IndieWire Polls Porn Stars for Oscar Picks

LOS ANGELES—It's kind of nice when Hollywood pays attention to the Other Hollywood, even if it's just to get some of their faves for the upcoming Academy Awards. As writer Steve Dollar put it in today's piece, "Every January in Las Vegas, the adult film industry hosts its own awards show—the Adult Video News awards, also known as the 'porn Oscars.' With the actual ceremony looming ahead Sunday, Indiewire reveals the verdicts from its informal poll of stars from the 'Other Hollywood,' who discuss their more publicly famous counterparts and offer their picks for the 86th annual Academy Awards."

It's not an exhaustive exploration of porn star Oscar picks, but Dollar does ask a rather eclectic group of porners for their opinions and also takes a minute to ask them a few questions about themselves, so really the piece is also a group Q&A of sorts.

First up is performer April O'Neil, who, as Dollar notes, was nominated for an AVN Award for Best Three-Way Sex Scene G/G/B (in Chance Encounters). She likes Leonardo DiCaprio this year, explaining, "For the love of God can someone fucking please give Leonardo DiCaprio a goddam Oscar? Just give him all the Oscars. Make a point to go onstage and say, “Leonardo DiCaprio, listen. We’re sorry that for the entirety of your career we didn’t give you an award that you so wholeheartedly deserve. We’re going to make an award specifically for you where it’s not an Oscar, it’s a Leonardo. We’re gonna make it up. We’re gonna make it happen. It’s a Leonardo and it’s just for you because you’re a goddam bad-ass.” But she also likes Jonah Hill. (Go figure.)

Next up is director Joey Silvera—Winner: Best Fem-Dom Strap-On Release (Strap Attack 17)—who weighs in with Jennifer Lawrence. (Yes, we're already sensing a theme with these favorites.)

"Easily, easily movie of the year, American Hustle," Silvera opines. "Jennifer Lawrence is now the greatest actress in the history of film. And it’s because, anybody that pretty that is what she is on film is the greatest actress of all time. I can’t stop looking at her. She’s fucking incredible. When I walked out of American Hustle, I said, greatest film actress of all time."

Sounds like love to us. Dollar then queries Silvera on Amy Adams, but Joey's having none of it, replying, "The whole movie—you gotta be kiddin' me," to which Dollar responds, "You’re from Brooklyn, right?" which gets the retort, "No I’m from Upstate New York. I’m a hick." Then they talk about Don Jon, Babysit My Ass, James Deen and shooting porn POV, in that order.

Then Dollar corrals director Tim Von Swine—Nominated for: Best POV Sex Scene (in Elastic Assholes 11)—who's pick was for "Worst Picture." Namely, Pacific Rim. (ED: Note to self. Never go to a science fiction movie with Von Swine.) In a short and funny interview, Von Swine talks about not having seen one of the nominated films. LOL.

Next to last is performer Andy San Dimas—nominated for: Best Boy/Girl Sex Scene (in Wolverine: An Axel Braun Parody)—who stumps for Joaquin Phoenix and seems to feel his pain. "Joaquin got snubbed this year," she said. "We’ve been having a bit of a debate, we’re kind of silly for not knowing this. We’re not sure if he won an Oscar for Walk the Line. I heard he did. [He was only nominated]."

He asks her is she's seen Her. "No, I haven’t seen it yet. I just believe in Joaquin." Sweet.

Then they talk about her own budding mainstream career, rooming with a actress (Sara Anne Jones) who dies (from an overdose) mere weeks after her movie (Toad Road) opened, and getting a speaking line in Drive. "I was texting my mom in that scene. I said, 'I'm standing next to Ryan Gosling.' He's super-nice."

Actor/director Tommy Pistol rounds out the interviewees—winner: Best Actor (in Evil Head)—who thinks Gravity will be a winner this year, and opines, "It was a perfect movie, beginning to end I loved it. I say they deserve it."

When asked what the last film was that he directed, Pistol replied, "For mainstream work? The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol. 2014 is going to be good for me on that side of the world. I made some good connections and things are moving forward."

And the Oscar goes to...