Trailer Tuesday! pt. 7

Drag Me to Hell Trailer

Orphan Trailer

Sleep Dealer Trailer

The Tempest

These are the first set photos from the upcoming film, the Tempest. It is directed by Julie Taymor (Across the Universe).

Blood Ties

This weekend I became obsessed with this older show called Blood Ties. The premise is of the show is pretty interesting. Vicki Nelson is an ex-cop turned private investigator. She starts investigating a series of strange killings. Over the course of the first episode, she meets Henry Fitzroy (the vampire son of Henry VIII). She begins taking on supernatural cases with the help of Henry, her goth assistant and her ex-partner, Mike Cellucci. The show has everything. There is action, comedy and tons of sexual tension. Best of all, all of the episodes are available online for free at Lifetime.

Currently Reading for Class:
Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver

Currently Watching:
Blood Ties: Season Two

Currently Listening to:
Mystery Jets

Food Friday! (technically saturday) CHEDDAR BISCUITS

I was really excited for this recipe. They did not taste exactly like the biscuits from the restaurant, but my roommates and I all agreed that they turned out pretty well.

Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups Bisquick baking mix
3/4 cup cold whole milk
4 tablespoons cold butter (1/2 stick)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 heaping cup grated cheddar cheese

Brush on Top

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch of salt

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees

2. Combine Bisquick with cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter or a large fork. You don't want to mix too thoroughly. There should be small chunks of butter in there that are about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese, milk, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic. Mix by hand until combines, but don't over mix.

3. Drop approximately 1/4 cup portions of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet with an ice cream scoop.

4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits begin to turn light brown.

5. When you take the biscuits out of the oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small bown in your microwave. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and the dried parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread this garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Use up all of the butter. Make one dozen biscuits.


I hope that you enjoy this recipe. If you try it, let me know how it goes.

Trailer Tuesday! pt. 6

State of Play Trailer

Love the Beast Trailer

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh Trailer

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Trailer

Trailer Tuesday! pt. 5

Mancora Trailer

The Escapist Trailer

In the Loop Trailer

Away We Go Trailer

The Cake Eaters Trailer

Update

As you all have probably noticed, I have starting posting trailers on Tuesdays (Trailer Tuesdays). I also want to try and start posting recipes on Fridays (Food Fridays). If anyone has any ideas for other things that I could do or trailers and recipes that I should post, please let me know.

Currently Reading for Class:
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee

Currently Watching:
Dawson's Creek: Season Six (don't judge)

Currently Listening to:
Mystery Jets

Trailer Tuesday! pt. 4

Trailer Tuesday! pt. 3

Update

Currently Reading for Class:

The Armies of the Night by Norman Mailer

Currently Watching:
Felicity: Season Two

Currently Listening to:
My Chemical Romance

The Cotton Club

I watched The Cotton Club this weekend for the first time in years. I really enjoyed the music. I had a total Francis Ford Coppola weekend (with Rumble Fish, the Outsiders and the Cotton Club). It was a lot of fun, because I haven't seen any of these movies in so long. I had never seen Rumble Fish at all. It was really adorable to see Richard Gere and Diane Lane together. I was really depressed to find out that it is nearly impossible to find a reasonable priced, region one dvd of it though. If anyone knows where I can get one, let me know. I will probably just end up buying a region two version at some point. I hate that a lot of older dvds are starting to not be available on dvd.

Trailer Tuesday! pt. 2

Award Season

This year I have been thinking a lot about the different award show. I have never really paid that much attention to the specific shows and how awards are given out. I hope that you find this interesting.

The Golden Globes Awards

• The annual Golden Globes are decided by HFPA (the Hollywood Foreign Press Association). They accept applications from journalists, correspondants, columnists, reporters and photographers every Febrary and March. Among the requirements are permanent residency in Southern California, registration with the Motion Picture Association of America, and appointment by two active members of the HFPA. Today, the members represent fifty-five countries. A maximum of five journalists are admitted each year.
  
• This year was the 66th annual Golden Globes. They are heldevery January. Winners receive golden globe statues.
  
• In 1955, the Golden Globes began honoring television as well as film.
  
• "The Golden Globes were always given out by journalists in the association up until 1958, when Rat Packers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. stormed the stage, with whiskeys and cigarettes in tow, and took over the show, to the delight of the audience. They repeated their performance the next year (this time at the request of the HFPA) and since then, the stars have reigned supreme at the Globes."
• Most individual nominations: Jack Lemmon 22, Meryl Streep 19.
• Only three-way tie: Jodie Foster ("The Accused"), Shirley MacLaine ("Madame Sousatzka"), and Sigourney Weaver ("Gorillas in the Mist") for Best Actress in 1989.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards

• The annual Screen Actors Guild awards are decided by SAG (Screen Actors Guild). The SAG is a performers' union. Performers are eligible to join after working on a SAG film in a principal role, after gaining 15 days of work or meeting background entry requirements.
• This year was the 15th annual SAG Awards. They happen every January. Winners are given small actor statues.
• George Burns received the first televised Life Achievement Award. Ann Margret accepted it for him.
  

Film Independent's Spirit Awards

• Films must be submitted for the Spirit Awards. They must be at least 70 minutes, have played either one week in a commercial theatre or have been shown at any one of the following festivals: Los Angeles Film Festival, New Directors/New Films, New York, Sundance, Telluride, or Toronto. They cannot have cost more than 20 million dollars to make.
  
• Film Independent members with voting privileges and IFP members vote on the awards. Any idependent filmmaker or film lover may join. The annual fees are $95.00.
• This year was the 24th annual Spirit Awards. They occur every February.
  

The Academy Awards

• The Academy Awards are decided by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Membership in the Academy is by invitation of the Board of Governors and is limited to those who have achieved distinction in the arts and sciences of motion pictures.A candidate must be sponsored by at least two members of the branch for which the person may qualify. Each proposed member must first receive the endorsement of the branch’s executive committee before his/her name is submitted to the Board.
• This year was the 81st annual Academy Awards. They occur every February. Winners are given Oscar statues.
  
• The documentary category appeared for the first time in 1941.
  
• Shrek was the first winner for animated feature film in 2001.
  

My Best Dressed Oscar Pics

For best dressed, I picked Natalie Portman, Diane Lane, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Grey, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Adams. For absolutely best dressed, I picked Kate Winslet.

I also want to give Mickey Rourke a special Kudos for best improved since the Golden Globes. It is hard to tell with these pictures, but he looks not only fashionable better, but also much healthier. Good job on loosing the sequins, the highlights, and the opaque-framed glasses.

My Worst Dressed Oscar Pics

Sarah Jessica Parker, Miley Cyrus, Heidi Klum, Marion Cotillard, Melissa Leo, Jessica Biel and Amanda Seyfried all made my worst dressed list. Tilda Swinton and Frieda Pinto tied for worst dressed in my opinion. Leave your opinions in the comments.

The 81st Annual Academy Awards!

Every year, I get about a 50% when it comes to my Oscar ballot (to clarify, I pick who I think will win, not necessarily who I want to win. The ones that I guessed would win are in BLUE. The ones that I wanted to win are in YELLOW. The ones that I got right have a +. The ones that I got wrong have a x.

Actor, Leading +
Richard Jenkins in "The Visitor"
Frank Langella in "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn in "Milk"
Brad Pitt in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler"

Actor, Supporting +
Josh Brolin i "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr. in "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman in "Doubt"
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"
Michael Shannon in "Revolutionary Road"

Actress, Leading + (I am very excited about this one)
Anne Hathaway in "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie in "Changeling"
Melissa Leo in "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep in "Doubt"
Kate Winslet in "The Reader"

Actress, Supporting +
Amy Adams in "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Viola Davis in "Doubt"
Paraji P. Henson in "Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei in "The Wrestler"

Animated Feature +
"Bolt"
"Kung-Fu Panda"
"Wall-E"

Art Direction x
"Changeling"
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Duchess"
"Revolutionary Road"

Cinematography x
"Changeling"
"Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Costume Design +
"Australia"
"Benjamin Button"
"The Duchess"
"Milk"
"Revolutionary Road"

Directing +
"Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Documentary Feature x
"The Betrayal"
"Encounters at the End of the World"
"The Garden"
"Man on the Wire"
"Trouble the Water"

Documentary Short x
"The Conscience of Nhem En"
"The Final Inch"
"Smile Pinki"
"The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306"

Film Editing x
"Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Foreign Language Film x
"The Baader Meinhof Complex"
"The Class"
"Departures"
"Revanche"
"Waltz with Bashir"

Makeup +
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

Original Score +
"Benjamin Button"
"Defiance"
"Milk'
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"Wall-E"

Original Song +
"Down to Earth" from "Wall-E"
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire"
"O Saya" from "Slumdog Millionaire"

Best Picture +
"Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Short Film, Animated +
"La Maison en Petits Cubes"
"Lavatory - Lovestory"
"Oktapodi"
"Presto"
"This Way Up"

Short Film, Live Action x
"Auf der Strecke"
"Manon on the Asphalt"
"New Boy"
"The Pig"
"Spielzeugland"

Sound Editing x
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"Wall-E"
"Wanted"

Sound Mixing +
"Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Slumdog Millionaire"
"Wall-E"
"Wanted"

Visual Effects x
"Benjamin Button"
"The Dark Knight"
"Iron Man"

Screenplay, Adapted x
"Benjamin Button"
"Doubt"
"Frost/Nixon"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire"

Screenplay, Original x
"Frozen River"
"Happy-Go-Lucky"
"In Bruges"
"Milk"
"Wall-E"

I got a 13/24, which is actually better than my usual. How did you all do?

Trailer Tuesday!

Okay, so today is my first weekly Trailer Tuesday post. I hope you enjoy. If anyone knows of any new trailers that I should add, let me know.

Update

Not a whole lot is going on. I am getting psyched up for the Academy Awards and my twenty-first birthday. Classes are really starting to pile on the readings, and midterms are coming up. I was really excited when I found this trailer, so I thought that I would share it.

Currently Reading for Class:

A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo
King Lear by William Shakespeare
and
Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi

Currently Watching:
The Forsyte Saga: Series Two

Currently Listening to:
Bush

My Oscar Ballot

I thought about it for a while, but finally made all of my Oscar predictions...

Actor, Leading
Sean Penn in "Milk"
Actor, Supporting
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight"
Actress, Leading
Kate Winslet in "The Reader"
Actress, Supporting
Penelope Cruz in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
Animated Feature
"Wall-E"
Art Direction
"The Duchess"
Cinematography
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Costume Design
"The Duchess"
Directing
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Documentary Feature
"The Garden"
Documentary Short
"The Final Itch"
Film Editing
"Milk"
Foreign Language Film
"Waltz with Bashir"
Makeup
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Original Score
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Original Song
"Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire"
Best Picture
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Short Film, Animated
"La Maison en Petits Cubes"
Short Film,Live Action
"Auf der Strecks (On the Line)"
Sound Editing
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Sound Mixing
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Visual Effects
"Iron Man"
Screenplay, Adapted
"Frost/Nixon"
Screenplay, Original
"Happy-Go-Lucky"


Please put your predictions in the comments.

Dollhouse

Did anyone else watch the series premiere of Dollhouse last night???? I was very surprised by how much I liked it. I had pretty high expectations of the show in general because of Joss Whedon's involvement (writer, director, creator), but pretty low expectations of Eliza Dushku (sorry guys, but I have never really liked her that much). That said, I must say that she pleasantly surprised me. I didn't think that she would do a very good job when it came to completely changing character, but she did really well. I was also really happy to see Buffy alum, Amy Acker. I would definitely recommend this show to anyone (especially those interested in sci-fi or any past Joss Whedon Projects- Buffy, Angel, Serenity, Dr. Horrible). It is the kind of show that you really need to keep up on. The show airs every Friday at 9:00/8:00 central. I am sure that there will be an encore of the first episode, but if not, the episodes are available online at Fox's Dollhouse website. If anyone else caught it, let me know what you think.

Lazy Weekend

Hello All! So I had an extremely lazy weekend. This weekend, I had to read several books and them chapters in other books for classes. It is ridiculous how reading-heavy all of my classes are this weekend. I felt like I was chained to my couch this weekend just trying to get it all over with. I tried to reward myself my watching a movie or funny youtube clips after I would finish a big section, but it did not work very well.

The highlight of my weekend was definitely seeing Rocknrolla. Guy Ritchie has already written the script for the second one. I am so excited!

Rocknrolla

I know that my blog has been getting VERY review heavy. I promise to remedy this very soon, but for now, I absolutely must talk about how much I LOVED Rocknrolla!

Now before anyone asks, YES, Guy Ritchie is definitely back! As with all Guy Ritchie films, you have to just jump right in. There is not a lot of exposition, so it may take the viewer a while to catch his or her bearings. It was a little hard for me to get into the film right away, but there was one scene when suddenly I just knew (once you see it, you'll know what scene it is) that this would be my new favorite Guy Ritchie film.

Now, I don't know if there are any Gerard Butler fans out there, but if so, this film is a definite must. Now, Gerard Butler was not in very much of the trailer, so I assumed that he would be a minor character. This was not the case. Gerard Butler and Tom Hardy absolutely made the film. Along with them, the film had an amazing cast including Gemma Arterton, Ludacris, Jimi Mistry, Thandie Newton, Jeremy Piven, Mark Strong, and Tom Wilkinson.

An American Crime

I just saw An American Crime. This film was so powerful. For those of you that do not know, this film is based on a true story. I was already aware of the story, because I grew up in Indianapolis, IN (where the actual events occurred). I remember that I first heard the story when I was in high school. My English teacher mentioned that he had once taught one of the Baniszewski children. I remember being stunned when he then told us the story of Sylvia Likens, but even knowing about and hearing the story could in no way prepare me to see the film. The whole thing was almost surreal. The way in which these people acted in no way made sense to me. To top it all off, throughout the film, there are small mentions of places, schools, locations, etc. that (being from Indianapolis) I recognized. To not only see such a heinous crime brought on screen, but to have it all brought close-to-home like that was terrifying. Every time I would get lost in the film, I would be reminded that this is something that really happened in my city just about twenty years before I was born. It was scary to think about.

The film itself was done really well. I do not think that I have ever seen Catherine Keener in such a powerful role. She really did an amazing job. The children in this film were also all very good. This film deals with such adult subject-matter that I would have been surprised it the filmmakers had decided to lesses the roles of some of the younger children. This was not the case, and after seeing the film, I really agree with the choices made by the filmmakers. The children are all really critical to the film. They all seemed to do a very good job of handling their roles. I could not imagine being put in the kind of position that those children were put in.

I would recommend this film to anyone, but I would also strongly recommend for anyone interested in seeing the film to not go in blind. You should definitely find out some informaiton about the story before deciding if you want to see it.

Australia

Okay, so I just saw Australia. I must say that I have some pretty mixed feelings about it. Cinematically, it was gorgeous and everything that one can expect from a Baz Luhrmann film. At first, my reaction to the very begining of the film was not that good. I thought that Nicole Kidman was so absolutely annoying that I wanted to slap her. Hugh Jackman did not seem to have any kind of character at all.

The film got much better pretty soon into the movie, though. It was kind of long, and really seemed like two complete stories in one film.

That said, I must say that I enjoyed it overall. Towards the end of the film, I was absolutely glued to the screen. The begining actually seems kind of funny after seeing the whole film. I guess I understand why she was made to be so annoying at the begining of the film. Even if I had not liked the movie, seeing it would have been worth it just to see Hugh Jackman in his last few moments on screen (see it and you'll know what I am talking about).

Has anyone else seen it? Post reactions in the comments.

Movie List

Movies that I still need to see before the Oscars:

The Visitor
Frost/Nixon
Milk
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Wrestler
Tropic Thunder
Doubt
The Dark Knight
Revolutionary Road
Rachel Getting Married
Changeling
Frozen River
The Reader
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Bolt
Kung-Fu Panda
WALL-E
The Duchess
Slumdog Millionaire
Australia
Defiance
Iron Man
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges

Currently Reading for Class:

Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee
and
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

Currently Watching:
The 10th Kindgom

Currently Listening to:
Linkin Park

Doubt

I just saw Doubt, and actually I must say that I was not extremely impressed. The problem is that I have seen so many absolutely amazing movies recently. The bar, for me, has been raised to quite a height. The acting was very good. In fact, the acting was wonderful. This could be expected with such an stellar ensemble. I felt that Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman were especially good. The film was probably supposed to provoke further thought on the subject matter, any ideas that the film brought up left my head completely after the viewing. Above all, I love the time right after I see a really good film. Usually, I am left with all of these thoughts and questions. With Doubt, it just didn't happen for me. I don't know what it was. Something about the film left me unmoved.

Does any one disagree? I welcome opposing viewpoints in the comments.

Frost/Nixon

I just saw Frost/Nixon, and I must say that I really enjoyed it. I think that the Oscars are going to be really interesting this year, because so far I have yet to really dislike a film. In fact, I have very much enjoyed all of the films that I have seen recently.

Frost/Nixon was especially enjoyable. I must say that I really like films like this that are based on true stories. They prove to be much more interesting. The recent film, Milk is another very good film that is based on a true story. Although the actual events of the film took place years ago, they do not loose any of their resonance with events of today. Although I already knew the outcome, I found myself mesmerized by the end of the film. I actually cried, "Yes!" aloud when Frost (played by Michael Sheen) brought out his ace at the end of the final interview.

The cast was absolutely phenomenal. Frank Langella (Nixon) completely and utterly transformed himself. The cast was wonderful and worked really well as an ensemble, but feel that I must specifically talk about Michael Sheen. I find myself completely intrigued by him as an actor. Lately I have been looking at the many different roles that he has taken upon himself. He is so extremely versatile. After IMDB-ing him I found that I had actually seen many of his films without really associating him with them. Each role seems to take on a complete life of its own, while leaving all previous roles behind.

So, I would definitely recommend this film to anyone. When I first saw a short trailer for the film, I was not very interested, but I am very glad that I changed my mind.

Revolutionary Road

I just saw Revolutionary Road and absolutely LOVED it! I was a little disappointed. As some of you may know, when the movie was first announced two years ago I was extremely excited about the Kate and Leo reunion. I found out that the film would be an adaptation of the novel of the same name and went online trying to find out something about what the film would be about. I accidentally happened upon a full synopsis of the book and read it before I realized that it would give the full plot. This was a major disappointment. Those of you that know me know that I hate it when endings are ruined for me.

This, I soon realized upon actually seeing the film, was a minor setback. Although the story and plot were amazing, the power and depth that the entire cast (but especially Kate and Leo) brought to their characters and to every scene is something that could not be ruined by a synopsis. This was definitely a character-driven film.

I encourage everyone to see this film and all films nominated for Oscars. I always have much more fun watching if I fill out a ballot first. I recently made a list of all the films that I still have to see before the Oscars and will be reviewing them here. Also, if anyone has any films recommendations that were left off of the nominations list, please put them in the comments.

V. Innocentia Veritas Viat Fides Circumdederunt me inimici mei

By Sir Thomas Wyatt

Who list his wealth and ease retain,
Himself let him unknown contain.
Press not too fast in at that gate
Where the return stands by disdain,
For sure, circa Regna tonat.

The high mountains are blasted oft
When the low valley is mild and soft.
Fortune with Health stands at debate.
The fall is grievous from aloft.
And sure, circa Regna tonat.

These bloody days have broken my heart.
My lust, my youth did them depart,
And blind desire of estate.
Who hastes to climb seeks to revert.
Of truth, circa Regna tonat.

The bell tower showed me such sight
That in my head sticks day and night.
There did I learn out of a grate,
For all favour, glory, or might,
That yet circa Regna tonat.

By proof, I say, there did I learn:
Wit helpeth not defence too yerne,
Of innocency to plead or prate.
Bear low, therefore, give God the stern,
For sure, circa Regna tonat.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

I just saw Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and loved it! It seemed a little slow at times. It is a prequel, and there it does not bring a huge amount to the story that was not already known. I still really enjoyed it. If possible, I think that it even made Underworld: Evolution, the second film in the trilogy more enjoyable. Now I want to go back and watch it again with that new knowledge that I have gained from this film. I would definitely recommend this film to anyone, but especially to Underworld fans.

I especially liked Michael Sheen. I thought that he did a really good job as Lucian, and although Kate Beckinsale was obviously not in it, I thought that it was really cool that she did some of the narration.

Currently Reading for Class:

The Professor's House by Willa Cather
and
Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Currently Watching:
The Tudors Season Two

Currently Listening to:
The Ting Tings

Oscars

This time of year is always my favorite for two reasons. Reason number one is my birthday, and reason number two is the Academy Awards. This year, I was kind of disappointed. For those of you who do not know, the nominations were all announced the other day. Here are the nominations:

81st Academy Awards main nominations:

Best Picture:

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

'Frost/Nixon'

'Milk'

'The Reader'

'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Actor:

Richard Jenkins 'The Visitor'

Brad Pitt 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Frank Langella 'Frost/Nixon'

Sean Penn 'Milk'

Mickey Rourke 'The Wrestler'

Best Actress:

Anne Hathaway 'Rachel Getting Married'

Melissa Leo 'Frozen River'

Meryl Street 'Doubt'

Angelina Jolie 'Changeling'

Kate Winslet 'The Reader'

Best Supporting Actor:

Josh Brolin 'Milk'

Robert Downey Jr. 'Tropic Thunder'

Philip Seymour Hoffman 'Doubt'

Heath Ledger 'The Dark Knight'

Michael Shannon 'Revolutionary Road'

Best Supporting Actress:

Amy Adams 'Doubt'

Penelope Cruz 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'

Viola Davis 'Doubt'

Taraji P. Henson 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Best Director:

David Fincher 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

Ron Howard 'Frost/Nixon'

Gus Van Sant 'Milk'

Stephen Daldry 'The Reader'

Danny Boyle 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Animated Feature Film:

'Bolt'

'Kung Fu Panda'

'Wall-E'

Best Adapted Screenplay:

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'

'Doubt'

'Frost/Nixon'

'The Reader'

'Slumdog Millionaire'

Best Original Screenplay:

'Frozen River'

'Happy-Go-Lucky'

'In Bruges'

'Milk'

'Wall-E'

Now, the reason that I am annoyed deals directly with Revolutionary Road or the lack of its presence on the list. I am especially annoyed with what happened with Kate Winslet's nomination. Those of you that saw the recent golden globes know that She won for best actress (for Revolutionary Road) and best supporting actress (for The Reader). If you read the Academy Award nominations, you will notice that she has been nominated for best actress for The Reader. Her role in The Reader is a supporting role, so it seems unlikely that she will win. This really bugs me. She would have such a better chance of winning were she to be nominated in the supporting actress category. I of course also think that she should be nominated for Revolutionary Road. I do not understand how she could be left off the list.

Does any one else have any opinions on the nominations?

Weekend

So this weekend was majorly fun for two reasons...

First of all, Amanda and her friend Liz came to visit this weekend. It was not a total surprise, but it was kind of a surprise, because I only found out towards the beginning of last week, so it was not something that we had been planning for a while. It was really amazing to see Amanda, because until she left again, I had no idea how much I had missed her (even though it has only been a couple of weeks since we had seen each other). We also got to do some fun tourist-y things that I have not really gotten a chance to do since people who live in Chicago are apparently not allowed to be tourist-y.

On Saturday we mostly just walked around downtown (specifically Michigan Avenue) and then hung out. On Sunday we went to the Sears Tower, Navy Pier and then just hung out for a while. Hanging out around Michigan Avenue was probably the most fun. I don't have any classes downtown this semester, so it was the first time that I had been downtown in a little while. Also, I made a major acquisition at the Disney Store. I found a really pretty ceramic mug with Princess Jasmine on it.

And now for the second thing that made this weekend so wonderful...
I like to think that I helped to facilitate the new love of an old television show for two friends. See, Amanda and my roommate Sarah are both Roswell newbies. Amanda was able to see a little of the first season on Saturday night. Sarah and I just finished season two. I really love it when there is something that I love and care about, and then it turns out the people that I know like the same thing. Plus, this meant that I got to spend quite a large portion of the three day weekend watching Roswell. What could be better?

Currently Reading for Class:
The Professor's House by Willa Cather
and
Oedipus Rex

Currently Watching:
Roswell Season Two

Currently Listening to:
Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins by Rupert Everett

Echo

Echo by Christina Rossetti

Come to me in the silence of the night;
Come in the speaking silence of a dream;
Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright
As sunlight on a stream;
Come back in tears,
O memory, hope and love of finished years.

O dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter-sweet,
Whose wakening should have been in Paradise,
Where souls brim-full of love abide and meet;
Where thirsting longing eyes
Watch the slow door
That opening, letting in, lets out no more.

Yet come to me in dreams, that I may live
My very life again though cold in death;
Come back to me in dreams, that I may give
Pulse for pulse, breath for breath:
Speak low, lean low,
As long ago, my love, how long ago.

The Golden Globes 2009

The other night I watched the Golden Globes with my roommate, Brittany. I couldn't help but notice several things...

1. Seeing Mickey Rourke now makes me sad.

2. Kate and Leo are no doubt having an affair.

3. Drew Barrymore is back on the sauce.

4. No matter what Colin Farrell does, he will always be adorable.

Let me explain. I am a huge Mickey Rourke fan. I must admit that I was originally drawn to him because of his undeniable hotness is some of his early works. He is of course undeniably a wonderful actor. I don't mean to take say that he isn't, but let's face it. He was gorgeous. What happened. There was something so sad about his acceptance speech (watch in high definition if you can) last night. Am I the only one that felt this way? Parts were so moving, but so sad at the same time.



Okay, the second thing that I noticed isn't exactly as serious at the first. And perhaps I am exaggerating the facts because I am way too much of a fan of Titanic. I can't help it. Ever since it came out, it has been one of my favorite films. I am also a huge Kate Winslet. I am so happy that she might finally win an Oscar. I must say that her acceptance speech (watch in high definition if you can) for her role in Revolutionary Road was my absolute favorite part of the entire night.

I don't really think that my third comment is really news to anyone. I couldn't find any clip of her and Jessica Lange. I am pretty sure that someone gave her tons of coffee and told her to sit still and smile so that she could then shown every couple of seconds during Steven Spielberg's speech in the hopes of cleaning up her image.

Lastly, as always, Colin Farrell is absolutely adorable no matter what he does. At one point while presenting an award he had a little sniffle and then adorably said that he just had a cold and wasn't sniffling for the reason that he used to. I love when people can get their act together and are able to laugh about themselves. This wasn't his most adorable moment. I would have to say that his acceptance speech absolutely clinches his adorable status.

I of course could go on and on about the golden globes, but am sure that no one seriously would want to read it. Does anyone else have and thoughts on these four observations? Does anyone have anything else that they wanted to add? Any Oscar guesses?

Currently Reading for Pleasure:
Suite Scarlet by Maureen Johnson

Currently Reading for Class:
The Professor's House by Willa Cather
and
Oedipus Rex

Currently Watching:
Rome Season Two

Currently Listening to:
Anything Goes by John Barrowman

Movie Reviews: Part Two

I rented a lot of movies that I had never seen before over winter break. I tried to remember all of them but could only remember about half of them:

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Death at a Funeral
The Hustler
Dancing at the Blue Iguana
The Owl and the Pussycat
Deception
Sweet Bird of Youth
Silence Becomes You
Fear
Love in the Time of Cholera
Cool Hand Luke
Tank Girl
Big Trouble in Little China
Amadeus
Torn Curtain
The Strangers
Prom Night
Mad Money
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: the Beginning

I don't really feel like talking about all of them. All of the titles are linked in case anyone feels like checking one out. I am only going to talk about the ones that I especially enjoyed.

First of all, I absolutely loved Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I used to really not like westerns all that much, but as I am getting older, I am learning to appreciate them more and more. I also don't think that you can really go wrong with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. They worked really well together in the film.

I don't know why I had put off seeing Love in the Time of Cholera for so long. I ended up really liking it. It was a little long at parts, but overall was really well-done. I haven't had a chance to read the book that it is based on yet, but I really want to.

I was really surprised by the Strangers. I had seen the trailer before, but it didn't really seem that spectacular. I ended up watching it in a friend's basement with all of the lights turned off. I was absolutely horrified. The movie was brilliant. It was really scary without showing tons of gore in the way that many horror films do today.

I had heard many good things about Tank Girl (especially from my roommate, Brittany), but I had never gotten a chance to see it. I really liked it. I feel like a dork for saying so, but I must say that the random Kangaroo guy is, I believe, Ice-T's absolute best role ever.

Lastly, I really enjoyed Cool Hand Luke. I know that it is a classic, so I am not exactly original in my praise of it, but I just really enjoyed it. As you have probably noticed, there are quite a few Paul Newman films on the list. I realized over break how few of his films I've seen. I just kept getting more and more amazed by what a wonderful actor he is.

So, that's all for now. If anyone saw any one has seen any really good movies recently or wants to comment on any of the films mentioned, please do so in the comments.

Currently Reading for Pleasure:
Death by Latte by Linda Gerber

Currently Watching:
Skins Season Two

Currently Listening to:
The Killers

Movie Reviews: Part One

I left school for winter break with a huge list of movie that I wanted to see. It was quite an undertaking, and I am actually kind of surprised by how well I did. Here is a copy of the list (The titles in bold are the ones that I actually ended up seeing):

Marley and Me
Australia
Milk
The Tale of Despereaux
Bolt
Bedtime Stories
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Valkyrie
Seven Pounds
The Day the Earth Stood Still
The Spirit

Okay, so now that I actually look at the list, perhaps I did not do as well as I had hoped, but I still have time. Bedtime Stories was okay. I actually probably would not have had any interest in it at all if not for Russell Brand. I was not disappointed, but my expectations were pretty low. I really enjoyed seeing Guy Pearce in a comedic role. I also really liked Lucy Lawless. She isn't in much these days. It was really nice seeing her as the funny villain.

I saw Bolt right before I left to go home. I LOVED it. It was slightly biased in its portrayal of cats, but anyone that knows me knows that I don't really like cats that much either, so it was all good.

The Tale of Despereaux really surprised me. I really wasn't expecting much. I had never read or heard anything about the book prior to seeing the film. I just thought that it looked cute. I came out of the theatre absolutely loving it. I felt the the story and characters were extremely rich and three-dimensional, especially for a film for children. I also felt that the casting was genius. I only really knew about a few of the actors prior to seeing it. I was really surprised by all of the famous cameos. I really feel that the perfect people were cast for each role.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was also really good. It is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think that it would be really interesting to know what was taken from the story and what was added. The story was unique but not all that compelling. There was not a whole lot to it that was not originally given away in the trailer, but it was still enjoyable. I feel really silly saying this, but there were parts where Brad Pitt was so attractive that it almost hurt. Such a large part of the film was spend with him in old age makeup. I almost forgot how young he looks. I also though that he did an amazing job towards the beginning of the film where he had to be a very young boy in an old man's body. I am constantly surprised by what a wonderful actor he it. I really don't think that he gets enough credit.

I also absolutely loved Milk. I did not know much about Harvey Milk prior to seeing the film. I only knew a few general things. The cast was wonderful. They all complemented each other really well. I was really surprised by how much chemistry Sean Penn and James Franco had. I think that they both did an amazing job. The film was also really well-written. It is based on a true story and is a very serious story, but there was also a lot of comedy thrown in. I really enjoyed seeing it.

I didn't get a chance to see any of the other films on my list, but as I said before, I still have time. I did end up renting a lot of movies that I had never seen before. I will talk more about those in part two.

Current Project:
Deadly Little Secret Soundtrack Contest

Currently Reading for Pleasure:
Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

Currently Watching:
Skins Season Two

Currently Listening to:
The Cribs

Back at School

I am back at school now. I figured that I might as well come back early since my parents work during the week and most of my friends start school earlier than I do. I woke up this morning feeling very productive. I went to the bank to deposit a check. I went to the post office to mail out a few packages. I went to the grocery only to realize that all of the school groceries were closed. I didn't really feel like making another trip to Dominick's, so right now I am living on Red Bull and Wheat Thins.

I woke up this morning to realize that it had snowed while I slept. Campus is almost entirely deserted. It is actually kind of nice. I have some time to be alone and think while getting ready for next semester to begin. I really enjoyed visiting my family for a while, but going "home" hasn't really felt like going home for a while. It isn't as relaxing as it used to be. I don't really feel like I am at home. I feel like I am visiting.

Did anyone do anything particularly exciting over break?

Current Project:
Deadly Little Secret Soundtrack Contest

Currently Reading for Pleasure:
Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Stolarz

Currently Watching:
Rome Season One

Currently Listening to:

Dialect Tapes