I think I use that subject line too much...but check this out.

These were my predictions for my family's Oscar pool (we only do selective categories, and three tie-breakers):
Best Picture: "No Country For Old Men"
Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis ("There Will Be Blood")
Best Actress: Marion Cotillard ("La Vie en Rose")
Best Supporting Actor: Javier Bardem ("No Country For Old Men")
Best Supporting Actress: Tilda Swinton ("Michael Clayton")

Tie-breakers:
Film With Most Wins: No Country For Old Men
Number of Wins: 4
Time: 3 hours, 21 minutes


And if you watched, you may notice that those were EXACTLY RIGHT. Including the tie-breakers. Including the LENGTH OF THE SHOW.

8 out of 8.

BAM BABY! I am a golden god!


Overall, I was happy with the show. I thought Jon Stewart did a great job (he was very funny in an appropriate-to-the-Oscars way...for the most part). I thought the speeches were interesting and the winners were excited and sincere (not boring or reserved like some of those pretentious fuckers are). There were some wins I was really happy about, including "Falling Slowly" from Once for Best Song, Dario Marianelli for Best Score from Atonement, and Sweeney Todd's win for Art Direction (perhaps they were only small tokens, but at least it was something for three films I found particularly fantastic this year). Additionally, after seeing Juno again this morning, I really found that most of the greatest things about the film were contained in the script so kudos to Diablo Cody for that. I think it was well-deserved (and like many of the winners, she was excited and gracious).

I was, however, disappointed that Atonement didn't take anything else (I was really hoping for screenplay). And while I appreciate that No Country For Old Men cleaned up (as I stated earlier, I truly think it's a better film than equally hyped There Will Be Blood), I think my biggest disappointment was that The Diving Bell and the Butterfly didn't take anything. I was certain it would grab Cinematography, if not Editing, and I was really hoping for Direction...I mean. Julian Schnabel is great and for an American director to choose to do a film in France, in French, and with such unique technical aspects and challenges...it was brilliant. And I really don't see how any other film even came near it. It was ridiculously distinctive and redefined the boundaries of how the camera is used. It really makes me wonder about whether the Academy members voting saw the film, or saw it all the way through. I know when I went to the theater, it wasn't more than 20 minutes in when I found myself wondering if I could sit through the entire thing. It was so uncomfortable and constricting and I honestly considered walking out just because I wasn't a strong enough person to deal with the intensity of the themes and subject matter, both of which are conveyed through amazingly direct cinematography. But I stayed and it was incredible. I just wonder how many people, especially if they were watching screeners in the privacy of their own homes, turned the film off when it got uncomfortable and didn't bother to finish it. It's a lot easier to turn off a DVD than walk out of a theater. Personally, I don't turn off movies a lot, but I never did finish La Vie en Rose. Perhaps the most incredibly parts of the film were in the last half, but I'll never know because I didn't enjoy the story or characters. Edith Piaf is just so unforgiving and so unforgivable. Marion Cotillard is fabulous, especially as she is able to portray such an unequivocal bitch when she is really so sweet and adorable.

So yes. Part of me wonders if the Academy just didn't see The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, or whether they just didn't see in it what I did. I don't understand how anyone who saw the entire thing could have thought it wasn't the most brilliant Directing, Cinematography, and Editing of the year.

I was also surprised that The Bourne Ultimatum took three awards...it made it the second winningest film tonight. So odd.


I think that's it, really. I need to get to bed. Tomorrow starts off early with 8:30am class, then I'll be finishing up the work on my thesis outline so that I can start actually pounding out the rough draft this week. I also have to write a paper on "urban anxiety as a theme in an American film" (I will be using Modern Times--it's perfect); it's due next Tuesday.

So far I'm enjoying the Oscars immensely.

I adore Javier Bardem and so I'm thrilled that he took home the award for supporting role (particularly because it puts me a little closer to winning the family Oscar pool ($40 pot, I'm psyched).

Also, it was nice to see something go to Sweeney Todd, because it was so fabulous. But me thinks Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter aren't there. Boo. It's alright, Johnny's representing (with Vanessa on arm, bien sûr).

Additionally, Jon Stewart is doing an amazing job.

And scene.

[EDIT: And a big thank you to Tilda Swinton for putting me another step closer to that $40 (and to the BAFTAs for leading me to pick the long shot). The only one standing in my way now is Aunt Judy. Oh man...it's going to come down to Best Actress.]

[EDIT 2: Marion Cotillard was ADORABLE in her acceptance speech. I adore her so much, it makes me really regretful that I hated La Vie en Rose. I'm almost tempted to change the icon on this post to my Marion, but alas...I think it shall remain as it is. I can only use it for about a month out of the year.

Plus, I'm 3 for 3 on the family Oscar pool. Ah, vindication.]

I've seen 52 movies since August 18th (the beginning of the school year).

Granted, some of those were repeat viewings (I saw Atonement, Sweeney Todd, National Treasure 2, and Juno twice each) and not all were new films (I caught Brazil and Blade Runner at the Enzian this past semester).


But I still went to the movies 52 times in 6 months and 6 days.

And I've seen 29 of the Oscar nominees (a few on DVD, so they don't count into the tally).


Additionally, I paid (or used a gift card) for every one of those, which I know because I have ticket stubs for them. I don't think I've movie hopped at all this year (though my memory is not great and it's possible I snuck into one or two).


I don't know whether to be proud or sickened.


--------

In other news, it's possible I enjoyed Juno more the second time around. It's really a very good movie. And I think Jennifer Garner is grossly under appreciated for that role. She is simply phenomenal and I cried twice during the movie, mostly for her character. I don't actually cry at movies that often, so that's kinda huge.

So yes.

First off, the Enzian (the local indie theater by me), has been dragging its feet lately to put up the upcoming schedule. They had Persepolis playing for a week. Then it was extended to two weeks. And now it's in it's third week (which I'm kind of glad of because I think I'm going to go see it again...I might cite it in my thesis because it is my thesis...or half of it, at least).

But after that, they only had a few limited engagement things (The Big Lebowski, Pink Floyd's The Wall).

But they have just put up two future events and I'm tres excited about both. Miss Petigrew Lives For a Day (which I think is a lousy title, but looks like a fabulous little movie) and The Band's Visit, which just looks cute and uplifting.

So yay.

In other news, I'm off to see Juno this morning. It's showing before noon, so it's $5, and I happen to have a $5 gift card for AMC, so it's FREE to me. I figured, in honor of it's big wins yesterday (Film Independent's Spirit Award for Best Picture and for Best Actress), and as a precursor to the Oscars this evening...

And I kinda don't want to work on my thesis for 12 hours again. So this will cut that down to about 6 hours today (because there's no way in hell I'm working through the Oscars).


This is kinda late in the game, but just for some fun...predictions!
Best Picture - No Country for Old Men (this one makes me nervous...I though it was much better than There Will Be Blood, but there's been so much hype for Blood lately)
Best Actor - Daniel Day Lewis
Best Actress - Marion Cotillard (but I'm putting Ellen Page as a back-up incase the Academy decides it hates biopics...which it never has, so...)
Best Supporting Actor - Javiar Bardem
Best Supporting Actress - Tilda Swinton (I'm going out on a limb for this one. I'm 85% sure it's going to Cate Blanchett, but I think it would be fabulous for Tilda to take it)
Best Director - Julien Schnabel (or at least he should win, if Best Picture goes to There Will Be Blood, they might give it to the Coens as a consolation)
Best Screenplay, Original - Diablo Cody (with Tamara Jenkins as a close second pick, adults loved The Savages)
Best Screenplay, Adapted - Christopher Hampton (I'm really unsure about this one, but I figure the Academy has to throw Atonement a bone for something, otherwise it'll probably go to the Coens)


As a final note, I went on weather.com to (duh) check the weather, and there was an American Airlines add to receive 60,000 bonus frequent flier miles if I book a ticket round-trip to London. Clearly, it's mocking me, because the first thing I did this morning was gaze longingly at my Europe pictures (I have 8 framed 5x7s hanging on my wall). While I was really admiring Barcelona today (it's different everyday), Barcelona is just a train ride away from London...


And if I don't leave now, I'll be late for Juno. Zut!

So I'm watching the Film Independent Spirit Awards (reaired on AMC), and host Rainn Wilson is doing the intro and talking about how they are "going green" this year (which I think is silly because they already do the show in a tend on the beach, how much greener can you get?) but he was talking about the "no waste" policy and said:

"In honor of this show's 'zero waste' policy, Sienna Miller has graciously offered to finish everyone's drinks tonight."

To which she did a hilarious "I'm shocked but think that's really funny" face and raised her glass.


Awesome.

[EDIT: Another AMAZING line, I just had to post it. Oh Rainn Wilson.

"To present the award for Best Director, it is my pleasure to introduce a past Spirit Award winner and this year's honorary chair. He is the Spanish star of the brilliant No Country For Old Men, he is charming, ruggedly handsome, talented, speaks 5 languages, I want to fuck him SO HARD! Javiar Bardem."

To which Javiar responded, "Alright. We've got a deal."]


Also, Steve Zahn was the only white guy nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category, which means (more importantly) that the other 4 nominees are minorities.

I came across a disturbing statistic today in my meanderings around the internet that only 19 black actors and actresses have ever been nominated for Best Actor or Best Actress Oscars. Halle Berry was the first black actress to win in 2001 (out of the 7 ever nominated).

It's sad and disappointing. However, there have still only been 3 women ever nominated for Best Director (none have won), so there's that too.

I'm not going anywhere with this, so I'll stop...

[Update.]

Academy Award Nominated Films I've Seen:
- Atonement
- Juno
- Michael Clayton
- No Country For Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
- Eastern Promises
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age
- Away From Her
- La Vie en Rose (La Môme)
- The Savages
- The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
- Charlie Wilson's War
- American Gangster
- Gone Baby Gone
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Le Scaphandre et le Papillion)
- Lars and the Real Girl
- Ratatouille
- The Bourne Ultimatum
- Across the Universe
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
- 3:10 to Yuma
- August Rush
- Enchanted
- Once
- Transformers
- Persepolis
- Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
- Sicko


The Nominees I Have Yet to See (or possibly will never see *cough*Norbit*cough*):
- In the Valley of Elah
- Into the Wild
- I'm Not There
- The Golden Compass
- Norbit
- The Kite Runner
- Surf's Up

I also haven't seen three of the documentaries (No End in Sight, Taxi to the Dark Side, War Dance), any of the five foreign language films (Die Fälscher, Beaufort, Mongol, Katyn, 12), or any of the 14 shorts, due to lack of opportunity (they weren't distributed at a theater near me).

And all but In the Valley of Elah and Surf's Up will be released on DVD after the Oscars air, so I probably won't see anymore until then.


And for fun...

Categories in Which I've Seen All Nominees:
- Best Picture
- Best Lead Actress
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay, Original
- Best Screenplay, Adapted
- Best Cinematography
- Best Costume Design
- Best Original Song
- Best Sound
- Best Sound Editing

And in EVERY OTHER CATEGORY, I've seen all but one film.

I'm impressed with myself at this point. And I lament a little the amount of money that has gone the way of the studios and cinemas. What am I going to do in May if I don't have an income that allows me to average a movie per week?

Just because...

Academy Award Nominated Films I haven't seen:
- In the Valley of Elah
- Elizabeth: The Golden Age
- Into the Wild
- I'm Not There
- American Gangster
- Gone Baby Gone
- The Golden Compass
- Norbit
- The Kite Runner
- Surf's Up

I also haven't seen three of the documentaries (No End in Sight, Taxi to the Dark Side, War Dance), any of the five foreign language films (Die Fälscher, Beaufort, Mongol, Katyn, 12), or any of the 14 shorts, due to lack of opportunity (they weren't distributed at a theater near me).

But that means that these are the nominees I have seen:
- Atonement
- Juno
- Michael Clayton
- No Country For Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
- Eastern Promises
- Away From Her
- La Vie en Rose (La Môme)
- The Savages
- The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
- Charlie Wilson's War
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Le Scaphandre et le Papillion)
- Lars and the Real Girl
- Ratatouille
- The Bourne Ultimatum
- Across the Universe
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
- 3:10 to Yuma
- August Rush
- Enchanted
- Once
- Transformers
- Persepolis
- Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience
- Sicko


26 ain't bad. How many have YOU seen?


In other news, VH1 is playing Air Guitar Nation, a super kick-ass documentary that I totally recommend. It's too late to watch it now, but it's reairing a couple times within the week. Check listings.

Well, color me ecstatic.

Atonement and Sweeney Todd took home the Golden Globes for Best Picture (drama and comedy/musical, respectively).


Sweet.


There were also a lot of winners I didn't agree with, but those two made me happy.

I wasn't going to do this, but...

Overall tonight's Emmy Awards have been subpar. Very few of the people I actually watch on the shows I actually like have won. (Exceptions being Katherine Heigl and "The Daily Show." Also, I was rooting for Jenna Fischer, but I do enjoy Jaime Pressly, so that's wasn't too upsetting.)

Also, Helen Mirren is so fabulous, words can't explain. She explicitly dragged out her acceptance speech because she loves the dramatic music they use to kick people off stage.

And Lewis Black is over the top, but always so right-on. He might have been the funniest part of the entire show! (Though it was entirely irrelevant to the show...he didn't even present an award!)

Finally, a notable mention to Tina Fey, who is not only adorable, but hilarious. In her acceptance speech for "30 Rock" winning best comedy series she thanked "[their] dozens and dozens of viewers." Though I think the best moment was when Ricky Gervais wasn't able to accept his award, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert (who were giving the award) decided to give it to Steve Carell, who then ran up on stage and they were all jumping around and hugging each other, and it ended in a three-way hug** that made me miss the good ol' days of The Daily Show when Steve and Stephen were still on.


But my issues with the show are numerous:
- Theater in the round only works if you utilize all sides. They've essentially put an audience on the sides and back of a proscenium show (I feel really bad for the people sitting behind the action...how hard is it to have presenters turn around?)
- The presenter jokes are irrelevant to the category and FAR too long (I liked "The Office" one, but I can see where people who are not fans of the show would be confused and bored)
- The "relevant one-liners" montage was crap (to put it nicely)
- It's super "Sopranos"-centric
- They've made the Emmys into American Idol (and not just because of Ryan Seacrest). They lowered the bar instead of elevating it
- NPH didn't win (though as soon as I found out Jeremy Piven was in the category, I knew he was screwed)


Ugh.


**Note the awesomeness. It just makes me happy.

I need to work on time management.

I should be studying for my 19th Century Art exam (which is going to be super hard and I will most likely get a C), but the Emmy preshow is on. And next is the second Emmy preshow. And then there's the actual award show.

So theoretically, I should have studied earlier. But earlier today, I was at Disney.

So I should have studied last night, and I was intending on it, because I thought my roommates were going to go out again...but then they didn't. And I didn't want to be anti-social (because we had a couple out-of-town guests), so I hung around with them.

Then yesterday during the day, the UCF football game (the first one in the new stadium) was on ESPN. And I had to watch. Because it's kinda a HUGE deal around here and I didn't want to be the only one to not watch. (We only lost by 3 to Texas, which is awesome, because they are 6th in the nation and we're...not.) And before that, I had gone to see The Brave One.

On Friday, I had class, then watched "Dr. Zhivago" (the British version with Keira Knightley) to celebrate the end of the week. Later that night, we all went out...so there were several hours of a full apartment getting ready and pregaming and studying would have been distinctly impossible.

The day before was full of classes and grocery shopping and Cowboys at night...so really...when was I supposed to study?

(The clear answer is: right now and turn off the Emmys, but fuck that.)


The upside, the ladies on the red carpet are all looking very good. Highlights:
- Tina Fey (super adorable)
- Kate Walsh (in an amazing red dress)
- Ellen and Portia both look incredible
- Jenna Fischer has a really pretty dress
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a really nice purple
- Rachel Griffiths who's sporting an excellent black dress and the sweet aussie accent

Honorable mention for the men, William H. Macy has a really good look going on. It's a little "debonair in the 1870s," but nice. And Neil Patrick Harris is smokin' in all black Prada. HOT!

Dudes...the 4th Indy movie has a name: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

And, Kal Penn is joining the case of "House, M.D." as one of the new lackies (they're starting with a half-dozen or so and "kicking" them off).