Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

Photos from the entire Marni for H&M line (out March 8) have been released. Time to create a wish list!

Some snack ideas for watching the Oscars red carpet tomorrow --

St-Germain cocktails

Bacon-wrapped Dates

The Barefoot Contessa's Baked Brie

Cinnamon-dusted Almonds & Marinated Green Olives

Kettle Corn

I love a good pair of slippers - check out these travel options from the WSJ.

A really sweet book of love stories.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: H&M

the BEAT of the week: Oscar-nominated shorts at the Nuart.

Ah, Oscar season is upon us once again. I, admittedly, have some reservations about the nominees among this year's pack, but I still have faith in one category: the shorts.

They're often overlooked and forgotten within the short span of a minute and a half (or however long they give you for a speech), but the quick spurts of passionate cinematic work are usually quite fun and moving. They're perfect for the short attention span. They might even clue you in to filmmakers to watch. And if anything, they'll surely help your Oscar party ballot.

So here's your chance to check them out for yourself! The Nuart will be screening the animated and live-action nominees up to the Oscars themselves. Have a gander and let me know what you think (The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is quite beautiful, yes?)!

The Oscar Nominated Short Films of 2012 will screen beginning this Friday, Feb. 10 at the Nuart Theatre, located at 11272 Santa Monica Blvd. in West L.A.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. A rare look inside Pixar Studios [The Monday Download].

The Oscars are coming up in a few short weeks, and so it is time to consider all the great films of the past year. If you need some help, the New York Times (as per usual) has got your back. The Carpetbagger's turned her camera on and featuring some great Oscar-themed videos.

My favorite one so far is this rare behind-the-scenes look at Pixar Studios. This looks like such an amazing place to work! And it's great to see how much it seems that everyone is in love with their work.

Be sure to check out other Carpetbagger videos here.

The Oscars air on Sunday, February 27 at 5pm on ABC.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Annie Hall at the Arclight.

Nothing like a little classic Woody Allen to start off your week.

Relive the famous neurotic's tour de force Annie Hall tonight, as part of the Arclight's month-long "Crew Oscar Picks" series, which takes a look back at the Arclight crew's favorite Oscar-winning films. Annie Hall, of course, won the Best Picture Academy Award in 1978, and is still revered today for its unconventional take on the romantic comedy (they just don't make 'em like they used to, huh?).

The "Oscar Picks" program is set to end this week, but you can also catch Forrest Gump at the Arclight Sherman Oaks tomorrow night.

Annie Hall will be showing at 8pm tonight at the Arclight Hollywood, located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Best Animated Short Film 'Logorama' [The Monday Download].

Although I was the champ of my Oscar pool this year (/bragging), one category I didn't choose correctly in was Best Animated Short Film. This was particularly a shame since the only short I saw in the category and actually loved turned out to be the winner, and that was France's Logorama.

From the outset, Logorama is--to say in the least--attention-grabbing and jarring. Its use of infamous and unmistakable logos and characters is shameless, putting them in unusual, unexpected and often ridiculous circumstances. You can't help but be in awe of not only the creativity behind putting this film together, but also of the sheer volume of brands they were able to cram into 17 minutes. And while you may be distracted by which logo could come popping up onto the screen next, there's still a fun and intriguing (albeit a little crazy) story that brings it all together.

In combining all these elements of an entertaining short story with a fun hook and great animation, Logorama really is a worthy example of what a short film should and can be.

Curious? Lucky for you, the Oscar winner is available online for free:

And if this link gets taken down, you can always visit logorama-themovie.com.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Oscar Night.

Happy 82 Annual Academy Awards evening, readers! This is a scene of the setup at Hollywood and Highland this afternoon just before the red carpet began.

Cheers!

-- the BEAT of young los angeles

Photo credit: the BEAT

Do It. A guide to Oscar-watching.

It's finally here. Thanks to the Winter Olympics, this year's Academy Awards were delayed until this Sunday, and frankly, I'm a little beat from enduring those extra two weeks of Oscar campaigning. But the wait's over, and here's how you can celebrate:

- Cinefamily's Awards-Watching Party + Fundraiser!: Don't laugh at the Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin jokes at home by yourself! Get out there and join your Cinefamily friends for a live telecast, preceded by a screening of TVTV Looks at the Oscars, a bizarre docudrama starring Lily Tomlin. They're also boasting cocktails for every Best Picture nominee, but they may need a little help. The proceeds from the $15 go towards future Cinefamily events.
Sunday at 4 p.m., Silent Movie Theater, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District.

- Pourtal's Red Carpet Worthy Food & Wine Tasting: A Precious cocktail at Cinefamily may be too much to handle. If so, how about some wine? Santa Monica's hip wine bar Pourtal has an Oscar-themed food and wine pairing with appropriate courses: truffle mac n cheese (Best Actress), roasted duck (Best Actor) and a chocolate bar brownie bite (Best Picture), all just for $25 per person. There will also be a live screening. Dine like a star!
Sunday night at Pourtal, 104 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.

- Or if you're so obliged to stay in, you can still drink like the stars. Per LAist, here's the official Oscar cocktail:

The Moet Golden Glamour

.25 oz. Vanilla Liqueur
1.5 oz. Passion fruit juice
4 oz. Moet and Chandon Imperial Champagne
Mint sprig for garnish.

Mix together vanilla liqueur and passion fruit. Top with champagne. Garnish with mint.

Happy Oscar-ing!

-- Chau Tu