Holiday Pics

Sure, we all know the quintessential, holiday classics that are aired far too frequently during this season. Yes, they are wonderful films, but no film deserves 24-hour coverage (perhaps especially "The Christmas Story"). On the other hand, there are burgeoning new favorites that are occasionally overlooked and undervalued by preferring nostalgia.

But why can't we settle in with the most comfy blanket in the house and a cup of our favorite tea, coffee, or hot chocolate of amazing (assuming we have successfully handed in our last term paper and successfully satiated the Finals gods)? Tis the season for time off and gaining a reprieve before the new year. And here are just a few movies with which I intend to indulge myself in lieu of thinking about self, Other, and other philosophical demands.


Love Actually

1. Colin Firth and his corresponding plot
2. Hugh Grant adds another stellar performance (I hear some of you objecting to skeaziness in his personal affairs, but he is a wonderful actor)
3. Oh, Alan Rickman...
4. There is no primary plot-line, yet they all complement each other
   

Bridget Jones' Diary

1. All three of the main actors are fabulous.
2. Colin Firth's character. Enough said.
3. Bridget gives girls hope for being awkward, capable of saying and doing the completely wrong thing, yet finding their Mr. Darcy.
4. Spending New Year's with vodka and Chaka Khan




The Grinch

1. BAH WHO DOH RAY, MA HOO RAH DAY...
2. Max as a reindeer
3. Leiderhosen -- "Ooo. Aaahh. Mmmm... That's it, I'm not going."
4. 4:00, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one; 5:30, jazzercize; 6:30, dinner with me - I can't cancel that again; 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing...

When Harry Met Sally

1. Restaurant scene
2. Enough said.












Elf

1. Jack-in-the-box
2. SAAAANNNTTAAA! I know him! I KNOW him!
3. You sit on a thrown of lies.
4. Singing in a store
   

And the Nominees Are...

The Golden Globe nominations are officially out! [And what better time to resurrect a truant blog?]

FILM!

Best Motion Picture - Drama

• Black Swan
• The Fighter
• Inception
• The King's Speech
• The Social Network

I have only seen "Inception" and "The Social Network." However, having hated the latter for its objectification of women and overall depressing portrayal of interpersonal relationships, I vehemently oppose its inclusion in this category. On the other hand, "Inception" receives my vote. It may be far too over-hyped in current pop-culture, but the story line is creative and brilliantly executed.


Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy

• Alice in Wonderland
• Burlesque
• The Kids Are All Right
• Red
• The Tourist

Again, I am limited in my general familiarity with these candidates. Though I have only seen the first, I can confidently eliminate it as a genuine contender. However, I have heard only raves for "Red" and must see it. Soon.


Best Actor - Drama

• Jesse Eisenberg, "The Social Network"
• Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"
• James Franco, "127 Hours"
• Ryan Gosling, "Blue Valentine"
• Mark Wahlberg, "The Fighter"

Though "The Social Network" is ghastly, Eisenberg's performance is noteworthy. However, he is contending with four other names that are all much more established than himself. And why is Leonardo DiCaprio not in this category??

Best Actress - Drama

• Halle Berry, "Frankie and Alice"
• Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
• Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"
• Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
• Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"

These women are all generally very good actresses. I abstain from other comment, since I am unfamiliar with any of these titles.

Best Actor - Musical/Comedy

• Johnny Depp, "The Tourist"
• Johnny Depp, "Alice in Wonderland"
• Paul Giamatti, "Barney's Version"
• Jake Gyllenhaal, "Love and Other Drugs"
• Kevin Spacey, "Casino Jack"

Three comments. First, I am generally skeptical of the legitimacy of including an actor twice in a single category. Further and second, there is no way that Johnny Depp deserves recognition for his role in "Alice in Wonderland." His portrayal of the Mad Hatter was simply a poor, recycled amalgamation of his previous roles. Third, Jake Gyllenhaal is a wonderful actor. Must add "Love and Other Drugs" to my list of must-sees.

Best Actress - Musical/Comedy

• Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
• Anne Hathaway, "Love and Other Drugs"
• Angelina Jolie, "The Tourist"
• Julianne Moore, "The Kids Are All Right"
• Emma Stone, "Easy A"

"Easy A" is one of those fun young-adult movies that should never show up as a nominee on any award show besides the Teen Choice Awards or similar forums. Also, Anne Hathaway's involvement in "Love and Other Drugs" adds to the necessity of adding it to my list. Joining it will be "The Kids are All Right," which actually focuses on a female same-sex couple and their children. MUST SEE.

Best Supporting Actor

• Christian Bale, "The Fighter
• Michael Douglas, "Wall Street"
• Andrew Garfield, "The Social Network"
• Jeremy Renner, "The Town"
• Geoffrey Rush, "The King's Speech"

Best Supporting Actress

• Amy Adams, "The Fighter"
• Helena Bonham Carter, "The King's Speech"
• Mila Kunis, "Black Swan"
• Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"
• Jacki Weaver, "Animal Kingdom"

Best Director

• Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"
• David Fincher, "The Social Network" ---- No. Just no.
• Tom Hooper, "The King's Speech"
• Christopher Nolan, "Inception"
• David O. Russell, "The Fighter"

If Nolan does not win this category for "Inception," it can only mean that the winning director shits a brick of gold in his winning title.

Best Screenplay

• 127 Hours
• Inception
• The Kids are All Right
• The King's Speech
• The Social Network

Hard to say who will win among the four viable contenders (Really, you think "The Social Network" stands a chance? Really?)

Best Original Song

• Burlesque, "Bound to You"
• Burlesque, "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me"
• Country Strong, "Coming Home"
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, "There's A Place For Us"
• Tangled, "I See the Light"

Best Original Score

• 127 Hours
• Alice in Wonderland
• Inception
• The King's Speech
• The Social Network ----- Why can't this movie just go away?

I do love Danny Elfman and the music for "Alice in Wonderland" was no exception. However, the score from "Inception" complimented the movie itself far more than Elfman's managed for "Alice."

Best Animated Film

• Despicable Me
• How to Train Your Dragon
• The Illusionist
• Tangled
• Toy Story 3

Seen it, seen it, haven't heard of it, must see it, should see it to complete the "Toy Story" experience. Since "Toy Story" is a Pixar and I hear it tugs at the heart strings, I bet it wins the Globe.

Best Foreign Film

• Biutiful (Mexico/Spain)
• The Concert (France)
• The Edge (Russia)
• I am Love (Italy)
• In a Better World (Denmark)

TELEVISION!

Best Series - Drama

• Boardwalk Empire
• Dexter
• The Good Wife
• Mad Men
• The Walking Dead

These are some tough contenders, since I have heard high acclaim for all of them. However, I am personally biased towards "Dexter." Season 4 was absolutely genius. Epic and genius.


Best Series - Musical/Comedy

• The Big Bang Theory
• The Big C
• Glee
• Modern Family
• Nurse Jackie
• 30 Rock

First of all, I am disappointed that "The Office" did not make the list this year. However, considering this last season, I am not wholly surprised. The story has gone down hill and seems to be preying off of fan's invested loyalty at this point. There are a few gems (see the Christmas episode) interspersed among the episodes where the humor is forced. Regarding the actual nominees, I fully endorse "The Big Bang Theory," which produced a very witty third season; they were on top of their game. However, it will be in tough competition with "Glee" and "30 Rock," both which are favorites in past Globes (and Emmys).

Best Mini-Series

• Carlos
• The Pacific
• The Pillars of the Earth
• Temple Grandin
• You Don't Know Jack

I have heard nothing but good things about "Temple Grandin." And I have heard simply nothing about any of the others.

Best Actor in a Mini-Series

• Idris Elba, "Luther"
• Ian McShane, "The Pillars of the Earth"
• Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack"
• Dennis Quaid, "The Special Relationship"
• Edgar Ramirez, "Carlos"

Best Actress in a Mini-Series

• Hayley Atwell, "The Pillars of the Earth"
• Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin"
• Judi Dench, "Return to Cranford"
• Romola Garai, "Emma"
• Jennifer Love Hewitt, "The Client List"

Best Actor in a Series - Musical/Comedy

• Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
• Steve Carell, "The Office"
• Thomas Jane, "Hung"
• Matthew Morrison, "Glee"
• Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

JIM PARSONS!!!! Excellent. Win.

Best Actress in a Series - Musical/Comedy

• Toni Collette, "United States of Tara"
• Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"
• Tina Fey, "30 Rock"
• Laura Linney, "The Big C"
• Lea Michele, "Glee"

Tina Fey might have this one in the bag. Yet again.

Best Actor - Drama

• Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"
• Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
• Michael C Hall, "Dexter"
• Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
• Hugh Laurie, "House M.D."

Again, "Dexter" had a fabulous season. Must win.

Best Actress - Drama

• Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
• Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"
• Piper Perabo, "Covert Affairs"
• Katey Sagal, "Sons of Anarchy"
• Kyra Sedgwick, "The Closer"

Best Supporting Actor

• Scott Cann, "Hawaii Five-O"
• Chris Colfer, "Glee"
• Chris Noth, "The Good Wife"
• Eric Stonestreet, "Modern Family"
• David Strathairn, "Temple Grandin"

Is it my poor memory, or did the Globes conflate a few Supporting Actor/Actress categories this year?

Best Supporting Actress

• Hope Davis, "The Special Relationship"
• Jane Lynch, "Glee"
• Kelly Macdonald, "Boardwalk Empire"
• Julia Stiles, "Dexter"
• Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
  

Back from Vacation?

Yes, I realize it's been over a year since I updated anything movie-related. Am I losing my touch? Have I moved on to greater applications of my time? Well, I have been spending copious amounts of time on scholarly pursuits. However, I'll be back shortly. Be prepared; you have been warned.