You may have noticed a lack of updates recently (probably not). I'm focusing my efforts primarily on a new blog, The New Calamity, which is all movie goodness.
Ch-check it out!
The New Calamity
5.04.2009
Ch-check it out
4.20.2009
'Senior Parking Only'
Today I went to the post office. In the front there was a spot for handicap parking, which makes complete sense and, I think, is required by law.
And then beside that spot was a spot for 'Senior Parking Only'. Sorry, but I think they should either make another handicap spot, or get rid of this tomfoolery. Honestly, if a senior has enough trouble walking that they need to park close, won't they have a handicap decal? If they don't qualify for one, they don't need the parking.
I understand that old people don't know how to use email to transport things, and are therefore the majority consumers of postal goods, but come on. This is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
4.19.2009
500 Days of Summer
Firstly, I think we all know that I love Zooey Deschanel. Let's just clear that up right now.
Secondly, we all know that I love a good rom-com. But this one looks to be a little better than the norm.
First cute trailer:
Second cute Zooey Deschanel talking about her character. Because why not:
Back Into the Mix
What's the point of Twitter? I thought it was dumb, but then I gave it a try. Now it still seems dumb, but also pointless.
Author J. G. Ballard has died. He died this morning at the age of 78. I had to read his book 'Crash' for Modern British Literature in college. I read it the night before class all in one sitting. I actually enjoyed it, though the book was very weird. It's always sad when a notable author (or person) dies.
Will update more frequently. Hopefully, but this week is very busy. Busy at work, and I will also be sending out my short story for publication. I need to hurry up so I can get those rejection letters back ASAP!
4.08.2009
Favorite Words: Panicked / Panicking
Since I have numerous favorite words and can never remember them all, this will be a new feature. And by 'feature,' I mean a bunch of sporadic, short posts with good words.
The first word is 'panicked.' I choose this word because the letter 'k' clearly defies the logical rules most kids learn for changing the form of words. The word 'panic,' in itself, is hardly noteworthy. But because of the randomly inserted 'k,' panicked and panicking are great.
4.03.2009
Monsters vs. Aliens
Monsters vs. Aliens
How nice for my expectations to be surpassed for once. Especially with a non-Pixar animated film. Monsters vs. Aliens manages to tell a rather typical story in a creative and fun way, and isn't that what movies like this are all about? Many strive and few succeed. Here is a film that succeeds.
We begin with Susan, who is typically marrying the love of her life, who cares only about his career. Then she is hit by a meteor and grows to be about 50 feet tall. The setup is not important. There is subtle humor up to this point and many interesting details which lead to Susan being captured by the government, well, for forever.
My experience, for the first time in anything (not only in movies), was enhanced by the presence of kids. When the other monsters are introduced (a blob of blue jello, a genius cockroach, an extreme amphibian, and the most adorable giant insect ever), when they exhibited their unique abilities, the kids behind me, silent to that point, laughed hysterically. This helped me release my critical mind and go along for the ride. I suggest you do the same.
And Susan learns to accept her new, giant self. She knows she can't go back to her old life, and the world is saved because of the Monsters. We can all see that coming. But as the cliche goes, it's not in the result, but in the journey. And this is a fun journey.
IMAX and 3-D recommended.
Rating: 5/7
4.02.2009
Make Me A Supermodel: Jordan Fanclub
I'm getting tired of that post below this one. Aren't you? I was out of town, though. Plus I'm old and busy.
But this week's Make Me A Supermodel was lame again. Well, CJ going home was fine. She sucked (though, gorgeous). Kerryn was due for a win and I like her, and I like Jonathan, too. But a lack of Jordan makes me sad. As consolation, here are some pics of her cuteness.
I promise the next post won't be about reality TV or Jordan!
3.20.2009
Which Gaffe(s) Is(Are) Worse?
Which of these gaffes by Mr. President is worse. First is the most recent from Obama, where he makes fun of his own bowling score, saying his 129 was "like the Special Olympics, or something."
Honestly I don't find that very offensive. People are just way too touchy about way too many subject.
Next, here are 5 epic Bush gaffes (there are way too many to find a video on just one, and way too many to take up only one video. But here is just one).
Wow, Bush has to have been the worst public speaker ever. Honestly.
3.19.2009
Make Me A Supermodel
So, new season of Make Me A Supermodel.
I love Jordan. Call me?
http://www.bravotv.com/make-me-a-supermodel/jordan -> Her pictures are all so awful, which makes her so much cuter. And by 'awful' I mean 'normal and homey.' Also, from her bio: "Her favorite activities include drawing, video games, and attending baseball games." Best reality contestant ever?
Call me. For serious.
3.15.2009
Two Overdue Movies
I finally got around to watching two movies I've been putting off: Reno 911: Miami, and National Treasure (the first one [I know]).
I'm a big fan of the Reno 911! show. I was all over that goodness in the first season, and some of my friends said it was crap (then later they 'told me about it,' and deny the prior history), but came to realize its greatness. The movie, while amusing, lacked the punch of the TV show. I think it was because the film had to be dragged out to actual film length. The runtime from start to credits is about 73 minutes, plus some bloopers and whatnot. If they trimmed it down to 40 minutes it would have been perfect, but what can you do? One good thing did come from this film, though: boobies. It never hurts to have a former Playboy centerfold walking around topless for a 5 minute scene. More filmmakers should take that tip.
National Treasure... where to get started. Completely ridiculous and preposterous from start to finish. A few scenes are entertaining, but the overall implausibility just shatters any chance this movie had at decency. Plus the heroes use Google (and the villains use Yahoo!) for guidance on their frolicking. Terrible.
3.12.2009
Hiatus
Apologies on the blogging front. I've been trying to perfect this short story, this piece of 'real writing.' Regular posting will resume shortly.
3.06.2009
Top Twelve Reasons Watchmen Fails at Adaptation
I previously made a post ranting about how disappointed I was in the Watchmen film. Here I am going to justify that opinion. A few things to keep in mind: These are based off of the theatrical release, not any 'director's cut' that may follow. Also, there will be very heavy spoilers and I suggest not reading if you haven't at least seen the movie, but ideally you will have read the graphic novel and seen the film.
Top 12, as in 12 chapters of the graphic novel, after the cut.
12. Removal of Nite Owl's Hoverscooters
After Archie crashes in Antarctica, originally in the comic Nite Owl gets out two Hoverscooters to make it the rest of the distance to Veidt's fort. This was funny, especially because the scooters were also owl-themed. In the film, however, they land close and just walk. Very lame.
11. Veidt Poisoning His Assistants with their Toast
In the original graphic novel, Veidt gets rids of his assistants by, while they are in effectively a greenhouse, he opens it and mountains of snow pour in, killing them. This is a hundred times cooler than the cliche of putting poison in the champagne and Veidt himself simply not drinking it.
10. Removal of Dr. Manhattan Saying He Knows He Kills Someone, But Doesn't Know Who
The clouding of Dr. Manhattan's vision is in both versions, but in the graphic novel Manhattan tells Laurie that he knows he kills someone, but not who. This is fantastic because we assume he will kill Veidt, the "bad guy," and it is completely shocking when he actually kills Rorschach, who, oddly, Manhattan sees as the "bad guy" then. This curve ball being removed, again for no reason, is disappointing.
9. No Explanation of Rorschach's Mask
The mask Rorschach wears is a custom one from the remnants of a dress a girl left at a place he worked. She thought it was ugly, but he thought it was beautiful the way the black and white never merged into gray (which, obviously, mirrors his theory on right and wrong--no gray area). This also deeply affects Rorschach because the girl who left the dress is murdered in front of a whole group of people and none of them do anything. Add in the fact that Rorschach's history is merely glanced over, and I sense lots of failure.
8. In the Beginning, It Is Obviously Veidt
The scene with the Comedian being killed in the beginning was drawn out, but I could deal with that. What I could not deal with is the fact that part of the killer's face is revealed, and also his build is clearly Veidt's. Add that to the fact that the marketing for the film clearly points out how Veidt is willing to make sacrifices, and we have any surprise ruined.
7. Nite Owl Attacking Veidt After Rorschach's Death
Really? This is so dumb I can't even explain it. Nite Owl accepted Veidt's plan as making sense, as did everyone except Rorschach. Originally, Nite Owl and Silk Spectre II go get it on after they find out Veidt's plan. Nite Owl seeing Rorschach killed and going back and beating up Veidt was just corny and Hollywood and bad.
6. Veidt Is a Wimp
Transitioning from my last point, in the graphic novel not only is Veidt super smart, but he is amazingly well-built. He is always working out, either on the TV specials or during interviews (one interviewer says he never had a girlfriend who didn't want to bang the guy). Yet in the film, while Veidt beats plenty of people up, it seems fairly obvious he is scrawny. Huge casting error.
5. Nite Owl Warning Veidt Instead of Rorschach
In the graphic novel Rorschach is the one who goes around and warns everyone about a 'mask killer.' I may be remembering this incorrectly, but Rorschach doesn't warn Veidt at all, does he? Nite Owl does. This makes no sense. Especially because later Veidt stages his own attack (which was horribly done in the film, with all the extra political people for no reason) to further Rorschach's theory and throw him off the real motive. Shame.
4. Laurie Has the Last Name 'Jupiter'
This small detail really bugs me. In the graphic novel Laurie specifically used the last name Juspeczyk because she strongly disliked her mom and being associated with her publicity as the risque original Silk Spectre. This furthered the mother/daughter arc, and it being removed says a lot (by not saying it).
3. Almost No New Frontiersman or Newsstand
Sure, there are newspapers all around, but the New Frontiersman doesn't show up until Rorschach drops off his journal at the end and we miss the whole dynamic of the media at the time. Also, the newsstand is such a huge part of the story because almost all of the characters go there at some point, and their small interactions are very interesting. Plus this is a transition to the Tales of the Black Freighter, which is going to be a cheap marketing ploy on straight-to-DVD. Fail.
2. Not Enough Hollis Mason
Hollis Mason, as I've said, is almost like a moral center to Watchmen. He was in the original Minutemen, was a guide for Dan, familiarized the world with the Minutemen through his book (which in itself is very interesting and perfect, I would buy just that as a standalone), paved the way for Veidt's success in marketing, and his mugging on Halloween, where the kids come to visit him and find his body, is one of the saddest points in the graphic novel. Yet in the film, he has two terribly brief scenes and then just disappears. It doesn't even show him dying when the city explodes. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
1. No Alien Explosion / Substitution of Framing Dr. Manhattan
Dear God, why? I don't know what to address first--how great the original idea of the alien was, or how stupid framing Dr. Manhattan was. Originally, Veidt's plan was to captures a large amount of scientists and artists (which the fact that they are missing is a mystery build through the whole book, and in itself is interesting, and also ties in with The Black Freighter), and on an island they designed a super huge alien. The Comedian found this alien, and that's why Veidt killed him, so he wouldn't talk (this is vaguely skimmed over in the film). Also, Veidt has the boat with all these artists and scientists explode, which is the along the lines of what he did with his assistants when he flooded them in the snow. Then he teleports the alien to the city, which explodes, and there is mass carnage and remnants of it everywhere. Very creepy. And under the idea that the aliens are attacking, the world unites.
In the film, there is just an explosion, where we don't see the carnage. We don't get missing artists or scientists, and now Dr. Manhattan is framed. Seriously, I think this was just a way to get Dr. Manhattan more visible. This change hurts the movie in so many ways. They might as well have had Rorschach live and Dr. Manhattan stop the explosion and everything in the original comic thrown away.
................
And there are more things. Many more. But these are the worst changes. There were some good things in the film, I will admit, but I will post about those later. I guarantee, though, that that list won't have 12 items on it. Maybe three.
Watchmen
I will admit that my expectations for Watchmen were high (for reasons unknown, because Zack Snyder is a hack). However, I have never been so disappointed in an adaptation in my life.
Everything added into the film that was not in the source comics was either awkward, completely out of character, or just useless. Whereas there were literally hundreds of little details that were absent which made the film hokey. Some were small details that make a huge difference and could have easily been put in (for example, in the comic, Laurie reverts to the last name Juspeczyk to distance herself from her mother and her image. That is a minor detail that says A LOT. Yet in the movie they were lazy and had them both with the last name Jupiter.). Details like those are great and the fact that they were removed bugs me.
But even bigger than those, what makes Watchmen so fantastic is that there are a hundred characters and all of them are important to everything in a way, and all of these hundreds of threads come together so perfectly. The film gets rid of the dozens of interesting minor characters, and the ones they keep get their lines trimmed. Hell, even the main characters get shafted on their character development. Dr. Manhattan gets boosted to the front because of the CGI used to make him, the Silk Spectre/Silk Spectre II dynamic is pushed aside, the original Minutemen are all but forgotten, Nite Owl's struggle is not shown but told in boringly blatant terms, and Rorschach, the most attractive and morally immobile character in the story, has his interesting backstory cropped and his later scenes butchered.
And don't even get me started on the changed ending.
One of my favorite characters in the comics was Hollis Mason, the original Nite Owl. In the film he gets almost no screen time and his part isn't significant at all. This really upsets me because not only is he the one real, logical, reliable guy from the Minutemen, but he also published the book Under the Hood, which is the source of all the history, and his take on it is so unique. Another opportunity wasted.
The writers of the script squandered so much great material and now I can understand why Alan Moore wanted nothing to do with the film, and refuses to see it.
This rant is already longer than I intended. I will write in more detail as more people see the film. But honestly, if you have not read the original graphic novel, you must. It is so, so superior to this film in every way. Do yourself a favor. Trust me on this one.
Rating: 4/7
3.05.2009
Make Me a Supermodel
The new season of Bravo's show Make Me A Supermodel premiered tonight.
Last season had one of the cutest winners ever, and I got sucked in to the show before the finale. I guess now I'll watch the whole thing.
Immediate favorite was Jordan. She's cute and seems kind of nerdy, so she was an instant favorite. And then she won the first challenge and has immunity next week, so there we go! Also, I like Colin, because he's also kind of nerdy and the underdog.
Tyson Beckford is the worst host ever, BTW. The new girl Nicole or whatever is all right. It's odd though how Tyson isn't a judge, but also how the judges decide, instead of America calling in to vote like last season. It seems better this way, though.
Here's to a new season of reality tv!
3.02.2009
Updating the Top 50
With another year over, I have a new slew of films to ponder. Then again, aren't we always pondering good films? Either way, I've read over my previous Top 50 and it needs some serious updates. This year I don't think I'll do as elaborate a countdown. We'll see. Anyway, here's the old Top 50.
1. American Beauty
2. All About Eve
3. It's a Wonderful Life
4. Annie Hall
5. The Godfather
6. Some Like It Hot
7. The Princess Bride
8. Mulholland Dr.
9. Amelie
10. The Shawshank Redemption
11. Sunset Blvd.
12. Match Point
13. A Streetcar Named Desire
14. Casablanca
15. A Shot in the Dark
16. Spirited Away
17. Dr. Strangelove
18. The Departed
19. Lilo & Stitch
20. Zodiac
21. Psycho
22. Clue
23. Finding Nemo
24. Breakfast at Tiffany's
25. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
26. The Shining
27. Gone With the Wind
28. Chinatown
29. Love Actually
30. City Lights
31. Fargo
32. Traffic
33. The Producers
34. Bridget Jones's Diary
35. Chocolat
36. The Godfather: Part II
37. Mean Girls
38. The Apartment
39. Pulp Fiction
40. Halloween
41. Blazing Saddles
42. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
43. Bonnie and Clyde
44. Shakespeare in Love
45. Army of Darkness
46. This Is Spinal Tap
47. Jerry Maguire
48. Sabrina
49. Schindler's List
50. As Good As It Gets
2.24.2009
Noah Baumbach: Almost Always Almost There
When certain writers develop a trend it can either be a good or bad thing. Either way, it makes them appear as though they have a 'type.' Noah Baumbach, whose film credits include The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding, Kicking and Screaming (1995, not the terrible Will Ferrell one), and The Life Aquatic (as writer), seems to be one of those 'type' writers. His type? It seems to be self-destructive characters.
Self-destructive characters, for me, are some of the most interesting to watch. The characters make choices that I (almost) never would, yet I understand why they do, and know that for them, it's not a choice at all.
Three of his films will be used as examples. Though, all of them are great, but two of them have small idiosyncrasies that keep them from rising above just a 'movie.'
The Squid and the Whale is about a lot of things, but the core of the story is that a high school kid named Walt is dealing with his parents' divorce and the conflicting pressure they both put on him to read more, recite their opinions, and do what they want. Walt leans more towards hid dad's view, which is pessimistic, and Walt's younger brother Frank leans towards his mom's view, which seems optimistic. Now, watching the film, how do we judge which child is clinging to the right side? That is one great thing the film does, but also, look which side Walt, the protagonist, goes towards. Walt may have had a window to take the 'path of least resistance,' but with divorce and controlling parents it's hard to not pick a side. He chooses the negative, self-destructive side.
Margot at the Wedding is Noah Baumbach's best film to date. I admit, I haven't seen it in a while. I have been meaning to buy the DVD, but keep putting it off; so forgive my skimming on this movie. This film shows Margot going to her sister's wedding and how Margot, played perfectly by Nicole Kidman, gives us every negative emotion in the book. She just can't let things be, and has to have trouble in her life.
Kicking and Screaming, from 1995, is about a group of self-destructive characters who, at some point, realize they do need to get a grip on life. The film is about four friends who have just finished college and are in that state of limbo between hanging around campus all day and finding a career. This film is a comedy, but do not doubt the seriousness of how these characters throw away any instance of taking chances with their lives and resort to hitting on college freshman, even though they are 22. I guess one can't judge if that's something that happens on the side, but the characters in this movie substitute that for their future. It's eerie.
Yet all of these films barely miss the mark for me. The Squid and the Whale, while accurate and intelligent, seems to lack soul. Margot has soul, and is the best of the bunch, but I can't place what's off about it. I need to see it again. Kicking and Screaming, while very funny, does not resolve. Now, I do not need a resolution to be on screen--God, no. That would be insane. But I need a hint.
2.23.2009
MILK Acceptance Speeches
YouTube will take this video down soon, but if you missed it last night, here is Sean Penn's acceptance speech.
I'm posting this, as opposed to some other great speeches, because some people have been saying "Why even bring up the gay issues?" Well, it's not like Andrew Stanton won for WALL-E and is preaching about equal rights. Sean Penn and Dustin Lance Black won for a film about equal rights, so it would almost seem inappropriate if they didn't mention them. There is clearly support for the winners, the film, and Harvey Milk himself, and there's nothing wrong with them acknowledging the message of their film.
I bring this up because Sean Penn said something so great in his speech (shocking as that may be):
"...for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight; and I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."
Poor grammar on Penn's account aside, that is a great point. And it's true. We do have to have equal rights for everyone.
Oscar Recap
Clocking in at just under three and a half hours, from Hugh Jackman's opening monologue to the Best Picture award, the Oscars failed to surprise. But is that a bad thing? Most certainly not. Except for some tiniest of tiny upsets, the winners were as they should have been. How was the actual show, itself? Let's just say that Jackman was an entertaining host, and Hollywood clearly cares more about their actors than anyone else.
Grabbing numerous prizes was the favored Slumdog Millionaire, which was, quite simply, the best film out of the nominees. It took home 8 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Danny Boyle), Adapted Screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), Score, Song, Editing, Sound Mixing, and Cinematography. The love was not shared this year, with Slumdog possessing what seemed like a monopoly on all categories, ranging from the 'Big Eight' to the 'Techies.'
Deservedly, Sean Penn won Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in MILK (which also won Original Screenplay). Kate Winslet took home her first Oscar--finally--for her performance in The Reader. The Reader, while an interesting movie, was not worthy of its Best Picture nomination. Kate Winslet winning was not unexpected and is nothing to dismiss, but she should have been nominated for Revolutionary Road, which was a superior film in every aspect.
Michael Shannon was nominated for a supporting role in Revolutionary Road, but the winner was Heath Ledger for his Joker. I think it's a safe assumption that he got no less than 90% of the votes--but we will never know for sure. Some may have been sympathy votes because he has passed, but his performance was the best of the bunch. His Oscar will be kept by Michelle Williams, his ex-fiance, until his daughter is 18. At that time, it will go to her. The Dark Knight ended up taking home two Oscars: Ledger's, and Sound Editing.
Penelope Cruz gained an Oscar for her role in 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona,' which received only a sliver of love from the Academy (not even a Screenplay nod for Woody Allen). Yet, the Academy never fails to embrace beautiful, exotic women. Cruz had this one in the bag from day one.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, lackluster as it was, still managed three Oscars in tech categories. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie both went home empty-handed, but I'm sure Brad Pitt's time will come soon. If not, as long as he lives until his 80s, he'll at least get an honorary Oscar.
WALL-E, while nominated for six Oscars and one of the year's best, was stuck with a win in only the Best Animated Feature category. It seems like Pixar can't get a break outside of that mold, no matter how good their films are.
As for myself, I got 21 out of 24 predictions correct, missing only Animated Short, Documentary Short, and Foreign Language film. We can all learn something from this: I should plug my predictions into contests instead of just posting them on my blog, and you should copy my predictions next year.
2.22.2009
Quick Oscar Recap
So I got 21/24 predictions right for the Oscars, which is 87.5%, which is amazing. Most people average about 14-16.
The only ones I missed were Animated Short, Documentary Short, and Foreign Film. Mostly because I hadn't seen any of them (except Presto), and Foreign Language film is always lame and goes with something out of the blue.
Hugh Jackman was a good host.
I wish I posted my predictions in some contests. I probably would have won some stuff. I think the one I did, it was an old prediction chart and it changed since then. Damnit.
Hopefully next year I do this well! If you're bored, check out my live blog below this, or the pre-show blabber below that. With sexy pics.
Oscar Live-blog (Sort Of)
When the shows starts, during commercials, I may or may not come back to edit. Does anyone actually read live blogs after-the-fact? Note: All times will be according to EST.
8:30 Aaaaaaaand, we're off!
8:35 Hugh Jackman's writers are pretty solid this year.
8:38 Opening dance number with all of the nominees: Pretty funny, too. Especially since it makes fun of no one seeing The Reader.
8:42 Love Meryl Streep, and also, not a bad montage of acceptance speeches.
8:48 I liked these intros at first, and they're interesting, but taking WAY too long (Sup. Actress).
8:49 YAY, Penelope Cruz! Great win, and I'm 1/1.
8:51 Great speech. No one is going to top Penelope. Love her. Especially since she thanked Woody Allen.
8:55 Tina Fey presenting the writing Oscar? Hot.
8:59 Dustin Lance Black for MILK, as expected. Good script, not better than WALL-E or In Bruges, though. Oh well, 2/2.
9:00 Good speech, Dustin. Why are they jumping to Adapted Screenplay already? To cut down runtime? Sure, why not.
9:03 The Slumdog clip gives me chills. Love it. Also, Simon Beaufoy, of course wins. Amazing screenplay. 3/3.
9:04 Jennifer Aniston and Jack Black? I'm going to hate whatever this is. Both of them suck. Looks like Animated Feature, though. Looooooooooove WALL-E.
9:09 Yay WALL-E! Though, Jen Aniston's attempt to say it like the character was just AWFUL. 4/4. Andrew Stanton owns.
9:11 Ugh, they're back. Animated Short: wtf is this movie that won. I'm not going to judge cause I didn't see it, but better than Presto? Doubt it. 4/5.
9:19 Art Direction. Uh oh, I'm nervous. Honestly, any of these could win.... 5 great nominees................ but Benjamin Button wins. Which means I win, at 5/6. Solid.
9:21 Stop stuttering, Daniel Craig. This must be costumes. Another strong category. The Duchess wins. God, I'm good. 6/7.
9:25 God, still on Daniel Craig and Sarah Jessica Parker? Shit. Well, now it's makeup. Again, a strong category. The Dark Knight should not win though. Which is true, because Benjamin Button won. I'm on fire! 7/8.
9:27 This kid who played Edward in Twilight looks like he's on drugs. Does he have ADD or what?
9:30 Best romance of 2008: Obviously WALL-E and EVE. I really want to watch Revolutionary Road again.
9:35 Ben Stiller is not funny. At all. Please, Natalie Portman, save us. Cinematography. Slumdog Millionaire wins! Yay! 8/9. And not just 'Yay' cause I'm dominating, but because the film totally deserved it.
9:40 GOD DAMN, Jessica Biel is hot.
9:45 James Franco in this comedy tribute, infinitely funnier than Seth Rogen.
9:48 Live Action Short... Janusz Kaminski, pretty hilarious. Uh, I predicted Toyland, but... Oh, ok, just kidding, that one did win. I rule? Yes, I rule. 9/10.
9:54 What is this musical? Good concept but it is failing pretty terribly. Hugh Jackman should quit singing, IMO.
10:05 Great Supporting Actor clip. Love it. Some really great winners over the years.
10:05 I'm already feeling the sadness that Heath Ledger isn't alive to see this.
10:09 Heath Ledger wins, naturally. 10/11. I don't think this was a sentimental win, in the sense of sympathy votes. It was honestly the best in the category.
10:14 Looks like Documentary categories coming up. Uh oh. I wish I had seen more of the nominees, honestly.
10:17 Bill Maher, not a great presenter. Plugging his own film. Sad. Oh well, Man on Wire won. Not shocking. 11/12.
10:19 Short films ruining my life. Let's see.... God damnit, missed this one, too. Why do these shorts always get me? 11/13.
10:27 Love Will Smith. Terrible jokes but he still delivers. Charisma. Yes.
10:29 Visual effects. Benjamin Button has this in the bag. Or it should. If not, something is F-ed..... Yeah, Benjamin Button won. 12/14. Good pick, AMPAS.
10:30 The sound awards are coming up, and I'm gonna falter here. Watch. I'm trying to beat the crowd on these.
10:32 OMG I love WALL-E. But I predicted The Dark Knight.... And The Dark Knight wins. 13/15. I rock?
10:33 Sound mixing, I have Slumdog. Another tough one. These are hard to judge. JUST KIDDING. I'm not sharing my formula on this one. I'm awesome. This is also an AMAZING win for such a great film, and it looks like Slumdog is unstoppable. 14/16.
10:36 Editing. What a great category. I think if I was in film and not a screenwriter, I'd like to be an editor. Slumdog Millionaire again, not surprisingly. Again, so deserved. 15/17. How many awards is Will Smith going to present?
10:38 I love how excited Danny Boyle looks for all of his crew winning. It's great.
10:43 Humanitarian award? Cool. Wake me up when it's over. Best part of this is the WALL-E score in the background. 'Define Dancing' is the best melody from WALL-E. Am I a nerd? Or a fanboy?
10:52 I love a good score for a movie. Shame all of these can't win. I wonder what they will play from Slumdog. Hopefully not O...Saya or Jai Ho (though they are both great). Hopefully Mausam & Escape, or Aaj Ki Raat. Yay, Define Dancing from WALL-E! Ok, Dreams on Fire from Slumdog. Not bad. Though it was only about 15 seconds. If that.
10:55 I love Alicia Keys. She should present every award. Mainly because she's great to look at.
10:56 YES! Slumdog Millionaire wins score! Fantastic. 16/18.
10:58 Original score. All three of these were fantastic. Who knows. YES! Performance! Please do Jai Ho dance!
10:59 Down to Earth is a great song. I'm sort of anticipating a win for it. Maybe an upset? Looks odd with the Hindi extras, though.
11:01 Jai Ho, not near as impressive without Dev Patel and Freida Pinto dancing. I'll go back to the CD. This mix of the songs is terrible, IMO.
11:03 Jai Ho! Winner! Love Slumdog Millionaire. 17/19.
11:07 Freida Pinto presenting! This show just got a lot better.
11:09 Foreign Language always has a surprise. I'm pretty sure I;ll be wrong. Yup. See, wtf? No one was predicting that, everyone was saying Waltz with Bashir, or The Class. Owned? Yes, I got owned. 17/20. Damnit Freida.
11:12 I hate Queen Latifah. GTFO. I'm all about remembering people, but GTFO of the stage. Oh God, she's singing now? Seriously?
11:20 Hate Reese Witherspoon. Learn to count. There are four awards left, and three people. Not one.
11:22 David Fincher looks pissed and bored. Probably because Danny Boyle cleans up this category easily. Well deserved. Love it. 18/21.
11:24 Great speech, Danny Boyle.
11:27 Wow, the 5 women presenting Best Actress are all amazing. Great ensemble. Is Shirley Maclaine wearing pants? Wow, Marion Cotillard is hot.
11:30 Kate Winslet, nominated for the wrong movie. Oh well. Sup, Halle Berry.
11:32 You know, if we cut out acting awards and all the praise for them, the show would be half as long. Again, entertaining, but let's just get to the award.
11:33 Kate Winslet proves if you get naked and play in a Holocaust film, you win. Not that she didn't deserve it. I love her. 19/22.
11:37 Kate Winslet is cute.
11:38 Best Actor: Infinitely more interesting. This clip is amazing. I'm going to miss this category.
11:39 Adrian Brody needs a haircut. No Daniel Day-Lewis?
11:45 YES! SEAN PENN! Thank God. Great victory. For me and Penn, obviously. 20/23. God, I'm so glad he won. So, so deserved.
11:48 Great speech Sean Penn. I guess it helps when you're not wasted (like last time).
11:50 Love these tributes. But how bad was Frost/Nixon?
11:51 Slumdog Millionaire: Best film of the year. The Reader--overrated.
11:54 Slumdog Millionaire Best Picture! Amazing. 21/24. I rule.
Great show. I'll update in a bit with more thoughts.
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