Oscar Competition 2012: The Results

Last year's Oscars I spent hungover, and I fell asleep. And I didn't feel bad about it because it was so bad.  I do not think that the Oscars are going to get good ratings, and does anyone under the age of 25 know who Billy Crystal is? Just saying.

Cirque De Soleil performance was really cool. I am very surprised I liked it. Melissa McCarthy's appearance trying to seduce Billy Crystal gets an A+ from me. Will Ferrel and Zach Galifianakis were a great surprise. I liked Melissa McCarthy and Rose Byrne continuing the Scorsese drinking game. 

Meg and I are fighting over Gwyneth Paltrow's cape on the red carpet. My best dressed of the night would be Viola Davis, Michelle Williams (only after I found it wasn't red because she did red at another awards show), and Emma Stone.  Meg's choices are Gwyneth Paltrow, Michelle Williams, and she's glad Rooney Mara didn't wear black.

Below are the results: [Category: Winner, My thoughts on the speech and the choice. (Who was right.) ]  Meg won!

Best Picture: The Artist, I saw this in the theater, you can see my review here. (Meg)
Leading Actor: Jean DuJardin, I saw Damien Bichir hug George Clooney of the red carpet it was an awesome moment. I wish Clooney got it. (Meg) 
Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, I am really happy to see him win, and I want to see the movie now. (Both of us)
Leading Actress: Meryl Streep, I am happy for her, but really want Viola Davis. I hope another role comes along for her. We know Michelle, Rooney, and Glenn will be back up there. (Neither of us)
Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, Woohoo, so happy to see her get it! So cute to see her get lifted out of her seat. Standing ovation! I loved her earrings. (Both of us)
Animated Feature: Rango, I knew the academy was going to choose this one because it basically referenced every Western ever made and followed the storyline of one. (Both of us)
Art Direction: Hugo, I thought Hugo might be big tonight. (Neither of us guessed it)
Cinematography: Hugo, quick speech I am sure he deserved it. (Neither of us guessed it)
Costume Design: The Artist, like I said black and white must have been a challenge. (Both of us)
Best Makeup: The Iron Lady, I missed this in the original, blogger fail. I doubt the nominees enjoyed JLo's and Cam's antics. (Neither of us)
Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, Meg was right Michael Douglas butchered his name. (Both of us)

Documentary Feature: Undefeated, I want to see it, go Meg for having seen it. (Meg)
Documentary Short: Saving Face, I really want to see this. It is about the tragedy of women who were victims of acid violence. (TV Lass)
Film Editing: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, this movie was crazily filmed. I still liked the Swedish version better. So happy to see The Artist not win. (TV Lass)
Foreign Language Film: A Separation, I knew it was going to get it.  The only other Iranian film I have ever seen was good. Great basis for choosing a nominee and a slight humblebrag as Meg would point out. (Both of us) Check out this interesting article on how Hollywood conquered the world.
Original Score: The Artist, impressed that he has no formal training, (Neither of us)
Original Song: Man or Muppet from The Muppets, they had the best presenters too! (Both of us)
Animated Short Film: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, I have a feeling Meg chose Dimanche because it means Sunday in French, and that's why I almost chose it. (Neither of us)
Short Film: The Shore, another I missed blogger fail. (Neither of us)
Sound Editing: Hugo, the academy really going for nostalgia. God, I wish Drive was recognized, go see it! (Neither of us)

Sound Mixing: Hugo, the academy really going for nostalgia. I may be regretting changing my best picture choice.  (Neither of us)
Visual Effects: Hugo, really really regretting changing my best picture choice. (Neither of us.)
Adapted Screenplay: The Descendants, Angelina definitely ate up the audience's reaction to her, she looked thin. I am happy to see this movie get recognized, it was a movie that made me laugh and cry multiple times. Love the winners making fun of Jolie positioning herself.  What would it have been like if Moneyball won?(Meg)
Original Screenplay: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris, I really loved this movie. I watched it during a time I needed an escape, and it brought me to a time in Paris I think of often with all of my favorite writers. I am glad it was recognized. (TV Lass)

Oscar Competition 2012

Oh Oscar Sunday...  As I sit here watching the E! Countdown to the Countdown of the Oscars I'm going to go through and give my picks for the 2012 Oscars.  I'd first like to say that my picks are going to be boring and predictable, because this awards season has been boring and predictable.  Is anyone else bored with awards shows?  I wouldn't be able to get through them without the ability to fast forward.

In fact, the last time I was genuinely excited by a victory was when Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova won for best song in 2008.  I'll admit I was a huge fan of the movie and the band, and had already seen them perform live at the time of the awards show.  But that win genuinely helped them and their careers, and let more people in on the awesome band that is The Swell Season.  I've attached the video of that win at the end of this post.

I will say that I prefer Billy Crystal over Eddie Murphy as host, but I don't think Billy will be a very exciting host.  We all know the schtick by now.  But why were these the two "best options" for hosts of the 2012 Oscars?  It is 1997 or 2012?  Why have the Oscars reverted back after more modern picks of Jon Stewart and the awful decision of James Franco and Anne Hathaway?  I am hopeful that Sacha Baron Cohen might spice it up a little, hopefully The Dictator will make the Oscars regret the controversy from this week.


While I'm on this Oscars rant - where are the exciting acceptance speeches?  Cuba Gooding Jr, Matt and Ben, Roberto Benigni all had amazing off the cuff speeches and were genuinely thrilled to have won.  Is that gone now that awards season is so predictable?

And now on to my apathetic, uneducated picks.

Best Picture: The Artist - It seems like a pretty solid front runner at this point.

Leading Actor: Jean DuJardin - I hope it's Clooney but have a feeling momentum has swung entirely to The Artist.
Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer - Easy.
Leading Actress: Viola Davis - One step closer to the EGOT
Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer - Another given, but she absolutely deserves it.
Animated Feature: Rango - Ehh, it's the only one I've seen, and my niece liked it...
Art Direction: The Artist - Trend continues...
Cinematography: The Artist - Shocking guess, eh?
Costume Design: The Artist- I'm boring myself...
Directing: Michel Hazanavicius - The only excitement will be waiting to see if the presenter will get the pronunciation correct

Documentary Feature: Undefeated - The only nominee I've seen
Documentary Short: Incident in New Baghdad
Film Editing: The Artist
Foreign Language Film: A Separation
Original Score: War Horse - I actually think it's going to be The Artist, but John Williams is a Boston star, so I'm going for the hometown favorite
Original Song: Man or Muppet from The Muppets - It would be so fantastic if Bret McKenzie gets an Oscar, why can't they bring back Flight of the Conchords?
Animated Short Film: Dimanche
Sound Editing: Drive -We're really in the suspenseful categories that everyone cares about now!

Sound Mixing: War Horse
Visual Effects: Hugo
Adapted Screenplay: The Descendants - unfortunately one of it's few wins of the night I suspect
Original Screenplay: The Artist - it might anger some folks but I think it's going to be the winner.  I'd love it if Bridesmaids shocked everyone but it's never going to happen.

 

Click here to watch Falling Slowly win Best Original Song

 

The Oscars! by the TV Lass

I have a special blog for you!  I will be posting my guesses for the Academy Awards.  I know this is a TV blog, but movies are also something that I love.  I enjoy celebrity and watching all these actors come together and all the campaign for their awards.

The surprise is that I have my TV partner in crime from college posting her choices as well.  We've done this for many awards shows, and I asked her to guest blog.  I thought we should bring our little competition to the public.  She is better at guessing the winners than I am.  But I am looking forward to see how this turns out. 

***I knew I should have slept on my choices before revealing them to the blogosphere. I decided to change my best picture choice, see below.


Best Picture: The Help-I think an academy of old white men is going to try to not appear racist.  I originally chose Hugo because of nostalgia of the academy, but The Artist falls into this too.  I just can't swallow The Artist winning.  Don't get me wrong I think it's awesome that the film was made, and that it is getting recognized, but it isn't the best of film making.  There is a reason why sound is needed in movies, this movie proved that.  It will be the Crash of 2012 if it is wins (Brokeback Mountain should have won instead of Crash in 2006), and Weinstein will get another pat on the back.
Leading Actor: George Clooney-I have seen almost all the movies, and his performance is more moving. Gary Oldman is my true choice. 
Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer-I don't see how it could not be him.
Leading Actress: Viola Davis-her performance made "You is kind" sound good.
Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer
Animated Feature: Rango-going for nostalgia again 
Art Direction: Harry Potter-it deserves to win something. 
Cinematography: War Horse
Costume Design: The Artist-Black and white must have been a challenge
Directing: Michel Hazanavicius, The Artist 
Documentary Feature: Hell and Back Again-Edited by a Temple Grad making Philadelphia proud.
Documentary Short: Saving Face
Film Editing: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Foreign Language Film: A Separation
Original Score: War Horse
Original Song: Man or Muppet from The Muppets
Animated Short Film: La Luna
Sound Editing: Drive-I really wish the movie received more recognition. 
Sound Mixing: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Visual Effects: Harry Potter
Adapted Screenplay: Moneyball-Because it took so long to come together, it'll win. 
Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris-even though it would be great to see Bridesmaids recognized.

Parks and Recreation: Sweet Sixteen

Ron points out to Leslie that she needs to take a leave of absence from her parks position to run her campaign.  Leslie does not take this well, and she also forgot Jerry's birthday.  Jerry is going to be 64, and his birthday is on February 29th, which is Leap Day.

Leslie tries to make up for this by throwing a surprise party for Jerry at Donna's lake house.  We get to see what Jerry does on his downtime, it's apparently bubble baths, book reading, and a bottle of wine (ok glass, I just wanted to keep the alliteration going).

We also see the demise Ann and Tom.  I freaking love their relationship or non-relationship.  TAnn Forever!!!

It is really sad to see Chris's realization of his sad life. 2.8% body fat and no one in his life.

Ron Swanson pearls of wisdom: Never half ass two things, only whole ass one thing.

So 11 year old Ron Swanson working in a steel mill?? Food for thought. 

Side note: You should check out this great article at Grantland about this episode.

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes

This post was written as a special request.  Also, I put so much time into the Challenge for my own entertainment purposes; I might as well write about it.  I would say that Bill Simmons and Dave Jacoby at Grantland may love the Challenge more than me.

Ok, so background to the Challenge: The challengers are partnered with their exes to compete in challenges and ultimately win money. 

The pairings and my analysis follows:

• Abram & Cara Maria: I definitely think Cara Maria lacks confidence in her abilities.  Abram is just an animal when it comes to these challenges.  He also has tattoos on his hands, which I think are the weirdest addition to all of his body art.  I was sad to see them go because they are an intriguing couple. But they really didn't have a chance height and weight wise when the X game was revealed at the Dome.
• CT & Diem: I am totally wondering if these two will get back together. In fact I am rooting for it..  I am also hoping that'll make it far too.
• Dunbar & Paula: They have really been a non-entity this challenge, especially Dunbar.  We've barely seen them out side of the interviews before they do their challenges, which have been funny.
• Johnny & Camila: I heard about this drunken event before I saw the episode.  She was also speaking Portuguese at one point in time and no one knew what she was saying she was sooooo drunk.  I feel bad that she had to live through this on tv. But that's also why we watch.
• Mark & Robin: Robin may be the surprise competitor in all of this, but I do not see them making it to the final.
• Rachel & Aneesa: Surprisingly are holding their own being two women.  I still can't believe Rachel would stab Mark in the back though.  Also, Johnny was supposedly such an asshole on the Island, so I don't blame her for trying to get rid of him.
• Ty & Emily: I thought they were interesting separately on other challenges.  I think they have been boring, and they won't make it to the final.