the oscars

I admit I am one of the few people who did not watch the Oscars the other night. I actually never do. I get incredibly frustrated when critics tell me to see a movie that is “phenomenal” and they give two thumbs up and I think it’s terrible so I refuse to watch an awards show that focuses on many movies that I’ve never and most likely, will never see. It may be a tad out of spite, but I typically don't watch the movie that won 'Best Picture.'

But with that said, I heard Natalie Portman won best actress for her role in Black Swan. This is one award I completely agree with. The movie was a tad creepy and disturbing, but great and her acting was phenomenal. I also just really respect her as an actress and person.

On another Oscars note, I heard the two other movies I really want to see were big winners: True Grit and The Fighter. I hope to see both this weekend.

Woody Allen fan?

I would consider myself a Woody Allen fan, but I've only seen three of his films {Annie Hall, Match Point and Scoop}. So calling myself an Allen fan is like calling yourself a Yankees fan because you've heard of Derek Jeter. To fix this, I am going to watch what are considered by many to be Allen's top films.

I couldn't find an "official" top ten list of his movies, so I compiled one from the many lists I read. It appears that most people agree with the top ten, if not the order those are in. So rather than organize a list of movies that I haven't seen, I will simply watch them all in no particular order. The movies: Annie Hall, Manhattan, Hannah and Her Sisters, Radio Days, Manhattan Murder Mystery, Husbands and Wives, Crimes and Misdemeanors, The Purple Rose of Cairo, Sleeper and Love and Death.

I have already added these to my NetFlix and should receive at least two sometime this week. And sometime this month, I hope to finish all ten. {Or at least most considering the month is half gone. And it's February, so it's shorter.} I'll let you know if I can truly call myself a Woody Allen fan after I finish these movies.

{p.s. I absolutely hate the Yankees.}

{still shot from Annie Hall}

new moon

I jumped on the Twilight train a little late. So late that I didn't have to wait at all for a book release but instead read through all four in a couple weeks. {I have no patience so this worked out perfectly.}

It was tough waiting for the movies though. I was really excited for the New Moon release... until about a month ago. That's when the hype, anticipation and obsession just became a little too overwhelming. I don't want to choose 'Team Jacob' or 'Team Edward.' I don't want to be bombarded with advertisements, talk-show appearances and mentions every time I turn on the TV or flip open my computer. It's just too much; makes me lose interest.

A month ago I was really excited to see New Moon. Now, I think I may wait until it hits video stores.

{I also find both of the main characters to be slightly annoying.}

friendship terminations

I was dismissed as a friend the other day because I had not seen the movie Bullitt. While I don't believe we actually terminated our friendship at that moment, I understand loving something so much that you don't understand how others could not.

Therefore, I decided that I should watch Steve McQueen's action flick. After all, if this guy, "Crazy Tom," can dismiss friends on the basis of movie taste, the least I can do is watch Bullitt.

The movies I think qualify for "friendship termination": Casablanca, The Godfather, The Philadelphia Story, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof {Paul Newman version}, Life as a House and Band of Brothers {I know it's a series}... to name a few...

Movie Reviews: Thumbs Up and Down

State of Play: Thumbs WAY up

Great movie. As a journalism major, it makes me question Cal's ethics in pursuing the story and his compromising position,

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past: Little of both

It was entertaining but that's all. Definitely not a good storyline, but I had pretty high expectations because I love Jennifer Garner.

Sunshine Cleaning: Thumbs up

I thought it would be more of a comedy than it was but I enjoyed the touching moments. They definitely fit in the story, which was good. And I love Emily Blunt.

Away We Go: Thumbs down

Maybe if I finished the movie I would have liked it more. I couldn't make myself finish it though. It moved way too slow and I didn't find it funny at all, which is too bad because I love John Krasinski.

Sometimes Adults Need to Stop Acting Their Age

I think the world would be a happier place if grown-ups just took some time and watched one of their favorite childhood movies. No matter what's going on, it always makes me feel better.

There's no way you can be in a bad mood while watching cartoon animals talk and get into trouble.

{In no particular order, here are a few of my childhood favorites}

Land Before Time {I actually just watched this.}

The Sandlot

Now & Then

The Chipmunk Adventure

Rookie of the Year

Swiss Family Robinson {I still want a tree house.}

The Carebears Movie

AND any Disney movie (especially The Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast)

Movie Reviews: Thumbs Up and Down

Like I said before, I appreciate hearing friends' opinions on movies more than a critic's. Here's my thumbs up or down on a few movies I've seen recently.

I Love You, Man: Thumbs WAY up

Hilarious movie throughout. I wasn't a fan of Paul Rudd until a few years ago but now I swear he can't make a bad movie. They're all so funny. And Jason Segel is great also. Best part of the movie? The way Rudd's character Peter Klaven trips over his words... "totes my goats."

Plus, I'm developing a crush on SNL's Andy Samberg.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Thumbs up

I'm not as into the books as other people (for instance my sister who was far more critical than I), but I thought the movie was very entertaining and well made. I don't remember the small details of the book to notice the inconsistencies so I loved the movie. (But the second will always be the best.)

Ron Weasley is by far my favorite character in the books.

The Ugly Truth: Thumbs up

Hilarious movie and definitely one for the guys as well as the girls, though it does has the typical chick-flick ending with no surprises throughout. Entertaining.

17 Again: Thumb up and Thumb down

It was an entertaining movie but could have been much better. I guess I wasn't expecting an Oscar-worthy movie though considering it starred Zach Efron. I suggest watching it if you're looking for mindless entertainment.

I've seen a lot of movies lately but there are a few that I'm still dying to see: (500) Days of Summer, Funny People, Julie & Julia, G.I. Joe and, most of all, The Time Traveler's Wife.

Words Are Flying Out Like Endless Rain Into a Paper Cup

Maybe it's because I'm a Beatles nut, but I think everyone should watch the movie Across the Universe. The soundtrack is absolutely amazing. I was a little worried that I wouldn't like hearing someone other than John, Paul, George and Ringo play their songs, (I generally don't like covers) but everyone in the film was amazing. It's a great story also. Watch it.

p.s. I know I'm about 2 years late on this.

{image via coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee.com}

Musicals

I'm off to watch my cousin perform in the musical RENT at the Greendale Community Theatre. I'm so excited! RENT is one of my favorite musicals but if I had to chose just one.... it would be the Sound of Music. Hands down best musical ever! What's your favorite?

{photo via imdb.com}

Struggle. Hope. Triumph. Love.

My cousin Laura stars in RENT next week at the Greendale Community Theatre in Greendale, Wisconsin. She's playing Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist, and my favorite character in the play. I'm really proud of all the work she's put into the play and I can't wait to see it! Watch their video blog here.

It's definitely one of the best plays of my generation. I hope if you ever get the chance to see RENT in the theatre, you do.

Thumbs Up for Movies

I really appreciate when friends offer their opinions on movies I'm thinking of seeing. While I find most of Robert Ebert's reviews entertaining, I usually don't agree with parts... or the entire review.

I trust the opinions of my friends more. So I thought I’d pass on my opinion on a few movies I’ve seen recently. Here’s my thumbs up/thumbs down:

The Hangover: Thumbs Up.

Hilarious, though I'll probably never watch it again, it's a little too ridiculous for me.

The Proposal: Thumbs Up.

It revolves around several clichés, but is funny and entertaining nonetheless. Plus, I'm a big fan of Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock, they both have amazing comedic timing.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: Thumbs Up.

It's definitely not as funny or entertaining as the first one, but I still think it was cute. I wish Owen Wilson had a bigger part in this movie, his character is hilarious.

Star Trek: Thumbs WAY Up.

This is a very well-made movie. I was worried that a new sci-fi movie would overdo the special effects and ignore the storyline, but they found the right balance. After watching the original movies and television show, I've noticed how remarkably similar the new cast is to the original. I'm impressed.

Maybe I'm too easy on the reviews, or maybe I just lucked out on my movie choices lately.

Sparking Blue Eyes

My favorite part about old time Hollywood is how everyone was charming. Paul Newman was especially.

I loved everything about him. His innocence and desire to always help others. ("I didn't turn in my citizenship card when I got my screen actor's card.") The way he respected and loved his family. His political activism. His eyes. Oh, his eyes.

I fell in love with Paul Newman a long time ago and I think others will to when they see his movies. There's a huge difference between Hollywood now and Hollywood 50 years ago. Watch one of his movies and you'll see easily.

A few of my favorite Paul Newman movies: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Nobody's Fool, Slap Shot, Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Watch them. You'll be amazed and memorized.

"If my eyes should ever turn brown, my career is shot to hell." - Paul Newman.

{image via people.com}

Classic Movie Nights

Last night I went to a Doc films showing of 'An Affair to Remember' at University of Chicago in Hyde Park.

Sounds amazing, right? It was, but wasn't.

This was the last movie showing of the series, sad. But because I love classic movies so much, I'm going to start my own film series. (These things are supposed to have themes, right? And names, have to work on that part still.) Instead of showing Cary Grant movies like the series I went to, I'm going to show all Humphrey Bogart films. I think we're going to start with 'The Big Sleep' and end with the greatest film ever made-- 'Casablanca.'

So far, the audience includes my mom and I. No tickets necessary.

Compiling Lists

I've been compiling a reading, viewing and cooking list for quite a while now. I'm waiting for the afternoon I can curl up in a lawn chair in my backyard and read, the evening I can spend in front of my stove creating a delicious meal and the night I can lay down with a relaxing movie.

What's on the list?

A few books:

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts

Bombingham by Anthony Grooms

The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra

The Key to My Neighbor's House by Elizabeth Neuffer

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A few movies:

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

The Dirty Dozen

A Streetcar Named Desire

Rudy

A few meals:

Roasted eggplant

Lamb burgers

Sesame salmon steaks

(Or maybe I could finish the 100 Books List I mentioned before)

Gloomy Day

Today was a really gloomy day. To make myself feel better, I made hot chocolate, wrapped up in a blanket, and watched my favorite movie- Casablanca.

Artistic Taste of a Man

I’ve been told many times that I have very depressing taste in books. And yet, I can’t get myself to buy any "girly" books like ones by Nicholas Sparks (which I’ve heard can also be sad but is still probably better than Children of Jihad by Jared Cohen, my current obsession).

My friend John and I recently went to a bookstore together where he teased me about my choice in books- yet again. I don’t understand why, if a guy can read books targeted at women, I can’t. I honestly do not have any interest in reading books like Confessions of a Shopaholic-- the movie was painful enough.

I guess I just have the literature, musical and cinematic taste of a man. (Well, most men.)

No More Hildy

I sat in on a meeting yesterday about 'disruptive innovation' and the changing news media. It made me sad.

I understand that newspapers are fading, online journalism is exploding and my only choice is to adapt or be left behind, but it still makes me sad. I grew up thinking that all journalists were like Hildy Johnson in 'His Girl Friday,' brass, bold and dogged in the pursuit of stories.

I suppose they still are, let's hope that never changes, but story presentation certainly has.

Paris, Je T'aime

J'adore le film Paris, je t'aime. It weaves together almost twenty different romantic stories, all taking place in the city of love. I know what you're thinking: there's no way twenty different stories can blend together to make a focused movie. BUT THEY DO. Limiting each story to 5 minutes allows the movie to show many different kinds of love that all fuse together nicely.

The movie received so much praise at the Cannes Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival in 2006, that it led to a similarly written movie based in the big apple: New York, I Love You.

New York, I Love You, which has a star-studded cast, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2008 and is set to be released in 2009. I can't wait!

Leave The Gun. Take The Cannoli.

I finally bought The Godfather. I know, it's basically the epitome of a man's movie, but I LOVE it. I really don't know why it took me this long to buy it.

Those who know me well, know that I have a weird fascination with the Italian mob. (Sometimes I wish I was Italian.) The Sopranos? Loved it. Goodfellas? Amazing. The Godfather? The original, the best.

My dad's cousin once had a sit-down to make a deal with a mob boss. He needed booze for his wedding. It was probably one of the best stores I've heard.

Disney Movies Make Me Cry

I grew up on Disney movies, but because I grew up on Disney movies, I will probably never actually grow up. I love watching cartoons.

Even though Saturday morning cartoons don't come close to what they were when I was a kid, Disney has continued to make great movies. I really like the Pixar ones too.

I just watched Wall-E the other day and it is absolutely adorable. I'm always impressed by how animators are able to convey emotion. While deer do not actually talk or fairy godmothers exist, I still get worked up over the emotion that is very real.

If you could be any Disney character, who would you be? Cinderella, for sure.