Slowly the Walls Start to Close

American Idol-- Free Child with Every Song

So I finally sat down to watch American Idol in earnest this season. I've sort of popped in and out the past few weeks, but after watching both of the last seasons in full, I just wasn't ready for another few months of auditions and Hollywood week. I didn't even really watch the first few weeks of public eliminations as they went back to the original way of eliminating contestants and I didn't want to watch 9 people sing every week that I wasn't going to see ever again.

So this was my first introduction to most of the contestants this season and I must say I was decently impressed. It's hard to choose an absolute favorite at this point, but Adam Lambert's version of "Black and White" was the best of the evening by far. Though how awesome would it have been if he performed the Macaulay Culkin rap piece from the song?

Anyhoo.....not that I'm old...I'm not....and maybe it comes from living in close proximity to NYC, but I was shocked at and lost count of the number of contestants who were 23 or under and were married with children or unmarried with children. Holy Crap! It seemed like every other person had a child or was divorced. I was just basically out of college at 23, and even if I could have gotten married in this country back then, it was the last thing on my mind. Even my sister didn't get married until she was 28 and was 30 when she had her first child. Is this something new, or has my head been stuck in the sand?

Another Reason I'm Happy

Dancing With the Stars is back on! I don't know exactly why, but I love watching this show. Plus it brings Mark Ballas (who is just hot) and Johnathan Roberts (who sadly is married) back onto my television. Here's hoping both of them make the finals......

Reason I'm happy.....

Thank God for Tivo! I thought Reaper was coming back on the 17th. I never took off my season pass from last year, so imagine my surprise when I found a brand new episode awaiting me the other day. Ah, so nice to have Bret Harrison back on the hair. Spring is definitely coming.

New Netflix Queue

I' ve added a something or other, feedburn? rss thingy? to the sidebar showing the top few films on my Netflix Queue, in addition to the ones I have at home. Cringe to the horrors of the crap I watch!

Hmmm..

Well, I've had time let it sink in. 21/24 correct on the Oscars, my best year ever. 87.5% Can't be upset though, never would have gotten all 24. Could have guessed Sean Penn, and possibly The Dark Knight in Sound Whatever, but never would have seen Departures in Foreign Film. I don't think it even opens here until June. Ah well, bring on next year.

My bologna has a first name.....

Well, my lack of a well-paying job and worsening financial situation has left me rather apathetic to posting on a semi-regular basis, hopefully when things turn around (if), it will all get better. Still though, no reason not to post my own personal Oscar picks. Tough one this year.

Best Actor: Mickey Rourke

This could just as easily go to Sean Penn, but as the ceremony arrives, I just haven't heard the buzz surrounding Penn as you would normally expect to hear around a winner; so I'm guessing the comeback story of Rourke wins the day here.

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger

It could go to someone else, but then that person would be hated forever. The good thing is that Ledger would actually deserve the Oscar, as his performance was worthy, not just mass hysteria to honor a deceased star.

Best Actress: Kate Winslet

Again, this could easily go to Meryl Streep, and I'm sure the Academy would love to honor her again, but I think the Academy would love to honor Winslet for the first time even more. Plus, it's about the Holocaust, Ricky Gervais is right on that point.

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz

This race is a bit more open. The only performance that has stayed with me is Cruz's. The Wrestler is all about Rourke, so I don't think it will go to Tomei. Henson was fine but forgettable. Adams was also fine but a bit one note, though people do seem to like her. Davis did a great job with her scene, but I didn't think it was as amazing as others thought. So I say Cruz, with hesitation.

Best Animated Feature: WALL-E

The Panda beat it at the animation awards, but more people vote for the Oscar, so WALL-E will take home it's due.

Best Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The film looked beautiful, and it got to follow the characters through many different time periods. Maybe The Dark Knight could upset it, and if it had scored a Best Picture nod it might have, but Button has to win something.

Best Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Maybe not the best choice, but it was vibrant and kinetic, and that will win the day.

Best Costume Design: The Duchess

After watching Elizabeth: The Golden Sequel win, I realized that Best Costume means best period film, so The Duchess will win for its finery.

Best Director: Danny Boyle

I actually liked Slumdog Millionaire and was happy to see it nominated for so many awards. Frost/Nixon and Button I thought were boring, The Reader was good until that twist, then the film started to unravel. I loved Milk, but I don't think it has enough oomph to overthrow Slumdog in major categories. So Boyle will take home the Oscar.

Best Documentary Feature: Man on Wire

A two way race between Man and Herzog's Encounters. Man wins because 1. The man involved is a great storyteller and 2. It's about the World Trade Center.

Best Documentary Short: Smile Pinki

I arrived 3 hours early for the screenings of the shorts and it was already sold out! What's the deal? MOMA needs to hold 2 screenings at least. A tougher call without seeing them, but consensus seems to be between the MLK associated The Witness and the Indian Cleft Lip story Smile Pinki. I'm thinking cute and adorable wins the day, so Pinki will take it.

Best Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Spirited and kinetic wins the day. It does seem as if fast paced usually wins the day here.

Best Foreign Language: The Class

The Class is an amazing film, and not just because I'm an unemployed teacher. This category can be tough to call as only qualified voters and vote, and 3 of the nominees has not been released to see yet, but I can't imagine much being better than The Class.

Best Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I'd love to see Hellboy II win here, but I think most people would associate the makeup jobs with visual effects, so Button will pick up the Oscar here, and hey, it has to win something.

Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire

Hmmm....I wonder what the opposite of this award would be? Remember when it used to be 2 different awards? Anyhoo, the Indian rhythms of Slumdog will win as it's new to many.

Best Original Song: Jai Ho

Everyone watches the dance to it over the end credits of Slumdog, so how can it not win?

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

The coronation will be around 11:30ish EST. I found Button to be rather dull and that seems to be a minor refrain, so that will keep it from winning. Frost/Nixon was also dull and I'm not exactly sure how that got nominated. Milk would be my second choice, and it would be a worthy winner, but again, no oomph. The Reader's second half keeps it from winning. So Slumdog it is.

Best Animated Short Film: La Maison en Petits Cubes

These I did see. All 5 are good, but La Maison was quite touching and brought a tear to my eye. Only Presto has a chance to unseat it.

Best Live Action Short Film: Toyland

It's about the Holocaust, and is actually good to boot.

Best Sound Editing: Slumdog Millionaire

This probably should go to The Dark Knight, but I think most voters are going to give it to Heath Ledger and call it a day, so the kineticism of Slumdog will win here.

Best Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

This probably should go to The Dark Knight, but I think most voters are going to give it to Heath Ledger and call it a day, so the kineticism of Slumdog will win here.

Best Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Brad Pitt looking 16 again? What's not to love. Besides, Button has to win something.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog takes a concept that sounds cringe inducing to hear and makes a great film out of it. I know some others don't like Slumdog, but I'm not one of them.

Best Original Screenplay: Milk

Here's the category that Milk can win in. Unless there's an swelling of support for Mike Leigh, Dustin Lance Black will win.

Good Bye 2008

And Good Riddance; hopefully 2009 has better things in store.

Merry Christmas

A few days early, but I won't be around to post the next few days. So I wish all a very Merry Christmas!

Really Black Friday

WalMart worker killed.

Gobble.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Fingers Crossed!

Ok, I finally broke down and made an appointment with a career counselor. I'm not finding a job on my own and my nest egg has sprouted wings and is flying away quickly. I'm hoping a professional can shore up my resume and presentation skills and I'll be jobbed again ASAP. Then I can be a bit happier and will actually feel like posting more often than 1 time a month, contrary to what I wanted to do, but the lack of employment and the current financial status don't put me in the mood to do much of anything than crawl under a rock.

BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA

And I thought my students were hard to get an answer out of.

GAHHH! Get out of my Head!

Crap

AWWWW...I was hoping to see him dance more. He's my favorite. Why did they have to stick him with a sucky partner?

[title of show]

I finally had the chance to see this on Saturday night. I had heard about the show for a few years, and when the closing notice went up, I didn't want to miss it. I was not disappointed. The show had me laughing from start to finish. I'll skip plot specifics since they should be pretty well known by now or www.titleofshow.com can give them to you. The actors are all from the off-broadway version and it's obvious they truly have come to inhabit their roles. Even most of the songs were catchy, to the point where I ordered the cast album, something I haven't done for a show in years.

After the show, all the performers come out the stage door and spend as much time is needed to say hi to all the fans and sign autographs and take pictures. I've never seen Broadway actors act so nice toward their fans. I've gotten my share of autographs, but most actors make it seem like a chore they have to do. Here, they sign, chat you up and thank you for coming. And Hunter Bell in person....very attractive.

Such a shame that it's closing on Oct. 12th. Hopefully something can be done to keep it going a little longer. I'd love the opportunity to see it a few more times. If anyone reading this has thought about seeing it, or is looking for something to see in the next two weeks, I would highly recommend it.

New York Film Festival

So I will be attending the NYFF again this year, as I have been doing every year since 1994. Damn, time flies fast. Either way, here is my schedule of films (there are a few I can't attend, so if anyone sees this who lives in the NY area, you're welcome to ask me for my ticket.)

9/26 8:00pm The Class
9/27 6:00pm Happy-Go-Lucky (This is one of the films I can't attend, anyone?)
9/28 12:00pm Happy-Go-Lucky
9/28 9:00pm I'm Gonna Explode
9/30 9:15pm The Northern Land (Not sure I'm going to see this, anyone?)
10/1 9:15pm Waltz with Bashir (Stuck in Westchester that night, anyone?)
10/4 6:15pm Ashes of Time Redux
10/4 9:15pm Changeling
10/5 3:00pm Four Nights With Anna
10/5 9:00pm Gomorrah
10/6 9:15pm The Headless Woman (Not sure I'm going to see this, anyone?)
10/7 6:00pm Che
10/9 6:00pm Tokyo Sonata
10/9 9:00pm Tulpan
10/10 6:00pm A Christmas Tale
10/10 9:45pm Let it Rain
10/11 1:30pm Darren Aronofsky: Director's Dialogue
10/12 2:30pm Bullet in the Head
10/12 5:15pm Serbis
10/12 8:30pm The Wrestler

I will attending all of these alone, save for The Wrestler. Look for the person who is the saddest one there and come say HI!

Mood Upswing

Well, my attempt to find decent employment has not produced anything yet, but at least I'm back to tutoring. This way, my bank account won't quite fall off at the rate it has been. I'm still holding off on the last resort of prostituting myself, I think I'm attractive enough, but would any possible cients be?

Either way, I've been kicking myself at not writing more. I believe the complete lack of focus going on in my life doesn't add. I think about writing a post, but then remember that I could go watch this TV show, or go see that movie, or read some book, and all thoughts about posting fly out the window. I watched both of the Sci-Fi Dune miniseries in 2 days, when I could easily have talked about the movies I've seen, or my trip to Ocean City.

But I've been reading other blogs for quite some time now on a regular basis, and I figure I have to do something, even if it's something as simple as posting a video, so I'm going to try to forget all the other distractions and try to do something each day.

Idea....Stolen

I'm still wading my way through the countless hours of the Olympics I've Tivo'd, hence the total lack of posts for the past few weeks. I was hoping to do some Olympic posts, but am basically spending all my free time watching Table Tennis. Anyway, I saw this on MSNBC today and couldn't pass it up. It's the way I'd like to go, except I want my eyes open.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26290833/?gt1=43001

The Other O.C.

Part 3 of my summer vacation starts in a few hours. I'll be driving down to Atlantic City for the night (and hopefully a few jackpots), then on Saturday, a short hop to Ocean City. This one will be a family vacation for the week: sister, brother-in-law, nieces..... I'll be back on August 9, just in time for the Olympics and finding a job. Hopefully, once I get a job, I be able to do more regular updates here. Without a job, all the free time I have makes it harder to write posts, every time I try to type, my mind races to about 10 other things I could be doing. With the regiment of a job, I'll be forced to budget time more wisely.

Have a great week everyone!