My list is almost done…
81. It never pays to sleep with the offspring of your enemy. [The Trouble With Bliss]
82. Dogs aren’t all that bad; in fact, they their very existence can lead you to become a millionaire. Oh, and being a fast-talking gypsy boxer can come in handy. [Snatch]
83. Even the littlest people can be the bravest. [Beasts of the Southern Wild]
84. You should venture out into the world to learn how to live. [An Education]
85. Some men hide themselves in empty, meaningless relationship when all they want to be is loved. [All the Real Girls]
86. Some couples live on the brink of infidelity. [Last Night]
87. Sons can be really protective of their mothers… alittle too much. Plus, a drunken karaoke rendition of “Don’t You Want Me” is not sad at all, nope. [Cyrus]
88. Corporate ego, greed, and backstabbing is just another day at the financial office. [Margin Call]
89. Sometimes its not the person you are with that causes you dissatisfaction but your own choices in life. [Take This Waltz]
90. The fast life can catch up with you and threaten your life. [The 24th Day]
Final 10 to go!
I’m so tired! I’m glad it’s the weekend ‘cuz I’m going to get my sleep on… and visit IKEA. I recently moved into a loft apartment in an awesome walk/bike part of town. It’s smaller than my old place with very tall walls so that calls for some good old-fashion space solutions. When I think of IKEA, I think of Zooey Deschanel. Why? Well, anyone who has seen (500) Days of Summer (one of my favorite movies), knows that one of the cutest moments out of some many great scenes is them “playing house” in IKEA. And also anyone who has seen the show New Girl (one of my favorite shows) and wants Jess and Nick to get together as much as I do thought it was so sweet that he would go out of his way to build IKEA furniture for her. That’s love, people. Someone should really write an article about how IKEA is romantic for Zooey D’s characters…. Hope you have a great weekend, everyone! Below is a short list of some film-related posts I came across the web this week…
Joss Whedon & the election.
Anything that gets Delpy and Hawke together is A’okay with me.
10 indies to watch.
30 seconds to Mars.
Speaking of Jared Leto, he’s finding his way back to the big screen.
Middle of Nowhere: Black cinema appeals to mainstream.
The most expensive zombie movie ever with Brad Pitt.
Read more
1. Let Viola Davis make all the speeches: The woman is a class act. Since the start of this awards season, she has given some of the most beautifully crafted acceptance speeches as she carts off Lead Actress awards for The Help. Her words can inspire anyone. To those expecting to win on Oscar night: pull Viola on stage with you and let her do all the talking. To all those who want to see past evidence of her powerful acting abilities, see Doubt (her one major scene defines the whole movie).
2. Maybe I should give French men a chance: Here’s a secret for you - I have an thing for European men, specifically Spanish and British men (it’s the accents!). But after being exposed to the charm of Jean Dujardin of The Artist in the last few months, maybe I have overlooked what all Europe has to offer. Bonus: I was flipping through the recent GQ and saw his debonair photo spread. Oui, oui.
3. The trio of Wiig, Rudolph, and McCarthy continue to bring the laughs: My best laugh of the night came when the Bridesmaids stars introduced their cast for the Best Ensemble In Film award. When they walk on stage carting alcohol, you already knew it was going to be good.
4. Brad and George are smooth operators: You know who I’m talking about - Pitt and Clooney. The ultimate bro-migos. I don’t think its a secret how far up on the A-list they are yet they continue to be present at award shows, even smaller less prestigious ones like the SAG awards (let’s face it, it’s not the Golden Globes or Oscars). The case can be made that they are nominated and that’s why they are there but not everyone shows up (talking to you, DiCaprio!). However, I read/hear reports all the time on how gracious they are with fans and how friendly they are with everyone no matter who you are so they are aces in my book.
5. Movies definitely trumped TV this year: Maybe I’m missing something but the only show that was nominated in any category that I actually watch is “Dexter” and “Glee”, both of which I think had lackluster seasons this past year. I totally gave up on “The Office” once Steve Carrell left. I’ll give it up to “Breaking Bad” and “Modern Family”, which I hear are fan favorites but what about “Homeland”, “New Girl”? And don’t let me get started on the injustice that is the brilliant and underrated “Fringe”. Let’s get some new blood in the mix, people.
If you are curious on the complete list of winners, see it here.
If you have been as impressed with the new super director-actor duo of Steve McQueen and Michael Fassbender (Hunger, Shame) as I have, then you can’t wait until their next project. We won’t have to wait long. Their next collaboration will be 12 Years a Slave, an adaptation of an autobiographical historical text and written work of the former slave Solomon Northrup, which will also star Chiwetel Ejiofor (as the title character) and Brad Pitt. Shooting is set to start in mid-2012 with a possible release the following year. Steve McQueen has proven to me to be a force to be reckoned with in the filmmaking biz as well as a man who is not afraid of the brutal honesty regarding issues of race so I have no doubt that this will be a great one. More on the film’s premise:
Synopsis: A real account of a black man born free (Soloman Northrup) kidnapped from New York and sold into slavery in mid-1850s Louisiana later in his life. As no one believes his claims of being a free man, he is forced to witness unspeakable violence and emotional abuse. Though he tries to escape many times in order to return to his family, his attempts are foiled at every turn. It is only after years of enslavement that he realizes that he must take an incredible risk and depend on the most unlikely people if he wants to regain his freedom and see his family again.
Okay, so the nominations for the 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards were announced today. Being the cinephile that I am, I have a couple of comments on the nominations in the movie categories:
1. Best ensemble cast (The Artist, Bridesmaids, The Descendants, The Help, Midnight in Paris): I’ve seen the majority of these films and my money is on Bridesmaids. I didn’t really want to see this when it came out (I contend that the trailer is not funny in the least) but this movie got me at the opening scene (hello, John Hamm). It has both appealed to the masses as well as the critics, and the casting in this ensemble was dead on. Runner up for me is The Help for the female bond the actors fostered on screen in this very important story.
2. Best actor (Demian Bichir, A Better Life, George Clooney, The Descendants, Leo DiCaprio, J Edgar, Jean Dujardin, The Artist, Brad Pitt, Moneyball). This could go either way. There are alot of favorites and repeat offenders in this category including Clooney, Pitt, and DiCaprio. Also there is alot of buzz around Dujardin. I can’t call this one but I do have one question. No Joseph Gordon-Levitt for 50/50? Or Ryan Gosling for Drive?
3. Best actress (Glenn Closs, Albert Nobbs, Viola Davis, The Help, Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady, Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk about Kevin, Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn). If Viola Davis doesn’t sweep this category at all the upcoming awards shows, people need to get their head examined. Meryl Streep, beware.
4. Best supporting actor (Kenneth Branagh, My Week with Marilyn, Armie Hammer, J Edgar, Jonah Hill, Moneyball, Nick Nolte, Warrior, Christopher Plummer, Beginners). I loved Beginners, probably my favorite film this year, so I’m really pulling for Christopher Plummer getting this. And I think he has a great chance. But I hope that this sheds light on this underrated gem of a movie.
5. Best supporting actress (Berenice Bejo, The Artist, Jessica Chastain, The Help, Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids, Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs, Octavia Spencer, The Help). Two words - Melissa McCarthy. When she threw her leg up and slapped her thigh on the airplane, I always died. If she was running for president I would vote for her.
