Oscar Nominees: Our First Impressions Pt. 2

Earlier this month The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences held its annual luncheon for the Oscar nominees at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. LAist was there in the interview room while nominees such as Penelope Cruz. Mickey Rourke and Kate Winslet fielded questions from the press.

In our first round of interviews, we heard from Richard Jenkins, Kate Winslet, Frank Langella, Robert Downey Jr. and Taraji P Henson.

Today we feature interviews with Melissa Leo, Josh Brolin, Marisa Tomei, Penelope Cruz and Mickey Rourke.

Melissa Leo (Frozen River)

Melissa Leo showed up looking every part the trained stage actress in a cool retro skirt. She is pleased that a small film like this is getting recognized, but never even dared to dream this dream.

Your co-star told me that this movie was so low budget that if you wanted to get warm you actually had to get into the car you were driving across the frozen river.

Well, that's pretty right we didn't have to get in the car -- we were usually already were in the car. But yeah there were no trailers except for the trailer you see Ray and Lila living in. We did use The Mighty Spirit as we liked to call her as the holding area ..changed in garage offices and kind people's bedrooms and all that kind of thing. It is a part of what makes Frozen River the quality that it is. It is a truly independent film. When you're making things with duct tape and wire hangers there's a lot of creativity that can come out of that. It is very much a part of what the magic of Frozen River is.

So from that to this.

(Laughs) Like falling off a log. I'm an actor. It's what I do. I haven't often been asked to play the part of many roles like this one, as a movie star, but I'm delighted to be here.

Josh Brolin (Milk)

Josh Brolin came out to faint polite applause and joked, "That was so humbling" to which the press responded with enthusiastic applause. He discussed the choice of using his daughter and that he is careful not to be a "stage mom". He feels she has an incredible natural talent

Tell me something your father told you along the way that makes today feel a little bit more special.

Don't do it. Become a lawyer. Have something to fall back on. Then I took an acting class when I was young and fell in love with it...You know when somebody doesn't want you to be hurt, the rejection and all that, and than something like this happens after twenty-five years of being in love with it -- I'm very humbled in this crowd (aside to press) not you guys, you know.

How did your wife react?

We don't really talk about these things at home. We wait until we're in front of you guys. We had a celebratory moment where we went and jumped in the ocean. people find that very strange, but that's what we did.

Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler)

Marisa Tomei was in incredible shape, which she attributes to the dancing she did to prep for the film. She was the epitome of old Hollywood glamour in an updo and stilettos> She has charm and style and practically sparkles..

To be nominated for a supporting role...what does that mean to you...is there a certain appreciation for every character?

...In this case I was really tied into the main character. It was not just a love story or a foil or any other way like in any other case would be, but our stories are so parallel that as you see his story unfold you know that on some level there's parts of me, my character, that relate to that because we're in these lines of work that involve our bodies, that involve a certain crossroads in our lives. There are just so many things that our characters have gone through -- the hard knocks that we've seen, the performance aspects, the fake names that we both have, there are a lot of parallels with the main character.

You've been to the Oscars before. What did you learn last time?

Over the years I've learned to put a little snack bar in my purse (laugh), you get very hungry at some point. Little things like that. To avoid that hypoglycemic drop at some point...just to just enjoy it I think is the key...

What would you like to say about [director] Darren [Darren Aronofsky]?

I love everything about Darren. Darren loves his actors. He put his heart into every character. And he intended to make an actor's piece. And he cherished us, and we're really grateful to him.

Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

Penelope Cruz showed up in a smart suit, looking like a jet-setting businesswoman. She was positive and cheerful, and you could tell the press loved her. She also answered a few questions in Spanish. She is grateful to be able to make a living in this career, which she has been working in since 16, but admits any of them would be happy to win.

Congratulations. How is the jet lag?

I think you reach a point where you have so much jet lag that it cancels the jet lag so you don't have any jet lag anymore (laughs). I wake up and I really dont know in which city I am. I got off the plane 2 hours ago and went to find the clothes, iron the clothes and do a bit of hair and makeup. I had the shower and I am here. It's a big adventure and that's how it's been It was very important for me to be there last night because it was our Spanish Academy last night and I really didn't want to miss that. And I didn't want to miss this. I'm just very happy that I've been able to do both.

How did your family react?

Well, everyone was extremely excited and happy and actually my phone collapsed that day. I got all these congratulatory phone calls and messages but I only got to hear half of them because my phone collapsed. We took it to the repair and they said, "We've never seen anything like it." (laughs)

Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler)

Mickey Rourke looked far better than expected, and was dapper with velvet slippers, a stylishly rumpled light pinstripe suit and a matching tie and kerchief. His fingers were adorned with as many rings as Ringo Starr. He accidentally spilled coffee on the podium, which was somehow very endearing.

You are so elegant, where did you get your sense of style?

(laughs) My grandmother. (aside) I like that question.

You won the Golden Globe and now you are nominated for the Oscar. What gave you the feeling of most pride?

What gave me the most feeling of pride? Probably that Darren Aronofsky kind of like laid his career on the line to go to bat for me to do the movie.

If you win the Oscar who will you thank?

I dont think that far ahead. I'll probably be sitting there clapping for Sean Penn.

What has been the biggest change?

The biggest change? The biggest change has probably been people that i burned bridges with many years ago seem to have forgiven me for the horrible way I carried myself for many years I just didn't have the tools to you know, play the game, and understand the politics. I wish...I have a lot of regrets that I wish I could have...

Last question...

A therapist and a priest.