Image Test II

A Few Early Oscar Predictions...

Admittedly, watching awards shows is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. After being mostly successfully in predicting the winners of the 2010 Golden Globes Awards, I devised a few predictions for Oscar night that I am sure are "shoo-ins." Yes, it's a little bold to make a call before the nominations are even announced, but I have confidence in the three categories I'm calling right now . Unlike the Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director awards, which are currently in a three way horse race, the awards for Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Actor are pretty much safe to place a bet on.

What [I think] I know:

Best Supporting Actress goes to Mo'Nique for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire"
(which also won Longest Title of the Year)
After seeing her in the movie "Domino" a few years back, I had an inkling that she might come out and do some good acting. She was the best thing about this film, making it worth watching, at least for the first time.

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for "Inglorious Basterds" 

I'm glad that this film will at least win one award, especially for a man who manages to kick @$$ in how many different languages?

 Best Actor: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
Now, I haven't seen the film, but the buzz surrounding his performance, combined with him being long overdue for an Oscar, makes it a certain win. Not to mention Bridges is one of the greatest actors of his generation. The Academy has had quite a habit of awarding people of similar situations throughout its history.

What I really don't know:

Best Picture: "Avatar" vs. "The Hurt Locker" vs. "Up In the Air"
(should be nominated: "Up")
I know it's a good year for the Silver Screen when I'm juggling about five or six films for my favorite of the year.
Best Director: James Cameron-"Avatar" vs. Kathryn Bigelow-"The Hurt Locker" vs. Quentin Tarantino-"Inglorious Basterds"
Best Actress: Possibly Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side", who seems to be the crowd favorite. I honestly don't think it would go to Meryl Streep although her rendition of Julia Child was nothing but brilliant in "Julie & Julia." The new girl from "An Education", Carey Mulligan, I think actually stands a chance as well.


Don't be shy to tell me what you think.

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Image Test I

I am seriously anticipating the march release of Tim Burton's latest team up with Johnny Depp, Alice in Wonderland. Just one look at this picture:

And who WOULDN'T be psyched to experience an acid trip simulated through the big screen. Colleen
Atwood, one of the whose who among costume designers these days, has had an undeniable eye for the oddly appropiate attire in many of Tim Burton's collabo's with Depp, such as "Sweeney Todd: The Demon of Barber of Fleet Street", "Big Fish", "Sleepy Hollow", and the cult classic "Edward Scissorhands." Of course, she jumped back on board with Burton for "Alice in Wonderland", which I'm not complaining about at all: props to the rest of the visual art departments (including hair and makeup) for helping put together this next Burton (hopeful) triumph. Seeing yet another bizarre and pleasently dark performance by Depp definitely doesn't bother me either; I don't see it getting old any time soon. Maybe I'm assuming too much (and well all know what happens when you ass-u-me) about a film that hasn't been released yet, especially since there has been plenty of disappointments over the past year. An impressive trailer and a bunch of hoop-la doesn't equal a great film. Either way, I'm betting it's going to be another eerie film worth watching.

Speaking of disappointments, take a second to vote in the poll over there on the right, "Biggest Let Downs: 2009" and tell me what you think. Remember that these, in my opinion, are the biggest disappointments, not that they are the worst films of 2009, although perhaps one or  two of them would make my list anyway.                      

To sum it all up...

    This blog is primarily going to focus on film, providing news, reviews, critiques, and my opinion on certain visual media. Since film IS an art form, I am aware that not everyone will agree with my point of view, but isn't that the beauty of it all?


    Information on the latest (or oldest) movies and documentaries can be found in a wide variety of places on the internet, my favorite websites include: Internet Movie Database, Rottentomatoes, Roger Ebert Reviews, and AMC Films.