7 Smart Things to Say at Your Oscar Party

Heading to an Oscar bash tonight where you fear you'll be a mere novice among Academy Award freaks? Time rounds up a few talking points that can make you look smart:

1. While opening credits roll: “I want to see how the heck Billy Crystal works Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close into his opening montage." Hosting for the first time since 2004, Crystal likes to spoof the Best Picture nominees in his opening monologue. But how to make fun of a 9/11 film?

1. When Best Supporting Actress is handed out: "You know who got snubbed here: That teenager from The Descendants. She stole the show from Clooney!” Shailene Woodley was considered a shoe-in by many after her performance as Clooney's grieving daughter.
2. During Best Picture tribute reels: “You know why there’s only nine best picture nominees this year…” This because films must get at least 5% of "first place" votes from Oscar voters to contend. This year, only nine made the cut.
3. When Best Animated Feature comes up: “Did you know Cars 2 is the very first Pixar feature to not be nominated for an Oscar?” Flat-out true: Cars 2 was a flop in terms of awards and critics.

See more talking points here. Or find out how Vanity Fair suggests you behave should you score a more swanky Oscar party invitation. (More Oscars stories.)