My Super Bowl, the Oscars, are on this Sunday! Who else is so so excited! Unfortunately this will be the first year I don't get to watch the telecast live, but I've got my predictions, ballot, and DVR all fired up and ready to go nonetheless! If you are into this stuff as much as I am, or need suggestions to win your office pool, or just want to read what I think will go down on Sun night, read on (my predicted winners are in bold).
Best Supporting Actor & Best Supporting Actress
These two categories are the most boring of the night, just cause the winners are pretty much locked. From the beginning of the awards season, Christopher Waltz (Inglorious Basterds) and Monique (Precious) have pretty much dominated, and so they are gonna walk away with the coveted awards. There is a slight chance someone other than Waltz will win Supporting Actor (maybe Stanley Tucci or Woody Harrelson), but Monique is a definite. The other ladies should just be thankful to be nominated, cause there is no chance any of them are taking home the Oscar this year.
Best Adapted Screenplay/Best Original Screenplay
For the Adapted Screenplay, I'm gonna go with Up in the Air. The movie had reallly good buzz towards the beginning of the season, but lost its steam in the midst of the whole Avatar/Hurt Locker buzz that started taking over. The Academy will reward the movie in this category. As for Original Screenplay, I'm thinking its a battle between The Hurt Locker and Inglorious Basterds, but I'm gonna go with the latter because The Hurt Locker will win bigger awards. But you never know, the warm crowd pleaser Up might sneak in enough votes to steal the prize.
Best Actor & Best Actress
Jeff Bridges also pretty much has the Best Actor on a lockdown, but I'm secretly hoping Colin Firth (who is just so dreamy) steals it. Even though Colin just won a BAFTA a couple of weeks ago (the British Oscars), I still think Bridges will win. The Best Actress category is my favorite one this year, because there is no clear winner. Sandra Bullock has pretty much won everything leading up to this, and while that may seem like she is going to win, her role in The Blind Side isn't usually what garners a Best Actress win. So while the awards season has been good to her, she might likely lose to seasoned veteran Meryl Streep, or newcomer Carey Mulligan. I really hope Bullock wins and I'm gonna say she will, but I will so not be surprised if she goes home empty handed Sunday night.
Best Director
This comes down to the battle of the exes-- Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) used to be married to James Cameron (Avatar), and now they are the frontrunners for this coveted award. History will be made if Bigelow wins; she will be the first female winner ever, which is kinda sad, no? Come on Academy! Or, come on, female directors! =P I think she will win. Unless...
Best Picture
Now, I'm pretty sure The Hurt Locker is going to win. Avatar may be the bigger movie, but out of the 10 Best Picture nominees, no other movie had as much critical praise behind it as the Hurt Locker. But like I said, Avatar is the bigger movie, in all senses of the word. Critics may not have been super impressed with its storyline and dialogue, but you can't overlook how well the movie turned out. Now, if Kathryn wins Best Director for The Hurt Locker, the Academy might reward James Cameron with a Best Picture win. And vice versa- Cameron for Director, the Hurt Locker for Best Picture. But. I honestly think, the night is gonna belong to The Hurt Locker, for both Best Picture and Director.
AHHHH I LOVE THE OSCARS.
Friday, March 5, 2010
2010 Academy Award Predictions!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2009 Entertainers of the Year: #1
Last year I bestowed the honor to the multitalented Tina Fey, and this year, the honor goes to... TAYLOR SWIFT!
Goodness gracious, who had a better year this year than Taylor?? She solidified herself as a bona fide star, transcending above the country music genre and outselling pretty much every artist in every category this year (who is not named Michael Jackson). After supporting other artists on their tours in previous years, her first solo tour sold out in minutes (and I know this firsthand cause I was not able to get tickets for her show... SAD) :( She became the youngest artist ever to win Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year. On top of winning AMAs, Grammys, and every other award throughout the year. She proved to be charming and funny, hosting the best episode of Saturday Night Live this season. And of course, who can forget the infamous Kanye-gate, which could have been a complete disaster had it not been for the complete grace and class this 20 year old displayed throughout the whole thing. Not to mention, her album, Fearless, is pretty darn good, people.
So... there you have it, my pick for Entertainer of the Year (she is also Billboard's pick, as well as AP's pick). As a fan, I'm looking forward to 2010 for her, as she is currently writing new songs for a new record due out sometime later this year, and being up for numerous Grammys coming up in February. Rock on, Taylor Swift!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
2009 Entertainers of the Year: #3 and # 2!
#3) Jay-Z and Lady Gaga (tie)
Two artists who are completely different from each other (in every possible way), one a musical legend practically, and one who burst onto the scene in the year, dominated the charts in 09.
Jay-Z released his 11th studio album, The Blueprint 3, in September, and was met with favor from critics and fans alike. It became his 11th album to reach #1 on the Billboard charts, surpassing Elvis Presley's previous record with the most #1 albums. It also is the second best selling hip hop album of all time. The album has spawned hit after hit, but most notably, produced what is now NYC's unofficial anthem: Empire State of Mind. The Jay-Z train does not seem to be slowing into the New Year, he is embarking on a nationwide tour for the album, which will go well into 2010 (I'll be at the March show in Jersey, hollla!).
Lady Gaga is probably one of the most talked about artist of the year, and not only for her music. She pretty much became a cultural phenomenon, with all of her crazy outfits, even crazier performances, and, let's face it, catchy songs. In the annual Google zeitgeist, the Haus of Gaga was the most searched image of the year. Though her debut album came out in the summer of 08, but it seems like 09 is when she really caught on fire, with the string of hits-- Poker Face, Paparazzi, Bad Romance. I'm slightly scared of her, but I do kinda enjoy her antics. She's also embarking on a concert tour for her recently released album The Fame Monster, so there is no way we won't be seeing more of her in 2010.
#2) Michael Jackson
What can be said about Michael Jackson that hasn't already been covered a billion times in the past six months since his untimely passing in June? The world lost a true pop cultural icon, but ironically he ended up entertaining us even when he is no longer with us. His death brought upon hours and hours of coverage, surrounding his mysterious life and death, but more importantly, reminded us all of the impact he has had on the pop culture landscape. Reissues of his albums and singles sold through the roof, people lined up to pay tribute, millions tuned into his funeral coverage. And This is It, a concert film made from the footage of his This is It tour rehearsals was released in October, doing well at the box office. The man in the mirror might be gone, but in his passing Michael Jackson proved that he is a true legacy that spans generational gaps.
Monday, December 28, 2009
2009 Entertainers of the Year: #5 and #4!
Last year, I created a list of my top 5 entertainers of 2008, and this year, I'm doing the same for the year 2009. I know we only have 4 more days left before the year's end, so before the week's end, I will post the 5 entertainers who have made their mark in pop culture. Last year's #5 went to Robert Downey Jr., and this year it is...
#5) The Glee cast.
No other tv show this season, new or returning, had as much buzz around it as the dramedy musical Glee. FOX took a chance on this one-of-a-kind show, and it paid off. While it is not a ratings juggernaut, it does average a healthy 8 million viewers a week, and the songs performed on the show are consistently in the top 25 iTunes songs chart. Sold out mall tours, the cast singing the National Anthem at the World Series, succeessful release of 2 soundtracks-- the show is heading strong into the new year, having been picked up for the rest of the season, no problem. Funny, smart, full of heart, and of course, those musical numbers! Such entertaining stuff. Though the show will not be returning until April 2010, we have plenty to tide us over (seriously, buy/download the soundtracks, STAT) as well as looking forward to the rest of the season when it does return (more musical numbers per episode! a Madonna-centric episode! surprise guest stars!). If the Glee phenomenon keeps going the way it has been, I would not be surprised to see them on this list again next year.
#4) Sandra Bullock
Like last year's #4 Britney Spears, Sandra Bullock had hell of a comeback this year. Ok, so she never really went away anywhere to have a comeback, but she basically solidified her place as a money-making leading lady with 2 big successful films this year. In the summer she starred in a romantic comedy called The Proposal, which surpassed everyone's expectations by bringing in over $300 million worldwide. Her latest effort, The Blind Side, is already on its way to raking over $200 million at the box office. Not only has she proven to be bankable, but she has just been nominated for 2 Golden Globes for each of the movies, and she's been steadily garnering Oscar buzz for the Blind Side. Not bad for an actress in her mid-40s, right? And a consistently working one at that! I personally really love her, so I'm super glad for all of the success she has had this year.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
.. And all was right in the world.
When it comes down to shows on Discovery Channel, sometimes I feel like I am one of the few girls to watch it. When a friend recently met THE Mythbusters (Adam and Jamie!), I was sad to see that I was the only girl who knew who they were, let alone be impressed with such a meeting. Sadbones, I know.
But I'm pretty sure that pretty much everyone has at least heard of Man VS. Wild, starring THE MAN, Bear Grylls. Sure, some of the scenarios are staged, and it is disputable as to whether or not Bear Grylls can actually survive in the random, secluded spots he is supposedly dropped off at .. but when it comes down to watching either Man VS. Wild or Surivorman, I will gladly choose the former (mainly because Bear is easier on the eyes; sorry Les Stroud, but your harmonica skillz have nothing on Bear :x).
Anyway, best.news.ever: Discovery Channel announced at their upfront yesterday that Will Ferrell will be a guest in an upcoming episode for Man VS. Wild!!
It feels like the world will explode from such awesomeness. Because in case you didn't know, I think Will Ferrell is pretty awesome, too (yeah, I eventually forgave him for horrible films such as Talladega Nights, Semi-Pro, and that horrible figure skating one..).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
WTF is going on with Joaquin?
Joaquin, Joaquin, Joaquin.
Sure, you have hippie parents. And duh, your brother was River Phoenix. You had to deal with a lot of stuff growing up because of the combination of the two, as well as the unfortunate death of your brother.
But you showed them all. You made a name for yourself. Literally - I mean, your name used to be Leaf!
But now .. WTF is up with you? The nasty hair. The beard. And .. the rapping?
Please say that you are kidding. Because you suck at it. And also .. why? Why, why, why?
It has to be some sort of PR stunt (especially since Casey Affleck is filming your start into your supposed rap career). If not, then dag, son, you are totally losing it.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Etta James is Pissed! (Who is Etta James?)
If you're angry and you know it diss the President and Beyonce. Etta James is really angry. James, the 4 time Grammy Award winner, took a shot at both President Barack Obama and Beyonce, who played James in the movie Cadillac Record. The verbal slap down occurred during a concert in Seattle a few days ago.
James said, "You guys know your President, right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain't my President, he might be yours, he ain't my President. You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song - she's going to get her a*s whipped. "The great Beyonce. I can't stand Beyonce! She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' President day, singing my song that I've been singing forever."
At last. An angry old woman. Neither the White House nor Beyonce has commented on the matter.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Movie Trailer of the Day: 17 Again
I have my fair share of young Hollywood crushes. Sadness, I know. But one of my top crushes is Zac Efron -_- I'm a bit ashamed to admit it, but I seriously heart the High School Musical series :x
Anyway, I really can't wait for 17 Again to pop out in theaters. Sure, Zac Efron gets to don the basketball shorts and play a star basketball player (like in High School Musical), but the tipping point for me was Matthew Perry, otherwise known as Chandler Bing, my favorite actor from Friends! :) But besides those two elements, 17 Again looks like a wholesome-ish movie, and sometimes I'm just in the mood for a nice family movie.
Sure Zac Efron isn't really spreading his wings too far away from his humble HSM beginnings, nor has Matthew Perry had a decent flick since the end of Friends, but a girl can have hopes, right?
17 Again is set to be released in theaters on April 17, 2009.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Golden Globes Recap!
The 2009 Golden Globes were last night, and after last year's press conference style ceremony (due to the Writer's Strike), they were back in full swing with the lavish party, where the free-flowing booze always elicits hilarious unscripted moments from the stars. 3+ hours of anything is bound to have snooze moments, but I like sitting through all of it. And seeing how well I do on my predictions. Kate's double wins kinda threw off my score, but other than that I did well. Here are my thoughts on the night.
TV
* They have got to stop lumping made-for-tv movies in with drama and comedy in the Best Supporting Actor/Actress category. SO NOT THE SAME THING. Guys, how is Neil Patrick Harris going to win one of these things if he's competing with like past Oscar winners for their roles in TV movies??
* Nothing but love for 30 Rock- sweeping Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Actress. Ok, I get it. I love the show, I think it's amazing, I think they are so deserving. But enough. Next year, bring it back to the Office, ok? It has yet to take home a GG for Best Comedy. It deserves to.
MOVIES
* Slumdog Millionaire wins BIG - 3 of the biggest awards- Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, plus Best Original Score (I can attest to this, I LOVE the soundtrack). With these 4 wins, Slumdog has officially become the frontrunner for all of these categories at the Oscars. As amazing as the movie is however, I still don't see this movie winning the Oscar for Best Picture. The Academy tends to be traditional and favor things uber dramatic (like Revolutionary Road) or uber epic (like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), but this has now become the film to beat. The little movie that could! EXCITING. Let the race begin.
* Kate Winslet wins 2 GGs in one night, something not achieved since like 1989 or something like that. No one was more surprised than Kate herself, who stumbled through her 2 acceptance speeches with "ums" and "oh my gods". I teared when she made Leo tear with her "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH" speech, and cheered when she forgot Angelina Jolie- "I'm sorry Anne, Meryl, Kristin. Oh God, who is the other one??". I have no doubt she will be a double nominee come Oscar time. Sorry Anne Hathaway, you are no longer the front runner for Best Actress.
* To no one's surprise, Heath Ledger won the Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Dark Knight. Director Christopher Nolan accepted on his behalf, and delivered a short, sweet speech. He is going to be win the posthumous Oscar for this, I know it. And yes, he was amazing in that movie, and I'm sure he would be winning all these nominations if he were alive, but a part of me wonders if he would be winning the awards as well. Probably not.
Red Carpet
I didn't love any one's dress in particular. I liked Eva Longoria's red Reem Acra, a lot, but my favorite is Isla Fischer's Carlos Miele gown. She is so cute.
Worst dressed definitely goes to Renee Zellweger. Wth is that? The hair, the dress, it's all a mess. Ladies, just don't wear sheer things on the red carpet. Pleeeeease. When I wasn't distracted by Ms. Squinty Eyes/Big Unnecessary Pout's face, I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on under her gown. Not good.
Taylor Lautner is HAWT!
New Moon is probably my 2nd favorite book in the Twilight series (the first being Twilight, duh!). When I heard all the drama about the casting for Jacob Black in New Moon, I was all for Taylor Lautner, because I felt bad for the poor kid; afterall, his tv show gig (My Own Worst Enemy) did get canceled .. and losing the role of Jacob Black would've been devastating for his career.
But Taylor Lautner hung in there, and worked his ass off to show Stephenie Meyer, newly appointed director Chris Weitz, and the Twilight fans that he could maintain the role. And damn, that kid must've really wanted the job.
However, now that it's all official, I'm left wondering if Taylor Lautner can do justice to the character of Jacob Black (link may contain spoilers!). Sure, he's got the boyish looks and charms for the first film, and now the muscle and brawn for the second film .. but can he really do it? Looks like winning the role was just half the battle, but maybe he could prove fans and critics wrong, just as co-star Robert Pattinson did.
Anyway, here's a clip from Access Hollywood, showing the newly muscled Taylor Lautner discussing his upcoming role in New Moon:
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 1) Tina Fey
Well, kiddies, we made it to #1 on my countdown for Entertainer of the Year. Comedian/leading actress/writer Tina Fey beat out Twilight, the Beijing Olympics, Britney Spears, and Robert Downey Jr. for the title. The Associated Press actually stole my thunder last week when they announced her as their pick for Entertainer of the Year. And with good reason! In 2008 alone, Tina won an Emmy, continued producing/writing/acting on 30 Rock, was a leading voice in the Writer's Strike, proved she had star power to open a Hollywood movie, and, who can forget, turned in one of the most memorable impressions EVER as Alaskan governor Sarah Palin.
Let's see just how awesome 2008 was to Tina. In April her first starring role in a film was released, and Baby Mama went on to gross over $60 million at the box office. At the Emmy Awards in September, she won her first acting Emmy for 30 Rock, effectively squashing talk that she's just not that great of an actress. 30 Rock, a show she executive produces and writes for as well, went on to win for Best Writing and Best Comedy Series. And to prove that she has star power- earlier this year, she talked about wanting Oprah to guest star on 30 Rock, and well, it totally happened. In addition, she became $5 million richer, with a sweet little book deal.
But really, even without all of the stuff I listed, she would've taken home the Entertainer of the Year title for one of the greatest political impressions of all time- her take on Sarah "You Betcha!" Palin. Her cameos on Saturday Night Live (where she was the first female head writer until she left in 2006) gave the show some of its best ratings in a LONG time, as well as helping 30 Rock's ratings in return. In a year that could be defined by the exciting presidential race, Fey's Palin impression made political sketches and impressions as relevant as the real-life candidates themselves. It's hard to be simultaneously entertaining while giving people something to really think about, and that is what Tina Fey's Sarah Palin was. I love her because she is more than just a pretty face. She is smart, she is a writer, she is a nerd, she is Entertainer of the Year.
Monday, December 29, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 2) The Twilight Phenomenon
Much has already been discussed on this blog about the Twilight series, both the books and the film. For restoring interest in reading again, the Entertainer of the Year title goes to the 4 books that make up the Twilight series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. For the author who created the most talked about fictional characters we've seen in awhile, the Entertainer of the Year title goes to Stephenie Meyer. For the actors who made those characters come to life on the big screen and made tween girls squeal with delight, the Entertainer of the Year title goes to Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and the rest of the Twilight cast. And for the millions of teen girls, not-so-teen-anymore girls, and everyone else who took part in the phenomenon, the Entertainer of the Year title also goes to you. You can see where I'm going with this? Collectively, everyone and everything involved with Twilight mania is my pick for 2008 Entertainer of the Year #2 spot.
The Twilight phenomenon is actually nothing new, but it reached its peak in 2008. The first book was published back in 2005 to a lot of fanfare, leading to 3 sequels, the last of which was released this past August to a frenzy. Books don't usually drive people in droves to to their nearest bookstore, so the fact that the last book in the series, Breaking Dawn, sold 1.3 million copies in the first day of its release is super impressive. And of course, we had the film version of Twilight, which also broke all kinds of crazy records when it was released in November. By mid-December, Twilight has grossed over $175 million. It has also made superstars out of the young cast, especially Robert Pattinson, who made girls all over the country swoon and faint with his every move, and who now regularly graces the pages of US Weekly and other tabloids.
It doesn't look like the Twilight mania will die down anytime soon in 2009. Production/filming of the second movie, New Moon, is set to begin in March, with a goal of a November release. With director/cast shakeups already, the film is going to be much talked about throughout the year even before it is released. So, Twilight fans, congratulations on being a part of a huge pop culture phenomenon, and see you back here next year!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 3) 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
What to say about the month of August '08 other than that it was freakin' awesome. And it was so awesome for one reason- the Beijing Olympics, or the Games of the XXIX Olympiad as it is officially known. For 16ish glorious days, we were treated to a barrage of 10,500 athletes, 302 events, 28 sports, 43 new world records and 132 new Olympics records set. In the US, NBC Universal paid lots of money for the sole rights of broadcasting the Olympics, and it paid off- the Summer Games became the most viewed event in American TV history, with 211 million people tuning in for the 16 days of coverage. Worldwide, some 4.7 billion viewers watched the Games, compared to 3.9 billion who tuned into the 2004 Athens Games.
The 2008 Summer Olympics was so entertaining for numerous reasons. We had the stars- the record breaking Michael Phelps, the "World's Fastest Man" Usain Bolt, the director of the spectacular Opening Ceremony Zhang Yimou. We had the heartbreak- Chinese hurdler/national hero Liu Xiang unable to compete in his home country due to a busted Achilles tendon, US men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon's father in law dying of wounds from a knife-wielding man on the first full day of competition. And oh, the controversies- people protesting China's human rights abuses and crackdown in Tibet, which made the Olympic torch relay difficult, threats of terrorist attacks, and boycotts before the Games, and of course, questioning the age of the Chinese women's gymnast team, most of whom barely looked 12, let alone the minimum competing age of 16.
All in all, controversies and pre-Games worries aside, the 2008 Beijing Olympics is widely received to be a logistical success, as well as boosting the national pride of the Chinese people, who fought so hard to be a host of the Games. I was not as invested in the Athens Games 4 years ago, and so the 2008 Games made me realize just how amazing the Olympics are. The dedication and perseverance of the athletes, who spend pretty much 4 years of their lives training and training for this one moment on the world's biggest stage, it's pretty amazing to think about. And it shined the spotlight on some of my faves- the 41 year old swimmmer Dara Torres and the bubbly gymnast Shawn Johnson- proving that the Olympics really are about anyone and everyone- young and old, from all walks of life and from all corners of the earth. Amazing. See you in London, 2012!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 4) Britney Spears
Are you surprised? I think not. Just like Robert Downey Jr., B. Spears has had a hell of a comeback this year (she says she doesn't like that word, but really, who are we kidding). She started 2008 in the psych ward, which cost her custody of her sons and forced her father to become the conservator of her estate, effectively ending her freedom. Up to that point, every time she did something bad (shaving off her head, beating up a paparazzi car with an umbrella, the 2007 MTV Music Video Awards performance), I'd be horrified, asking myself if things could get any worse. And then she'd go and do something that answered my question with a resounding YES. Except...
Starting in February, all of the unflattering paparazzi shots of her stumbling out of nightclubs and not wearing underwear started being replaced with semi-flattering shots of her doing things like going to the dance studio. Going into the recording studio. Going to Bally's and working out. Reconnecting with her old manager Larry Rudolph and her formerly estranged parents. And then came her well-received 2 guest appearances on How I Met Your Mother. Well, things really started looking uphill from there. She won 3 MTV Music Video Awards in September, her single "Womanizer" hit #1 in October, MTV aired a much talked about documentary called "Britney: For the Record" in November, and her 6th studio album, Circus, was released on her 27th birthday in December. The album sold over 500,000 copies its first week, easily doubling the first-week sales of her last effort, Blackout.
Hopefully 2009 will be another good year for Ms. Spears. She is starting her worldwide tour in March (I'll see you at the 3/14 show in Newark!!), and after that, who knows. Like Robert Downey Jr., Britney had done everything she possibly could to ruin her career, yet she's managed to turn her mess of a life around and show the world what she is capable of. Move over Rihanna, Katy Perry, and anyone else who was just keeping the Princess of Pop seat warm for her triumphant return. Britney Spears is a phoenix- just when you think she's down and out, she rises from the ashes better than ever. Take that, bitches.
Monday, December 22, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 5) Robert Downey Jr.
My life = pop culture and entertainment. It's really the only thing I know, love, and can talk at length about without ever getting sick of it. So it's fitting that since it is the end of the year, and 2008 was, as entertaining as ever, that I have put together my list of the top entertainers of the year. A single person or a phenomenon, each of my top five has played a part in making their mark on pop culture this year.
The number 5 spot belongs to actor Robert Downey Jr., who had a hell of a comeback year in 2008. After a tumultuous period in the late 90s where he was arrested numerous times on drug related charges, it's good to see someone get clean and put his talent to good use. The part of Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, was practically written for him, and great reviews and a great performance from Downey opened the 2008 summer blockbuster season with a bang. Iron Man made $98 million in its opening weekend, and worldwide, it has brought in over $500 million. He soon followed that up with Tropic Thunder, another well-received film in which he puts on 'blackface' and portrays a method actor playing an African American soldier.
Though Iron Man and Tropic Thunder came out in the summer, Downey is still reveling in the success of the two films. This month, Iron Man has topped many critics' best of the year lists, and he's received both Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for his performance in Tropic Thunder. He is currently shooting Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes, and next year will start work on Iron Man 2. After spending years doing everything possible to ruin his career, it's good to see this movie star back on top.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
30 Rock is the New Will & Grace!
Stunt casting is a well-known phenomenon in Hollywood, especially in the TV world, when producers bring in the big names to boost ratings or give their shows a much-needed buzz. Probably the biggest stunt casting this year so far was Britney Spears's two appearances on How I Met Your Mother. But before Britney and before HIMYM, there was a show known for its stunt casting, and it was Will & Grace. To name a few of the stars who had made an appearance on the show in its 8 year run: Britney, Jack Black, Macaulay Caulkin, Ellen DeGeneres, Matt Damon, Madonna, Demi Moore, Seth Green, Luke Perry, J.Lo, Janet Jackson, Elton John. And I've only named a couple. =P While stunt casting can be fun and bring tons of publicity for the show, it can totally backfire by making the show look desperate and therefore, have fans screaming that it "jumped the shark."
One of our favorite shows, 30 Rock, has been making headlines recently for its stunt casting, and the season hasn't even begun yet. In the first 2 seasons, 30 Rock has had an impressive number of big names already- Al Gore, Conan O'Brien, Jerry Seinfeld, LL Cool J, Paul Reubens (aka Pee-wee Herman), David Schwimmer, to name a few. Well, what can you expect in the coming season? First there was news that Will Arnett would be returning. Cool, LOVE HIM. Then came word that Jennifer Aniston will be playing Tina Fey's character's ex-roommate, marking her first return to TV since Friends. And last week, it was reported that media goddess herself, Oprah Winfrey, is in final talks to make an appearance. Hey, 30 Rock! You're SO the new Will & Grace.
Except... I for one, am very excited. I'm excited about TV season in general, and the return of the show. Stunt casting is only stunt casting when the show is in the creative dumps and the producers are scrambling to substitute star power in place of quality. 30 Rock has had a stream of guest stars since the beginning, and creatively, it's still been the same hilarious show. And since brilliance doesn't always translate into ratings gold, I hope these stars give the show the push it needs to give it a season pass on people's Tivos. 30 Rock returns Thursday, Oct. 1.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Must List for August 26th, 2008
I sometimes have questionable taste, but I do like loudly and proudly declaring the things I like, and hoping that it catches on with people. So, here are 5 things I'm into this week. (btw, I copied this idea from Entertainment Weekly, as it is one of my favorite features from them.)
1) OMG, Gossip Girl. It took me 3 months, but I FINALLY watched the first season finale, which aired back in May. So addicting, I don't know why I waited so long. The second season premiere is next week, Sept 1, at 8PM on the CW. You can watch the first 3 minutes of the premiere here.
2) Duffy's Warwick Avenue. The song, the video, all of it. I was first introduced to the song when I happened to catch it on VH1 in the morning, and it's a really simple video of her sitting in the back of a taxi, crying as she is lip-synching the song. But the simplicity of it, combined with Duffy's real emotions (I mean, she's crying and you know she's not an actor) is really moving. So is the song.
3) The boys of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Yes, the magical movie/books are about the girls, but in the movie, all of their love interests are HOT. Ladies, say hello to Leonardo Nam (my favorite), Jesse Williams, Michael Rady, and Tom Wisdom. Yeah, you're welcome.
4) New York, I Love You. The trailer for the movie hit the web this week, and I LOVE it. What is not to like about Natalie Portman, Shia LeBeouf, Olivia Thirlby, Rachel Bilson and co, in an ode to the city that never sleeps? This is a take off on one of my favorite movies, Paris Je t'aime, a series of vignettes on the city of lights. Rumors have it that Tokyo is the next city to get the special treatment.
5) Rockband. Yeah, ok so like it's been out for awhile but I don't get to play it all that often, which is why when I do, I get obsessed. But, I have to say, I'm pretty good at the vocals (for the songs I know, anyway), and my song of choice is Yeah Yeah Yeah's Maps. I'm currently working towards getting a 100% on the hard/expert level. Our band is called Herpee Slurpee, coming to a city near you.
Monday, July 28, 2008
[Feature] Posthumous Fame (and Heath Ledger)
As said in a previous post, The Dark Knight exceeded all expectations for me. Sure, a lot of people might think that the film itself is overhyped and just a “good movie,” rather than a great film, but in my opinion, what makes The Dark Knight such a great film is the late Heath Ledger’s performance. I mean, for a movie with a PG-13 rating, the movie gave me enough chills, without the excess of blood and violence. Now talks about a posthumous Oscar nomination for Ledger seems to be the talk of Tinsel Town, which is debatable amongst both the elite in Hollywood, as well as film critics, and fans.
In terms of posthumous fame (that is, fame after death), there are three important factors in understanding how and why the dead are preserved in our society: the role of media (and digital media), collective remembering (and storytelling), as well as the fans themselves.
The Dark Knight has been continuously sold out at theaters across the states, even after its July 18th release. Many are flocking to the theaters because of their love for the comic series. But besides the fanboys of the Batman series, the film has been selling out due to the curiosity around Heath Ledger's last performance before his untimely death.
It’s common to see a celebrity rise to fame after such a rousing performance, but posthumous fame amongst deceased celebrities has been a fad in Hollywood for some time now. This reflects the importance of society and the role it plays in keeping the dead alive through memory; because of our susceptibility to popular culture, as a society, we are infatuated with any sort of celebrity - more typically, movie stars. And death? Well, death is part of our lives, whether we like it or not, so it piques the mind in various, curious ways.
When dealing with death in general, as a society we tend to communally share in mourning with those associated with the dead. But when denied attendance to a beloved celebrity’s funeral, fans turn to online “webshrines,” such as website memorials, online discussions in message boards, etc., to build a community amongst mourners, negotiating conflicting feelings over death, and immortalizing and magnifying the dead.
In remembering the almost mythicized actors, such as James Dean, we engage in collective remembering and storytelling as a social interaction with one another, as stories about the celebrity are a kind of currency of social imagination. And finally, as a society we identify with those similar to us, in order to establish a sense of interpersonal connection, such as in the case with fans believing that James Dean identifies with them (a la, Rebel Without A Cause), as they identify with him. By viewing a celebrity to be something more personal to us, fans tend to see themselves in an active relationship with their idol, thus keeping them in loyal even after their deaths.
But I'm not saying that Heath Ledger is the James Dean of our generation. I mean, personally, I was never infatuated with James Dean (mostly because it wasn't something that happened during my lifetime), but Heath Ledger has always been a modest actor in my eyes. I LOVED him in The Patriot, and thought he was decent in Ten Things I Hate About You (yeah, I have yet to see Brokeback Mountain, but I will). But when it all comes down to it, Ledger made the Joker his own, thus resulting in a really chilling performance, and his death has nothing to do with it.
Sure, you can blame the media for building buzz around his performance, thus over-hyping the film for you, and his hardcore fans for making a big deal for their beloved actor, but if you have seen the movie, think about how the movie would've been like without him. Kind of lame, right?
And that's why he was that good. And that's why he has the right for posthumous recognition. So for all those who are saying that Heath Ledger doesn't deserve any sort of recognition for his performance and is really getting an Oscar nod just because he's dead, suck on it.
And I'll end it with this quote from (you guessed it!) The Office:
Michael Scott: Game, set, match. Point. Scott. Game over. End of game.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Disappointment of the Day
This is the first poster for the upcoming Dragonball movie. As a huge fan of the series, I can't do anything but look at it with fear and loathing.
I think the trouble is that the characters in the anime look too cartoonish to be live-action. I mean, I've never seen someone and thought to myself, "Man, that guy looks exactly like Goku!"
Seriously, this whole thing is giving me visions of the Street Fighter movie.
*Shudder*
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Entertainment Service of the Day: Maghound
One of my favorite entertainment-related things in the world is Netflix. For a small monthly price, you get your choice of DVD(s) when you want them, and you can keep them for however long you want. Since its inception, we've seen other online rental/swapping services (books, videogames, etc), but nothing has piqued my attention like Maghound, set to launch in September. The brainchild of Time Inc, the service will work the same way as Netflix does, but with magazines. For about $5/mo, you get 3 mags, from their collection of 300 titles so far. Of course, you'll pay more if you want more titles per month, but considering one magazine costs around $5 at the newsstands, this is a great deal. I'm excited because I usually buy magazines based on the cover model/feature stories anyway, and so not being locked into a subscription with one title is awesome. And hopefully, this will revive the fast-declining magazine industry, or at least give it a boost. Sign up at Maghound to be notified of when the site and service go live.
