as Brolin tells a flirtatious motel guest, "Ma’am, I know what beer leads to" (and to which she casually replies, "beer leads to more beer"). And since this is both a hilarious and heartbreaking moment, it means you need…more beer. Like more than a half-rack per person. Just stay away from healthy liquids like water ("I told you – I ain’t got no Agua") – that’s what got the conscience-stricken Brolin into this whole sorrowful mess.

Party Activities: Here’s an amusing diversion while waiting for your movie to win: that age-old party favorite, a "This is Your Life" coin-toss! OK…that’s just sad. Maybe just sit quietly in your room and listen to every sound coming from downstairs. When the movie nabs its Oscar, breathe a sigh of relief. Then pray There Will Be Blood’s Daniel Plainview isn’t roaming around Texas, angry and injured, ready to stun you.