Journalistic Skepticism

2011 bloggers' choice awards: THE NOMINEES

2012-01-26T00:14:00.000-06:00

The votes are in! After a somewhat eventful morning with Jennifer Lawrence, hopefully you're ready to see the choices of the film bloggers! Though no one film had the showing Black Swan had in last year's voting (11 nominations), a couple came close, with Drive and The Help leading the nomination count at 8 nominations apiece. The polls for picking the winners will be open until the night before the Oscars, so you have ample time to make your choices. Here are this year's nominees (and for a refresher, feel free to check out last year's):

Best Picture

Best Director

Best Lead Actress

Best Lead Actor

Best Supporting Actress

Best Supporting Actor

Best Original Screenplay

Best Adapted Screenplay

Best Art Direction

Best Cinematography

Best Costume Design

Best Sound Editing

Best Sound Mixing

Best Visual Effects

Best Animated Feature

Best Documentary Feature

Best Film Editing

Best Foreign Language Film

Best Original Score

Best Original Song

Best Makeup

2nd film bloggers choice awards: TIME to CAST YOUR VOTES

2012-01-08T14:02:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again folks! After last year's fun, I figured it would be good to bring back the film blogger-chosen awards - so head over to the polls if you're interested and participate in the second annual mock Oscar poll. The votes are tallied based on rankings and the firmest grasp I can muster on the convoluted AMPAS style of vote-compiling. Ballots are due by Jan. 24, when the nominees will be announced. And be sure to come back here to vote on the winners when the time comes! This is all in good fun, but it only works if you participate, so humor me and help me out - voice your opinion on the best of 2011!

the 2011 movie score guidebook, vol. 3

2012-01-07T14:04:00.000-06:00

The high-flying score-recapping continues - volume three of the guidebook is below. So have at it, and get a good feel for what 2011 had to offer. And check out volumes one and two to catch up!

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Score by Alberto Iglesias

Shame
Score by Harry Escott

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Score by Alexandre Desplat

The Artist
Score by Ludovic Bource

The Adventures of Tintin
Score by John Williams

Contagion
Score by Cliff Martinez

The Help
Score by Thomas Newman

War Horse
Score by John Williams

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Score by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe

Drive
Score by Cliff Martinez

Thor
Score by Patrick Doyle

Restless
Score by Danny Elfman

Jane Eyre
Score by Dario Marianelli

The Ides of March
Score by Alexandre Desplat

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
Score by Michael Giacchino

the 2011 movie score guidebook, vol. 2

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000-06:00

The madness continues - the year-end score wrap-up is just getting started, so here's another 15 to assist you in your difficult "Who on earth had the best score of 2011?" questions. Have at it!

The Conspirator
Score by Mark Isham

The Beaver
Score by Marcelo Zarvos

Take Shelter
Score by David Wingo

The Iron Lady
Score by Thomas Newman

Hugo
Score by Howard Shore

W.E.
Score by Abel Korzeniowski

Warrior
Score by Mark Isham

Moneyball
Score by Mychael Danna

Albert Nobbs
Score by Brian Byrne

The Skin I Live In
Score by Alberto Iglesias

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Arthur Christmas
Score by Harry Gregson-Williams

One Day
Score by Rachel Portman

Kung Fu Panda 2
Score by Hans Zimmer and John Powell

A Better Life
Score by Alexandre Desplat

the 2011 movie score guidebook, vol. 1

2011-12-28T17:48:00.000-06:00

I've decided to keep up some traditions, and this is one of them. Last year I wrapped up the movie year with a six-volume rundown on the soundtracks of the year. And here's your first volume for 2011 - I'll try to vary it up by release date, pedigree, and quality, depending.

The Adjustment Bureau
Score by Thomas Newman

Rango
Score by Hans Zimmer

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Score by Hans Zimmer

The Debt
Score by Thomas Newman

Water for Elephants
Score by James Newton Howard

Green Lantern
Score by James Newton Howard

Potiche
Score by Philippe Rombi

A Dangerous Method
Score by Howard Shore

We Bought a Zoo
Score by Jon Por Birgisson

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Score by Marco Beltrami

Rio
Score by John Powell

Mr. Popper's Penguins
Score by Rolfe Kent

Cowboys & Aliens
Score by Harry Gregson-Williams

Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Score by Patrick Doyle

Beginners
Score by Brian Reitzell, Dave Palmer, and Roger Neill

mecc... those were the days

2011-12-17T20:04:00.000-06:00

Inspired by the lovely Calla, I was moved to reminisce on a mainstay of a Midwestern upbringing - perhaps it was more widespread than I realize, but any good child of 90s spent a good deal of time plucking away on MECC software during computer class.

Sure there was Mavis Beacon for those in need of a typing test or two, but the real action was on Word Munchers. Calla speaks of the horrors of Number Munchers, something I managed to avoid through the years, but there was nothing like testing my word and even pop cultural intelligence on my grandma's old iMac via a frog-looking, slack-jawed hero as he munches his way through "Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom," "Edible Items," and "Rhymes with 'Kite.'" But your foes were formidable. The Troggles were sneaky, portly little fellows with every intention of devouring you whole. If you wanted your chance at throwing on your Superman cape and retrieving letters (while avoiding falling boulders) to get to the top of the Hall of Fame list, you needed to know your famous people... and it didn't hurt to have Roget's on hand just in case.

But that rascally Minnesota educational consortium didn't stop there. I must say, as a young aspiring writer, I would've been nowhere without my Storybook Weaver. Given the opportunity to craft my own novels with full-color, printable pictures (choosing setting, objects, and characters was clearly the most fun part), I found myself drafting my own Animorph short stories and Clue mysteries to fuel my creativity somewhere. Sure, the comically computerized narration option certainly added to its appeal. Though much to the chagrin of many elementary teachers, the poor in-computer voice was talked into saying some colorful words out loud into the ears of fellow classmates in many a computer lab through the years. But rest-assured I was too busy writing serious literature to fiddle with such immature trifles. Yep, I took myself seriously.

Perhaps my true favorite, though, was Museum Madness. Sure, it wasn't as popular as the others, but reorganizing a museum that's malfunctioned by heading through each exhibit and correcting their historical inaccuracies was kind of an ingenious idea. With the help of a trusty (if not often very helpful) robot, and a backpack full of necessary tools, you - as a backwards-cap-wearing ragamuffin - had to help Galileo remember how to discover gravity, help American begin the Industrial Revolution, and assist ancients in realizing the written word by pressing papyrus. Yep, it was pure historically educational glee for a young nerd.

Poor Sarah - perhaps my trusty flashlight will shed some light on this situation and rescue you from the stake! The power of magic children.

So what did you occupy yourself with in your days in the computer lab? Did you find yourself in the Busy Town of Richard Scarry with your worm friend Lowell? Did you eat the wrong berries and come down with some dysentery on the Oregon Trail? Or would you rather snap photos of giant tarantulas on the Amazon Trail? Hit me up in the comments!

final golden globe predictions

2011-12-12T17:06:00.000-06:00

With the nomination announcement coming up on Thursday, I thought it only best I make a final stab at predicting the once-great ceremony. Arguably the true kick-off of major awards gets, the Globes may've lost some of its luster last year with its bizarre choices, but at least they still get their guests schnockered! Just a few alterations from my last go at it.

Best Picture - Comedy/Musical

The Artist, Bridesmaids, Midnight in Paris, The Muppets, Young Adult

Best Picture - Drama

The Descendants, The Help, Hugo, Moneyball, War Horse

Best Lead Actress - Comedy/Musical

Amy Adams (The Muppets), Julia Roberts (Larry Crowne),

Charlize Theron (Young Adult), Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids),

Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)

Best Lead Actress - Drama

Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help),

Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Emma Stone (The Help),

Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)

Best Lead Actor - Comedy/Musical

Johnny Depp (The Rum Diary), Jean Dujardin (The Artist),

Joseph Gordon Levitt (50/50), Jason Segel (The Muppets),

Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris)

Best Lead Actor - Drama

George Clooney (The Descendants), Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar),

Michael Fassbender (Shame), Woody Harrelson (Rampart),

Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

Best Supporting Actress

Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Sandra Bullock (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close),

Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Vanessa Redgrave (Coriolanus),

Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Best Supporting Actor

Albert Brooks (Drive), Nick Nolte (Warrior),

Brad Pitt (The Tree of Life), Christopher Plummer (Beginners),

Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

in defense of... DRIVE ME CRAZY

2011-12-06T16:21:00.000-06:00

You said it, Melissa. Though it lacks much pedigree, starring the former Clarissa Explains it All figurehead and the future leader of the pack on Entourage, Drive Me Crazy fell into teen comedy obscurity amongst the plethora of popular ones at the time (namely She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You). In fact, you'll likely find it relegated to $5 dollar bins across America. So to sum it up, there's no excuse by way of inaccessibility for seeing this underrated gem.

The premise is admittedly familiar - spunky popular girl takes on outsider next door, remakes him into a BMOC in a week or two, and, what do you know, they fall for each other. But thanks to the effervescent charms of lead Melissa Joan Hart (yes, I went there - Sabrina haters be damned!) and a surprisingly springy script courtesy of Rob Thomas (no, not that Rob Thomas), we're left with a bit of transcendence. It's a quiet picture, to be sure, and it certainly has its weak points (some of those supporting fortysomething "teenage" actors aren't exactly grand thespians), but can you really top this interchange:

Nicole: "Turn that radio off, or I'm going to go Sean Young on your ass!"

Chase: "I think she means Sean Penn."

Ray: "Good - Sean Young scares me."

So I tell you, it's time to forget what you think you know about Melissa Joan Hart. Though she's made some missteps in her career (um... Melissa & Joey?) this flick is a admirable teen comedy that surprises with its zingers. There's of course a predictable soundtrack loaded with late-90s pop-rock faves, but give it a chance! Hey, at least it's nice to reminisce about the days when pop was as simple as Britney Spears in a goofy waitress costume.

top 100 revisited, #95-91

2011-11-20T14:47:00.000-06:00

95. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, dir. Henry Selick)

94. Once (2007, dir. John Carney)

93. Thelma & Louise (1991, dir. Ridley Scott)

92. The Sixth Sense (1999, dir. M. Night Shymalan)

91. Babe (1995, dir. Chris Noonan)

CASTING CREW: a galaxy far, far away

2011-11-15T16:33:00.000-06:00

Gosh, I forgot how much doing these posts are! Sure, I'm called out on my occasional blasphemy for my remake or casting choices, but here's a behind-the-scenes Hollywood type flick I'm giving the Casting Crew treatment to. Behind the scenes of the filming of Star Wars, from the butting heads of young director George Lucas and cinematographer Gilbert Taylor, to the no-nonsense attitude of a 19-year-old Carrie Fisher, it could make an interesting '70s period piece...

Joshua Jackson as George Lucas

The Director

Ron Livingston as Alan Ladd, Jr.

20th Century Fox Creative Director

Bill Paxton as Gary Kurtz

The Producer

Bill Murray as Gilbert Taylor

The Cinematographer

Matt Bomer as Harrison Ford

The Leading Man

Emma Stone as Carrie Fisher

The Hollywood Royalty

Bug Hall as Mark Hamill

Mr. Skywalker

Alan Rickman as Alec Guinness

The Thespian

**Thoughts, readers?**

top 100 revisited, #100-96

2011-11-12T00:47:00.001-06:00

First thing's first: Hi, I'm Luke. You may remember me from a long-ago world called Journalistic Skepticism that has since gone completely to seed and has been neglected far too much in the past six months or so. So here's yet another feeble attempt at caring for it properly. I've been talking for months now about revisiting my top 100. The one I previously presented in countdown fashion is at least three years outdated, so I figured it was time for an update. So we'll go in fives! Check out the links for more info, with brand new posts on the new films being welcomed into the Top 100 fold. And keep your eye on the left column as the movies start piling in again.

100. Chicken Run (2000, dir. Nick Park & Peter Lord)

99. Silkwood (1983, dir. Mike Nichols)

98. The Emperor's New Groove (2000, dir. Mark Dindal)

97. Zodiac (2007, dir. David Fincher)

96. Romancing the Stone (1984, dir. Robert Zemeckis)

four caps (#1.20)

2011-10-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

birthdays: october 15

2011-10-15T18:18:00.000-05:00

Penny Marshall, 69, she skyrocketed to fame as one half of the long-running comedic twosome Laverne & Shirley - although let's be honest, she spent a decade on television prior, which included a stint on The Odd Couple - but the latter part of her career has been devoted to production, sitting in the director's chair for Big, Awakenings, A League of Their Own, The Preacher's Wife, and a few episodes of United States of Tara.
Emeril Lagasse, 52, king of "BAM!" he spent six years on Emeril Live, cooking up a storm to climb to the top ranks of celebrity chefs. Though he devotes much more time to his cookware and food lines now, he still makes regular appearances on cooking shows, including Iron Chef, Next Food Network Star, and Top Chef.
Larry Miller, 58, comedic character actor who's oft-collaborated with director Garry Marshall (the store clerk in Pretty Woman, a car buyer in Raising Helen, a flamboyant hairdresser in The Princess Diaries), he's also been part of the Christopher Guest troupe, appearing in Waiting for Guffman and For Your Consideration and played a snarky administrator in The Nutty Professor and a goofy doting father in 10 Things I Hate About You.
Mario Puzo, (1920-1999), two-time Academy Award winner for his work on adapting his original novel The Godfather, his other screenwriting work includes the 70s disaster drama Earthquake and the first couple Superman movies. He also penned The Dark Arena and The Last Don.
Jane Darwell, (1879-1967), highly prolific actress whose original goal of becoming an opera singer was delayed in favor of an acting career, for which she won an Oscar in 1940 (The Grapes of Wrath). She also had parts in The Ox-Bow Incident, Gone with the Wind, and, in her final role, Mary Poppins.
Paige Davis, 42, television host whose biggest accomplishment was hosting and producing the hugely successful TLC show Trading Spaces for seven years (and she nabbed two Emmy nods for it). She's additionally played the Hollywood Squares and appeared on countless talk shows.
Todd Solondz, 52, Globe-nominated director/screenwriter who's eccentric work includes writing/directing Sunshine, Welcome to the Dollhouse, and Life During Wartime. His next book is no departure, Dark Horse, about a toy collector who falls in love with a family black sheep.

four caps (#1.19)

2011-10-13T09:00:00.005-05:00

birthdays: october 12

2011-10-12T18:59:00.000-05:00

Hugh Jackman, 43, he's kept very busy over the past few years, from hosting the Oscars on a recession, to taking Broadway by storm in The Boy from Oz, to co-starring in Australia with fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman, his real wheelhouse is action. His signature role is Wolverine in the X-Men movies, he starred in Swordfish and Van Helsing, and he just took the box office throne in Real Steel. Next up? A leading role in the movie musical Les Miserables.
Luciano Pavarotti, (1935-2007), the multi-Grammy and multi-platinum artist had a legendary career as one of Italy's "Three Tenors." He became one of the foremost operatic singers of the 20th Century, and kept working through to his death at 71 from pancreatic cancer.
Tom Guiry, 30, though for newer generations he's probably known as the shady character in Mystic River, he will always and forever be the duck-bill-hat-donning, black-eyed Scotty Smalls in The Sandlot. He's made an attempt at an adult career since, with roles in U-571, Black Hawk Down, and the short-lived TV drama The Black Donnellys.
Josh Hutcherson, 19, though he got his start as a kid star in such family films as The Polar Express, Bridge to Terabithia, and Journey to the Center of the Earth, but since hitting adulthood, he's gone for high-profile and serious roles in The Kids Are All Right and the upcoming The Hunger Games.
Kirk Cameron, 41, the two-time Globe nominee is mostly famous for his '80s stint as teen heartthrob in Growing Pains, but his more recent calling card is as uber-Christian book and movie mogul, headlining Christian-skewing movies Left Behind and Fireproof.

fall 2011: RATING the PILOTS

2011-10-11T14:36:00.000-05:00

The chaos of fall television has begun. Sure, it's fun to see old favorites back on track with some new material, but the new class is here for scrutiny. (I know I'm a little late to the game on posting this, as at least one of these shows has already been canceled, but so it goes.) Here's my rundown of the pilots I took in, managing to avoid most of the crap that didn't seem worth my viewing time...

2 Broke Girls (CBS)
First thing's first - a CBS sitcom is hardly groundbreaking television, well, ever. Not every show can be the second coming. But the nice thing about 2 Broke Girls is that you aren't expecting a thinking-person's comedy. So when the pilot happens to be at times gut-bustingly hilarious, albeit traditionally CBS-style raunchy now and again, it bodes well for its future. Judging solely from the pilot (I've viewed the subsequent episodes since), it definitely has promise of being entertaining. The leads Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs are an amiable twosome, but here's hoping their portrayals don't skew too one-note too soon. Not great feats of writing or acting here, but a good time nonetheless. B+

A Gifted Man (CBS)
I took a chance on this one. It looked like yet another medical/legal procedural (Do the American people ever watch anything else?), so truly the only thing drawing me in was the fact that my beloved Jennifer Ehle was finally getting a plum role - ghostly wife and adviser. Sure, it feels a little Ghost and Mr. Muir, but Patrick Wilson is an able enough leading man. Plus, it was a welcome surprise to find out that Margo Martindale will be gracing the Friday night drama. Based on the pilot, which blended some backstory with the traditional procedural "trauma of the week," it fits nicely as a calming presence for Friday night viewers. Though eliminating Julie Benz and Klaus Baudelaire himself after the first episode is a little bit of a bummer... B

American Horror Story (F/X)
Though I was a fan of the first four seasons of Nip/Tuck, its eventual fall from grace once the surgeons moved to Los Angeles, along with the declining quality and increasing preposterousness of Glee, Ryan Murphy isn't exactly a reliable creator. But something about casting the glorious Connie Britton, the pedigreed Jessica Lange, and little sis to actress extraordinaire Vera Farmiga, Taissa, how could it go wrong? Well, the pilot was surely spastic - lots of "mysteries" presenting themselves without much connection or cohesion thus far. But the stylish nature of the show and the awesome cast lead me to believe it stands a chance of achieving some genre greatness a la The Walking Dead. The pilot was definitely intriguing, so I hesitate to lean toward endorsing it. B+

Pan Am (ABC)
Clearly with the closing of Desperate Housewives ABC is looking for its next game-changing sudser. And with Mad Men being so popular and all, it was only a matter of time for the networks to join in the fun. With a promising premise and a likable cast, this airborne drama has a lot of potential to become a weekly standard. The ratings are starting to dip, which spells trouble, but why not get behind a show that maintains a running storyline amidst the plethora of ones that require no dedication? And can we all agree that it's nice to see Christina Ricci doing something productive with her career again? The pilot set up great interpersonal stories (mother/daughter, sister/sister, etc.) while giving us a Mary Alice-esque mystery to latch onto - espionage, oh my! Definitely tuning in again. A

Prime Suspect (NBC)
Though I doubt it'll last very long due to lackluster ratings (even though Maria Bello's got a Globe nomination in the bag at this point), the reason to return factor solely rests on the star's shoulders. It's got all the elements of a traditional cop show, in that if it doesn't develop its core characters' personal lives fully enough, it might as well be called Law & Order: Prime Suspect. Bello's backstory is promising. She has issues, she has exes to deal with, and she has a significant other who seems unintimidated by her pants-wearing chutzpah. That last element is something I really appreciate about this new outing. Having only seen one episode, I predict it goes by way of The Good Wife, in that there's a "story of the week," but the real draw is the ongoing behind-the-badge (or gavel, as it were) drama. B

Ringer (The CW)
I often hesitate to give a CW show a chance. Aside from Top Model and Gilmore Girls (and Buffy I guess, though I don't really think of that as a traditional WB/UPN/CW program), it's not really my cup of tea. But the entertaining Sarah Michelle Gellar is back on television, so that's an event I want to be a part of. The premise, a troubled woman takes up the identity of her rich, and equally troubled, recently deceased twin sister, sounds like Dyansty 2.0. But then again, Gellar's roots are All My Children, so... All in all, a showcase for the underused actress should be fun in theory. There doesn't seem to be much of a supporting cast, but the best friend character sort of seems promising. The only question remains: Will it last long enough for viewers to find anything out about the mysteries that lie within Ringer? B

Suburgatory (ABC)
Ever since the explosive success of Modern Family, ABC has been looking for some compadres for the traditional family comedy. Though Suburgatory may not equal the former's quality by any means, it has a likable lead (Jane Levy, droll and plucky at the same time) and at least a couple of promising supporting actresses involved (the dementedly hilarious Ana Gasteyer and Cheryl Hines) to hold some people's interest. At least due to its proximity to the high-rated MF, it'll get a chance to develop before premature cancellation. It felt a little been there, done that - the mother/daughter relationship with Hines and Carly Chaikin feels very Mean Girls TV - but the premise of single dad, pessimistic daughter is somewhat unique. I'm not completely sold yet, but here's hoping it grows into its Stepford-goofy roots. B

The Playboy Club (NBC)
Yes, it was the first one cut out of the gate, but don't let that fool you. All the negative press and terrible ratings weren't an accurate portrayal of the entertaining, if flawed, primetime soap. Regardless of its weak points (the high-heel murder and the Jon-Hamm-lite stylings of Eddie Cibrian), the pilot served up a stylish setting, awesome costuming, some intriguing female characters, and a non-procedural plotline. I'm always pro-serial when it comes to modern television, as it's a subgenre that severely lacks amongst the networks. Amber Heard is such an interesting celebrity on the rise, and her central character served as a great straight man for the busier Laura Benanti, Naturi Naughton, and Leah Cudmore. But trigger-happy execs didn't give the show a chance to build on its highly intriguing, if shaky, pilot. Kind of a shame, really. Here's hoping the "picked up for cable" rumors have some truth. B+

Up All Night (NBC)
We've seen it before - a couple struggles with being new parents. But thanks to great casting (I will love Will Arnett in anything, and Christina Applegate has incredible timing) it doesn't feel entirely retread. The pilot served up a lot of the goofy clips we were treated to in the previews, so there wasn't much new to look at, but the central couple are a believable twosome, and Applegate is building great chemistry with her on-screen boss Maya Rudolph. My hope is that additional characters are developed so that Rudolph's presence doesn't seem too tacked on. For one, where are Arnett's guy friends? Surely he hasn't spent all his time hanging out with his wife and her gal pal. All in all, the pilot was funny, charming, and more than enough to keep me returning for week two. B+

Whitney (NBC)
It's getting enough hate from the blogs and the magazines, I don't need to reiterate it here. Yes, I'm aware that it's very obvious, relies heavily on typical relationship goofs (I wholly expect to see a "he left the toilet seat up" episode coming up very soon.), and banks on viewers loving the pretty girl gone bad charm of lead Whitney Cummings. Unfortunately, the formula hasn't been perfect here. At least they'll have an entire season to build on the slightly weak premise (not something most new NBC Thursday comedies are afforded) of a male-female couple who live together and can't get behind the whole idea of marriage. I enjoy Cummings' comedy as a general rule, which is what drew me to the show in the first place. It seems like it may belong on CBS, honestly, but it'll be a fun change of pace from the new-school comedies that run rampant on the the Thursday lineup... though it definitely pales in comparison to the likes of Office and Parks and Rec. B-

New Girl (FOX)
This one made me nervous. I love me some Zooey, but her quirky goofball antics have a high chance of bordering on annoying real quick. So who'd've thought she could carry a half-hour weekly sitcom so nicely? Her socially awkward Jess is adorable, totally likable, and incredibly funny. The roommates featured on the series need a few more weeks to solidify a true personality, but Deschanel came to play. In the pilot alone, she's already got several Emmy clips ready for next fall, and it succeeding as one of the biggest hits of the season, new or returning, is a big plus for the show. Great fun and great time had by all, so let's hope this energy level stays up. A-

birthdays: october 11

2011-10-11T11:12:00.000-05:00

Joan Cusack, 49, though her brother seems to get the attention, this two-time Oscar nominee (Working Girl, In & Out) is one gifted comedic talent. From her incredible timing to her goofy expressions, she's kept fairly busy since her stint on SNL in the '80s, namely a vindictive black widow in Addams Family Values, a yodeling cowgirl in Toy Story 2 & 3, a wild child principal in School of Rock, and a few stabs at television glory in the underappreciated What About Joan and Shameless. Oh, and has anyone else seen and loved Toys?
Jane Krakowski, 43, she got her start on daytime television and has become a belle of broadway thanks to Tony-recognized performances in Grand Hotel and Nine, but she's perhaps best known these days for her television work. Whether inventing the face bra as quirky assistant Elaine on Ally McBeal or stealing away attention as the self-absorbed actress Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock, it's become her wheelhouse, and she's got eight SAG nominations to prove it.
Stephen Moyer, 42, he fell from relative obscurity on the English television scene to become one of the stars of the fan favorite True Blood, but before he was vampire Bill Compton, his notable roles included parts in The Starter Wife, Midsomer Murders, and A Touch of Frost. Oh, and he's married to Oscar winner and co-star Anna Paquin.
Jerome Robbins, (1918-1998), perhaps his biggest contribution to film was 1961's Oscar-winning West Side Story, but his real corner of the arts was theater, choreographing On the Town, The King and I, Gypsy, and Fiddler on the Roof.
Luke Perry, 45, he rose to fame playing it young as a high schooler for about 10 years in Beverly Hills 90210, and has since stuck mostly to guest spots and TV movies, including a recurring role as a pastor on Oz, parts in the short-lived Jeremiah and John from Cincinnati, and some stage work in a revival of Rocky Horror and the title role in When Harry Met Sally alongside Allyson Hannigan.
Michelle Trachtenberg, 26, parts on Clarissa Explains it All and The Adventures of Pete & Pete landed her the title role in Nickelodeon's Harriet the Spy, which led to a teen acting career that included the roles of Dawn Summer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a figure skater in Ice Princess, a mouthy nurse in Mercy, and one of the teenage debutantes in Gossip Girl.
Emily Deschanel, 35, though she may find herself in the shadow of her quirky, goofy (and total opposite) sister Zooey, she's eked out a place of her own on the television landscape as Bones Brennan on, you guessed it, Bones. She hasn't ventured much from that starmaking role, outside of small parts in Cold Mountain, Spider-Man 2, and My Sister's Keeper.
Matt Bomer, 34, he's hit it big as the star of USA Network's White Collar, but he got his start on the Guiding Light, before a stint on Chuck and an upcoming role as part of the Stephen Soderbergh stripper movie Magic Mike.

birthdays: october 10

2011-10-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Jodi Benson, 50, she endeared herself to the world as the voice of the little mermaid that saved Disney, Ariel, but since she's kept busy in the voice acting world, including a revisit to the Disney studio to play Barbie in the Toy Story sequels, as well as a cameo as a secretary in Enchanted. She also managed a Tony nomination for Crazy for You in 1992.
Michael Giacchino, 44, he recently picked up an Oscar for penning the magnificent Up score, but he's dabbled in several arenas. Of course he also scored Pixar's Incredibles, Ratatouille, and the upcoming John Carter, while penning the music for the legendary Lost and various thrillers like Let Me In, Super 8, and Star Trek.
Helen Hayes, (1900-1993), thanks to some incredible career longevity, she had one of the biggest gaps between Oscars (1931's The Sin of Madelon Claudet and 1970's Airport), won multiple Tony Awards, and happens to be one of the few actors to EGOT.
Edward D. Wood Jr., (1924-1978), being known as the worst director of all time should surely give you a complex, but his posthumous attention and cult status hopefully makes up for it a little. From Plan 9 to Glen or Glenda to Tim Burton's incredible biopic Ed Wood, he eventually became a legend, for better or worse.
Tanya Tucker, 53, she rose to fame as a teen country star thanks to "Delta Dawn," and kept up a successful singing career throughout the '70s and '80s. She's largely disappeared from the country spotlight outside of some guest stints here and there.
Bradley Whitford, 52, before he was wisecracking Josh Lyman on The West Wing and the goofy Dan Stark in the short-lived The Good Guys, he screwed over Elisabeth Shue in Adventures in Babysitting, played it villainous again in Revenge of the Nerds II, and headlined (ahem) Robocop 3. Oh, how far he's come, and he's got the Emmy to prove it!
Aimee Teegarden, 22, best-known as the bookish but rebellious daughter Julie Taylor on Friday Night Lights, now that the show's ended she's tried the big screen. Though Prom was a little bit of a mess, Scream 4 was actually quite fun.
Wendi McLendon-Covey, 42, she's popped up off and on in films and television over the past 10 years, and she even had a starring role in Comedy Central's cult comedy Reno 911!, but her star has certainly risen since the summer, thanks to playing the boisterous spitfire soccer mom in Bridesmaids.

birthdays: october 9

2011-10-09T10:18:00.000-05:00

John Lennon, (1940-1980), sure, he just so happened to be a major cog in the greatest band of all time, but aside from his lasting Beatles legacy, his astonishingly successful solo career (just how many former bandmates go on to achieve success solo, other than Beatles?), and his peace and love philosophies, he's still an icon for today's music. I mean, every inspiration and hero amongst today's artists, it seems, is still boasting a Beatle.
Sharon Osbourne, 59, it's hard to imagine that her claim to fame was once simply as Ozzy Osbourne's wife, but since then she's eked out a career co-hosting talk shows, providing judging feedback, and making MTV viewers laugh as part of the reality scene. It doesn't hurt that she's a charmer and a true family gal.
Brandon Routh, 32, his stardom rests almost solely on the fact that he played the title role in the not-so-successful reboot Superman Returns - which I'm from the small camp of folks that thought it was a pretty good movie outside of the wretched Lois Lane potrayal - but other than that, he's stuck mostly to bit parts, most notably in Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Of course, there was also Dylan Dog earlier this year - did anyone see that?
Tony Shalhoub, 58, though he's become known as the OCD detective who wouldn't stop winning Emmys away from any new kids that came along, I like to remember him as Antonio, the harmless, hopeless-in-love Italian taxi driver in Wings. And of course there was that whole head-exploding incident in Men in Black...
Pete Docter, 43, a part of the Pixar Animation family, he helped write the first two Toy Stories, Monsters Inc. and its upcoming follow-up, WALL-E, and Up, winning an Oscar for the last one. Along with these accomplishments, he also sat in the director's chair for both Up and Monsters Inc., and provided the voice of the scoutmaster in his own Up.
Guillermo del Toro, 47, the new school director has made a name for himself among eerie, fantasy thrillers with the likes of Pan's Labyrinth and The Orphanage, sidestepping into superhero movies occasionally with the Hellboy movies and Blade II. Sure, he had a supposed misstep this year with Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, but he's already got the high-profile Pacific Rim coming up the pipeline.
Zachery Ty Bryan, 30, well, it seems the second Taylor boy has turned 30 - playing the eldest, troublemaking son of Patricia Richardson and Tim Allen on Home Improvement for eight seasons, he's since stuck mostly to guest spots and direct-to-video horror types.
Lorna Raver, 68, little-mentioned character actress who's had a guest role in virtually every TV series over the last 20 years, she rose to minimal fame thanks to a grotesque role as the villainous gypsy in Drag Me To Hell, for which she received little fanfare, outside of an LCT Award nomination (yeah, that's me).
Chris O'Dowd, 32, thanks to charmingly wooing Kristen Wiig this year in Bridesmaids, he's risen to some degree of fame, but before that Irish-born actor frequented other goofy comedies (Dinner for Schmucks, Gulliver's Travels) and starred in the hit British comedy The IT Crowd.
Fyvush Finkel, 89, beloved Jewish actor who rose to fame later in life as part of the critically acclaimed cast of Picket Fences, for which he won an Emmy in 1994. Aside from the that, he taught at Boston Public for a few years and had small roles in A Serious Man and Nixon.

birthdays: october 8

2011-10-08T09:00:00.077-05:00

Sigourney Weaver, 62, can we talk about how impossible it seems that this woman is 62? The '80s action babe has aged like fine wine, moving from heroine roles in Ghostbusters and to a greater extent Alien/Aliens, into serious dramatic roles (A Map of the World, The Ice Storm) - not to mention she's hilarious... see Heartbreakers, Dave, Working Girl, and The TV Set for proof. Plus, she was the backbone of the glorious WALL-E and, it so happens, Avatar. Bravo, Sig.
Matt Damon, 41, he got off to a nice start, nabbing an Oscar with fellow bro Ben Affleck for writing Good Will Hunting, but since he's more than proven himself as a future legend of the movies. Thanks to high-profile roles in Saving Private Ryan, the Ocean's trilogy, and The Departed; an incredibly bankable turn in the thinking-person's action series Bourne; and fearless choices such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Damon's legit and here to stay.
Chevy Chase, 68, though he's currently annoying the hell out of the crew on Community, he's had a long career in sketch comedy (thanks, SNL) and a host of popular films - most notably, perhaps, Caddyshack, the Vacation movies, and Three Amigos. Sure, the talk show didn't pan out and the '90s weren't exactly kind to him, but a return to television was just what the doctor ordered.
Angus T. Jones, 18, I like to remember him as the precocious son to Dennis Quaid's Jimmy Morris in the better-than-you-remember The Rookie, he's probably most known for his role in the unfortunate Two and a Half Men.
Paul Hogan, 72, this Oscar-nominated screenwriter (yeah, I'm not even kidding you) is almost entirely known for his one-and-only big role, the Crocodile Dundee. Nobody can really be surprised that he never really lived down the role, as his miniscule filmography includes only one major departure, Lightning Jack, an Australian outlaw in the wild west. Hmmm... they didn't even bother changing the wardrobe?
Darrell Hammond, 56, considering it's about a 50/50 shot for an SNL star to go on to movie glory, is anyone else surprised that this slam-dunk of an impressionist, who happens to have great timing, never really made it outside of the late-night comedy show? He's had some small parts here and there, but it's kind of shame the longest-running SNL cast member can't get work.
R.L. Stine, 68, a great contributor to kid lit in the '90s and beyond (kids still read Goosebumps right?), it was a rite of passage to move on from the more juvenile series to Fear Street - what a status symbol! Once you read the comparably scarier series, you were officially a teenager (at least in spirit). He still keeps busy as a highly prolific author, but beyond a Saturday morning TV series, his books haven't really gotten their due in film, despite the wealth of source material.
Emily Procter, 43, another person who's become most well-known for an underwhelming CBS show (CSI:Miami), I like to remember her as the plucky Republican Ainsley on The West Wing. The drawly North Carolinan has stuck mostly to CSI, so the story kind of ends there.
Soon-Yi Previn, 41, though she might not make sense entirely on this blog (though she did play one of several adopted children in Hannah and Her Sisters... yeesh), she's simply too famous amongst Hollywood types to avoid noting that the most awkward courtship of all time now includes no one 40 and under.

birthdays: october 7

2011-10-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Dylan Baker, 52, though he's probably most well-known as the creeper in Happiness, he's eked out a nice career of bit parts and supporting roles, as well as recurring roles in Damages and Murder One, and an unfulfilled destiny as Dr. Curt Connors (a.k.a. Lizard) in a couple of the Spider-Man movies. Plus, I totally just listened to an audio book he narrated, and the man can handle voice work!
Mary Badham, 59, though it's been nearly 50 years since her Oscar-nominated iconic role as Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, this young actress unfortunately gave up the craft that made her famous, aside from one random supporting turn in the indie drama Our Very Own in 2005. She keeps busy restoring art and coordinating college tests. No joke.
Joy Behar, 69, she made headlines recently for finally tying the knot with her boyfriend of more than 20 years, but she's probably best known for her stand-up comedy, her poker skills, her occasional movie role, and, of course, her no-nonsense - often hated on - views on, well, everything on The View.
Simon Cowell, 52, oft-considered the meanest guy on TV, he's moved on from American Idol, but judging from the ads for The X Factor, the apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree. Different name but otherwise doesn't look too different from his old stomping grounds.
Gabriel Yared, 62, the Oscar-winning composer hasn't done much of note since his last nod (Cold Mountain) but he's quite the mood-setter. His score was the best part of Mountain, and The English Patient soundtrack is unforgettable. Get the man some work again!
June Allyson, (1917-2006), the plucky blonde who took '40s cinema by storm (she was nominated for a special Golden Globe for the favorite movie star of the world in 1954), she starred in 1949's Little Women, Mrs. Miller in The Glenn Miller Story, and eventually became a famous spokesperson for Depends undergarments.
Toni Braxton, 43, though she has taken the Grammy Awards by storm (she's got six of them) and was a hit-maker on tracks like "Un-Break My Heart," "Breathe Again," and "You're Makin' Me High," all that was unfortunately eclipsed by her double bankruptcy filings.
Shawn Ashmore, 32, he first hit it big - at least in my '90s juvenile eyes - as leader of the pack Jake in Nickelodeon's Animorphs, but he's probably most well-known as self-assured Iceman in the X-Men movies.
Yo-Yo Ma, 56, aside from the fact that he has 16 Grammy Awards, he's also one of the most popular living instrumentalists and provided the performance tracks for my beloved Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

birthdays: october 6

2011-10-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

Carole Lombard, (1908-1942), though she left us at a remarkably young age due to a tragic plane crash, the much-loved blonde bombshell made a career out of having great comedic presence and even managed that elusive Best Actress nomination for a comedy in My Man Godfrey. Well-known for her smart blonde persona and tip-top paycheck in the 1930s (apparently no one topped her salary, not even the president), she was the epitome of a talkie star 80 years ago.
Elisabeth Shue, 48, essentially the Benjamin Button of 80s stars (though Matthew Broderick sure rivals her), the spritely young actress made famous playing Daniel Larusso's plucky girlfriend in The Karate Kid and girl-next-door Chris Parker in Adventures in Babysitting later ditched the good-girl image in her Oscar-nominated turn as a prostitute in Leaving Las Vegas. Sure, she slummed it last year in Piranha 3D, but the woman has more than proven she not just an ageless wonder.
Ioan Gruffud, 38, aside from his incredibly confusing name, before he tried his hand at television side-by-side with Sarah Michelle Gellar in the new CW mystery Ringer, he blew up A&E in the late '90s as Horatio Hornblower, fumbled through some semi-blockbuster critical failures like Fantastic Four and King Arthur, and even uttered the chilling line, "Is anyone alive out there?" in Titanic.
Janet Gaynor, (1906-1984), she's perhaps most well-known as the first-ever winner of the Best Actress Oscar in 1927's Sunrise... and Seventh Heaven... oh and Street Angel (different times, the '20s), but she also served as one of the biggest names in the silent film era and famously originated the role of Esther in 1937's A Star is Born (her other Oscar nod), after which she largely stayed away from the cinemas.
Olivia Thirlby, 25, perhaps best known as the title character's fast-talking cheerleader bestie in Juno, she got her start as a startled passenger in United 93 and has since stuck mostly to supporting turns in The Wackness and Margaret.
Jeremy Sisto, 37, like his fellow birthday buddy above, he's got a new show out on the telly (Suburgatory), though he broke out as part of the well-versed cast of Clueless, followed by the title role of the TV movie Jesus, a recurring part on Six Feet Under, and a stint as the lead on the now-defunct Law & Order.

four caps (#1.18)

2011-10-06T09:00:00.005-05:00

birthdays: october 5

2011-10-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

Kate Winslet, 36, recent Emmy winner (just one more for the EGOT) and widely assumed heir to the Streep throne has come a long way from the fresh-faced twentysomething who headlined the biggest movie ever. Though some may say she's lost her touch since 2004, I love the lady and always will. From playing a wooable teen princess in A Kid in King Arthur's Court to posing for a saucy drawing in Titanic to dealing with a seriously insubordinate child in Mildred Pierce, Winslet's still got it. Seriously people.
Glynis Johns, 88, though I've known and loved her as the wise-cracking grandma in While You Were Sleeping, this South African-born actress has a long, Oscar-nominated (The Sundowners), Tony-winning career. She's probably best known as the "Send in the Clowns" crooner in A Little Night Music. Or maybe you'd rather stick to her bit part in Molly Shannon's Superstar. Now that's versatility.
Parminder Nagra, 36, it's hard to believe she's really in her late 30s considering how she looks exactly the same age she did 10 years ago in Bend it Like Beckham, but the actress has moved on since to a long-running stint as complicated med student Neela on ER and has laid pretty low since. Get this fantastic Brit some work, please!
Karen Allen, 60, though she's been little-seen since her brief hey day in the '80s (let's pretend the Crystal Skull never happened), let's all think back at how great she was as the ultimate Indy girl Marion in Raiders of the Lost Ark and supporting Jeff Bridges' otherworldly performance in Starman. Oh, and doesn't talking about her make you want to go watch The Sandlot?
Jesse Eisenberg, 28, he had a big year in 2010, mumbling his way to an Oscar nod for playing unlikable in The Social Network, but beyond his droll comedic turns in Zombieland, The Squid and the Whale, and Cursed (hmmm... was that not a comedy?), it also turns out he can claim the '90s Pepsi girl as a member of his family. Now that's Oscar-worthy.
Guy Pearce, 44, though he's kept busy of late winning any Emmy for spurning his birthday buddy (see celebrant No. 1) on the small screen, this Australian actor's resume is mostly dominated by films, including the no-nonsense Edmund Exley in L.A. Confidential, the confusing tattoo canvas Leonard in Memento, and of course, both Adam and Felicia in drag road trip flick Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
Scott Weinger, 36, another one it's hard to believe is pushing 40, he'll be remembered in the flesh as DJ's squeaky-voiced beau Steve in Full House and in voice-only as the rascally street thief Aladdin in, well, Aladdin.
Bernie Mac, (1957-2008), though he got his start in goofy comedies House Party 3, Friday, and Don't Be a Menace, etc., his big break came as the patriarch of the equally goofy household in his self-titled show. Though he passed far too young, he was able to muster up quite the break-out career in television and later films such as the Ocean's trilogy and the highly underrated Charlie's Angels 2 (for real, it's actually really funny).
Mary Gibbs, 15, though her name may not be familiar immediately, the young actress has stepped away from the profession since her memorable performance as Boo in Monsters, Inc. Sure, she helped out with baby lion voicing in The Lion King II, but she's currently facing the adventures of high school instead of Hollywood.

the great big academy awards project: BEST LEAD ACTRESS in the 1980s

2011-09-25T13:51:00.000-05:00

Hurrah! I'm just the teensiest bit excited that I've finally completed the decade we all know and love as the 1980s. For those of you new to this project, it's my humble attempt at watching every Academy Award-nominated film on the books, going decade by decade, category by category. After more than a year since completing the 1990s Best Actress nominees (and previously the Aughts Best Actress), I almost thought this one would never happen - but here it is for your perusal, discussion, disagreement, and general merriment (I hope). So, if you will, take a gander at my take on the 1980s Best Lead Actress nominees...

1980

The Winner: Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner's Daughter)

State of the Category: Starting the decade of synthesized scores and Midwestern farmer dramas off, 1980 was blessed with following five Lead Actress nominees. The wonderful and unheralded '70s great Ellen Burstyn starts things off, playing a spiritual healer in Resurrection, which unfortunately plays much like a Lifetime movie these days. Burstyn brings a lot of great delicacy and flaws to what could be a saintly role, but it's tough to transcend the somewhat mediocre material. She has some great moments though. Goldie Hawn delivers a quite funny nod to much of her future 1980s work as a spoiled brat who's tricked into the army in Private Benjamin. Sure, it's very light fare, but Hawn is in her element, and she's got terribly good timing. Speaking of Lifetime movies, Ordinary People suffers that same fate, it seems. Though Mary Tyler Moore does her best to deliver some Oscar scenes to the mix, she's outshone by the young Timothy Hutton for the most part. The trouble with Gloria is that it's brought down by some truly bizarre supporting turns. John Adames, who plays her young companion, gives what has to be one of the worst and most grating child performances I've ever seen. Poor Gena Rowlands - who I greatly admire - can't do much with what turns out to be a misfire in the end. And then there's winner Sissy Spacek, who plays Loretta Lynn with such glee, giving us the opposite of Carrie White, she ushered in a successful four-nod decade for herself. The performance is charming, real, and totally Spacek.

Report Card

Ellen Burstyn (Resurrection) - B

Goldie Hawn (Private Benjamin) - B

Mary Tyler Moore (Ordinary People) - B

Gena Rowlands (Gloria) - B-

Sissy Spacek (Coal Miner's Daughter) - A-

My Choice: Sissy Spacek

1981

The Winner: Katharine Hepburn (On Golden Pond)

State of the Category: Though 1980 proved a somewhat average year, at least 1981 gave us a variety-driven category. Starting off with the sentimental favorite, Katharine Hepburn breathes true life into what could be a phoned-in performance in On Golden Pond. Sure, she won primarily as an honorary award, but she already had three so maybe it was more than that. I for one thought she had great chemistry with Henry Fonda and shed the years of big-shouldered strength for a vulnerable display. Though I found Warren Beatty's performance somewhat bothersome, Diane Keaton played strength and desperation so carefully in Reds. She and Maureen Stapleton take the film for me, and Keaton is surprisingly anti-Annie Hall in her role. The sorta-reviled Only When I Laugh has one key element that works relatively well - Marsha Mason. Sure, the rest of the movie is kind of a wash, but Mason is given a front-and-center powerhouse role as an alcoholic has-been actress, and she excels despite strange performances from the rest of the cast. I'm not sure I understood the allure of Atlantic City. Susan Sarandon is demure and nice to look at (as per usual), but I've seen what she can do, and this film doesn't seem to be stretching her. Burt Lancaster is the stand-out, and she is relegated to sort of the pretty backdrop. And in the department of transcending material, Meryl Streep takes the cake in The French Lieutenant's Woman. The movie is drab and overlong, but Streep is a vision. I can't get behind the film, but Streep is period greatness.

Report Card

Katharine Hepburn (On Golden Pond) - A-

Diane Keaton (Reds) - A-

Marsha Mason (Only When I Laugh) - B

Susan Sarandon (Atlantic City) - B-

Meryl Streep (The French Lieutenant's Woman) - B+

My Choice: Diane Keaton

1982

The Winner: Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice)

State of the Category: Things are starting to pick up by 1982 in Lead Actress. Julie Andrews is cheeky and delightful as a pretend cross-dresser (this stuff writes itself) in the underrated musical gem Victor/Victoria. If you haven't seen this movie yet, do. It's a roar, and Andrews is out of her cutesy element. Some may call it severe overacting, I call it a tour de force - Jessica Lange plays an actress dipping into insanity in Frances. It's a disturbing flick, but Lange completely owns the screen throughout. It dips into histrionics at times, but overall she's stellar. Sissy Spacek delivers a very subtle performance as the wife of a captive writer in a war-torn South American country in Missing. Though Jack Lemmon tends to steal the scenes from her, she plays subdued with such grace. How do I even start on Sophie's Choice? It really is all it's cracked up to be. Meryl Streep is phenomenal in every sense of the word, and this truly is one of the tip-top highlights of an incredible career. And though An Officer and a Gentleman is such a popcorn flick for Oscar tastes, Debra Winger is a bygone great who unfortunately hardly works anymore. The movie plays a little silly when it comes to Richard Gere, but Winger is a realistic, adorable addition to the hip romance.

Report Card

Julie Andrews (Victor/Victoria) - A-

Jessica Lange (Frances) - B+

Sissy Spacek (Missing) - B

Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice) - A

Debra Winger (An Officer and a Gentleman) - B

My Choice: Meryl Streep

1983

The Winner: Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment)

State of the Category: This is very likely my favorite lineup of the decade. What a wonderful variety of performances! Starting off with Jane Alexander, who completely surprised me with the depth and strength playing a mom dealing with the end of the world in Testament. Besides the fact that I love movies that play into disaster/supernatural without actually showing it on screen, Alexander is incredible, and the movie avoids too much sentimentality. Then we have the Terms of Endearment ladies. Shirley MacLaine is doing her best to eliminate any feeling that this is Lifetime Original Movie. Aurora is at times hilarious and at others damaged, and it's totally working for the gifted actress. And Debra Winger, playing her somewhat rebellious daughter, plays the strength and flaws of Emma with an amount of care that only Winger can muster. Not to be outdone, Meryl Streep plays the anti-hero title character of Silkwood with pure guts. She nails the working-class gal, along with a script that doesn't waste time canonizing her. The weak spot here may be Julie Walters, who's, like the usual, charming as ever in Educating Rita, but it's such a poor man's Pygmalion, it's hard to see what kind of newness is being brought to the sub-genre other than '80s big hair.

Report Card

Jane Alexander (Testament) - A

Shirley MacLaine (Terms of Endearment) - A-

Meryl Streep (Silkwood) - A

Julie Walters (Educating Rita) - B-

Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment) - A-

My Choice: Meryl Streep

1984

The Winner: Sally Field (Places in the Heart)

State of the Category: Ah, the year of the distraught farmer gals. In such a strange turn of events, three of the five nominees here fit that very bill. It's assuredly one of the weaker lineups of the decade. I do enjoy Judy Davis as a general rule, but she's definitely hard to love in A Passage to India, in which she wrongfully accuses an Indian man of attempting to violate her. She's so sullen and severe throughout, it's hard to see too much depth in the performance, despite her best efforts. Sally Field's pluckiness may bother some, but I find her performance in Places in the Heart, in which she plays a widowed farm wife who struggles to make ends meet, better than average. If the film didn't spend so much time on the strange side-story love triangles, Field would have more opportunity to shine. Jessica Lange is very subtle (the opposite of Frances) in Country, in which she also plays a farm wife trying to make ends meet. Lange is a quiet strength, but the remainder of the cast sort of brings down the prestige a bit. The Bostonians is a drawn-out mess of a movie. Vanessa Redgrave plays a pathetic spinster who obsesses over a young suffragette (no clue what was so great about Verena, played atrociously by Madeleine Potter). Redgrave is one-note and can't move past the sad, annoying role she's saddled with. Sissy Spacek is the quiet backbone of The River, playing a farm wife struggling to make ends meet (hmm...). Mel Gibson (the husband) gets a little over-the-top, so the film is lucky to have Spacek to bring it back down to earth. Still, not a whole lot here, as a general rule.

Report Card

Judy Davis (A Passage to India) - B

Sally Field (Places in the Heart) - B

Jessica Lange (Country) - B

Vanessa Redgrave (The Bostonians) - C-

Sissy Spacek (The River) - B

My Choice: Sally Field

1985

The Winner: Geraldine Page (The Trip to Bountiful)

State of the Category: What this lineup may lack in true powerhouse performances it more than makes up for in variety. Let's start with Anne Bancroft, who's had her fair share of standout roles, playing a nun at the center of a church scandal in Agnes of God. While I found the movie to play out like an entertaining little popcorn thriller, the performances were somewhat sidelined by the story itself. And Jane Fonda wasn't particularly inspiring as Bancroft's co-lead. Phoned-in all around. But then there's Whoopi Goldberg, who was the new kid on the block in The Color Purple. Not only is she riveting in scene after scene, but she proves why she merits being such a big star - she's actually a quite gifted actress as well. Jessica Lange does her best Patsy Cline in Sweet Dreams, continuing her steak of '80s nominations, in a decent, if not great, take. Though she doesn't live up to Spacek's Lynn (who sang all her own songs), her impression is rather spot-on without being too imitation. We all know Lange can act her way out of a bag, and this is a pleasant example of that. Geraldine Page gives her twilight performance in the virtual honorary Oscar-winning role in The Trip to Bountiful. It's a very quiet movie, to be sure, and what the film lacks in excitement it more than makes up for in showcasing Page's talents. The staging is a tad theatrical at times, but Page is a solid anchor for the mellow film about an old woman returning to her hometown one last time. The epic Out of Africa may have its flaws in both story and accents (sorry Robert Redford), but Meryl Streep as usual improves the material. The music and setting is pretty splendid, and Streep fits right in as Isak Denisen - and the Danish accent is incredible.

Report Card

Anne Bancroft (Agnes of God) - B

Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple) - A

Jessica Lange (Sweet Dreams) - B+

Geraldine Page (The Trip to Bountiful) - B

Meryl Streep (Out of Africa) - B+

My Choice: Whoopi Goldberg

1986

The Winner: Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God)

State of the Category: Sheesh, we'll start this year off with a doozy. Easily the worst choice by the Academy listed in this post, Jane Fonda, bless her, plays a boozy entertainer who wakes up with a hangover and a dead body in her bed. Sounds like a fun concept for a thriller, but unfortunately it's impossible tell what genre this movie is actually trying to embody. Between the upbeat music, the ominous noir moments, the uncomfortable comedic moments and Fonda's spastic performance, The Morning After is a mess. Marlee Matlin, as the youngest winner this category's seen, is amiable as the stubborn deaf girl at the center of Children of a Lesser God. She plays excellently against William Hurt, but it's clear she's not an experienced actress. Sissy Spacek rounds out her four-some of '80s nods with Crimes of the Heart, in which a trio of sisters react to Spacek's character's decision to shoot her abusive husband. The ladies (including Jessica Lange and Diane Keaton) play nicely off of each other, but to me there's no clear stand-out among the three of them. Spacek is endearing, at the very least. Kathleen Turner gets her one stab at Oscar as the heroine in the whimsical fantasy film Peggy Sue Got Married. It's such a fun concept, and Turner is a talented actress who never got her due. Though I don't think this is the role of her career (sorry - I love me some Joan Wilder), Peggy Sue is a root-for-me character with a great backstory. And Sigourney Weaver rounds out the crew in this anomaly of a nomination - the heroine of a sci-fi sequel. Ripley is both badass and terrified aboard the E.T.-ridden shuttle in Aliens, and Weaver is so good at playing the imperfect hero. The movie is a stunner, which certainly helps her case.

Report Card

Jane Fonda (The Morning After) - D-

Marlee Matlin (Children of a Lesser God) - B

Sissy Spacek (Crimes of the Heart) - B

Kathleen Turner (Peggy Sue Got Married) - B+

Sigourney Weaver (Aliens) - A-

My Choice: Sigourney Weaver

1987

The Winner: Cher (Moonstruck)

State of the Category: Surprisingly, this one ended up being a pretty strong year for the Best Actress category. We'll start off with Cher, who never ceases to surprise in a quite strong performance in Moonstruck. I assumed that the win was a stunt, but her Loretta is well-studied and so intriguing. Glenn Close's Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction has certainly become a punch-line since '87, but Close is creepy, eerie, and great in the movie. Sure, her crazy antics are over-the-top and her co-stars are adding to the hamminess, but Close is devious and terribly fun. Holly Hunter may be small and spunky, but she's terrific as a TV news writer in Broadcast News. The writing is spectacular, and Hunter's delivery is gold. She and William Hurt have great chemistry (hmm... a trend perhaps?), and she instills great depth into a character that already kind of wrote itself. Though Sally Kirkland may've descended into madness since the '80s, her Anna is at least interesting. Though the film is a little rocky for me, Kirkland is quite good as the eastern European wannabe Western actress. And Meryl Streep returns once again, this time as a disillusioned homeless woman who used to have pipes in Ironweed. Though the film is kind of a drag, Streep brings some life to the character, which is such a tragic role across the board.

Report Card

Cher (Moonstruck) - A-

Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction) - B+

Holly Hunter (Broadcast News) - A

Sally Kirkland (Anna) - B+

Meryl Streep (Ironweed) - B+

My Choice: Holly Hunter

1988

The Winner: Jodie Foster (The Accused)

State of the Category: To start off the year that was 1988, we've got another devilish performance from the illustrious Glenn Close. In Dangerous Liaisons, Close is conniving and far superior to most of what else is going on here. I get that the cast has decided to not even attempt European accents, but John Malkovich is hardly effortless and... Keanu Reeves? Really? Anyway, Close is easily the best part. I'm a fan of Jodie Foster's in general, but The Accused has not aged well. Playing a rape victim fighting off accusations of making it all up, Foster is typically tough, but the material doesn't serve itself to her talents. Now, I get that Working Girl was riding a wave of goodwill, but Melanie Griffith is hardly the "best." Joan Cusack, Sigourney Weaver and Harrison Ford are great fun in the workplace romantic comedy, but Griffith's breathy, squeaky Tess is nothing beyond simply cute. Some see that haircut and those eyebrows and think of a performance of Meryl Streep's that edged on cartoony, but I happen to love A Cry in the Dark. Playing Lindy Chamberlain, whose baby daughter was snatched up by a dingo, Streep nails the accent and portrays the slightly evil nature of the public's persona of Lindy to a tee. Finally, Sigourney Weaver is heartbreaking as the devoted Dian Fossey, whose love of the animals in Gorillas in the Mist led to a life dedicated to the jungle. She's so natural in the setting, and the movie is written wonderfully.

Report Card

Glenn Close (Dangerous Liaisons) - B+

Jodie Foster (The Accused) - B-

Melanie Griffith (Working Girl) - C-

Meryl Streep (A Cry in the Dark) - B+

Sigourney Weaver (Gorillas in the Mist) - A-

My Choice: Sigourney Weaver

1989

The Winner: Jessica Tandy (Driving Miss Daisy)

State of the Category: Closing out the decade, 1989 brought us some head-scratchers and at least one breath of fresh air. Though Camille Claudel was terribly overlong, it's bright shining star Isabelle Adjani was a great centerpiece. Embodying a woman at many different ages remarkably and seemingly identifying with the character a great deal, Adjani is definitely a nice piece of scenery. Pauline Collins tries so hard to be adorable in Shirley Valentine, she forgets that she's being filmed. I'm heartily confused as to how this performance ended up in the final cut, since the movie is goofy, unsubstantial, and perplexing. Collins is slightly fun, but her plethora of lines delivered to camera was a weird choice. Jessica Lange rounds out her own four-some of nominees this decade with Music Box, a courtroom drama that lags throughout until the last half-hour. Lange is traditionally the best part of the movie, but it's such a knee-jerk choice to nominate her for just about everything. Michelle Pfeiffer is all kinds of seductive in The Fabulous Baker Boys, a surprisingly insightful musical drama. Pfeiffer's Susie Diamond is complicated, beautiful, and has some awesome singing skills. Finally, Jessica Tandy is added to the list of career Oscars in the 1980s for Driving Miss Daisy. While Tandy owns the film quite well, it's simplistic take on the south in a volatile time period borders on too easy. The actress assuredly has her moments of Oscary scenes though.

Report Card

Isabelle Adjani (Camille Claudel) - B+

Pauline Collins (Shirley Valentine) - C-

Jessica Lange (Music Box) - B-

Michelle Pfeiffer (The Fabulous Baker Boys) - A-

Jessica Tandy (Driving Miss Daisy) - B

My Choice: Michelle Pfeiffer

Decade Honors/Dishonors

Best Performance: Meryl Streep (Sophie's Choice)

Best Nominated Film: The Color Purple

Worst Performance/Film: The Morning After

Closest Race: 1981

Best Year: 1983

Worst Year: 1984

Your turn - what are your thoughts on Best Actress of the 1980s?

the GREAT BIG academy awards project, continuing VERY soon!

2011-09-24T16:41:00.000-05:00

I know, you've heard it all before. I've convinced you that I'd stick to my guns and continue my journey through all the Oscar-nominated films of all time (category by category, decade by decade). And, considering it's been over a year since my Best Actress of 1990s post, I wouldn't be surprised if you'd since given up on me. But alas! I only have two performances left two watch, they're both resting thusly in Netflix envelopes in my bag, and I'm well on my way to posting the '80s ladies as early as tonight! So feel free to stay very tuned, because there will be much 1980s Oscar fodder to discuss in a very short while. Now to go watch Reds and Missing ASAP!

september oscar predictions UPDATE

2011-09-13T09:22:00.000-05:00

It's about time these predictions got a little bit of an update. It's been since mid- to late-July since I took a gander at them. Now, these don't reflect the most recent hubbub - the gaga for Shame that's going on on the festival circuit - but I'm still sticking to them! As you can see, we have a new winner, as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo has sunken slightly in my rankings. Take a click at that list to the left of the featured categories!

10 nominations

The Artist

7 nominations

War Horse

6 nominations

The Help

5 nominations

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, J. Edgar,

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Tree of Life

4 nominations

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2,

Hugo, Super 8, The Ides of March

3 nominations

Albert Nobbs, Carnage, The Iron Lady,

Transformers 3

2 nominations

Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, Rango,

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, We Need to Talk About Kevin

1 nomination

A Dangerous Method, Adventures of Tintin,

Arthur Christmas, Beginners, Bridesmaids,

Captain America, Cars 2, Coriolanus,

Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Descendants,

The Muppets, The Rum Diary, Winnie the Pooh

august MOVIE MEME, day 31: my least favorite horror movie(s)

2011-08-31T09:30:00.000-05:00

This one is almost too easy. For as many horror movies succeed and transcend the negative stereotypes of the genre, there are 10 more that don't manage. Sure, some can be campy fun, but some are just flat-out bad. Here are two examples: one new school and one old:

My Bloody Valentine 3-D (2009, dir. Patrick Lussier) - Here's my new school example: horror remake My Bloody Valentine. Now, I haven't seen the 1981 original, but I'm assuming it wasn't this god-awful. The new bad horror movie is all about rehashing the past. It seems to be rare that we get a scary offering that hasn't already been done before, and typically sometime in the 1980s. This is no different, except for the fact that it used a now tired gimmick to lure in helpless audience members into what was a truly terrible horror movie. The plot was infuriatingly thin, the acting was atrocious and the 3-D effects were relegated to predictable gags such as eyeballs and nudity flying out at you. I remember it being not so much frightening as annoying. For all the trouble to obtain the rights to the original and to film in 3-D and to get all those graphic nudity contracts signed, you'd think they could've put together something a little less disgustingly stinky.

Hellraiser (1987, dir. Clive Barker) - I know it's an '80s classic to some, and Clive Barker and his band of ferocious fans will probably have my head for this, but all I could think about while watching Hellraiser was how it made absolutely no sense to me. I get that Barker was trying to craft this alternative horrific universe where a group of supernatural beings lure in unwitting participants into being tortured for all eternity or some-such, but there were no scares present for me. I was left to wonder how a casting agent managed to yet again avoid finding anyone with a smidgen of talent to play in the movie and how the plot was so vague and confusing that it was impossible to be on the edge of one's seat. I'm sure it's probably some elaborate work of genius that I just flat-out don't understand, but I'm not about to give it a second look anytime soon. Maybe I could give its inexplicable NINE sequels a visit? Strangely enough, rumor has it My Bloody Valentine director Patrick Lussier is attached to direct the upcoming remake.

august MOVIE MEME, day 30: my favorite horror movie

2011-08-30T19:08:00.000-05:00

Oh, what a genre. Horror is a tricky one, to be sure. It can so easily be hit or miss, and much of it ends up hanging on what new and exciting twists the director and writer can pull off that hasn't been done before. They certainly get a much worse rep than they should, I think, because some of them can truly achieve varying degrees of brilliance.

Psycho (1960, dir. Alfred Hitchcock) - Was there really any question here? There is one quintessential horror film, and it's Psycho. Now, just to clarify, I'm a huge fan of both Jurassic Park and Rear Window, but for the record, I consider them an adventure and a thriller, respectively. The true horror champ is the story of Norman Bates and his deadly obsessive nature. And poor Janet Leigh and her unsuspecting (if deeply flawed) anti-heroine is there for the killing. What sets this flick apart from the bevy of other copycats is its incredible showmanship (That cinematography! Those daring costume choices! That legendary score!), the gut-wrenching performances from Anthony Perkins and Leigh, and the fact that despite its age, it still packs quite a terrifying wallop. From the explosive shower scene, to the impeccable tete a tete that Leigh and Perkins find themselves exchanging, Psycho is both incredibly eerie and a beautiful showcase of what movie magic truly is.

august MOVIE MEME, day 29: movie that improved on second viewing

2011-08-29T17:23:00.000-05:00

Mull over this dilemma: have you ever watched a movie and felt underwhelmed, cementing that sentiment in your psyche for many years, only to find on second viewing years later that it wasn't nearly as dismal as you had once thought?

Moonstruck (1987, dir. Norman Jewison) - One of the only dangers of becoming a young movie obsessive is treating a grade-schooler to awards-bait movies at a far too young age. I mean, I didn't understand the hoopla over Streetcar Named Desire for many years; then again, I first watched it at about age 8, so rest assured my opinion on the enduring classic has done a 180. Here is a recent example, though. As a youngster obsessed with all things Oscar, I watched Moonstruck once in my quest to become more well-versed in the movies. At the time, I thought it was a below-average flick with nothing particularly memorable in the performances or the plot. And then going into my current Oscar project, it was on my list for the 1987 lineup. A part of me wanted to maintain my earlier sentiment and continue it through the pitstop in the 1980s. But on a hunch I took another look at it and found it charming, funny, and brilliantly performed, particularly by the film's Oscar-winning star. Has your youth or your mood ever soured a movie for you, only to find out later you were horribly wrong about it?

august MOVIE MEME, day 28: movie that shouldn't have had a sequel

2011-08-28T17:11:00.000-05:00

Moving on to sadder topics - those sequels that were so atrocious they marred the fun and often greatness of the original films. Now, I know there are a host of trash heaps that fit this category, but I'll list one that I find particularly horrendous.

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde (2003, dir. Charles Herman-Wurmfeld) - After the first Legally Blonde outing introduced us to Reese Witherspoon in her first true star vehicle and beat the odds, crafting a funny dumb-blonde movie without the dumb blonde and filled with entertaining side characters, this one fell incredibly flat. It took everything that made the first movie fun and exploded it by 100 - resulting in a garishly plotted, senselessly written mess. Not even bit parts from Regina King, Sally Field, and Dana Ivey could save this sinking ship. Witherspoon does her best to elevate the material, but the laughable premise (Elle Woods going to Washington for animal rights, namely her apparently gay chihuahua) left me puzzled. This idea should've definitely been left on the cutting room floor. After being convinced to see it by my Legally Blonde #1-loving family, this movie was the reason my grandmother stopped going to the movies for a solid seven years. Let that ride on the consciences of the studio execs who let this one go to theaters.

august MOVIE MEME, day 27: movie that should've had a sequel

2011-08-27T16:58:00.000-05:00

In the current culture of sequelizing everything for the sake of an extra buck, it's rare that you'd find a sentiment of a second outing actually being necessary. In fact, most of the time these incessant sequels tarnish the goodwill of the first film. But in certain cases, we were unfortunately left hanging. Here a couple...

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004, dir. Brad Silberling) - Sure, the first outing, in this case, wasn't perfect by any means, but it certainly improves on multiple viewings. And, the truth is, Lemony Snicket is some incredible source material. The 13-part series of books is so smartly and humorously written, there's no reason it wouldn't serve as a wonderful series of films. Though I thought it was shortsighted to condense the first three books into one film (it was a little rushed along for someone who read the books first), it's truly a shame that we never got to see the next three at the very least put to film. I mean, the fourth book is where all the brilliant subplots start to form! With such an able cast of adults and children alike ready to keep the momentum going, it's a real shame they didn't jump on the opportunity to continue the Series. Now that the young actors have aged, seven years later, it feels like a missed opportunity. The vision the producers and creators put together is stunning.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005, dir. Nick Park and Peter Lord) - Suffering likely from what the first film I mentioned did (lackluster box office), these two movies may not have been successes on the degree of Shrek or Harry Potter, but the quality of the movie should've given them a second shot at financial greatness. Or perhaps American audiences just couldn't get behind such a quirky and subtly hilarious duo as Wallace and Gromit? There horror-themed outing was a genius work of animation, and it was so witty when it absolutely didn't need to be, considering the visual spectacle on display. Unfortunately, an Oscar win for Best Animated Feature and a multitude of critical support wasn't enough for Aardman to continue with another W&G picture. Let's hope they've got something in the works in the near future. What movies left you disappointed with studio heads for missing a chance to sequelize?

august MOVIE MEME, day 26: least favorite legal drama

2011-08-26T13:32:00.001-05:00

This one's a toughie. I scoured my memory for a legal drama that I really disliked, but I can't think of any. Sure, plenty of them come across stale and old hat, but I can't think of any that were truly despicable. So I ask for your help: What are the worst of the worst of the legal drama genre? Any of them truly irk you?

august MOVIE MEME, day 25: favorite legal drama

2011-08-25T13:02:00.000-05:00

The legal drama subgenre can typically go one of two ways - it can come off dry and been-there, done-that, or it can revive the group with a refreshing perspective on the courtroom-based big-screeners.

Dead Man Walking (1995, dir. Tim Robbins) - Now, it doesn't spend the bulk of the movie in the courtroom, but it has a great deal to do with the legal system. Dead Man Walking is an insanely good character study for its two leads. Sean Penn has never been better than as the convicted brutal murderer title character - it's a hugely difficult role to portray, but Penn embodies the character fully. And Sarandon is at the top of her peak as Sister Helen Prejean, the nun who's going through a huge crisis of conscience as the vicious killer's spiritual counsel. There's nothing dry or has-been about Dead Man Walking. It's performances are impeccable, the screenwriting is inspired, and Robbins' direction is careful and thoughtful. On top of all this, unlike many legal dramas, the movie ages incredibly well.

august MOVIE MEME, day 24: last movie I hated

2011-08-24T12:31:00.000-05:00

It's tough to find hateful movies these days. With word of mouth and a critic in everyone, it's much easier to avoid awful movies if you try hard enough. Then again, occasionally one has a lapse in judgment.

Hop (2011, dir. Tim Hill) - Don't let the promotional material fool you. There's nothing appetizing or confectionary about this movie. If you enjoy fart jokes and dated pop culture references, this movie's for you. If you'd like to avoid those, as well as seeing James Marsden and Elizabeth Perkins slum it in this grandiose flop, reconsider picking this one up from Netflix. Russell Brand stars as the wascally wabbit who's heir apparent to the Easter Bunny throne. Through a series of silly missteps, he ends up living with Marsden's human character, who spends most of the movie making outlandish faces and encountering pratfalls. Clearly banking on puking vibrant colors and haphazard effects, it's just another cog in the Alvin and the Chipmunks crazy train of box office glory. And yes, the sequel will probably be twice the madness.

august MOVIE MEME, day 23: first movie I hated

2011-08-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Hate is such a strong word. Though I hesitate to say I "hate" anything per se, I suppose it was pretty new and strange the first time I realized a movie could be bad. I was a mere eight years old when my pure ideals of movie magic were disheveled by the following...

The Pebble and the Penguin (1995, dir. N/A) - I'll admit, I haven't seen this movie since its theatrical release - for very good reason, of course. But due to that, I barely remember even the premise. I'll let IMDb due some assisting in that area: Hubie the penguin wants to win the girl of his dreams by presenting her with a betrothal pebble, but is thwarted by an evil romantic foe. For someone in elementary school to pick up on the chauvinistic tendencies of this movie must mean they were pretty clear as day. (Perhaps the fact that the move has no credited director bodes illy for its quality chances.) I distinctly remember the women as wimpy, buxom property of their male counterparts being very evident throughout the duration. And can we talk about the fact that the female penguins had bizarre body proportions, hourglass figure and full chest and all? The movie was just atrocious - even obvious to an eight-year-old.

august MOVIE MEME, day 22: last black and white movie I saw

2011-08-22T11:27:00.000-05:00

We're on the home stretch now. The revitalization tour is soon coming to a close. This next category is tricky - it seems I simply don't spend enough time watching this half of movie-dom, since the last one I remember watching also happens to be my all-time favorite.

Bringing Up Baby (1938, dir. Howard Hawks) - It should come as no shock that my all-time fave just so happens to fit the bill for this particular category. Bringing Up Baby is the last B&W movie I took in, as far as I can recall. But so what - it's brilliant and hilarious and I watch it at least several times a year. It's likely that this categorization will change very soon, though, with The Artist entering our lives. It'll likely take the spot until my Great Big Academy Awards Project leads me into the 1960s.

august MOVIE MEME, day 21: my favorite underused actor

2011-08-21T18:20:00.000-05:00

It's a tough word to define, but I see the term "underused" as a combination of both lacking in deserving roles and misuse. Now, though I've loved the performances of this actress, I think that she's far too good to have stayed such a quiet presence in filmdom...

Laura Linney - I know that she's got three Oscar nominations under her belt, as well as three Emmys and two Golden Globes, but darnit... Laura Linney is underused! The insanely talented woman has managed to lose for an incredible performance (You Can Count on Me), as well as to not become the big star she deserves to be. She's easily one of the best working actresses around, and she was so lacking in parts deserving of her abilities, she had to do what many film actresses over 40 have had to do - seek out creative projects on the small screen. Don't get me wrong - The Big C is spectacular, and Linney plays Cathy Jamison so wonderfully, but how has this multi-faceted and stellar performer avoided the Kodak stage for so long?

august MOVIE MEME, day 20: a movie I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen

2011-08-20T18:12:00.001-05:00

Hooray! More shame-based blogging! This time around, though, it's not about shame-based movie-loving or hating. It's about shame-based lack of movie-watching. What are those big movies that are essentials that you've managed to miss for your life thus far? My confessions include never having seen The Matrix or The Blair Witch Project, but the biggest by far is...

Lawrence of Arabia (1962, dir. David Lean) - Often considered one of the greatest films of all time, it's the highest ranking AFI list occupant that I haven't seen, and it's the tour de force that defines Peter O'Toole's career. Not to mention it had great Oscar success, and its score lives on as one of the all-time greats. Yet, I haven't seen it. Though my brother insists upon it year after year, I've just never had the insistent inclination to watch it. Could it be the nearly four-hour running time? Or even the barren landscape with nary a female character in sight? I attribute it to just pure dumb luck that I haven't seen the classic 1962 flick. What movie have you accidentally avoided for the longest time? Or is everyone more film literate than I am?

august MOVIE MEME, day 19: my least favorite action movie

2011-08-19T13:32:00.001-05:00

...and on the other hand, it's far more likely to come across the worst of the genre. In this case, movies that were disappointing on so many levels there's really no way of coming across redeemable. Beg to differ? Get those comments in the section below!

Wild Wild West (1999, dir. Barry Sonnenfeld) - Now, I was never a fan of the original TV series - not that I actively disliked it, just that I never actually watched it. But I'm willing to bet this semi-atrocity probably did away with whatever was good about the original series in this explosive, look-what-we-can-do action romp. Fresh off of becoming the biggest star in the world thanks to Independence Day and Men in Black, Will Smith signed on to this western/sci-fi/action movie, probably with the best of intentions. I mean, the great Kevin Kline is his co-star, the beautiful Salma Hayek plays the love interest, and Shakespeare-approved Kenneth Branagh is the devilish villain. But then it turned out the story was weak, predictable, and not nearly as funny as the people behind it thought it was. It's best to forget this one ever happened, despite its inexplicable $200-million-plus worldwide gross.

Godzilla (1998, dir. Roland Emmerich) - I seriously doubt there's anyone who will find this entry surprising. It's essentially the pariah of monster movies, and it's primarily to do with the preposterous storyline (saying a lot considering we're talking about a giant lizard attacking a city) and the poorly chosen monster design. Not to mention, the dialogue is unforgivable. I saw it in theaters, so I'm not exactly able to quote it word-for-word, but not one of the central trio of Matthew Broderick, Maria Pitillo, and Hank Azaria plays a redeemable character in any way. I distinctly remember hoping that Godzilla destroyed them all and took over New York. Not that the old Godzilla movies are paragons of film achievement, but at least they're aware of what they are. This one is trying to be a legitimate modern action flick and falls completely flat.

Star Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999, dir. George Lucas) - Sure, this isn't exactly an imaginative choice. This movie was universally hated by pretty much every one of those nearly 200 million people around the world that went to it in theaters. But aside from the dry subplots - are Star Wars fans really that interested in galactic senate stuff as opposed to actual "star wars?" - and the atrocious acting - newly minted Academy Award winner Natalie Portman and otherwise skilled Liam Neeson are particularly offensive - the movie should've been fun on paper. Sure, the effects were pretty amazing at the time, but it's hard to buy into what the producers were thinking when the long-gestating project finally came to the big screen in this form. Is this really all that can come from 16 years off? (Please note that I managed to get through this whole write-up without even mentioning the infamous Jar Jar Binks.)

august MOVIE MEME, day 18: my favorite action movie

2011-08-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

Ah, movie rarities. Perhaps the greatest one is this: a good action movie. Known most as shoot-'em-up, mindless blowings up of things, you don't often stumble upon a flick of this genre that really works on all levels. In this case, I've chosen to mention two such movies.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000, dir. Ang Lee) - Though it's full of non-traditional action, at least by Western standards, this martial arts epic has to be considered "action" when it comes down to it. Starring Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat, the movie follows a glorious story of love, valor, wisdom, and honor. And though Yeoh is wonderful as the matronly but secretly ferocious Shu Lien, newcomer Zhang Ziyi totally stole the show as the societally trapped fighting master Jen Yu. It combines all the elements of a good action movie: great performances, killer fight scenes, innovative techniques, beautiful art direction, and a timeless story. I just wish that all involved could return to this level of greatness again. Please tell me that Ang Lee is planning a rematch between Ziyi and Michelle soon...

Kill Bill, Vol. 1 (2003, dir. Quentin Tarantino) - Speaking of awesome fight scenes, this movie basically owns the concept. Basically a series of vignettes outlining revenge by Uma Thurman's "The Bride" against her many betrayers, Kill Bill brings not only Thurman's best performance but some of the best crafted scenes ever put to film. Even having to choose a favorite scene from just one volume of this two-parter is much too difficult.

august MOVIE MEME, day 17: last double feature I pulled

2011-08-17T12:36:00.001-05:00

And now for the latest double-time outing. Or, in this case, triple-time. A recent day spent at the movies allowed for this triple feature in the roaring metropolis of Omaha, Nebraska.

The Tree of Life (2011, dir. Terrence Malick) - What a way to start off the morning - yes, that's when I saw this trippy interpretative dance of a movie. The triple feature experience began with Malick's latest epically picturesque outing. Now, though it was tough to say how I truly felt about it immediately following the movie - particularly with the two mainstream flicks that followed - I've since decided it's one moving piece of cinema. Thanks to incredible cinematography and art direction, as well as some moving performances from the cast, it was definitely something that could be categorized as an "experience." But stepping away from the indie theater and on to the AMC megaplex, it's time for some yuks...

Horrible Bosses (2011, dir. Seth Gordon) - While the trailer boasted great potential and a fun cast, I was nervous about Horrible Bosses. Namely, I was nervous that it would fall victim to so many other comedies of the past few years - in which the trailer boasted the best laughs to come out of the script, which didn't end up offering much else in terms of ground-breaking humor. Now, it's far from a perfect movie, but thanks to some hooky casting (stars from my two all-time favorite shows - Ms. Aniston and Mr. Bateman - certainly didn't hurt in terms of getting me revved) and some out-of-the-box performing (Did anyone else find themselves kind of impressed by Colin Farrell's sleazy jackassing?) it excels just enough. I wish that they would've given Aniston a bit more to do - I will have an undying love for anyone Friends-related until my last breath, so haters be damned - but that in particular identifies the movie's biggest flaw: with three belittled employees and three bosses and their various sundry marital and job-related relations, there was too much ground to cover. It felt like all three stories lacked some needed development.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011, dir. Michael Bay) - Now it's my understanding that most critics and bloggers revile the Transformers movies. As the third entry in my day of movies, I certainly didn't expect it to have the depth of Tree of Life or the low-brow witticism of Horrible Bosses, but really what sort of expectations should one have when attending a summer blockbuster? It's rare that they can achieve the grandiose appeal of The Dark Knight or Spider-Man 2, so I tend to go into movies such as these for the popcorn effect. I don't seek out genius acting and a spellbinding screenplay. I go in looking for some amazing effects, some humorous moments (I'll never forget how great Shia LaBeouf's comedic timing was in the underrated Disney Channel show Even Stevens.), and to flat-out have fun. And that's what I got. Admittedly, the new Megan Fox prototype doesn't quite pack the punch of the petite brunette, but she serves her purpose as pretty scenery well enough. The geek in me has to appreciate the "awww, cool!" moments that movies such as these offer, despite their countless flaws.

august MOVIE MEME, day 16: first double feature I pulled

2011-08-16T09:30:00.000-05:00

Forgive me all of you (2 or 3) devoted readers - I'm back to play catch-up on my self-imposed meme devotional. We're returning with my first-ever experience doing a double feature way back in the year 1998...

The Parent Trap (1998, dir. Nancy Meyers) - Ah, Lindsay. Remember the days when she was the cutest kid actor ever and had a whole career ahead of her? Yeah... but I digress. Let's look at just this snapshot from 1998. In what turned out to be a wholly effective remake, in my opinion, Lohan heads up the cast as a pair of twins pulling a fast one on their estranged parents. Add to the already genial mix a pair of stellar performers in the parental roles - the often misused but secretly great Dennis Quaid and the late and breathtaking Natasha Richardson. And lest I forget my favorite element of the film, the hilarious Lisa Ann Walter as wisecracking housekeeper Chessy. Great fun and still a joy more than a decade later. But, after the credits rolled, I stuck around my local movieplex to see...

The Mask of Zorro (1998, dir. Martin Campbell) - Say what you will about the swashbuckling 90s flick, but you have to admit it was great fun. At the time, I thought it was pure genius. I've of course since softened to its mastery, but I still think it's a terrific romp. And lest we forget it basically singlehandedly introduced the United States to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Now if we could only convince her to come back to movies... Antonio Banderas is such an ideal choice for the lead, and though Anthony Hopkins may come off a little dry, he's a great mentor presence in the film. And I'd be remiss in not mentioning James Horner's rousing, if a bit predictable, score - I'm kind of surprised he managed to avoid an Oscar nomination for this one.

august MOVIE MEME, day 15: an actor I'm ashamed to hate

2011-08-15T15:30:00.001-05:00

And the titles keep getting a little too extreme. I'm not entirely "ashamed" per se of my feelings for the following two actors. And then again, I don't actually hate them either. In fact, I've found them both tolerable on some occasions. (And hate is just such a mean word, right?)

First off, Mr. Paul Giamatti. An Oscar-nominated actor, I've never truly understood his acclaim. I've never seen his breakthrough role in American Splendor, mind you, but I've seen the two facets of his acting abilities: gruff grumpy-gus and hammy emphaticon. The former was utilized in Sideways, in which I'm fairly certain he was at least partially playing himself? Or maybe I just insulted his real-life personality. Either way, I found his performance entirely one-note and blank. And then there's the latter, perfectly utilized in his Oscar-nom'd role in Cinderella Man. He just must have one of those faces that read hammy no matter what. Insanely over-the-top. On to Philip Seymour Hoffman. He's redeemed himself a bit, for me, in films like The Savages and Mary and Max, but his other ridiculously cartoonish performances, including his Oscared role in Capote, are just too grating for my tastes. And don't even get me started on Charlie Wilson's War. How do you feel about these two gents? Am I missing something, or do they perplex you as much as they do me?

august MOVIE MEME, day 14: an actor I'm ashamed to love

2011-08-14T09:30:00.000-05:00

Now that we've got the vile sci-fi entry out of the way, let's go back to shame-based blogging. Now, perhaps shame is sort of a strong word in this case. See, I openly adore this actress, so I clearly have no problem advertising it. Perhaps it's more along the lines of "actor I should be ashamed to love."

I know that people are still miffed about her Blind Side Oscar win, but I'm here to defend Sandra Bullock. It's really a shame, first of all, that it took so long for her to get any kind of recognition - after 20 years in the business. She's a wonderful actress, in my opinion, and it certainly doesn't help that she seems like possibly the nicest actress working. Some find her one-dimensional, and I would direct them to some of her best performances that got overlooked. As far as her slew of romantic comedies go, my favorites are While You Were Sleeping and Miss Congeniality (though the latter is really more of a girl-power movie than a true romantic comedy). And it turns out she's done some great drama work as well. Even though Crash was highly overrated come Oscar night, Bullock delivered an out-of-type and complicated performance. And I think that critics and audiences really downplayed her work in 28 Days as well. So how do you feel about Ms. Bullock? Are you willing to concede, along with me, that there's more to her than a girl-next-door romantic lead or are you still one of those stubborn fuddy-duddies still filled with bile over Blind Side?

august MOVIE MEME, day 13: my least favorite sci-fi movie

2011-08-13T09:30:00.000-05:00

Now that we've gotten the sci-fi love out of the way, it's time for the ire. Now, I know my choice is awfully recent, but I guess I've managed to avoid the bad sci-fi movies of years past. And this one was pretty terrible. Trust me.

Skyline (2010, dir. Colin Strause) - Let's start off with the basic concept: aliens stop by earth to pick up some cargo - humans - for who knows what? A bunch of good-looking rich people who blow their money on wild partying and spending time complaining about how empty their lives are are our heroes. And we're meant to feel sorry for them when they have to hightail it away from some vicious aliens out to harvest their bodies or something. And therein lies the problem. Unlikable characters who are being attacked for a very loose, seemingly nonexistent reason. The movie is poorly written, there isn't even a halfways decent performance in the bunch, and you leave the movie not really caring that the lead characters have been abducted or maimed or what have you. On top of that, some people were actually bamboozled into paying 3-D prices for this. Sad, sad day. And I'm not even talking about the alien apocalypse.

august MOVIE MEME, day 12: my favorite sci-fi movie

2011-08-12T22:47:00.000-05:00

Ah, sci-fi. Whether you're an avid watcher of the F-grade fare that the channel formerly known as, well, sci-fi used to show or the quality Sigourney-starring, space opera types, the genre has a little bit of something for any type. Here's my favorite (I think)...

WALLlE (2008, dir. Andrew Stanton) - Yeah, I don't know if it really counts in this category so much as in the "uplifting work of genius" category. But in all technicality, this one's sci-fi. Just look at the alien-like robots and the space travel. (Although, if we count Jurassic Park as sci-fi at all, it would probably trump the poor cleaning robot.) This one's an easy call all in all though. I know there are a select few who aren't big fans of this movie, but I will absolutely never understand why. It's beautiful and moving from start to finish, and it stars some of the most endearing characters in film history - and they just happen to be artificial. As far as the sci-fi angle goes, the beautifully animated Axiom and the barren wasteland of former-Earth trump a lot of the work being done by the genre movies for adults. Then again, we wouldn't expect much less from Pixar. (That is until this year, I suppose.) What did you think of WALL-E? Did it move you to eternal adoration or otherwise?

august MOVIE MEME, day 11: first R-rated movie I ever saw

2011-08-11T17:13:00.000-05:00

But enough about my DVD collection... and it's vast, overzealous inventory. Let's move on to some more reminiscing. Did anyone else have parents who were firm abiders of the age rules of the MPAA? Well, mine were. (And as a now-adult I have to agree with their methods, to be honest.) But all of us in that boat had our act of rebellion - going over to a friend's house where R-rated movies weren't exactly outlawed...

Speed (1994, dir. Jan de Bont) - Now, I certainly did my fair share of sneaking the against-the-rules flicks during trips to other people's houses, but my first experience with a scandalous "R" movie was in my very own living room. Even though I had to close eyes and ears during a couple of parts, my first one was Speed. It was all the rage to kids growing up in the '90s. And since everyone had seen it (and since I was a pre-teen I probably really thought that was true) it was only fair to wear my parents down until I could see the action epic that takes place on a bus... and features new levels of demented behavior from Dennis Hopper. Sure, I didn't see the villain's demise the first time, but on later viewings I got the full effect. I think the fact that Sandra Bullock was in it (my mom and I were at the time obsessing over While You Were Sleeping) probably gave me the edge. So ends the tale of my first R-rated experience (Hee.) - spill the beans: How did you see your first 17-and-up flick?

august MOVIE MEME, day 10: last movie I bought on dvd

2011-08-10T17:04:00.000-05:00

Now that my first encounter with DVDs is out of the way, it's time for my last one. Now, technically this one isn't entirely a DVD, but we'll call it even anyway.

The Fighter (2010, dir. David O. Russell) - I had to hold out on this one. The cinematography was far too genius to watch it on DVD alone - I needed that new-fangled blu-ray. Thank you for kindly sales! Though I haven't fully embraced the blu-ray phenomenon (in fact, I don't even have a blu-ray player yet... just preparing for the inevitable), I think I'm about up to six or seven at this point. How are you handling the blu-ray switch? And if you're relenting (took me a while, but at least it's not as apples and oranges as cassettes and discs), how are you justifying which ones need replacing and which ones are just fine on DVD? This one was a no-brainer for me, but what of all these beautiful Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter blu-rays? Is replacing worth the trouble? (I'm directing this to you, blu-ray aficionados.)

august MOVIE MEME, day 9: first movie I owned on dvd

2011-08-09T15:57:00.000-05:00

Shame-based blogging is concluded. And thanks to some kindred confessions and defenses, I'm glad to have gotten it out. But on to simpler topics. My DVD collection has grown to a seriously unhealthy size since I was first introduced to the product, but here's the first one I called my own...

The Sixth Sense (1999, dir. M. Night Shyamalan) - When I first heard word of this "DVD" nonsense, I - and the rest of my moving-buying family - was livid. All these wonderful video cassettes were going to be moot in a matter of a few years? Well, it didn't take long for me to jump on board. And, with the help of my brother, we went in on this DVD - one of our recent favorites of the time, The Sixth Sense (Speaking of, does anybody remember how great that movie was? I know it had its ubiquitous stage immediately following its hoopla, but consider revisiting it as a simply great movie sometime.), for the standard $20. I since acquired it from him and was granted sole custody, and it still rests proudly amongst the hundreds of others on my shelf. Embracing DVDs was tough at first for this movie obsessive, but then again... history repeats itself, no? This purchase was soon followed by The Mummy Returns and Cast Away (yes, I remember far too many details about my DVD collection).

august MOVIE MEME, day 8: movie I'm ashamed to hate

2011-08-08T18:10:00.001-05:00

The shame continues. Only this time it's shame for lack of understanding. Ever see a movie that's loved by the critics or by the bloggers, and you simply don't get it? In fact, you may even hate it? Yeah, here are a couple of examples. (And maybe "ashamed" is a strong word, as I'm more than willing to explain below why I dislike these movies so...)

Mulholland Dr. (2001, dir. David Lynch) - I’ll start with the example that will likely elicit the most complaints from the blogosphere – Mulholland Dr. To preface, I’ve never seen any other David Lynch films, including Blue Velvet, and I enjoy Naomi Watts in most everything she does. But what the hell is this? I’m all for experimental, quirky films, but quirk for the sake of quirk is grating and ineffective. What this whirlwind of weird left me with was a slack jaw and dissatisfaction. Through a flurry of bizarre scenes, the two female leads go from complete strangers to passionate lovemaking to being each others one true love in about a day or two of knowing each other. Nothing about it connected with me, and I rolled my eyes more than I smiled contentedly. Yet, it inexplicably received accolades, including an Oscar nod for Best Director and a Golden Globe nod for Best Screenplay – what exactly did the screenplay entail?

Antichrist (2009, dir. Lars von Trier) - Maybe it's just me... or does Lars von Trier sort of strike you as a bit of a loon? Granted, I've only seen this and Breaking the Waves, but what am I supposed to take from an indulgent, overwrought, nonsensical drama such as this? The plot was so interpretative I couldn't stand it. Experimental theater does not always make a good film, and that is basically what's at play here. Charlotte Gainsbourg received accolades from international critics, and I found her performance so painstakingly sullen and affected that I could barely get through the whole movie. I've yet to see something relevant from this bizarro director, and this one, which so many found so wonderful and provocative, I found grating and frustrating. I just can't get on board with movies that are strange and shocking just for the sake of it. There's no substance here. Or do I just not get it?

august MOVIE MEME, day 7: movie I'm ashamed to love

2011-08-07T09:30:00.001-05:00

We're moving on from repeatedly watching movies over and over, past and present. Now for the movies that you watch in secret for fear of reprisal. These are the ones that you saw with a group of people and you were the only one who didn't say anything... because while everyone else harped on it, you were plotting your trip back to the theater to see it again. Here are my guiltiest of guilties...

Heartbreakers (2001, dir. David Mirkin)
The premise: It follows the conning lifestyle of a mother-daughter duo who woo rich older men out of their money before they croak. Or trick them into cheating to rack up the alimony. It stars Sigourney Weaver as the mother hen, Jennifer Love Hewitt as the head-strong daughter, and Gene Hackman as their latest target.
Shame factor: The movie was relatively ill-received (the Wall Street Journal called it "nasty" and "clumsy"), and is it really ever in vogue to admit you enjoyed a movie starring "Love?" It really is a pretty repulsive premise, but, then again, aren't most physical comedies pretty "nasty" at their cores?
But...: Sigourney does incredible things with comedic roles, and it's not noticed enough. From the moment she started singing "Back in the USSR" in a put-on, hookerish Russian accent, I was sold. For how cheap the plotline seems, there are definitely a lot of laughs. And did I mention Anne Bancroft is in it in her last on-screen film role? That's got to count for something.

Cutthroat Island (1995, dir. Renny Harlin)
The premise: A female pirate (Geena Davis) goes after her father's legacy - a treasure that her dastardly uncle (Frank Langella) want for himself. Along with the company of a sneaky con-man (Matthew Modine), the ship captain comandeers a crew to Cutthroat Island to beat her family, and an armada of British ships, to the punch.
Shame factor: Well-known as one of the biggest flops of all time (I believe it was number-one for a while after its release... or at least very close to Waterworld), it made just over $2 million opening weekend for a grant total of 10 by the end of its run. And one look will tell you it wasn't exactly cheap to produce. Entertainment Weekly called it exhaustingly frantic and worth about $3.
But...: Sure, the acting definitely left something to be desired, and it was never quite clear to me what sort of accents the characters were supposed to be harboring, but dammit if it wasn't terribly fun. Nearly a decade before Pirates of the Caribbean made it cool to be a swashbuckling movie again, I don't think this one got a fair shake. The plot was pretty convoluted, and it was certainly loud, but I'm a sucker for a whirlwind adventure.

Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997, dir. Jan de Bont)
The premise: Annie is back. Sandra Bullock returns for a second bout with high-octane excitement. This time with her cop boyfriend in tow (Jason Patric), Annie goes on an ill-fated romantic vacay in which the luxury cruise liner they've boarded has been hijacked by a crazed disgruntled employee (Willem Defoe) bent on destruction.
Shame factor: Oh, let me count the ways... the movie was a giant box office flop, was completely derailed by the critics, and basically epitomizes the reason film snobs have hated Bullock for so many years. It doesn't help that Defoe's performance is so unhinged it's hilarious (particularly his obsession with his "friends," the leeches he keeps in his bathtub) and that the slow-moving cruise ship doesn't exactly compare to the speeding bus.
But...: I'm a major sucker for anything Sandra. Yes, it was a bizarre choice of setting, but I think it was unfairly compared to 1997's other big ship movie. Bullock is charming as ever, and the movie is entertaining enough for me to revisit multiple times. And Defoe, though utterly demented, was born for roles like these. Yes, Patric was a bit dry, but what exactly was Keanu Reeves - Humphrey Bogart? The real star for me is Annie... she's a bumbling everywoman who can ground even this outrageous plot.

august MOVIE MEME, day 6: last movie I watched obsessively

2011-08-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

That last post of course brought up fond memories of childhood hilarity (yeah, I didn't really understand some of the more adult humor until I'd reached a slightly more double-digited age, but whatever), and this one does the same for my recent years. Though this movie was a mere blip on the radar of most, I found it so stinking funny for some odd reason...

Baby Mama (2008, Michael McCullers) - Though it fell victim to the typical fate of an April release and, for that matter, a female-led comedy (until of course the anomaly that has become Bridesmaids came along) by making a very modest amount at the box office, I can't help but love Baby Mama. The premise is probably tired (particularly in a post-Knocked Up, post-Juno 2008), but with two modern marvels of comedy heading up the silly buddy movie, it should've certainly connected. At least I can 'fess up that this is probably the last movie I watched obsessively. Though DVDs are much more difficult to wear out than VHS tapes, I'm sure I'm getting close. This was at the very least the last movie I watched twice in one night. From Amy Poehler's crack-up-worthy facial expressions to Tina Fey's awkward-mom-like antics, it's schtick we've seen before from the duo. But it's perfected schtick. And really isn't that what you'd hope for form a Hope/Crosby-type romp?

august MOVIE MEME, day 5: first movie I watched obsessively

2011-08-05T09:30:00.001-05:00

And we're out of tear country. It was all well and good to soak our troubles in weeping, but let's get on to the early-life obsessions. Really, the reasons most of us become movie buffs in the first place - those movies we first wore the videocassette out watching obsessively. And this one's the earliest one I remember seeing several hundred times...

Clue (1985, dir. Jonathan Lynn) - It started out just being about loving the board game. Ask my brother, and he'll tell you. When he and I discovered that a movie had been made having to do with our favorite sleuthing toy, we had to bite. It went right on the Christmas list. Little did our parents know it would become the movie of, well, the next couple decades really. I will admit that we watched the thing so many times in that first week (12, if I'm remembering correctly) that we had it memorized line-for-line by the time Week No. 2 of Clue-fest had begun. And who can blame us, really? If you've seen this movie, you understand how undeniably quotable and non-stop hilarious it is. And with such a comedic gold cast as this (I mean, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Lesley Ann Warren, and Michael McKean alone would've been a big enough draw) it's kind of unimaginable that critics at the time trounced it for dragging. They apparently were unconscious for the duration (most likely due to a lead pipe or wrench, I'd wager). How else to explain the ridiculous rewatchability of this hysterical whodunit?

august MOVIE MEME, day 4: last movie that made me cry

2011-08-04T09:30:00.003-05:00

Now that we've gotten that awkward first tear-jerking moment out of the way, it's time for the latest one that made me well up. Now, up until about two days ago, it would've been the latest outing of Harry Potter and the gang... but then I went and saw this one:

Crazy Stupid Love (2011, dir. Ficarra & Requa) - If you haven't seen this one yet, then you may be confused by this entry in the meme. The trailer promises goofy antics, and, with a cast that includes Steve Carell, Marisa Tomei, and the newly crowned young queen of comedic timing Emma Stone, it really does deliver quite a few good hilarious moments. But what I will say, without giving too much away, is that for as well known as Carell is for his awkward, goofy humor exhibited on The Office and various sundry films, the man sure can play the everyman, regular-joe nice guy to a tee. And it's on full display in this movie. Playing Cal, the scorned husband of Emily (Julianne Moore, who can't seem to break the mold, of late, of sneaky cheater), who goes on a mission to find himself with the help of ladies man Jacob (Ryan Gosling), Carell surely has a way with delivering a truly meaningful moment. As evidenced in many more heartwarming moments of the NBC sitcom he formerly appeared on, he's more than a yuk machine. I think it says a lot about the way he apparently is in his everyday life. I truly don't want to spoil any parts of the delightful movie, so I won't say much about what made me a little teary, but Steve here can surely be credited with it. Now I suggest you go out, watch it, and do the same.

august MOVIE MEME, day 3: first movie that made me cry

2011-08-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

Now that we've got all that sports movie stuff out of the way, it's time to open up the floodgates. How many of you remember the first time a movie made you cry? For me, it was definitely a strange experience. How to explain the occurrence of tears at something that wasn't sad at all to an eight-year-old is a tough one...

Apollo 13 (1995, dir. Ron Howard) - Yep, this was the one. First off, I l-o-v-e-d this movie as a kid. Maybe it was the related series of pogs that came out along with the space-shuttle-shaped storage system you could pick up at Hardees, or maybe it was that Tom Hanks could do no wrong in my eyes, but the movie had a hold on me. I haven't seen it in quite a while, and I hesitate to guess that it may not have the same impact on me as it did at the time. But it was also the first time a movie got me choked up. At film's end [SPOILER ALERT] the astronauts return home after an unfortunate failed mission, and as they gladly step back on earth's soil and slo-mo walk toward their families, they're subsequent life stories overlapping the shot, it began. You know, it probably was James Horner's score that did me in. There's nothing like sweeping music to get you going. Anyway, the walk home afterward was definitely riddled with questions of "what about that happy ending made me cry?" directed toward my parents. And I've been a movie softie ever since.

august MOVIE MEME, day 2: my least favorite sports movie(s)

2011-08-02T12:00:00.000-05:00

Day two of my film devotional brings me to the opposite of yesterday's self-assignment - this time we're talking the bad of the athletic feats of filmdom. Now, there are plenty of bad sports movies I've managed to avoid up to this point, but the following are the five worst I've seen - one in particular trumping the others in all around awfulness...

Runners-Up

Summer Catch (2001, dir. Michael Tollin) - There's nothing quite so bad as a thinly plotted "baseball" movie without a shred of quality acting or likable characters. Such is this unfortunate movie, which follows the story of poor little rich girl Jessica Biel romancing the schlubby wannabe baseball player Freddie Prinze, Jr. We're meant to feel sorry for the lot, since they're not able to get everything they want. Unfortunately, they're terribly unlikable and unbelievable. It doesn't help that the infuriating Matthew Lillard is around to make every scene obnoxiously over-the-top and annoying. I'd love to see the man perform sometime without acting like he's intoxicated and has no control over his volume. And Biel, fresh off of her coming-out party in the skin mags after feeling too stifled by 7th Heaven, is disastrous here. You know it's bad sign when Prinze is out-acting you by a mile. This "comedy" is simply no fun.

Kicking & Screaming (2005, dir. Jesse Dylan) - So, Will Ferrell can be entertaining in the right doses. In a sketch on SNL where he's on-screen for a few minutes or in a low-key movie in which he's not required to spazz out every five minutes - that's when he's most enjoyable. Take Kicking & Screaming, though - the title says it all. Ferrell plays a grown man who's still pining for his father's pride who takes over coaching a little league soccer team to prove he's got the winning spirit. Only his character is such a hateful, detestable person, you judge whoever let him near those children. Perhaps the biggest crime being committed here is the casting of Robert Duvall as the hard-nosed father. A living screen legend relegated to such tripe is a downright shame. And Ferrell has never been more obnoxiously hammy and repulsive than in this movie. Give me Melinda and Melinda or Stranger Than Fiction Will Ferrell any day over this one.

Blue Crush (2002, dir. John Stockwell) - Even though it enjoyed some inexplicably positive reviews, this movie is a total dud. Aside from the fact that the producers were clearly overestimated the star-wattage of their lead actress - at the time Kate Bosworth was all the rage... still not clear on why - it doesn't help that the movie is devoid of decent dialogue and has a grossly forced romantic subplot. Bosworth is Anna Marie, a built surfer chick who's preparing for a big competition but falls for a pro football player after she cleans is grotesque hotel room (oh yeah, she's a hotel maid). And say what you will about Michelle Rodriguez, but the woman has but one character to play - and it's again evident here. But the real mar here is Sanoe Lake as the other best friend - all of her scenes are painful to watch, they're so unconvincing. They might as well have had cue cards sitting in front of her for all the "acting" she was doing.

Happy Gilmore (1996, dir. Dennis Dugan) - Getting nervous? You know the number-one worst must be pretty awful to trump this sad excuse for a comedy. Perhaps it was the forced multiple viewings I endured on marching band trip buses, or perhaps it's that Adam Sandler in the 90s = sickening man-children who get whatever they want. Playing yet another intellectually stunted baby, Sandler is Happy (yep, that's his actual name), a has-been hockey player who picks up golf to win some money and save his granny's house. And it plays out as ludicrously as it sounds. If you've seen Billy Madison, Big Daddy, or The Waterboy, you've basically already seen this movie... but with golf. And let's not even mention the heinous decision to cast the wonderful Julie Bowen as the inexplicably doting love interest of this brainless wonder. Christopher McDonald does his level best to even out the suck as Happy's rival Shooter McGavin, but the preposterous plot and duh gross-out jokes do nothing for this viewer.

Winner

Ed (1996, dir. Bill Couturie) - It's a well-known fact that at the height of Friends hoopla, all of our favorite six-some made attempts to have major film careers. And with the exception of Courteney Cox landing the Scream movies, they almost universally flopped. But the worst of them all was this movie, which found Matt LeBlanc as Deuce Cooper, a baseball player who for some reason decides to befriend a chimp named Ed... who for some reason is really good at baseball. Perhaps what could've been a harmless throwaway kids movie turned into a god-awful mess - mostly thanks to the choice to use a mechanical monkey for many of the scenes. LeBlanc awkwardly goes through the motions of a meaningful "friendship" with the monkey robot as we watch in horror. Nothing interesting goes on, every performance is terrible (especially the robot monkey's), there's a loosely thrown-together storyline involving a plot to steal the monkey and this multi-Razzie-nominated picture has the distinction of being one of the worst movies I've ever seen. This was definitely the worst birthday movie I ever saw. Damn you April, and you're terrible release slate!

august MOVIE MEME, day 1: my favorite sports movie(s)

2011-08-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

It starts! My re-devotion to the blogging world is coming in the form of a 31-day, self-imposed meme. If you'd like to join in on the "fun," there's still time! Head over to this post to get the lowdown on the eclectic assignments day-to-day. This first day's self-assignment is "your favorite sports movie." So, I've narrowed it down to one ultimate and five runners-up:

Runners-Up:

The Rookie (2002, dir. John Lee Hancock) - Now, while Hancock has become much more well known for the massive hit The Blind Side, the director had his first major success in this Dennis Quaid starrer. And the biggest difference between it and its 2009 counterpart is that past the central performer, there is excellent acting and writing on display - no easy feat in a modern-set sports movie. Quaid is at his all-time best as Jimmy Morris, the middle-aged dad who's finally getting his shot at the majors. And Rachel Griffiths as his supportive wife makes it all the more successful. For such a low-key, Disney-fied movie, what you're getting is a subtle footnote to the glitz and glamor of the overpaid MLB. Morris is hardly a big name in baseball, but the family man is played with such care and grace by Quaid that you doubt the man is small in heart - the point of a sports movie, really.

The Fighter (2010, dir. David O. Russell) - Sure, this one's awfully fresh in my memory, but it did such a fantastic job of making what would otherwise be an "avoid at all costs" film (Mark Wahlberg starring in an inspiring sports drama "based on a true story") and turned it into a spectacular, highly visual, well-played drama. Sure, there's an awful lot of boxing, but what this sports movie does great is brings the cinematic qualities of an historical epic into a genre that sorely lacks in quality of filming in many cases. And it doesn't hurt that the cast is across-the-board stellar. Melissa Leo steals the show for me as the domineering boxing mom. Her clan of white-trash daughters is welcome lightheartedness in the hardcore drama. And Christian Bale has really never been better than as the twitchy, trouble-making brother of the protagonist. Plus it's nice to see Amy Adams stretch her legs a little bit as the bad-girl barmaid.

Jerry Maguire (1996, dir. Cameron Crowe) - Sure it's a non-traditional entry as it deals more with the behind-the-scenes drama of professional sports as opposed to the athletes themselves, but back before Tom Cruise lost his mind he was actually turning into a seasoned actor as he got older. In arguably his best performance, as cocky but secretly caring sports agent Jerry Maguire, Cruise gives a very human portrayal, all the while utilizing his ability to play tense and neurotic. And despite his fall from grace since, Cuba Gooding Jr. brings the traditional sports story to the mix, making his on-the-decline and hotheaded Rod Tidwell a lovable family man. And remember when Renee Zellweger was the cute girl next door type? Yeah, this was one of her best performances. It's a wonder what sports movies can do to almost any type of performer if they play it right.

The Natural (1984, dir. Barry Levinson) - Even though I recently read Roger Ebert's surprisingly scathing review of the film, it was one I grew up watching - so despite its possible story flaws, it's rather universally adored among sports movies. That uber-catchy and constantly sampled score certainly couldn't have hurt. The movie was so serene and effortless to me - a rarity among boisterous rah-rah sports movies, but not so out-of-the-ordinary, I suppose, for the baseball sub-genre. Robert Redford is incredibly endearing and riveting as the central character, and Glenn Close utilizes a little-shown side of her repertoire - quiet brilliance. Let's be honest: the woman can play the crazy card very well. But it's nice to know she can pull off this style as well. And can we talk about the actual baseball scenes? Some of my favorite action sequences put to film. So say what you will about the supposedly weak storytelling, but I love The Natural.

Hoosiers (dir. David Anspaugh) - I know it's probably blasphemy to not have chosen this as my top sports film, but if it's any consolation, it was a very difficult, very close choice. It easily managed number two. And for the following reasons: Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper give fantastic performances (not typically a necessity for a sports movie) for completely different reasons. Hopper is over-the-top and gut-wrenching as the drunken basketball dad, and Hackman is (generally) calm and collected as the not-so-loved Coach Norman Dale. Specifically with high school sports films, you're just not used to seeing such dark histories play out. Dale's been excused from his last coaching position for hitting a student, and he's under pressure from the community to prove he's a changed man. And the rag-tag group of boys from Hickory, Indiana, are such underdogs, it's impossible to avoid rooting for the home team.

Winner

Bend it Like Beckham (2003, dir. Gurinder Chadha) - It's probably a heinous choice indeed to pick one from across the pond when there are so many American sports movies to choose from. But probably more surprising than the fact that a female sports movie and female-directed sports movie happens to be so good is that it doubles as a comedy. At points uproariously funny (mostly due to the great character performance from Juliet Stevenson) and at others thrillingly filmed, this ladies' soccer flick is my favorite sports movie. Parminder Nagra (pre-ER, mind you) is a soft-spoken force as the determined and talented central character. And on top of all the soccer-related drama, there's a culture clash going on. Can Jess's traditional Indian family ever accept her penchant for a deeply western European sport?

So what are your all-time favorite films to do with athletics?

AUGUST MOVIE MEME: who's with me?

2011-07-28T22:55:00.000-05:00

Hello all - to any of you out there who read this blog on a semi-regular basis, you already know this full well: my blogging tendencies of late have been sporadic at best. So in an effort to reaffirm my dedication to the film blogging world, I though it would be a good idea to set up a daily meme for the month of August to keep me focused! And I would love the company of you all in the project. So if you're willing, join in on Aug. 1! I wrote up a 31-day prospectus below for your perusal. And I know that for some of these, it may be difficult to narrow down, so list multiple answers at your leisure!

Day 1: Your favorite sports movie

Day 2: Your least favorite sports movie

Day 3: First movie that made you cry

Day 4: Last movie that made you cry

Day 5: First movie that you watched obsessively

Day 6: Last movie you watched obsessively

Day 7: A movie that you're ashamed to love

Day 8: A movie you're ashamed to hate

Day 9: First movie you owned on DVD

Day 10: Last movie you bought on DVD

Day 11: First rated-R movie you saw

Day 12: Your favorite sci-fi movie

Day 13: Your least favorite sci-fi movie

Day 14: An actor/actress you're ashamed to love

Day 15: An actor/actress you're ashamed to hate

Day 16: First double feature you pulled

Day 17: Last double feature you pulled

Day 18: Your favorite action movie

Day 19: Your least favorite action movie

Day 20: A movie you're ashamed to say you haven't seen

Day 21: Your favorite underused actor/actress

Day 22: Last black-and-white movie you saw

Day 23: First movie you hated

Day 24: Last movie you hated

Day 25: Your favorite legal drama

Day 26: Your least favorite legal drama

Day 27: A movie you think should have a sequel

Day 28: A movie you think shouldn't have had a sequel

Day 29: A movie that improved on second viewing

Day 30: Your favorite horror movie

Day 31: Your least favorite horror movie

four caps (#1.17)

2011-07-26T21:05:00.000-05:00

oscar predictions UPDATED!

2011-07-24T18:38:00.000-05:00

Well, I almost kept to my promise of completing my prediction updates in a week and a half... it took about two instead. (Better than more than a month, though, no?) Anyway, below is the nomination count I currently am predicting. Take a gander at all the categories in the menu to the left, and get those comments out in this post!

9 nominations

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

7 nominations

The Artist, War Horse

6 nominations

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

5 nominations

Hugo, J. Edgar, The Tree of Life

4 nominations

Carnage, The Descendants

3 nominations

Super 8, The Help, The Iron Lady,

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

2 nominations

A Dangerous Method, Captain America,

Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, Rango,

The Ides of March

1 nomination

The Adventures of Tintin, Albert Nobbs, Beginners,

Coriolanus, Kung Fu Panda 2, Martha Marcy May Marlene,

My Week with Marilyn, Rio, The Muppets, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,

We Need to Talk About Kevin, X-Men: First Class

brilliance

2011-07-23T19:24:00.002-05:00

composer spotlight: JAMES HORNER

2011-07-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

It's been quite a while since the first two outings of this series, Thomas Newman and Randy Newman, so I thought it was high time to return. I'm a big fan of soundtracks - to a fault, really. My iTunes are dominated by them probably 2-to-1. So in honor of how many great soundtracks there are out there, why not feature one of the most prolific working ones in the third spotlight? He's been known to do three, four, or more scores in one year. So, though I couldn't possibly feature all of the dozens of works he's put together, here are some of my favorites...

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) - Sure, times have changed, and everyone's all about the new, edgy J.J. Abrams Star Trek, but what of the originals? Sure, the first one is sort of a joke now, but isn't Khan still one of the most-loved outings of Kirk and Co.?

Testament (1983) - Sure, I'm new to the bandwagon of this underrated, low-budget drama, but the score really was interesting. It's some of Horner's earlier work in mainstream films, and he manages to transcend typical '80s tropes.

Cocoon (1985) - The flick about elderly folks finding the fountain of youth in a retirement village pool overtaken by pod people from outer space is surprisingly poignant, something mostly buoyed by the Horner original.

Aliens (1986) - It's no easy feat to top an original in a second time around, but most agree this is the case with Aliens. And James Horner's rousing action score sure helps. How do we feel about it compared to the 1978 original?

The Land Before Time (1988) - Let's all just forget about the 20-odd sequels they've spawned since and think just about the classically endearing original. It really is a perfect example of a non-Disney animated success in the '80s.

Field of Dreams (1989) - Possibly the most tolerable Kevin Costner has ever been, Field of Dreams was driven by excellent plotting and a mellow, lovely score to match the subtle Iowa backdrop.

Honey I Shrunk the Kids (1989) - Am I the only one who grew up loving this movie? It's assuredly a defining one for me, and the music is great fun. The themes during the lawnmower and ant-meeting scenes are terribly exciting.

The Rocketeer (1991) - Here's another one that perplexes me. Such a fun movie, and yet it didn't really connect with a lasting effect. And gosh, this is probably arguably my favorite Horner score.

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) - Now don't judge me - this one is still hilarious to me as an adult, so I know I'm not crazy. Sure, a traditional Western score can be overly simple, but it's Copeland stylings are too much fun.

Sneakers (1992) - Horner's no stranger to little-seen gems. If you haven't seen this incredibly cast thriller yet, please do. And thanks to Branford Marsalis's instrumental stylings, it's jazzy and... well... sneaky.

Casper (1995) - I know this got panned by critics, but it has its moments. Okay fine - I was a child of the '90s. Forgive me if I love Christina Ricci through and through. Oh, and Horner's score is quirky and lovable.

Jumanji (1995) - This adaptation was surely flawed, but Bonnie Hunt's performance was pure gold. As was the eerie and often lush background music. Sure, it's got a lot of similarity to the 2001 film later on this list, but still love it.

Titanic (1997) - Arguably his most famous score. (Although working with James Cameron again may've outdone it in 2009.) It made synthesizers prestigious again. Plus it helped give the world DiCaprio and Winslet... so yeah.

The Mask of Zorro (1998) - Not unlike the Western genre, this Latino adventure firm can rely very heavily on typical themes, but Mask seamlessly combined them with Horner's penchant for low, heavy-handed brass.

A Beautiful Mind (2001) - Sure, it didn't really deserve Best Picture and all that, but it's probably the clearest example of everything Horner does best. "Kaleidoscope..." is such a great track it's been used in trailers all over.

Avatar (2009) - His last major effort (surprising he's held for a few years, eh?) Avatar must've been quite the undertaking. It's a big departure from what we're used to hearing from him, but it totally pays off in the sweeping epic.